No School: Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents' Day

 

Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 20 at 5:00pm

Congratulations to Shirpser students, staff, and families on their recertification as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School 🎉 Shirpser celebrated their win during Twin Day as part of their Kindness Campaign.

 

Becoming a Lighthouse School requires dedication from entire school communities. Leader in Me is an evidence-based, comprehensive-school improvement model—developed in partnership with educators—that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Schools participating in the program dedicate themselves to living out the 7 Habits of Happy Kids that are used to help students address challenges they may face during their formative years. These habits are: (1) Be Proactive, (2) Begin With the End in Mind, (3) Put First Things First; (4) Think Win-Win, (5) Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, (6) Synergize, and (7) Sharpen the Saw.

Wilkerson 4th graders help celebrate African-American History Month in their language arts classes by selecting leaders within the African-American community and writing a short bio on them. The goal is to teach students how to write an informative and exploratory texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

 

In January, the El Monte City School District Board of Education passed a resolution proclaiming the month of February 2024 as African American History Month. The board states that Americans of African descent helped develop our nation in countless ways -- those recognized, unrecognized, and unrecorded, whereas, African American history reflects a determined spirit and perseverance and cultural pride in its struggle to share equally in the opportunities of a nation founded upon the principles of freedom and liberty for all people. The board encourages all educational communities to commemorate this occasion with appropriate instructional activities. You can view the whole resolution here.

EMCSD is hosting a districtwide math night to celebrate Pi Day (3/14) by providing interactive math activities, and contests for students and families! We will have prizes and LOTS of pizza to celebrate National Pi Day!

 

What is Pi Day?: National Pi Day on March 14th recognizes the mathematical constant π. Also known as pi, the first three and most recognized digits are 3.14.

 

📅 When: Thursday, March 14 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm

📍 Where: EMCSD Professional Development Center (3539 Lexington Ave, El Monte, CA 91731) - across the street from the main district office.

 

Event is free and open to all families!

Do you or someone you know have a child ready to start school this fall? Enrollment TODAY for the 2024-2025!

 

Any child who turns age 4 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to start Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in the 2024-2025 school year! TK & Kindergarten Info Meetings are coming soon! We will share dates once they are made available.

 

Any student who turns age 5 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to be enrolled in Kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year.

 

Every TK - 8 grade child enrolled in EMCSD receives:

• Universal free nutritious meals and snacks
• Access to our no-cost after-school enrichment programs that feature sports like soccer, golf, tennis, flag football, basketball and more for 3rd grade and up. Plus study trips, and STEAM-based activities. We also offer no-cost before-school enrichment.
• Access to our award-winning music and art education program.

 

You can learn more about the enrollment process by clicking the button below or calling your school office.

We are hosting "Parenting in a Digital World" seminars throughout our district to help give you the tools to help keep your students safe online. Parenting in the Digital World, is a 90-minute, engaging and eye-opening presentation about what is really going on in our children’s digital world. It will be presented in-person. EMCSD parents can sign up for any workshop at any school.

 

Students do not need to attend.

 

Topics Discussed:

• Current apps kids are using and what you need to know about them
• Risks associated with popular social media sites
• "Sexting" and online predators
• How to set expectations and consequences
• How to monitor online activity and find secret Instagram accounts
• How to talk to your child about pornography
• Parental controls and privacy settings

 

ENGLISH Meeting Dates and Locations (you can attend any meeting at any school)

February 15, 2024 (rsvp by 2/9) at 5:00pm at Cortada

February 21, 2024 (rsvp by 2/14) at 8:30am at Rio Vista

February 21. 2024 (rsvp by 2/14) at 5:30pm at Durfee

February 22, 2024 (rsvp by 2/15) at 5:00pm at Wright School

March 4, 2024 (rsvp by 2/26) at 5:00pm at Columbia

 

ESPAÑOL Fechas y lugares de las reuniones (puedes asistir a cualquier reunión en cualquier escuela).

26 de febrero a las 8:30am - Cortada

4 de marzo a las 5:00pm - Río Vista

11 de marzo a las 9:00am - Wright

18 de marzo a las 8:30am - Columbia

25 de marzo a las 8:30 am - Durfee

25 de marzo a las 5:00pm - Río Hondo

If you are passionate about bringing wellness to your campus or would like to become a wellness champion for your school, please join us!

 

📍Location: Central Kitchen - 3238 Meeker Ave, El Monte, CA 91731

⏰Time: 8:30am-10am

February is American Heart Health Month! Keep your heart strong by eating more green leafy vegetables as they provide adequate vitamins and minerals to keep our blood pressure control. Fun & Easy Snack ideas to keep your heart healthy:

• Berries
• Whole grain toast with nut butter (w/ no sugar added)
• Raspberries w/ 2 pieces/squares of dark chocolate
• Hummus and Sweet bell peppers
• Greek Nonfat Yogurt w/ berries and Walnuts

 

School Counselors are hosting a Kindness Week at all our EMCSD school sites from February 13-16th. There will be activities like signing a kindness pledge, making kindness paper chains with ways to be kind at school, friendship bracelets and kindness challenges. Students will be encouraged to show extra kindness this week by sharing with others and showing empathy. These are some ways to make our community a better place for all!

Rio Hondo College is inviting EMCSD families to their STEAM Festival! This is a free family event that includes interactive science activities and games for elementary, middle, and high school students led by Rio Hondo College students and faculty.

 

When: Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 11:00am - 2:00pm

Where: Rio Hondo College Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering Division (3600 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601)

 

Your elementary or middle school child will get to participate in hands-on experiments that include: chemistry, engineering, physics, biology, arts demonstrations, and more!

 

Sign up for free by clicking the button below! For more info, click here. For questions, email: [email protected]

The city of El Monte invites families to their Eggstravaganza event on Saturday, March 23 from 10:00am - 12:30pm.

 

The event will include petting zoos, bouncers, craft activities, pictures with the bunny, train rides, and more! See graphic for complete overview of event.

 

When: Saturday, March 23 from 10:00am - 12:30pm

Where: Mt. View Park (12127 Elliot Ave, El Monte, CA 91732)

Registration is now open for the 2024 South El Monte Little League Baseball and Softball season. You can register online by clicking the button below. Leagues are for ages 6 & up and are located at the South El Monte Community Center (1530 Central Ave, S. El Monte, CA 91733). Hours are 5:30pm - 8:00pm.

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Child Development Instructor
• Custodian
• ELD Testers
• Energy Management Specialist
• Health Services Specialist (2 positions available)
• Instructional Support Specialist (10 positions available)
• Music Teacher (Temporary)
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• Registered Dietitian
• School Psychologist Intern
• Special Education Teacher (2 positions available)
• Testing Specialist
• and much more!

By: Gabriela Angel

 

On your next trip to an LA County Library, be on the lookout for a bubbly bookmark at checkout. Durfee School 8th grader Jenny Wong from El Monte City School District is a winner of the 44th annual LA County Library Bookmark Design Contest. Her marine-themed bookmark was a finalist at the Norwood Library contest, and was then selected by Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Hilda Solis as a grand winner from District 1.

 

“I jumped for joy!” said Jenny upon receiving the congratulatory letter. “As time passed and it sank in, I cried.” Overjoyed, she called friends to share the exciting news. Introduced to drawing by a friend, Jenny is a self-taught artist and her winning bookmark symbolizes her self-determination and dedication to her growing craft. Jenny’s bookmark includes a collection of sea creatures like jellyfish, turtles, starfish, and fish. When asked about her inspiration for the design, Jenny pointed to social media, “I was scrolling on the art side of TikTok, and jellyfish stuck out to me because of the colors and design.”

 

Jenny credits her teacher Ms. Kara Brown for encouraging her to participate in the contest. Feeling overwhelmed about catching up on school work after returning from a family trip to Vietnam, Ms. Brown suggested Jenny create a design to ease her stress. “I knew Jenny enjoyed drawing and told me that creating art helps her relax,” said Ms. Brown. “I wanted her to experience that she can have fun while doing something that may be perceived as stressful.” Wanting her students to gain confidence in themselves, Ms. Brown motivates them to participate in activities, enter contests, and join new clubs. “They will never know if they like it until they give it a try. They will never win a contest if they don't enter. I truly want all my students to gain confidence in themselves and they do so by finding out who they are by trying something new.”

