TVUSD COMMUNITY CONNECTION

In the world of CrossFit, the intensity is undeniable, and for Temecula Valley High School junior Zoe Fiala, that intensity is part of what drives her to excel. Zoe's journey to becoming 5th in the world at the CrossFit Games is a story of dedication, inspiration, and community support.

When asked about how her journey began, Zoe reflects on the strong influence of her mother. "When I started with my mom, she would always do the qualifiers for the Games, so when I was eligible last year to start competing, I took the opportunity," she shares. What started as a bonding activity soon became a passion, propelling her onto the world stage.

Reaching 5th place in the world was a monumental achievement, but for Zoe, it was an unexpected one. "I definitely surprised myself with how I did at the Games. Going in, I just wanted top 10, but I knew I always compete better in person, and the programming was really good for me." Focused on exceeding her own expectations, Zoe found joy in pushing her limits and achieving results beyond what she had imagined.

Though CrossFit is now her main focus, Zoe’s athletic background is diverse. "My main sport when I was younger was gymnastics—I was a level 5. These past four years, I’ve played volleyball but took the last two years off for CrossFit," she explains. Zoe also dabbled in dance, soccer, and track and field, experiences that laid a foundation for the physical and mental toughness CrossFit requires.

Her training schedule is rigorous—six days a week for up to three hours a day—and varies between strength and cardio-focused sessions. But Zoe admits the most challenging aspect isn’t necessarily the workouts. "The most challenging part is probably eating. You have to eat the right things and enough to get in the calories you need." She’s tackled this challenge head-on by stocking up on food to fuel her training, even bringing snacks to school.

Zoe’s journey has been buoyed by the support of her local CrossFit community. A fundraising dinner organized by her gym raised nearly $15,000 to help cover the expenses of her trip to the Games. "My gym community is extremely supportive," she says, crediting them with helping her and her family turn her dreams into reality.

When it comes to balancing school, training, and personal time, Zoe is no stranger to the struggle. "Balancing is another hard thing when I’m training so much each week. I try and get my schoolwork done early in the week so that when I’m done training, I’m allowed to have personal time."

Zoe draws inspiration from Haley Adams, an elite CrossFit athlete known for her positivity and work ethic. That same positivity is something Zoe aims to bring into her own journey, whether in the gym or in her personal life. Looking ahead, her goals are ambitious. She dreams of competing in the Elite CrossFit Games after aging out of the 16-17 division and aspires to pursue higher education with a major in medicine or law.

Her advice to others who want to compete at a high level is rooted in perseverance. "Realize that it might take time, and you’re always going to have something blocking it from going perfectly, whether that be a coach or something personal. Just make sure you’re always doing what you want to do and what’s best for you."

Zoe Fiala’s story is one of hard work, self-discovery, and an unrelenting pursuit of her goals. As she continues to rise in the world of CrossFit, TVUSD and the entire Temecula community will undoubtedly continue to rally behind this exceptional athlete.

Temecula’s popular Battle of the Burgers will return to Pechanga Resort Casino on Saturday, October 12, from noon to 3 p.m., giving a panel of esteemed judges and local burger fans a chance to vote for the best burger in Temecula Valley. Now in its fifth year, this friendly and fun competition gives area restaurants a chance to show off their best burger and provides hands-on training for high school culinary arts students.

Click here to read the official release from Visit Temecula Valley.

Relive the mouth-watering moments from last year's Battle of the Burgers! 🍔🍟

Watch the highlights and witness culinary greatness as seven of Temecula Valley's top eateries went head-to-head in the Best Burger competition. From bold flavors to juicy perfection, see who grilled their way to victory! Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Best Loaded Fries contest, where high school culinary arts students, guided by expert chefs from Pechanga Resort Casino, took their creativity to the next level.

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." - Margaret Cousins

The TVUSD Community High Five Program is designed to empower and encourage the community to acknowledge and appreciate the dedicated employees of the district. This program serves as a platform for parents, students, and local residents, to recognize and celebrate the relentless commitment and hard work put forth by district employees.

Whether it's the passionate educators who shape the future of our children, the diligent administrative staff who keep the educational machinery running smoothly, or the unsung heroes who contribute to the district in various ways, the TVUSD Community High Five Program provides a means to express gratitude and support for their unwavering dedication to the educational well-being of the community. Through this program, TVUSD fosters a sense of unity and appreciation, strengthening the bond between the district and the community it serves.

Fill out this quick form and the Communications Department will create and send a digital certificate to the employee for their hard work. As an added recognition, one employee will be selected each month as a "Community High Five Spotlight" and their shout-out will be recognized in a future edition of the Community Connection.

Between October 16th through October 31st, students at all TVUSD schools in grades 3-12 will be asked to complete a survey measuring student self-efficacy, self-management, and emotion regulation, as well as their perceptions of school climate, safety, and sense of belonging.

Per Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5022: Student and Family Privacy Rights, parents have the right to preview survey content and opt their student(s) out of survey participation. Survey questions are created with students in mind, and use grade level appropriate language.

Links to preview student surveys can be found by clicking the button below. Parents can also opt out of the survey by clicking on the link found in the survey newsletter. The deadline to opt out is Monday, September 16th.

The Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) is deeply committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance school safety, we have successfully piloted a front door security entry system over the past year, allowing school staff to grant entry to visitors remotely. The pilot was very successful, and we are now expanding this safety protocol to all school campuses.

Starting with the new school year, the front doors of all campuses will be locked during school hours to prevent unauthorized access. Parents, guardians, and community members with school-related business will be able to enter the front office or reception area through a secure remote video access system located at the main entrance of each school. To ensure the safety of our students and staff, all visitors will be required to provide proof of identification before being granted entry. TVUSD remains committed to fostering a secure and welcoming environment where everyone can feel safe.

Last week's Staff High Five was Steve Israel, Program Specialist in our Special Education Department. "Steve has gone above and beyond to ensure that each student feels welcomed, safe, and motivated. His ability to connect with students and staff has set a remarkable tone for our program." @tvusd.parentcenter

If you or a family member is looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance.

Care Solace's care navigation services are confidential and complimentary to TVUSD students, staff, and their families. Care Solace's team is available 24/7/265 and can support you in any language.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 888-515-0595
• Visit www.caresolace.com/tvusdfamilies and either search on your own OR click "Book Appointment" for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Subscribe to the Community Connection by clicking on the "Subscribe to TVUSD" link below. You can also catch up on past newsletters by visiting the Community Connection Newsletter Archive webpage or by clicking this link to view our newsletters in the Smore Archive Folder.

Location: 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: (951)676-2661