PALMDALE – Friends of the Gentle Barn raised more than $2,300 Friday evening for a non-profit organization that helps abused and neglected farm animals. About 50 people showed up to the Hilton Garden Inn in Palmdale to enjoy a cocktail hour, silent auction and fashion show for The Gentle Barn. “I had a blast,”...
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LANCASTER – The Westside Union School District Board of Trustees this week voted to create the Hillview 6th Grade Honors Academy. The new program will add 6th grade honor students to the school, which is currently comprised of 7th and 8th grade students. This program is the latest effort by Westside Union School District...
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LANCASTER – Antelope Valley College students are hosting a fashion show and silent auction on May 11 to help raise money and awareness for abused or neglected farm animals. The event is part of the final project for a Small Group Communications class, where students were asked to find a charity that means something...
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LANCASTER – Steven was a daily target for bullies. They kicked him, punched him, pushed him and called him names every single day, he said. One day Steven ran away to avoid being hit, but a friend-turned-bully pushed him to the ground mid-run, and Steven sustained the worst injuries he’s ever had. With his...
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LANCASTER – Antelope Valley High School was locked down for about one hour Friday morning as authorities investigated a report of a student brandishing a gun in class. The gun turned out to be fake, and the 10th grade student was arrested. The following is the press report from the Lancaster Station: At 10:05...
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PALMDALE – The Guidance Charter School will hold a Town Hall Meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the school’s Administration Building/Cafeteria, located at 1125-B East Palmdale Blvd., in Palmdale. Parents, staff and members of the public are invited to ask questions and share suggestions and recommendations regarding the...
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Lancaster – In less than six months, the Vex Robotics team at Joe Walker Middle School has gone from upstart rookie to nationally ranked challenger. Next week, the 10-member team will test their mettle at the Vex Robotics Middle School World Championship competition, to be held from April 18 to April 21 in Anaheim....
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LANCASTER – With signs such as “Students say stay cool, don’t close the pool” and “New Stadium = closed pool?” Antelope Valley College students protested the possible closure of the campus pool Monday evening during the Board of Trustees meeting. In early March, Coach Jackie Lott received an email stating that the pool would...
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LANCASTER – Students, parents, teachers, and art enthusiasts gathered at Lancaster City Hall Thursday evening for an artist reception to kick off the 27th Annual Antelope Valley Unified High School District Art Show. Now in its 27th year, the art show encourages and supports the artistic experimentation and expression of student artists from schools...
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LANCASTER – Lancaster City Hall was alive with color Wednesday. Colorful knitted spider webs covered hedges, flamboyant scarves and sweaters wrapped around tree trunks, crocheted lollipops and God’s eyes hung from branches, and vibrant pom poms sprouted out of potted plants. The decorative flair was added by 18 art students from R. Rex Parris...
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LANCASTER – At age 44, University of Antelope Valley Culinary student John Delgado will tell you he still feels young at heart. It’s a good thing, because he’s about to spend six months at the Happiest Place on Earth. As John nears completion of his Certificate in Culinary Arts, he and his family prepare...
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PALMDALE – The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA) received nearly 800 student applications for its opening in 2012-13 and will host a public random drawing for enrollment of students. TPAA received student applications in excess of capacity for grades seventh and eighth at the close of its application window on March 16; however, there are...
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PALMDALE – For months, Jennifer Williams, Emani Stanford, Alexis Hithe and Sarah Grace Durham gave up their weekends and spent working lunches boning up on African American culture, accomplishments and history. Their hard work and discipline paid off Saturday, when the four SOAR High School seniors clinched victory for a second time at the...
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LANCASTER – Westside Union School District’s Joe Walker Middle School is now accepting applications for the STEALTH Academy, a program centered on Science, Technology, Engineering and Learning Through Humanities. The program will begin at Joe Walker in the fall of 2012. An Open House meeting will be hosted from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday,...
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PALMDALE – High school students from all over Los Angeles County will make their way to Palmdale next week for the 2nd Annual Black365 Knowledge Bowl Competition, a “Jeopardy” style quiz competition based on Black history facts found in the Black365 Calendar and beyond. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m., March 17, at...
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PALMDALE – Rancho Vista Elementary held a ribbon cutting Monday to mark the grand opening of the school’s computer lab, which now features 30 new desktop computers. The computers were a gift from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). “They’ve been doing fundraising for several years and they amassed enough money to purchase all of...
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LANCASTER – Over 20 members of the community read to the children of West Wind Elementary Friday in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and National Read Across America Day. “I like the opportunity to hear people from a variety of professions,” said Janine Simi, a teacher at West Wind Elementary, “(who) not only read...
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PALMDALE – Construction is underway for Dos Caminos School set to be complete August 2012 in Palmdale. The school will provide a dual immersion education program for up to 480 students, said Dos Caminos School Principal Marlene Calcines. “We are absolutely ecstatic that we’ve opened another dual immersion program,” Calcines said. The dual immersion...
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LANCASTER – At the Lancaster City Council meeting Tuesday, Desert Christian High School senior Scott Acton, was presented with the Mayor’s Athlete of the Month Award by Vice Mayor Ron Smith. Acton, the Boys Cross Country team captain, helped lead his team to a second place finish at the State Cross Country meet, where...
