Valinda School of Academics

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Glen A. Wilson High School’s Science Olympiad team competed in 23 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) events and ranked first overall against more than 55 Los Angeles County schools during the 2023 Southern California Science Olympiad Regionals at Rio Hondo College on March 4.

Students were eager to return to the tournament for their seventh consecutive year, hopeful of defending their 2022 standings. This day-long event is designed to improve the quality of K-12 science education, increase student interest in STEM and celebrate outstanding student achievements.

“I'm proud of the hard work our team put into this competition and seeing them celebrate that night will be something I'll never forget,” team captain Jennifer Yang said. “I promise we'll continue working hard and give 120% at our state competition."

The standards based challenges require students to showcase knowledge in biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, technology and engineering. Some events consisted of scientific facts and concepts, while others focused on building, coding and other hands-on practices.

"I'm really proud of our students and what we have accomplished at the Southern California Los Angeles Championships,” coach Jungsoo Han said. “Everyone on the team was aiming for first place and worked hard to reach their milestones along the way. We worked, struggled and won as a team. Our next stop is the State Championships."

Before Regionals, Wilson’s budding scientists took first place at the Science Olympiad tournament at the UC Davis Aggie Invitational on Jan. 14. During the Regionals awards ceremony, Wilson took home first place in seven events and received top honors in 16 others, leading to their overall-winning score of 77 points.

Wilson is now preparing to compete for the coveted title of State Champion at the Southern California State Tournament on Saturday, April 8, at the California Institute of Technology and the Polytechnic School in Pasadena, CA.

“On behalf of the entire Board of Education and myself, congratulations to our Glen A. Wilson High School Science Olympiad team on your well-deserved back-to-back Science Olympiad Regional tournament titles,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are huge advocates of inspiring future leaders in STEM-related college and careers pathways and look forward to seeing our students continue to explore their passions and love of science education.”

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HLPUSD_SCIENCEOLYMPIAD: Glen A. Wilson High School’s Science Olympiad team celebrates their reigning Regional Championship title during the Southern California Science Olympiad Regionals awards ceremony on March 4.

Dear Hacienda La Puente USD Staff and Families,

The safety and security of our students, staff and community are our highest priority at Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. As many of you know, late Friday afternoon an individual barricaded himself in a home near Grandview College Preparatory Academy and Wing Lane Elementary School campuses. Law enforcement responded and cordoned off the area, evacuating nearby homes out of an abundance of caution. The situation has now concluded, however a large law enforcement presence remains in the area during the ongoing investigation.

Workman High School's gymnasium has been opened to residents impacted by this event and will remain open to residents affected by this situation until 3 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, March. 13. The gym will be closed off to regular school activities on Monday to accommodate the services to area residents.

We want to thank our local law enforcement and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for their diligence in ensuring the safety of our community. We would also like to thank our HLPUSD Board members, Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss, city officials and the American Red Cross for partnering with us to support affected families. 

All schools will be open and continue with normal operations on Monday, March 13, including Grandview College Preparatory Academy, Wing Lane Elementary School and Workman High School.

Support services will be available to staff, students and families impacted by this event. Anyone in our HLPUSD community in need of support can contact our Equity and Access and Family Engagement Departments at (626) 933-5302 or Student and Family Services at 626-933-4335.

We will notify you if there are any further developments.

 Sincerely,

 Dr. Alfonso Jiménez

 Superintendent

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Three Hacienda La Puente Unified leadership students have been selected for California State Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s 2023 Young Legislators Program (YLP), which enables 32 high school scholars to become acquainted with the state legislative process, enhance leadership skills and participate in various public service projects.

La Puente High School junior students Josiah Hernandez and Cayden Olvera will join returning YLP fellow Glen A. Wilson High School junior Jonathan Chan and other participants in the six-month program, which runs through June 2023. The program consists of monthly in-person learning sessions where participants collaborate with Rubio’s staff, observe the offices of various community services, and travel to Sacramento to better understand potential careers in politics and public service.