 

Aside from her passion for art, Jenny loves to read, especially mystery and romance. She is part of Durfee’s Millionaire Readers Club, students who have read one million words in a year. She is now closing in on two million words. Jenny said her 7th grade teacher, Ms. Monica Macias, helped her fall back in love with reading. Ms. Macias tries to expose her students to different genres through having a variety of books available in her personal library. “I allow students to read whatever they enjoy, regardless of reading level,” said Ms. Macias. “Once I knew what kinds of books she liked, I would have her venture into specific authors who I thought she would enjoy.” In order to help students discover, or rediscover the joy of reading, Ms.Macias says you need to be a guide. “You must never assume that a student knows what they like to read. You must help guide students to explore possible interests and you must have a lot of patience.”

 

Initially, Jenny entered the contest for fun, not expecting to win. Now she is a LA County Bookmark Design winner. Like her teacher, she would advocate for her peers to try new things, “Just try your best and whatever happens happens. You never know what’s going to be on the other side, so you might as well just do it,” she explained. Jenny and her family will be honored at a local ceremony by the LA County Library in March to commemorate her artwork.

No School: Monday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday

 

No School: Monday, February 19 in observance of President's Day

 

Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 20 at 5:00pm

Do you or someone you know have a child ready to start school this fall? Enrollment TODAY for the 2024-2025!

 

Any child who turns age 4 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to start Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in the 2024-2025 school year! TK & Kindergarten Info Meetings are coming soon! We will share dates once they are made available.

 

Any student who turns age 5 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to be enrolled in Kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year.

 

Every TK - 8 grade child enrolled in EMCSD receives:

• Universal free nutritious meals and snacks
• Access to our no-cost after-school enrichment programs that feature sports like soccer, golf, tennis, flag football, basketball and more for 3rd grade and up. Plus study trips, and STEAM-based activities. We also offer no-cost before-school enrichment.
• Access to our award-winning music and art education program.

 

You can learn more about the enrollment process by clicking the button below or calling your school office.

New Lexington School will be hosting their 2nd Annual Lunar New Year Festival on Thursday, February 8. There will be live performances along with arts, crafts, games, and a fashion show! All EMCSD families are invited to join in the fun!

 

What: New Lexington Lunar New Year Festival

When: Thursday, February 8 from 4pm - 7pm

Where: New Lexington School (10410 Bodger St., El Monte, CA 91733)

We are hosting "Parenting in a Digital World" seminars throughout our district to help give you the tools to help keep your students safe online. Parenting in the Digital World, is a 90-minute, engaging and eye-opening presentation about what is really going on in our children’s digital world. It will be presented in-person. EMCSD parents can sign up for any workshop at any school.

 

Students do not need to attend.

 

Topics Discussed:

• Current apps kids are using and what you need to know about them
• Risks associated with popular social media sites
• "Sexting" and online predators
• How to set expectations and consequences
• How to monitor online activity and find secret Instagram accounts
• How to talk to your child about pornography
• Parental controls and privacy settings

 

ENGLISH Meeting Dates and Locations (you can attend any meeting at any school)

February 15, 2024 (rsvp by 2/9) at 5:00pm at Cortada

February 21, 2024 (rsvp by 2/14) at 8:30am at Rio Vista

February 21. 2024 (rsvp by 2/14) at 5:30pm at Durfee

February 22, 2024 (rsvp by 2/15) at 5:00pm at Wright School

March 4, 2024 (rsvp by 2/26) at 5:00pm at Columbia

 

ESPAÑOL Fechas y lugares de las reuniones (puedes asistir a cualquier reunión en cualquier escuela).

26 de febrero a las 8:30am - Cortada

4 de marzo a las 5:00pm - Río Vista

11 de marzo a las 9:00am - Wright

18 de marzo a las 8:30am - Columbia

25 de marzo a las 8:30 am - Durfee

25 de marzo a las 5:00pm - Río Hondo

All schools have officially completed their Outdoor Science School field trips for 6th grade. Frank Wright, Gidley, Rio Vista and Rio Hondo closed out our 2023-2024 experience. Wright and Rio Hondo were able to get the snow that rolled in with last week's rain. Below you can view some photos of the students' activities.

If you are passionate about bringing wellness to your campus or would like to become a wellness champion for your school, please join us!

 

📍Location: Central Kitchen - 3238 Meeker Ave, El Monte, CA 91731

⏰Time: 8:30am-10am

February is American Heart Health Month! Keep your heart strong by eating more green leafy vegetables as they provide adequate vitamins and minerals to keep our blood pressure control. Fun & Easy Snack ideas to keep your heart healthy:

• Berries
• Whole grain toast with nut butter (w/ no sugar added)
• Raspberries w/ 2 pieces/squares of dark chocolate
• Hummus and Sweet bell peppers
• Greek Nonfat Yogurt w/ berries and Walnuts

 

School Counselors are hosting a Kindness Week at all our EMCSD school sites from February 13-16th. There will be activities like signing a kindness pledge, making kindness paper chains with ways to be kind at school, friendship bracelets and kindness challenges. Students will be encouraged to show extra kindness this week by sharing with others and showing empathy. These are some ways to make our community a better place for all!

Registration is now open for the 2024 South El Monte Little League Baseball and Softball season. You can register online by clicking the button below. Leagues are for ages 6 & up and are located at the South El Monte Community Center (1530 Central Ave, S. El Monte, CA 91733). Hours are 5:30pm - 8:00pm.

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Custodian
• Energy Management Specialist
• Health Services Specialist (2 positions available)
• Instructional Support Specialist (10 positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• School Counselor
• Special Education Teacher (2 positions available)
• Testing Specialist
• and much more!

Do you or someone you know have a child ready to start school this fall? Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year officially opens this Monday, February 5!

 

Any child who turns age 4 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to start Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in the 2024-2025 school year! TK & Kindergarten Info Meetings are coming soon! We will share dates once they are made available.

 

Every TK - 8 grade child enrolled in EMCSD receives:

 

• Universal free nutritious meals and snacks
• Access to our no-cost after-school enrichment programs that feature sports for 3rd grade and up, study trips, and STEAM-based activities. We also offer no-cost before-school enrichment.
• Access to our award-winning music education program.

 

You can learn more about the enrollment process by clicking the button below or calling your school office.

We are hosting "Parenting in a Digital World" seminars throughout our district to help give you the tools to help keep your students safe online. Parenting in the Digital World, is a 90-minute, engaging and eye-opening presentation about what is really going on in our children’s digital world. It will be presented in-person. EMCSD parents can sign up for any workshop at any school. -- Los padres de EMCSD pueden inscribirse en cualquier taller en cualquier escuela.

 

Students do not need to attend.

 

It will be presented in-person in English. (Spanish presentation dates will be shared at a later date). -- Se presentará en inglés. (Las fechas de presentación en español se compartirán mas tarde).

 

Topics Discussed:

 

• Current apps kids are using and what you need to know about them
• Risks associated with popular social media sites
• "Sexting" and online predators
• How to set expectations and consequences
• How to monitor online activity and find secret Instagram accounts
• How to talk to your child about pornography
• Parental controls and privacy settings

 

Meeting Dates and Locations (you can attend any meeting at any school)

 

February 7, 2024 (rsvp by 2/1) at 9:00am at Rio Hondo

February 15, 2024 (rsvp by 2/9) at 5:00pm at Cortada

February 21, 2024 (rsvp by 2/14) at 8:30am at Rio Vista

February 21. 2024 (rsvp by 2/14) at 5:30pm at Durfee

February 22, 2024 (rsvp by 2/15) at 5:00pm at Wright School

March 4, 2024 (rsvp by 2/26) at 5:00pm at Columbia

 

Click button below to sign up.

A vivid blend of artistic expression and teamwork thrives at EMCSD’s Rio Hondo School through their innovative Dance and Flag program. From its inception as a dance initiative, this program has bloomed into a mesmerizing tapestry of movement, rhythm, and collaboration.

 

Taryn Spink, the passionate mind behind the evolution of the Rio Hondo Dance and Flag program, reminisces about her initial encounter with Color Guard during her teaching days at Azusa High School. "I fell in love with the art form instantly," she recalls. "It was inspiring, visually impactful, physically challenging, and the choreography told a story in a creative way."

 

Riley Bob, a participant in the program, captures its essence by stating, "What I believe makes the dance program appealing is the many memories you can make while doing it. Why I think it has become one of the most popular electives is because of how much fun it is." Hailee Long, another student, shares her perspective, emphasizing the personal growth the program facilitates: "Participating in this program can help me gain more confidence in my body and skill so that I don't feel down or overwhelmed."

