A View from the Heights

I hope everyone gets a chance to cool off this Labor Day. Looks like it will still be a scorcher. Anyways try to have some fun, but watch your family's exposure to the heat and sun. It doesn't take long to bake out there.

And be careful with those drinks by the pool. Weird how the hot weather really makes alcoholic drinks seem that much stronger. I know my friends at the CHP are going to be out in force to keep our streets safe in the Heights. but we all have to act responsibly and not drink and drive this holiday weekend.

As for me, I plan on going to the beach one day and hanging out at the movies to beat the heat. Take care.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just got this e-mail today about the laptop computer program in Hacienda La Puente Unified.

Hi Rich,
Just wanted to drop you an e-mail and congratulate you on a nice article. Thanks for your coverage of the program. We’ve been getting a tremendous number of calls from parents who have read about this in the Highlander.In any case, it’s hitting interested parents.

Thanks again! Best regards,
Michael Droe, Chief Technology Officer, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Posted by Richard Irwin at 2:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (289)

Hot enough for you? It was 105 when I was out in the Heights at noon. Good grief! That's too hot.

Talked to Gary Matsumoto at the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Offices this morning and he said some schools were having a hard time keeping up with the heatwave. But he added that district maintenance crews were out in full force working on the many air conditioners that keep our kids cool.

Let's hope that we don't get any rolling blackouts. Otherwise we'll all be sitting in the dark. So save energy whenever you can. Do it for the kids! Do it for the grandkids! Do it for the dog! Just do it.

At least we have a three-day weekend that we can spend at area beaches and swimming pools. Yaaaaa!

Posted by Richard Irwin at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By the way, registration is being held for computer classes at the La Puente Valley R.O.P. Education Center. Classes begin Sept. 4. The low-cost training includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Vista. Students may study for the Microsoft Office specialist examination.

Classes meet from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday or 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.
The computer classes are free for high school students and those receiving government assistance. Adults pay $25 plus a $15 materials fee.

The center is at 18501 E. Gale Ave., Suite 11, Industry. For more information, call (626) 810-3300, Ext. 255 or see the Web site at www.lpvrop.org.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

An e-mail today read: Richard, How can I participate in your new blog spot? I would like to share information about what is happening at La Puente Valley ROP with and for students.

Please advise. I looked at the site this morning, and it’s a great way to share information with the community!

Regards, Debra Mustain, Director, Student Services, La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program

Debra, you just did! This blog is all about people like you that do so much to make our community such a wonderful place for our kids. I'd love to include any classes and stories that you may have. I'm trying to start a conversation with the entire Heights, not a soliloquy by yours truly. That's why people can add their comments anytime!

Posted by Richard Irwin at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Teacher Lisa Mistrik, center kneeling, greets her students as they arrive at Glenelder Elementary School in Hacienda Heights on the first day of school today. (Photo by Raul Roa, Staff)

Assisting her are school aides Ana Rosa Escobedo, left, and Victoria Owen, right. The students came back for their first day in the new academic year on a hot summer day.

Principal Ken Quon said many of the fifth graders were excited about using the new laptop computers that the district had distributed to them in August.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get your violins out! Rowland Unified will hold auditions next week its Honor Orchestra, directed by Sophia Hua. All students are encouraged to audition. The orchestra meets Tuesdays from 6–8 p.m., beginning Sept. 18. Auditions and weekly rehearsals are held at Rincon Intermediate School, 2800 E. Hollingworth, West Covina.

Auditions for elementary students will be 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 4. Middle/high student audition 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 5. Requirements: 1) Scale: 2-octave or more preferred. 2) Etude or piece: best if memorized, maximum 2 ½ minutes with copy for judge.

There is an audition fee of $10, $5 for a second child. Results will be mailed to homes the following week.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Welcome back! The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District begins a new school year today. Students and staff are returning to the classroom after their well-deserved summer holiday.

