California School News Radio

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.

Monrovia Unified School District Incoming Superintendent Dr. Ryan Smith discusses the excitement and challenges of assuming the top administrative post in Monrovia, meeting with stakeholders, welcoming students back to campus, and continuing the District’s tradition of academic excellence.

El Monte Union High School District Facility and Energy Manager Lena Luna discusses the District’s $9.8 million California Air Resources Board grant and the implementation of the Clean Mobility in Schools pilot program.  

Lynwood Unified Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Innovation Dr. Patrick Gittingriboongul discusses the District effort to provide digital equity to the Lynwood community, which includes high-speed connectivity, technical support and strengthening technological skills.  

La Serna High School Principal Griselda Castro and Pioneer High School Principal Lilia Bozigian discuss the Whittier Union High School District school’s designations at 2021 California Distinguished Schools.