Dear El Monte Union Community,

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! I hope you enjoyed a restful summer break and are ready for another year filled with growth, opportunity, and success.

We began the year with energy and excitement with our staff orientation, which led into the first day of school on August 19. Our students continued to inspire us with their achievements over the summer months. We also proudly welcomed our 2025-26 Student Board Members, Ashley Yu and Tessa Ocegueda from South El Monte High School, during a swearing-in ceremony on August 6.

El Monte Union recognizes the concerns many families are feeling considering the current immigration climate across our communities, state, and country. Please know that the safety, well-being, and sense of belonging of every student remain El Monte Union’s highest priorities. All El Monte Union schools are safe, inclusive spaces, and closed campuses. Visitors must check in at the front office, and immigration enforcement is not permitted on school grounds without proper legal authority.

For any families facing challenges, resources are available. If you need assistance, please call the District Support Line at (626) 406-1317 to be connected with support or discuss a learning plan tailored to your family’s needs. We stand in solidarity with our immigrant students and families, and we remain committed to keeping our schools places of safety, learning, and belonging. 

This year promises to be one filled with excitement, achievement, and opportunity. I look forward to seeing all that our students will accomplish in the months ahead.

Stay up to date by following our District Facebook page and downloading our ParentSquare app.

Sincerely,

Dr. Edward Zuniga
Superintendent

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In an emotional tribute to three community leaders whose vision and dedication transformed the lives of generations of students, the El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) officially dedicated the newly renovated multi-purpose building and gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School (FRLHS), renaming it the Freddy and Bernie Arteaga and Frank Ogaz Center on August 27.
 
The evening ceremony brought together families, staff, alumni, and community members to honor the Arteaga brothers and the late Frank Ogaz for their decades of service to students. The celebration featured heartfelt speeches, special recognitions, a ceremonial unveiling and ribbon-cutting, and a community taco dinner.
 
Read full story here. 
 

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Cheer squads, marching bands, and colorful balloons welcomed more than 7,200 students back to El Monte Union High School District on August 19, as campuses came alive with enthusiasm and pride for the 2025-26 school year.
 
Associated Student Body and Link Crew leaders across the District greeted students with music, cheers, hand-made posters, chalk art, and photo stations, while parents lined entrances to snap photos and celebrate the start of the school year. District campuses also kicked off the year with spirited assemblies, pep rallies, and themed spirit weeks.
 
Read full story here.  

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El Monte Union High School District welcomed 16 new educators on August 11 during an orientation at the District Office, where they connected with administrators and colleagues, toured the office, and learned about EMUHSD’s goals and values. The event highlighted the District’s collaborative culture and prepared staff for the 2025-26 school year.

 

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The El Monte Union Board of Trustees made history by expanding student representation, swearing-in two Student Board Members, Ashley Yu and Tessa Ocegueda, for the 2025-26 school year at the District’s Board meeting on August 6.  
 
Yu and Ocegueda, both South El Monte High School students, will represent the voice of nearly 7,200 EMUHSD students. They step into newly-created leadership roles, with Yu serving as Student Board Member President and Ocegueda as Vice President. Both will continue their service on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, where they served last school year.
 
Read full story here.
 
 PHOTO CAPTION: Newly sworn-in Student Board Members Ashley Yu (center right) and Tessa Ocegueda (center left) celebrate with their families during the August 6 Board of Trustees meeting alongside El Monte Union Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga (far right).
 

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Six El Monte Union student-athletes – including two Class of 2025 graduates – represented the District at the 2025 Beat the Streets (BTS) National Camp and Duals, held June 24-26 at the University of Pennsylvania. The program provided elite wrestling instruction, mentorship, and team-building opportunities for students from across Los Angeles County.
 
Arroyo High School Class of 2025 graduates Lucas Long and Destiny Huitron and rising junior Joaquin Almendariz; Mountain View High School’s rising senior Sara Ayala; and South El Monte High School’s rising seniors Jade Linarte and Alexzandra Cardenas earned all-expenses-paid spots at the weeklong National Camp and Duals. 
 
“This is a truly unique opportunity for our students, many of whom may not otherwise have the means to travel or engage in experiences like this,” said EMUHSD Math Teacher on Special Assignment and BTS volunteer Alejandro Sanchez. “We’re proud to continue this tradition and are already looking forward to taking our team to Cleveland next year.”
 
Read full story here. 
  

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Arroyo High School’s 2023-24 yearbook, "If You Know Us, You Know," has secured national recognition for outstanding quality and student-led creativity after earning a spot in Varsity Yearbook’s Portfolio, a prestigious showcase of the best yearbooks in the country.
 
Selected from more than 2,100 submissions, Arroyo’s yearbook was one of 617 featured in the 30th edition of Varsity’s Portfolio. The publication highlights yearbooks that demonstrate exceptional design, photography, writing, and storytelling. The school’s 2023-24 yearbook focused on capturing the cornerstones of Arroyo culture, including school spirit and academic and athletic success.