Happenings / News Releases
6/25/21 - EMCSD Awarded Grant for New Kinder Readiness Program
6/25/2021
El Monte, CA - In an effort to address learning recovery and give incoming TK and Kindergarten students the best opportunity at educational success, the El Monte City School District will be launching its TK and Kinder Readiness Program later this summer.
Last week, the California Community Foundation (CCF) announced that they will be awarding EMCSD with a $100,000 grant to use towards supplies and experiences for their new Readiness Program. “We are extremely excited and grateful that we were selected to receive the Summer Learning Initiative grant from California Community Foundation and its partners,” said Dr. Maribel Garcia, EMCSD Superintendent. “Our District prides itself on providing an educational environment that prepares children for their scholarly journey, which is partly why we created the TK and Kinder Readiness Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted inequities within education, especially in regards to school readiness.”
The LA County Summer Learning Initiative was launched in 2020 by CCF in partnership with the LA County Office of Education to provide assistance to schools and community centers throughout LA County as they navigated the disarray caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. President and CEO of California Community Foundation, Antonia Hernández, said in a press release, “This year the needs of our students have only grown due to the continued physical closures of schools and youth-serving community centers. CCF and its partners recognize that need and are pleased to provide the resources necessary to help nonprofits and school-based summer programs offer engaging and critical services to their students this summer.”
EMCSD’s TK and Kinder Readiness Program is one of 123 Summer Programs in LA County receiving funds from $7.4 million in grants from CCF and its partners. The grant will help the District provide iPads to each student enrolled in the program, along with school supplies and various lessons revolving around foundational literacy, math skills, and social-emotional learning.
Jessica Pardini, EMCSD’s Educational Technology Coordinator and main developer of the Kinder Readiness Program said, “I can't explain how excited we are to receive this grant because we know the tremendous impact it will have on preparing our students for the 2021-2022 school year. Early preparedness is vital for students, families, and teachers.”
Ms. Pardini explained that the program is designed to provide educational support and guidance to TK and Kinder students and their families while simultaneously allowing administrators and teachers to accurately collect data to gauge students’ educational literacy.
“In order for schools to help close educational gaps and try to create equity amongst students, we need to provide the resources and programs that can accomplish those goals,” said Ms. Pardini. “All students deserve a jumpstart to education and we can't thank the California Community Foundation enough for giving us the ability to provide that boost to our students.”
For parents who are interested in having their child participate in the TK and Kinder Readiness Program, you can contact the Jeff Seymour Family Center via email at [email protected] or call (626) 442-1354. The District plans to host informational parent meetings starting on July 6th.
For media inquiries, or to schedule a visit to our Central Kitchen, please contact Robert Dozmati, Public Information & Communications Officer at (626) 315-8014, email [email protected]
El Monte, CA - In an effort to address learning recovery and give incoming TK and Kindergarten students the best opportunity at educational success, the El Monte City School District will be launching its TK and Kinder Readiness Program later this summer.
Last week, the California Community Foundation (CCF) announced that they will be awarding EMCSD with a $100,000 grant to use towards supplies and experiences for their new Readiness Program. “We are extremely excited and grateful that we were selected to receive the Summer Learning Initiative grant from California Community Foundation and its partners,” said Dr. Maribel Garcia, EMCSD Superintendent. “Our District prides itself on providing an educational environment that prepares children for their scholarly journey, which is partly why we created the TK and Kinder Readiness Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted inequities within education, especially in regards to school readiness.”
The LA County Summer Learning Initiative was launched in 2020 by CCF in partnership with the LA County Office of Education to provide assistance to schools and community centers throughout LA County as they navigated the disarray caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. President and CEO of California Community Foundation, Antonia Hernández, said in a press release, “This year the needs of our students have only grown due to the continued physical closures of schools and youth-serving community centers. CCF and its partners recognize that need and are pleased to provide the resources necessary to help nonprofits and school-based summer programs offer engaging and critical services to their students this summer.”
