California School News Radio

Redwood Elementary School principal Eduardo Gomez and Teacher on Special Assignment Isela Ortega discuss the Fontana Unified school’s Spanish dual-language immersion program, the benefits of using a 90/10 Spanish/English model for incoming kindergarten students and importance of parent participation and leadership.

Lynwood High School senior Alexa Escamilla and Firebaugh High School senior Richard Reynoso discuss Lynwood Unified’s after-school tutoring program, which provides one-on-one tutoring assistance to elementary, middle and high school students, the challenges of distance learning for students and their post-secondary education plans.

Baldwin Park Unified orchestra teachers Paul Grant and Joshua Chan discuss the District music program, providing every 5th-grade student an opportunity to learn the violin, acquiring instruments for over 400 music students, and the joy students feel when holding a violin for the first time.

Rio Hondo College Acting Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss and Board of Trustees President Oscar Valladares discuss their 2020-21 budget, which sets aside more than $31 million for financial aid and increases the reserves fund, protecting jobs and supporting vital campus student services.

Geddes Elementary School Principal Irene Garcia and Heath Elementary School Principal Dr. Maria Alonso discuss Baldwin Park Unified’s participation in the Teaching English Learners through the Arts pilot program, which incorporates dance, music, visual arts and theater.

Lynwood Unified Superintendent Dr. Gudiel R. Crosthwaite and Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation Executive Director Elsa Chagolla discuss the Lynwood College Promise Savings Plan, the COVID-19 Relief Fund, meal distribution during school closures and online mentoring services.

Frontier High School assistant principal Richard Rodriguez, Whittier High School assistant principal Allison Huntley and Whittier High School senior Kim Morales discuss the Spirit Awakening afterschool intervention program and how it’s art-based curriculum and focus on creative arts and mentorship has helped increase the self-esteem and self-awareness of its student participants. 

Pioneer High School Campus Operations Supervisor John Lopez and his wife - Helping Homeless Vets – L.A. president and founder Cynthia Perry-Lopez – discuss their nonprofit, it’s mission to provide year-round assistance to homeless veterans and a drive-through Thanksgiving Turkey Drive for families in need at the Whittier Union campus.

West Covina Unified Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dr. Drew Passalacqua discusses the completed facilities projects funded by a $143 million bond measure passed by voters in 2016, including a new sports complex and career technical education center, as well as the groundbreaking of the District’s performing arts center and future facilities upgrades.

West Covina Unified Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dr. Drew Passalacqua discusses the completed facilities projects funded by a $143 million bond measure passed by voters in 2016, including a new sports complex and career technical education center, as well as the groundbreaking of the District’s performing arts center and future facilities upgrades.

Eco Urban Gardens Executive Director Marianne Zaugg, Program Manager Elizabeth Christy and Arroyo High School senior Tara Ta discuss Arroyo High’s organic garden and Farm to School program, the importance of sustainability and biodiversity, providing fresh produce for El Monte Union culinary arts students, and expanding career technical education pathways at the District.

Fontana Unified Food Service Director Trieste Huey discusses receiving the California Public Employees Retirement System’s 2020 Spotlight on Excellence Award, the challenges of putting together a meal plan for school closures in two days, and the importance of providing nutritious meals for a community of 200,000 residents.

Fontana High School senior Fatima Kamara discusses her role as the Fontana Unified Board of Education’s student representative, advocating for student well-being and mental health days, the hidden pressures students face in the COVID era, why she wants to be a lawyer and growing up in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

Lynwood Unified School District Director of Equity, Access and Instructional Services Dr. Patricia Brent-Sanco discusses the District’s newly launched Equity Curriculum Inclusion Task Force, implementing social justice standards, the importance of stakeholder feedback, and supporting underserved students.

Sequoia Middle School Principal Antonio Viramontes and Assistant Principal Kim Moyer discuss the Fontana Unified school’s recognition as a Microsoft Showcase Incubator School, how the enthusiasm of Sequoia’s faculty and staff has propelled the transition and their recognition as an AVID National Demonstration School.

Baldwin Park Unified School District Director of Nutrition Services Rosa Estrella discusses the challenges of providing meal service to the community during the pandemic, incorporating the District’s transportation department for home delivery, and why being Nutrition Services Director is her dream job.    

El Monte High School visual art teacher Patrice Cooley was recently recognized as the California Art Education Association 2020 Outstanding Visual Art Teacher of the Year. Cooley discusses how she is able to connect with and instill confidence in her students, the importance of critical thinking and the benefits of resilience.

Paramount Unified’s Odyssey STEM Academy Principal Keith Nuthall discusses the school’s rapid transition to distance learning, how Odyssey advisers are maintaining relationships with their scholars and ensuring that community and business mentors are available to scholars during the extended dismissal.

Lynwood Unified Board President Gary Hardie Jr. and Lynwood Partners Education Foundation Executive Director Elsa Chagolla discuss the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund, with a goal of raising $100,000 to help support Lynwood Unified students and families during the extended dismissal.

El Monte High School senior Dana Hua discusses being named a QuestBridge National Match Scholar, preparing for college through summer enrichment programs, participating in 24-hour coding hackathons and the decision-making process of choosing which university to attend.