California School News Radio

Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School senior Brigitte Lopez and junior Codi Thompson discuss academic and community leadership, the joys of helping others in need and share their thoughts on Black History Month and Women’s History Month. 

Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez joins Fontana Unified Executive Director of College, Career and Economic Development Hillary Wolfe, A.B. Miller High School aviation teacher Jeff McGlocklin and A.B. Miller High School senior Johnny Hortua as they discuss what it takes to establish an aviation education pathway in a Southern California school district.

South Hills High School senior Ahriana Chavez, Covina High School junior Gianna Herrera and Northview High School freshman Jin-Jin Sanglimsuwan discuss being chosen to join the League of Innovative Students, how they are helping shape future education policies, and why they feel compelled to give back to their communities.

Fontana High School Career Connections CTE instructor Lamar Hanger and Fontana High junior Cyrus Sapien discuss the Career Connections construction pathway, preparing for the annual CIEF Foundation Design Build competition, learning life skills and the camaraderie of being a family of aspiring carpenters.

South El Monte High School senior Aaron Morales (“Legacy: After Effects”) joins Whittier High School junior Julia Rae Rodriguez (“Dried Lavender & Sage: Poems As I Grow”) to discuss their latest published works, what inspires them to write, balancing their studies with literary pursuits, extracurricular activities and what writer – living or dead – they would love to have a conversation with. 

California High School Model United Nations advisors Sean Reagan and James Palmer join senior Madeleine Reagan and junior Katy Tinoco to discuss the school’s Model United Nations program, the importance of learning diplomacy, the benefit of traveling to high schools and colleges to attend conferences, and the school’s CondorMUN5 conference for high school and middle school students, held in Dec. 2023. 

Henry J. Kaiser High School Director of Theater Wendi Johnson is joined by Kaiser seniors and Kaiser Artistic and Theatrical Society (KATS) members Leah Young and Dani Garcia as they discuss the Fontana Unified school’s first-ever first place award for their performance of Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” at the California Educational Theatre Association high school theatre festival in January. 

El Monte Union High School District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and CTE Kirk McGinnis discusses current and future CTE pathways available at the District, acquiring Strong Workforce Grants to help develop digital media classes, the role of are business partnerships and working with surrounding school districts to boost math scores. 

Lynwood Unified Assistant Superintendent of Technology & Innovation Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul discusses the future of artificial intelligence (AI) education, how it can spark innovation, how to recognize AI fact from fiction, how to navigate AI’s ethical standards and what future careers are being made possible by using AI. 

Strategic Innovations Facilitator Gibran Carter and Makerspace Manager Josh Brown discuss the grand opening of Innovation Empire, a dynamic creative learning environment exclusive to Fontana Unified students, which includes a think tank for students to learn entrepreneurship, and a Makerspace with state-of-the-art 3-D printers, laser cutters and other high-tech machinery, that will allow students to create and design their own projects. 

Sunset Elementary School Principal Rosette Holmes, Nelson Elementary School Principal Dr. Marci Chavez and La Puente High School Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez discuss Project LEAD (Life Experience About Democracy), a Golden Bell award winning program that connects La Puente K-12 students with City of La Puente leaders through presentations such as mock city council.

Covina-Valley Unified Director of Curriculum and Instruction Julie Harrison is joined by Covina High School senior Aiyana Martel, Northview High School Hannah Coulthurst and South Hills High School senior Liani Arevalo to discuss the District’s award-winning career technical education pathways, including Agriculture/Animal Science, FAME Academy and Business.

Glen A. Wilson High School International Baccalaureate teacher Josipa Casey and Wilson High senior Emily Axelrod discuss academic programs and pathways available at the award-winning school, one of four Hacienda La Puente Unified schools to receive a national Blue Ribbon designation from the U.S. Dept. of Education in 2023. 

Lynwood Unified Director of Equity, Access and Instructional Services Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco discusses the District’s wide-ranging Equity Plan, social justice standards, Lynwood Equity Warriors, parent engagement, PBIS, and the importance of listening to students to find out their individual needs. 

