The Horizon
October 2024
Fall is such an exciting time of the year in Jurupa Unified. Students are engaged in active learning and fun school activities are in full swing.
One of my favorite fall traditions is our Culture of Kindness campaign, which takes place each October in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month. I am proud of the many ways our students, staff, and families show kindness to one another. Often, these kind gestures are very simple – writing a kind note for a teacher or other school staff member, including a new friend out on the playground, or offering a smile to someone who seems down.
Research shows that being kind to others not only benefits those we are helping, it helps us as well. It feels great when we do something kind for others. The great thing about being kind is that we can all do it, and it is absolutely free!
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to talk with students at Troth Street Elementary who are making a difference on their campus through simple acts of kindness. You can see my discussion with the student leaders in this month’s On the Road With Dr. Hansen. We also are featuring other examples of kindness across the district in this edition of The Horizon.
Also important are the safety and modernization efforts underway throughout the district. We are now completing projects at Troth Street Elementary and Jurupa Middle School. These projects were both funded with Measure EE, a facilities bond measure passed by voters in 2014, and state matching funds that were made available to us because we had the bond dollars in place. Many JUSD schools are 50-60 years old and in need of upgrades. Funding from another facilities bond, such as Measure V on the November ballot, would help us to improve safety and accessibility on our school campuses and to provide modern and engaging learning environments for every student.
Finally, I am so very proud of our students engaged in this year’s Family Reading Challenge and other literacy efforts. Patriot High School’s creative Warriors are Readers program helps our high school students connect with books and reading in a fun and engaging way. You can read more about this program in this month’s newsletter. These engaging literacy-themed events help students develop a love of reading and build habits that will set them up for a lifetime of success.
I’m excited to see all the wonderful opportunities available to our students throughout the remainder of the fall. Thank you for your continued support and active engagement in our students’ success.
Campus modernization project update
Campus modernization projects at Troth Street Elementary and Jurupa Middle School have significantly progressed as they move into deeper construction phases. Modernizations will ensure students have safe, secure, and engaging learning environments.
Measure EE, the $144 million local bond passed in 2014, has allowed the district to complete modernizations and upgrades throughout the district, but there are still several Jurupa schools that are over 50 years old and in need of modernization. An additional bond, such as Measure V on the November ballot, would be needed to complete additional projects.
Local bond measure passages are the only way the district has access to sufficient funding to improve school facilities said Robin Griffin, Jurupa Unified Director of Planning and Development.
Both the Troth Street and Jurupa Middle School construction projects include security upgrades that feature increased standard perimeter fencing heights, installation of exterior cameras, new secure single points of entry, and rapid emergency response systems to enhance law enforcement contact. Similar enhancements will be included in future projects.
“Our goal is ultimately, when facility funding becomes available to continue to increase the number of exterior cameras at our sites, increase the amount of perimeter fencing… to make it more safe and secure,” Ms. Griffin said. “Any time that we can make our school campuses more accessible in a safer manner, we are trying to implement those design changes.”
Patriot High tradition encourages reading
On a recent October morning, a buzzing bevy of Patriot High School students gathered in the quad, to make crafts, pose for photos, enjoy snacks, and make new friends…with books.
The annual Warriors are Readers event encourages students, especially freshmen, to gather for a fun before-school get-together designed to help students discover a joy for reading. The English and Theatre Departments lead the annual event. Numerous campus clubs also support the effort.
The event included activities such as bookmark making, a photo wall, a book giveaway, hot chocolate and snacks, and a book tasting, where students perused a wide variety of book genres.
English Department Chair Theresa Mendoza noted that the idea for the event came about following distance learning during the pandemic.
“We were struggling with getting kids to read,” she said. “To get them reading on their own time and finding a passion for reading was really difficult.”
Classified staff members share kindness campuswide
Glen Avon Elementary School Principal Cara Woolweaver has noticed how Sherrie Stoddard, Health Clerk and Activity Supervisor, and Irma Rangel, Instructional Aide, are modeling kindness by actively being helpful and considerate.
“Both have built that community trust, so they are very valuable to the school,” Ms. Woolweaver said.
Ms. Stoddard and Ms. Rangel are seasoned employees at Glen Avon. They have worked at the school for 31 and 41 years respectively. Teacher on Special Assignment John Taylor, who has been at the elementary school for 26 years, has worked closely with Ms. Stoddard and Ms. Rangel.
“Like the sun and the moon, they never change. They’re always shining and always lit up and they are always kind to everyone” Mr. Taylor said.
For the past four years, JUSD has emphasized the importance of kindness and empathy through its Culture of Kindness campaign. This national award-winning initiative kicks off each October during National Bullying Prevention Month and continues throughout the year. We are always inspired to see the creative ways students and staff show kindness and compassion for others. It might be writing a kind note or inspirational message for others, helping someone who is having a difficult time, offering friendship, or providing a fun treat to brighten someone’s day.
Kindness is contagious and we’re so happy to see it spreading across JUSD! Remember to always, Be Kind, JUSD!
JUSD's School Communicators United in Leadership (SCUiL) includes five high school students throughout the district who will contribute to The Horizon newsletter this school year. These students have interest ranging from interpersonal communication and leadership to writing to photography -- all important communications skills.
