Welcoming Spaces
February 2024
Despite the recent cold and rainy weather, spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the excitement of end-of-the-year activities like graduations, promotions, awards nights, and other celebrations. I urge our students to keep going strong in the few months we have left of this school year.
I have been impressed with the incredible leadership I’ve seen across the district from our Board of Education to our leadership team, to our students and staff. The work you put into making Jurupa Unified a strong and positive place is commendable.
I am also proud of the programs we have in place to ensure that every student not only is successful but that they find the support and resources they need to feel happy and welcome in our schools.
Our outstanding Community Schools and wellness centers exemplify the ways we serve our communities. These community “hubs” offer everything from mental health support to technology and parenting classes. You can read more about Community Schools in this newsletter.
Another way we have sought to engage students is by installing new, flexible seating in our elementary schools. This project, paid for with one-time federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund dollars, has helped our teachers to be able to create flexible learning spaces across the district.
As always, I am proud of the incredible team members who make up the JUSD team. Jurupa Valley High School’s Jaden Harrod is one example. An alumnus and former member of our Education-Information Technology team, Jaden now is guiding young engineering and computer science students at his alma mater because he wants to follow in the footsteps of his teacher-mentor. What a wonderful testament to the power of educators and the impact made in our schools every day. This is the power of The Jurupa Experience. Thank you for supporting us as we aim to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Wellness centers support JUSD Community Schools program
Anxiety, poverty, relationship issues, pressure to succeed, and other stressors can have a significant impact on student success.
Wellness centers – an integral part of JUSD’s Community Schools program – provide resources to help students and families navigate a variety of obstacles so that they not only survive but thrive. The centers are in place at four district schools – Jurupa Valley High School, Rubidoux High School, Mira Loma Middle School, and Mission Middle School.
“Now that we are a Community School, we’re moving toward the model of the whole child, said Jurupa Valley High School Community Schools teacher on special assignment Phillip Ramirez. “It aligns with our four pillars. One of our pillars is integrated student supports. We want to be here supporting the kids, not just academically but their …emotional needs and their social needs. Those are important life skills because after school, life happens.”
JUSD elementaries debut new classroom furniture
Collaboration in Jason Atkinson’s second-grade class at Van Buren Elementary School often means moving some things around.
With tables and desks on wheels and light-weight, easy-to-move chairs, it’s easy for students to change their space to fit the learning activity of the moment.
“Desks don’t stay static, they move around during the day. In addition to that, kids are choosing where they want to sit, what fits their learning style,” Mr. Atkinson said.
Most of the district’s elementary school classrooms – including special day class (SDC) and functional skills classrooms - now have flexible seating in place thanks to the innovative project funded with $7 million in one-time federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund dollars.
Jurupa Valley alumni returns to his old stomping grounds as a CTE teacher
It was a Jurupa Valley High School teacher and mentor who helped shape Jaden Harrod’s career path.
With the help and guidance of his mentor, Mr. Bryan Kendall, the 2018 graduate started subbing on the Jurupa Unified School District’s Education-Information Technology help desk. He later became a computer support assistant, and in August started teaching Career Technical Education classes at his alma mater.
Mr. Harrod hopes to follow in his mentor’s footsteps as he teaches Introduction to Engineering, Introduction to Computer Science, and IT Service Technician courses. His classes include the popular Dell Student TechCrew classes which allow students to graduate with certifications qualifying them for employment immediately after graduation.
Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year
Congratulations to Cindy Vasquez, Executive Assistant for Education Services and Expanded Learning and the Arts for being named the Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year! You can read more about Ms. Vasquez's award at: https://www.rcoe.us/Home/Components/News/News/494/14