Community News Christmas Cheer page 4
Chalk Talk Community Events, page 2
The Community Paper of Record
Vol. 55, No. 27
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
December 26, 2018
El Monte City School District Honored at Annual Fundraiser
byRaymond Mendoza, Contributing Writer El Monte
El Monte City School District on Dec. 13 received the El Monte Promise Foundation’s Bobby Salcedo Esperanza Award for creating a strong atmosphere of college readiness for its K-8 students and their parents. The honor was given during the 15th annual Tamalada, a fundraising event hosted by the Foundation and partnering groups that are dedicated to working with parents, school districts and community groups to cultivate a college-going culture. More than 300 guests attended the Tamalada, held at the community’s Grace T. Black Auditorium, dining on spicy tamales, enjoying lively mariachi music and honoring area institutions. The event brought together educators, community members and representatives of local, state, county and federal officials.
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El Monte City School District received its accolade for encouraging parents to make financial plans to
pay for college tuition, promoting a culture of college readiness, working with the El Monte Promise Founda-
tion and supporting students to reach their full academic potential. Fundraiser continued on page 8
Rio Hondo College Holds Oath of Office by Ruthie Retana, Contributing Writer El Monte
Rio Hondo College’s Board of Trustees held an Oath of Office ceremony for one returning board member and two new members in front of a standing-room-only crowd of guests on Dec. 12 before naming new officers during a subsequent board meeting to lead the board through 2019. Trustee Vicky Santana, who represents Trustee Area 2, opened the Oath of Office Ceremony with a warm welcome for guests and colleagues. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis administered the oath to Norma Edith García, who was reelected Nov. 6. Superior Court Judge Olivia Rosales administered the oath to new member Rosaelva Lomeli and Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn administered the oath to new member Oscar Valladares. After taking the oath, García shared with guests that the College’s work is to reach out to those with the greatest need and ensure they have a pathway to success. “I am proud to acknowledge what we have accomplished together at Rio Hondo College. We have made significant progress to create a college pathway for all students,” said García, who represents Trustee Area
Rio Hondo’s new College Board of Trustees with one returning officer. Courtesy Photo.
1, which includes El Monte. “Rio Hondo has much of which to be proud.” She noted the College’s accomplishments include its Pathway to
Law School program, 27 associate degrees that guarantee admission to Cal State campuses and 140 certificate programs. In addition, the College sharply increased the number of
students earning degrees that allow Cal State admissions. García praised Rio Hondo ColRio Hondo College continued on page 8
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Mid Valley News
December 26, 2018
EL MONTE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Chalk Talk
Meet The Board - Mr. Carlos G. Salcedo by Staff Writer El Monte
Carlos Salcedo was re-elected in November 2015 and currently serves as a Member of the El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees. Mr. Carlos G. Salcedo and his wife Martha, are parents of two children who attend school in the El Monte City School District. Mr. Salcedo has made education his life’s work. His focus is on increasing student achievement in the El Monte Union High School District. Mr. Salcedo has been involved in public education for over 25 years. He began helping El Monte’s youth as a paraprofessional for the Mountain View School District and then became a teacher after he received his college degree. After being a classroom teacher for 15 years, Mr. Salcedo moved on to become an assistant principal at Durfee School in the El Monte City School District. After 4.5
Photo Courtesy
A Message from the Superintendent
Dr. Edward A. Zuniga the Superintendent of the El Monte Union School District.
We are coming to the end of what has been an exhilarating year for El Monte Union – one filled with stories of achievement and success for our students, teachers and entire school community. Together, we have provided our students with the foundation upon which they can access the guidance and resources they need as they prepare for the next steps of their academic careers. We are are capping off a remarkable 2018 with many accomplishments taking place in and around our District. This includes being recently honored with the Bobby Salcedo Esperanaza Award, which recognizes our efforts as a District to expand access to college and resources for our students.
