Nestlé forms partnership with Cerritos

A sense of community is alive at Cerritos Elementary where a partnership between school and business has been in quiet existence for more than 14 years. During this time, Nestlé USA has adopted Cerritos, the only school from the Glendale Unified School District, in the "Adopted Schools" national program.

Nestlé has donated more than $26,000 through the years, Principal Janice Hanada said. Employees raise funds through events such as book fairs, and a recent gift of $1,850 will go toward the purchase of library books.

"Their donations have also funded three flat screens to provide media displays visible to students working on any one of the 35 computers in the library," she said.

A committee meets monthly to discuss activities. Nestlé's Steve Thomas is the school coordinator responsible for getting volunteers to read to students. Volunteers also speak on topics from chocolate to career paths.

"There is a pen pal program whereby every fourth-grade student has a Nestlé Pen Pal, and every third-grade class has a Nestlé Class Pal," Hanada said.

Here are some activities at cluster schools reporting.

ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL

It's not too early to plan for college! Mark Corkery, college counselor, will be on hand at 7 p.m. March 14 in the auditorium to turn dreams into reality. Students and parents will receive tips on funding and applying to schools. Open House is set from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 30. Eighth-grade panorama picture day is on Wednesday, and there are no classes for students on Friday. "Breakfast with the Principal" for parents is from 8:15 to 9 a.m. March 15.

WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Open House is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 15. The PTA hosts Paul Royer, licensed clinical social worker, at 7 p.m. March 14 in the auditorium, 1221 Monterey Road. Open to parents from the community, this free evening provides insights to better communication with your teen.

For more information, call (818) 244-8145.

Sixth- and seventh-graders will compete against eighth-graders during the Basketball Carnival on Thursday. The finale is the top eighth-grade team against the faculty.

"Even though we are a few years older, we can still give them a game!" Principal Richard Lucas said. "This will be interesting."

CERRITOS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Sixth-graders venture off to the great outdoors from March 21 to 24 to attend Camp Highland Science Camp in Beaumont. Astronomy, hiking, teambuilding and archeology are taught by college students.

GLENOAKS ELEMENTARY