“I haven't been back in about 31 years, (it’s) quite surprising to see all the buildings and all the changes that have taken place,” Ms. Slaten said. “(I’m) grateful to have been a part of it when it was small, and now you see what it's become.”
Ina Arbuckle Elementary recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. Special guests included Superintendent Dr. Trenton Hansen, former Superintendent Elliott N. Duchon, a representative for California Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, alumni, and former and current teachers and staff, who walked through campus, enjoyed student performances, browsed old yearbooks and photographs, and reminisced about how different yet familiar the campus was.
“They just cannot get over the change and the environment, and that it still feels the same,” said Tina Herrera, the current Principal at Ina Arbuckle Elementary. “They wanted more celebration to acknowledge everybody and all the work that’s been done here.”
For former Principal Luz Mendez, stepping foot on Ina Arbuckle Elementary’s campus after many decades brought a wave of emotion.
“I lived here for ten years of my life, to see it now, to come back, it brings back memories,” Ms. Mendez said.
She hopes the impact of Ina goes beyond the classroom for future generations.
“I know that a lot of these teachers are educating these children to the max,” Ms. Mendez said. “I would hope that some… would come back and be teachers, and administrators, and media clerks, and campus supervisors. That would be my dream.”
Valerie Warhop, a former student of Ina, now has a granddaughter at the school who is continuing a multi-generational family connection with the school.
“The same values that were instilled in me, those same values are instilled in my granddaughter,” Ms. Warhop said. “So it's a good feeling.”
Current JUSD teachers Beth Van Den Raadt and Connie Dam continue to feel that sense of pride and connection that continues to define the school today.
“Seventy years is a big milestone, and a lot of kids came through here, and they're very successful, so it's nice. It's nice to be part of that.” Ms. Van Den Raadt said
As the school looks ahead, that commitment to connection, care, and success remains a priority.
“Ina Arbuckle represents what we represent as a school district,” said Dr. Trenton Hansen, Superintendent of JUSD. “We are a district of educators who care about our students, who create community amongst our families, students, teachers, and our staff. And we focus on kindness, care of our students, and hope for their success.”
The school was named after a longtime JUSD educator, Ina Arbuckle. The campus reflects her legacy in fostering community and togetherness.
“This school was very special in the fact that it was named after my aunt, my great aunt. I started here when it opened.” said Linda Chard, former JUSD Board Member from 2014 to 2020. Ms. Chard was also an Ina student and worked as the Principal’s Secretary at Ina for several years.
“The community knew her very well, and they’d see her at the grocery store or on the street, and they’d say, ' Oh, Mrs. Arbuckle, how is your class this year?’ ‘Oh, it's the best one yet,’ and that’s what she said every year that she taught,” Ms. Chard said.