In addition to preparing our students for higher education, we also want to ensure they are prepared for life. We recently partnered with Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio and hosted a Mad City Money event in which our students were challenged to manage their finances the way adults do – paying bills, buying necessities and managing a household. It is a valuable program we hope to expand to all schools next year. Meanwhile, our students are positively impacting their community by creating artistic designs for local Little Free Libraries, and our staff members at the Adult School are being recognized for their dedication to their students. We will conclude the year by watching one of our South El Monte band students participate in the renowned Tournament of Roses parade, performing as part of the Pasadena City College Honor Band. It took painstaking work for Daniel Torres to get this far, but we are excited that he will proudly represent El Monte Union! We are also proud of Arroyo High School student, Noah Hibbard, who advanced to the National Championships in Cross Country, which took place on Dec. 8 in San Diego. I hope you all enjoy this joyous holiday season with your families and loved ones. El Monte Union’s Winter Break begins Friday, Dec. 21, with students and staff scheduled to return to campuses on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. On behalf of the District and Board of Trustees, have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!
years at Durfee School he accepted a position as principal at Cleminson School. In each of these positions, he focused on academic excellence and implemented educational programs tailored to the needs of the students and community. A hallmark of Mr. Salcedo’s career has been his community involvement. Mr. Salcedo is actively involved as a board member for the El Monte National Little League, El Monte Promise Foundation and the Bobby Salcedo Memorial Foundation. Throughout his career, Mr. Salcedo has advocated for all students and their academic achievement, ensuring that all students continue to progress. To this end, he has worked to establish effective partnerships with elected officials, business and community-based organizations in order to improve educational programs at all school sites.
December 26, 2018
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Your Community Paper of Record
Rio Hondo Provides Free Tutoring for Local Schools by Ruthie Retana, Contributing Writer El Monte
Rio Hondo College has launched a free tutoring program for area public schools in its Adopt-A-School program, providing college students who are studying child development and related fields to assist K-12 students during and after school. The program was piloted in spring at Scott Avenue Elementary in East Whittier City School District and is now offered there and at Dean Shively Middle School in Valle Lindo Elementary School District. It is expanding to encompass others among the Adopt-A-School partners. “Our tutoring program builds on the relationships our College has built among our local schools over the last several years as part of our AdoptA-School program,” Superintendent/ President Teresa Dreyfuss said. The Adopt-A-School program started with providing information on College programs during Back-toSchool Nights, offering campus tours and connecting students with cultural programs at Rio Hondo. Each year, the College hosts about 250 middle school students for Discover Rio, a day of exploration of higher education opportunities. Now, Rio Hondo College is taking a leap forward with the tutoring program. “This effort is all about making a difference in the lives of students in the community – whether that’s when they arrive at Rio Hondo College
or ensuring that college is an option when the time comes,” Dreyfuss said. “Rio Hondo College considers it our mission to make higher education a reality for every member of our community.” On a recent day, Rio Hondo College students Carolina Castillo, Samantha Martinez and Angela Yerena worked with Scott Avenue Elementary students on writing projects and math support. An in-class session included helping fifth-graders brainstorm arguments for why the school would benefit from longer recess or a vending machine and what Rio Hondo College students work with Scott Avenue Elementary School students on reading and arguments they math skills during a special tutoring session. Courtesy Photo might hear against those plans. Yerena, who is studying child deI really wanted,” she said. “Now, I Later, the three college students ofvelopment, began volunteering durknow I can do it. I really enjoy workfered small group tutoring in math ing the pilot effort in spring. ing with the kids and seeing them and one-on-one assistance in reading “I’m going to be a preschool teachlearn.” during a pull-out session. Some tutors er, so I thought it would give me exTutors are paid through the Federal stayed until after school to assist stuperience before I went into the career. Tutoring continued on page 7 dents with their homework. I wanted to see if teaching was what