Chan is an active volunteer on campus and in the community, serving as School Site Council vice-chairperson, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health student ambassador, Volunteer in Defense of Animals member and more.

“This is my second year in this program and I am honored to be back not only as a participant but a mentor, sharing my experiences and encouraging others to actively participate in discussions and activities,” Chan said. “I look forward to working closely with Assemblywoman Rubio’s staff and hope to leave this program with improved leadership and communication skills.”

Hernandez and Olvera are passionate about serving their community and partaking in school leadership positions.  Hernandez is President of the La Puente High School’s Health Occupations Students of America organization and an active California Scholarship Federation community service club member.

“As a minority and Mexican immigrant, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about community laws,” Hernandez said. “The City of La Puente is important to me and I look forward to continuing to find ways to practice good citizenship with the support of this program.”

Olvera is an Associated Student Body member, leader of the varsity football team and contributor to numerous school community events.

“Thank you to my good friend Josiah for applying and supporting me through this process and to the entire La Puente High School family for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams,” Olvera said. “I have already learned so much from the program mentors and my peers and can’t wait to see what Assemblywoman Rubio’s office has in store for us.”

Students were selected following a written application process that focused on students’ leadership experiences and community involvement, skillsets and college and career goals.

The next monthly session will take place on Saturday, March 11, where YLP students will assist Rubio’s staff with a community event, engage in team bonding activities and hear from YLP mentors.

“On behalf of the Board and I, we are thankful to Assemblywoman Rubio for providing this rewarding program to our students and congratulations to our outstanding student leaders and community advocates on being selected for this remarkable opportunity,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we encourage our students to explore all their talents and interests. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact this program will have on our Young Legislators and the value it will bring to our District community.”   

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HLPUSD_YOUNGLEGISLATORS: Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio’s staff welcomes the 2023 Young Legislators Program students during the program’s first session in January 2023.

 Dear Hacienda La Puente Unified Community,

City of Industry – La Puente High School's (LPHS) cheerleading and dance squads clinched first place in several categories and outscored roughly 20 teams at the World Class Cheerleading Hollywood Crown Competition on Jan. 28.

LPHS cheer took home two division awards for their dynamic show routine, including division winners and Level 2 champions. The dance company performed competitively for the first time, resulting in a first-place finish in the hip-hop category. 

"It was a bittersweet moment participating in one of my last competitions as an LPHS cheer and dance leader. Hearing our school being called and winning those rings was an experience that I will cherish all my life," Senior Dance Company Captain Maria Miramontes said. "At La Puente High School, we value teamwork, ingenuity and collaboration and I'm excited to see the success of our program upon graduating."

The judges scored the spirit leaders based on precision, creativity, skill and showmanship, while the hip-hop dance routine was judged on choreography, musicality, routine staging and overall impression.

"We have overcome a lot of obstacles this year but not once did our student-athletes give up or say they couldn't do it - they just kept pushing forward," Cheer and Dance Program Director Michelle Riggs said. "I am so proud of their resilience, dedication and passion and it is an honor to be their coach."

The cheer squad has one more competition this winter and will conclude their season with several STUNT events. LPHS dance is scheduled to participate in three more tournaments and will wrap up the season with an end-of-the-year concert.

Hacienda La Puente Unified will introduce dance as a career technical education pathway at La Puente High School in the 2023-24 school year.

“Congratulations to our La Puente High School student-athletes for showcasing tremendous technique, school spirit and teamwork and achieving numerous accolades,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are passionate about our visual and performing arts pathway, which inspire our students to maximize their talents and abilities and prepare them to pursue careers in film, art, theatre, music, dance and much more.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_LAPUENTECHEER: La Puente High School’s cheer and dance squads showcase their championship rings, medals and banners during a World Class Cheerleading Competition awards ceremony on Jan. 28.