CIF Soccer page 14
Chalk Talk Community Events, page 2 - 3
The Community Paper of Record
Vol. 56, No. 05
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
March 06, 2019
El Monte Union Celebrates Success at Annual State of the District by Staff Writer El Monte
On February 20, Superintendent of the El Monte Union High School District, Dr. Edward Zuniga took to the podium and showcased success stories throughout the district in front of an enthusiastic crowd of parents, community members, and city leaders. From the installation of solar panels to station championships with acknowledgement of academic programs and parental support in between, Dr. Zuniga emphasized the entire district’s efforts to promote student achievements. “Our parents, teachers, staff and community partners are the backbone of our success,” Zuniga said during his second annual State of the District. “They provide critical support to our college and career readiness efforts and ensure our students thrive in their future endeavors. We understand the importance of investing in our students and their futures, and I want to congratulate this community for supporting education.” The event – held at the El Monte High School Auditorium – featured
El Monte Union recognizes parents across the District for their support, engagement and participation at the second annual State of the District on Feb. 20. Courtesy photo
performances by the South El Monte High School Jazz Band and the Rosemead High School choir, which sang Disney tunes. Guests received an overview of the District’s vision, mission and goals, its Community Committed to
College and Career motto and five LCAP goals of qualified staff and facilities, standards and materials, student achievement, parental involvement, and student engagement. The superintendent also discussed the importance of providing com-
petitive academic and co-curricular programs, such as career technical education and Speech and Debate, with Arroyo High School students demonstrating their skills on stage. Union Celebrates continued on page 16
El Monte City School District to Compete in Science Olympiad Event by Staff Writer, El Monte
Gidley School eighth-grader Tracy Chow said three years of participating on her school’s Science Olympiad team as captain has given her a tight-knit group of friends, fed her passion for learning about science and given her a career goal. “Before Science Olympiad, I was unclear about what I wanted to do with my life,” Chow said. “After Science Olympiad, I have this need to pursue something in science because science is what makes up the world.” Science Olympiad is an afterschool program that has been a staple at Gidley School for more than 25 years. The program averages 50 fourththrough eighth-grade students each school year, who jump at the chance to learn more about various science disciplines including biology, Earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology.
Science Olympiad provides students with an in-depth look at high school-level science topics and allows students to build contraptions and plot their own experiments. The program has helped countless students realize their potential by encouraging them to explore new career opportunities, Science Olympiad Head Coach Pamela Dominguez said. “Some of our students don’t realize that they are potential scientists,” Dominguez said. “They don’t realize how interested they are in the different types of science until they’re given a chance and Science Olympiad gives our students the chance to try new things and feel safe about it.” Dominguez said Science Olympiad has inspired students to attend prestigious colleges such as UCLA, Berkeley and Stanford and study complex topics including neurology, pharmacology and chemical engineering. She also said the program helps improve lateral thinking as
Gidley School eighth-grader Arianna Acebedo holds her team’s elastic glider, which was built to outfly other area schools competing at the 2019 Mesa Robles/ Wilson High School Science Olympiad Invitational on Jan. 19. Courtesy photo.
well as writing and social skills. “The most important thing with
Olympiad Event continued on page 16