Supervisor Hosts Holiday Lunch at Whittier Narrows Mobile Shower by Staff Writer El Monte / Whittier Narrows
On Dec. 20, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis distributed hot meals, blankets, beanies, socks, other clothing items, and hygiene kits to more than 100 of the county’s coldest, hungriest, and most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness at the Whittier Narrows Mobile Shower Holiday Luncheon. During the event, County Departments and
nonprofits will shared services and hosted a resource fair. The Whittier Narrows pilot mobile shower program first launched in March 2018, offering showers, social services, and a Resource Fair to homeless individuals for four hours once a week. Initially, it was a sixmonth pilot program established by a motion authored by Supervisor Solis. On average, more than 100 people utilize these weekly services. In August 2018, due to ongoing suc-
Mobile Showers continued on page 8
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South El Monte’s Toy Giveaway Brings Joy to Community by Staff Writer South El Monte
More than 800 children enjoyed a Charlie Brown Christmas themed Winter Wonderland experience on December 15, 2018 as part of the City of South El Monte annual Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway event. The special occasion held at the Community Center included tasty refreshments, toys, raffles, pictures with Santa Claus, games-n-activities and snow for the kids and their families. Through the generosity of many South El Monte businesses and organizations, the City can annually host this fun-filled event for low-income households in South El Monte during the holiday season.
“The Christmas Wish Toy Giveaway event brings joy, creates memorable memories, and provides toys to many children from South El Monte that may otherwise not get to experience this kind of fun or receive a gift during the holiday season,” said one City Official. The City of South El Monte wishes to thank the South El Monte businesses who made this special occasion possible and to remind them that without their support and contributions, none of the joy witnessed during the annual event would be possible. The City of South El Monte, “The City of Achievement” is a vibrant and thriving community, locate in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, Giveaway continued on page 7
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Mid Valley News
December 26, 2018
K-Earth Brings Christmas to Potrero
by Raymond Mendoza, Contributing Writer El Monte
Potrero School kindergartener Kenia Lopez unwrapped her present from Santa Claus and began jumping up and down, hugging her new My Little Pony toy and showing it off to
all of her classmates, while they too unwrapped a mountain of presents. “This is what I wanted!” Lopez said. “I am going to brush her hair and make her run and play with all of my friends and their new toys all day!” Lopez and her classmates were
Potrero School teacher Lisa Gonzalez cries as she tells K-Earth 101 representatives how grateful she is that her kindergarten students enjoyed the Christmas celebration she believes they truly deserved. Courtesy Photo
B
Potrero School kindergartener Evangeline Agundez, 5, shows off Santa’s gift to her – A My Little Pony toy – received during a surprise Christmas party thrown by K-Earth 101 on Dec. 19. Courtesy Photo
Mountain View School District Empowers Parents to Become Leaders
by Michelle Earle, Contributing Writerr El Monte
The Mountain View School District was proud to celebrate the achievement of 12 parents who completed the Awareness, Mastery and Expert levels of the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) Project 2INSPIRE Family Engagement and Leadership Development training. The parents, from Miramonte, Voorhis and Twin Lakes schools, were honored for completing the final, Expert Level program and will now serve as Expert Level CABE trainers for the District. The 16-week expert level training encourages the development of leadership skills including outreach, facilitation skills and engaging diverse communities in a collaborative strategic planning process for providing children with quality teaching and learning at home, at school, and in the community. Through their participation and preparation, the parent leaders will now be able to facilitate trainings and workshops for other parents and families at schools within the District. Joining the Family Engagement
