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Six teachers at Hacienda La Puente Unified's Nelson Elementary School were surprised on September 17 with $500 in classroom supplies and a $3,000 school donation, thanks to Puente Hills Subaru's "Subaru Loves Learning" initiative in partnership with AdoptaClassroom.org, supporting local schools with essential tools for students and educators.

During the event, representatives from Puente Hills Subaru, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, and Board President Christine H. Salazar accompanied Nelson's new principal, Collin Miller, to each classroom. There, the teachers were surprised with the box of supplies while Subaru representatives gave a heartfelt speech, expressing their unwavering commitment to education.

This marks the second consecutive year that Puente Hills Subaru has generously supported Nelson Elementary.

At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we are dedicated to forging relationships with like-minded local, state, and global organizations. We believe that through strong partnerships and community support, we can best fulfill our mission to be partners in your child's future, working to bridge gaps and ensure equal opportunity for every student.

Photo Captions:

HLPUSD_NELSON1: A Nelson Elementary School classroom is surprised with box of school supplies during a “Subaru Loves Learning” giveaway event on September 17.

HLPUSD_NELSON2: A Nelson Elementary School student celebrates as his teacher receives a school supply box worth of $500 during a “Subaru Loves Learning” event on September 17.

HLPUSD_NELSON3: Nelson Elementary School principal Collin Miller thanks Puente Hills Subaru’s Love- Encore Manager Lloyd Reese for generation donation alongside Nelson staff during an event on September 17.

 

Hacienda La Puente Unified is committed to providing robust resources and services that support all students and foster healthy and happy school communities where our students, staff, and families feel supported, respected, and valued.

This month, Hacienda La Puente Unified is recognizing Suicide Prevention Month and sharing resources.  

HLPUSD is proud to join the nation in recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness of the signs, erase the stigmas, and offer support services associated with mental health.

According to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, better known as NAMI, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 14 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the United States.

NAMI lists common signs of mental illness in young adults, adolescents, and children, including:

·        Excessive worrying or fear

·        Confused thinking, problems concentrating and learning

·        Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria

·        Avoiding friends and social activities

·        Changes in sleeping habits, feeling tired and low energy

·        Frequent nightmares

·        Changes in eating habits such as increased, or lack of, appetite

·        Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

·        Changes in school performance

·        Frequent temper tantrums

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health illnesses, such as bipolar depression and anxiety, can help detect students and individuals who may be at higher risk for suicide ideation or harm. It is equally important to connect with a trusted person or healthcare professional for guided support.

During school hours, students can contact their school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, or any trusted adult for mental health support.

National crisis helplines for people of all ages include:

·        National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – call or text 988 or chat online at 988Lifeline.org. 988 offers 24/7 judgement-free support for mental health, substance abuse, and more.

·        Crisis Text Line – text “HELP” to 741741

·        National Helpline – text ‘HELP’ to 1800.622.4357

·        The Trevor Project Lifeline – text ‘START’ to 678-678 or call 1866.488.7386

·        Teen Line – 800.852.8336

For more information on suicide prevention including risk factors and additional support for when in a crisis, visit NAMI’s resources. Please call the Equity and Access department at (626) 933-5302 for additional District resources.

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD), in partnership with Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, hosted the Annual 56th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Sept. 14, drawing hundreds of high school and middle school students eager to explore future academic paths and career options.

Held at La Puente High School, the event featured more than 60 college and career booths designed to provide valuable resources and guidance for students planning their next steps.

Among the highlights was a dedicated room showcasing career technical education (CTE) pathways, where high school CTE student volunteers from all four HLPUSD comprehensive high schools, HLPLUSD CTE Coordinator Dr. Lawrence Fitz, and HLPUSD CTE educators, offered middle school families interactive demonstrations, engaging displays, and detailed information about the exciting career options available through CTE programs.

“Each year, this event sets the stage for students to explore their futures… but this year, we rose to the challenge like never before,” Fitz said. “The energy, engagement, and sheer variety of opportunities made this our most dynamic College and Career Fair to date. Thank you to all our partners and of course, Lisa Calderon, for making this event possible for our remarkable HLPUSD families.”

Throughout the event, students participated in workshops offering essential support for navigating the college application process. Sessions covered topics like college planning for middle schoolers, applying to the University of California and California State University systems, and steps to take before and after submitting applications.

The event saw a diverse range of colleges in attendance, including the University of Southern California, University of San Diego, Chapman University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, and many more. Representatives from the Los Angeles County Fire and Police departments, the U.S. Armed Forces, and various trade schools and unions were also available to offer insight and discuss career paths with students interested in exploring job opportunities.

