Kwis Elementary School

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified students are learning the fundamentals of filmmaking in The Youth Cinema Project (YCP), an exciting new summer pilot program in the District that is hosted at Lassalette School.

The program, which runs through June 30, teaches young filmmakers graduate-level concepts under the guidance of industry professionals, with the goal of producing short student-created videos based on real-world social and community issues that will be shared on YouTube.

Two YCP morning classes are offered at Lassalette, one for fifth-grade through sixth-grade students and one for seventh-grade through eighth-grade, where students are learning the basics of scriptwriting, cinematography, sound mixing and post-production editing. 

“The students are collaborating and team-building each day, teaching them how to communicate on top of learning college-level film skills,” Youth Cinema Project mentor Courtney Marsh said. “We encourage our students to take something personal such as a social issue in their community that they care about and pitch it to the class, asking students to dig deep, be vulnerable and express themselves.”

The YCP curriculum was developed by the Latino Film Institute, founded by award-winning actor, producer and director Edward James Olmos, to help students grow their interpersonal skills, promote equity and close the achievement gap. To support the program, the District has provided equipment and technology to assist the YCP mentors.

“I have really enjoyed working as a team with the other students and learning what it takes to be a producer,” sixth-grade YCP student Madelyn Lee-Maslar said. “This program has taught me how to communicate with others to create something meaningful and has inspired me to be a producer when I grow up.”

Hacienda La Puente Unified will hold a YCP summer video showcase at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29 at Lassalette School to celebrate the success of the student films.

“Thank you to the Board of Education for supporting the Youth Cinema Project and initiating this incredible opportunity for Hacienda La Puente Unified,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “Our students have stories to share with the world and this project provides them with the platform, training and industry mentors to do so. We are thrilled to see their final projects.”

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HLPUSD_YOUTHCINEMAPROJECT: Seventh- and eighth-grade Youth Cinema project students get ready to film their interviews during the summer pilot program at Lassalette School. 

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified teachers on special assignment (TOSA) Teresa Magpayo Castro and Ricardo Recinos believe that every student, no matter what their background, can achieve at the highest levels with technology successfully incorporated into the classroom.

Magpayo Castro and Recinos are co-hosts of the live-streamed professional development webinar “TRansformational Tech,” which aims to equip HLPUSD educators with the tech tools they need to support equity in the classroom while using concepts such as social-emotional learning, student engagement, design-based learning and virtual reality.

“It is a privilege and an honor to support our amazing colleagues, educators around the globe, parents, community, and most importantly – our students,” Magpayo Castro said.  “Thank you to Hacienda La Puente Unified and Superintendent Dr. Jiménez for providing us with a platform that allows us to explore endless opportunities to develop tech tools for the District community and beyond.”

The tech TOSAs’ enthusiasm and rapport has garnered many admirers and expanded the “TRansformational Tech” audience beyond Hacienda La Puente Unified to reach tech fans worldwide.

Hacienda La Puente Unified educators are frequent guests on the program, including a recent end-of-the-school-year show that featured La Puente High School principal Dr. Lisa Lopez and HLPUSD students who shared their thoughts on transitioning between online and in-person learning.

Magpayo Castro and Recinos’s efforts are featured in the California Teachers Association (CTA) California Educator Magazine, mailed to every teacher in the state and available on the CTA website.

“Thank you, Hacienda La Puente Unified for your support and allowing us to do what we love,” Recinos said. “Learning and growing with our teachers and striving for all students to have the quality education they deserve means the world to us. We are proud to be HLPUSD.” 

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HLPUSD_TECHTOSAS: Teresa Magpayo Castro and Ricardo Recinos join online to live stream an episode of their fun and educational webinar, Transformational Tech.

CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified's Class of 2022 graduates weaved across the stadium floors in harmony to "Pomp and Circumstance," receiving praise from the audience, fist bumps from distinguished guests and proudly accepting their diplomas during commencement ceremonies on May 17 and 19.

The District honored nearly 1,300 graduates from its four comprehensive high schools and alternative high school. Valley, William Workman and La Puente high schools held their festivities on May 17, followed by Glen A. Wilson and Los Altos high schools concluding the celebrations on May 19.

The ceremonies featured choir and band performances, chants, alma mater support, salutes and heartfelt speeches from exceptional students.

"On behalf of the entire Board of Education, I would like to say what an honor it has been to watch our students grow into the extraordinary young adults we see today," Board President Jeffrey De La Torre said. "At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we empower our students to meet the challenges and opportunities of a changing world and we have no doubt our graduates will continue to prevail. Congratulations to the Class of 2022!"

During the commencement ceremonies, principals announced special honors to graduates receiving the School Scholar Award, given to students with a 3.5 GPA or higher; the District Scholar Award, presented to students with 3.8 GPA or higher; the California State Seal of Biliteracy Awards, the Perfect Attendance Award and more.

Hacienda La Puente Unified Class of 2022 graduates have been accepted to 122 colleges and four-year universities in 29 states and five countries. Students have also been recognized for their academic and athletic achievements and awarded thousands of dollars in local and national scholarships.

"The Class of 2022 has shown such strength, resilience and heart over the past four years, navigating their academic careers and persevering and excelling during distance learning and setting a positive example for students as they returned to in-person learning in fall 2021," Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez. "This year, our District's theme was Learning Forward – Building Bolder and I am proud to say that our graduating students have thrived in their studies and helped build our District's success. May you continue to build a brighter and bold future for yourself and remember that we are proud to be HLPUSD. Congratulations!"  

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HLPUSD_COMMENCEMENTCEREMONIES1: La Puente High School Class of 2022 students graduate alongside 220 of their peers on May 17.

HLPUSD_COMMENCEMENTCEREMONIES2: Los Altos High School graduating scholar-athletes celebrate earning their diplomas during a commencement ceremony on May 19.