| Many Hands, Light Work |  | 1/30/2026 8:00:00 AM | Every other Thursday morning, laughter and chatter can be heard from volunteering parents in room B7 at Pedley Elementary School. Parents rip pages from workbooks to assemble packets, organize paper handouts, and complete any other tasks left for them by Pedley teachers, as part of the Helping Hands program.
Helping Hands is a Community Schools program that welcomes parents and families to volunteer in a safe space where they help prepare instructional materials for teachers and organize school-wide events such as the school’s fall festival.
“Helping Hands expands (parent engagement) beyond just the fun and exciting events to true empowerment, where (parents) become active participants of our community and student learning,” said Dr. Shayna Golbaf, Coordinator of Community Schools. “(The program) is growing. The more that schools learn about this, the more they want to implement it and build that family engagement.”
As Helping Hands volunteers, parents set a positive example of active participation for their children, get to meet other parents and school administrators better, and learn more about available school programs and upcoming events.
Currently, Granite Hill, Ina Arbuckle, and Pedley Elementary School have implemented Helping Hands programs.
“We love to encourage our families to be here and to participate on campus so that they become more comfortable and become part of our school community,” said Cynthia Hert, Pedley Elementary Teacher on Special Assignment - Community Schools. “Once parents join Helping Hands… they realize there are so many opportunities that they can help with.”
Granite Hill Elementary parents Melanie Camarena and Azalia Iniguiz joined Helping Hands last year to learn more about their school. Now, they are committed daily volunteers for the first-grade Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words (SIPPS) reading program.
Parents are required to undergo appropriate volunteer background check protocols when they volunteer on campus more consistently.
“It’s really nice and exciting to be able to help my school community and help my own students at home,” said Ms. Camarena, president of Granite Hill's Community School Council. “It’s about my kids knowing that mom and dad are here for (them) whenever they need it.”
Ms. Camarena and her husband have become integral members of the Granite Hill community through their volunteer work and presence on campus. Every morning, they are seen by the drop-off area, welcoming and awarding students for their good attendance.
“Helping Hands reinforces community. Parents are a huge part of building a community in all of the schools,” said Elideth Guerrero, Granite Hill Elementary Teacher on Special Assignment.
As a mother of a transitional kindergartener, Ms. Iniguiz also joined Granite Hill's Community School Council and is the president of the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).
“I think volunteering is important because your child sees how involved you are in whatever they are in. I think it's important so that they can see that someone is around,” said Ms. Iniguiz.
Christina Pimentel, whose children attend Pedley Elementary, Mira Loma Middle, and Jurupa Valley High School, is actively involved in all her children’s schools and encourages parents who might be hesitant to volunteer.
“When there's an opportunity for parents to be involved, it's huge. You’re helping out the teachers (who) are with your children every single day,” said Ms. Pimentel.
Kevin Soto, Jurupa Valley High School freshman, said volunteering as a Helping Hand at Pedley allows him to give back to a school that once served him.
Kevin’s mother, Maria Concepción Pantaleon, encouraged him to accompany her to volunteer to fulfill his community service hours.
“Even if it’s one or two more hours of volunteering, it’s needed, and it helps the school and teachers,” said Ms. Pantaleon.
“Here, we can help teachers so they can have more time for themselves, and so that they don’t have as much work to finish after school, and they can spend that time with their family,” said Kevin. “It’s nice to (give) back to the community that helped you in the beginning and that has given you a place to live and an education.”
To join Helping Hands or to learn more about volunteering opportunities available at your school, please contact your student’s school Teacher on Special Assignment. | | |
| One Student, One Story |  | 1/30/2026 8:00:00 AM | O n e morning, Andrew Portillo, a Rubidoux High School 12th grader, woke up late for school and scrambled to get ready. In the middle of the chaos, he opened his laptop to check his emails and was shocked to see he was a 2025 Questbridge National College Match Scholarship recipient. In a hurry to get to school, he had no time to celebrate this life-changing news. Now, the entire Jurupa Unified community is celebrating with him.