Department. school principals and community liaisons to congratulate the program graduates were CABE Parent Specialists, Antoinette Hernandez and Imelda Martin, MVSD Superintendent, Lillian Maldonado French and Board Member, Cindy Wu who greatly appreciate the parents’ dedication and partnership with the District. “Thank you for your dedication and commitment to this program,” said Angelica Sifuentes Donoso, MVSD’s Director of Family Engagement and Extended Learning. “We are very proud of your accomplishments and very impressed with your presentations today. Your hard work in this program has allowed our District to build parent leadership capacity and we look forward to watching you lead other parents to support their children’s educational needs and learning.” The new expert trainers all agree that family engagement plays a key role in the academic, emotional and social development of students, and they are thankful MVSD offers so many informative programs and resources to equip parents to support Leaders continued on page 6
given the presents and other treats on Dec. 19 by K-Earth 101, community members and organizations after her teacher, Lisa Gonzalez, was named the radio station’s “Knock, Knock, It’s Christmas” contest winner. Gonzalez, an 18-year veteran of the El Monte City School District, enjoys making Christmas a special time for her students – yet had limited funds to do so this year. She reached out to K-Earth 101 with a 500-word essay about why her students deserved to have their Christmas wishes granted. “I was hesitant to submit because I knew I didn’t meet all of the requirements,” Gonzalez said. “But what inspired me to just go for it was my amazing team and of course the students, who are all so well behaved and really good, and so I entered the
contest out of my desire to help.” Gonzalez was chosen from thousands of entries and, as a result, her class received the Christmas party, presents, holiday treats and a visit from Santa Claus. The K-Earth 101 team decorated the classroom with a wall of toys surrounding two Christmas trees covered in lights and ornaments, reindeer and snowmen, lights strung up on the ceiling and stockings on the chairs. Each student also received treat bags with lollipops, applesauce and candy canes in addition to wrapped presents such as a Beauty and the Beast tea set, American Girl dolls, sports equipment and new backpacks featuring popular TV and movie characters. K - Earth Radio continued on page 8
Santa Delivers School Supplies to Students by Michelle Earle, Contributing Writer El Monte
Christmas came early for students at Cogswell and Miramonte Schools thanks to the generosity of employees from the Avery Products Corporation in Brea who visited the schools with Santa and his elves to deliver notebooks, dividers, glue sticks, highlighters and candy canes to every student. Santa and his helpers also presented each teacher with an assortment of games, books and art supplies for their classroom. Avery Products has been a generous supporter of Cog-
swell and Miramonte Schools for 15 years and each year the students are overjoyed when Santa and his elves visit their classroom. “Santa is the best person in the world!” said Victor, a 3rd grader at Cogswell School. “It’s really nice that he brought us stuff for school.” Santa encouraged the students to continue to work hard, listen to their teachers and parents, and be respectful to each other so they can stay on his “nice” list. “I know you work on character traits at your school and that’s very important,” said Santa. “Being kind, Santa Delivers continued on page 6
December 26, 2018
Your Community Paper of Record
Thank you for continuing to choose us as your source for both local news and for advertising your business. In the coming year, we’ll continue to work hard to create a paper that caters to the community as a whole while also meeting each of your individual needs. Our whole team wishes you a wonderful holiday season, filled with laughter, love and special moments as well as a healthy and prosperous new year.
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Mid Valley News
December 26, 2018
into Summer Fun C R O S S W O R D
S u d o k u
Crossword Puzzle solution in issue 01.02.19
Solution for Sudoku in issue 01.02.19
ACROSS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
1. Snap up 5. Ship pronoun 8. Table scrap 11. Not happening 12. Call to matey 13. Boredom 15. Decant 16. Pilaf grain 17. Charcuterie stores 18. *”A ____ for the rest of us!”- from “Seinfeld” 20. Gwyneth, to friends 21. Thing to bear? 22. Comedian Tina 23. *Warmest or holiday follower 26. Feeling of disinterest 30. Sculptor Hans/Jean ___ 31. Chief 34. Assistant 35. Used in cricket or 301 37. *Feast of the Seven Fishes seafood 38. Tanks and such 39. Purse for a formal affair 40. All together 42. Make a mistake 43. Green bean or peanut 45. Infamous ____ Knoll 47. Charge carrier 48. *____ Navidad! 50. Hindu princess 52. *This theme wouldn’t exist without them 55. Swines, in Old English 56. Dashing style 57. Between a trot and a gallop 59. Corpulent 60. Ding-a-____ 61. Knight’s breastplate 62. “I Thee ____” 63. Pea container 64. Not a word?