If you are passionate about bringing wellness to your campus or would like to become a wellness champion for your school, please join us!

 

📍Location: Central Kitchen - 3238 Meeker Ave, El Monte, CA 91731

⏰Time: 8:30am-10am

New Lexington School will be hosting their 2nd Annual Lunar New Year Festival on Thursday, February 8. There will be live performances along with arts, crafts, games, and a fashion show! All EMCSD families are invited to join in the fun!

 

What: New Lexington Lunar New Year Festival

When: Thursday, February 8 from 4pm - 7pm

Where: New Lexington School (10410 Bodger St., El Monte, CA 91733)

No School: Monday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday

 

No School: Monday, February 19 in observance of President's Day

 

Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 20 at 5:00pm

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Custodian
• Energy Management Specialist
• Health Services Specialist (2 positions available)
• Instructional Support Specialist (10 positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• School Counselor
• Special Education Teacher (2 positions available)
• Testing Specialist
• and much more!

Listen in to our Board of Education along with Dr. Garcia, Mr. Sallenbach, Dr. Pinedo, and Mr. Herrera present the latest news from around El Monte City School District.

 

At this month's meeting, Columbia 8th grader, Nathan Espina, presented the latest news from Columbia School to our board of education. Each month, we will be inviting student representatives to provide updates on their school to the community. You can listen in and follow along to the whole meeting by clicking the YouTube video below.

This week, staff members from El Monte City School District and the Board of Education honored Lillian Rey, the Executive Director of the El Monte & South El Monte Emergency Resource Association for her dedication to the families throughout our community. After four decades of service, Ms. Rey is retiring.

 

She has spent the last 43 years working at the ERA in order to assist local families with everything from emergency housing assistance to clothes, diapers, hygiene supplies and much more. She has also been integral in providing gifts to children in need around the holiday season. EMCSD staff members who have often worked alongside Ms. Rey came out to show their appreciation for the work she has put into this community.

If you are passionate about bringing wellness to your campus or would like to become a wellness champion for your school, please join us!

 

📍Location: Central Kitchen - 3238 Meeker Ave, El Monte, CA 91731

⏰Time: 8:30am-10am

El Monte City School District offers a fully immersive Mandarin and Spanish Dual Language programs at two different schools. If you have an incoming TK or Kindergarten student that will start school in the 2024-2025 school year and are interested in one of the programs, sign up for an information meeting! Click the button above to sign up today.

 

Mandarin Dual Language Info Meeting at New Lexington School (10410 Bodger St, El Monte, CA 91733):

• Wednesday, January 31 at 5:00pm

 

Spanish Dual Language Info Meeting at Durfee School (12233 Star St, El Monte, CA 91732):

• Thursday, February 1 at 8:15am (presentation in Spanish)
• Thursday, February 1 at 5:30pm (presentation in English)

 

What is a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program?

Our DLI program is research-based to give your student a fully-immersive language learning setting to help your student become successfully bilingual and bicultural in a growing diverse world. Studies prove that learning a second language improves cognitive abilities along with strengthening math and reading skills. Our DLI is completely free for all EMCSD students.

 

Early Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year starts on February 5th

New Lexington School will be hosting their 2nd Annual Lunar New Year Festival on Thursday, February 8. There will be live performances along with arts, crafts, games, and a fashion show! All EMCSD families are invited to join in the fun!

 

What: New Lexington Lunar New Year Festival

When: Thursday, February 8 from 4pm - 7pm

Where: New Lexington School (10410 Bodger St., El Monte, CA 91733)

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Custodian
• Energy Management Specialist
• Health Services Specialist (2 positions available)
• Instructional Support Specialist (10 positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• School Counselor
• Special Education Teacher (2 positions available)
• Testing Specialist
• and much more!

Student Free Day: Monday, January 22

No school for TK- 8th grade students. All school offices will be closed.

 

Head Start students will have their regular schedule.

El Monte City School District Early Head Start Teacher, Ms. Raquel "Rachel" Barber was recognized at Los Angeles County Office of Education's 10th Annual Golden Apple Awards this week. Ms. Barber is one of EMCSD's Early Head Start teachers at the Jeff Seymour Family Center and dedicated over 20 years to educating our youngest learners in our community. Join us in congratulating Ms. Barber! 🙌

El Monte City School District offers a fully immersive Mandarin and Spanish Dual Language programs at two different schools. If you have an incoming TK or Kindergarten student that will start school in the 2024-2025 school year and are interested in one of the programs, sign up for an information meeting!

 

Mandarin Dual Language Info Meeting at New Lexington School (10410 Bodger St, El Monte, CA 91733):

• Wednesday, January 31 at 5:00pm

 

Spanish Dual Language Info Meeting at Durfee School (12233 Star St, El Monte, CA 91732):

• Thursday, February 1 at 8:15am (presentation in Spanish)
• Thursday, February 1 at 5:30pm (presentation in English)

 

What is a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program?

Our DLI program is research-based to give your student a fully-immersive language learning setting to help your student become successfully bilingual and bicultural in a growing diverse world. Studies prove that learning a second language improves cognitive abilities along with strengthening math and reading skills. Our DLI is completely free for all EMCSD students.

 

Any child who turns 5 between September 2, 2024, and June 2, 2025, is eligible to start TK in the 2024-25 school year. Any student who turns age 5 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to be enrolled in Kindergarten.

 

Early Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year starts on February 5th

EMCSD's Flag Football programs begins January 30 - sign up your student today! Any EMCSD student in 3rd through 8th grade is eligible for our after-school flag football program. Simply click the button below and register your student for free!

 

Practices begin January 30th. Game schedule is below:

February 1, 8, 15, 22, 19, and March 7

 

For questions, contact Sereena San Nicholas at 626-709-6432 or [email protected]

Sign up your child for fast-pitch softball! Games are played at Mulhern Field located at 4565 Cogswell Road. Click button below for more information or to sign up your student. Registration fees:

 

For questions, please call 626-539-5175 or email [email protected]

At El Monte City School District, we pride ourselves on the student experience, and our GATE program is no exception. Offered on Saturdays, GATE allows students to continue their academic exploration in a variety of math, science, art, and music-based subjects to create well-rounded individuals. See what our students and staff have to say about GATE below.

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Custodian
• ELD Testers
• Energy Management Specialist
• Health Services Specialist
• Instructional Support Specialist (6 positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant Substitute Pool
• School Counselor
• Special Education Teacher (2 positions available)
• and much more!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 15

All schools and district offices will be closed.

 

Student Free Day: Monday, January 22

No school for TK- 8th grade students. Head Start students will have their regular schedule.

All school offices will be closed.

El Monte City School District offers a fully immersive Mandarin and Spanish Dual Language programs at two different schools. If you have an incoming TK or Kindergarten student that will start school in the 2024-2025 school year and are interested in one of the programs, sign up for an information meeting!

 

Mandarin Dual Language Info Meeting at New Lexington School (10410 Bodger St, El Monte, CA 91733):

• Wednesday, January 31 at 5:00pm

 

Spanish Dual Language Info Meeting at Durfee School (12233 Star St, El Monte, CA 91732):

• Thursday, February 1 at 8:15am (presentation in Spanish)
• Thursday, February 1 at 5:30pm (presentation in English)

 

What is a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program?

Our DLI program is research-based to give your student a fully-immersive language learning setting to help your student become successfully bilingual and bicultural in a growing diverse world. Studies prove that learning a second language improves cognitive abilities along with strengthening math and reading skills. Our DLI is completely free for all EMCSD students.

 

Any child who turns 5 between September 2, 2024, and June 2, 2025, is eligible to start TK in the 2024-25 school year. Any student who turns age 5 by September 1, 2024 will be eligible to be enrolled in Kindergarten.

EMCSD students had the opportunity to go on field trips during their winter break. They visited the Discovery Sphere is Orange County, toured the bay in Long Beach, and much more! Watch our Winter Water Adventure reel here!

At El Monte City School District, we pride ourselves on the student experience, and our GATE program is no exception. Offered on Saturdays, GATE allows students to continue their academic exploration in a variety of math, science, art, and music-based subjects to create well-rounded individuals. See what our students and staff have to say about GATE below.

El Monte City School District (EMCSD) has been awarded a 2023 California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell for their TK and Kindergarten Readiness Academy in the Early Childhood Education category. This is EMCSD’s second Golden Bell in three years. They earned their first in 2020 for their Music Education program.

