BUSD News

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This week, BUSD kicked off Future Ready Initiative! On October 7th, our entire district united to promote college awareness to prepare ALL students for future success!

Students and staff districtwide wore college shirts showcasing a variety of college options. In classrooms, teachers shared their personal college journeys to show students different pathways to college and inspire awareness.

Hundreds of Seniors also started their first college applications with the support of our College & Career Centers and partnerships with Cerritos College, USC Advising, and Counselors.

Visit the College & Career Readiness Page to learn more about BUSD’s commitment to supporting our students preparation for college, careers, & life.

Bellflower Unified is proud to host our FREE 2nd Annual Cancer Walk — 6 laps around the track (1.5 miles), for hope, health and healing. Staff, families and neighbors, all of you are welcome.

• Saturday, October 24

• 9:00 AM

• Ron Yary Stadium, 15301 McNab Ave, Bellflower

Free resources, support and education on site. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring someone you’re walking for.

Register here: bit.ly/busdcancerwalk

We hope to see you there—and don’t forget to wear your pink!

Financial Aid is an essential component of preparation for life after high school. Starting October 1, 2026 students and parents can complete either a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or a CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) to qualify for financial aid including grants, loans, scholarships, & access programs.

Unsure which application is right for you or where to begin? Review the resources below to learn more.

Resources for families:

• Have general questions about Financial Aid? Review our webinar Financial Aid 101 available in English and Spanish via the BUSD Youtube Channel.

• Click here to determine which application to complete

• How to get started:

• Create an FSA ID

• What you will need to get started:

• Personal email account

• Social Security Number

• Create a CADA/CSAC ID

• What you will need to get started:

• Personal email account (do not use school email)

College & Career Centers will be hosting workshops at each comprehensive high school this Fall.

Check below for opportunities to get support with these essential applications:

• Bellflower High School:

• Thursday, November 11th, 6:00pm Financial Aid Night with Cerritos College (available in English & Spanish, Location TBD)

• Mayfair High School:

• Monday, October 26th, 2:30pm-4:30pm (College and Career Center)

• Monday, November 23rd, 9am-12pm (College and Career Center)

• Tuesday, November 24th, 8am-4pm (via zoom - by appointment)

• Thursday, February 4th, 2027 6pm-7:30pm (College and Career Center)

Visit the College & Career Readiness Page to learn more about BUSD’s commitment to supporting our students' preparation for college, careers, & life.

Exciting news! This week, BTA President John Young and Dr. Simon hosted the inaugural Bellflower Unified Teacher of the Year Roundtable! We created an inspiring space for educators to share their voices, celebrate instructional excellence, and engage in meaningful conversations that will help shape teaching, learning, and district priorities.

• Thomas Jefferson Elementary Student Spotlight: Sixth-grader Karson Gallagher was recognized as the featured student spotlight for his academic growth in math and reading, self-advocacy, positive attitude, and musical talent, including creating homemade drums on the playground to share music with classmates.

• 2026 Golden Bell Award: Bellflower Middle & High School was announced as an official 2026 CSBA Golden Bell Award winner for its AVID "College and Career Readiness for All" program.

• Bellflower Middle & High School Report: Student representative Kayte Pineda detailed recent fall events, including Senior Sunrise, the Cheesecake Factory Peanut Butter Drive, Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, and field trips to Paramount Studios. She also highlighted the Book Promise Program offering free college tuition pathways for graduating seniors.

• Mayfair High School Report: Student representative Vanessa Perez shared updates on fall spirit weeks, Clubs Rush, college application workshops, and student participation in Cerritos College Manufacturing Day.

• Las Flores Report: Recognized 7th-grade students Chase, Elissa, and Patrick for their selection into the Veritas Preparatory Program. Highlights also included the California Democracy Project, ASB elections, and the ST Math Kickoff featuring Jiji .

The Information Technology and Campus Safety departments presented a joint overview of district-wide security enhancements and technology rollouts:

• Emergency Communication Infrastructure: The district’s PA system is integrated with emergency notification tools and E911 alerting, allowing staff and emergency responders to immediately pinpoint the location of any 911 call placed on campus.

• Physical Access Controls: High schools are utilizing lanyards for streamlined attendance and event tracking. Front offices maintain access control intercoms and real-time visitor ID screening systems.

• Environmental & Digital Safety: SMART sensors (HALO) remain deployed in privacy areas to detect vaping and environmental risks. Digital security is being enhanced through GoGuardian Admin and Beacon to monitor district-issued devices for safety risks and self-harm prevention.

• Security Operations & Personnel: Campus Security Officers are supported by modernized Security Operations Rooms, supplemental private security patrols, and an Inquest Detection Canine (a friendly Black Lab) trained for visual deterrence and contraband detection.

• Superintendent's Report: Dr. Simon highlighted recent classroom visits across district schools, participation in the Bellflower State of the City Address, and attendance at the Rotary Joint Services Luncheon.

• Williams Settlement Compliance: The district completed its quarterly report (July–September 2026) with zero complaints regarding instructional materials or teacher assignments. Visits by LACOE at Washington and Ramona Elementaries confirmed full sufficiency of instructional materials.

• Bellflower Teachers Association (BTA): BTA President Mr. Young expressed appreciation for joint initiatives, including United Champions Schools MOUs, educator involvement on the LCAP District Advisory Group, and USC Rossier administrative leadership pathways.