wDOWN 1. Econ. measure 2. *Where Santa’s sleigh lands 3. Malaria symptom 4. Russian soup 5. Prison weapon, pl. 6. Bette Midler’s “____ Pocus” 7. *”Tiny tots with their ____ all aglow” 8. Billy Joel’s “____ the Good Die Young” 9. The Colosseum, e.g. 10. *____ the season! 12. Not aria nor recitative 13. Landscaper’s tool 14. *Welcomed with a count down 19. Weight of refuse and chaff, pl. 22. Driving hazard 23. Does like a crane 24. About to explode 25. Celiac disease, colloquially 26. ____ weevil 27. March of ____ 28. Emanations from incense and frankincense 29. *Christmas predecessor 32. Be undecided 33. Cotillion ball’s main attraction 36. *Good follower 38. Like smell of burning rubber, e.g. 40. Long time 41. Staring amorously 44. Coolness and composure 46. Popular flowering shrub 48. Shakespeare’s “First ____” 49. African antelope 50. RBG’s garb 51. Matured like cheese 52. SOS 53. Quotable Berra 54. What DJs do 55. Reporter’s question 58. Is in Paris
Santa Delivers continued from page 4
respectful and happy are wonderful traits and I want you to continue to listen to your teachers and your parents and continue to be good and work hard.”
Leaders continued from page 4
their children on the road to academic and social success. The California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1976 to promote bilingual education and quality educational experiences for all students in California. CABE has chapters, members and affiliates, along with partnerships with other state and national advocacy organizations working to promote equity and student achievement for students with diverse
Courtesy photo.
The Avery employees look forward to this day every year and are happy to collect donations throughout the year to be able to bring the gifts to every student. “Seeing their faces makes it all worth it,” said one of Santa’s helpers from Avery. “The excitement and joy they display is so sweet.” The staffs from both schools are extremely grateful to Avery Products Corp. and its employees for their kindness and extreme generosity. “We greatly appreciate the generosity of Avery Products and will definitely put all the school supplies, books and games to great use,” said Christina Munoz, 1st/2nd grade teacher. “The supplies will help the kids be super organized and we will have fun reading the books and playing the games they brought us.” “This is what Christmas is all about and we are so appreciative to everyone here today for the kindness they’ve shown and for making the holidays brighter for so many of our students,” said Gerardo Yepez, Cogswell’s principal. cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds. CABE’s Parent and Family Engagement Program is focused on working with CABE’s partners from school districts and county offices to provide parents with the best opportunities and resources to help their children succeed in school. “I really liked the training,” said Rosario Alcaraz, a parent of two students at Voorhis School. “I have more trust in myself now because I have the knowledge to work with my children and help them reach their goals. I’m excited to be an Expert Level trainer and help other parents learn ways to support their children too.”
December 26, 2018
Your Community Paper of Record
Webb’s Rule
CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN by Eugene R. Webb
A Merry Christmas once again; Thinking of family and friends. This is the season that we all do; And throughout the year too.
There is something I’d like to know; Where in the world did this year go? I try to live just one day at a time; With a lot of good thoughts in mind. I know time does not wait for anyone; But it sure will keep us all on the run. Aileen and I have a lot to be grateful for; With family and friends,
Giveaway Continued from page 3
just minutes from downtown of Los Angeles. Our community members are the heart of South El Monte and
Tutoring continued from page 3
Work-Study program, which allows them to combine financial aid commitments with career training. The students may work up to 20 hours a week; in all, five students are assigned to Scott Avenue. Teachers at Scott Avenue Elementary say the students are an invaluable resource, enabling them to offer direct aid to a greater number of students during class. “My students always look forward to working with the tutors and they seem to connect well with them,” fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Lee said. Next, the program is expected to expand to Dexter Middle School in Whittier City School District and
we’ll never ignore.
