Lynwood Unified Wins 2 Golden Bell Awards for Innovative Mental Health, CTE Programs

Lynwood Unified School District was awarded a 2016 Golden Bell Award for its Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways program, which promotes career exploration and college preparation. CTE Pathways include manufacturing and engineering, biomedical and nursing, media and design arts (film), performing arts, photography, culinary arts and automotive.

Lynwood – The Lynwood Unified School District has been awarded two 2016 Golden Bell Awards for an initiative that promotes career exploration and college preparation and one that supports the emotional and mental well-being of students for a brighter future.

 

Of the almost 300 entries submitted for the award, now in its 37th year, Lynwood Unified’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways program and Health Collaborative initiative were selected to win the most prestigious honor awarded to California school districts by the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

 

“It is a great achievement for our District to be recognized for cultivating an environment that is conducive to student achievement,” Superintendent Paul Gothold said. “It wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of our amazing staff, teachers and community partners.” 

 

“I’m filled with pride to see how many kids not only pursue college, but discover what they want to study through our programs. We want to spark that passion in every one of our students by providing them the services they need to be emotionally and physically healthy, we are setting them up for success in high school and beyond,” Gothold added.

 

Lynwood Unified’s CTE Pathways include manufacturing and engineering, biomedical and nursing, media and design arts (film), performing arts, photography, culinary arts and automotive. 

 

The District has earned $1.6 million in grants to expand CTE course options in high school and extend them to the middle schools, where in seventh grade, students begin exploring careers and college majors through the use of the web-based software, Naviance. 

 

Thanks to innovative partnerships with higher education institutions – including Cerritos College, El Camino College and Cal State Dominguez Hills – Lynwood students earn college credit, professional certifications, college scholarships and internships. 

 

“The students who are enrolled in Lynwood Unified pathways benefit because they not only get career technical education, but they are also prepared to go on to the university since these are university-level courses,” said Deena Smith, a teacher in the biomedical pathway. 

 

The District’s Health Collaborative connects students and families to medical and mental health services that remove barriers to academic achievement and well-being, and equip scholars with the tools needed to succeed.  

 

The District partners with nearly 30 agencies – including Anthem Blue Cross, El Nido Family Center, Mother’s Nutritional Center, Vision to Learn and the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services, among others – to create the Health Collaborative. 

 

Families and students receive health screenings, meet with therapists and are cared for through every step of treatment. The District reports rising student achievement and graduation rates. 

 

“We understand that as educators, we can’t begin to teach without having well bodies, sound minds and students who are physically fit to come to school,” said Director of Student Services Kavin Dotson, who explained that over the last year, the District has helped enroll more than 700 families in health insurance. “This Health Collaborative is essential to helping our Lynwood families succeed.”

 

The District will receive the awards at a recognition ceremony on Dec. 3 at CSBA’s annual Educational Conference in San Francisco. 

 

“I want to thank our LUSD administrative team, teachers and staff for bringing to fruition these programs that not only prepare our students for their futures in whatever career they choose, but take care of their minds, bodies and hearts,” Board President Alma-Delia Renteria said. “We are incredibly proud of what we have built at Lynwood Unified and are confident that these programs will serve as stellar examples to school districts across the state of what collaborative work can do for student achievement.”