 

 

A student’s first time attending school can be a daunting experience, especially for younger learners. EMCSD’s Readiness Academy was created to alleviate stress and ease the transition into school. It is a no-cost, hybrid learning experience that fosters student and family engagement and is offered to all incoming TK and Kindergarten students during the summer.

 

To read full story, click the button below. 👇

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Communication College Interns
• Custodian
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Energy Management Specialist
• Health Services Specialist
• Instructional Support Specialist (6 positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant Substitute Pool
• School Counselor
• and much more!

Dear EMCSD Community,

 

As we embark on Winter Break and invite the new year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your consistent support of our District and your students throughout our school community. Seeing so many of you celebrate and cheer on our kids at all the wonderful winter performances makes me proud to serve as your Superintendent.

 

May this holiday season bring you warmth, laughter, and cherished memories with loved ones. As we usher in the New Year, let's embrace the possibilities ahead!

 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

 

 

Dr. Maribel Garcia

Winter Break: Thursday, December 21, 2023 - Friday, January 5, 2024

 

School will resume on Monday, January 8, 2024. Our District office will be closed on:

• Friday, December 22
• Monday, December 25
• Friday, December 29
• Monday, January 1

El Monte City School District (EMCSD) has been awarded a 2023 California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell for their TK and Kindergarten Readiness Academy in the Early Childhood Education category. This is EMCSD’s second Golden Bell in three years. They earned their first in 2020 for their Music Education program.

 

 

A student’s first time attending school can be a daunting experience, especially for younger learners. EMCSD’s Readiness Academy was created to alleviate stress and ease the transition into school. It is a no-cost, hybrid learning experience that fosters student and family engagement and is offered to all incoming TK and Kindergarten students during the summer.

To read full story, click the button below. 👇

Need some student and family-friendly activities during Winter Break? Sign up for outdoor adventures courtesy of California State Parks & Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation! Classes held at Peck Water Conservation Park, Arcadia. All Ages Welcome Adult accompaniment for Children under 12

 

• Friday, Dec. 22 @3 - 4:30 pm - Geology: Quarry history, soil formation & structure, and our watershed. Plus, 'Rock Bingo'!
• Saturday, Dec. 23 @12:30 - 2 pm - Wildlife Ecology and Observation: Nature journaling, wildlife observations, scavenger hunt
• Wednesday, Dec. 27 @12:30 - 2pm - Water Conservation and Resources: Testing water for pH, dissolved oxygen and nitrate content
• Thursday, Dec. 28 @12:30 - 2pm - Plant Ecology and Seed Dispersal: Role of plants in increasing the sustainability of our landscape, nature hike, 'Hike and Seed' game
• Friday, Dec. 29 @12:30pm - 2pm - Urban Forestry: Wonders of trees and their benefits to us!
• Saturday, Dec. 30 @12:30 - 2pm - Habitat Revitalization and Diversity Protection: Importance of biodiversity, nature walk and games

 

For questions reach out to [email protected]

Sign up your child for fast-pitch softball! Games are played at Mulhern Field located at 4565 Cogswell Road. Click button below for more information or to sign up your student. Registration fees:

• Age 6u (6 and under): $100
• Age 8u, 10u, 12u, and 14u: $150

 

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Communication College Interns
• Custodian
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Energy Management Specialist
• Instructional Support Specialist (6 positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant Substitute Pool
• School Counselor
• and much more!

Do you have or know a college student majoring in communication, marketing, public relations, media, journalism or a related field? We are hiring two new college interns! Click here to access the application and get a unique opportunity to work in school PR: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1868826

Winter Break: Thursday, December 21, 2023 - Friday, January 5, 2024

School will resume on Monday, January 8, 2024

Yvette Hall, teacher from El Monte City School District (EMCSD), was awarded the Robert “Bobby” Salcedo Esperanza Award for Outstanding Educator at last week’s 20th Annual Tamalada. Presented by the El Monte Promise Foundation and the Bobby Salcedo Foundation, the award is given to educators who exemplify Bobby’s tireless commitment to education.

 

Yvette Hall was raised in this community and sees herself in her students. As a teacher in the classroom, she hopes to inspire her students to dream big. “I know how important a little nudge can be,” she shared in her acceptance speech. “I want to inspire my students to see themselves beyond the walls of their classrooms and beyond the boundaries of this city. There’s an entire world to be explored.” To read full story, click the button below. 👇

You can watch our district leaders present the latest news from around El Monte City School District to our Board of Education by clicking the video below. You can access the whole cabinet update here.

At Monday's Board of Education meeting, we recognized Yvette Hall for receiving a 2023 Robert "Bobby" Salcedo Esperanza Award for Outstanding Educator in El Monte. Additionally, the Board recognized Christina Davila and Jessica Pardini, along with all the EMCSD team members who helped make our TK & Kindergarten Readiness Academy a CSBA Golden Bell winner!

Join Santa on Thurs. December 14th from 6:30pm-8:30pm on Main St. Bring your camera to take a FREE picture with Santa. Please also bring a can of food to help Santa Claus collect food donations that will go to help the Emergency Resource Center in El Monte.

 

Enjoy FREE hot chocolate, pan dulce, cookies, entertainment, and Ballet Folkoric. (while supplies last)

Trees, especially street trees, gift us shade, cooler temperatures, cleaner air, and beauty to our community. Volunteer with TreePeople and help share these gifts by planting shade trees in El Monte.

 

When: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Where: California Ave, El Monte

Time: 8:30am - 12pm

 

All ages welcome! Snacks and water will be provided, just bring a hat, comfortable shoes, and a reusable water bottle. Hope you can join us!

 

For questions email Bryan Vejar ar [email protected]

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• Communication College Interns
• Custodian (3 positions available)
• District Community Liaison
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Energy Management Specialist
• Instructional Support Specialist (7 positions available)
• School Counselor
• Supervision Assistant Substitute
• and much more!

Do you have or know a college student majoring in communication, marketing, public relations, media, journalism or a related field? We are hiring two new college interns! Click here to access the application and get a unique opportunity to work in school PR: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1868826

EMCSD wins a Golden Bell from the California School Board Association (CSBA) for their TK & Kindergarten Readiness Academy. This TK & Kindergarten Readiness Academy is a no-cost hybrid learning experience designed to foster student and family engagement.

 

The goal of the program is to start early childhood education in order to ease new students and their families into their educational careers. To ease the home-to-school transition through meaningful activities promoting literacy, basic mathematics, and social-emotional learning.

Hazel Health and El Monte City School District have partnered to provide access to quality health care services for all students, at no cost to families, this school year. Services are available both at school and at home. Our virtual home services are now available for all EMCSD students. Therapy sessions with Hazel Health are a safe space and are private and confidential. For more information, you can visit our EMCSD Hazel Health webpage: https://my.hazel.co/emcsd/info

 

To ensure your child has access to this service, please take 5 minutes to sign up today in the button below. Once you complete the consent form, you can call Hazel Health to begin asking for services.

After completing consent form, you will be notified of your account activation. To access the Hazel Health service for your child, you will need to call to request at home services. Instructions will be provided after consent form is complete and reviewed.

 

Is insurance required? No. Hazel Health's therapy services are available to all EMCSD students at no-cost.

 

Why does it ask for insurance if it is not required? Hazel Health bills insurance for services to ensure that the visit cost is covered by your health plan, and there are no out-of-pocket costs for the family. If you have insurance, we ask you to provide it so they can be billed properly.

 

What if I don't have insurance information to provide? Any student, regardless of insurance status, can use Hazel Health. Hazel will review and confirm the student’s insurance status when a visit is scheduled or delivered.

Christmas Toy Giveaway, along with free flu vaccines and health coverage enrollment are available this Saturday, December 9 from 10am - 12pm at the Herald Christian Health Center! Stop by for a free gift for your student and health services. Available while supplies last.

 

When: Saturday, December 9th

Time: 10am - 12pm

Where: Herald Christian Health Center - 3401 Aerojet Ave., El Monte, CA

Looking for a place where you can meet new friends? Somewhere you can go exciting adventures and make a difference in the world? That place is Girl Scouts.

 

Parents/caregivers are invited to join us at a local meeting to learn how you can be part of the fun!

