RUSD Family & Community eNews
May 2025
I have the privilege of serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Compliance for Redlands Unified School District. In this role, my focusโlike yoursโis our students. Every decision we make, every policy we uphold, and every concern we address is centered around creating a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all.
I know that trust is something that must be earnedโand it starts with listening, showing up, and being transparent. My department is here to support you. Whether it's understanding your rights, navigating a concern, or simply needing guidance on a process, we are committed to being responsive, approachable, and fair.
We also want to make sure you have access to important tools and resources. One example is our Title IX informational video series, available on the district website. These short videos explain how we protect students from discrimination and ensure their voices are heard. We encourage you to take a look, and reach out if you ever have questions or feedback.
Together, we share a common goal: doing whatโs best for students. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us build a community where every student feels safe, seen, and supported.
๐ฒ Redlands Bicycle Classic School Duel ๐
The results are in for this yearโs Redlands Bicycle Classic School Duel, and weโre proud to celebrate the incredible turnout across Redlands Unified! Over 700 students showed up on a Saturday morning to ride, race, and represent their schoolsโbringing energy, excitement, and school spirit to the streets of Downtown Redlands. ๐ดโโ๏ธ๐ดโโ๏ธ ๐ด
๐ The Judson & Brown Elementary Jaguars continued their impressive streak, taking first place in the elementary division with 135 participants! ๐
They were followed by Kimberly Elementary with 46 participants and Arroyo Verde with 39. In the upper division, ๐ฆ Cope Middle School took the secondary trophy with 9 riders, followed by Clement Middle School with 5, and a tie between Redlands E-Academy and Redlands High School with 2 participants each. Congratulations to all who participatedโyou made this event fun and memorable!
๐ REP Rebounders vs Harlem Wizards ๐
๐ More than 700 students, families, and community members came out to cheer, laugh, and dance as the Wizards wowed the cheering crowd with slam dunks, trick shots, and comedy. Superintendent Cabral even joined the REP Rebounders for his first time this year! ๐ช
๐ฐ While the scoreboard favored the Wizards at the end of the 4th quarter, the real victory was for education: proceeds from the event will support REPโs Grants for Teachers and Grants for Principals, helping bring more resources directly into RUSD classrooms. ๐ธ ๐ซ
We want to say a huge thanks to everyone who came out to support our schools! ๐
๐ง To learn more about the Redlands Educational Partnership or explore ways to support its work, visit www.rep4schools.com. ๐งโ๐ป
Family Arts Jam ๐จ
The RUSD Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) teachers hosted their first Family Arts Jam at Mentone and Mission Elementary. The Family Arts Jam showcased the creative opportunities offered by the AMS program while fostering a deeper connection between K-3 families and the arts. ๐ผ๏ธ ๐๏ธ
During the event, an art open makerspace where students enjoyed a self-paced, open-ended space was available for them to come and go as they wished. There were also rotating music ๐ถ and theatre ๐ญ workshops where families explored folklore dancing. โจ Students in the theatre session joined in on games and exercises focusing on collaboration and expression.
โArts education is invaluable for students. It engages their imaginations, creative thinking, and different parts of the brain that aren't always lighting up with other academic work,โ shared Katrina Cavarno, theatre teacher for grades 2-3. ๐ฉโ๐ซ โProp 28 affords students opportunities from K-12th grade to participate in arts education, and we look forward to strengthening our secondary programs by providing pathways starting in elementary.โ ๐
๐ฅ Third Annual RUSD FilmFest ๐๐๏ธ
๐ฌ The 3rd annual RUSD FilmFest lit up the big screens at Harkins Theatres on Wednesday, April 30th, showcasing the filmmaking talents of over 100 students representing 18 schools across the district. ๐
๐๏ธ Announced in October 2024, students had until mid-March to write, film, edit, and submit original short filmsโentirely student-made and ranging from 2 to 8 minutes in length. ๐๏ธ The selected films ranged in genres and art styles from comedies like "Benfection" ๐ฆ , to the paper cut-out stop motion "The Spector in the Deep Woods," and heartwarming documentaries like "An Accessible Night Out" and "All They Need is Love." ๐ฟ
๐ฝ๏ธ The top films in each of six categories were selected for theatrical premiere:
๐ Middle School: Fiction & Nonfiction
๐ High School: Fiction & Nonfiction
Certificated Spotlight: Amy Brandon
๐ฉโ๐ซ Meet one of our amazing educators, a dedicated 1st Grade Teacher at Mentone Elementary School! ๐พ This year marks her 17th year in education, with 12 of those proudly spent at Mentone Elementary as part of the Redlands Unified family.
๐๏ธ She describes her day as full of variety and joyโno two days are the same when youโre teaching a room full of energetic first graders! ๐ She loves the sense of possibility that each new school year brings and is always amazed by the growth she sees in her students from August to June. That never gets old! ๐
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ One of her favorite parts about working at Mentone is the strong sense of community. Over the years, sheโs formed deep bonds with her colleaguesโmany of whom have become lifelong friendsโand feels especially honored to have taught siblings, cousins, and entire extended families. ๐
๐ Representing Redlands Unified is both an honor and a responsibility she embraces wholeheartedly. Every day, she strives to provide her students with the best possible learning experience. ๐
๐ A fun fact: She has a twin sister who is also an educational leaderโa principal within our very own district! ๐ฏโโ๏ธ
๐ฃ๏ธ Advice to students and families: โGet involved in your childโs education! Students are most successful when families check in regularly with teachers, talk about the school day, and prioritize learning at home.โ ๐ฌ
Classified Spotlight: Melissa Melero
๐ Meet the Melissa Melerero, the Office Manager at Franklin Elementary! ๐พ Sheโs been in her current role for 3 years and brings a wealth of experience from past positions as an RSEED Paraprofessional at Victoria Elementary and a Healthy Start Clerk at Mentone Elementary.
๐ Her day kicks off early as she greets teachers and substitutes, checks messages, and sets the front office in motion. Whether itโs helping a teacher with supplies, troubleshooting a copier, booking buses, or calming a nervous student, sheโs at the center of it all. ๐๐
๐ซ One of her most unforgettable memories was dressing up in a dinosaur costume alongside her principal and visiting every classroomโjust to make kids smile. ๐ฆ Another memory she enjoys is the first day of school. "Showing them around, introducing them to classmates, and helping them feel safe and connected โ it's a reminder of how powerful small acts of kindness can be in shaping a childโs experience." ๐
๐ Representing Redlands Unified means more than just showing up for Melissa โitโs about leading with integrity, building community, and ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and inspired to thrive. ๐ผ๐ค
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Fun fact: Sheโs one of seven siblingsโand five of them are left-handed, including her! โ
๐ฃ๏ธ Advice to students & families: โDonโt be afraid to ask questions. Get to know your teachers, counselors, and classmates. Strong connections open doors and make school more enjoyable.โ ๐
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