ABC Weekly

CBS Los Angeles, Channels 2 and 9, regularly features a Southern California high school as part of its Class Act segment. This week, they were at Gahr High School, showcasing all the school offers students.

From the award-winning marching band, competitive athletics programs and cheer to innovative Career Technical Education programs like Aviation, Automotive, and Broadcast, reporter Chloe Carlson spent time with students, teachers, and staff members learning more about Gahr High School.

On Saturday, September 12, 2026, about 30 students from Artesia High School and Cerritos High School attended the 13th Annual Latino College Expo at the University of La Verne.

Students were able to connect with more than 60 colleges and universities, access helpful resources, and learn about pathways to higher education and beyond. Several colleges even offered students “on-the-spot” admission.

At this week’s ABCUSD Board of Education meeting, Interim Equity Officer Ms. Marlies Harris and members of the Hispanic-Latino Student Advisory Committee helped celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing information about ABCUSD Hispanic/Latino students, how our schools are celebrating the month, and the work of the Hispanic-Latino Student Advisory Committee.

You can view the presentation here.

Board Policy 5131.8 limits the use of mobile communication devices for students at ABCUSD schools. We encourage students to keep their devices off and away during the school day so they can focus on learning and engaging with others.

The policy is straightforward. At our elementary and middle schools, students may bring a mobile device to school, but may not use it on campus. At our high schools, students may use mobile devices during non-instructional time, including before or after school, during breaks, and at lunch. Devices must be used responsibly and in accordance with school rules.

There are some exceptions, including during an emergency or safety concern, with permission from a teacher or school administrator, when medically necessary, or when required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. Smart glasses are not permitted at school, and unauthorized recording of another individual is not allowed.

Let’s encourage our students to be Off & Away All Day as they focus on learning and growth while at school.

Please join us for our first HLFC Community Meeting of the year! We look forward to connecting with our families, hearing your voices, and learning how ABCUSD can better support our Hispanic/Latino students and families.

We will end the night with a fun-filled Lotería Night hosted by our amazing HLSAC students! This is a great opportunity to connect, celebrate culture and community, and enjoy some friendly competition, all while supporting and celebrating our student leaders.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Haskell Middle School from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments, child care, and translation services will be provided.

Please RSVP by Monday, September 21. RSVP HERE.

The application window for the 2027–2028 school year opened September 1, 2026, and both ABCUSD resident and out-of-district students may apply.

ABCUSD resident students can apply as they have in previous years through Whitney High School’s annual admissions process. New this year, students who live outside ABCUSD boundaries are also eligible to apply.

The admissions process includes an application, writing assessment, and reading and math placement tests. Applications are due September 30, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Learn more about eligibility, the application process, important dates, and how to apply at abcusd.info/WhitneyHighSchoolAdmissions.

Mental health is health, and suicide prevention is part of everyday health care, not just a crisis response. It is important to know what signs to watch for and how to connect someone with resources, including 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline is free, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects callers with trained crisis counselors who can provide support and connect them with additional resources when needed.

As a reminder, Care Solace is available to ABCUSD students, families, and staff. Care Solace can help connect you with mental health and substance use care that fits your needs and circumstances. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/site/abcusd for assistance.

You can also find helpful resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at samhsa.gov.

Together, we can build a community where people feel connected, supported, and able to ask for help when they need it.

Monday, September 14, through Friday, September 25, 2026, is High School Voter Education Weeks in California. This initiative is designed to raise civic awareness among high school students and encourage eligible students ages 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote so their registration becomes active when they turn 18.

Eligible students may pre-register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov.

Assemblymember José Luis Solache, Jr., representing the 62nd Assembly District, has announced the launch of his inaugural Young Legislators Program for students across the district.

The program gives students an opportunity to learn more about state government, civic engagement, leadership development, and public speaking while connecting with other young leaders from across the region. Students selected for the program will meet monthly from October 2026 through June 2027.

The program is recommended for students in grades 10 and 11 who reside in Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower, and other communities within the 62nd Assembly District.

The application deadline is Friday, September 25, 2026. Interested students can apply online here.

Here’s a recap of the decisions and actions the ABCUSD Board of Education took at this week’s Regular meeting:

• Students from Cerritos Elementary School led the flag salute and shared updates and information about their school.

• Heard a performance from the Artesia High School Mariachi Los Pioneros to kick off the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Received a presentation from Interim Equity Officer Ms. Marlies Harris and members of the ABCUSD Hispanic-Latino Advisory Committee about Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Viewed the latest LCAP Stories video about Summer Learning Lab for teachers.

• Received a report from Cerritos High School Student Board Representatives Jesse Chung and Anushka Zumale, who shared highlights from the first month of school, including the sneak peek assembly, this year’s homecoming, “A Night in Rio,” how students are coping with new mobile device policies, athletics (football, girls volleyball, and boys water polo), club rush, and Model United Nations.

• Held public hearings on the initial proposal and the District’s response with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 2229, Council 36 (AFSCME) to reopen negotiations for the 2026-2027 school year on Article VII: Compensation, Article VIII: Health and Welfare Benefits, Article X: Vacations and Holidays, Article XII: Transfers and Vacancies, Article XVI: Leaves of Absence, and Article XXIII: Miscellaneous. Copies of the initial proposal and the District’s response are available for the public to view.

• Held public hearings on the initial proposal and District’s response with the California School Employees Association and its ABC Chapter #24 (CSEA) to reopen negotiations for the 2026-2027 school year on Article VII: Compensation, Article IX: Health and Welfare Benefits, Article XIII: Calendar, Article XIV: Transfers, Vacancies and Promotions, and Article XIX: Grievance Procedures. Copies of the initial proposal and the District’s response are available for the public to view.

• Approved community member and student appointments to Board Advisory Committees.

• Adopted Resolution 26-05 acknowledging National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15, 2026.

• Disclosed the Tentative Agreement with ABC Federation of Teachers, Local #2317, California Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers/AFL-CIO in accordance with the provisions of AB 1200, and conducted a public hearing on the components of the disclosure.

• Approved the Tentative Agreement between the Board of Education and ABC Federation of Teachers, Local #2317, California Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers/AFL-CIO, amending Article X: Salaries and Article IX: Class Size/Case Load.

• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Education and ABC Federation of Teachers, Local #2317, California Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers/AFL-CIO regarding Health and Welfare Benefits for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Education and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 2229, Council 36 regarding Health and Welfare Benefits for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Education and the California School Employees Association and its ABC Chapter #24 regarding Health and Welfare Benefits for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Approved the tentative agreement with non-represented employee groups for Health and Welfare Benefits for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Held a public hearing and adopted Resolution 26-06 for Textbooks and Instructional Materials Compliance and approved Certification of Provision for Standards-Aligned Instructional Materials with Education Code §60119, grades K-1, fiscal year 2026-2027.

• Approved a request to contract with CivicPlus, LLC to provide the subscription DocAccess to comply with PDF accessibility requirements for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Accepted Gift Report 26-02 totaling $26,147.56.

• Approved the 2025-2026 Unaudited Actuals Financial Report.

You can view a video recording of this Board meeting on the District’s Board Meeting YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@ABCUSDBoardMeetings. The next regular meeting of the ABCUSD Board of Education will be on October 6, 2026.