Andrew, the only Jurupa Unified student to earn one of the prestigious scholarships this year, was recently admitted to Boston University with a full four-year scholarship worth over $325,000. He is one of 278 QuestBridge recipients matched with Boston University, and one of 2,550 finalists nationwide.
“I was very happy to be considered a finalist. I was telling everyone I know. I was very excited. It was a great moment,” said Andrew about being a National College Match Scholarship recipient. “It feels great. It feels surreal to have gotten in. I get inspired and moved by the story, and I try to tell others as well (that) through my work I was able to do this… put in the work, and you can do the same.”
Andrew holds a 4.4 GPA, is enrolled in various Advanced Placement courses at Rubidoux High School, and takes classes through Riverside City College. Despite the difficult and time-consuming courses, Andrew is also actively involved in clubs and organizations. Andrew is an active member of Rubidoux’s Mathletes and National Honor Society chapters, as well as the Jesus Club, Journalism Club, French Club, and Spanish Club.
As a first-generation college student, Andrew will be majoring in engineering in the fall. Andrew’s interest in engineering was inspired in part by his AP Calculus class. The subject, the students, and the teacher created a supportive and engaging environment that Andrew loved every second of, he said. His AP classes brought him closer to students who are also passionate and want better for themselves.
QuestBridge National College Match has successfully connected over 19,000 students with full scholarships at some of the nation’s best colleges. Match Scholarship Recipients receive early admission, a full four-year scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s 55 college partners, a generous financial aid package to cover tuition, housing, food, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
“This (scholarship) shows that even though we don't have the same privileges and resources that others may have, you can still work to get to a level where you can receive the same outcome,” said Andrew.
To be considered for a Match Scholarship, students must be high-achieving and plan to attend college in the fall after high school. Students typically rank in the top 5-10% of their classes, are first-generation in their families to attend a four-year college, and make meaningful contributions to their school or community. Family income is also considered.
Unlike many students, math is Andrew’s area of passion, and he enjoys sharing his gift with his peers and community through Mathletes and as a volunteer.
He has run booths at family math nights, and given up his Saturdays to help his guidance counselor, Ms. Leticia Mellin, at campuswide events. He has served the Lake Elsinore and Coachella Valley communities through the Youth Advisory Council.
“He is someone that you can always count on,” said Ms. Mellin. “His teachers wonder how Andrew has the time to be so involved and passionate about math and giving back to the community.”
When Andrew’s peers congratulate him on his accomplishment, Andrew shares his story with them to motivate them to apply as well.
“I grew up here, and I believe it shaped all my experiences and who I became. I believe I wouldn’t be a QuestBridge match recipient unless I grew up here,” said Andrew. “(Volunteering) is my way of thanking them for everything, for me.”
Ms. Mellin worked with Andrew throughout the lengthy application process and is proud of his accomplishment and the precedent it sets for Rubidoux students.
“It is inspiring to see Andrew be selected because we need to share with the rest of the community, with the district, that hard work pays off,” said Ms. Mellin. “We do have an opportunity, and we should have hope. (This) is possible.”
“This scholarship opens the door for Andrew to pursue his passion, and as a community, we are proud of what he has accomplished,” said Jurupa Unified Superintendent Dr. Trenton Hansen. “Andrew reflects our JUSD team’s commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
According to QuestBridge, more finalists will become QuestBridge Scholars through QuestBridge Regular Decision or other admission rounds. All finalists who ultimately enroll in QuestBridge college partners join a community of over 35,000 QuestBridge Scholars and Alumni worldwide.
To learn more about the Questbridge National College Match Scholarship, visit
https//www.questbridge.org/ . | | |
| Printing Connections |  | 12/22/2025 8:00:00 AM |
E ach mon th, the Jurupa Unified School District’s print shop produces about 1.2 million impressions. That’s just over 25 million a year. For over 20 years, the print shop has supported staff, schools, and students throughout the district.
