Covina-Valley Unified School District Newsletter Summer 2023

Educational Excellence for Every Student, Every Day

C-VUSD Hosts Inaugural State of the District

Covina-Valley Unified School District (C-VUSD) showcased its many outstanding achievements at a festive State of the District event on May 16 that underscored the District’s commitment to fostering “Educational Excellence for Every Student, Every Day.”

Board President Maria Caceres and Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer led a one-of-a-kind multimedia presentation detailing the seven overarching goals that guide Covina-Valley Unified in its work to serve a diverse student population, and that contribute to making it a standout educational institution in the region.

The presentation gave particular focus to the District’s many comprehensive career technical education (CTE) pathways that prepare students for success after high school and featured student speakers that shared the impact the programs have had on them. After the event, attendees were offered the chance to take tours of several of the District’s 24 CTE pathways.

C-VUSD Seniors Earn Admission, Scholarships

to Prestigious Colleges

Covina-Valley Unified’s three comprehensive high schools are known for providing rich learning environments that foster students’ college and career readiness. As a result, C-VUSD seniors are enrolling in college at a rate well above the national average.

The District ensures students leave CovinaValley Unified fully equipped for success in the next phase of their lives through the District’s many robust programs, including award-winning Career Technical Education pathways, college-preparatory curricula like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma programs, the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, and college credit opportunities through Dual Enrollment at Mt. San Antonio College. This year, students from Northview, South Hills, and Covina high schools have been accepted to prestigious institutions across the country that include Stanford University, Harvard

University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Southern California, Pennsylvania State University, Northwestern University, New York University, Cornell University, and many more.

Covina-Valley Unified seniors have also been awarded notable scholarships to these top universities for their academic and personal accomplishments, including a full-ride scholarship through the Posse Foundation, a $50,000 Edison scholarship, an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship worth $40,000, and an $88,000 Dean’s scholarship.

Many C-VUSD scholar-athletes have earned scholarships to top colleges such as the University of Tennessee, the University of California, Santa Barbara, California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Los Angeles, Vanguard University, and more.

SHHS senior Saniya Tillis (left) received a full-ride scholarship from the Posse Foundation to Northwestern University, CHS senior Kevin Nguyen (center) applied early decision and received acceptance to New York University and a scholarship from Capri Deli, and NHS senior Dean Curley (right) has signed with the University of Tennessee to play baseball.

Thank you to the entire C-VUSD community for supporting our students, teachers and staff this school year; together, we provided students with an outstanding education and tremendous opportunities for academic and personal success.

Superintendent’s Message

Dear Covina-Valley Unified families, The 2022-23 school year has been an unforgettable year marked by remarkable achievement, incredible growth, and educational excellence for our students, teachers, and staff.

Covina-Valley Unified continues to distinguish itself in both our San Gabriel Valley community as well as state-wide with several prestigious accolades this year. These achievements underscore the highquality education and opportunities offered in our District.

On behalf of everyone at C-VUSD, I would like to congratulate all of our outstanding high school seniors who have accomplished so many amazing things. Scores of our students will go on to attend prestigious colleges and universities this fall, many supported by academic and athletic scholarships. Others will build on

the marketable skills learned in our Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways as they step into fulfilling professions. We cannot wait to see all of the great things our students will go on to achieve!

As we prepare for the 2023-24 school year, we look forward to continuing our work of providing educational excellence, every day through rich and purposeful programs, a robust social-emotional learning curriculum, and leadership opportunities for our students at all grade levels.

It is an honor to serve as your Superintendent. I hope you all have an amazing summer and I look forward to seeing you and what Covina-Valley Unified will accomplish next school year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer

SUPPORTING THE WHOLE STUDENT

C-VUSD Expands Commitment to Social-Emotional Learning, Bolstering Students’ Development and Well-Being

Covina-Valley Unified School District has always dedicated itself to providing comprehensive care for students, which includes a strong commitment to social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health and wellness. Now, students are receiving more support than ever through a powerful expansion of student wellness staff and resources over the last two years.

This year, Covina-Valley Unified expanded its team of highlytrained professionals in counseling, social work, psychology, and health services who are all focused on student wellness. Each service complements and expands on one another to provide comprehensive wraparound care for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of students.

