The Horizon
October 2023
Superintendent's Message
The month of October brings many exciting fall activities. In Jurupa Unified, October also is a time to reaffirm our Culture of Kindness. Although we always kick off our campaign during National Bullying Prevention Month, kindness is something we focus on year-round. It is part of the very fabric of our school community. I am so happy to see that our staff and students are actively engaged in helping others. You can learn more about the wonderful things happening across our district by viewing our Kindness Stories on social media and our district webpage.
I also am excited about our new full-day transitional kindergarten and kindergarten programs. These programs, offered at every district elementary school, allow our students more time to learn and develop critical social-emotional skills. You can read more about these programs in this newsletter.
Our staff never ceases to amaze me with the creative ways they work to create exciting learning opportunities for our students. An example is the sustainable agriculture class and farm at Nueva Vista. Students learn about the science of organic farming while enjoying time outdoors. You can read more below.
We also are proud to feature our incredible Nutrition Services team this month. Not only are they always there to care for and feed our students, but they also are great cooks. Two of our team members even had recipes shared in a national cookbook!
Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure every child enjoys The Jurupa Experience.
October Features
JUSD's new full-day TK/K program
Jurupa Unified’s youngest students are learning and growing more than ever before thanks to the district’s new full-day transitional kindergarten and kindergarten program. JUSD began offering full-day programs across the district this year to give students the academic and social support they need to successfully advance their educational and emotional growth.
Teachers say they already are seeing the benefit to students.
“I was worried in the beginning and it is a long day,” said Granite Hill Elementary School kindergarten teacher Lorena Fong, who has taught in the district for more than 30 years. “I feel like it's been beneficial for the kids. “For the most part, they do well with a full day.”
Sustainable Agriculture's community garden
The autumn harvest has arrived in the tiny square garden sanctuary just outside Allen Umbarger’s portable classroom at Nueva Vista High School.
Pumpkins hide among twisted vines just starting to turn from green to an autumn ochre. Butterflies flit among the bright yellow petals of zinnias. Recently picked spaghetti squash, juicy tomatoes, and eggplants sit on a bale of hay, available for anyone who would like to take them.
Futures also grow in this garden. Students in Mr. Umbarger’s sustainable agriculture class are immersed in scientific discovery as they spend time in this tiny paradise. In just a few months, the garden grew from a club project to a class, to a popular activity that engages students of many backgrounds.
Staff Shout Out
Nutrition Services is creating tasty and healthy new recipes
Nutrition Services team members Marlaina Ramirez and Melissa Kantner are school lunch artisans whose creative, yet nutritious masterpieces have made their way into a cookbook.
Ms. Ramirez’s Crispy Pork and Kimchi Sandwich and Ms. Kantner’s La Carne de Cerdo Soup were recently selected as featured recipes in the K12 Crave Collection Most Crave-Able Recipes cookbook, shared with nutrition services pros by school food company J.T.M. The recipes were selected by a popular vote. Jurupa Unified is the only California school district featured in the cookbook. The recipes were featured at the 2023 Jurupa Valley Food Fest and will be showcased soon at district cafeterias.
News Briefs
Lights On Afterschool
JUSD and Think Together will host a Lights On Afterschool event from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, November 1 in the JUSD Board Room, 4850 Pedley Road. The community is welcome to attend this celebration of quality after-school programs. The event will include food and fun activities for all. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Jurupa Valley Veterans Celebration Parade & Festival November 11
JUSD will again participate in the Jurupa Valley Veterans Celebration and Festival, to be held on Saturday, November 11. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and will go down Mission Boulevard. A festival follows at Flabob Airport. We are honored to take part in this recognition of our veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice.
Bobcat Naming Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to our JUSD students recently named winners in the Louis Robidoux Parkland and Pecan Grove's Bobcat Naming Contest. Students were asked to name a taxidermy bobcat as part of the organization's educational programs.
Winners were announced at the group's Fall Festival on October 14. They are:
FIRST PLACE: Stephanie Morales' 5th grade class at Mission Bell Elementary who had the winning name, "Terry." You can see a video about how they came up with the name here.
SECOND PLACE: Veronica Villalobos' third grade class at West Riverside Elementary School. Their name was "Rio."
THIRD PLACE: Korina Diaz's kindergarten class at Pedley Elementary School came up with the name Estrellita (little star). Although they didn't win first place, the name Estrellita was given to a taxidermy pheasant whom Terry is posed with.
Great job, everyone!