The print shop plays a vital role in cost savings, reducing workload for schools, and ensuring students have the materials they need. Recently, the print shop opened its doors to all JUSD staff and provided guided tours.
“The print shop is part of the purchasing department. Here at Jurupa, we’re fortunate enough to have a really expansive print shop,” said Jeffrey Lewis, Director of Purchasing, Business Services.
JUSD’s print shop has seen tremendous growth throughout its years in operation.
“It goes back to the days of old printing presses, dyes, dark rooms, so we’ve been able to expand and upgrade the print shop as new technologies become available and provide additional services.” Mr. Lewis said.
Thanks to those investments, JUSD has expanded its printing capabilities.
“We’ve made a lot of investments, and right now we have some extra capacity,” Mr. Lewis said. “We’ve been printing for some other school districts, which has been great because we’re able to share and pass on some savings to them, but also bring in some additional revenue to the district, and that allows us to take that money, and it goes back into the general fund, to support the district as a whole.”
Cost savings are among the most beneficial aspects of keeping printing in-house.
“If we were to outsource it, farm it out to a commercial shop or something, obviously, the cost of our printing would be astronomical,” said Alex Cruz, Print Technician, Reprographics and Records. “Doing it in-house, it's a lot cheaper, and we get to customize it to whichever school sites that we’re working with.”
The print shop makes a wide range of materials for the JUSD school sites and departments.
“We produce all the consumable textbooks for school sites (such as) teacher packets, homework packets, reader books,” said Sylvia Palmer, Supervisor, Reprographics and Records.
The print shop also produces specialty items.
“We print certificates that have foil on them, we print diplomas, we print banners, the window perforation,(and) wall wrap.” Ms. Palmer said. By controlling the printing of materials directly, students and teachers benefit, Ms. Palmer said.
“Here, we control all of that so we can print it when students need it, and we can print it according to a pacing guide of when they need it.” Ms. Palmer said. “It allows us to print in a way that’s most conducive to teachers teaching.”
The print shop allows for accessibility to meaningful and timeless publications such as yearbooks.
“We are able to print yearbooks at a very small price point for middle school and elementary school students.” Ms. Palmer said. ”Just about every school site that uses our print shop is able to give a yearbook to every single student…and that’s something special, they’re taking home those memories from the year.”
The print shop’s doors are always open to JUSD staff. In fact, print shop staff encourage in-person visits to get a feel for the options and materials available.
“If they can’t feel the paper or see what kind of color it is, I tell them, ‘Well, come in.” Said Tomas Sanchez, Senior Print Technician, Reprographics and Records.“I have sample books also, so they can pick out certain things that we don't have on the storefront.”
“People in the district are not aware of the capabilities of what we can do for them, so this way it exposes our work…It opens the door.” Mr. Cruz said. | | |
| JUSD Superstars |  | 12/16/2025 8:00:00 AM |
Congratulations to our 2025 JUSD Employees of the Year. Thank you to our extraordinary employees for their dedication to our Jurupa Unified students and community.
Our Employees of the Year are
Classified Employee of the Year – D aniel Whitman, Database Analyst, Education-Information Technology Confidential Employee of the Year – Jessica Ascencio, Human Resources Technician
Counselor of the Year – Christine Fanous, Mira Loma Middle School Counselor
Site Support Employee of the Year – Valerie Linamen, Program Specialist, Special Education
Co-Administrator of the Year – Shawn Brandon, Sunnyslope Elementary, Assistant Principal Principal of the Year – Kevin Corridan, Rubidoux High School Principal Classified Administrator of the Year – Crystal Garcia Ruacho, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor, Parent Involvement and Community Outreach
Certificated Administrator of the Year – Dr. Karina Becerra-Murillo, Director, Human Resources
Employees of the Year will be recognized at the Celebrating JUSD Educators celebration in March. Teachers of the Year will be announced soon. | | |
| Toolbox of Knowledge |  | 12/16/2025 8:00:00 AM |
It is not unusual to see a variety of cars parked with their hoods open and students changing their oil in the Jurupa Valley High School auto garage.