 

When: Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Time: 6pm

Where: Jeff Seymour Family Center - 10900 Mulhall St, El Monte, CA 91731

 

For more info contact: Miranda Marquez - [email protected] or (626)-677-2360

Join Santa on Thurs. December 14th from 6:30pm-8:30pm on Main St. Bring your camera to take a FREE picture with Santa. Please also bring a can of food to help Santa Claus collect food donations that will go to help the Emergency Resource Center in El Monte.

 

Enjoy FREE hot chocolate, pan dulce, cookies, entertainment, and Ballet Folkoric. (while supplies last)

Trees, especially street trees, gift us shade, cooler temperatures, cleaner air, and beauty to our community. Volunteer with TreePeople and help share these gifts by planting shade trees in El Monte.

 

When: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Where: California Ave, El Monte

Time: 8:30am - 12pm

 

All ages welcome! Snacks and water will be provided, just bring a hat, comfortable shoes, and a reusable water bottle. Hope you can join us!

 

For questions email Bryan Vejar ar [email protected]

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• Child Development Instructor
• Communication College Interns
• Custodian (3 positions available)
• District Community Liaison
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Energy Management Specialist
• Instructional Support Specialist (5+ positions available)
• Supervision Assistant Substitute
• and much more!

Do you have or know a college student majoring in communication, marketing, public relations, media, journalism or a related field? We are hiring two new college interns! Click here to access the application and get a unique opportunity to work in school PR: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1868826

• On November 8, 2023 EMCSD convened the first Wellness Committee Meeting of the school year. The purpose of the meeting was to provide awareness of the importance of having a strong and active wellness task force/ committee and also set the stage for collaboration between departments to bring to life the purpose of the Wellness Committee, which is to educate and help raise healthy children, and foster a healthy work environment. Nutrition Specialist-RD, Monica Lara MPH, RDN will be reaching out to department leads to help collect the wonderful health & wellness activities that EMCSD is already implementing; allowing room for transparency between departments and potential future collaborations.
• If you or someone you know aspires to keep our children healthy and active, like promoting wellness and/or is looking to become a wellness champion, then partaking in the Wellness Committee Meetings is something to consider!
• Next Wellness Committee is projected to occur early 2024, stay on the lookout for the invitation for the 2nd Wellness Committee.

 

• To view and hear the pre-recorded meeting please click the button below (under Wellness Committee Meetings):

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• Child Development Instructor
• Custodial Substitute
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Energy Management Specialist
• Instructional Support Specialist (5+ positions available)
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• Special Education Teacher
• Supervision Assistant
• and much more!

As we gather with loved ones to give thanks, I want to express deep gratitude to our entire school community – parents, students, and families. Your support and partnership make our educational journey a shared success. Thank you for being an essential part of our district family.

 

Wishing you all a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Dr. Maribel Garcia

Superintendent

Ms. Hall was named a 2023 Robert "Bobby" Salcedo Esperanza Award recipient, being recognized as an outstanding educator in El Monte. She joins Coreen Pineda from El Monte Union High School District and Erin Lewis from Mountain View School District as this years awardees.

 

She will be recognized at the 20th Annual Tamalada in December.

You can watch our district leaders present the latest news from around El Monte City School District below. You can also watch the entirety of the audio stream below as well.

Elementary students from Potrero, Cortada, Cleminson and Rio Hondo who participated in our Art Time afterschool program had their artwork displayed in our first ever Student Art Gallery. Our artists were able to share their experience with their families, staff, and peers and discussed the different techniques they used to create their pastel portraits.

Students, staff, and families celebrated the Fall season with their inaugural Harvest Festival full of good company, fun games, and electric karaoke!

Potrero's 4th graders went on a study trip to Chino Hills State Park where they hiked, explored, observed, and learned about local plants, bugs, animals, erosion, and so much more!

 

They were given bird guides to use along the hike for reference and discussion. They also received notebooks so our explorers could document their sightings and keep track of information they learned along their travels.

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Child Development Instructor
• Custodial Substitute
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Health Service Assistant
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• Special Education Teacher
• and much more!

Veterans Day: Friday, November 10

All schools and district offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

 

Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24

School will resume on Monday, November 27, 2023

Students who participated in our Art Time academy will have their artwork displayed in the EMCSD Board Room on Tuesday, November 14.

 

Potrero, Cortada, Cleminson and Rio Hondo students will have their art work displayed for the community, staff, and families to see and hear from students about what they learned by taking these art classes. Details below:

 

What: Art Time Gallery

When: Tuesday, November 14 at 4:00pm

Where: EMCSD Board Room (3535 Lexington Ave, El Monte, CA 91731)

PBS' "Inside California Education" covers EMCSD's Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program as California prepares for Universal TK . EMCSD has continued to expand our TK programming, getting ahead of the state's 2025 goal. In fact, EMCSD opened their newest TK class at Rio Hondo this year to meet the demand of TK classes. Our programs include both Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language options for parents hoping to help their students grow up bilingual. You can watch the entire EMCSD spotlight by clicking the button below.

Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Board President Dr. Yvonne Chan recently visited El Monte City School District (EMCSD) schools to observe their academic programs and extracurricular activities. This visit showcased EMCSD’s dedication to delivering quality education and highlighted some significant initiatives.

 

EMCSD invited the LACOE Board of Education to allow them to see their interactive, student-centered, data-based educational programming. Dr. Chan shared that this is the first time LACOE’s Board of Education has been personally invited to tour school campuses. EMCSD serves a diverse student population and prides itself on meeting students where they are academically, emotionally, and socially to provide the instruction and support needed to succeed.

Durfee School celebrated Día De Los Muertos, inviting people from all over the community to come and celebrate with food, music, activities, and face painting. Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two-day Mexican holiday that is dedicated to honor and celebrate our deceased loved ones. Families create ofrendas (altars) to honor their departed family members. They decorate the ofrendas with favorite foods, photos, and mementos of the departed. This is a joyous and vibrant occasion with music and gatherings at the cemeteries to keep the memories of our departed alive.

 

“The Day of the Dead event is an important cultural staple in the Latino community. By allowing the public to attend the event, we are promoting cultural understanding and awareness, as well as honoring cultural diversity,” explained Martiza Duenas. EMCSD is part of a majority Latino community and keeps the community aware of cultural activities.

 

Durfee’s celebration included a live mariachi band serenading the entire event and little ofrendas made by the students. Durfee Parent Carolina S. shared, “A lot of traditions are fading away and it's really good for the kids to be exposed to different cultures and I think everybody can relate to this [event].”

 

The EMCSD community is multicultural and prides itself on the inclusivity of the community. “I feel that it is important for the community because it brings everybody together, and since a lot of parents are not aware of the traditions of other cultures that are present in the community,” voiced Yesenia O., Durfee Parent.

 

“Celebrating cultural diversity through events like Día de los Muertos shows the community that EMCSD is an inclusive and welcoming environment,” stated Duenas.

 

Other schools throughout EMCSD also hosted intimate Dia de los Muertos events. Potrero, Frank Wright, Cleminson, and New Lexington had school community altars inviting students and staff to showcase their loved ones and share their stories.

The students from Rio Hondo School had an experience out of this world during their Astronomy Night! Astronomy Night was held to teach our community about space, planets, stars, and our solar system. The best part about this event was that the students were doing all of the teaching.

 

There were booths set up with different activities that the community could participate in, and the students led them all with their vast knowledge of astronomy. “One of the booths was very informative. Learned about the moon rotating around the sun,” shared Muriel A., Rio Hondo Parent.

 

Astronomy Night allows the community to come together. “It gets everyone together, and it’s fun. I haven’t seen this many people together in a while,” expressed Rio Hondo Parent, Angie C. “Learned about the planets; it’s all fun and creative.”

 

“Helps the kids more so they can be immersed and expand their knowledge,” stated Vincente S, EMCSD Parent. “It's interactive, and they get to do it outside of a classroom environment.”

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Custodial Substitute
• Engagement and Enrichment Facilitator
• Health Services Specialist
• Human Resources Technician
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• Supervision Assistant
• and much more!

Veterans Day: Friday, November 10

All schools and district offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

 

Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24

School will resume on Monday, November 27, 2023

Longo Toyota in El Monte, the world’s largest Toyota dealership, auctioned a limited edition 2023 Toyota GR Corolla MORIZO for charity, holding the special distinction of badge no. 001 of 200, as designated by Toyota. The week-long online auction began on Oct. 18 and concluded on Oct. 25 with a winning bid of $98,500. Additional contributions from Longo Toyota and Toyota brought the total charitable donation amount to $150,000 which will benefit El Monte City School District, El Monte Union High School District and Vision To Learn, a nonprofit organization that provides vision screenings, eye exams and glasses at no charge to students from low-income communities throughout the U.S.

