Giano Receives National Recognition
Giano Intermediate Principal Carlos Ochoa (center) is recognized at the Board of Education Meeting by Gabe Soumakian and Jud Wood from Paxton/Patterson, a leader in Career Technical Education (CTE). Giano was honored as a Distinguished National Best Practice Showcase School Site for their College & Career Technical Education Lab.
Giano Intermediate School has been recognized as one of only 10 schools in the United States to earn the distinction of being a Distinguished National Best Practice Showcase Site for their College and Career Lab. Education leaders across the region gathered for the CTE Los Angeles County Middle School Conference, which was hosted at Rowland High School, where leaders received a tour of Giano Intermediate’s College and Career Lab.

The College and Career Lab is completely focused on creating a career experience that helps students decide where their interests and aptitudes align within a career pathway. Due to its popularity, Giano has expanded the amount of class periods so that more than 150 students can enjoy the program. It allows students to experience 18 different career fields that are aligned to the Career Pathways Program offered at both Nogales and Rowland High Schools. Students rotate through exciting, hands-on lessons in interest areas such as Forensic Science, Sports Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Personal Finance, EMT/Nursing, Culinary Arts and so much more.

Rowland Unified is proud to offer two of these state-of-the-art new labs, the second one is at Alvarado Intermediate.
Giano's College & Career Technical Lab: Students experiencing hands-on technical learning in action in fields such as Nursing (top), award-winning teacher Ms. Bladh helps students with drill press, other career modules include Electronics, Structural Engineering and Drywall/Construction.
SUPER READING POWERS UNLEASHED AT JELLICK AND ROWLAND EL
Rowland and Jellick Elementary School teachers combine forces to unleash super reading powers for Kindergartners with Reader's and Writer's Workshop. (Above: Rowland El Kindergarten Teacher Ashley McGrath with super readers!)
Is it a bird, is it a plane -- no, it's READERMAN! These masked superheroes (Principals John Staumont and John Martinez) surprised Kindergarten readers with an epic finale to -- Who is Readerman?!

They also delighted guests at the neighborhood Starbucks as they fueled up before their flights to Rowland and Jellick Elementary classrooms!
By Ashley Mc Grath, Kindergarten Teacher, Rowland Elementary
Rowland and Jellick Elementary's commitment, focus, and collaborative effort in reading and writing was highlighted in a special celebration for some of our youngest learners. In Kindergarten, Reader's Workshop at Jellick and Rowland Elementary Schools started in August with a Reading Parade. Students marched through hallways and classrooms holding their favorite storybook with two hands, high in the air, shouting with conviction, “WE ARE READERS! WE ARE READERS!” With classroom libraries as the heart and soul of the classroom, Kinder readers build stamina, engagement, and empowerment within their readerly lives. At the core of reading instruction is developing reading identity. 

In October, our young readers started the second unit, “Super Powers,” where they were invited by “READERMAN” to begin learning conventional reading strategies. Students gained pointer power, sound power, picture power, persistence power, and more. Mystery Readers were invited to celebrate Kindergartners’ work with a special read aloud, sharing their own readerly lives with our youngest readers. We had mystery readers represented from almost every department in our District Office and they came, delighting our students in a special reading cape!

For the culminating celebration, Principals Dr. John Staumont and John Martinez swapped schools for the morning, dressed head to toe in their Readerman costumes -- mask and cape decorated with snap words, reading tattoos, a super readerman suit, and even golden glitter shoes! In addition to a hilarious and engaging read aloud that left every child rolling on the floor laughing, Readerman delivered the message to every reader in the room that they matter, they are important, they are powerful, and they can change the world. 