Baldwin Park Unified Orchestra Director Paul Grant discusses providing equity in music education in Baldwin Park, and channeling the music teachers from his youth who inspired him to learn and teach music, leading to his selection as the American String Teachers Association Los Angeles Chapter 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Year. 

Pioneer High School history teacher Gena Arriola-Salas and Whittier High School history teacher John Bellanti discuss their trip to Poland as part of the Auschwitz Legacy Program, and reflect on what they saw at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Warsaw Ghetto. 

Bonita Unified Career Technical Education Director Vanessa Tilford discusses reshaping the District’s CTE pathway programs, staging Bonita’s first community resources fair, and partnering with colleges and businesses to create training opportunities for students.  

Lynwood High School Class of 2018 graduate Andrea Lopez and her brother, Class of 2019 graduate Efren Lopez discuss how Lynwood Unified's English learner program put them on the path to academic success, their decision to attend Loyola Marymount University together, and why they returned to the District to mentor a new generation of English learners.

Fontana High School Class of 2023 graduates Jasmin Hurtado-Mendez, David Munoz-Padilla and Josue Arias-Ramirez discuss the prestigious scholarships that will allow them to attend some of the top universities in the country, including UC Berkeley, Columbia University and Boston College. 

Buena Park School District Technology Teacher on Special Assignment Andy Osborn discusses the District’s technology curriculum, the District partnership with Apple, and the end-of-year Innovation Showcase, where Buena Park teachers and students share their tech projects with the community. 

La Serna High School Intervention Specialist Lisa Barnes discusses the school’s unique multi-tiered intervention programs, including HAVEN, a program for juniors which provides career and college preparation, assisted by student mentors and community partners; the importance of providing students with social capital and taking over from her mentor, Ken LaVigne. 

Lynwood Unified School District English Learners Coordinator Aranzazu Garcia discusses the District’s English learner program, how students are mentored and assessed, support services for parents, and her passion for English language development after moving from her native country, Spain, to become a teacher in the United States. 

Dolores Huerta International Academy sixth-grade Spanish dual language immersion teacher Ashley Silva discusses her passion for infusing technology and fun in STEAM education, being selected to join the Teacher Innovator Academy in 2022, her recent recognition as an Alma Flor Ada Award for Social Justice recipient, and embracing the Hawaiian concept of ‘ohana. 

California School News Radio talks with two recent Posse Foundation Los Angeles Chapter recipients, Rosemead High School senior Wendy Sar and South Hills High School senior Saniya Tillis, who both received full-ride Posse scholarships to attend Northwestern University. 

Baldwin Park High School National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club advisor Nicole Melamed and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club advisor Michelle Humason discuss the school’s Peace, Pride and Produce Garden, which serves as a safe space for Baldwin Park High’s LGBTQIA+ community. 

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez shares his thoughts on the recent State of the District presentation, incorporating tech in the classroom, the District commitment to deeper learning, early college and dual enrollment and the Latino Film Institute Youth Cinema Project pilot program. 

Santa Fe High School world language teacher Isabelle Teraoka is joined by three of her students – junior Lia Liebanos and sophomores Oswaldo Garcia and Ana Sophia Gutierrez – to discuss the joys of learning French, the benefits of being bilingual, the beauty of the language and the impact of French culture in music, art, architecture and fashion. 

Lynwood Unified Director of Risk Management Tiffany Egan, Lynwood Unified Health Services Specialists Erin Okazaki and Sue Poh, and Carreon Group Inc. President and CEO Jennie Carreon discuss the District’s multi-faceted Health Collaborative and the “Health for the Holidays” community wellness fair, which was supported by the California Department of Education and grants from the Rockefeller Foundation. 

El Monte Union High School District Wellness Coordinators Imelda Moronez and Daniela Chavez discuss the District initiative to establish Wellness Centers at each school, and the importance of having calming spaces and rooms on campus where students can relax and talk to a licensed therapist or clinical social worker. 