All Board of Education meetings are held in the Board Room of the District Administration Building, 16703 South Clark Avenue, Bellflower, CA 90706. Regular and Special Meetings are held at 6:00 PM on selected Thursdays, unless otherwise indicated below.

Meetings Now Available on YouTube: @BellflowerUSD

Thursdays, October 1, 2026 - November 5, 2026, 11 - 11:30 am

Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun.

On October 29, please join us for an opportunity to chat with a Family Community Specialist from Alma Family Services to learn about their Child and Family Development programs available to our local community.

Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. To sign up, see library staff, or register online at Visit.LACountyLibrary.org/Events and filter by location or event date.

This program is part of Smart Start at the Library, LA County Library's collection of programs and services for early learners ages 0 - 5 and their caregivers.

For ages 2 - 5 with their parents or caregiver.

Clifton M. Brakensiek Library

9945 E. Flower St. Bellflower

562.925.5543

Parents and high school students, mark your calendar for Lakewood's annual College Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Centre, 5000 Clark Avenue.

Participants (ages 15-22) will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from colleges and universities and get information on admission, testing, transcripts, transfers, enrollment registration, fees, and deadlines.

All students in attendance are eligible to win a $250 scholarship.

Two free workshops for parents and teens will be offered on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and Tuesday, Oct. 20 for more help with college planning and information. Get the details on the workshops and how to register, or call the Lakewood Youth Center at 562-429-7472.

Watch this CityTV video to see what’s available at the event

We have officially launched the Water Replenishment District’s student art contest for this school year. This is a great opportunity to connect art and science in the classroom – with prizes involved as well! The contest deadline is Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Program details are below for your information:

Eligibility: Students and teachers in grades K - 6 located in the WRD service area

What: Create a water-focused piece of art that matches the contest theme

Student Prize: 23 students will be selected to win a $75 gift card, be recognized at a school assembly, and be featured in our 2026 Water Awareness Calendar!

Teacher Mini Grant: The top teachers with at least 10 submissions from their class will receive a $100 gift card.

Art Lessons: Limited in-classroom art lessons are available for teachers interested in bringing STEAM to their classrooms. Teachers can sign up here: https://forms.gle/RK44xcsxWLgbeZgz9

Learn more: www.wrd.org/student-art-contest

Students participated in a lesson on character traits where we determined that some character traits are external (physical traits) and some are internal (personality traits). Students then identified their own character traits and determined the traits are needed to be an AVID scholar. Students drew a picture of themself and listed their traits around their illustration. Then, they drew an image to go with each character trait. Next, we will be diving into literary stories and examining characters through their words, emotions, thoughts, and actions.

We are so excited for this group of student leaders!

This month, we celebrated the classes with the highest attendance, and Mr. Kuyper’s and Ms. Rodriquez’s classes took the win!

Mr. Kuyper’s class was especially excited to receive their attendance trophy! Which classes will win for October? Stay tuned!

Our 7th–12th grade Las Flores Leopards had the opportunity to attend Manufacturing & CTE Day at Cerritos College, getting a firsthand look at the many career and technical education pathways available to them.

Students toured CTE shops and labs, experienced hands-on demonstrations, and explored careers ranging from engineering, automotive technology, welding, and manufacturing to nursing, culinary arts, dental programs, architecture, cosmetology, and more!

Experiences like this give our students the opportunity to explore careers, discover new interests, and connect their learning today to possibilities for their future.

We love to have special visitors at Lindstrom. We especially love VIP visitors! Thank you to Dr. Simon for stopping by Lindstrom and meeting with our teachers and students! You are an honorary Lion and you ROAR!

Learning and growing in the garden! Our 1st grade students in Mrs. Omura’s class had a wonderful time gardening with Ranger Lynn from EnrichLA! Students got hands-on as they explored plants, learned about the garden, and worked together with their classmates. We love seeing our little learners dig in, get curious, and connect with nature!

Creativity + culture in action! Our students had so much fun creating their own mini piñatas as part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations! From choosing their colors to carefully adding each layer of fringe, every piñata was as unique as the student who made it.

We love giving our students opportunities to learn about and celebrate Hispanic culture through hands-on activities—and they were very proud to show off their finished creations!

Ensemble and Alumni got selected to be in Disneyland Candlelight Procession AGAIN!!! Decades later this never gets old to have the privilege and honor to do this again and again. This is a highly competitive audition to be chosen. Come watch us in Disneyland on December 6!

Thank you to all our parents that joined us for Coffee with the Principal and Counselor. Our parents developed a Social Contract for our Coffee with Principal and Counselor meetings with Ms. Arroyo and Mr. Ayala. Parents learned about Capturing Kids Hearts, what that means for our students at Washington in class and developed their own. Ms. Arroyo and Mr. Ayala also shared updates for our school for the month of October.

BHS students headed to Cerritos College for an exciting field trip focused on exploring college opportunities, discovering new pathways, and imagining what their future could look like! 🏫

We love seeing our students step onto a college campus, ask questions, and start thinking BIG about what’s next!

On day four of College Week, our students enjoyed a game of College Bingo during lunch!

A huge thank you to our amazing Staffulty for stamping bingo squares and sharing your college experiences to inspire our future college students!

For many of our Mayfair students, it was their first time participating in meditation and yoga.

It was a wonderful and cool morning out. The students enjoyed their experience led by Wellness Counselor, Ms. Lucchesi

Movement. Meditation. Music.

Food & Nutrition Services updates the menus monthly.

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