February 22, 2012
La Puente Valley ROP held the annual student interviews for Student Recognition on Wednesday, February 22^nd.   ROP teachers nominated one outstanding student from each of their sections to be recognized. Students accepted the nomination by submitting an application packet that includes a resume, student essay, and a 75 word statement of their career goals and how ROP has helped them to move towards accomplishing those goals. There were 89 students who were interviewed by a panel of judges from the community.  The students resume, interview and job application were scored to select the three highest scores for each industry sector.  Those selected students will return for a second interview where they will be entitled to additional monetary award.  For many high school students this was their first interview and they were anxious and nervous.   This is an excellent opportunity to prepare students to experience a real-world job interview.  The Outstanding ROP Students will be honored at the annual ROP Student Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Expo Center on at 5:30pm. Student awards and scholarships are funded by the LPVROP Educational Bridge Foundation. If you are interested in supporting the program, please contact Sylvia McGahey.

January 21, 2012
In January 2012 the Explorer Academy ROP program at Bassett High School held a graduation for 19 students who successfully completed the rigorous training program.  Through the effective partnership, Bassett USD and La Puente Valley ROP have been able to sustain the Law Enforcement Academy.  Two years ago the program was in jeopardy of being eliminated due to 20% State budget cuts.  The Board of Trustees from Bassett and LA Puente Valley ROP combined their resources to maintain the program that benefits the youth in the community.

2012 LA Regional Scholastic Awards
Jarius Fabian and prior year ROP student Nathan Miguel received honorable mention for Art Portfolio in Film from the 2012 LA Regional Scholastic Awards. Jarius Fabian also received Honorable Mention for his single entry, "Incomplete Side of Me," Ceramics. Jim Ellison, Nogales High School and ROP Instructor helps prepare these students to submit work that exemplifies originality, technical skills and the emergence of their personal voice or vision. Their work will be exhibited at the Armory Center of the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena CA from Aprils 21st to May 6th. The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 5th.

"Service learning" is an important component in career technical courses since it enables students to learn academic content standards by participating in an organized service that addresses community needs. ROP instructors are incorporating service learning with their students. At Basset High School, the ROP students from the Business Technology class volunteered to decorate for a Thanksgiving dinner to a needy organization. The ROP students were so inspired by the need that they not only provided the decorations but also volunteered to serve dinner. Aaron Roman, ROP Medical Core instructor at LPHS, along with Krista Baily, LPHS Biology teacher, coordinated a Juvenile Diabetes walk on November 9th that raised $684.22 for the cause. The walk was held on La Puente High School's track and had more than 50 students and staff participate. The purpose of the walk was to help provide awareness for childhood diabetes. Another awareness fundraising event coordinated for childhood diabetes was coordinated by Ignacio Hernandez, ROP Sports Health Care instructor at Los Altos High school. Diane Weeks, ROP Instructor at Nogales High School, coordinated a student volunteer activity on October 23rd, called Make a Difference Day which was held at Sunkist School in La Puente. Eight students along with Ms. Weeks participated in the fundraising event, Touch of Love Back to School Giveaway. The organization's purpose is to service at risk youth who otherwise may not live up to their academic potential.

A component of the multiple pathways includes work-based opportunities that engage and challenge students to learn. One example of a work-based opportunity includes Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSO). With funding from the Building Capacity Health Grant, La Puente Valley ROP was able to establish three Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) chapters at three high school sites. California Health Occupations Students of America (CAL HOSA) was implemented at La Puente HS, Los Altos HS, Workman HS and Nogales HS. CAL HOSA, which is recognized by the California Department of Education, combines in-class activities; student-directed independent projects (which may take place at or outside the school site and be paid, unpaid, or entrepreneurial); and directed activities, such as chapter meetings and competitions that foster students' workplace skill development, technical skills and knowledge, citizenship and leadership skills, and academic success. Currently, there are 27 ROP students in CAL HOSA. Students will be participating in competitive events that rigorously test their knowledge, performance, skill, and leadership capabilities within the health care fields. The competition is scheduled for April 4 - 7, 2011 at the Sacramento Convention Center and Sacramento Hyatt Regency. In addition to CTSO's, student clubs are also a way in which students are engaged in learning. We are proud to announce that La Puente HS's ANIME club has 33 students participating and it is only in its second year.

ROP students from the participating high school sites are successfully applying what they learn in the classroom to the "real-world". The ROP students from Nogales' Photography class were contracted to create the Nogales football program. Also, an ROP student from Nogales' Medical Core class was hired after her internship at the work-site. At Rowland High School, the students from the ROP Video Production class create a weekly video bulletin called the "Raider Report". They have also produced a diversity video for Rowland, "Accept the Differences".

ROP students from La Puente HS, Los Altos HS and Nogales HS had their first experience at the Health Occupations Students of America State Competition and Leadership Conference on April 7th - 9th. Approximately 27 students accompanied by their ROP instructors and ROP administrator traveled to Sacramento to demonstrate what they have learned in the class. At this conference students competed in events, interacted with medical professionals, and explored medical careers. Also students were able to attend educational symposiums that were offered throughout the day. At this event students are provided more focused information on careers and leadership. Students attending this conference are required to take part in two to four competitive events and all general assembly events.