The Horizon
April 2024
It’s hard to believe that the end of the school year is just around the corner. We have accomplished a lot this year and we have much to be proud of. I am grateful to our students, staff, and community for helping us to fulfill our promise to provide Learning Without Limits for every student.
For the past three years, we have worked hard to develop our Vision for the Future, a strategic guide developed with important input from our educational partners. Our Vision includes five Focus Area Goals: Achievement and Innovation, Systems of Support, Community and Employee Relations, Leadership and Building Human Capital, and Organizational Stability and Fiscal Solvency.
These goals aren’t just plans on paper. Our entire organization has worked diligently to make this a Vision in Action. We were able to showcase some of the many ways we are fulfilling our promise to our community at our district’s inaugural State of the District event, held at the Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall at Rubidoux High School. Our Board President, Executive Cabinet, student board representatives, as well as staff, students, and parents, shared powerful messages about the positive ways our Vision supports students and families. We call this the Jurupa Experience. You can read more about our State of the District in this edition of The Horizon.
Our robust Career Technical Education (CTE) program was just one area highlighted at the State of the District event. JUSD has an incredible 27 CTE pathways across 11 industry sectors. You can learn more about one of those pathways - the Emergency Medicine pathway at Patriot High School – in this month’s Horizon. Students in this pathway gain skills they can use toward building careers in a variety of medical fields.
As always, I am happy to recognize our outstanding JUSD team members and this month’s Horizon highlights one of our Best of the Best award recipients, Terry Gordon, known as “Mr. Terry,” Glen Avon’s popular crossing guard. Mr. Terry not only ensures our students make it safely to and from school, but he also brings smiles to faces and helps to create a positive experience for our students. He is a wonderful example of the dedication and care shown by our JUSD team.
Thank you everyone for your continued support. Let’s finish the 2023-2024 school year strong!
The Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall opened its doors for JUSD's inaugural State of the District
The inaugural Jurupa Unified State of the District, held earlier this month, showcased district successes, outstanding programs, and initiatives that allow every student the opportunity to benefit from The Jurupa Experience.
The event provided an opportunity for the JUSD Board of Trustees and members of the JUSD Executive Cabinet, as well as staff, students, and families, to share how the district’s Vision for the Future strategic framework guides JUSD’s promise to provide Learning Without Limits for every student. The program was livestreamed and a recording can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/SODLivestream24.
“I am excited about the intentional work we have taken on over the past three years to establish our Vision for the Future and implement programs and practices needed to fulfill the promises made to our students and community,” said JUSD Superintendent, Dr. Trenton Hansen. “The State of the District provided an opportunity for us to share that progress with our community in a transparent and meaningful way.”
Patriot High's CTE Pathway prepares students for the medical field
When Patriot High School student Jesus Macias saw an elderly man fall near his school, “I ran over there to help him and…asked him all the basic questions like if he is ok, is he hurt, is he disoriented…” Jesus said. Using a hands-on approach, students enrolled in the Emergency Medicine pathway practice life-saving techniques and earn incredible certifications.
JUSD offers 27 CTE pathways across 11 industry sectors. These courses “prepare students for the next step in their career,” said Cynthia Cuccio, teacher and head athletic trainer at Patriot High. By enrolling in this pathway, students learn to assess a patient, take vital signs, determine an injury or illness, control bleeding, and become Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certified.
Additionally, students learn advanced skills such as delivering oxygen, using medical devices, and spineboarding. With this training, students qualify for entry-level jobs after graduating or have a head-start for further education.
Sky Country Elementary opened their doors to the community to celebrate
Sky Country Elementary School celebrated its 40th anniversary in style this month with a community event that included speeches, music, games, food, the introduction of a new winged mascot, and the unveiling of a winning 40th anniversary T-shirt design.
But most importantly, it was a time to remember how far Sky Country has come and what the future holds.
Sky Country was built in 1984 and many faculty members have been at the school for several years. Students enjoyed looking at photos of their teachers from decades past. Principal Traci Payo’s history at Sky Country goes back to 1997. She left for a brief time to serve as Assistant Principal of Troth Street Elementary, then returned to serve as principal for the past two years.
“The event was such a huge success,” Ms. Payo said of the anniversary celebration. “It was such an amazing time for everyone to reminisce and share memories.”
Jurupa Valley Mayor Guillermo Silva, a Sky Country alumnus, attended the event with his family and shared a proclamation from the City of Jurupa Valley commemorating the special occasion. City Councilmember Leslie Altamirano also took part in the celebration, as did JUSD Board of Education members Karen Bradford and Robert Garcia, JUSD Superintendent, Dr. Trenton Hansen, Assistant Superintendent Daniel Brooks, and numerous former students and staff members. Representatives from the offices of State Senator Roth and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes also attended.
Congratulations, Sky Country, on 40 years of excellence. We look forward to many more exciting years to come.
Terence Gordon isn’t just any crossing guard to Glen Avon Elementary students. He’s Mr. Terry, their friend who wears silly sunglasses, keeps them safe, and volunteers to coach soccer.
Mr. Terry arrives early every morning to set up orange safety cones and safety signs to be ready for morning drop-off. When students walk towards the crosswalk on the other side of the street, he meets them halfway with a fist bump and a smile. “I have always had a good rapport with kids. Just a little hello in the mornings…it makes their day and it makes my day.”
The Best of the Best award recipient decided to pick up a part-time job at Jurupa Unified after retirement. After a commercial printing career, he became a crossing guard because of his admiration for students. “I love kids and I think it’s very important, you know, for them to be safe. And I just felt like that was my calling.” Mr. Terry said.
Mission Middle wins AVID T-shirt contest
Congratulations to Mission Middle School for winning the national T-shirt design contest for Avid Center. Students in Krystal Thiessen’s 8th-grade class submitted the winning design, which features the powerful phrase, “I am going to have an impact on the world”.
After placing in the top design choices, Mission Middle ultimately won through popular vote on social media. Thanks to everyone in our community who supported them.
The shirts will be offered for sale at 12 AVID Summer Institutes this year, as well as on the AVID website at: https://www.myavidstore.com/
JUSD Academic Award Winners
Congratulations to our incredible JUSD students who were honored at the recent Riverside County Office of Education Student Academic Awards.
Our honorees were:
⭐Jurupa Valley High School – Angelique Meza and Joe Eddie Juarez
⭐Nueva Vista High School – Allison McCartney
⭐Patriot High School – Riley Phillip Gervais, Isabella Ernestina Mariscal, and Erik Alfonso Ramirez
⭐Rubidoux High School – Jorani Roberts and Kassandra Davila
In addition, Rubidoux High singer Celia Bello performed the National Anthem.
Congratulations to everyone!