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PALMDALE – The California Association of Bilingual Education (“CABE”) announced that Los Amigos Elementary School, Palmdale School District’s Dual Immersion School of Choice, has been given the 2012 Seal of Excellence Award. The Seal of Excellence was inaugurated in 1996 to honor exemplary bilingual education programs throughout the state. “We are very humbled and...
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Quartz Hill – Applications are in for the new Gregg Anderson School. With more than 900 applications and only 733 seats available, Westside Union School District held a lottery Wednesday afternoon for the random selection of students. Parents and students gathered at Hillview Middle School to watch the projector for their name to appear....
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PALMDALE – The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA) is currently receiving student applications for the 2012-13 school year. Parents and guardians of students currently enrolled in grades 6, 7 and 8 are encouraged to apply. Applications are available online at: www.palmdalesd.org/tpaa. Hard copies of the application are available at schools within the Palmdale School District....
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LANCASTER – A recent visitor to Del Sur Elementary School has caused quite a stir. Last week, in the early morning hours, students discovered a small owl tangled in the campus soccer nets. The owl – now fondly referred to as Bella – was rescued from the nets by the school principal and other...
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LANCASTER – More than two dozen local students Wednesday got some hands on experience on how city government works, thanks to Lancaster’s Youth in Government program. Now in its 22nd year, the program is much more than the typical shadow-a-government-official-for-the-day program. “It really prepares our kids to be engaged in government, to be responsible...
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LANCASTER – In an ongoing effort to promote change and awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer issues through humor and honesty, The OUT Project and the SOAR Gay/Straight Alliance are offering a free presentation of “Everyone Is Gay.” The program will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Cafeteria...
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LANCASTER – At 10:30 p.m. tonight, Lancaster’s Del Sur middle school will be featured in the nationally broadcast PBS premiere of Not In Our Town – Class Actions, a documentary which profiles students and community members who are creating change in the wake of racism, anti-Semitism, and the traumatic consequences of bullying. The half-hour...
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PALMDALE – Summerwind Intermediate School Friday held its first Space Fair, a carnival put together and ran entirely by junior high school students for early elementary students from the neighboring school. “They had to assemble all the materials they needed, plan out what they needed to do and get it all done in a...
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QUARTZ HILL – Hundreds of families, parents, and educators flocked to Joe Walker Middle School Saturday for the 5th Annual Parent Symposium, hosted by the High Desert Alliance of Black School Educators. This year’s event was arguably the best turn out the program has seen since its conception, despite the cold, wet weather. Organizers...
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PALMDALE – TNA Impact Wrestling Stars Christopher Daniels, Traci Brooks, and Frankie Kazarian flexed their muscles with students at the Palmdale Learning Plaza Tuesday afternoon – for a good cause. The stars were in town to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans as part of a fundraising effort to benefit orphans in...
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Quartz Hill – On Saturday, Jan. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the High Desert Alliance of Black School Educators (HDABSE) will host its 5th Annual Parent Symposium themed: “Positioning Our Students for Success”. The event will take place at Joe Walker Middle School located at 5632 W. Ave. L-8 in Quartz Hill....
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PALMDALE – The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA) will host its first community forum at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at The AERO Institute, located at 38256 Sierra Highway in Palmdale. The forum will be the first of many for parents, guardians and interested community members to hear about and contribute to the academy. Items...
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PALMDALE – The Board of Directors of the South Antelope Valley Education (SAVE) Foundation announced the results of its annual Dream Awards Dinner and Fundraiser. After all expenses, the net total was $44,000 for schools and classrooms. The SAVE Foundation is composed of the Hughes Elizabeth Lakes Union Elementary School District, Westside Union School...
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LANCASTER – Calling all Antelope Valley High School alumni! Your financial assistance is needed to help kick start a new era at a great old high school. On Jan. 14, hundreds of volunteers are expected to converge on the Antelope Valley High School campus to beautify and improve the school’s facilities as part of...
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PALMDALE – In keeping with its commitment to serve the community in the most sincere and transparent way, Guidance Charter School held its annual press conference Wednesday to update the community on how the school is doing. Executive Director Kamal Al-Khatib gave a detailed “progress report,” which covered several areas, including the school’s financial...
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PALMDALE – About two dozen students from the Shadow Hills Intermediate School Builders Club took time from holiday festivities this weekend to pay tribute to military men and women who gave their lives for their country. “This is not something that we have to do,” said Shadow Hills student Justin Brewer. “It’s actually an...
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The Palmdale Aerospace Academy announced Friday that is has been visiting schools that effectively deliver core content curriculum within a “project based learning” focus. To date, leadership from the academy has visited the well-known High Tech High in San Diego, visited academies in Texas, and also gleaned ideas from The Lewis Center located in...
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LANCASTER – They’d spent countless hours, countless rehearsals, and countless days and months practicing and perfecting their routines. And this past weekend, hundreds got to see the high school bands at their finest. “These are our shining stars of the future,” said Bob Hacket, Director of Bands for Antelope Valley High School. Following Saturday’s...