The District also opened a groundbreaking new hub for services for the community when it unveiled the Covina-Valley Health and Wellness Center, located on the former Lark Ellen Elementary School campus, earlier this school year. The center provides students and families with medical and mental health screenings, counseling services, health and mental health resources, and more.

Students now have direct access to support services right on their campuses, as well. Every C-VUSD elementary, middle, and high school has been equipped with a wellness center where students can meet with a school counselor or a District social worker for one-on-one support.

With these and other substantive steps, Covina-Valley Unified continues to develop its campuses into supportive environments where students can access the care and tools they need to thrive in school and life.

From left, Paulina Pinzon, Espy Estrada, and Vanessa Hernandez explore the Covina-Valley Unified Health and Wellness Center shortly after its ribbon-cutting ceremony.

South Hills High School English Language Development teacher

Tiffany Liang is among 100 teachers honored by Disney Imagination Campus in recognition of her use of wonder, creativity, and imagination in her curriculum.

Covina-Valley Unified Reaps Honors

During the 2022-23 school year, Covina-Valley Unified School District garnered numerous awards lauding the efficacy of the District’s programming, which plays a pivotal role in providing educational excellence, every day for students.

Among the accolades, C-VUSD ranked fifth in the entire state and third in all of Los Angeles County on The California Reading Coalition’s Reading Report Card, which recognizes student achievement in English Language Arts.

In February, two C-VUSD schools also achieved major commendations. Fairvalley High was among only 37 schools to be named a 2023 Model Continuation School (MCS) by the California Department of Education. Fairvalley has maintained MCS status for nearly 20 years due to its innovative programming and focus on college and career readiness.

Covina High School also earned a six-year accreditation from the distinguished Accrediting Commission of Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges validating the school’s commitment to providing students with high-quality resources, programs, and educational opportunities.

Sheila Edwards, a history and social science teacher at Sierra Vista Middle School, is one of only 18 teachers across the country to serve on the National Constitution Center’s (NCC) Teacher Advisory Board.

In February, Edwards was one of five educators selected to attend the NCC’s President’s Council Retreat. The event brought together leaders in government, education, business, and media to discuss important constitutional issues in America.

Covina-Valley Unified School District was recognized by the California Reading Coalition’s California Reading Report Card for excellence in reading comprehension in March. The District placed fifth in the state and third in Los Angeles County.

519 E. Badillo St., Covina, CA 91723

(626) 974-7000 www.c-vusd.org

@covina_valley_usd @CovinaValleyUnifiedSchoolDistrict @CovinaValleyUSD

Board of Education

Maria M. Caceres, President

Maria E. Cruz, Vice President

Simon Wright, Clerk

Rachael Robles, Member Sue L. Maulucci, Member

Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer, Superintendent

ESCANEE PARA OBTENER UNA COPIA DE ESTA PUBLICACIÓN EN ESPAÑOL

ENROLL NOW: https://aeries.c-vusd.org/registration/

DEVELOPING SERVICE-MINDED LEADERS

Middle School Students Contribute to Their Communities Through Participation in ServiceLearning Clubs

Covina-Valley middle school students are actively engaged in service-learning programs that extend their education beyond the classroom. Las Palmas Middle School’s Interact Club, Sierra Vista Middle School’s Builders Club, and Traweek Middle School’s Titan Leadership Council (T.L.C.) are among the many service-learning clubs designed to teach students a wide range of practical skills through meaningful service and learning opportunities.

Student club members can be found volunteering at community events throughout Covina, holding fundraisers for local organizations, leading campus clean-ups, and much more. These programs foster social-emotional development, critical thinking skills, leadership and teamwork while encouraging students to make a positive impact not only within their schools but also in the broader Covina-Valley community.

Service learning is a district-wide commitment that extends beyond middle school with high school students encouraged to build their commitment to service through organizations including Interact, Key Club, and Associated Student Body Government.

“Covina-Valley Unified is dedicated to nurturing the whole child, and these clubs tap into social and emotional learning for students,” Sierra Vista Middle School teacher and Builders Club advisor Jennifer Tarazona said. “Students build a sense of confidence and pride by engaging in real-life experiences that improve our community both on campus and off, and help those less fortunate than themselves.”

(From left to right): Las Palmas Middle School Interact Club member Elyzah Asuncion, staff advisor Christina Contreras, and Nabhat Sanglimsuwan celebrate a successful weekly club meeting.