Bonita Unified School District ProStart culinary educators Nick and Laurie Brandler discuss the importance of providing their students with networking opportunities with professional Bay Area chefs during an exclusive six-day ProStart training field trip in early November. The Brandlers are joined by San Dimas High School graduate Kris Lara, who is currently a pastry chef at a two-star Michelin restaurant in San Francisco. 

Fontana Unified School District Afterschool Education and Safety Program Project Director Yubleni Cazares and City of Fontana Community Services Coordinator Sergio Barragán discuss the activities, enrichment opportunities and social-emotional learning components of the District’s acclaimed afterschool program, which is part of the California Afterschool Network. 

Río Hondo College sociology professor Melissa Rifino-Juarez, counselor David Tieu, student Ileen Dominguez and alumna Nicole Contreras-Garcia discuss the success of the school’s Honors Transfer Program, which provides a pathway for students to transfer to four-year universities, with high admission rates to University of California and Cal State University colleges.   

Orange Grove Middle School science and STEM teacher Terri Serey discusses student engagement in the classroom, bringing NASA engineers to class and presenting at STEM conferences across the country. Serey has been recognized as the Hacienda La Puente 2021-22 Teacher of the Year and is one of 16 teachers to be named a LACOE 2022 Teacher of the Year.  

Whittier High School Principal Tim Liggett discusses the school’s recently launched Cardinal Academy of Technology pathway, the importance of equal gender representation in STEM, the benefits of exploring your options before choosing a college, and the tradition of innovation at the Whittier Union high school. 

Banning Unified School District Superintendent Terrence Davis discusses his plans to create a positive school climate throughout the District, increase transparency within the community, and provide exceptional educational opportunities for students. 

Former Río Hondo College student and digital content creator Jessica Estrada discusses being one of a select group of influencers to join the NASA Artemis I Social Media team and travel to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to witness the inaugural launch of NASA’s Artemis space exploration program.

Sierra Vista High School Class of 2019 graduate Diana Aguilar-Cruz and Sierra Vista English language development teacher Charlene Fried discuss the amazing journey that has seen Aguilar-Cruz go from a newly arrived English learner in 2015 to becoming a biology major at Cal Poly Pomona and being appointed as a Cal State University Student Trustee. 

Newly appointed Río Hondo College Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores discusses why community college is such an important educational resource, the role community college plays in supporting underrepresented students, the opportunities for middle and high school students to get a head start in higher education, conducting a listening tour to meet her new colleagues, and how school districts and parents can best prepare their students for college.

Río Hondo College English professor Dr. Angela Medina-Rhodes discusses the journey that took her from being a 17-year-old Río Hondo College student to preparing for her first term as RHC’s Academic Senate President, and her commitment to providing equity for students through Río Hondo College’s EOPS/CARE programs.

St. Anne’s Family Services President and CEO Lorna Little and Lynwood Unified School District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Shawna Dinkins discuss the District’s new Early Learning Center, Early Head Start and the importance of early childhood education. 

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Adult Education (HLPAE) CTE Director Micah Goins and his wife Crystal Goins, who recently graduated from the adult school’s cosmetology program, discuss the diversity of programs offered at HLPAE, the benefits and value of adult school education and how to make a successful career shift. 

Covina-Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer discusses the District partnership with Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence to bolster social-emotional learning through its renowned RULER program, which provides teachers with the skills and tools to recognize and understand the emotions of their students.

Sierra Vista High School visual arts teacher Jenna Guerrero and VAPA tutor Genesis Alvarado discuss the Baldwin Park Unified school’s TV Production CTE Pathway, the popularity of the student-produced “Sierra Vision” news program, and how the Strong Workforce Grant has enabled the school to bring back alumni as tutors. 

Mountain View High School Teacher Prep Academy co-directors Amy Minick and Mary Boutté discuss the Golden Bell Award-winning El Monte Union High School District three-year education pathway that focuses on developing teaching skills, providing an opportunity for students to tutor TK-6 students from a neighboring school district.  

