​By Irvine City News staff

 
It’s been a rewarding few weeks for Irvine’s public schools. Measure E passed with some 60 percent of eligible voters voting in support of a bond issuance of up to $319 million to modernize 28 aging schools in the Irvine Unified School District. The two newest and most technologically advanced schools in the IUSD, Beacon Park School and Portola High School, are nearing completion in advance of the first day of school August 28, and ground was broken for construction of Eastwood Elementary, which will open in August 2017.

While school is out for students and teachers, a key support group for Irvine’s public schools is still hard at work. Irvine Public Schools Foundation raises money and serves students and parents throughout the year. The nonprofit founded in 1996 has contributed more than $50 million to fund critical education programs and classroom support, helping ensure public education in Irvine will continue to be world class.

The IPSF Summer Enrichment Academy is going on now, with programs for students in grades K-12 held at Irvine schools. There’s a strong emphasis on STEAM courses (science, technology, engineering, art and math), along with a wide variety of other fun and challenging classes.

The success of the IPSF would not be possible without the support of parents, volunteers, the community, the city, businesses and major corporations.

Upcoming opportunities to get involved, have fun, and help the cause of excellence in education include the 4th Annual Aces & Athletes Poker charity casino night on July 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Shady Canyon Golf Club. The event draws current and alumni Angels for drinks, dinner, auctions and casino games, all that benefit both IPSF and Angels Baseball Foundation.

And it’s not too early to volunteer to help plan, attend and/or sponsor, the 7th Annual Spirit of Excellence Gala. Presented by FivePoint, the event held at KIA Motors Headquarters honors distinguished alumni of the IUSD while raising funds for Irvine classrooms. And this year the evening will also serve to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation.

For more information about the events, or to donate or volunteer to support Irvine schools, go to ipsf.net.

By Irvine City News Staff

​The National Merit Scholarship Corporation last week announced 3,000 winners of National Merit Scholarships, awards that are financed by U.S. colleges and universities. Ten of the students recognized are from the city of Irvine.
 
The scholarship award winners are part of an elite group of approximately 7,500 high school seniors who will receive college scholarships that total $33 million. Irvine high schools represented on the list include Irvine, Northwood, University, Beckman and Woodbridge.
 
More than 1.5 million juniors from 22,000 high schools entered the competition when they tood the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test which served as a screening of entrants. Last fall, 16,000 semifinalists were named. To move on, semifinalists had to complete additional requirements, provide a detailed scholarship application, an essay and a list of activities and honors and leadership positions. Students must have also had an outstanding academic career and be endorsed by a school official.
 
The scholarship award winners from Irvine are:
 
David Hsiou
Probable career field: Pediatric Neurosurgery
IRVINE HS
NATIONAL MERIT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
 
Annie C. Lee
Probable career field: Occupational Therapy
NORTHWOOD HS
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP
 
Alyssa Liang
Probable career field: Medicine
UNIVERSITY HS
NATIONAL MERIT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
 
Tiffany Jade Lu
Probable career field: Business
NORTHWOOD HS
NATIONAL MERIT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
 
 
Soobin Park
Probable career field: Music
ARNOLD O. BECKMAN HS
NATIONAL MERIT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
 
 
Alyssa M. Rudin
Probable career field: Commercial Banking
UNIVERSITY HS
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCHOLARSHIP
 
 
Simran Singh
Probable career field: Medicine
ARNOLD O. BECKMAN HS
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP
 
 
Rebecca J. Suh
Probable career field: Public Policy
IRVINE HS
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP
 
Michael Wong
Probable career field: Medicine
WOODBRIDGE HS
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP
 
 
Kiwon Yun
Probable career field: Political Science
NORTHWOOD HS
NATIONAL MERIT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP

​Irvine City News staff

The end of the school year brings honors and awards to students, faculty and staff of Irvine Unified School District, and we’ll help recognize some of them here.

Irvine’s high school graduates deserve the congratulations of the community, with extra acclaim for those receiving scholarships. The Irvine Heritage Park Friends of the Library awarded five $1,000 scholarships to seniors from Irvine, Northwood and Woodbridge High Schools.

Brittany Chen is a National Honor Society member at Irvine High School, an accomplished musician and the winner of a Heritage Award for extraordinary distinction in AP academics. She will attend Pomona College.
Lauren Kim of Woodbridge High School is an AP Scholar with Distinction, has been the school’s Science Olympiad Captain and was one of six students nationally to earn a trip to MIT for her studies in science. She will attend Yale University.

Irene Koo, also at Woodbridge HS, took AP Biology as a sophomore, founded the Biology Olympiad Club and was the managing editor of the student-run OC Scholar online newspaper and co-founded the ORION, an online science magazine. She is off to Columbia University.

Natasha Takahashi of Woodbridge HS is among the Future Business Leaders of America and was Teen Entrepreneur International Business Plan Champion. She’s a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the Irvine Unified School District Pink Ribbon Club. She plans to attend USC.

Chris Zhou attends Northwood High School, which he represented at the Chemistry Olympiad. He is founder of both the Odyssey of Mind Club and Asian Education Project. An accomplished pianist who volunteers and performs at OC senior centers, Zhou will attend Duke University.

The scholarships are funded through funds generated from the Friends of the Library bookstore at Heritage Park, which provides more than $80,000 annually to the Heritage Park Library. So buy their books, and donate to your library, or portions thereof. heritagefol.com
 
Employees of the Year
IUSD recently announced its five Classified Employees of the Year, dedicated individuals who work hard serving students and their families.

Stonegate Elementary’s Meleah Shank, a P.E. Paraprofessional who also leads yoga sessions for students, was recognized for her commitment to students’ health and wellbeing.

Manny Lupercio, Head Custodian of Brywood Elementary who has been with IUSD for 15 years and was recognized for his high standard of professionalism and his dedication.

Kathy McCoy, who is in Nutrition Services at College Park Elementary, has been with IUSD for 11 years. She was honored for her customer service and commitment to student nutrition.

Lorianne Randell, a Media Tech from College Park Elementary, has been with IUSD for nearly 10 years. She helps students develop their technology skills, from typing to coding.

Kitty Fyfe, Special Education Analyst in the District Office, has been with IUSD for 22 years and received this recognition for her dedication to the Special Education department.
 
Teachers of the Year
Earlier in 2016, IUSD announced its teachers of the year.

Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Stacie Grooters, a science specialist at Culverdale Elementary School. She is known for infusing technology into her lessons to enhance the learning experiences, and is one of a handful of teachers in California to use augmented reality computers to develop engaging instruction for students.

Middle School Teacher of the Year is Henry Miller, a music teacher at Sierra Vista who has been with IUSD for 26 years. His dedication and constructive teaching style have made him a well-liked and respected teacher whose students not only excel, but love making music.

High School Teacher of the Year is Steve Sewell, a social science teacher at Irvine High School who has been with the district for 33 years. He organized an all-school canned food drive for a local homeless shelter and raised money for clean water in developing countries. Irvine HS had more students enter projects in National History Day than any other OC high school, thanks to his leadership.
​
Congratulations to these IUSD students, teachers and staffers. They are examples of the many people, including parents, who help make Irvine public schools excellent.