Alvarado Named California Schools to Watch Model Middle School for 6th Time!
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Alvarado Intermediate School was named for the
sixth time
as one of California’s “Schools to Watch
™
– Taking Center Stage” model middle schools.
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This state and national distinction identifies Alvarado Intermediate as a high-performing middle grade school in the areas of academic excellence,
responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents and social equity
and the school has retained their designation for this award.
The school was first named a national model middle school in 2004, then redesignated in 2007, 2011, 2014, 2017 and again in 2020.
The school’s leadership team led by Principal Scott Cavanias has been invited to present at The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform Conference on March 5, 2020 in Sacramento where they will receive the award.
“
We are extremely honored and excited to be recognized as a School to Watch for the 6th time,” said
Cavanias.
“Our students and staff have been committed to living our vision of core values and beliefs, and this 5th re-designation is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We are very appreciative of the support from our parents, families, and community members who continue to help us be the world's greatest version of US each and every day!"
The STW™—TCS program is sponsored by the
California League of Middle Schools (CLMS)
and the California Department of Education, in partnership with the
California Middle Grades Alliance
. Schools must complete an extensive application that is reviewed by middle grade experts to earn this designation. In order to retain the designation, each school is re-evaluated every three years.
Pictured Above:
Alvarado's leaders strike a pose! Students at "Be the Change" Project Based Learning Event last spring. ALL Alvarado 7th and 8th grade students exhibited projects that were a culimination of months of exploration and inquiry about being an agent of change in their community and the world around them.
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Energy Commission Grant Fosters Hands-On Learning for Nogales and Rowland High School Auto Students
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Rowland and Nogales High School automotive students get to build an electric car thanks to a California Energy Commission Grant. A
bove left to right:
Rowland High students Jesus Gomez, Daniel Hurtado, Luis Elozacata and Andrew Meacham with Switch Electric Vehicle
(featured in video below).
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For automotive students, hands-on learning is essential for success in the workplace. Some skills can’t be taught entirely through books alone.
A Switch Electric Vehicle Kit will provide critical hands-on learning opportunities to Rowland Unified School District students at both Nogales High School and Rowland High School, thanks to a California Energy Commission Grant.
Commissioner Patty Monahan visited both schools in December to present a special award plaque and talk with students about the importance of electric vehicles in California. She told the students that Tesla’s Model 3 is currently the third best-selling car in California, and the state needs a strong automotive repair workforce to meet consumer demand.
“California is working to accelerate the electric vehicle market,” Monahan said. “We want to make sure there’s a workforce to support all the electric vehicles that are coming to market and are still to come.”
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Nogales High School Automotive Teacher Raymond Alvarado holding award with students (left to right) Fabian Pasillas, Horacio Gonzalez, Jr., Juan Herrera and Anthony Martinez with Switch Electric Vehicle (
featured in video below
).
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Nogales High School Automotive Teacher, Raymond Alvarado, said students have already begun disassembling and reassembling the Switch vehicle. “The real aspect of building an electric vehicle allows them to decide whether electric vehicles are something they want to pursue as a career,” Alvarado said.
Those career decisions are already happening for Nogales High School student Fabian Pasillas. “I wasn’t looking into a career in this industry, but now that I’m getting more knowledge and experience, it’s convinced me,” Pasillas said.
Eduardo Martin, the automotive instructor at Rowland High School, said students are working on the vehicle over the course of the school year, tackling everything from the suspension to computer systems. “The biggest benefit I’ve seen from this project is that students get to learn about future technology and where electric vehicles are heading,” Martin said. “The Switch vehicle caters to both student fundamentals and future technologies.”
Rowland High School student Andrew Meacham said the Switch vehicle has introduced new challenges into the classroom. "The biggest challenge we’ve come across is that none of us had worked with electronics before,” Meacham said. “We are learning how to build circuit boards and getting those things done.”
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Rowland High School enrolls more than 150 students in its automotive program, which is part of the
Clean Fuels Transportation Pilot Career Opportunity Project
. It also has an automotive club called the “Rollin’ Raiders” that participates in community events and helps recruit students to the automotive program.
For further information, please contact Rowland High School teacher Eduardo Martin (pictured) at emartin@rowlandschools.org
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For further information, please contact Nogales High School Teacher Raymond.Alvarado@rowlandschools.org
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In the News....
Recent Press Coverage
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San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Features
District Performing Arts Center Opening
New Center for
ALL
RUSD Schools!
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The Nogales High School Orchestra performs during the grand opening of the Rowland Unified School District Performing Arts Center in Rowland Heights, Calif. on Friday January 31, 2020.
(Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
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PUBLISHED: February 1, 2020 at 5:05 pm | UPDATED: February 1, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Rowland Unified celebrated the grand opening of its $8 million Performing Arts Center at Rowland High School on Friday a half-hour before its annual Winterfest strings concert kicked off.
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World Journal
Feature 2/6/20
Alvarado初中 6膺加州模範初中
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February 6, 2020 Issue Questions? Contact 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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