California High School Class of 2016 graduate Alondra Saldivar discusses the benefits of participating in high school service clubs. Saldivar, a UCLA graduate who is currently studying law at the University of San Francisco, organized a group of Whittier Union alumni to serve as advisers for Cal High’s Interact Club, hoping to inspire the next generation of community service leaders. 

Baldwin Park Unified Senior Director of Support Services Noreen Iwai-ito and Think Together San Gabriel Valley Region General Manager Samira Mejia discuss the District’s upcoming spring break camp for K-5 students, the benefits of expanded learning, and creating afterschool curriculum that is fun and educational.

Henry J. Kaiser High School senior Amitoj Lobana, who will attend MIT in the fall, and his brother, Kaiser High School Class of 2019 graduate Jashandeep Lobana, currently a junior at Johns Hopkins University, discuss being first-generation college students encouraged by their parents and teachers to achieve at the highest levels, pursue humanitarian interests and work toward careers where they can bring equity to their communities. 

Buena Park School District Chief Academic Officer Dr. Yvette Cantu discusses the District commitment to providing every middle school student an opportunity to experience outdoor overnight science camp, building social skills and discovering a love for learning, and the excitement of seeing students experience snow for the first time. 

Baldwin Park High School sports medicine teacher Mimi Cash and information technology instructor Carlos Renteria discuss the advantages of career technical education pathways, earning college credits and certifications in high school, career opportunities, and the joy of seeing students connect with the curriculum. 

Pioneer High School science teacher Victor Gonzalez, senior Emily Avalos and sophomore Johann Avalos discuss the school’s Cyber Security Club, participating in CyberPatriot competitions, the benefits of ethical hacking and pursuing careers in the field of cyber security. 

Arroyo High School senior Andrew Ramos, Eco Urban Gardens Executive Director Marianne Zaugg and Arroyo High School Farm Lab Manager Alan Melgoza-Calderon discuss the school’s ongoing Farm Lab project, sustainability and organic living in urban environments, and college and career opportunities in horticulture and environmental science.

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Executive Director of High Schools Dr. Mark Anderson and William Workman High School Principal Dr. Anna Corral discuss the Workman Early College Academy Network, a partnership with Mt. San Antonio College that allows students to earn transferable college credits while attending high school. 

Lynwood Unified Asst. Superintendent of Technology and Innovation Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul discusses the importance of developing K-12 curriculum to address the emerging field of cryptocurrency and how it affects student understanding of financial literacy. 

Bonita Unified School District Band Director Kelly Leyva discusses participating in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade as a member of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, 30 years after she appeared in the parade as a high school student, and the joys of teaching music to middle and elementary school students.

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Executive Director of Elementary Education Dr. Angela Lin and Sparks Elementary School teacher Dr. Dalila Menjivar discuss the benefits of transitional kindergarten, creating a supportive learning environment and the TK eligibility requirements for the 2022-23 school year. 

Whittier Union High School District Director of Federal & State Categorical Programs Francisco Meza and parents Artisia Alcazar and Claudia Hernandez discuss the District’s Parent Mentor Program, providing support to parents of English learners and increasing parent engagement. 

Almond Elementary School principal Tim McCaffrey, Almond Elementary fifth grader Kassandra Rodriguez, Summit High School TV Production teacher Artie Casas and Summit High senior Leigha Ortiz-Matney discuss the elementary school’s Pacer Production Studios afterschool program, which teaches students the basics of film and TV production, with help from Summit High TV Pro mentors. 

Bonita High School auto shop teacher Rob Zamboni, Bonita High sophomores Randy Gershman and Rylan Blancett, and La Verne Historical Society historian Bill Lemon discuss the challenges of restoring a vintage 1938 International pickup truck in time for the city of La Verne’s 2022 Fourth of July parade.