This year, two cars parked there don’t ever require an oil change.
Auto II students in Richard Leach’s class are the first cohort in Jurupa Unified to build a fully-functional electric vehicle (EV) from the ground up. The cars drive a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour.
“I feel very fortunate that we are working on the (electric vehicle),” said Jesus Moreno, Jurupa Valley High School 11th grader. “We are the first (class) to work on a project like this (at) this school.”
Students learned how to assemble and install hydraulic brake systems, work on a vehicle’s low- and high-voltage systems, and, most importantly, think critically as a team. Under the supervision of Mr. Leach, students learned how to work safely with electricity.
“This is an effort to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of the autotechnology industry,” said Jenna Saugstad, Coordinator of Career Technical Education (CTE). “Students are learning the entry-level of EV technology.”
For senior Samantha Valle and her peers in Auto II, installing the hydraulic brake systems was the hardest part of building an EV themselves.
“This class and pathway made me feel like I can do things in uncomfortable situations that maybe I wouldn’t have done before this class,” said Samantha. “Now I feel like I can go in new places like this (garage) and feel okay that if I don’t know this right now, I can learn.”
The Auto Pathway consists of Auto I and Auto II, a two-year pathway that teaches students the basics of automotive technology, such as terminology, oil changes, to replacing spark plugs, and rebuilding engines.
Auto II taught 12th grader Dennis Aguirre to be open to change and adapt to new technology with the future of automotive technology.
“This is my favorite class because I get to build,” Dennis said. “I enjoy the hands-on (lessons) we get to do.”
“It’s amazing just to have these opportunities to do this and to be teaching this,” said Mr. Leach.“This is a great opportunity for our students to be able to have this embedded in the autoshop curriculum.”
Building a fully-functional EV required students to review one another’s work, hold each other accountable, and collaborate to troubleshoot when faced with an obstacle.
Jesus enjoyed working on the dashboard low-voltage panel the most, describing the visuals and functionality of the wiring as the nervous system of the vehicle.
Once completed, JVHS staff will test drive the vehicles, then students will break them down for the next class to rebuild them.
Students learned from The Switch program’s reusable kit. The kit includes materials, instruction manuals for the students, and summer training for Mr. Leach so he can guide the students through the challenging process.
The Switch program was funded through the K-12 Strong Workforce grant and is a collaboration between JUSD, local community colleges, and the Inland Empire/Desert Regional Consortium (IEDRC). The K-12 Strong Workforce grant is ongoing statewide funding to support K-12 local education agencies to improve and expand CTE courses. The Inland Empire/Desert Regional Consortium is a collective of workforce education and training providers led by California Community Colleges in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
“There are always conversations with all our CTE programs on how we can continue to scale up those programs, bring in relevant products, and industry experiences for our students,” said Ms. Saugstad.
Learning innovative skills related to electric vehicles sets our students apart when applying to apprenticeship programs, Mr. Leach said.
“It allows students to have a greater toolbox of knowledge when going into the workforce after graduation,” said Mr. Leach.
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| Building Hope |  | 12/16/2025 8:00:00 AM |
E very day, Mariana Lopez Ramos, Foster and McKinney-Vento Counselor, spends time in the Educational Equity department's filing room assembling hygiene kits containing shampoo, toothbrushes, mittens, socks, and other essential hygiene products. For many homeless or foster families, these simple kits are a lifeline. When their belongings are stolen at a housing shelter, they know Ms. Lopez Ramos will provide them with a bag of items that most of us take for granted.
November is recognized as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, but the Educational Equity team supports our families in need year-round. Currently, 232 families are considered homeless in the Jurupa Unified School District.
“We want to bring awareness that there are different forms of (homelessness),” said Ms. Lopez Ramos. “The importance of this month is to highlight the support that our students and families can receive through the district.”