The amount of readerly love and joy that was shared at the celebration was immeasurable. This celebration was only a snippet of continuous collaborative work between the Kinder teams at Jellick and Rowland Elementary Schools. This special celebration was made possible by a collective effort between classified, certificated, and administrators. We don’t do this work alone. #BetterTogether 

Our community can capture the innovative teaching and learning that takes place daily in Rowland Unified classrooms on Twitter by following @RowlandSchools #WeAreRUSD.
25th Anniversary of Connections to the Future
More than 200 business and community leaders packed the Rowland High School gym to help high school students learn how to “network” and practice their presentation skills at the 25th annual “Connections to the Future” luncheon event held on November 19, 2019. Organized and facilitated by senior students in the Career Certification Program at both Nogales and Rowland High Schools, the event teaches students professional networking and employment skills as they interact with business leaders and share with them their career fields of interest. The Connections to the Future event highlights the award-winning Career Certification Program of the Rowland Unified School District. The program prepares high school students for college and the workforce with real-world experience in eight different industry pathways: Arts/Media/Entertainment, Computer Science, Education and Child Development, Engineering/Construction/Transportation, Finance and Marketing, Health Science & Medical Technology, Hospitality, and Public Services. Students complete courses and an internship in their field of interest.
Community Gives to RUSD Families For Thanksgiving
A team of volunteers arrived at the RUSD Family Resource Center yesterday to distribute more than 100 turkeys that were generously donated for District families in need.

Rowland Unified is thankful to the outpouring of donations of food and volunteers from our friends and partners to help families enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner:
  • Ecolab
  • Faith Community Church
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Kiwanis Club
  • Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
  • Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
  • Majority Leader of California Assembly, Ian Calderon
  • RUSD employees and families
  • Southlands Church
  • Surrender Church
So Much News Every Minute Follow Us on Twitter @RowlandSchools
Rowland High School ( @rowlandhs ) 

Rowland High School was named in
Newsweek’s 2020 Top STEM High Schools list. There were 5,000 schools named across the country and Rowland came in at 1,971. Rowland HS is one of the few schools in the area to be acknowledged in this publication: https://t.co/n9DisDzmjp?amp=1
Nancy Delgadillo ( @ntdelgadillo ) tweeted Wed, Nov 20, 2019:

@villacortarusd Rowland Robotics team had a great time at @RowlandSchools 1st Elementary Robotics Event. Big thanks to @momgonzales @JellickBuck and the rest of your team for planning the Turkey Trot. Kids are ready for next year!  https://t.co/n2X3gAewDy
Take a look at the small but mighty group of @RowlandSchools certificated and classified staff that turned an idea into reality! #WeAreRUSD @JellickBuck @momgonzales @Rorimeredtech @_JulieMitchell_

Brandi Miller ( @teacherbrandi ) tweeted on Wed, Nov 20, 2019:

You all out together an amazing experience for the kids and everyone in attendance! Great job! #WeAreRUSD #RowlandRobotics
April Galindo ( @Aprilcmg1 )
on Wed, Nov 20, 2019:

So very very proud of all the hard work the Northam Robotics Team put into learning all about their EV3 lego robots. They won 1st place in the very first annual #TurkeyTrot Way to go Knights! #WeAreRUSD #RowlandSchools #Northampride #rowlandrobotics @NorthamPride
Student Services ( @StuServicesRUSD ) tweeted
Nov 08, 2019:

Congratulations to our very own
Dr. Mitchell on receiving the State ACSA Marcus Foster award! We are so proud of our wonderful leader!!
Gregory Perez ( @GPerezRowland ) tweeted Thu, Nov 21, 2019:

Congratulations to Maria Texca this year's recipient of the Every Student Succeeds award.  #WeAreRUSD @Santana_Eagles
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Thanksgiving Break - All schools closed November 25-29

  • RUSD FOOD DISTRIBUTION MOVED TO DECEMBER 2! Please spread the word -- Our monthly Mobile Food Pantry by Tzu Chi Foundation at Villacorta Elementary School has had to move to Monday, December 2 from 11 AM - 12:30 PM! All community members are welcome to this free food distribution. Please bring your own shopping bags or cart.

Community Meetings to share maps and information on new Board of Education Election Proces. For more information visit Transition to By-Trustee Area Election Process . Public invited to the following meeting dates:
  • Monday, December 9 at 5:30 PM at Alvarado Intermediate
  • Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30 PM at Giano Intermediate
  • Public Hearing December 12 at 6 PM during Board of Education Meeting at Rowland Unified School District Office

In next issue of RUSD News information on
First Rowland Robotics Turkey Trot and
Holiday Events across the District!
November 22, 2019 Questions? Contact RUSD News Editor gward@rowlandschools.org
Proud to Serve Our Communities of Rowland Heights, La Puente, Walnut & West Covina
www.RowlandSchools.org