Arroyo High School Math Department Chair Patricia Espinoza and Cal Poly Pomona math professor Greisy Winiki-Landman discuss Mathematical Reasoning With Connections (MRWC), a fourth-year math class designed to prepare students for the expectations and rigor of college mathematics. 

Whittier Union Adult School Assistant Principal Juan Anzaldo and teacher Giovanni Masia discuss the school’s newly launched residential plumbing course, a 10-week course that prepares students to become apprentices and graduate with work-ready skills, and the positive impact of adult school education in the Whittier community.

Mountain View High School CTE teacher and El Monte Union 2021-22 Teacher of the Year John Mann joins Mountain View High Class of 2020 graduate Zaid Mendoza to discuss the school’s VISTA Academy video production pathway, state-of-the-art filmmaking equipment, and the importance of storytelling. 

Hacienda-La Puente Unified School District Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Dr. Judy Fancher, Valinda School of Academics Principal Elizabeth Bermejo and Valinda School math teacher Wendy Wilson discuss the District’s implementation of C-STEM math instruction, its partnership with UC Davis and the enthusiastic student response to the new curriculum.

Monrovia High School senior Alexia Holt and Mountain Park Independent Study School senior Brianna Campbell discuss being Monrovia Unified student Board of Education representatives, the differences between traditional and non-traditional study and their plans for college and career. 

Río Hondo College business professor Ivan Leon discusses Entrepreneur Camp Río, a two-week online summer camp for high school students that teaches students to hone their management skills and creative thinking abilities, with a chance to win cash prizes for the best business pitch. 

Whittier Union Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Monica Oviedo discusses the District’s weekly vaccination clinics, the benefits of partnering with an independent pharmacy, and communicating with neighboring school districts to ensure that the entire community has access to vaccinations. 

Lynwood High School teacher Luis Vega, Bishop Strachan School teacher Paul Toth and Robert College teacher Narciso Argüelles discuss the online art exhibit, Without Borders Without Fears, how art is a prism for interpreting current events, and the importance of art education and cross-cultural collaborations.

Whittier Union Adult School Principal Dr. Margie Moriarty discusses career technical education opportunities (including its acclaimed bus driver training course), Love and Logic parenting classes, the school’s partnership with Rio Hondo Adult Education Consortium and her dual role as the top administrator for Frontier High School.

Bassett Adult School Principal Albert Michel discusses the school’s new GED testing center that will open in the fall, its three high school options that can lead to a diploma, its seven career technical education programs (which include the acclaimed electrician certification program), the major facilities upgrades underway at the campus and the thrill of seeing former students in the community.

Bassett Adult School Principal Albert Michel discusses the school’s new GED testing center that will open in the fall, its three high school options that can lead to a diploma, its seven career technical education programs (which include the acclaimed electrician certification program), the major facilities upgrades underway at the campus and the thrill of seeing former students in the community.

Fontana Unified is one of the only school districts in the country to offer an elective that trains students to pilot an unmanned aircraft system. Kaiser High School graduate Rodrick Reed and senior Angela Alanis discuss the fundamentals of working with drones and the training that prepared them to receive a Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Baldwin Park Unified Senior Director of Adult and Community Education Dr. John Kerr is retiring after a distinguished career at the District that spanned 39 years. Kerr discusses the changing nature of adult education, the value of providing personalized student services, the importance of a well-trained staff and District partners, and the joy of serving the community he grew up in.

Rio Hondo College’s RioSource Room serves as a campus food pantry and resource hub, helping students struggling with food insecurity and homelessness. Rio Hondo Director of Student Life Shaina Phillips discusses the changing nature of student services in the 21st century and partnering with local organizations for food donations.

Buena Park School District’s Kid Connection offers child development and early learning options that include two field trips a week throughout the summer. Corey School Kid Connection lead teacher Merilee Perini discusses why the program remains popular after more than 30 years and the social and educational benefits of field trips.

La Verne Heights Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Lauren Barnes and Bonita High School junior Spencer Gardner were among the celebrants as students and alumni recently dug up a time capsule buried at the Bonita Unified campus in 1994. Barnes and Gardner discuss what surprised them the most about the contents, what items should go in the next time capsule and the restoration of a historic oak tree slab in front of the school.