Homelessness does not only mean living on the streets or out of a vehicle; it’s also our families who live doubled up with another family due to financial hardships, or those living in shelters due to natural disasters.
Ms. Lopez Ramos works with families by managing their cases and connecting them to housing and services such as social, behavioral, and counseling through the Parent Involvement and Parent Outreach (P.I.C.O.) department to help end their cycle of homelessness.
“There might be fears around (homelessness). We are here to support. We are not here to add more pressure on the family,” said Ms. Lopez Ramos. “We want to provide resources – that is our main and primary intention.”
Housing surveys embedded in the enrollment process or re-enrollment paperwork in February help identify families experiencing homelessness to ensure that JUSD provides resources and care for families who need it.
“A lot of the time, our families don’t know about the resources available to them,” said Yesenia Jimenez, Behavioral Health Peer Specialist. “It’s important that we help our families in every way we can.”
The Educational Equity team of behavioral health peer specialists and site liaisons works diligently at school sites to make sure that they feel engaged with their school community and help them meet their attendance and academic goals.
There are 24 site liaisons, one at every school site, who connect with students and their families and create activities for students to make them feel engaged at school.
Site liaisons and peer specialists attend monthly professional development trainings to stay up to date on new laws, policies, and community resources to better serve their families.
Leland Oliver, Behavioral Health Peer Specialist, travels between schools to meet with his students weekly and run small social story lessons for any student who needs it.
“We want to make sure that we aren't making (our check-ins) such a direct and serious conversation but more of a light-hearted conversation,” said Mr. Oliver. “Overall, just trying to make sure that (students are) having a positive time and feeling connected with the campus and having someone on campus to talk to.”
The interactive, small-group, social story lessons are based on behaviors that teachers and staff report their students need additional help with. Led by behavioral health peer specialists, students go over stories, songs, or visual activities to create a positive change in their behavior.
“A common misconception about our homeless youth is that they are bad students or that they have serious behavioral issues, and that’s not always the case,” said Ms. Jimenez. “They just have had a harder time in life than most other kids.”
In the new year, Ms. Jimenez will also pilot a new free Artificial Intelligence tutoring program, Khanmigo, for middle school foster students. The online service, Khanmigo, is accessible to students anywhere, providing stability if students move around.
Peer specialists like Ms. Jimenez also connect families to a wide range of services and local organizations, such as utility and gas assistance programs, Reach Out Jurupa Valley, and shelters like Operation Safehouse and Path of Life.
“I want our community to know that our McKinney-Vento families receive stability through school,” said Ms. Lopez Ramos.”They get access to meals, transportation, basic hygiene items, clothing, shoes, counseling, and behavioral therapy.”
The community can help by spreading awareness of the McKinney-Vento program, donating items, and informing Ms. Lopez Ramos of organizations that have resources that would be beneficial to students.
“We don't always know what is going on in a student’s life or in their home life, so just having a little bit more empathy towards them can help,” said Ms. Jimenez.
If you would like to donate items, connect organizations or services to the program, please contact the Educational Equity office at (951)-360-4140 or email mariana_lopezramos@jusd.k12.ca.us .
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| Excitement for More | .png) | 10/31/2025 7:00:00 AM |
O n
a warm October morning, Rubidoux High students were focused on the future. Seniors worked on college applications and attended financial aid workshops. Later, students from all grade levels attended a lunchtime College and Career Fair.
Similar exciting activities took place across Jurupa Unified in celebration of College and Career Kickoff Month. Through a variety of hands-on activities, students of all ages begin to take charge of their futures.
High school students worked with guidance counselors from across the district to take steps toward realizing their college dreams. Students worked on financial aid forms, University of California, and California State University applications.
“It's important to have these workshops integrated into the school day so students have access to people who are knowledgeable about the applications, and that they’re comfortable asking questions,” said Rosio Merino, Rubidoux High School College and Career Counselor.
“College and career activities at schools provide students the opportunity to explore their options and receive the hands-on support that our students need in the safety of their classes,” said Jenna Saugstad, Coordinator of Career Technical Education.
