California School News Radio

Baldwin Park Unified School District’s Santa Fe School Principal Margie Clark discusses the school’s designation as a 2020 California Distinguished School, the school’s strong gains in English language arts test scores and Santa Fe’s approach to intervention and enrichment.

Buena Park School District’s Pendleton School Principal Shin Park discusses the opening of the school’s new Wellness Center, rewarding students for positive behavior and the importance of students learning to work as a team.

Humberto Solorio, a counselor at Whittier Union’s California High School, discusses attending the 2020 State of the Union address in Washington D.C. as a guest of U.S Rep Linda Sanchez, and the importance of helping students keep their social/emotional balance.

Monrovia Unified parent Dominique Strivings and Monrovia High School teacher Robin Chicca discuss FuzzFEST, a Monrovia fundraiser that has participants shave their heads to raise money for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding cures for childhood cancer.

Monrovia Unified’s Bradoaks Elementary School Principal Jayne Nickles discusses the school’s recent designation as a science academy, the importance of inquiry-based learning, increasing parent involvement and preparing for the school’s Spring Fair.

La Serna High School senior Jocelyn Jimenez, who will attend Claremont McKenna College in the fall, discusses the life skills she learned as a member of the Whittier Police Department Explorer Program, and as a La Serna Oasis-Haven student mentor.

Edgewood High School senior Yuriko Chavez and spoken word artist David A. Romero discuss the importance of learning poetry at a young age and Chavez’s poem “Mission First, Mission Always,” which recently won a $500 Romero Scholarship for Spoken Word.

Raymond Collins Elementary School Principal Theresa Diaz discusses the Collins student garden, which has provided nutrition and educational opportunities for nearly 10 years, and the support provided by the Paramount Board of Education and Chamber of Commerce to raise money for garden restoration.   Raymond Collins Elementary School,  student garden, education,  Paramount Board of Education, Chamber of Commerce

Rio Hondo College Homeland Security Program Coordinator Dr. Nash Flores discusses Rio Hondo’s new Homeland Security degree and certificate programs and leading the effort to have the Homeland Security discipline approved by the California Community College Board of Governors.

Clifton Middle School robotics adviser Paul Flores and eighth-grade students Guadalupe Hilario and Ty Weiss discuss Clifton’s Hippie Bots robotics team, which is preparing to compete in an international competition in Barcelona, Spain on Feb. 27-28 as the sole United States representative.

West Covina Unified Director of Secondary Curriculum Dr. Marc Trovatore, West Covina High School Principal Dr. Ryan D’Errico and West Covina High Choir Director Tyler Wigglesworth discuss the mission and goals of the West Covina High Performing Arts Academy, which launches in fall 2020.

El Monte City School District’s Wright School was recently named a 2020 California Distinguished School. Principal Dr. Monica Munoz discusses the importance of professional learning communities, transparency and the elementary school teachers who helped her develop a love for learning.

South El Monte High School girls soccer coach Alex Rosales and El Monte High School football coach Jesse Ceniceros discuss El Monte Union High School District athletics and the dream seasons that brought two CIF state titles to the District in 2019.

South El Monte High School business teacher Tam Ly-Wong is a 2019 Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award recipient. Wong discusses emigrating from Vietnam as a child, joining the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in high school, and her longtime role as South El Monte FBLA club adviser.

Buena Park School District’s Charles G. Emery School has been recognized as a 2020 California Distinguished School. Principal Julie Linnecke discusses Emery’s Balanced Literacy program, rising test scores and the importance of parent engagement.

Baldwin Park Unified Director of Student Achievement Richard Noblett discusses the importance of integrating visual and performing arts into the District’s core curriculum and how partnerships with regional non-profits assist in developing a safe and engaging academic environment.

Bonita Unified Superintendent Carl J. Coles and Director of Human Resources Kevin Lee discuss the District’s recognition as a 2019 Top Workplace and how its core values of equity, mastery and a focus on results provide opportunities for District personnel and students to excel.

Shirpser School Teacher/Assistant Principal Juan Flores discusses El Monte City School District’s Leader in Me program, the Panda Cares program that brought Panda Express employees to Shirpser to promote leadership and literacy, growing up in El Monte and returning as a teacher.

Fontana Unified Elementary School counselor Eduardo Valencia discusses the experiences that led him to be a school counselor, bringing college and career days to District elementary schools, arranging for students to visit the capitol in Sacramento and establishing a leadership nonprofit.

Baldwin Park Unified Director of Early Childhood Education Ricardo Rivera details the history of the District’s Head Start program, the importance of community support, and the program’s annual District Toy Drive.