Turnaround Arts California President and co-founder Malissa Shriver discusses partnering with renowned architect Frank Gehry to create an arts education advocacy organization, the importance of arts integration in classrooms, how art therapy heals cognitive functions of the brain, pairing celebrity influencers with regional arts organizations and making art a foundational part of school curriculum.

El Monte City School District Ed Tech Coordinator Jessica Pardini discusses the District’s inaugural Tech Fair, the rollout of Lego Robotics curriculum, training students to become tech leaders in the classroom through Generation YES and the coalition of district personnel, administrators, faculty, tech specialists and community volunteers helping El Monte City students realize their potential in tech.

Warren Lane Academy of the Arts Music Director Claudia Zuniga discusses the Inglewood Unified school’s transition from TK-6 to TK-8, equitable access to music programs for every student, the value of building and maintaining a library of musical instruments and the importance of District partners in arts education.

Sunkist Elementary School Education Specialist Ryann Mora – Bassett Unified’s 2018-19 Teacher of the Year – helped coordinate the second annual Best of Bassett showcase in May. She discusses Mora’s Kids, students with disabilities who have a 100 percent high school graduation rate, and the thrill of watching her students become scholars.

Monrovia Unified celebrated its visual and performing arts program during Monrovia Days, a three-day annual festival. Director of Performing Arts Patrick Garcia discusses the importance of immersing students and their families in the arts, local partnerships with music and theater companies, and the District’s five-year plan to expand arts curriculum.

Buena Park Junior High STEM teacher Shelley Andros has helped develop a strong robotics and coding program, with beginning and advanced classes for all grade levels. Joined by Buena Park students Veronica Diaz and Edwin Martinez, Andros discusses project-based learning, funding challenges, hosting Robot Nation competitions and preparing students for the jobs of the future.

Buena Park School District Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes discusses learning and literacy, the new Buena Park mission and vision, 1:1 iPad technology rollout, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Advanced Placement courses at Buena Park Junior High and the Disney Musical Elementary School program.

Inglewood Unified School District is restructuring four campuses into K-8 schools, with facilities upgrades that include new classrooms, playgrounds and libraries. Executive Director of Elementary Education Ugema Hosea James discusses the District commitment to STEAM curriculum, the benefits of community feedback and reflects on her 26 years as a District teacher and administrator.

Bonita Unified School District culinary arts students found the recipe for success during the 2019 California Restaurant Association ProStart Cup, winning awards and scholarships for their innovation, management and culinary skills. Bonita Unified teachers Nick and Laurie Brandler discuss what compelled them to leave jobs in the restaurant industry to become educators, and Bonita and San Dimas High students talk about the ProStart competition.

Kaiser High School senior Kelly Bouslaiby loves theater and has worked hard to perfect her craft. The Fontana Unified senior made a name for herself at the 2019 ESU National Shakespeare Competition in New York with a third-place finish and $500 cash prize. Bouslaiby discusses her first audition, her dream roles and the thrill of performing at the Lincoln Center.

El Monte Union’s inaugural Cooking Showdown was a huge success, with students from Mountain View, Rosemead and Arroyo high schools competing to see who could make the best gourmet dish. Culinary arts teachers Patricia Sahagun and Genevieve Wobrock join student chefs to discuss the fast-paced career technical education pathway.

In April, Pioneer High School senior Ana Cortez received $60,000 in scholarships from Southern California Edison and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. Cortez credits the college-prep program Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, for helping her to acquire the skills to pursue higher education. Pioneer High Principal Lilia Bozigian and AVID tutors Jennifer DeBaca Sandoval and Dyan Acevedo join Cortez to discuss the Whittier Union High School District school’s commitment to first-generation students and Pioneer’s designation as an AVID National Demonstration Site.