Elementary schools hosted career day presentations, middle school students signed a banner committing to pursue college or career, and high school students participated in various financial aid and college application workshops throughout the month.
“Our elementary and secondary education departments work in tandem to create ways for students to find their niche and focus to align themselves… so we can guide students towards the future,” Ms. Saugstad said
Every year, College and Career Center staff visit each other's high schools together to host financial aid and college application workshops.
“ A lot of our students might not know that they have the option to go to college, and we want to make sure that everyone is prepared to go to college or pursue career technical education,” said Daniela Luchembe, Jurupa Valley High School Counselor. “It’s important that we do this push so that students know that we are supporting them and that they can do whatever they set their minds to.”
“We recognize that there are mixed messages about how much aid is out there and (we are) helping students out and giving them the right information and helping them claim free money,” said James Marnell, Patriot High School College and Career Counselor.
Seniors aren’t the only ones who are gaining from College and Career Kickoff.
“It’s a learning experience for the other students to look forward to joining seniors in the excitement of life after school,” said Jennifer Green, Patriot High School Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. “This is a model for the rest of the school.”
Rubidoux High School students also visited Mission Middle School students as part of the College and Career Kickoff celebrations.
Rubidoux students shared their personal experiences and information about the different Career Technical Education programs, extracurricular activities, and sports available to Mission Middle students when they promote to high school.
“By presenting these opportunities, we can give them that spark that they have been looking for,” said Brittany Serrano, a Rubidoux High School junior.
Brittany and her video production classmates shared how exciting the class is, how it prepares them for a career in the video industry, and projected a video they made.
Viviana Aceves-Cervantez, a Rubidoux High senior, spoke about the State Seal of Civic Engagement. She shared her experience with the project, the value behind community service, and encouraged students to participate when they can.
“It’s our job to prepare (middle school students) and be there to give them pointers about how life is going to be,” said Viviana. “It’s important that we are pushing this (College and Career Kickoff) initiative because the whole point of school is to prepare us for the outside world.” | | |
| Engage and Empower |  | 10/28/2025 7:00:00 AM |
Parents from various schools within the Jurupa Unified School District and community members settle into class, seated in chairs arranged in a circle to promote open communication and participation. Some know each other and their teacher, and others are attending for the first time. They are participating in a district-wide program, Parent University.
“Parent University is a six-week series of classes for our families and our community that focuses on different parenting strategies.” Teacher on Special Assignment Courtney Siegel said.
Community School Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) are facilitating the Parent University classes at Glen Avon, Mission Bell, and the Parent Involvement and Community Outreach (P.I.C.O.) department.
Elementary courses offer various strategies, including setting boundaries, establishing rules at home, creating schedules, and engaging as an active participant in the school community. Additional courses offer college information to secondary students and their families.
“Family engagement is so important because when we’re including families in the academic process and in the teaching process… and giving them strategies to work with their children at home, it bridges the gap between home and school, and that’s one of our focuses as community schools,” Ms. Siegel said.
Jose Campos, Director of P.I.C.O., emphasized the impact that parents and families can have on their child’s education by getting involved and partnering with P.I.C.O.
“Pare nt University is a huge focus of our department. Research shows that students that are more engaged do better academically and socially… when parents are more involved. Children, their children, our children, do better academically and socially.” Mr. Campos said.
Dr. Shayna Golbaf, Coordinator of Pupil Services and Community Schools, shared how valuable the Parent University course can be.
“It’s beyond just getting parents to show up to our kindergarten performances; it's also getting them to feel as though they are the teachers. At home, they are their (students’) first teachers, but also at school, how can they engage? What does it look like to volunteer and be that positive mentor here on campus?” Dr. Golbaf said.
One of the lessons includes parents serving as co-facilitators and volunteers. Teachers share information about how parents and community members can get cleared to become volunteers, be a part of a parent panel, or join partner programs such as Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) and Helping Hands, a parent volunteer opportunity.
