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ABC Community Update

News from the ABC Unified School District - 2/22/24

ABC CommunityUpdateNews from the ABC Unified School District - 2/22/24

Ad Hoc Committee Update

This week, the School Facilities Capacities and Declining Enrollment Board Ad Hoc Committee held its regular meeting. This meeting was the first since the Committee held two town hall meetings, hearing from families, students, staff, and community members. After looking at both quantitative and qualitative data, including staff reports and hearing from the community, the Committee voted to recommend not closing any schools. The Committee will continue to meet to look at other solutions to increase enrollment at our schools, with the goal of providing a report to the ABCUSD Board of Education in May 2024. The Committee will meet again on March 20. 2024.

ABC Schools Advance in CIF Playoffs

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Congratulations to the teams advancing to the CIF Finals! Cerritos High School boys and girls basketball teams were victorious in their semi final round games, and both teams will play this Saturday in the finals. In addition, the Artesia High School girls soccer team has advanced to the CIF Division 7 championship game this Friday as well. Best of luck to our outstanding student-athletes as they compete this weekend.

Elliott Elementary Celebrates Black History Month

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The first-grade students in Mrs. Obando’s class celebrated Black History Month by studying the inspiring life of Ruby Bridges. From her brave steps into desegregated schools, as a first-grader herself, to her unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, Ruby's story teaches about the power of resilience and standing for what’s right. Our schools continue to celebrate Black History Month through a variety of programs.

News & Notes

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ABC Film Festival

The first-ever District-wide Film Festival is looking for entries from our talented students. The Film Festival is open to all ABCUSD students and will culminate in an event on March 20, 2024, at the Grace Hu Auditorium at Whitney High School. Click here for more information about the ABC Film Festival.

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Celebrating Black History Month

ABCUSD students are encouraged to participate in the Black History Month Visual & Performing Arts Contest. This year’s contest theme is “African Americans and the Arts,” students may submit a visual or performing art piece, from poems and monologues to paintings and drawings. Find more information about this year’s contest here.

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Textbook Adoptions

The ABCUSD Board of Education will consider adopting textbooks at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024. You can find the list of the textbooks considered online. For an in-person or virtual examination of any of these print textbooks, please email info.textbooks@abcusd.us or call (562) 926-5566, extension 21217 to schedule an appointment.

Whitney High School Ecology & Wildlife Club Tree Sale

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The Whitney High School Ecology & Wildlife Club has partnered with Tree-Plenish to sell trees to help replenish natural resources and promote sustainability. Trees do so much for us, including absorbing carbon dioxide. The Eco Club hopes to sell 110 trees this year, to help offset the school’s paper usage and carbon footprint. Trees are on sale through March 13, 2024. Click here for more information.

Cerritos Auto Square Supports ABC Schools

The Cerritos Auto Square continues to support ABCUSD schools through donations to the ABC Education Foundation. This week, at a special premiere of a documentary film about the world-famous auto square, the Dealers presented the Foundation with a $5,000 donation. Thank you to the Dealers for your support. The ABC Education Foundation is an all-volunteer non-profit organization supporting ABCUSD schools through mini-grants to classrooms and other special projects throughout the school year.

Board Meeting Recap

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The ABCUSD Board of Education held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, and took the following actions:



  • Students led the Flag Salute from Carver Academy, who took time to share all the great things going on at their school, including earning the National Blue Ribbon School Award, Enrichment Clusters, and academics
  • The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Cerritos Area Alumnae Chapter, presented a donation of books to ABCUSD
  • The Head Start Parent Policy Committee was introduced
  • The 2023-2024 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Mid-Year Update was presented
  • Student Board Representatives from Gahr High School, Malik Maniago and Kaitlyn Teng, shared information about the school's activities, including homecoming, Candle Rose, school spelling bee, sports, and presented Superintendent Dr. Zietlow with an ASB Jersey
  • The Board approved community member Mr. Jesus Mendoza as the appointee from Clerk Mr. Noyola to serve on the Diversity, Unity, and Equity Board Advisory Board
  • The Board voted for the 2024 California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly
  • The Board approved a request to contract with Enrichment Programs In Communities (EPIC) to provide three Art History grade level assemblies and hands-on art sessional with supplies for 765 K-6th grade students at Leal Elementary School
  • The Board approved new courses titled Advanced Placement (AP) Seminar and Advanced Placement (AP) Research for the 2024-2025 school year
  • The Board approved a request to submit a grant application to the California Department of Education for the Golden State Pathways (GSPP) grant
  • The Board approved Bid Award ABC-1637 Haskell Middle School Modernization to Spec Construction Co., Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder
  • The Board ratified Change Order #1, Bid Award ABC-158 Cerritos High School Modernization to Cal City Construction, Inc.
  • The Board accepted the Second Quarter 2023-2024 fiscal year Uniform Complaint Data from the Los Angeles County Office of Education with findings that ABCUSD is in compliance with instructions materials, facilities, or threats



The next regular meeting of the ABCUSD Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

ABCUSD Parent Engagement Forums

Dates to Remember

February 22 - Finance & Audit Board Advisory Committee (6:00 p.m.)

February 27 - Strategic Planning Board Advisory Committee (5:30 p.m.)

February 27 - Citizens' Oversight Committee (Measure BB - 6:00 p.m.)

February 28 - Legislative/Policy Board Advisory Committee (6:30 p.m.)

2023-2024 School Year Calendar

The ABC Community Update is a weekly e-publication

produced by the ABC Unified School District.

ABCUSD

16700 Norwalk Boulevard

Cerritos, CA 90703

(562) 926-5566

ABC Unified School District
www.abcusd.us

In 1965 the Artesia, Bloomfield, and Carmenita School Districts unified and became the ABC Unified School District. Today, the District serves over 20,000 Pre-K to 12th Grade and adult education students through its 30 campuses, adult school, and virtual academy. The District is home to some of the most awarded and recognized schools in California and serves the cities of Artesia, most of Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, as well as portions of Lakewood, Long Beach, and Norwalk.