California School News Radio

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.

Fontana Unified’s Southridge Tech Middle School science teacher Pam Matea – a C-STEM 2019 Teacher of the Year – is joined by three of her eighth-grade students to talk about coding, robotics and the academic benefits of learning from your mistakes.

Monroe Elementary School Principal Dr. Lily Jarvis and interventionist Shirley Conde discuss anti-bullying strategies, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and the benefits of rewarding good behavior.

Paramount High School seniors and National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars Rebecca Mejia and Edward Quezada join Principal Christiana Kraus to discuss school life, the rigor of Advanced Placement classes and their dream colleges and careers.

Whittier Union Adult School alumnus Sachin Mishra discusses how taking adult school classes have enabled him to acquire his diploma, find a full-time job at LAX and prepare to continue his education at Rio Hondo College. Mishra is joined by Adult School Assistant Principal Juan Anzaldo.

Bonita Unified School District Superintendent Carl Coles and Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Matthew Wien discuss the District commitment to student achievement and core values that embrace academics, activities, athletics and the arts.

Lynwood Unified Chief Business Officer Gregory Fromm discusses the recent District facilities upgrades made possible by voter-approved measures K and N, and the connection between enrollment, daily attendance and state funding.

West Covina Unified Director of Student Services Devon Rose and Edgewood Academy senior Joel Adell discuss what it means to be a California District of Choice and highlight the academic programs and resources available at the District.

Buena Park Junior High teacher Shelley Andros and seventh-grader Joseph Williams discuss the school’s computer science program, where students learn to code Java and Python and can receive college credit if they pass the Advanced Placement exam.

Baldwin Park High School Principal Dr. Gilberto Rodriguez, Asst. Principal Dr. Josefina Steinmetz and freshman Rene Cisneros discuss a school visit to San Francisco-based IT company Cisco-Meraki, where students received career advice from its CEO.