“One of the visions that I love about Jurupa is, although we have 18 community schools... we have 26 schools in our district, we’re all one community; and that's a big part of our district’s vision of providing these opportunities for all of our families.” Dr. Golbaf said.
This course is made possible by a Community Schools Grant provided by the state of California. Parents Maria Avila and Irene Ortega are among the first cohort of Parent University students at Glen Avon Elementary School.
“I just want to learn more. If there’s anything that I can help my daughter with, then I’m here to learn it,” Ms. Avila said.
“Showing the example of getting involved in the community and being part of something shows them (the children) to also grow up as strong individuals and do the same,” Ms. Ortega said.
A separate Parent University class was hosted by P.I.C.O. in the Jurupa Unified Board Room, focusing on the college admissions process.
Each session was led by collegiate partners such as the Riverside Community College, University of California, Riverside, Cal State San Bernardino, and the University of Redlands.
“My main focus will be guiding them towards meeting admissions requirements for first-year admissions, but I’m also going to touch on those transfer requirements in case they want to take a different route,” said Maria Flores, Senior Evaluation and Athletic Specialist at the University of California, Riverside.
Fernando Martinez, father of a Patriot High School junior, attended this class because he wants to ensure his son has the resources needed to attend college.
“The school district is trying to help the community. I think that’s what it's all about,” Mr. Martinez said. | | |
| Forging Ahead |  | 9/30/2025 7:00:00 AM |
Jurupa Unified continues to make significant progress in districtwide modernizations and updates, providing an innovative learning environment for students.
“If you’re a parent in the community, it’s fantastic to see your students arriving to these updated, safe, clean, and modernized sites,” said Robin Griffin, Director of Planning and Development. “For the surrounding community, even in the neighborhood, it’s really nice to live amongst a modernized school.”
Troth Street Elementary School and Jurupa Middle School
This year’s Troth Street Elementary transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students are the first group of students to enjoy a full school year in the newly-built kindergarten classroom wing.
The Troth Street project is nearly complete with the final phase of the school-wide modernization expected to be finished early next year.
In addition to the new office building, multipurpose room, and learning village that were completed last year, the school community is receiving full modernizations of its classroom wings, playgrounds, track and field, an outdoor lunch shelter, and a new library.
After three years, the Jurupa Middle School modernization project is substantially complete with minor additional touches needed. Students and staff now enjoy a new office and classroom building, improved parking lots, modernized permanent classrooms, and updated landscape and outdoor features.
Modernizations at Troth Street and Jurupa Middle School were made possible by Measure EE, a local bond passed by the Jurupa Valley and Eastvale community in 2014, and state school facility matching funds. These modernizations are the last projects under Measure EE .
The improvements, “greatly enhance the educational experience and daily experience of our students,” said Ms. Griffin.
The cost of Troth Street Elementary School construction will total approximately $33 million, and Jurupa Middle School’s construction will total approximately $30 million.
Pedley Elementary School
Construction of new transitional kindergarten/kindergarten classrooms also started at Pedley Elementary in June and is expected to be completed in early 2027.
The estimated $15 million construction project was funded by California’s Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten (TK), and Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program and state facility matching funds. The highly competitive grant allows school districts to offer and facilitate full-day TK/K programs like Jurupa Unified offers, Ms. Griffin said.
The project will provide seven new TK/kindergarten classrooms equipped with features typical of early childhood learning environments, and a new TK/kindergarten outdoor playground area. Pedley currently has only two classrooms built for a TK/ kindergarten program.
Districtwide Security Upgrades
Over the summer, various security improvements were installed or completed.
Security upgrades include
Full installation of districtwide exterior cameras Installation of BluePoint Rapid Emergency Response System -- pull stations designed to improve response times in the event of a police or medical emergency
“We are always looking to improve the security and safety of all our school sites,” Ms. Griffin said.
Measure V
The Jurupa Valley community voted to pass Measure V, the local bond in the November 2024 election, which allows Jurupa Unified to continue making facility improvements to school sites.
