HACIENDA HEIGHTS
Parade scheduled for Fourth of July
The 27th Hacienda Heights Fourth of July Parade kicks off Saturday at 9 a.m. on Stimson Avenue, starting at Colima Road and ending at Steinmetz Park in Hacienda Heights.
The parade features bands, floats, equestrians, drill teams and, of course, the grand marshal, the Fourth of July Queen and her court. The family-friendly event is sponsored by the local Hacienda Heights Kiwanis Club.
For more information, go to www.hhjuly4parade.org.
EL MONTE
Pancake breakfast to celebrate independence
The El Monte Police Officers Association & Auxiliary and the El Monte Police Department are hosting a Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Grace T. Black Auditorium, 3130 Tyler Ave.
The public can view the police department’s new vehicle fleet and SWAT vehicle, and children age 14 and under can enter into a drawing for a new bicycle.
Tickets are $5, with proceeds benefiting the El Monte Emergency Resources Agency, the El Monte Police Explorers and local nonprofits.
For more information, call 626-580-2001, or go to www.elmonteca.gov.
WALNUT
Group names district top in region
Walnut Valley Unified School District was ranked top in the region by the financial advisory organization NerdWallet, according to the Best School Districts for Your Buck report issued on June 29.
The report studied 153 school districts with regard to neighborhood affordability, standardized test scores, college readiness and student-teacher ratio. All information was provided by the California Department of Education.
WVUSD topped the list with one of Southern California’s strongest graduation rates — 98.30 percent — as well as a high SAT average of 1722, district officials said. The 2013 median home value in WVUSD is $597,800.
“I am so proud of our students, teachers, staff, parents and community. It takes a lot of commitment to get to this level. It’s truly a team effort!” Board Member Cindy Ruiz said in a statement.
For more information, go to www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/best-school-districts-southern-california-2015/.
MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
Charter Oak High graduate finishes training
U.S. Army Pvt. Christopher R. Shepard has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
During the nine-week training period, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, traditions and core values.
Shepard is the son of Pearl Shepard of Covina. He is a 2010 graduate of Charter Oak High School.
— Email notices for local events to news.tribune@sgvn.com and in the subject line put “Around the Valley.”
