CHINO - Students will play a key role in this year's annual State of the District event at 4:00 p.m. on October 8, 2008 at Chino Hills High School. Board of Education President Michael G. Calta will address the guests as part of the evening's program.
Students are preparing and serving the food at the reception, entertaining the guests during the program, providing the floral decorations and producing the video.
"Last year's response to student involvement was so popular that it was decided to expand their role this year," said Julie Gobin, District spokeswoman. "There is an energy among the students who are thrilled to share their talents with the CVUSD community."
Students from the Culinary Arts classes at Ayala, Buena Vista, Chino and Chino Hills High Schools, have prepared shopping lists of ingredients for their dishes and will make the food in class in the days leading up to the event. The students will be responsible for displaying and serving the food at the reception. They are working under the direction of teachers Barbara Allen at Ayala, Kitty Stallcup at Buena Vista, Elizabeth Williams at Chino and Jennell Acker at Chino Hills High Schools. The District's Nutrition Services Department is assisting the teachers with food preparation and at the event.
Ayala High School teacher Aaron Rodriguez is heading up a choral group that will perform two songs during the program. Students from Ayala, Chino and Chino Hills High Schools have been rehearsing separately since the beginning of the school year and will be singing together for the first time that evening.
Kevin Russell, teacher at Ayala High School, has been working with students in his photography classes to produce the video that is the centerpiece of the program. The students have taken an original approach to the traditional video and have been working together on the project since last spring with Mr. Russell. They promise to transport the audience "Above and Beyond" with a look back at CVUSD during the past year.
Don Lugo High School students will be represented in a dance performance and will provide the floral decorations. Teacher Jennifer Kennedy has been working with the school's dance team since summer and will perform one number as part of the program. Students from teacher Christine Dominguez's floriculture classes will design and create the floral centerpieces in the reception area.
"It was evident that our student performances stole the show last year," Mrs. Gobin said. "We are hopeful that our community will take notice of the variety of entertainment and come out to support our students' efforts as well as learn more about the District."
The event is sponsored by the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce. The co-sponsor for this year's event is Waste Management.
Tickets are available through the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, 13150 Seventh Street, Chino. Tickets are $25.00 per person if paid by October 3, 2008 and $30 per person after October 3, 2008. R.S.V.P.s are required and can be made through the Chamber at 909.627.6177. Check-in is at 3:45 p.m. The reception begins at 4:00 p.m. and the program starts at 5:00 p.m. Chino Hills High School is at 16150 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino Hills.
Chino Valley Unified School District serves 33,330 students in Chino, Chino Hills and Ontario. There are 36 schools in the District including 22 elementary (K-6), 2 fundamental (K-6 & K-8), 5 junior highs and 4 high schools and 3 alternative schools. One elementary school operates on a year-round basis. The District employs about 3,160 persons, making it one of the largest employers in San Bernardino County. The District's annual budget is approximately $270 million. The District's Motto is: Student Achievement, Safe Schools and Positive School Climate.
and is not a part of nor affiliated with the City of Chino Hills.