Hacienda La Puente Unified Elementary School Students Engage in the Civic Process

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District elementary school students are actively participating in the civic process through the Project Life Experiences About Democracy (LEAD) program, a dynamic, hands-on partnership with the City of La Puente that fosters civic learning and engagement.

On February 4, students from Nelson and Workman elementary schools attended the LEAD Leadership Conference, where they gained valuable insights into the functions of various city departments and their roles in supporting the community. The students also participated in a mock city council meeting, providing them with a unique opportunity to share their perspectives on what they appreciate about the city and what changes they hoped to see.

“Without LEAD Project, we wouldn’t understand how the city supports us,” Nelson ASB President Quetzatli Maldonado said during the La Puente city council meeting on February 11, where Project LEAD students shared their experiences with the La Puente City Council members and the community.

“I was glad that I was selected for leadership conference, I learned more about the different departments and how they helped our city run,” Maldonado continued.

During the city council meeting, Project LEAD students discussed upcoming school events and emphasized the importance of civic engagement, not only within their own communities but also through collaboration with students from other schools.

“Hacienda La Puente Unified School District takes pride in providing students with real-world learning opportunities from a young age, empowering them with the skills to advocate for themselves and their communities,” HLPUSD Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “These invaluable experiences are made possible through the continued partnership with the City of La Puente, which helps students gain a deeper understanding of civic engagement and the vital role local government plays in shaping everyday life.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

HLPUSD_PROJECTLEAD1: Nelson Elementary School students participated in the LEAD leadership conference on February 4 where they gained valuable insights into the functions of various city departments and their roles in supporting the community.

HLPUSD_PROJECTLEAD2: Workman Elementary School leadership students spoke at a February 11 La Puente City Council meeting as part of Project LEAD.