RUSD Family & Community eNews
November 2024
Message from Coordinator of Categorical Programs Kristine Hubbard
π Even with 30 years in education, I continue to be inspired by the collaborative spirit of our educational community. π€ As your Coordinator of Categorical Programs, I'm excited to share an important opportunity for families and staff to help shape the future of our district's educational programs!
π We are currently seeking dedicated individuals to join our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Advisory Committee for a two-year term.
This committee plays a vital role in:
- Reviewing district programs and their impact on student achievement π
- Providing input on resource allocation to meet student needs π
- Representing our diverse community's voices in educational planning π£οΈ
- Helping ensure our funding decisions align with district goals π―
π The LCAP is more than just a document β it's our roadmap for ensuring every student receives the support they need to succeed. πͺ This month, we'll be distributing a survey to identify potential committee members who are passionate about education and ready to make a difference in our district. Whether you're a parent, staff member, or community partner, your perspective matters. π£
Working in Categorical Programs, I've seen firsthand how collaborative decision-making leads to better outcomes for our students. π The LCAP Advisory Committee is one of the most direct ways you can contribute to this important work. Please watch for the upcoming survey in your email and consider joining us in this meaningful opportunity to shape our district's future. π
Best regards,
Kristi Hubbard
Coordinator of Categorical Programs
What's Happening in Redlands USD
State of the District βοΈ
The Redlands Unified School District State of the District event, held on October 29 at the Grace Mullen Auditorium at Redlands High School, was a successful gathering with over 200 attendees, including students, families, staff, board members, and community partners. π The evening offered an engaging program that highlighted the districtβs achievements, ongoing projects, and future goals, reinforcing a strong sense of community commitment to student success. πͺ
- Academic Achievements and Initiatives π
- Facility and Infrastructure Projects under Measure D: Student Health/Safety Classroom Repair Measure π«
- Staff and Student Support Services π€
- Vision for the Future β¨
Special acknowledgment was given to the following groups for their participation and support in the event:
- RHS Principal Cullen and administration for hosting the event at Grace Mullen Auditorium at Redlands High School; and the RHS custodial staff for setting up and tearing down the event. π«
- To the following student groups that participated during the event β RHS Chamber Singers, led by Director of Choirs Mr. Diaz for singing "Bogoroditse Devo," "Alleluia," and the National Anthem πΆ; RHS AFJROTC Color Guard, led by First Sargeant Barnes-Joshua, for presenting the colors; and the Judson and Brown Elementary School Student Council, led by Ms. Windver, Ms. Ginnetty, and Assistant Principal Rivera, for leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. πΊπΈ
- Child Nutrition Services, Medley Station, for providing refreshments and desserts.
- Clement Middle School Mr. Davis and Mr. Hetrick and Technology Services for their project tech mapping contributions. π¦
- Mission Elementary School students Harmony, Addison, Nicholas, Michael, and Orion and teacher Ms. Lee for the innovative hologram display. π€
- RUSD volunteers for greeting attendees and organizing the event. π
- Lugonia Elementary School parents for the creating balloon arch. π
A special shoutout went to all of the students, families, staff, and community members that attended the event. "Your ongoing support and involvement are what drive the success of Redlands Unified," shared Superintended Cabral. "Together, we are creating a brighter future for our students, and itβs a privilege to share this journey with you." π€
π Community Resource Fair β¨
The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team held the annual Community Resource Fair at Redlands High School, bringing together over 40 community organizations from Redlands and the surrounding areas. "The Community Resource Fair promotes a stronger, more connected community, that empowers families to thrive," shared FACE liaison, La'Rena Garcia. π«Ά
Many families walked away with a wealth of knowledge and contact information of community organizations ready to take the first steps for all types of support. πͺ
"The most impactful takeaway is the relationships and awareness the Community Resource Fair builds," shared FACE liaison, Anthony Chavez. "The Community Resource Fair exposes families to resources and organizations that they may not know exist."