“As a senior, I have already started thinking about my plan after high school but having the opportunity to visit this fair to expand my horizons and learn from real-world experts and college representatives was very exciting,” Workman High School senior Lauren Medina said. “Our teachers, principals, and the District are always encouraging us to seek new opportunities and I am even more excited for what’s to come after graduating this spring.”

For the first time, HLPUSD provided free shuttle buses at Workman, Wilson, and Los Altos high schools to ensure students could attend the event. Booths from each middle and high school, as well as HLP Adult Education, offered information, prizes, and school swag. These booths encouraged students to engage with administrators, explore future educational opportunities, and get excited about the next steps in their academic journeys.

As the event concluded, HLPUSD and Calderon celebrated the seniors who were recognized as winners of the 56th Assembly District Writing Contest and received a $1,000 merit-based scholarship for their exceptional efforts.

“The College and Career Fair is an essential part of our commitment to providing transformative learning experiences for all students,” HLPUSD Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “This year’s theme, ‘Transformative Learning, Pathways to Student Success,’ is more than just a slogan – it reflects our dedication to unlocking the potential within every student. By connecting them to opportunities that inspire, we are empowering them to shape their futures and achieve success in college, careers and life.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_COLLEGE1: A Hacienda La Puente Unified middle school student enters the career technical education pathway exploration room at the 56th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_COLLEGE2: Career technical education students from each of Hacienda La Puente Unified’s four comprehensive high schools showcase their programs with middle school families and District officials during a College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_COLLEGE3: Lisa Calderon, 56th District Assemblymember, connects with Hacienda La Puente Unified middle school administrators and Executive Director of TK-8 Dr. Angela Lin (third left) during a College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_COLLEGE4: Glen A. Wilson High School students in the Theater Career Technical Education pathway share details about their program and recent awards with a student during a College and Career Fair on Sept. 14.

 

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Glen A. Wilson High School science teacher Jungsoo Han has a knack for getting the best out of his students. As coach of the school’s successful Science Olympiad and Future Health Professionals (HOSA) teams, Han has established each unit as perennial tournament favorites, while inspiring his students to challenge themselves and work towards careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Among the many students Han has inspired is Wilson High Class of 2024 graduate and current Yale University freshman Emily Chang. As Science Olympiad captain during her senior year, Chang led the team to its third consecutive Southern California Science Olympiad regional championship at Río Hondo College in March 2023.

Han’s influence has not gone unnoticed by his former students. Han, who is a Wilson High Class of 2000 graduate, was recently named as a recipient of the Yale Educator Award, presented to teachers who have deeply impacted their students’ lives. Han was nominated for the award by Chang, then selected as a winner by a committee in Yale’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Han is one of just 90 teachers and counselors in the United States and beyond to receive the honor in 2024, including international educators from Mexico, South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

“I am very honored to receive this prestigious award,” Han said. “I received tremendous inspiration from my science teachers at Wilson and it’s a great feeling to give back to your community. I think the keys to a student’s success in STEM are to be willing to go as far as you can, give 110%, don’t be afraid to fail and, if you do, then pick yourself up. Wilson’s Olympiad and HOSA students have really taken this advice to heart.”

Now in his 13th year at Wilson High, Han established the Science Olympiad team in 2014 and HOSA in 2019. Both groups have seen considerable success in regional, state, and international competitions. Whereas the Olympiad is a team competition that uses cumulative scores, HOSA, with its mission to promote career opportunities in the healthcare industry, stages competitions where individual members are quizzed and ranked.

With four titles in five years, Wilson’s Science Olympiad team has dominated the regional competitions, and done well at state, with a fourth-place finish in this year’s Division C competition. Wilson’s HOSA squad, led by Chang, took several individual awards at both state and international competitions during the 2023-24 school year.

“Our labs and lab prep are very thorough, and our students learn very quickly to manage the progression of difficulty from year to year,” Han said. “By the time they are seniors they have mostly perfected those skills and come to class fully focused on task for the entire 55 minutes. We have seen our students go on to medical school or get hired at Google and Tesla. Really, my students motivate me. We teach each other.”

Wilson’s HOSA club has been so successful that Han and Wilson principal Dr. Danielle Kenfield worked together to establish a second HOSA club at Mesa Robles Middle School. Mesa Robles HOSA meetings are led by Wilson HOSA students, whose passion and rigor have inspired the middle school students to score well at their own competitions, winning several medals at the most recent state competition. Mesa Robles, which is a Wilson High feeder school, also has its own Science Olympiad team.