Get to know the team!
Juan Pablo "JP" Garcia, 12th grade, Jurupa Valley High School
Extracurricular Activities:
Current: Mecha Club, Podcast Class, Space Club
Past: Junior Class Council Club
Future Goals:
"Travel to different countries, learn/speak two or more languages and start my own business."
Hobby related to communications (writing, photography, leadership, etc.):
Photography and writing
Proudest accomplishment:
"When I was in the spotlight of dance circle in the Homecoming Dance 2024 and I danced for 5 minutes straight. I'm very proud of myself because I really enjoy dancing and I able to put myself out there. That is something I couldn't do a few years ago. Only now I've started to take steps to get out of my comfort zone.
Luis Sanchez, 12th grade, Nueva Vista High School
Extracurricular Activities:
“I joined the ASB class and help out whenever I can. [Even though] I'm no longer in it I still help whenever I can with certain things my teachers need help with.”
Future Goals:
“Hopefully join the U.S. Marines, and someday with free time, I could learn to screen print to my fullest extent without having to worry about my bills. Screen printing is my dream job.”
Hobby related to communications (writing, photography, leadership, etc.):
“I enjoy talking with people, I don't know if that is a hobby but it's something I enjoy doing and it is related to communications.”
Proudest accomplishment:
“Bettering myself and changing my life around the decisions I've made these past couple of years.”
Desiree Kauffman, 11th grade, Rubidoux High School
Extracurricular Activities:
Journalism, Rubidoux Early College High School (RECHS) Rubidoux College and Career Access Pathway Program (CCAP), Black Student Union (BSU)
Future Goals:
"Attend Yale University, major in criminal law, and minor in criminal justice. Move on to be a public attorney, while also pursuing a career in higher politics."
Hobby related to communications (writing, photography, leadership, etc.):
Reading, writing literature, photography, and photo editing
Proudest accomplishment: Actively enrolled in the Dual Enrollment program, completed four college classes, and enrolled in one this year; member of the Journalism Club, Chief Editor of The Talen magazine, treasurer of the Black Student Union
Isabella Mocino, 12th grade, Patriot High School
Extracurricular Activities:
Campus Riverside Newsletter, Yearbook, Environmental Club, California Scholarship Federation, National Honors Society.
Future Goals:
"My future goals are to get into college, get an internship, and gain experience that will benefit me in my future career. I also want to join clubs in college and hopefully write for a blog or newspaper at my future university to keep my writing skills sharp and continue doing something I love regularly."
Hobby related to communications (writing, photography, leadership, etc.):
"Writing blog posts, taking pictures for the Yearbook and my memories, writing music, and being treasurer of National Honor Society and Environmental Club."
Proudest accomplishment:
"An accomplishment that I'm proud of is completing my 5-week long California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Research Fellowship at UCR because it took a lot of time and hard work. I also learned so much and now have experience in a field that I love and want to pursue, and for me, that's something to be proud of."
Camila Davalos, 11th grade, Rubidoux High School
Extracurricular Activities:
Journalism, Gardening Club, French Club
Future Goals:
"I want to successfully reach my goal of graduating high school to study criminology/criminal justice to become a crime scene investigator or detective. I would also love to achieve the goal to have a time in life where I could write either poetry or books like I do now."
Hobby related to communications (writing, photography, leadership, etc.):
I have a strong passion for writing, inside and outside of school.
Proudest accomplishment:
"An accomplishment I am proud of is being able to be part of something for the district where I can share my thoughts and mindset with. This is something I am really proud of because I was acknowledged to be part of an important group and my mother being very proud of me."
Mission Bell Library Receives Grant
Earlier this month, Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) presented a check for $5,000 to Mission Bell Elementary School in Jurupa Valley, a grant award from the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
“Mission Bell Elementary is one of the many incredible schools in our region and we thank the Barona Band of Mission Indians for this generous grant which enables this school to purchase needed books for current and future students." said Roth “Our schools are not only laboratories of education for our children, they're key to building vibrant, safe and healthy communities and deserve our support to continue their vital work."
“Jurupa Unified is grateful to the Barona Band of Mission Indians for their generous donation to Mission Bell Elementary School's library," said Trenton Hansen, PhD, Superintendent, Jurupa Unified School District. “We also thank Senator Richard Roth for helping us secure this grant and for personally awarding this special gift to our Mission Bell scholars. This is a wonderful example of how dedicated educational partners are helping Jurupa Unified to ensure Learning Without Limits and Literacy Without Limits for every student."
JUSD in the News
Our groundbreaking Classified Ambassadors program was recently highlighted as the cover story for the September/October issue of CSEA Focus magazine! The Classified Ambassador program is a collaborative effort between our district and CSEA Jurupa Chapter 392. You can read the story here.
Thank you to our dedicated classified team members who go above and beyond for students and to our CSEA and Human Resources leadership for ensuring the success of this incredible program.
JUSD's Clean Energy Efforts Touted
JUSD and Dr. Ricardo Solis, Maintenance and Operations Supervisor, were recently honored for efforts to support clean energy. Dr. Solis was named a Clean Energy Champion by Southern California Edison and was honored at the SCE Hispanic Heritage Month event. You can read more here.