Additionally, the Redlands Education Support Professionals Association (RESPA) donated funds toward the event, allowing RUSDβs Medley Station to provide free unlimited burgers to all student-aged children and the first 150 families. π
It wouldnβt be a FACE event without opportunity drawings, and the most anticipated drawing was for a signed Lakers jersey by Brandon Ingram donated to FACE by the Boys and Girls Club of Redlands! ππ
We congratulate the FACE team for yet another successful Community Resource Fair and thank all the volunteers who helped make it possible: RHS AFJROTC, Clement ASB, and RHS International Club! π
π£ Red Ribbon Week Recap
Red Ribbon Week at Redlands Unified School District brought together students and staff to participate in fun and creative activities pledging to be drug-free. This yearβs theme for Red Ribbon Week was βLife is a Movie, Film Drug-Free,β and our schools did not disappoint. From dressing up as their favorite movie characters to a fun door-decorating contest, every aspect of Red Ribbon Week reflected our schools' dedication to promoting a healthy and drug-free environment. β€οΈ
β¨ Noche Cultural Festival β¨
Redlands High School MEChA Club hosted itsβ first districtwide Noche Cultural festival and it was a hit! Families were entertained with performances by Aztec dancers, Baile FolklΓ³rico, Student Music Group, Edgar Gaspar Music, and Mrs. Jaime Ochoa! π« Additionally, the festival brought together over 10 vendors selling artisan products and traditional food. "Noche Cultural was a Hispanic/Latinx/Chicano cultural celebration imagined and created by MEChA students and its purpose was to celebrate our rich cultural diversity, resiliency, and highlight our cultural values such as familia, comunidad, educacion, e historia," shared co-advisor Noemi Villagrana. π₯Ή
It was a beautiful night and a celebration our community won't forget! π
πΌ Dia De Los Muertos at A.K. Smiley Library πΌ
The A.K. Smiley Libraryβs annual Dia de los Muertos event was an exciting time for students and families! Many of our students joined in on the fun through the Teen Art Contest where a lot of talent was uncovered. π¨ Congratulations to the winners! π Additionally, the Catrina-Calavera Costume Contest revealed many creative costumes and talented face painting.
A big shoutout to the A.K. Smiley Library for inviting the Redlands Unified School District to be part of this amazing cultural celebration for all our Redlands community! π«Ά
π Theater Program Clinic
With the enthusiasm and talent we've seen, this year's theatre season is set to be phenomenal. Great job to everyone who participated! πΈ Click here to see photos from this event.
They Applied! π
π Aeries Student Data Confirmation π₯οΈ
π DON'T FORGET! Update your Aeries Parent Portal to ensure you receive school site and district communication. π²
Go to https://redlands.asp.aeries.net/student/LoginParent and complete each tab. β
π· District Event Photos Are In! πΈ
π Looking for more photos from recent events? Check out our District Photo Gallery! Families can view and download photos from all events the Communications Department covers. πΎ
Last Monthβs Digital Citizenship Week activities were a big hit! Many students across the district learned what it means to practice good, safe, and kind online behaviors. Three RUSD schools have recently become Common Sense Media Certified for Digital Citizenship: eAcademy, Franklin, and Judson & Brown. Great job!
This month, we are focusing on National Geography Week (November 18-22) and GIS Day on Wednesday, November 20th. Please see the flyers below for information on some of the exciting activities available to students.
We also want to remind all students who are interested to consider participating in the 2024-25 science fair. Hear from teacher, Colleen Duncan, and student, Michael Stodelle, on our most recent podcast about science fair participation: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/Y7csC6anHNb
Finally, signups are out regarding RUSDβs 3rd Annual FilmFest. Is your student interested in making videos, telling stories, or operating a camera? Well, they just might have a chance to see their creation on the big screen at Harkins Theater. Check on the flyer below!
District Parent Advisory Councils
District African American Parent Advisory Council β¨
Join DAAPAC's in-person meeting on November 21, 2024. Keep an eye out on Parent Square for more details. For more information on DAAPAC please visit the DAAPAC Information page on our district website! π₯οΈ
District English Learner Advisory Committee π«
DELAC welcomes families of multilingual learners to learn more about how they can support their students. The next meeting will be virtual on November 20, 2024. π»
For more information please visit the DELAC Information page on our website!
Special Education Parent Advisory Council π
The Redlands Unified School District invites parents of students with unique needs to join the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC), where they can share ideas, collaborate with other parents, and help improve special education services together! π
Save the dates for future in-person and virtual meetings: October 17, 2024; February 20, 2025; and April 17, 2025. π
Additionally, please join the Special Services Department for their Special Education Parent Coffee Chat from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM. Meet at the Boardroom on January 22, 2025 and at the District Office Conference Room on April 16, 2025! βοΈ
Awards and Recognition
C-STEM Teachers of the Year
Last month, a few of our teachers and administrators visited UC Davis for the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference at UC Davis. The event focused on βAccelerating Student Achievement in Math, Computer Science, and Engineeringβ through inspiring speeches, hands-on sessions, and best practices for integrating coding and robotics into K-12 education. π
Weβd like to recognize and give a big shoutout to our C-STEM Teachers of the Year:
π Nellie Aboytes, Clement Middle School
π Robin O'Brine, Victoria Elementary School
π Noah Rosen, Cope Middle School
If you see them around, congratulate them for their dedication innovating education! π€
Alpha Delta Kappa Recognizes New Teachers π
Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) of Redlands recently celebrated the District's first-year teachers by hosting an event where each teacher was recognized by their school administrators. π€ As part of this tradition, ADK provided refreshments, and each principal received a new book for their schoolβs library. π This annual collaboration between RUSD and ADK highlights a shared commitment to supporting educators and fostering a welcoming environment. Here's to many more years of this meaningful partnership! β¨
Certificated and Classified Spotlights!
