Superintendent to discuss school budget

The Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council will meet 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, at the Pathfinder Park Community Center, located on the corner of Pathfinder and Fullerton roads.

The guest speaker will Rowland Superintendent Maria Ott. She will discuss the state budget and its effects on our school system. On Tuesday, the school board issued layoff notices for 88 teachers to offset some of the deficit.

There will also be reports from elected officials’ representatives and law enforcement. The council is Rowland Heights’ liaison with elected officials regarding matters of concern to the area. For information, visit www.rhccc.netfirms.com.

Rowland choirs present rock n roll salute

Don’t miss a musical salute to rock n roll with more than 700 choral students from across Rowland Unified Schools on Friday beginning at 7 p.m. in the Nogales High School gym.

The Nogales and Rowland High School Choirs will join choirs from Alvarado, Giano and Rincon Intermediate Schools. There will also be 300 Honor Choir students from every elementary school in the district.

Come enjoy such songs as “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray, “At the Hop” and “You Love Me.” They will also perform classics from the Beatles, Elvis and more!

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Kids under 2 years old are free!

Rowland teachers hold vigil to protest layoffs

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Teacher Valerie Mayanosik, left, Leonard McLaren and Mary Lugo join a candlelight vigil in front of the Rowland Unified School District offices on Tuesday. (Mike Mullen / Correspondent)

Teachers in the Rowland Unified School District held a candlelight vigil Tuesday outside a special board meeting. Inside, the school board planned to issue pink slips to 88 teachers and administrators.

“The message the teachers are striving to deliver is put the students first,” said Christine Zukowski, president of the Association of Rowland Educators. “Giving notices to teachers is not following the strategic plan.”

Superintendent Maria Ott called the cuts “heart breaking.” “It so hard to make these decisions but we’re facing a large deficit because of the state budget,” Ott said.

Homeless winter shelter in Rowland Heights

The East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless Winter Shelter program will be at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Rowland Heights through March 15.

Committee Chairperson Dave Klocksbien estimates that 520 volunteers will serve more than 8,600 meals at this site.

In additional to parish ministries, many churches and groups from surrounding communities will provide volunteers, food, toiletries and other items.

They include: Los Angeles Millenium Lions Club, St. Denis Church of Diamond Bar, Chaparral Middle School teachers and students, Couples for Christ, Bukas Loob sa Diyos Community, Covina Assembly of God Church, Holy Name of Mary Parish of San Dimas, and Mudika Indonesian Community.