You’re in our thoughts and on our mind; We’re thinking of you some of the time. We pray you’re healthy and without fear; Looking forward to a wonderful new year.
“Connie’s Comments”
Christmas Special
Hope you’ll be able to live, love and laugh;Wanting to travel along with God on his path. Knowing that Jesus dwells in your heart; In his life and ours you’re an important part.
for that reason, the City of South El Monte is always striving enhance the quality of life and provide exceptional service. For more information on the City of South El Monte visit www.cityofsouthelmonte.org.
Graves Middle School in South Whittier Elementary District. Kranz Intermediate in Mountain View School District, Columbia School in El Monte City School District, the STEAM Academy at Burke and North Park Academy of the Arts in El Rancho Unified School District, New Temple Elementary in Valle Lindo School District and Los Nietos Middle School in Los Nietos Elementary School District are completing the on-boarding process. “We are thrilled to be able to provide this service to our community,” Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees President Gary Mendez said. “It’s important for Rio Hondo to connect with students at every stage of their education, showing them they can achieve their dreams.”
Rio Hondo College students guide students at Scott Avenue Elementary School through an exercise in forming arguments for and against adding a campus vending machine and extending recess time. Courtesy Photo
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by Connie Keenan El Monte
When my family lived on Adelia Avenue in El Monte, the dawn of a New Year was a time of celebration and anticipation. My superstitious Mama would start cleaning the house from top to bottom. I always seemed to get the job of washing the windows. I vowed I’d never wash a window when I grew up. So much for vows. “We have to get all the cobwebs off where ever we find them,” Mama would say. “The cobwebs block the way for good thoughts and energy to come into the house. We want to celebrate the New Year with positive, welcoming thoughts.” It was also the time for menudo, tamales, and bunuelos. Daddy’s job was to cut the tripe for the menudo. I hated the smell of the cooking innards and pigs feet. It wasn’t until mama added the chili and hominy that the
rancid smell changed to something that might turn into something edible. Mama didn’t make tamales. She would order them from some place in Los Angeles near where she worked in Boyle Heights or South Central. My nose looked forward to making bunuelos. The sweet smell of cinnamon wafting through the air made our mouths water in anticipation of the sweet, crunchy goodness. I liked mine with honey drizzled on top. The rest of the kids liked powdered sugar. “We have bunuelos to start the year off sweet,” Mama said. “You don’t want anything sour or you’ll have a sour year.” The tamales and bunuelos were for dinner on the eve of the New Year. The menudo was for breakfast the next day. At two minutes to midnight, Mama would pass out silver dollars to each of us to ensure that money would come in the future. She would gather all the pots and pans she owned along with her biggest spoons and place them on the coffee table. At the stroke of midnight we would yell, “Happy New Year!” Daddy would kiss mama while we watched and THEN we would grab the pots and pans and go outside yelling, “Happy New Year” at the top of our lungs, the cacophony of the pots and pans punctuating the sounds of our voices. Just before Christmas, Mama joined Connie’s Comments continued on page 8
Cracker Barrel “Where did all those Toys come from?” by: Mike McClure, Staff Writer El Monte
…so the other day I was at Supervisor Solis’s holiday meal for the Homeless out at Whittier Narrows where the County has set up the mobile showers. Great event, not only food but live entertainment, free haircuts, blankets, showers, caps & soxs. The Public Defender’s mobile unit was there helping the homeless with some of their legal issues which have made job and housing difficult for many of the homeless and those less fortunate among us. Of course, Santa Claus showed (he seemed a little irritated because Thursday was a pretty warm day and he had on his heavy North Pole outfit) and the event M.C. was the lovely Jennifer Jones Lee, KFI’s “Wake up call’s” early morning program host, who is just as funny in person as on the radio. Representing the City of El Monte was Councilman Jerry Velasco who I have nicknamed the “Energized Rabbit”, as soon as Jerry got there, he jumps behind the serving line and helped Supervisor Solis feed over two hundred people who had shown up for the meal. As soon as the event was over Councilman Valasco got a phone call and instead of waiting to be picked up he jumped in my car and asked me to drive him to the Grace T. Black auditorium for another toy give away.