Classified Spotlight: Data Control Clerk Liz King
π Meet Liz King, our Data Control Clerk II at Special Services! π She has been working as part of our awesome Special Services team for six years! π Before this role, she served as an itinerant paraprofessional! πͺ
ποΈ She said her days at work are BUSY! π₯ There's always something to do, which she loves. π
π₯° She almost has too many favorite moments to name, but here are a few:
- She loved working in the Adult Transition classes when she was a para π€²
- As a data clerk, she loves helping staff with IEP questions π€ and solving issues with the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) π§ π΅οΈββοΈ
- Her all time favorite moments are attending events like the Optimist Games π and Inspire Choir Concerts! πΆ (Who could blame her? Those events are AWESOME!)
π«Ά Liz never forgets her "why." She says being part of RUSD is ALL about helping students. π
π A fun fact about Liz: She loves to read books! π
π£οΈ Advice for students & families: "Enjoy your time in the district, it flies by so quickly!" βοΈ
Certificated Spotlight: Third Grade Teacher Pietro Corsaro
πΌ He said working at McKinley is always enjoyable because he loves working with the students and their families. π He also truly appreciates his colleagues, saying "Everyone has a fantastic sense of humor, which brings joy to both the staff and students." π
Pietro said one of his favorite moments at McKinley is the annual kindergarten Hula event. πΊ Watching the students twirl crafted fire batons and perform hula dances never gets old!
π€ To him, representing Redlands means being part of a vibrant community dedicated to helping our students achieve academic excellence while fostering growth and inclusivity. πͺ
πΆ A fun fact about Pietro: When he was a baby, he modeled 49ers baby clothes! When asked if he still commands the catwalk, he said "Unfortunately, my modeling days are over!"
π£οΈ Advice for students & families: "Always face life with a growth mindset, and view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than roadblocks." π π
π»ββοΈ π§
Redlands Council of PTAs Updates
Become a PTA Member! π
Follow these steps:
- π Go to https://jointotem.com/ca/pta/fifth-district-pta/redlands-council
- π Search and click on your student's school on the list
- β Click "Join Now" and follow the steps on the next screen!
PTA supports their school sites through fantastic initiatives for families and students! π
π£ School Site Volunteer Information π₯οΈ
Visit our School Site Volunteer information page: https://www.redlandsusd.net/school-site-volunteer-information
A few things you can do as a School Site Volunteer:
- π Help teachers in classrooms
- π Chaperone field trips
- ποΈ Help PTA with events during the school day and so on!
Together, we pave the way for a brighter future for our children and community! β¨ π π
School Communications
Parent Communication: What to Expect ππ
Staying informed is key to a smooth school year (for everyone!). Outlined below are ways the district as well as school sites will communicate with you.
π’ District Communication
The District will send monthly newsletters, letters from the Superintendent, and updates through ParentSquare containing important information and various action items. ParentSquare is also an app you can download on your phone and set up your personal communication preferences. Seeing too many emails? You can adjust your notification preferences to digest mode and only receive one email from both your child(ren)'s school and the district in one readers digest format (click here to see how!). You can also enable text and push notifications (which we recommend in case of emergency). π²
In an effort to effectively and efficiently communicate with our staff, families, and community members, the Redlands Unified School District has adopted an electronic flyer communication tool, Peachjar. If you have any questions regarding this new digital flyer service, please email peachjar@redlands.k12.ca.us π
The District also uses social media to share positive stories and happenings throughout the district, in addition to important dates and reminders. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn! π±
π« School Site Communication
School site communication varies depending on site and grade level. However, all sites will send out either weekly or monthly newsletter-style communication through ParentSquare. For questions related to school site communication, please reach out to the site directly!
π² ParentSquare Resources
Here is a link to more information and resources related to ParentSquare. See the contact information below for assistance with your ParentSquare account.
SAVE THE DATE!
We are Hiring!
Join Our Team!
We post new positions regularly! Join our school community by applying here, or share this link with someone who may wish to apply. Call Human Resources at (909) 307-5300 with any questions.
Stay Connected!
Website: www.redlandsusd.net
Location: 20 West Lugonia Avenue Redlands, CA 92374
Phone: (909) 307-5300
Facebook: facebook.com/RedlandsUSD
Instagram: instagram.com/redlandsusd
X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RedlandsUSD
YouTube: youtube.com/RedlandsUSD Media
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/redlandsusd
Photo Gallery: redlandsusd.smugmug.com