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LANCASTER – The University of the Antelope Valley announced Thursday it will be granting a full-ride bachelor degree scholarship every year to one lucky graduate of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) Program. VIDA is a 16-week program for “at risk” youth, ages 11 to17, which integrates counseling,...
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PALMDALE – This time next year, students and teachers at Anaverde Hills Elementary School will finally have a permanent campus to call their own. Westside Union School District board members joined teachers, students and local officials Friday at a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the permanent site of the Anaverde Hills Elementary School. “It’s been...
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PALMDALE – A ribbon cutting ceremony at Los Amigos School Thursday signified the phase one completion of Palmdale School District’s solar power initiative, a project expected to lessen the carbon footprint in the Antelope Valley and save the district more than $20 million under a power purchase agreement between the district and PsomasFMG. “We...
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PALMDALE – The Board of Directors of the Palmdale Aerospace Academy selected its officers and appointed an additional Board Member at its inaugural meeting of the Board of Directors last week. Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford was chosen as President; local businessman and charter school operator Dante Simi, Treasurer; and Aero Institute Executive Director Susan...
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LANCASTER – University of Antelope Valley founders, Marco and Sandra Johnson, presented the third $10,000 installment of their $100,000, 10-year commitment to the Athletic and Cheer Departments of Antelope Valley High School. A ceremony, in recognition of Johnsons’ commitment to their alma mater, took place Friday evening at the Brent Newcomb football stadium before...
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LANCASTER – Many students of Antelope Valley College (AVC) Monday said they supported the California Dream Act, which will allow undocumented students who meet certain in-state tuition requirements to apply for and receive financial aid and Cal grants starting January 2013. To be eligible, the students must have gone to a California high school...
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PALMDALE – The South Antelope Valley Education Foundation (SAVE) held a press conference Tuesday to announce the recipient of the 2011 DREAM Award, and to hear testimonials from students who have benefited from the program. SAVE was founded four years ago and has raised about $300,000 altogether, said Roger Gallizzi superintendent of the Palmdale...
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PALMDALE – About two hundred students at Cimarron Elementary School were ecstatic to have Mickey Mouse, Mini Mouse, and Hello Kitty walking them to school Thursday morning. The walk was part of International Walk to School Day, a countrywide effort aimed at creating safer and improved streets, healthier habits, and encouraging a more active...
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LANCASTER – Antelope Valley College has been awarded more than $2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education, California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott announced Friday. Scott said the funds will make a college education attainable for Latino students while expanding and enhancing the academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability at...
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LANCASTER – Educators, administrators and community professionals gathered Tuesday night at Eastside High School in the name of the future. The Antelope Valley School Boards Association hosted its first Community Education Summit to discuss the tremendous budget cuts and general shortfalls in the California education system, while in the same token celebrating the gains....
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PALMDALE – All five candidates for the Palmdale School District’s Governing Board have confirmed their attendance at a debate tonight, presented by the League of Women Voters Antelope Valley. Incumbent Robert “Bo” Bynum, businessman Warren G. Gatling, retired maintenance director Charles Mike McElfresh, teacher Maria G. Molina, and appointed incumdent Marcanthony Sanchez will share...
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PALMDALE – The name Cynthia Beverly may not register in high profile philanthropic organizations or local charities. But Cynthia Beverly is known throughout the poor and disadvantaged communities of Lancaster and Palmdale, as the woman to call when your kids are in trouble and need some real help. “I bring it for real,” she...
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SACRAMENTO—California could receive $3.1 billion to prevent the layoffs of an estimated 30,000 education jobs under President Barack Obama’s American Jobs Act proposal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said this week. “The place for our teachers is in the classroom—not the unemployment line,” Torlakson said. “The American Jobs Act represents an opportunity...
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LANCASTER – Dozens of parents and students gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday to mark the opening of Life Source International Charter School — Lancaster School District’s First Approved Charter School. “I love it,” said Linda Howard, whose daughter Jasmine Jefferson will be attending. “I can’t wait to see her first report card...
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SACRAMENTO — Nearly 95 percent of students from the Class of 2011 met the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) requirement, and tests administered over the last school year also showed improvement among the state’s African American and Hispanic students, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced Wednesday. From the Class of 2011,...
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PALMDALE – Several youngsters skipped the AV Fair Tuesday to participate in an event aimed at uniting and celebrating the youth of the Antelope Valley. The City’s Next Generation Youth Council hosted “Celebrate Youth 2011” Tuesday at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center. “This is a great opportunity for youth to join their peers for...
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A new episode of “Tavis Smiley Reports,” a primetime special on PBS, will examine the increased dropout rate among black teenage males. In the episode, titled “Too Important to Fail,” Smiley travels across the country, speaking to education experts as well as to the boys themselves about the challenges they face and how education can...
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SACRAMENTO – New statewide reports show a 59% graduation rate for African American students, a number well below the statewide graduation rate of 74.4 percent. Consistent with the graduation rates, the dropout rates also illustrate that African American students (30.1%) are more likely to drop out than their peers. “Sadly, the graduation rates of...
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