“What toy give away?” I asked (I pride myself in knowing about these things). Well it seems that late the week before the Councilman had got a call from an old friend, “Jo Jo” Sanchez, who wanted to pass out toys to kids in El Monte and along with Pastor Manuel from a group in Lancaster called “Stay Focused” they gathered over 4,000 toys! We waved good-bye to the Supervisor, who was laughing as she waved (she’s known Jerry longer than I have so she wasn’t surprised to see him running off to another event). Josof “Jo Jo” Casas Sanchez is the founder of Operation Street Kidz (OSK), a community-based organization dedicated to engineering success among kids, with a focus on underserved youth of color. OSK’s approaches to helping kids unleash their seeds of greatness include educational curricula, providing positive role models, utilizing the arts, media and film to captivate and engage our youth. OSK recognizes that the absence of healthy self-esteems among our children is one of the most pressing issues facing our youth today. Sanchez, with his partner Julie Matsumoto, is opening doors in the entertainment industry for kids, including high achieving leaders, as well as those who need a second chance. Cracker Barrel continued on page 8
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Mid Valley News
Fundraiser Continued from page 1
Christina Davila, project manager for the El Monte Promise Foundation, thanked El Monte City School District leaders for providing extensive community services through the Jeff Seymour Family Center and for providing programs to teach parents how to fill out financial aid forms. The award is named for Roberto “Bobby” Salcedo, an El Monte Union educator who graduated from Mountain View High School in 1994, taught at South El Monte High School and served as an administrator at South El Monte, Mountain View and El Monte high schools. He served on the El Monte City School District Board of Education at the time of his untimely death in 2009. The honor is usually given to out-
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standing educators who exemplify Salcedo’s tireless commitment to education. To mark the event’s 15year milestone, the foundation this year is recognizing school districts and organizations that have played an instrumental role in student and family success. The District was one of five institutions honored at the event, including El Monte Union High School District, Mountain View School District, Rio Hondo College and the California Community Foundation. “It is a great honor to receive this award with Bobby Salcedo Esperanza’s namesake,” Superintendent Dr. Maribel Garcia said. “The El Monte City School District works tirelessly to keep his memory alive by ensuring our students are on the pathway to college to secure a successful future.”
Rio Hondo College continued from page 1
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The Mid Valley News is published Bi - weekly on Thursday by Mid Valley Media Center, LLC Business and Editorial Offices are located at: 11401 E. Valley Blvd.
