South El Monte News - November 2022

SOUTH EL MONTE

BRINGING NEWS, PEOPLE AND EVENTS TO THE CITY OF SOUTH

City of South El Monte Hosts Harvard Latino Leadership Academy

On Monday, September 26, 2022, students in grades 7th through 12th from our local schools including Dean L. Shively, Epiphany, Monte Vista and South El Monte High filled the South El Monte Community Center gymnasium to partake in the City of South El Monte’s 1st Harvard Latino Leadership Academy.

The event sponsored by the City of South El Monte, Athens Services, Transtech and The Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance, was designed to encourage our local students, who are our future leaders, to set high goals for themselves, pursue higher education including attending ivy league colleges and universities, partake in civic engagement, public service, and make a positive impact in this world.

The Harvard Latino Leadership Academy program was presented by South El Monte resident Dr. Gus Frias, a Harvard University graduate and co-founder of The Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance. Dr. Frias led participants through a series of interactive activities on various topics including purposeful living, goal setting, critical thinking, leadership, gratitude, higher education and social issues. Additionally, there were guest speakers who shared how they overcame adversities in their pursuit of their life purpose and encouraged students to find their passion, work hard and continue their education.

As a momento of the Harvard Latino Leadership Academy and to inspire participants to visualize themselves attending Harvard University or any ivy league college or university, they received a complimentary Harvard University t-shirt.

At the conclusion of the Harvard Latino Leadership Academy program, students were asked to write and submit a reflection essay on what they learned and how they were going to implement it in their lives, community and the world. The principals from the schools in attendance selected a winning essay and the winner from each school was awarded a $1,000 scholarship provided by Transtech. Congratulations to the following winners: Alina Ramirez of Dean L. Shively School, Isaiah Martinez of Epiphany School, Evelyn Najarro Polanco of Monte Vista School, and Daisy Ayala of South El Monte High School.

The City of South El Monte wishes to thank the sponsors for making this great event possible for our local students.

CITY COUNCIL

Monte

Dean L. Shively

Epiphany School

Monte Vista Elementary School

Dean L. Shively School

South El Monte High School

CITY

SENIOR

SOUTH EL MONTE RESIDENT

TURNS

Congratulations to South El Monte resident Jesus Lopez Arce who turned 100 years young!

Mr. Lopez Arce was on born September 24, 1922, in Jalisco, Mexico. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 22 and has called South El Monte home since 1988.

He was married to his beloved wife Maria Domitila for 59 years until he became a widow in 2001. They had 12 children, and their family grew with 40 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

As a former mariachis musician, his pastime is to listen to music and play his violin, as well as spend time with his family.

His centennial birthday was celebrated with family and friends at home.

He attributes his longevity to God and being blessed with a loving, tight knit family.

NOTICE OF VACANCY

TO SERVE AS A COMMISSIONER ON ONE OF THE VARIOUS COMMISSIONS

The City of South El Monte is accepting applications from interested residents wishing to serve on a City Advisory Commission. Applications are now being accepted from October 31st through November 30th. Deadline is Thursday, December 1, 2022, by 5:30 p.m.

All positions subject to a Live Scan. Terms for the following commissions end December 31, 2022:

• Community Services Commission – Five (5) positions - (2 of the members must be at least 60 years of age and 1 member between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one).

The Community Services Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to social programming, health and welfare, child development, public recreational facilities and leisure activities.

• Patriotic Commission – Five (5) positions

The Patriotic Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to patriotism and the civic recognition of both active and veteran military personnel.

• Planning Commission – Five (5) positions

The Planning Commission is responsible, with the assistance of staff, for the development of the goals and objectives for the Planning and Community Development Department, to be approved by the City Council.

NOTE: You must be a South El Monte resident to be considered, once appointed, someone from Human Resources will contact you regarding the Live Scan. City employees are not eligible to serve on commissions.

Commission applications may be obtained Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Reception Desk, City Hall, 1415 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte or on the city’s website at https://www.cityofsouthelmonte.org/241/CityCommissions. The deadline for accepting applications is Thursday, December 1, 2022, by 5:30 p.m. Electronic applications will not be accepted. Return application either by mail or drop off to Reception Desk at City Hall.

For further information regarding applications or Live Scan, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (626) 579-6540, Extension 3220.

BEWARE OF PORCH PIRATES

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON PROTECT YOUR PACKAGES

With the holidays just around the corner and online shopping more popular due to the pandemic, the LA County Sheriff’s Department is advising residents to be mindful of “porch pirates.”

A porch pirate is someone who steals delivered packages from people’s homes. They case neighborhoods looking for the perfect opportunity to snatch packages away from people’s doorsteps.

Residents are urged to take extra steps to safeguard their packages by following these theft prevention tips:

• Buy online and pick up in store whenever possible.

• Have your packages delivered to your work or to a neighbor who is usually home.

• Have your packages sent to a Hub Locker and collect the packages there when it’s convenient for you.

• Ask the shipper to hold your packages at their facility. Most of them offer this service.

• Track deliveries online. Many offer a text notification to your cell phone when a package has been delivered.

• Request a signature confirmation of delivery.

• Provide delivery instructions.

• Install a parcel drop box in your home to make things easier for yourself. This will provide protection from mail theft and packages.

If you discover that your packages have been stolen, contact the Sheriff’s Temple Station at (626) 285-7171.

If you see a crime in progress, call 911 and “Do Not” approach the suspect(s). When calling 911, stay calm and provide as much information as possible: Suspect description, vehicles, direction of travel, etc…

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S TEMPLE STATION

8838 LAS TUNAS DRIVE TEMPLE CITY, CA 91780 (626) 285-7171

DIAL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES

The City of South El Monte contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services. Designated deputies of the Sheriff’s Temple Station oversee the safety of South El Monte community members.

Temple Station responsibilities include:

Promoting and preserving public order.

• Documenting and investigating any criminal activity.

• Providing emergency response to all life threatening incidents.

• Preventing Crime by Community Policing with the community it serves.

• Ongoing education to citizens within the community with current crime prevention ideas and methods.

and Welcoming Schools, Valle Lindo School District has established an environment where students and staff embrace and celebrate differences while fostering a sense of community.

A Valle Lindo School District Board official, shared, “I am extremely proud of our amazing student ambassadors who participated in the Golden Bell validation process. They are a true representation of how well our students are doing in our school district and why we are receiving this Golden Bell. I could not be more proud to serve on this board in our district and see how our students thrive. Each award and accolade is a collaborative effort by our amazing staff, awesome students, family involvement and community support.”

The Golden Bell Awards, celebrating their 43rd year, are presented by the California School Boards Association to promote excellence in public education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices. The awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that are necessary to address students’ changing needs.

A judging panel composed of experts from school districts and county offices of education across the state reviewed written entries and made initial recommendations. On-site validators then reviewed the recommendations and assessed the programs in action. To learn more about the Golden Bell awards and all the winners, visit the program’s website at gb.csba.org.