Valinda School of Academics

CITY OF INDUSTRY - Orange Grove Middle School was featured on NASA’s Aero Fair program webpage on Sept. 21, recognizing their partnership during the 2021-22 school year, which provided sixth-graders with unique science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lessons and engagement activities. 

The program was comprised of three, one-hour classroom sessions taught by two NASA Aeronautics experts over the course of one week. The curriculum focused on real-world NASA Aeronautics projects, and challenges and basic science principles aiming to enhance STEM literacy and introduce NASA and the local center to young learners.

“It was wonderful to see the positive results and excitement pouring out of our students both during and after the program,” Orange Grove Science and Math Teacher Terri Serey said. “It has been remarkable to see the lasting impressions that the experience has had on our students as they apply the program’s concepts to their current curriculum and get excited about the possibilities inside and outside of the classroom.”

The NASA engineers taught students about physics and aerodynamics and helped them build a space station to take home and share with their families. 

"It was amazing to have engineers from NASA come to our school and teach us about space and flight,” seventh-grader Christian Vidal said. “They had a way of making the concepts easy to understand and it was so much fun!”

Orange Grove Principal, Dr. David Nieto stated that Orange Grove is looking forward to the return of the program and has already been selected for the 2022-23 school year to provide more students with the opportunity to spark their interest in STEM.

“We were thrilled to be selected for this innovative, hands-on learning experience for our outstanding Ocelots,“ Nieto said. “It was inspiring to see our students get excited not only about science but also participating in conversations surrounding college and career possibilities with NASA engineers. At Orange Grove Middle School we are committed to inspiring students to thrive academically through meaningful experiences and engaging instruction in a positive learning environment.”

Photo Captions: 

HLPUSD_NASAAEROFAIR1: From left to right:  Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Orange Grove Middle School Teacher Terri Serey, AFRC Operations Engineering Branch Chief Matt Berry, sixth-grade student Christian Vital and Pathways Student DC-8 Operations Engineer, Katie Homer participated and facilitated a classroom activity during the NASA Aero Fair program in Spring 2022. 

HLPUSD_NASAAEROFAIR2: Orange Grove Middle School students and Nasa Aeronautics experts engaged in an aerodynamics activity, where students created and flew paper airplanes.  

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified’s aspiring college students participated in various break-out rooms and workshops, which covered various topics focused on how to prepare, apply and pay for higher education during the 57th Assembly District Annual College and Career Fair at William Workman High School on Sept. 10.

The Office of Assemblymember Lisa Calderon hosted the fair in partnership with Hacienda La Puente Unified and the Boys and Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside. The event offered students and families the opportunity to attend and meet one-on-one with representatives from more than 50 community colleges, Cal State and UC schools, private and out-of-state universities, and career and technical education programs.  

“Thank you to Lisa Calderon’s office, our distinguished guests and the outstanding HLPUSD family for attending and supporting this successful event,” Board President Jeffrey De La Torre said. “After two years of hosting remotely, it was exciting to see our students, families and staff in person and proudly representing their school booths and enthusiastically exploring future possibilities. At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are partners in your child’s future.”

The fair included a resource expo, which consisted of HLPUSD high schools and program booths, where students, teachers and staff shared campus and club details, provided student testimonials and led interactive demonstrations for incoming freshmen and families.

“I attended last year’s virtual College and Career Fair and learned a lot, but having the opportunity to network, assist with the event’s coordination and witness my peers explore their passions in person was an incredible experience,” William Workman High School Senior Lisa Lopez said. “I left the fair with a lot of clarity about pursuing my desired career in optometry and the steps I need to achieve to get there. I am looking forward to my future and feel relieved knowing that I am on the right path. Thank you to everyone that made this possible.”

During the event, HLPUSD Board members, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez and Executive Director of High Schools Dr. Mark Anderson delivered speeches on the importance of college and career readiness. Calderon announced the winners of the 57th Assembly District Writing Contest, awarding them with $1,000 scholarships.

“Thank you to Lisa Calderon for partnering with our District year after year to help ensure our students have the valuable and accessible opportunity to explore their potential futures,” Jiménez said. “This event provides more than a place to discover college and career opportunities and practice professional behavior; it gives students a safe place to engage with recruiters, boost confidence and develop new skills to use throughout their professional lives.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_COLLEGEANDCAREERFAIR1: From left to right: Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon and Board President Jeffrey De La Torre prepare to open the College and Career Fair ceremony on Sept. 10.

HLPUSD_COLLEGEANDCAREERFAIR2: Sierra Vista Middle School students discuss high school clubs and college ambitions with Principal Ann Hanson and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon during the College and Career Fair on Sept. 10.

HLPUSD_COLLEGEANDCAREERFAIR3: Hacienda La Puente Unified staff lead career technical and education program demonstrations for families during the College and Career Fair on Sept. 10.

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified’s community celebrated the completion of the La Puente High School (LPHS) Pool, Kitchen and Locker Room Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14, revealing a new state-of-the-art swimming pool, modernized kitchen and renovated locker rooms. 

Construction began in April 2020 and was supported by District facilities funds and Certificates of Participation (COPS), which concluded with a total cost of $15 million. 

