The Horizon
April 2025
This is the time of year when we come together as a district to congratulate our students for all they have accomplished and learned this year. We are so proud of every one of you, and I look forward to congratulating our graduates next month.
During May, we also celebrate our outstanding employees with National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), Classified School Employee Week (May 18-24), and days to recognize our hard-working principals, school nurses, speech pathologists, nutrition services professionals, and communicators. These outstanding educators make a significant difference for our students, and we are so grateful for all they do.
The end of the year is also a time to reflect on our work over the past several months and how our outstanding programs are helping to move the needle for students.
The Dual Enrollment and Rubidoux Early College High School programs, for example, help our students earn college credits while they are in high school, allowing them to get a head start on their future plans. You can read more about these programs in this month’s Horizon. We have seen incredible outcomes from these programs, with the vast majority of our students successfully completing their college courses while still enrolled in high school.
We are also so proud of our work to include and support our Functional Skills students. Last month, we held our first Functional Skills Day event, a wonderful opportunity for special needs students from across the district to participate in games and outdoor fun with friends. This event is just one example of how our team works to ensure that every student is included and made to feel welcome so that they can enjoy the Jurupa Experience.
I’d also like to remind our community that registration is now open for the 2025-26 school year. We are excited to welcome new students and families to our district. We have so many incredible programs available, taught by caring educators. JUSD is the place to be! Enrollment is available at: https://bit.ly/JUSDENROLL.
Thank you, once again, to our staff, students, and families. Let’s finish this year strong!
On a sunny spring day, the Rubidoux High field buzzes with activity. Students smile and laugh as they run under a bright parachute, navigate obstacle courses, play catch, and enjoy time with friends.
JUSD’s first Functional Skills Field Day included outdoor games and play that most students participate in every day. But for students in the district’s Functional Skills program, it was an extra special opportunity to feel included. It was a day all about them.
“The Functional Skills Field Day is a day to be around each other, have fun, and enjoy companionship,” said Director of Special Education Sylvia Bottom.
For the first time at Jurupa Unified, every Functional Skills class participated in outdoor adaptive physical education (PE) activities. Every student from preschool to the Adult Transition program, ages 18 - 21, laughed, danced, and played with their classmates at every station they visited.
“Students with disabilities often get left out or they sit on the sidelines, so it’s so important that you’re always finding a way for them to play too,” said Adaptive Physical Education teacher Jordan Badders.
Students were fully immersed in the experience.
Jurupa Unified's Dual Enrollment Program Builds Futures
High school students work tirelessly toward their diplomas across the Jurupa Unified School District. However, Dual Enrollment (DE) students simultaneously earn college credits, effectively taking action toward their future while saving time and money.
The DE program started at Rubidoux High School (RHS) under a different name, which is still offered today: Rubidoux Early College High School (RECHS).
All four JUSD high schools now offer the DE program and give students a chance to get a head start on their futures.
RECHS is a DE program that allows students to take Riverside City College (RCC) online classes while in high school.
“It’s incredible to see how much (Dual Enrollment has) grown to all high schools throughout the district and surrounding districts,” said Autumn Albin, Teacher on Special Assignment for Student Management and Accountability, and RECHS Coordinator at RHS.
“Being a senior includes a lot of stress when you apply to a four-year university, if that’s our choice,” said RHS Senior, Brenda Alvarado. “This program has helped me with those choices because I’ve gotten a head start on core classes such as English, and it helps me towards my college career.”
RECHS and DE programs have demonstrated that students want to take control of their futures and can manage college courses.
While most students in Ms. Palagi’s fourth-fifth-grade Functional Skills class were excited about their bowling field trip, fifth-grader Mason was not.
Mason has a difficult time going to new places, but Student Attendant Aide Emily Wagers is there to help. Ms. Wagers guided Mason as he adjusted to the new environment. He remained nervous until he rolled the ball for the first time down the lane and knocked down the pins.
“This is so fun!,”Ms. Wagers recalled hearing Mason say. She noticed that his mood completely changed
He began enjoying the trip and cheering on his friends. When the class returned to school at the end of the day, Ms. Wagers welled up with tears when she heard Mason say, “This is the best day ever!”
“The main thing that I am trying to do working with these kids (is to) let them know that you can do this, even if you’re scared, you can do this,” said Ms. Wagers.
Ms. Wagers has worked as a student attendant aide for 10 years, giving individualized attention and support to one student in Pedley Elementary School’s Functional Skills class. Ms. Wagers was recently recognized as “Best of the Best” in January 2025. Best of the Best is awarded to those nominated by their colleagues for their outstanding work.
JUSD is the Place to Be!
Enroll today to save your spot for the 2025-26 school year and give your child the Jurupa Experience.
Jurupa Unified School District offers one of the highest graduation rates in Riverside County, the highest college/career preparedness rate in Riverside County, 27 CTE Pathways, including programs that offer students industry certification, Dual Immersion language programs in grades TK-12, and so much more.
Enroll today at: https://bit.ly/JUSDENROLL.
For more information, please call 951-416-1200 or email parentcenter@jusd.k12.ca.us
Rubidoux Students Are Tops in Tuba
Congratulations to Rubidoux High School students Jonathan Flores and Randy Rodriguez Reyes, who recently earned prestigious music honors. Randy was named principal chair tuba in the All Southern California Wind Ensemble and Jonathan, who also plays tuba, earned a place in the All Southern Symphonic Band. You might recall that Jonathan, who also plays guitar and has a rock band called The Sneezers, was invited to perform at the Grammy Student Showcase earlier this year.
Congratulations, Science Stars!
Congratulations to our JUSD science stars!
We had two students compete at the recent California Science and Engineering Fair!
🔬 Jimena Pineda Gonzalez from Jurupa Middle earned an honorable mention for her project "Wash Your Vision."
🧪Melody Lopez-Aguayo represented our district and her school at the fair with her project, "Crime Scene Chemistry."
Congratulations, BEST Award Recipients!
Congratulations to the JUSD team members who have earned BEST (Bilingual Educators Succeeding Together) Awards. These awards are given as a partnership between the Riverside County Office of Education and the California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE).
Our JUSD honorees are:
⭐Administrator: Jennifer Green- Patriot High School
⭐Teacher: Blanca Preciado-Mission Middle
⭐Paraeducator: Lourdes Espinoza-Van Buren Elementary
⭐Support Staff: Maria Izquierdo- District Office
⭐Parent: Patty Tewel- Patriot High School
In addition, Angela Martinez from Rubidoux High School received a scholarship. Congrats, everyone!
Masters & Scholars Concert
JUSD is excited to announce the inaugural Masters and Scholars Concert, a partnership between the Rubidoux High School Music Department and the Riverside Philharmonic.
The event takes place on Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall at Rubidoux High School. This incredible event is made possible with support from Mr. Elliott N. Duchon and Mr. Chris Brown.
Tickets can be purchased at the door ($10 suggested donation). Seating is limited.