El Monte Union High School District’s South El Monte High School will provide a modern take on Shakespearian tragedy when it stages “The Punk Rock Story of Romeo and Juliet” on May 8-10. The production will feature a student band playing live punk rock music, and will challenge gender norms by casting a female in the role of Romeo. South El Monte drama teacher Nicole Wessel and members of the cast discuss the challenges of performing the Elizabethan-era drama.

04/23/19 West Covina Unified has established a TK-12 International Baccalaureate Continuum where families can enroll their child in one of three IB programs – Primary, Middle Years or Diploma – that will guide them on the path to being engaged, lifelong learners. Edgewood Schools Principal Dr. Roni Maddox discusses IB curriculum, Edgewood Diploma Candidates’ 100 percent acceptance rate into 4-year universities, and being an IB parent. Lifelong Learners in West Covina

Paramount High School held its annual Unity Day on March 30, a day of music, dance and straight talk on issues of importance for LGBT students. Paramount counselor and Unity Day co-founder Ariana Bates joins Paramount sophomore Eneles Vega to discuss the origins of Unity Day, the importance of providing resources for the LGBT community, standing up to bullies, and the joys of silent disco.

For nearly 15 years, Monrovia Unified School District has staged the Monrovia Elementary Olympics, a one-day track and field competition that features 150 fourth- and fifth-grade students from all five District elementary schools. Wild Rose School of Creative Arts teacher and event founder Dana Elliott joins Wild Rose students Joshua Menlove and Amirah Sorra to discuss school spirit and how physical education brings out the best in students.

San Gabriel Unified District was recently recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) as a Best Communities for Music Education district. Jefferson Middle School orchestra director Esther Minwary discusses the District’s TK-12 pipeline of music education, the Music Immersion Experience program, and what she has learned from students in her classroom.

John Mann came to El Monte Union’s Mountain View High School VISTA Academy in October 2017 with more than 20 years of experience as a professional photo-journalist. As VISTA Academy Director, Mann has worked to bring project-based learning to his students and integrate the curriculum into a career technical education pathway. Mann joins VISTA students Zaid Mendoza, Maribel Zavalza and Gisselle Zuniga to discuss the Cooking Showdown competition.

El Monte Union staged its inaugural Cooking Showdown in March, a TV-style competition in which student chefs from the Arroyo, Rosemead and Mountain View high school culinary arts programs received an hour to prepare a gourmet meal, while being filmed by students from Mountain View’s VISTA Academy. EMUHSD Director of Curriculum Hillary Wolfe discusses how the Cooking Showdown came together and what it means for El Monte Union CTE Pathway programs.

Two Monrovia Unified School District robotics teams – the Kings and Queens from Monrovia High and the Hippie Bots from Clifton Middle School – have advanced to the First Tech Challenge World Championships in Houston on April 17-20. Robotics directors Tom Dobson and Paul Flores, Kings and Queens member Zach Szymkowski and Hippie Bots member Ian Hughes discuss the development of the robotics program and the challenges of high-level robotics competitions.

West Covina Unified School District’s Mt. SAC Early College Academy opened its doors in August 2018 with 60 freshmen motivated to take dual enrollment classes and earn up to 50 transferable college credits by the time they graduate. Principal Candace Leuthold discusses what the Academy is looking for in a student, what resources are available from Mt. SAC and what it takes to design a school from scratch.

Students from Paramount Unified’s Hollydale School are immersed in a college-going culture that includes regular campus visits to local universities such as USC, UCLA and Cal State L.A. The K-8 school coordinates these trips for its Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students, as well as all seventh-grade students. AVID coordinator Rosa Edwards and Hollydale sixth-grader Alyssa Little discuss the benefits of college preparation for middle school students.

Students from San Gabriel Unified’s Del Mar High school highlighted the discriminatory housing process known as “Redlining” as part of their History Day L.A. efforts. All seven team members advanced to the California History Day finals in Sacramento. Principal Lon Sellers, adviser Kady Kloster and the History Day students discuss the intensive research and preparation that went into their projects and the thrill of going to the state championship in May.