EMCSD’s TK and Kinder Readiness Program is one of 123 Summer Programs in LA County receiving funds from $7.4 million in grants from CCF and its partners. The grant will help the District provide iPads to each student enrolled in the program, along with school supplies and various lessons revolving around foundational literacy, math skills, and social-emotional learning.
Jessica Pardini, EMCSD’s Educational Technology Coordinator and main developer of the Kinder Readiness Program said, “I can't explain how excited we are to receive this grant because we know the tremendous impact it will have on preparing our students for the 2021-2022 school year. Early preparedness is vital for students, families, and teachers.”
Ms. Pardini explained that the program is designed to provide educational support and guidance to TK and Kinder students and their families while simultaneously allowing administrators and teachers to accurately collect data to gauge students’ educational literacy.
“In order for schools to help close educational gaps and try to create equity amongst students, we need to provide the resources and programs that can accomplish those goals,” said Ms. Pardini. “All students deserve a jumpstart to education and we can't thank the California Community Foundation enough for giving us the ability to provide that boost to our students.”
For parents who are interested in having their child participate in the TK and Kinder Readiness Program, you can contact the Jeff Seymour Family Center via email at [email protected] or call (626) 442-1354. The District plans to host informational parent meetings starting on July 6th.
For media inquiries, or to schedule a visit to our Central Kitchen, please contact Robert Dozmati, Public Information & Communications Officer at (626) 315-8014, email [email protected]
1/22/2021 - Six EMCSD Schools Receive 2019-2020 Honor Roll Recognition
12/4/2020 - EMCSD Earns Golden Bell from California School Boards Association
11/20/2020 - EMCSD Celebrates Lunch Ladies & Lunch Gentlemen
Before 72 men and women from the El Monte City School District Nutrition Services team went home for their Thanksgiving Break, District administrators and representatives from Gold Star Foods showed their appreciation for all the passionate work the team has done to feed the community.
Since the start of the pandemic, El Monte City School District has served over 2.5 million meals to kids in the community, and recently the demand has increased. Last week, the District launched a Thanksgiving-themed meal box that sold out within the first hour of distribution at each school from Monday through Thursday. “We are projected to sell close to 3700 boxes this week which amounts to 78,000 meals,” said the Director of Nutrition Services, Jenny Lee, Friday afternoon. In fact, the last time the district did anything close to those numbers was back in September when they announced they would be feeding all children 18 and under in the community.
The Nutrition Services staff has been working extremely hard to make sure children are getting quality food on a weekly basis. Days start as early as four o’clock in the morning with shifts of amazing women preparing, cooking, and organizing meals to go into fully-packed meal boxes. Because of this amazing work, Director Lee and other leaders within the district wanted to make sure her team left for vacation on a high note.
“When we talk about the number of families we’re able to reach through our meal programs, it boils down the fact that we have 72 ladies and gentlemen who put their whole heart into preparing meals and getting it to families. They’re part of this community, they recognize the need, and without them none of this would be accomplished, so we wanted to show them a little appreciation.”
The staff was gifted an assortment of things including new aprons depicting a unique spin on the iconic ‘Rosie the Riveter” poster. On the aprons, Rose is flexing with a tattoo on her right bicep that reads “Lunch Lady” with a fork and knife crossbone. Staff was also given treats ranging from Pumpkin Pies, persimmons, and much more courtesy of Gold Star Foods.
Gold Star Foods also recognized the Nutrition Services team for their work in feeding families during the pandemic. In a letter from Gold Star’s CEO, Sean Lee said “As access to food became more critical, your district responded further to this urgent need. Working in partnership with the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program and Gold Star Food, you provided food boxes totaling 138k pounds for those most in need.”
Director Lee is extremely proud of her team and excited for them to get a well-deserved break. The District won’t be distributing food from Tuesday through Friday this week, but will be back in full force on Monday, November 30th.
11/6/2020 - EMCSD Honors Retirees with Drive-Thru Parade
Students were not the only ones getting celebratory motorcades as El Monte City School District closed out the Fall season. Last Friday, recently retired staff members were welcomed back to the District’s main office to participate in a retirement car parade that ended with them receiving commemorative plaques thanking them for their dedicated service.