 

El Monte City School District plans to use the funds to help create STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) labs and makerspaces at each of the district’s schools. “Educating students does not start or end in the classroom. It takes a community to mentor young scholars and one of our goals is to cultivate relationships to provide the best opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Maribel Garcia, Superintendent of El Monte City School District. “With our Longo Toyota partnership and the proceeds from their auction, we can continue to empower our students to tap into their interests and showcase the importance of community support in local education.”

 

El Monte Union High School District will utilize a portion of the proceeds towards a transportation career technical education program that gives students hands-on automotive industry experience. Additional proceeds will go towards supporting local efforts from Vision To Learn to serve students in need in East Los Angeles County.

El Monte City School District (EMCSD) has captured the imagination and creativity of students through the wonder of film. Youth Cinema Project (YCP) is a new program serving to engage students in the art of filmmaking and storytelling while empowering them to explore their creative potential and gaining valuable skills in media production. The program is currently in its pilot stage at Cherrylee, Potrero, and Wright. It invites industry professionals to schools to provide hands on film-making opportunities. Thanks to the dedication of both educators and students the program is fostering culture, innovation, and equity. To read full story, click the button below 👇

You are invited to our Health Education Advisory & Wellness Committee Meeting. Topics will include:

 

• Introduction and Updates from District Departments, Schools, and Community Partners
• Wellness Policy Goals

 

When: Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Time: 8:30am - 10:00am

Location: EMCSD Professional Development Room (3527 Lexington Ave, El Monte, CA 91731)

 

Parents and community members are invited to participate in our EMCSD Wellness Committee Meeting to learn more about our district's wellness policy and our goals for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by clicking the button below.

Durfee's Dia de los Muertos celebration returns tomorrow, November 2!

 

It will be a day to gather, remember, and celebrate our loved ones who went before us. Come to Durfee to enjoy some live entertainment, crafts, our community and student made altars, and much more!

 

When: Thursday, November 2, 2023

Where: Durfee School, 12233 Star St., El Monte, CA 91732

Time: 4pm - 7pm

Rio Hondo School is inviting community veterans to their student-run assembly recognizing and celebrating members of our community who have honorably served our country. The assembly will be followed by a luncheon reception hosted by Rio Hondo PTA for veterans and their family.

 

Where: Rio Hondo School, 11425 Wildflower Rd. Arcadia, CA. 91005

When: Thursday, November 9

Time: 10:00 AM

 

RSVP is required to attend, veterans please RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 1st to: Janna Wilson: (949)-325-5533 or [email protected]

 

For additional information, please contact: Marcela Estrada (626)-575-2308 ext. 2243

The November menus are available! Making their 2023-2024 debut are calzones and turkey gravy with mashed potatoes! Check out full menu by visiting our website.

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Child Development Instructor II
• Custodian - Child Development
• Health Services Specialist
• Instructional Computing Lab Specialist
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• Special Education Teacher
• Substitute Teacher Pool
• and much more!

Veterans Day: Friday, November 10

All schools and district offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

Reminder, El Monte Police Department and El Monte Police Officers' Association annual Mikey and Joseph's Trunk or Treat and Mikey's Haunted Maze is tomorrow! Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Best Costume Contest by age categories. Come in your best costume.

 

Where: In the South Parking Lot of Main St. and Lexington

When: Thursday, October 26

Time: 5:00PM - 9:00PM

 

For more information, please contact Detective Carlos Molina at (626) - 378-3475

Durfee's Dia de los Muertos celebration returns next Thursday, November 2!

 

It will be a day to gather, remember, and celebrate our loved ones who went before us. Come to Durfee to enjoy some live entertainment, crafts, our community and student made altars, and much more!

 

When: Thursday, November 2, 2023

Where: Durfee School, 12233 Star St., El Monte, CA 91732

Time: 4pm - 7pm

Rio Hondo School is inviting community veterans to their student-run assembly recognizing and celebrating members of our community who have honorably served our country. The assembly will be followed by a luncheon reception hosted by Rio Hondo PTA for veterans and their family.

 

Where: Rio Hondo School, 11425 Wildflower Rd. Arcadia, CA. 91005

When: Thursday, November 9

Time: 10:00 AM

 

RSVP is required to attend, veterans please RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 1st to: Janna Wilson: (949)-325-5533 or [email protected]

 

For additional information, please contact: Marcela Estrada (626)-575-2308 ext. 2243

El Monte City School District (EMCSD) celebrated Jaime Reyes from New Lexington School as the district’s official Teacher of the Year. He was also recognized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education at their annual Teachers of the Year Luncheon this Fall.

 

Mr. Reyes is a proud product of EMCSD, attending both Shirpser and Gidley Schools before returning as an after-school ASPIRE lead and substitute teacher. “Those two jobs prepared me so much for what I do today. As a former student, I always knew that I wanted to give back to my community.”

We are featured in the latest edition of School News! This magazine spotlights each EMCSD school, including our Child Development Department and the Jeff Seymour Family Center. See all the wonderful happenings throughout our district including a message from your principals. The issue is published in English and Spanish. If you are interested in reading the whole issue, click the button below 👇

Rio Hondo has officially launched a new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) class! A new home for Rio Hondo's youngest generation of learners. If you are interested in enrolling your TK student at Rio Hondo, please call (626) 575-2308, and their wonderful team will help you with the process.

 

Any child who turns 5 between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024, can start TK today!

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• AVID Tutors
• Custodial Substitute
• GATE Durfee Saturday School Teachers
• GATE Saturday Custodian
• Health Services Assistant
• Nutrition Service Assistant
• Nutrition Service Site Lead
• Substitute Teacher Pool
• and much more!

EMCSD will participate in the Great Shake Out on Thursday, October 19 at 9:00am through approximately 9:45am. During this time, all staff and students will be practicing their emergency response procedures.

 

All school office doors will be locked as the school practices evacuating to the playground. If parents or guardians need to pick up their student(s) during this time, they will need to enter through the side/back gate and there will be a station with personnel available to help locate the student at the field and retrieve them.

 

This drill centers on the Shakeout Earthquake Scenario, a realistic portrayal of what could happen in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the southern end of the San Andreas Fault. ShakeOut began in Southern California in 2008. Since then ShakeOut has grown to include participation across the United States and several other countries. More than 30 million people worldwide participated in 2021.

 

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are annual opportunities to learn and practice earthquake safety with millions of people worldwide!

EMCSD is featured in the latest edition of School News! This magazine spotlights each EMCSD school, including our Child Development Department and the Jeff Seymour Family Center. See all the wonderful happenings throughout our district including a message from your principals. The issue is published in English and Spanish. If you are interested in reading the whole issue, click the button below 👇

Girls from Durfee represented one of the largest groups in attendance at WINGS. Students participated in wellness, etiquette, and healthy relationships workshops to learn positive mental health practices🧠 , develop networking skills🤝 , and emphasize the importance of boundaries, consent, and support❤️ .

 

What is WINGS?

WINGS stands for Women Inspiring the Next Generation of Sisterhood. The event was hosted by YWCA, El Monte Union High School District and Senator Susan Rubio. It is a free seminar designed to empower young women to become leaders of tomorrow! Workshops include Wellness, Financial Literacy, Etiquette, and Healthy Relationships.

Rio Hondo has officially launched a new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) class! A new home for Rio Hondo's youngest generation of learners. If you are interested in enrolling your TK student at Rio Hondo, please call (626) 575-2308, and their wonderful team will help you with the process.

 

Any child who turns 5 between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024, can start TK today!

CultivaLA is hosting a Pumpkin Patch! There will be pumpkins, music, games and a costume contest!

When: Friday, October 20

Where: 1210 Lerma Road., South El Monte, CA 91733

What Time: 3:00pm-6:00pm

 

Call 626-575-5431 to RSVP

Dia De Los Muertos family event is happening this weekend! There will be live entertainment, face painting, street vendors, mariachi, food and much much more!

 

When: Saturday October 21st

Where: En la Calle Main St., El Monte, CA

What Time: 7:00pm-11:00pm

 

See flyer below for more details

Join TreePeople in planting street trees around El Monte and learn about the benefits these beautiful shade trees provide our neighborhoods! In honor of TreePeople's 50th anniversary, we will be planting 50 trees at this event! All ages welcome! Snacks and refreshments will be provided, just bring closed-toed shoes, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.

