ABC Weekly
News from the ABC Unified School District: Aug. 8, 2024
Elliott Elementary has introduced The Learning Lab Academy, a peer tutoring program led by Mrs. Weber. The program pairs 6th graders with 2nd graders to improve reading skills through personalized sessions. While 2nd graders enhance their fluency and comprehension, 6th graders develop empathy and critical thinking. Tutoring sessions take place twice a week, fostering academic growth and strong student relationships.
Bragg Elementary held its first-ever Environmental Summit on October 2, 2024, bringing together students from ABCUSD and nearby districts to discuss sustainability initiatives. Led by Bragg's Green Team, the event highlighted student-led discussions on topics such as waste-free lunches, rainwater collection, and organizing community and beach cleanups. The summit provided students with practical ideas to implement at their own schools and communities, fostering environmental awareness and action. Kudos to the Green Team for inspiring positive change!
Students in Mrs. Whiteman’s fourth-grade class at Nixon Academy learn on the go through the Walking Classroom program. Funded through a grant from the ABC Education Foundation, the program involves walking, listening, and learning about topics such as idioms, the gold rush, Abraham Lincoln, conservation, and the layers of the earth. It not only enhances learning but also encourages physical activity.
Students from the Whitney High School Robotics program recently demonstrated their robot at the Southern California Robotics Symposium at U.C. Riverside. The students' demonstration impressed attendees, mostly academics and industry professionals, with their engineering and presentation skills. Representatives from engineering labs, like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, invited the students to visit them. Well done, Wildcats!
October Menus
Our Nutrition Services team will be serving up a variety of tasty and nutritious breakfast and lunches in October. Check out this month's menus for Preschool/Headstart, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, and High Schools here.
Edison Scholars Applications Open
Each year, Edison International awards $50,000 scholarships to 30 high school seniors who want to make a difference by studying science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) in college. Applications are open, Oct 1, 2024 - Jan. 23, 2025. High school seniors are encouraged to apply now!
Marc Stirdivant Scholarship for Justice 2024
The Marc Stirdivant Scholarship for Justice 2024 is now accepting applications from students entering/exiting 9th to 12th grade. Students may submit art, essays, or videos focusing on civil liberties and injustice. Submissions are due by midnight on October 19, 2024. More information can be found on the scholarship’s website.
The first meeting of the Hispanic-Latino Family Circle was held last Thursday evening at Artesia High School. Families enjoyed learning more about each other and about the resources offered by ABCUSD. Thank you to all who attended our first full meeting of the school year, and we look forward to seeing you at the next HLFC meeting.
Superintendents from across Los Angeles County gathered at Cerritos High School for a meeting organized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Hosted by Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow, the event provided a valuable opportunity for educational leaders to exchange ideas and discuss trends impacting schools throughout the County. Dr. Zietlow and ABC Federation of Teachers President Mr. Ray Gaer highlighted the strong partnership between administration and labor, known as PAL, while Mr. Chad Laines, Instructional Technology Specialist, presented on the district’s advancements in Artificial Intelligence. The meeting was made possible with support from LACOE Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo.
Join ABCUSD for a bus tour of our schools, showcasing improvements and enhancements made through Measure BB. The tour will take place on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, beginning at 2:30 p.m. and will visit Fedde Academy (Middle School), Bragg Elementary School, and Gahr High School. The tour will showcase the upgraded facilities and technology that are benefiting students today and well into the future. Click here to RSVP.
Here’s a recap of the ABCUSD Board of Education's October 1, 2024 Regular Meeting:
- Students from Palms Elementary School led the flag salute.
- Student Board Representatives David Hong and Esperanza Ramirez of Tracy High School shared a report about the school’s activities, including Hispanic Heritage Month activities, Dual Enrollment classes, and plans to celebrate Red Ribbon Week.
- The Board recognized Whitney High School as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.
- Dr. Joe Fraser, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and Ms. Stacey Hamagiwa, Teacher Induction Program Specialist, presented on the 2024 Teacher Induction Program.
- Superintendent Dr. Gina Zietlow shared the process of developing the ABCUSD Strategic Plan.
- Approved Board Resolution 24-06 - Red Ribbon Week.
- Approved a request to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles Office of Education (LACOE) Friday Night Live Partnership and Prevention Education Program for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Approved community member and student appointments to Board Advisory committees.
- Received a report on the Quarterly Williams Settlement Compliance for July through September 2024 with no findings.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Missed this meeting? No problem - you can watch it on the Board Meeting Broadcast Channel.