Valinda School of Academics

Hacienda La Puente Unified was thrilled to welcome back students for the 2022-23 school year on Aug. 3. Please visit https://youtu.be/z5ZipS9YxQY to watch a video of our back-to-school festivities!

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified students were greeted by balloon arches and red carpets that led them toward teachers and staff during the first day of school on Aug. 3, which also included band performances, hand-painted banners across campus and dancing school mascots.

This year, students have access to expanded Computer, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (C-STEM) programs, transitional kindergarten (TK) offered at three additional sites and New Pedagogies for Deep Learning implemented Districtwide, all of which are designed to inspire excellence and boost student achievement.

“In support of this year’s theme, ‘Explore, Learn, Grow: Inspire Deep Learning’ we have initiated many innovative programs at Hacienda La Puente Unified,” Board President Jeffrey De La Torre said. “Thank you to all of our amazing educators, staff and administrators for their dedication and preparation this summer and we look forward to a successful school year.”

The District’s innovative programs include the launch of the William Workman High School Early College Academy Network for selected incoming ninth-grade students, implementing Korean Dual Language Immersion for middle school students at Cedarlane Academy and expanding the real-world learning program Project Lead the Way to five additional schools, including Cedarlane Academy, Mesa Robles School and Bixby, Del Valle and Grazide elementary schools.

The District is bringing the Conga Kids dance program to all TK through fifth-grade school sites and the Early Learning Opportunities Program will be offered to all TK and eligible kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

Hacienda La Puente Unified also appointed four new principals: Dr. Marci Chavez at Nelson Elementary School, Theresa Lei at Grandview Preparatory Academy, Yesenia De La Pena at California Elementary School and Tim Espinosa at William Workman High School.

“Thank you to our Board of Education for supporting our new and returning programs and to our outstanding and hard-working staff for creating individualized and fun-filled welcome back festivities for our students,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are partners in your child’s future and we look forward to providing a rigorous curriculum and a wide range of enriching programs and extracurricular activities that will challenge, motivate and prepare our students for the future.” 

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL1: California Elementary School teachers and staff eagerly gather outside the campus entryway to welcome students for the first day of the 2022-23 school year on Aug. 3.

HLPUSD_FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL2: Families walk their students down the red carpet to greet teachers and staff before the start of the first day of school at Mesa Robles School on Aug. 3.

HLPUSD_FIRSTDAYOFSCHOOL3: Cheerleaders at Glen A. Wilson High School pump up new and returning Wildcat students during the pep rally on Aug. 3.

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Throughout a 20-year career in education, newly appointed William Workman High School Principal Tim Espinosa has shown a true passion for helping students with special needs receive the support and instruction they need to transition to adult life.

Espinosa began his teaching career in 2002 as an instructional aide for moderate to severe students. After earning his bachelor’s degree in 2009, Espinosa has worked extensively as a special education teacher, administrator, Adult Transition program specialist, and most recently as assistant principal for attendance, behavior support and special education for Bellflower High School.

Joining the Hacienda La Puente Unified family, Espinosa said he is excited as he prepares for his first year at William Workman High, speaking extensively to his assistant principals and staff to learn more about Lobos culture and what makes the school so unique. Channeling the enthusiasm of his colleagues, Espinosa has created a new theme for the 2022-23 school year, “Time for us to shine bright!”

“I am so excited to be able to start my journey at Hacienda La Puente as the proud principal of William Workman High School,” Espinosa said. “Workman is a beautiful campus, with the most incredible, close-knit students imaginable. It’s really a hidden gem in the community. It’s time to show the community who and what Lobos pride is all about.”

Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez introduced Espinosa during a meet and greet at the Workman Media Center on July 25. Espinosa spoke to incoming and returning students, families, teachers, staff, HLPUSD Board members and the Hacienda La Puente Unified community.

“I am proud to welcome Tim Espinosa to the Hacienda La Puente Unified and Lobos family,” Jiménez said. “Tim fits perfectly with the District’s commitment to providing equity in education and creating an environment in which all students are academically and socially prepared to succeed in higher education, contribute as valued members of the workforce and become productive members of our society.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

HLPUSD_WORKMANPRINCIPAL: Newly appointed William Workman High School Principal Tim Espinosa speaks to Hacienda La Puente Unified’s school community during the Principal Meet and Greet on July 25.

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified middle school students sharpened their communication skills and gained confidence as public speakers during a two-week Speech and Debate Summer Camp, held July 11 to 22 at Newton Middle School.

The speech and debate summer camp is designed to develop future community leaders, encourage creativity and prepare the students for the rigors of speech competitions. The camp was attended by more than 100 Hacienda La Puente Unified sixth- to eighth-grade students and led by District partner Advantage Communications, which provided the coaches and staff under the leadership of Advantage HLPUSD District Director Joel Anguiano. Hacienda La Puente Unified has offered the speech and debate program since 2020.

“Our goal is to reach as many students throughout the school year as we can, and this year was the largest group we have ever had at summer camp,” Anguiano said. “We focus on advocacy, public speaking, confidence and team building to ensure our students become better learners and leaders.”

A typical day at speech and debate summer camp begins with students gathering in the quad for warmup exercises as a group before breaking up into classrooms that feature different labs, including a writer’s workshop, an acting class and a direct public speaking class.

Newton Middle School eighth-grade student Leah Marie Mendoza enrolled in the program as a sixth-grader and attends the summer camp to focus on expanding her skill sets as a writer, public speaker and budding poet.

“I can’t say enough about what an amazing opportunity this program is,” Mendoza said. “I have gained public speaking skills and I know that this opportunity will help me succeed in high school and college as well as open many avenues for potential scholarships. Thank you to the District for providing us with this camp and program that have helped me become the communicator and student I am today.”

Newton Middle School eighth-grade student Vianney Miranda Rivera is an aspiring actor and said she attends the summer camp to perfect her pronunciation and enunciation skills, as well as to discuss topics and issues that are important to her.

“I have learned to be a better communicator and share my voice with the world,” Rivera said. “I have gained confidence and learned to speak slower and clearer. As an actor, I know this course will help me prepare for the future and better convey my emotions. Thank you to our director Joel Anguiano and the amazing Advantage coaches for all of your support.”

The speech and debate summer camp presented a showcase on July 19 to highlight the progress of 10 Hacienda La Puente Unified students for family, friends, HLPUSD Board members and Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez.

“I am thrilled to see so many Hacienda La Puente students take the initiative to work on their speech and debate skills at summer camp. Since we have introduced this program to the District, it has grown and expanded every year,” Jiménez said. “Our students are learning valuable skills that will shape them into future leaders. Thank you to Advantage Communications for giving them a platform to pursue their dreams and to our Board of Education for approving diverse programs for our students.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

HLPUSD_SPEECHDEBATE: From left to right: Vice President of Advantage Communications Adriana Toghia, Newton Middle School eighth-grade students Vianney Miranda Rivera and Leah Marie Mendoza and Advantage Communications District Director Joel Anguiano prepare for a successful day at Speech and Debate Summer Camp on July 13.