Schools / EDUCATION BRIEFS

ALHAMBRA CITY AND HIGH SCHOOL: Five students from the Alhambra School District Tri-City Orchestra were selected to perform in the All-Southern Honor Orchestra. Jennifer Quan on string bass, Glen Wong on percussion, and Shauna Huyhn, Nathan Guadalupe and Esther Minwary on violin were among 160 students chosen for the orchestra from 850 applicants statewide.

BALDWIN PARK UNIFIED: The first phase of a plan to make the district a no-smoking zone began April 1. School employees can no longer use tobacco products in district vehicles or offices; smoking is allowed only in designated areas at each site. On July 1, 1995, smoking will be banned from all school sites or district grounds, as well as district-sponsored activities such as football games.

EL MONTE CITY: Five El Monte students received the El Monte/South El Monte Coordinating Council’s Unsung Hero Award for community service. They are Gloria Gonzalez, an El Monte High School senior; Sean Jacquez, a Mountain View High School junior; Norma Jean Munoz and Mario Ramirez, Mountain View High School seniors, and Jackie Vargas, an El Monte High School junior.

GARVEY ELEMENTARY: Following the shooting of a 13-year-old boy at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary last month, the school district is holding a series of workshops this month and in May to train staff members about security measures for school sites throughout the district. A consultant from the county office of education will also help coordinate security for all 13 Garvey schools.

GLENDORA UNIFIED: A dress code for high school and intermediate school students has been expanded to include the elementary schools. Attire worn to identify students with gangs or hate groups is not allowed. Hats, caps and bandannas are not allowed. Also banned are shirts or blouses that advertise items illegal for minors, such as alcohol or tobacco, or that contain profanity, or half-shirts, crop tops and tube tops.

MONROVIA UNIFIED: Plymouth Elementary will shift to a year-round schedule in September, after a parent survey showed 45.7% favored it; 41.7% were opposed. Students will have breaks in December, April and August.

POMONA UNIFIED: Garvey High School science teacher Robert Smith received an outstanding educator award from the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program for his work promoting math and science education among minority students. For six years Smith has served as volunteer dean of students for MESA’s summer enrichment program at Harvey Mudd College. He is on the board of Pomona Valley Youth Services and runs the program’s Independent Study Center. Smith was chosen for the award from among 350 California educators.

SAN GABRIEL UNIFIED: Fourteen entries from Jefferson School placed in the top four in their categories at the County History Day competition, earning half of all the awards. Six-hundred students from around the county competed. First- and second-place winners will compete in May at the state finals in Sacramento.

SAN MARINO UNIFIED: Thomas Godley became superintendent March 28, replacing Gary Richards, who resigned in July. Wesley Bosson had served as interim superintendent. Godley previously served as assistant superintendent for business services for the Newport Mesa Unified and Fullerton Joint Union high school districts. He has worked as a principal, assistant principal and teacher at Southland schools since 1968. He holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in English from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

WALNUT: The Mt. San Antonio College speech team won the National Speech Tournament in Melbourne, Fla. Twelve of the 14 Mt. SAC students who participated in the contest finished in the placings. Competitors came from 77 community colleges nationwide. Jim Snyder took the overall award for outstanding speaker, as well as four first-place awards. Other Mt. SAC speakers who won multiple first prizes were Nadia Khalighi, Jason Sanchez, Angela Sanders and Mike DeCarbo.