California School News Radio

Orangewood Elementary School in the West Covina Unified School District will launch a Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program in the 2019-20 school year. Principal Janet Shirley discusses the value of multi-lingual skills, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years program and Orangewood’s recognition as a Capturing Kids’ Heart National Showcase School.

Canyon Crest Elementary School in the Fontana Unified School District is being celebrated as an Exemplar school by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning/Battelle for Kids network. Canyon Crest Principal Dr. Kelly Wilbert discusses growth mindset, the importance of local business partnerships, communicating with parents and staff, and a recent campus visit by students from China.

Baldwin Park Unified School District will hold its first District Showcase Saturday, March 2 from 9-noon at Morgan Park in Baldwin Park, which will highlight the signature programs, engaging academics and essential supports and services available at the District. Director of Student Services William Avila discusses what the community can expect to see at the showcase.

Gidley School in the El Monte City School District has been a leader in STEM education, fielding a Science Olympiad team for more than 25 years. Gidley School Science Olympiad head coach Pamela Dominguez and Team Captain, Gidley eighth-grader Tracy Chow, discuss how the team prepares for competitions, how a student finds their specialty and the influence of Gidley alumni who have used their Olympiad experience to ascend to elite universities.

Rio Hondo College Vice President of Student Services Henry Gee is now in his 40th year as a college administrator, and will receive the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service from the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) in March. Gee discusses what the lifetime achievement award means to him, his work as interim Executive Director for the Rio Hondo Foundation, and bringing back Homecoming at Rio Hondo.

Bobby Salcedo was a much beloved teacher and administrator in the El Monte Union High School District whose tragic death in 2009 rocked the community. El Monte Union Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga discusses the recent ribbon-cutting for the Bobby Salcedo Student Union at Mountain View High School, Salcedo’s legacy in El Monte, the soon-to-be-completed El Monte High School football stadium renovation and the recently passed Measure HS

Arroyo High School in the El Monte Union High School District is teaching its students about eco-sustainability and healthy living through participation in the Arroyo Garden Club. The Arroyo Garden’s organic produce is harvested by the school’s Culinary Arts program and used in its daily menus. Arroyo Principal Angelita Gonzales, Arroyo junior Oscar Ramos and Eco Urban Gardens Executive Director Marianne Zaugg discuss the transformation of the garden into a regenerative learning center.

Bassett Unified School District TOSA’s Tom Covington and Michael Jephcott began their “TOSAs Talking Tech” podcast in 2015 to assist BUSD educators in professional development. Since then, the program has gained devoted listeners across California, who find the TOSA’s insights to be invaluable. Covington and Jephcott discuss their 100th podcast and what tech innovations educators can look forward to in the coming year.

El Monte City School District has brought the rich tradition of mariachi music to Potrero School, where 40 students participate in an after school program that is overseen by the Jose Hernandez Mariachi Academy. Potrero School music teacher Victor Williams and eighth-grade student Stephanie Vega discuss the positive impact the program has brought to the Potrero School community.

Paramount High School Culinary Arts instructor Juliette Bell discusses her background as a chef working at Michelin-starred restaurants and what motivated her to bring her expertise into the classroom to facilitate Paramount’s culinary pathway. Joining her is Paramount High senior Osvaldo Galaz, who recently took first prize in the Marukan Vinegar Cup of Excellence high school competition. Galaz discusses his methods in the kitchen and a possible future as a restauranteur.

In his more than 20 years at the District, Baldwin Park Unified School District Director of Student Achievement Richard Noblett has taught in the classroom and served as a middle school principal. Noblett discusses the various methods he employs to engage Baldwin Park students, including bringing YouTube motivational speaker Josh Drean to speak to the students and encouraging the use of school mascots to increase school spirit.

When the 2018-19 school year began, El Monte City School District parents were welcomed with an additional resource, the Kindergarten Parent Academy, to help their children navigate their school experience. The Academy presents a series of workshops concentrating on literacy, mathematics and socio-emotional health and is available throughout the District. Rio Hondo Elementary School teachers Indra Arellano and Belinda Pinedo discuss the purpose and the benefits of the Academy.

In 2015 Roosevelt Elementary School of the San Gabriel Unified School District launched the Music Immersion Experience (MIE) academic program, which allows students to receive instruction from a music specialist every day, up to 11 hours a week. The MIE has dramatically changed the school climate at Roosevelt, with greatly improved test scores. Roosevelt MIE program coordinator Samantha Theisen discusses the origins of the program and how it is resonating with the students.

Lynwood Unified School District has undergone a tremendous academic transformation, raising graduation rates by nearly 20 percent since 2010 and being named an Advanced Placement National District of the Year in 2017 by the College Board. Lynwood Unified Superintendent Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite discusses the District commitment to career technical education, partnerships with local colleges, professional development and the high expectations for Lynwood students.

Fontana Unified School District’s Kaiser High School Catamount Pride Band and Color Guard received the honor of being the Premier Band for the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade, participating in the opening ceremony and performing with pop legend Chaka Khan. Kaiser High Instrumental Music Director Anthony Allmond and Catamount band members Erica Gonzalez and Gabriela Gutierrez discuss how they prepared for the parade and what it feels like to be a member of the Rose Parade family.

La Serna High School teacher and OASIS director Ken LaVigne discusses his new book, "Coach the Soul", a series of essays on the students, teachers and coaches that have had a profound impact on his life. After retiring as a football coach, LaVigne, a 2012 California State Teacher of the Year, created the OASIS program to help at-risk students regain their joy of learning. LaVigne discusses the process of authoring the book, the OASIS program and his most inspirational student.

Bonita Unified School District has seen steady increases in its math and English language arts test scores over the last four years, and is celebrating the recognition of 11 BUSD 2018 graduates as National AP Scholars. Superintendent Carl J. Coles discusses the Bonita Unified mission of equity, mastery and focus on results, the District’s wide variety of career technical education opportunities, and the importance of student collaboration and camaraderie.

Rio Hondo College recently staged their tenth performance of “The Nutcracker,” an annual fundraiser that combines the efforts of Rio Hondo dance students and students from several local schools and dance programs, many of them led by Rio Hondo alumni. Rio Hondo Director of Dance Dr. Alyson Cartagena discusses what makes “The Nutcracker” a special event for the community, and the newly-instituted Rio Promise, which provides free tuition for two years to qualifying students.

Wild Rose Elementary, a community fixture in the Monrovia Unified School District since 1921, was recently renamed the Wild Rose School of Creative Arts. Principal Dr. Leslie Miller and Intervention Specialist Sharon Naugle discuss the school’s commitment to integrating VAPA into the school’s core curriculum, the Center Theater Group grant for Disney Musicals in Schools, and Wild Rose’s new Spanish language dual immersion program.

Dr. Robert LewisEl Monte City School District Nutrition Services Chief Dr. Robert Lewis was recognized as 2018 Director of the Year by California School Nutrition Association for enacting programs to fight childhood obesity. Dr. Lewis discusses healthy eating, working with local vendors, listening to the advice of students and his lifelong passion in the field of child nutrition.