Han also serves as an advisor for Wilson’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club, as well as the school’s Red Cross club, which hosts campus blood drives and teaches first aid and emergency preparations.

“Mr. Han brings passion and enthusiasm to his classrooms and is very much admired by his students, and we couldn’t be prouder that a former student has taken the initiative to have his great work honored by an elite university,” Kenfield said. “Thank you to Emily Chang for recognizing that teachers make a difference and can spur their students to reach academic heights they may have thought were unattainable. This is true Wildcat spirit.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

 HLPUSD_WILSON1: From left to right: Glen A. Wilson High School Class of 2024 seniors Emily Chang and Helen Zhou celebrate earning high achievements alongside coach Jungsoo Han at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Texas in June 2023.

 

HLPUSD_WILSON2: Glen A. Wilson High School educator Jungsoo Han and students participate in the Making Strides Breast Cancer Awareness Walk to help raise funds for cancer research in October 2023.

 

CITY OF INDUSTRY – In front of an audience of more than 100 students, staff, alums, and distinguished guests, Hacienda La Puente Unified and Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) celebrated the unveiling of HLPAE’s modernized state-of-the-art Medical Career Building with commemorative speeches to honor HLPAE's legacy and success before cutting the ceremonial ribbon on Aug. 23.

As the second-largest adult education institute in California, serving more than 13,000 adult education and high school students annually, HLPAE's two-story building modernization project is a significant step toward supporting its seven growing healthcare programs, including the longstanding Psychiatric Technician and Licensed Vocational Nursing Programs. The building, equipped with four new classrooms, labs, and state-of-the-art equipment, is strategically designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, thereby preparing students to thrive in the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

"This building will not only enhance learning but also open the door for more students to embark on a healthcare career during a time when there is such a critical need for professionals in this field," HLPAE Licensed Vocational Nursing student John Acharya said. "Thank you to everyone who supports HLPAE; your encouragement and support are invaluable."

Executive Director of HLPAE Dr. Gregory Buckner took audience members down memory lane to start the event, sharing HLPAE's robust history from its start nearly 60 years ago. Buckner was followed by Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, who shared his gratitude for the institution's diverse opportunities and for being a continued partner and beacon of hope for thousands of Hacienda La Puente Unified students throughout the years.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Board President Christine H. Salazar highlighted the positive impact the institute has had on students' lives by sharing stories of previous HLPAE graduates from various industries.

"Today marks a tribute to our past but also serves as a reminder to embrace the future as we unveil this remarkable new building and a new chapter in the adult education history," Salazar said. "Let us continue to draw inspiration from our students' stories and staff's education to continue believing in the potential of each and every student."

The event concluded with guests exiting the Willow Adult conference room to the grandiose building, where, a mariachi band waited for them, helping the community celebrate the building's grand opening with music and a lively dance circle.

Attendees then toured the facilities, which feature cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator and baby warmer demonstrations, and a simulation on the first floor led by Licensed Vocational Nursing and Medical Assistant students, along with an immersive demonstration of the Anatomage Table led by Medical Assistant instructor Diana Escutia.

On the second floor, guests interacted with blood pressure and pulse oximetry demonstrations and watched the school's most recent Psychiatric Technician graduation video, which took place in June 2024.

Students who graduate from the Licensed Vocational Nursing, Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Psychiatric Technician, or Registered Dental Assistant programs within the normal expectancy time leave with $0 debt and are eligible to sit for the necessary California exams.

"Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these facilities a reality and to our incredible staff of skilled professionals who teach, guide, and train our students," Jiménez said. "This project is so much more than a building; it's the foundation for aspiring high school and adult education healthcare professionals – the framework for transformative learning and success."

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

HLPUSD_HEALTH1: Hacienda La Puente Adult Education healthcare students welcome guests to the modernized Health Careers Building during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 23.  

HLPUSD_HEALTH2: Licensed Vocational Nursing and Medical Assistant students greet guests as they tour the modernized two-story health careers building after the ceremonious ribbon-cutting on Aug. 23.  

HLPUSD_HEALTH3: Hacienda La Puente Unified District officials, HLPAE staff, and distinguished guests dance alongside a mariachi band after a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Heath Careers Building on Aug. 23.

HLPUSD_HEALTH4: A Hacienda La Puente Adult Education healthcare instructor celebrates the completion of the modernized Health Careers Building with healthcare students during the commemoration event on Aug. 23. 

HLPUSD_HEALTH5: A Hacienda La Puente community member has her blood pressure checked by an HLPAE health careers instructor and student during the Health Careers Building tour on Aug. 23.