Shelyn Students Give Thanks To
Those Who Keep Them Safe
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Shelyn students surprise crossing guard Tony Cazabat to thank him for his service. |
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Students want to make a difference. At Shelyn, students have formed the Philanthropy Club, where each month they focus on a special issue. In October, it was recycling for the environment. For November, students chose to give thanks to Shelyn crossing guards, Angie Montano and Tony Cazabat.
“These two special people are out there every day protecting our children, rain or shine,” said Shelyn Teacher and Philanthropy Club Advisor, Kathy Blair.
The Philanthropy Club promoted their slogan across the campus, "A Quarter for Kindness." Out of 406 students, 345 quarters were collected! The Shelyn family of students and parents walked to the crosswalk today to surprise and honor crossing guards with flowers and gift cards.
“I will always be here to keep you safe. Thank you so much,” said Cazabat, who was hugged by students and parents. “This means so much to me.”
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A Noble Return
Spotlight on Nogales Noble Regiment
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Nogales Noble Regiment, under the direction of band director Mr. Shota Horikawa, scored 1st Place in their division in band and color guard at the Loara Band Review. |
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The sound of music fills the air once again as band students practice in the evenings in the new Nogales High School stadium. Rowland Unified is excited to welcome back music teacher Mr. Shota Horikawa as he returns in a new capacity, as director of the Nogales Noble Regiment Band. “It’s really exciting to be back in Rowland and to be back at Nogales High School,” said Horikawa. “I have seen students I taught when they were in elementary school and who are now seniors! I just missed the vibe of our community and the tremendous support for the arts. When I saw the position was open, I knew I had to apply," said Horikawa.
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Mr. Horikawa (or Mr. H as known by the students), began his career in RUSD. He has taught the elementary strings and band program at Oswalt Academy, the Rorimer Elementary Band, Hollingworth Elementary Band, assisted Giano Intermediate with their Mariachi program and helped Hurley Elementary with their after school Mariachi program. While at Alvarado Intermediate, he ran the middle school band, orchestra and choir program and led the District’s elementary honor orchestra program.
This year, especially after having 18 months of not marching, the decision was made to compete in parade circuits in Southern California. At their very first competition, the Nogales High School Noble Regiment scored 1st place in their division in band and color guard at the Loara Band Review in Anaheim.
“Coming back this year has been life changing since the pandemic. Just to see all my friends again and to socialize and be in person, it’s been welcoming and a nice experience versus being at home,” said Sergio Gutierrez, the Regiment’s Tuba Section Leader and Brass Captain. He is proud to play a pivotal role in the organization. “To be a leader to me is to be an inspiration and role model for others and to shine a light and open new doors for others. This year I hope to go out with a bang and just try to be the best I can to inspire new players for our band.”
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(Left to Right) Color Guard Captains Mia Perez and Gabriela Alverdin, Drum Major Elmer Palomares-Gibson, and Drum Captain Jonathan Aguilar. |
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Another key senior is Drum Major Elmer Palomares-Gibson. “I thought it would be difficult returning but it’s really nostalgic being back at school and so much better than being at home. Helping new students get back on track with their instruments has been a challenge, but it has been fun doing what I love and working with music and others.”
“Mr. Horikawa is the best thing to come from the pandemic,” said Gutierrez. “He is very helpful, very caring, he loves his students individually. We just see him like a family member because he makes us feel like home, a nice, safe place in the band room.”
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Horikawa shares,“I want the community to know that we are back and focused on keeping students engaged, active and involved in the program. We would love to see our program grow and are proud of the talent we have in not only our students, but our incredible music teachers at Telesis, Oswalt, Giano and all of our feeder schools. We are ready to explode this program once again!”
Love is in the air at Nogales High School! Pictured above the recently engaged Noble Teacher couple, NHS Band Director Mr. Shota Horikawa and NHS Math Teacher Fiona Rizzo.
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Accepting Donations Now for Annual
RUSD Holiday Gift Basket Program
For more than 45 years, Rowland Unified School District has celebrated the holidays by supporting the HOLIDAY BASKET PROGRAM for Rowland families in need. Combined with the joint efforts of members of the Walnut Valley Rotary Club, other dedicated community volunteers, Rowland employees, our Family Resource Center, Interact Clubs from Rowland and Nogales High Schools and the Associated Student Bodies of Nogales, Rowland and Santana High Schools, this donation program nurtures the spirit of the holidays in our community.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to collect non-perishable items from individuals this year. Alternatively, we are accepting monetary donations so we can provide families in need with grocery store gift cards to make a purchase to complete their holiday meal.
To support this worthwhile program, donations are being accepted now through Friday, December 17, 2021. Donations can be provided to your school office marked RUSD Holiday Gift Basket Program or mailed directly to:
Rowland Unified School District
Superintendent’s Office: RUSD HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS
c/o Gina Ward, Public Information Officer
1830 S. Nogales Street, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Please make checks payable to Walnut Valley Rotary Foundation.
Thank you for your generosity!
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RUSD Performing Arts Center
Reopens Its Doors
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The Rowland Unified School District Performing Arts Center reopened its doors to showcase our talented students across the District. The first drama production featured was "The Greek Mythology Olypiaganza" by the Nogales High School drama department. Student Director Emily Hernandez shared,"With this being my first live production, it was a stressful experience, but I was very proud of our end result and the drama family that we built to make it happen. We look forward to entertaining everyone once again with our spring show in April."
Rowland High School's drama department performed "Voices 2000" on November 12 & 13 and are excited to bring to our community more productions this Spring.
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We look forward to sharing information on upcoming events. For more information about the RUSD Performing Arts Center, please click here.
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RUSD
Performing Arts Center
2000 S. Otterbein Ave.
Rowland Heights
(located at Rowland High School)
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UP NEXT...
Winter Choral Concert THIS FRIDAY Featuring Nogales HS & Telesis Academy
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Enjoy Winter Choral Concerts by two of our schools this Friday, December 3 starting at 6 PM:
Telesis Academy Winter Choaral Concert at 6 PM
Followed by Nogales High School Winter Choral Concert
Tickets are available at GoFan.co
*LACDPH COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols followed. Seating is limited and face masks must be worn at all times.
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Help Us Build RUSD's Future - Openings for Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee |
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Two Openings for RUSD Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee
The District is looking for two community members to join our team on the RUSD Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee. We are looking for members that represent the community in two specific areas: a member of a Tax Payers' Organization and a Business Community Member. The committee reviews the District's expenditures of bond proceeds raised by the $118 million 2006 Measure R Bond and the $158.8 Million 2021 Measure R Bond for schools across the District.
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Novenber 29, 2021 Issue RUSD News Editor gward@rowlandschools.org |
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Proud to Serve Our Communities of Rowland Heights, La Puente, Walnut & West Covina
www.RowlandSchools.org
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