“(There’s) even more opportunities now to keep the momentum going and continue the school improvements throughout our school district,” said Ms. Griffin. “We are very excited to bring that to the community.”
JUSD uses the 2020 Facility Long-Range Facilities Master Plan as a planning tool to execute future modernization and school improvement projects.
“We have all those plans and needs presented for the community to see – completed in conjunction with parents, students, and surrounding community and staff input.” Ms. Griffin said.
The Measure V Citizens’ Oversight Committee reviews the district’s bond expenditures to ensure the district is spending bond dollars as promised and specified to the community.
“That helped us develop educational specifications and standards so we know what the community has said they would like to see at our school sites. We bring all of that (input) into the school improvements that we do.” Ms. Griffin said. | | |
| Choosing Attendance |  | 9/26/2025 7:00:00 AM | L owrider car shows, attendance dance parties, and staff versus student basketball games were a few of the events schools hosted to celebrate good attendance in September.
September is recognized as Attendance Awareness Month, and in Jurupa Unified, September 8th - 12th is celebrated as Attendance Spirit Week.
“We want to bring attendance to the forefront with our families to let them know how important it is to be at school every day... not only academically, but also for (students') mental well-being,” said Victoria Jobe, Coordinator of Pupil Services.
Attendance matters because “we need our students to be in their classrooms learning all the standards and what they need to be able to move on to the next grade and to graduate from high school and pursue a higher education,” said Ms. Jobe.
This summer, Sunnyslope Elementary, Peralta Elementary, Van Buren Elementary, Mission Middle School, and Patriot High School received attendance awards for their efforts in decreasing chronic absenteeism.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as being absent 10%, or 18 days of school, said Ms. Jobe.
Sunnyslope Elementary had a 6.36% decline in chronic absenteeism by creating a culture of attendance.
The school has numerous attendance recognitions displayed on the marquee outside, bulletin boards in the office, and throughout the campus.
“We are very proud of our attendance initiatives,” said Marie Araux, Sunnyslope Elementary School Principal. “We have a wide range (of incentives) starting in the classroom, individual incentives, there's something new every month to motivate students to come to school.”
Students enjoy the monthly attendance challenges the most and excitedly approach staff to show that they are present at school each day.
“It’s a team effort. All of our classified staff interact with our students on a daily basis, so they are very much involved in the culture of creating a safe environment,” said Ms. Araux.
Mission Middle School experienced a 3.55% decline in chronic absenteeism, which they achieved by focusing on their students’ interests.
Last year, Mission Middle doubled the number of clubs offered to students. The clubs provide spaces for students to get excited about and create connections with their peers, teachers, and school.
“By focusing on our students, what they’re excited about, what their interests are, we (can) better connect with them, and when you have those connections, it just makes school more enjoyable, more fun, and that is where the learning happens,” said Alicia Heimer, Mission Middle School Principal.
Mission Middle also started offering specialty advisory classes during the first period of the day.
Students are allowed to enroll in classes that line up with the core elective offerings for their speciality advisory classes. That includes yearbook, publications, Associated Student Body (ASB), music, ballet folklorico, esports, and sports statistics.
Students can still enroll in general advisory classes, but two-thirds of the student population is enrolled in a specialty advisory class.
“Having that first class of the day be something that students have self-selected and are excited about helps them get them here and find that community on campus,” said Ms Heimer.
If students and families are having a difficult time getting to school, staff members at all sites reach out to families and build relationships to help them receive the resources they need.
“Part of my job is to reach out to those families and find out what the barriers (are), what are the root causes for absenteeism,” said Ms. Jobe. “(I) work with the families and find out how to remove those barriers so that those students can be at school daily.”
“We explain to our students, ‘You need to be here every day. We can’t support you, we can't help you build your future, we can't invest (in you), you can’t invest in yourself if you’re not here and setting yourself up for success,” said Ms. Heimer. | | |