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Contributing Writers Connie Keenan Dick James Devette Johnson Michael McClure Mike Nelson Mid Valley Media Center, LLC, all contents here in are copyrighted and may not be reproduce in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff of Mid Valley Media Center, LLC. Adjudicated as a paper of general circulation in the City of El Monte, County of Los Angeles Superior Court, Nov. 7 1973. No. C68383 official paper for the County of Los Angeles, Adjudicated on general circulation Los Angeles July 18, 1992, No. BS016380
lege Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss for her pledge to offer two years of free tuition to first-time college students starting in 2018-19, an expansion of a one-year free tuition program launched in 2017-18. “We must continue to build upon these successes,” García said. Hahn also praised the College’s commitment to the community. “Rio Hondo College is such an incredible asset to our community. Not only is it one of the top community colleges in the state for transfer rates and student success, but Rio Hondo College was the first community college in L.A. County to offer two years of free tuition to first-time college students,” Hahn said. Lomeli, a Whittier resident and science teacher for 22 years, represents Trustee Area 3, which includes Whittier and South El Monte. She called for a unified approach in her remarks after taking the Oath of Office. “I think we’re going to do great, but we do need to all work together to be able to achieve what we need to achieve with our students here,” Lomeli said. Valladares, a deputy public conservator in the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, represents Trustee Area 5, which includes East Whittier. He gave his remarks in English and Spanish. An immigrant from Guatemala who once faced deportation, Valladares said it has been his dream to be in a position to help others. He said he was honored the community
December 26, 2018
Cracker Barrel
Mobile Showers
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continued from page 3
Thank you, “Jo Jo” Sanchez & Julie, for bringing Pastor Manuel and his team to El Monte and providing so many toys to help Santa Claus (who looked a lot like our Chief of Police David Reynoso?) make the kids happy. And Thank You Jerry Velasco, El Monte’s Energized Rabbit, for all that you do for us.
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chose him and thanked Hahn, Solis and his family for their support. After the lively ceremony ended in the bustling Rio Café, the regular board meeting took place in the board room. Once seated, the board named Trustee Gary Mendez as its new president, Valladares as vice president and Lomeli as clerk. Mendez, who has served on the board since 1999, represents Trustee Area 4, which includes Los Nietos, Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier, North Norwalk and part of Whittier. He is a graduate of Rio Hondo College, where he served as a student member of the Board of Trustees. He is CEO of a nonprofit dedicated to serving children, youth and families in disadvantaged communities. Mendez said he benefited from Rio Hondo College’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion as a student. He also praised his re-elected and newly elected colleagues for their passion, including Valladares, a former Dreamer. “Students should know they are not alone, that people have taken these paths before. And now we have a formerly undocumented student who is a Board of Trustees member at a California community college. That is wonderful,” Mendez said.
Connie’s Comments Continued from page 1
Daddy in heaven. I hope we have a thunder storm on earth New Year’s Eve. Then I will know for sure they are celebrating being together again.
Sudoku Solution for 12.19.18
cess, Supervisor Solis authored a second motion to expand this program. That motion authorized the County to spend up to $200,000 of Measure H funding to support the mobile shower trailers, and to coordinate with Metro staff and assess the feasibility of placing mobile shower trailers near Metro stations. Measure H was passed by Los Angeles County voters in March 2017, with services beginning the following July. Between July 2017 and June 2018, thousands of people benefited directly from programs funded by the measure. In addition to the housing placements, there was progress in other key areas, including more than 300 outreach workers, including those assigned to 36 multidisciplinary outreach teams, are now working across the County to address the immediate needs of homeless residents and link them to programs and services.
K- Earth Radio continued from page 4
One of Gonzalez’s main reasons for reaching out to K-Earth 101 was because of student Dikang Chen, who has cerebral palsy. Gonzalez said her other students have shown kindness and empathy to Chen and that their compassion deserved a big reward. One donation was a Gait Pony Trainer from Western Drug Medical Supply. The tool is a wheeled mechanism Chen can use to help walk and be more mobile. The school had been using a borrowed, older model. K-Earth 101 also asks its listeners to join in on the donations. The 22 Potrero School families received gift cards and meals from Grocery Outlet. Limin Wang, Dikang’s mother, was awestruck by the generosity of the community and K-Earth 101. “This is amazing, I am so happy for my son and for everyone’s generosity,” Wang said. “My son struggles, but Mrs. Gonzalez and the rest of his class, they are so kind, I just wasn’t expecting all of this.” El Monte School District Superintendent Dr. Maribel Garcia said credit for the surprise goes to Gonzalez and her students. “We are so proud to have such amazing teachers among our District staff,” Garcia said. “It was incredibly inspiring and fun to be a part of such a wonderful event that rewards children and their families.”
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