For years, all retirees were honored at a beautiful banquet sponsored by the El Monte Elementary Teachers Association, but in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 banquet could not happen. Despite no formal dinner, the District still wanted to make this achievement special for their retirement class of 2020.
“The pandemic has changed so much, even the ways we celebrate accomplishments by our students and staff,” said Superintendent Garcia when asked about the decision to host a parade. “Retirement is a major life achievement and we wanted to make sure we recognized the amazing careers of those who’ve made this District so special.”
The District had a total of 27 retirees this past school year, including 12 teachers and 15 classified employees. One retiree was Mr. Jose Espinoza, a beloved teacher at Shirpser School who dedicated all 31 years of his professional tenure to El Monte City. When asked about why he stayed at Shirpser since 1989 he said, “I fell in love because the students and staff are great, they’re just great. All of the years I spent here, the whole idea of community and family is a big deal at Shirpser.” That atmosphere and support from families is exactly why he stayed for his entire career. “I was humbled to see the ways the parents and families appreciate all the little things and big things we do as a staff. It was just an awesome experience and I would not change it.”
Mr. Espinoza isn’t the only retiree who spent decades in this District, in fact some have been here for over 40 years. Superintendent Garcia believes the community has a lot to do with why staff members stay for so long. “Our District has always been a strong support system for our community. We become invested into those we serve; they’re our friends, families, and neighbors, so it’s only natural that we want to be part of the partnership as long as possible.”
Mr. Espinoza was one of about a dozen retirees to drive through the District for their parade. District staff members lined the route through the parking lot, holding up signs and cheering as retirees eventually received their plaque from Superintendent Garcia. It was a spirited event that celebrated the storied accomplishments of deserving faculty and staff, and it was the perfect send off as retirees literally rode off into the sunset.
10/28/2020 - 10 EMCSD Sites Will Be Used as Voting Centers for 2020 Elections
The El Monte City School District will provide the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office with 10 locations to be used as Voting Centers for the 2020 Election.
For years, EMCSD has provided potential polling locations for the County as needed, and this year the District will provide the most sites in its history. The District believes all eligible voters should have an easy and convenient way to practice their constitutional right, and we are thrilled to provide more locations for LA County voters!
Beginning Friday, October 30, 2020, LA County voters can attend any of the District's 10 sites listed in the chart below. Operating hours are as follows:
Early Voting / Ballot Drop-Off
Friday, 10/30 through Monday 11/2: 10am - 7pm
Election Day
Tuesday, 11/3: 7am - 8pm
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Columbia School
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Cortada School
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Gidley School
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Jeff Seymour
Family Center
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New Lexington School
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3400 N. California Ave.,
El Monte, CA 91731
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3111 N. Potrero Ave.,
El Monte, CA 91733
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10226 E. Lower Azusa Rd.,
El Monte, CA 91731
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10900 Mulhall Street,
El Monte, CA 91731
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10410 E. Bodger,
El Monte, CA 91733
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Potrero School
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Rio Hondo School
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Rio Vista School
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Shirsper School
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Wilkerson School
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2611 N. Potrero Ave.,
EL Monte, CA 91733
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11425 Wildflower Rd.,
Arcadia, CA 91006
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4300 N. Esto,
El Monte, CA 91731
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4020 N. Gibson,
El Monte, CA 91731
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2700 N. Doreen Ave.,
El Monte, CA 91733
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Remember, LA County voters can vote safely in-person at ANY Vote Center in the County. The County has made safety your priority, especially when voting in-person and all Vote Centers will follow State and County public health and safety guidelines. Some of the guidelines voters can expect if they vote in person are: the wearing of facial coverings and gloves (coverings and gloves will be made available if needed), the cleaning and sanitizing of all surfaces and the Ballot Marking Devices after each voter, social distancing of 6 feet, and election workers wearing protective gloves and masks. For more information please visit the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk voting page: https://lavote.net/home/voting-elections
10/23/2020 - El Monte City School District Expands Meal Service Program