LPHS leadership students welcomed guests at the pool’s entrance, directing them to follow a brightly decorated pathway, leading to a lively mariachi band, a self-guided kitchen tour and ceremony seating. The event included a presentation of colors led by Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students, performances from the school’s marching band and cheerleading squad and speeches from students, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar and Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez.

“La Puente High School is the oldest school in our District, having served the HLPUSD community for 107 years,” Salazar said. “Thank you to our former Board members, administrators and present Board of Education who contributed to this project and our community for your patience while we worked to ensure these improvements were completed properly. I want to thank Joyce Garcia, the LPHS kitchen manager and the entire staff for caring for our outstanding students. The Warriors family deserves the best – this is for you.”

At the center of the campus is a newly built 12-lane, 75-foot by 99-foot pool capable of holding CIF-sanctioned events. The new 4,350 square-foot kitchen includes a walk-in freezer and refrigeration space, along with expansive dry storage, a restroom and locker area, a recycling room and a manager’s office. The renovated locker rooms include a new built-in pool equipment room, a coaching office and boys and girls restrooms. 

The updated facilities are designed to provide meal service efficiency, expand engagement in aquatic activities, offer safe spaces to store personal belongings and promote school pride for more than 1,000 La Puente High School students. 

During the ceremony, the Board of Education and Lopez were presented with two certificates of commendation from the offices of Los Angeles Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, as well as a certificate of recognition from the City of La Puente.

“Thank you to our Board of Education for supporting our projects and vision, Dr. Lopez for being an integral team member in the project’s planning process and Manoj Roychowdury and Joel Duarte for your diligence in managing the project’s progress,” Jiménez said. “I would also like to thank our architects, the DLR Group, general contractors from AMG and Associates, Inc. and Balfour Beatty, our outstanding construction managers for all their hard work and dedication and providing the food and refreshments for the ceremony. At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we continuously work together to offer our students high-quality facilities, recreational opportunities and boosted academic experiences.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING1: From left to right: Board member Stephanie Serrano, City of La Puente Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Muñoz, City of La Puente Council Member David Argudo, Board member Anthony Duarte, Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, La Puente High School Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez, Board President Jeffrey De La Torre, City of La Puente Mayor Charlie Klinakis, City of La Puente Council Member Gabriel Quiñones and Board Clerk Dr. Joseph K. Chang prepare to cut the ribbon for the completion of the La Puente High School Pool, Kitchen and Locker Rooms project on Sept. 14. 

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING2: Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez and La Puente High School Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez welcome guests to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the school’s completed Pool, Kitchen and Locker Room Project on Sept. 14. 

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING3: Hacienda La Puente Unified’s newly built 75-foot by 99-foot pool, which holds 347,605 gallons of water was unveiled to the community during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14. 

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING4: La Puente High School cheerleaders welcome guests to the kitchen’s self-guided tour during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14. 

City of Industry - Hacienda La Puente Unified administrators presented at the 2022 California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA) Annual Unity Conference from Aug. 25 to 28, highlighting the District’s 2022-23 theme ‘Explore, Learn, Grow: Inspire Deep Learning.'

During the presentation, Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Judy Fancher discussed the District’s partnership with New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL), a global initiative designed to inspire learning and amplify academic achievement.

In support of this year’s theme, Hacienda La Puente Unified will continue fostering Districtwide the NPDL six Global Competencies: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. 

“We wanted this year’s theme to represent who we are as a District,” Jiménez said. “Our journey with NPDL has helped us develop innovative practices and cultivate learning partnerships among students, teachers and families and we look forward to expanding the pedagogy foundation this year.”

Hacienda La Puente Unified offers various opportunities to explore, learn and grow, including career technical education pathways; expanded computer, science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs; Conga Kids; the Youth Cinema Project in partnership with the Latino Film Institute; an ethnic studies elective course and five-year implementation plan for TK-12th-grade students, and much more.

“Thank you to CLSBA for allowing us to share our District’s successes and participate in meaningful workshops and conversations to help strengthen opportunities for our Latinx students, families and faculty,” Jiménez said. “We are off to a great start this year and look forward to continuing to create safe spaces for students to explore their curiosities, deepen knowledge and courageously develop new skills."

Dear Hacienda La Puente Unified Community,

This month, we welcomed our students back to campuses for the 2022-23 school year. Our schools were filled with joy as teachers and staff held detailed onboarding presentations and fun-filled activities, acquainting students with their classrooms and curriculum.

The first day of school on Aug. 3 was a celebration across the District. Our students walked through balloon arches and down red carpets leading them to band performances, hand-painted banners across campuses and dancing school mascots.

We welcomed families to campuses for our annual Back to School Nights held from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1, providing parents with principal introductions, teacher presentations, classroom tours and expectations for the school year. COVID-19 vaccine clinics were available at most HLPUSD school sites on Back to School Nights, providing free vaccinations and boosters to the District community.

Our educators participated in a thorough Teacher Induction Mentor Training, engaging our school site mentors with coaching techniques to ensure our new teachers have additional support during the first month of school.

Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Judy Fancher and I also presented at the 2022 California Latino School Boards Association Unity Conference from Aug. 25 to 28, highlighting this year's theme Explore, Learn, Grow: Inspire Deep Learning. Please visit our District website to read more about our District goals and pathways for this school year.  

It is an honor to be a part of your child’s educational journey and we look forward to making this year exceptional.

 As always, we are #proudtobeHLPUSD.