 

Event Information

When: Saturday, October 21, 2023

Time: 8:30am - 12pm

Where: Rio Vista Park (4275 Ranger Ave, El Monte, CA 91731)

For more information or questions, please email [email protected])

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• Administrative Clerk
• AVID Tutors
• Custodial Substitute
• ELD Testers
• Health Services Specialist
• Nutrition Service Assistant Substitute
• Records Specialist
• Substitute Teacher Pool
• and much more!

EMCSD is featured in the latest edition of School News! This magazine spotlights each EMCSD school, including our Child Development Department and the Jeff Seymour Family Center. See all the wonderful happenings throughout our district including a message from your principals. The issue is published in English and Spanish. If you are interested in reading the whole issue, click the button below 👇

Shortened PD Schedule: Monday, October 16 through Wednesday, October 18.

TK dismissal at 11:20 am. K-8 dismissal at 11:30am. Shortened schedule due to all staff participating in Professional Development.

Join us in saying thank you to our Principals and Assistant Principals! 👏

It’s Week of the School Administrator and we share our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible team at El Monte City School District. Your dedication and hard work make our schools shine! Thank you for all the work you do 🏫💙❤️💛💚

"Ring of Fire" also known as the solar eclipse, will pass the Western part of the United States on Saturday, October 14 starting around 8am. This occurs because the moon will precisely line up between Earth and the sun and blot out all but the sun's outer rim. Then, a bright, blazing border will appear around the moon for as much as five minutes.

 

It is important to protect YOUR EYES during the solar eclipse. SUNGLASSES ARE NOT ENOUGH PROTECTION. You can look indirectly with a pinhole projector that you can make yourself, including one made with a cereal box. Click the video below to see how you can make a pinhole projector at home courtesy of NASA.

 

Supplies needed to make a pinhole projector:

 

• Cardboard Box (Cereal or Shoe Box will work)
• Aluminum Foil
• Tape
• Push Pin
• Pencil
• Scissors
• White Paper

In a resounding commitment to nurturing well-rounded students, El Monte City School District (EMCSD) has invested over $9 million into its Expanded Learning Opportunities program (ELO-P). This initiative revolutionizes elementary education by providing an array of enriching extracurricular experiences, at no cost to families, aimed at fostering student agency and inspiring lifelong interests. Click on the link below to read more.

Looking for a place where you can meet new friends? Somewhere you can go on exciting adventures and make a difference in the world? That place is Girl Scouts. Parents/caregivers are invited to join us at a local meeting to learn how you can be part of the fun!

 

Virtual Information Meeting:

Date: Tuesday, October 17

Time: 5:00 pm

 

To register for Virtual Meeting, contact Miranda Marquez at [email protected] or call 626-667-2360

Join TreePeople in planting street trees around El Monte and learn about the benefits these beautiful shade trees provide our neighborhoods! In honor of TreePeople's 50th anniversary, we will be planting 50 trees at this event! All ages welcome! Snacks and refreshments will be provided, just bring closed-toed shoes, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.

 

Event Information

When: Saturday, October 21, 2023

Time: 8:30am - 12pm

Where: Rio Vista Park (4275 Ranger Ave, El Monte, CA 91731)

For more information or questions, please email [email protected])

Below is a copy of our October's breakfast and lunch menu. You can access all of our menus, including Head Start and After School menus on our website or by clicking here.

 

Reminder: All student meals are free of cost.

 

Breakfast menu includes food such as uncrustable breakfast, yogurt & grahams, muffins, and so much more! Lunch menu includes food like macaroni & cheese, Teriyaki Chicken, pollo & Spanish rice, and much more!

Dear EMCSD Community,

Throughout education, there are increasing reports of families receiving phone calls requesting personal information and promoting sales of computer devices or school resources to address their children's educational needs. They often ask you to provide personal information and claim to be associated with your “local school district”.

We want to clarify that El Monte City School District does not sell educational services like devices to our families. All official communication from our school district will come directly from school personnel through secure channels like ParentSquare, official letters on EMCSD letterhead, a district email, or phone calls from school offices.

Your safety and privacy are important to us. If you receive such calls soliciting paid educational services from your “local school district,” please be cautious and avoid sharing personal information. We recommend reporting any suspicious calls to your local law enforcement agency.

All EMCSD students are provided a free Chromebook to assist with learning, and through our Expanded Learning Opportunity program (ELO-P), we can provide after-school tutoring at no cost. Please contact your school directly if your student needs additional academic support.

Let's work together to protect our community from potential scams and ensure the well-being of our families.

The El Monte City School District will be participating in "Walk to School Day". We invite you to join us and walk with students, parents, and staff to school! Students who participate will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize.

 

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2023

7:00am - Student Arrives at Meeting Location

7:15am - Walking Begins

7:45am - Arrive at School

 

Meeting Locations (check notifications from your school about Walk to School Day plans)

 

• Gidley & Rio Vista: Vons Credit Union - 4455 Arden Dr.
• Wilkerson: CVS - 11940 Garvey Ave.
• LeGore: United Methodist - 3903 Tyler
• Cherrylee: Trinity Reformed Church - 11904 Hemlock St.
• Shirpser: Baldwin Mini Park - 3750 Baldwin Ave.
• Columbia & New Lexington: Arceo Park - 3125 Tyler Ave.
• Cortada: Lashbrook - 3199 Lashbrook Ave.
• Frank Wright: Lambert Park - 11431 McGirk Ave

 

Cleminson, Durfee, Potrero and Rio Hondo will meet at their school site.

Showing up to school every day is critical for children's well-being, engagement and learning. We celebrate National School Attendance Awareness Month to increase consistent student attendance throughout our district and to do this, we create and extend positive and supportive conditions for learning for every student. You can access healthy attendance handouts by clicking here or one of the buttons below.

In partnership with the American Red Cross, the Jeff Seymour Family Center will be hosting a blood drive in October.

 

When: Monday, October 2, 2023

Time: 2pm - 7pm

Where: Jeff Seymour Family Center, 10900 Mulhall St., El Monte, CA 91731

 

Make an appointment by clicking the link below and enter code EMCSD. For questions or support making an appointment, call Christina Davila at (626) 453-3700 Ext. 3651

Who will be the next Queen and King of El Monte and South El Monte? Miss Friendly and Mister Friendly Pageant has returned with an info night scheduled for Wednesday, October 4. For more information or to review the application, click the button below. Applications are due Monday, October 9, 2023.

 

Pageant Information Night

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Time: 6:00pm

Where: El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce (1903 N. Durfee Ave, Suite 4, El Monte, CA 91733)

For more information or questions, please call (626) 674-7480 or email [email protected])

Food Literacy Month is about understanding the impact of your food choices on your health, the environment, and our economy. Being food literate empowers us to make informed choices. By being able to obtain, process, and understand nutrition information and skills, you can make appropriate nutrition decisions.

 

Challenge yourself and family to 5 or more of these Nutrition and Wellness Activities for the week of 9/25. Go and have a meatless Monday and try new zesty recipes! Or you can try some fun pumpkin recipes for the fall season. It is also important to review nutrition labels and do all we can to reduce food waste. Access full calendar with clickable links here.

 

 

• Monday, September 25: Meatless Monday, try a recipe here; Family Walk; Shop Simple
• Tuesday, September 26: Encourage students to eat EMCSD's fresh fruit at school; Start a garden; Add plant protein to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner
• Wednesday, September 27: Harvest of the Month; Wellness Exercises; Save money by buying and drinking water instead of soda.
• Thursday, September 28: Tomato Curry recipe; Swim at El Monte Aquatic Center; Review nutrition label
• Friday, September 29: Pumpkin Oatmeal or Pumpkin Chili recipes; Go hiking on LA County trails; limit food waste

 

For more information on nutrition content follow the Nutrition Service Department on Instagram @emcsdeats

Cortada Colts celebrated their library's grand reopening! Students received free books and bookmarks while their librarian celebrated with raffles for the students.

Rio Hondo's AVID class attended the UCLA Football Game this past Saturday and got the full game day experience!

Join Chef Anthony Serrano and master the art of cooking on an electric induction stove. Qualified residents may be eligible for their own free electric induction stove through the partnership between Day One and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator.

 

When: Friday, September 22, 2023

Time: 5pm - 6pm

Where: Jeff Seymour Family Center, 10900 Mulhall St., El Monte, CA 91731

 

Register at the link below or call (626) 709-6195. Limit of 30 people.

