The initiative offers fourth and fifth grade students from Tracy Elementary guidance from Sierra Vista High School freshman through senior students. In this initial program, twenty students from each school will be matched based on common interests to create meaningful connections and promote educational growth through positive role models. Mentors will offer support, guidance, and encouragement to their mentees, fostering a sense of community and shared achievement.
“Mentorship and building connections offer tremendous opportunities for our students and community. We are grateful for the partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the City, and look forward to the positive impact this program will have on our students,” Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said.
The program began on Tuesday, January 23, with Tracy Elementary students attending a welcoming kickoff event hosted at Sierra Vista High School. Participating elementary students were greeted by numerous Sierra Vista High students, including the cheer team and the school band. Introductions and welcoming words were shared by Tracy Elementary Principal Dr. Laura Rodriguez, Sierra Vista High’s Principal Vince Pratt, Assistant Principal Norma Cervantes, BPUSD Board of Education President Diana E. Miranda-Dzib, Board Clerk/Vice President John B. de Leon, Board Member Santos Hernandez, Jr., District Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza, and City of Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada.
“Through this partnership, high school students are emboldened in their leadership journey, gaining invaluable insights through service to others. Simultaneously, elementary school students are nurtured by positive role models who embody the spirit of our community. Together, we are cultivating a legacy of hope, support, connection, and transformation within the heart of this great city,” said Lauren Plichta, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.
Students were able to socialize and get to know each other while enjoying pizza before embarking on an official campus tour led by Sierra Vista High students. The school tour gave Tracy Elementary students a unique experience to learn more about important Don landmarks such as the library, three-story building, quad, cafeteria, and classrooms.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles program will proceed with Sierra Vista High students visiting their matched Tracy Elementary student mentees once a week for one hour through the end of the Spring semester.
This pilot program is the first of many exciting partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles for the Baldwin Park community as the District aims to expand the program, and the City develops future initiatives for high school students to learn from local leaders.
“Timely guidance and mentoring for young students can be instrumental in the career and life choices they make. I am proud of the City’s partnership with the Baldwin Park Unified School District and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles in making this mentorship program a reality,” City of Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada said.
PHOTOS
BPUSD_BBBS 1: Tracy Elementary students take a tour of the Sierra Vista High School campus led by high school ASB members as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles kickoff event.
BPUSD_BBBS 2: Tracy Elementary students and Principal Dr. Laura Rodriguez receive a warm welcome to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles kickoff event at Sierra Vista High from the cheer team.
BPUSD_BBBS 3: Students from Sierra Vista High and Tracy Elementary school enjoy pizza during social hour at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles kickoff.
BPUSD_BBBS 4: Students from Sierra Vista High and Tracy Elementary school pose for a picture with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles kickoff event leaders and guests including school staff, Tracy Elementary Principal Dr. Laura Rodriguez, Sierra Vista High’s Principal Vince Pratt, Assistant Principal Norma Cervantes, BPUSD Board of Education President Diana E. Miranda-Dzib, Board Clerk/Vice President John B. de Leon, Board Member Santos Hernandez, Jr., District Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza, and City of Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada and Chief Executive Officer/City Manager Enrique C. Zaldivar.
BPUSD_BBBS 5: Students Tracy Elementary school enjoy pizza during social hour at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles kickoff.
BPUSD_BBBS 6: Students from Sierra Vista High and Tracy Elementary school pose for a photo with the high school’s ASB members, cheer team, and the band at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles kickoff.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA)
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives, for the better, forever. Many of the youth in this program come from extremely challenging circumstances at home, at school or in their neighborhood, yet they have enormous potential. BBBSLA volunteer mentors accept the mission to be Defenders of Potential. With the support of their mentors, these students are beating the odds in BIG ways – many of them being the first in their family to go to college. 96% of the youth who have a Big Brother or Big Sister are graduating from high school and 94% of them are going on to pursue higher education. Founded by Walt Disney and Meredith Wilson in 1955, BBBSLA is a leading non-profit in the Los Angeles community and one of the largest youth mentoring organizations in Southern California. Learn more at bbbsla.org.
About the City of Baldwin Park
Baldwin Park is a nearly seven-square-mile, suburban community of 72,000 residents in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. As the hub of the San Gabriel Valley, Baldwin Park is known for its ease of access and mobility, young and diverse residents, and vibrant, growing business community. For more information, visit baldwinpark.com or follow Baldwin Park on Facebook (@BaldwinParkCAGov), Instagram (BaldwinPark_CAGov), and Twitter (BaldwinParkCA_).