Local schools will have a few new faces. Ellen Park is the new principal at Wedgeworth Elementary, while Rosalie Sinapi has taken over Bixby Elementary.

The new principal at Cedarlane Middle School is Janine Ezaki , while Erika Terrazas is now the assistant principal at Newton Middle School.

Best of luck to everyone this academic year! Check later for photos of the first day in our local schools.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

La Seda Elementary celebrated the first day of school with a continental breakfast for parents, followed by guided tours of the campus so parents could visit all the classrooms and school areas.

Northam Elementary served refreshments to parents before inviting them to their child's new classroom to meet the teacher. Tours visited the Community Work Center, MIND Music Lab, Literacy Lab and Enhancement Program Area.

Ybarra Academy of the Arts & Technology held a school assembly, before offering a parent workshop on how to help your child succeed. Parents then met teachers, staff and administrators and toured classrooms.

Yorbita Elementary held a Parent Resource Fair. Booths included Parent Institute of Quality of Education, PTA, Yorbita Power to the Parents, Options programs and preschool, Morning Break Club and Migrant Education.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Rotary Club of Walnut Valley will host its 10th Annual Ron Hockwalt Memorial Golf Tournament on Sept. 6 at the California Country Club, 1509 S. Workman Mill Road, Whittier.

The fund-raising event will feature prizes and festivities after a round of golf.
Proceeds from the event will help neighboring schools with their fine arts programs.

Benefiting schools include our very own Rowland High School and Santana High.
For information, call the club at (909) 861-3868.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beep, Beep!! AARP will hold a Mature Driver Safety Program 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, and Friday, Aug. 31, at the Steinmetz Senior Center in Hacienda Heights.

The classes are for senior citizens who are still driving and want the discounts available from insurance companies. The discount is good for three years.

The eight-hour class is spread over the two days. The center is at 1545 S. Stimson Ave., Hacienda Heights.
For more information, call (626) 934-7041.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Rowland Unified School Board visited the new football field at Rowland and Nogales High Schools on Monday, Aug. 27. I recently visited the field and it's true what they say "The grass really is greener on an artificial field!"

The bright, green grass was broken only the embedded white striping, as well as the high school logo in the middle of the field. They were still laying the artifical grass when I stopped by, and they hope to finish in a week or so.

What do the board members think of their $2 million investment? Let us know. More photos and the full story will appear soon on the Highlander web site as well as the newspaper.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hacienda La Puente Unified has taken a leap forward into the future of education. On Saturday, the district continued to distribute laptop computers to secondary students.

A lot of smilling faces were seen coming out of the gymnasium at Workman High School. Everyone was glad to get a new Dell computer for school at no cost to the family. Amazing!

Mike Droe, chief technology officer for the district, said everyone has been overwhelmed by how thankful the students and their parents are. Hey, Mike, how many did you hand out Saturday?

Here are some photos, the story will appear later this week. Until then check out their Web site.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, it's official! School has begun in the Rowland Unified School District and the all the little kiddies were up early, waiting to go back to class. Staff and students were especially glad to be back at Killian Elementary School.

Families were greeted by a raft of balloons, as well as a shiny, new PT Cruiser that the school is raffling off to raise money for its programs. Principal Susan Halliday was all smiles as the children trooped into their new classrooms, where parents were welcomed with various activities. Perhaps she'll be kind enough to explain how everyone can buy tickets for the new car. The winner will be cruising to school in style! I meet a lot of wonderful students and parents.

We'll post some photos later today. The story will appear later this week.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi!! I thought we should start a conversation about our communities of Hacienda and Rowland Heights. A place where we could chat about the news in our very own neighborhoods. You know, about schools, businesses, organizations ... all the things that make the Heights such a great place to live. Let's share a lively dialogue about the issues that matter to us. So please feel free to express yourself, sharing any questions, comments or suggestions.

Posted by Richard Irwin at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)