In partnership with the American Red Cross, the Jeff Seymour Family Center will be hosting a blood drive in October.

 

When: Monday, October 2, 2023

Time: 2pm - 7pm

Where: Jeff Seymour Family Center, 10900 Mulhall St., El Monte, CA 91731

 

Make an appointment by clicking the link below and enter code EMCSD. For questions or support making an appointment, call Christina Davila at (626) 453-3700 Ext. 3651

LA Care and Blue Shield of California are providing a free Flu and COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday, September 23. Walk-ups available!

 

When: Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10:00am - 2:00pm

Where: 3570 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte, CA 91731

 

Services provided include: Flu Vaccine, COVID-19 Vaccine, Blood Sugar Reading, Blood Pressure Reading, and more! For more information visit website or call 213-428-1495

EMCSD's Board of Education recognizes the link between students' health and learning, and desires to provide a comprehensive program promoting healthy eating and physical activity for our students. Therefore, we have a list of guidelines for all EMCSD schools that include:

 

• All food and beverage guidelines that all schools must serve/sell
• Classroom celebration guidelines (More details available below)
• Physical activity encouragement
• After-school program food guidelines
• Healthy fundraisers food guidelines
• EMCSD wellness goals
• Selected web-based resources available

 

Access all this information by visiting EMCSD's Nutrition Services' Webpage.

Please help your child's classroom be a healthy place to learn by following the EMCSD wellness policy above. Use the flyer below to know which healthy foods and snacks are best for the class! Please do not send high-fat or sugar items such as cupcakes or punch; consider celebrating with non-food activities. If you do bring food, bring fruit, vegetables, or other healthy snacks. For more information on the Wellness Policy, go to the Nutrition Services Webpage.

Food Literacy Month is about understanding the impact of your food choices on your health, the environment, and our economy. Being food literate empowers us to make informed choices. By being able to obtain, process, and understand nutrition information and skills, you can make appropriate nutrition decisions.

 

Challenge yourself and family to 5 or more of these Nutrition and Wellness Activities for the week of 9/25. Go and have a meatless Monday and try new zesty recipes! Or you can try some fun pumpkin recipes for the fall season. It is also important to review nutrition labels and do all we can to reduce food waste. Access full calendar with clickable links here.

 

 

• Monday, September 25: Meatless Monday, try a recipe here; Family Walk; Shop Simple
• Tuesday, September 26: Encourage students to eat EMCSD's fresh fruit at school; Start a garden; Add plant protein to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner
• Wednesday, September 27: Harvest of the Month; Wellness Exercises; Save money by buying and drinking water instead of soda.
• Thursday, September 28: Tomato Curry recipe; Swim at El Monte Aquatic Center; Review nutrition label
• Friday, September 29: Pumpkin Oatmeal or Pumpkin Chili recipes; Go hiking on LA County trails; limit food waste

 

For more information on nutrition content follow the Nutrition Service Department on Instagram @emcsdeats

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• Custodial Substitute
• ELD Testers
• Health Services Specialist
• Nutrition Service Assistant Substitute
• Supervision Assistant
• Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
• and much more!

Shortened PD Schedule: Monday September 11 through Wednesday, September 13. TK dismissal at 11:20 am. K-8 dismissal at 11:30am. Shortened schedule due to all staff participating in Professional Development.

 

Student Free Day: Friday, September 15

No school for TK - 8th grade students. All school offices will be closed. Head Start is still in session.

Dear EMCSD Community,

 

The health and well-being of our students is always a top priority at El Monte City School District. Student mental health has become a growing focus nationwide in schools, and we proudly advocate for increased mental health services for our students. Recently, the focus has shifted to concerns about the negative effects of social media on student mental health.

 

There are benefits of social media, especially as a gathering space allowing millions of people to connect and bond. Our district actively uses social media to give you insight into the amazing work being done throughout EMCSD and to provide resources.

 

However, there needs to be more effort on behalf of social media companies to protect and properly serve their youngest users. Unfortunately, the same platforms that connect us all could have damaging effects on the mental health of millions of youth. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association have all declared children and adolescent mental health a national emergency, citing research confirming social media is playing a major role in causing mental health problems in youth and that excessive and problematic use of social media is harmful to children’s mental, behavioral, and emotional health.

 

Social media companies have the ability to make their platforms safer for children and this is why we have officially joined school districts nationwide in a class action lawsuit against major social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

 

This year, we are continuing to strengthen relationships across our school communities. We completed our First 10-day plan that included a digital citizenship component for all grade levels. We successfully trained and launched our new Say Something Anonymous Reporting System for our middle schoolers so they can report any challenges they or their peers may be facing.

 

Help us continue this important work at home with your students by encouraging healthy online and social media habits. This includes:

• If your student has a social media account, advise them to remain private and not accept follower requests or messages from strangers.

• Monitoring your student's social media use and checking their messages, likes, and saved videos. You can reference these parent guides for TikTok, Instagram, and SnapChat.

• Talk to your student about online privacy and safety

• Utilize other parent resources from our Digital Citizenship curriculum partners at Common Sense

• Practice Healthy Screen Time - see our Healthy Habit for Screen Time video here.

• Continue utilizing our Second Step resources at home with your students: TK & Kinder, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, and 8th Grade

 

It takes all of us to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. If you have any questions about mental health resources for your student(s), do not hesitate to contact your school.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership,

 

Dr. Maribel Garcia

Superintendent, El Monte City School District

Parents and guardians, as a reminder, you can access your Annual Notification of Parent Rights packet on our district website by clicking here. School districts are required to annually notify pupils, parents, and guardians of their rights and responsibilities, as well as about state and district policies. The Annual Notification contains important information that can be referenced throughout the year.

Are you or someone you know looking to pursue a career in education? Do you want to be more involved in your student's district? As we prepare for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there are many job openings available at EMCSD! We have listed a few below. You can also see more on the graphics above.

 

• Custodial Substitute
• Health Services Specialist
• Migrant Ed Saturday Academy: Lead Teacher
• Nutrition Service Assistant Substitute
• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
• and much more!

The children day parade and harvest festival are back! With a petting zoo, train rides, food booths, arts & crafts vendors, and so much more!

 

Harvest Festival Details:

When: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Time: 10:30am - 1:30pm

Where: Arceo Park, 3125 Tyler Ave.

 

Children's Parade starts at 10:15 am on Main Street and Tyler Avenue. Parade travels south on Tyler Avenue and concludes at Arceo Park. A variety of school bands, cheerleaders, folklórico dancers, sports teams, special guests and much more!

 

There is also an opportunity for a drawing for FREE Bikes and Helmets! The 2023 Emily Ishigaki Children's Day Parade and Harvest Festival Bicycle Opportunity Drawing for children 14 an under. Limit one entry per child. Opportunity drawing will be held at 1:15pm SHARP. Winner must be present.

Looking for a place for your child to meet new friends, new adventures, and make a difference in the world? That place is Girl Scouts! Parents/caregivers are invited to join us at a local meeting to learn how you can be part of the fun!

 

When: Monday, September 18, 2023

Time: 6:00pm

Where: Jeff Seymour Family Center, 10900 Mulhall St., El Monte, CA 91731

 

For more info contact: [email protected] or call (626)-677-2360

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with award winning author Aida Salazar as she discusses her book Land of the Cranes. This is a story of an immigrant family's flight to Los Angeles after escaping near certain death in Mexico. A series of tragedies leads nine year old Betita and her pregnant mother alone in a Los Angeles detention center, struggling with the realities of separation from Betita's father. This story - told in verse - highlights the struggles of refugees to the United States. Join us for a conversation with author Aida Salazar.

 

Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. To sign up, visit library and see staff, or register online by clicking button below.

 

When: Saturday, September 16, 2023

Time: 11am-12pm

Where: Norwood Library, 4550 N. Peck Rd., El Monte

 

For ages 9-13 with parent or caregiver. Children will receive books donated by Walmart. While supplies last.

Join Senator Susan Rubio in partnership with the YWCA and the El Monte Union High School District for a free seminar aimed at empowering young women to become leaders of tomorrow! Workshops include Wellness, Financial Literacy, Etiquette, and Healthy Relationships. Click on the button below to register for the event.

 

Ages: 7th grade - College

When: September 30, 2023

Time: 9am - 1:30pm

Where: El Monte High School, 3038 Tyler Ave., El Monte, CA

 

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Rubio's office at (626) 430-2499