The West Covina Unified School District community lost a great friend, mentor, coach and teacher this week when Mr. Mike Okura passed away Tuesday, January 17.  Mr. Okura was a teacher and former student of West Covina High School.  He graduated from WCHS in 1963 and promptly returned after college to begin his teaching career in 1968 and has been at the school ever since.  His contributions to the classroom, the field and the lives of those he touched are innumerable.  He will be remembered for helping students form the foundation for future learning, the strong support he offered his colleagues and a love for Literature. Funeral services for Michael Okura is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 at 10 am at Christ Church of the Valley in San Dimas (1404 W. Covina Blvd., San Dimas, CA 91724). Reception will follow the service at Christ First Baptist Church in Covina (200 N. Second Ave., Covina, CA 91723). The family requests that people wear casual clothes in bright colors

West Covina High School Bulldogs win second consecutive title after successfully defending against La Serna HS Lancers for the CIF Southern Section Football Championship.  Final score: 84-21.  Go Bulldogs! (additional game night photos by D. Gumarang)

The Common Core State Standards are the first step in providing our young people with a high-quality education. Teachers, parents and community leaders have all weighed in to help create the Common Core State Standards. The standards clearly communicate what is expected of students at each grade level. It should be clear to every student, parent, and teacher what the standards of success are in every school. With students, parents and teachers all on the same page and working together for shared goals, we can ensure that students make progress each year and graduate from school prepared to success in college and in a modern workforce.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) would like to remind the community that influenza vaccination is still the single best method for preventing the flu. It is not too late for students, staff and school community to get flu vaccination to help keep healthy during this flu season.  Students and parents should visit their regular health care provider for a flu vaccine.  Those without health insurance or another source of health care may consider receiving services from community resources such as pharmacies and community clinics.  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health often hold public vaccination outreach events and additional information is found on their website.

Thinking Maps are eight powerful visual-verbal learning tools for gathering ideas, arranging information and showing relationships.  At West Covina Unified School District, Thinking Maps are used at all grade levels in all content areas to provide our learning communities with a common language for meaningful and reflective learning.