TVUSD COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Each month, we celebrate outstanding high school seniors who exemplify leadership, perseverance, and a commitment to making a positive impact. These students stand out for their dedication to learning, involvement in school and community, athletic achievements, service to others, or their ability to rise above challenges while staying focused on their education. The Student of the Month program highlights seniors who embody integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference. Recognized students are on their way to college or trade school, and their stories inspire both peers and the community. Join us in honoring these remarkable students who reflect the very best of character and passion in their schools and beyond.

• TVHS: Elizabeth Shedd
• CHS: Melissa Chai
• GOHS: Charles Zhang

The Marvelous Show was truly marvelous! Our CHS, GOHS, and TVHS students lit up the stage with talent, creativity, and spirit, leaving the audience inspired and amazed. What an unforgettable celebration! Check out the highlights below.

🎥 by: Kyle Quiroz and Drew Crisp, TVHS CTE Media Arts Seniors

This year marked a major milestone for TVUSD with the launch of Girls Flag Football as an official sport, and our student-athletes made an incredible first impression. Representing all three comprehensive high schools, the season was filled with competitive play, strong leadership, and outstanding sportsmanship.

Watch our highlight reel celebrating this historic inaugural season and the students who helped pave the way for the future of Girls Flag Football in TVUSD. Their passion, teamwork, and dedication truly shine on and off the field!

🎥 Edited by Brinn Roberts, TVHS CTE Media Arts Senior

Great Oak High School junior Hayley Foo has been named the 2026 Teen Poet Laureate by the Riverside County Office of Education! Her award-winning poem, Ampersand, explores human connection and the beauty of fostering relationships in an ever-changing world.

Hayley’s journey began at age 3 and has blossomed into a dedication to both creative expression and community advocacy. She founded a non-profit Teen Zine platform, participates in numerous school and national organizations, and is preparing to publish her second children’s poetry book. With big goals for the future, including applying to Harvard, Hayley is inspiring others to find their voice and share it with the world.

You can check out Hayley's poem in the 2025-2026 Teen Poet Laureate Chapbook.

*Photo and article credit: RCOE

Rancho Vista High School is proud to celebrate an exciting and historic milestone for their school community. Student-athlete Analiya Garcia officially signed her soccer scholarship to attend Ottawa University–Arizona, where she will continue both her academic and athletic journey, competing at the NAIA level.

This accomplishment is a testament to Analiya’s hard work, perseverance, and dedication on and off the field. Her signing ceremony was a meaningful celebration, attended by teachers, staff, classmates, friends, and family, all coming together to show their support and pride. The excitement in the room reflected just how special this moment was, not only for Analiya, but for everyone who has supported her along the way.

Analiya’s signing also marks a historic first for Rancho Vista High School, as she becomes the first student in school history to sign an athletic scholarship. This milestone represents an important step forward for their campus and serves as a powerful example of what is possible through commitment, determination, and belief in oneself.

We are incredibly proud of Analiya and look forward to watching her succeed as she takes this next step in her academic and athletic career. Congratulations, Analiya—we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish on and off the field!

Experience the power of movement, teamwork, and school spirit in this incredible dance collaboration featuring student performers from across TVUSD. Showcasing TVHS Vitality, Ignite, and Alliance; GOHS Dance Force, Pomline, and Impack’t; and CHS Agi*lity, Essence, and Synergy, this performance highlights the passion, talent, and creativity of our high school dancers. ✨

🎥 By Brinn Roberts & Fiona Quan, TVHS CTE Media Arts Seniors

We’re proud to celebrate an incredible achievement by our Great Oak High School Cyber Security team! Competing against hundreds of schools across the country, the Wolfpack team earned 4th place nationally among high schools, standing out among 446 elite programs. Even more impressive, when ranked against every level of competitor, including college students, recent graduates, and military members transitioning into cyber careers, our top team placed 31st out of more than 4,200 teams nationwide.

This success reflects countless hours of dedication, teamwork, and real-world technical skill. With the Mayor’s Cup and the Spring NCL competition ahead, the future looks bright for GOHS Cyber Security!

GOHS Cyber Security Team pictured left to right: Gouki Williams, Hantong Zhang, Charles Zhang, Syed Shayan Ahmed, Therence KoTafoya, Alberto KoTafoya, Kevin Cao

From school events to community highlights, TVUSD student journalists are capturing the stories that shape their world. We are excited to feature some of their articles to celebrate their creativity, perspective, and developing journalistic skills. Discover what’s happening across our district, told directly by the students themselves.

📝 Sydney Kasitz, CHS 9th Grade, Platinum Press

• Instagram
• YouTube
• Website

Chaparral High School's award-winning monthly newspaper. We Got Issues...literally.

📝 Noelle Bohac, GOHS 9th Grade, Great Oak Gazette

The air was cold, as it always seemed to be these days. Wind blew by like a burning fire, drying his face more and more with each step. His eyes became more inflamed as each gust hit his face, but he continued down the snow-covered street. Saying nothing, he kept his head down and locked on the crisp, white powder building beneath his feet.

Despite his teeth chattering , he never in his life had he felt so hot in his heart. He clenched his fists tight in the pockets of his jacket. In his head, he felt like he had been running for hours, carrying the heavy anvils of his life on his shoulders the entire time. His mind was fuzzy, yet each step carried him onto the upturned road that led him to that one place he knew, the one comfort he found so dear to him.

He opened his eyes after a moment, seeing the gray walls of the apartment building. It almost seemed blue in the light of the half-set sun, the clouds hiding the bright red and yellows of the sky like never before.

He stared quietly at the door before bringing a weak hand to it, gently tapping his knuckles to the glass.

“Hello? Anyone…?” his words seemed to trail, unable to be continued when his breath caught in his tightened throat. But he swallowed it down. “Anyone home? Or…awake, at least?”

His voice was gravely, his whole body trembling with cold and desperation. When he was met with no answer, he sighed, pressing his head to the door.

• Instagram
• Website

The Gazette empowers Great Oak students to share their ideas, perspectives, and creativity while reporting on the stories that matter to their campus community.

TEMECULA, CA — Every community has its bright spots — the neighbors, businesses, and local favorites that make it feel like home. As 2025 comes to a close, Patch and T-Mobile are recognizing the people, places, and moments that made this year brighter in Temecula through our Best of 2025 series.

This story was submitted by Rosie Jadav, who nominated Ms. Michelle Triggs.

Ms. Michelle Triggs

Excellent math teacher

She prepares students for high school math and is better than many high school math teachers. Many students who went to Day Middle School benefitted from her teaching method.

Thank you for your life-changing teaching!

Temecula is beautiful and there is always something to do — wineries, Old Town Temecula, parks, shopping, Harveston Lake, proximity to beaches.

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." - Margaret Cousins

The TVUSD Community High Five Program is designed to empower and encourage the community to acknowledge and appreciate the dedicated employees of the district. This program serves as a platform for parents, students, and local residents to recognize and celebrate the relentless commitment and hard work put forth by district employees.

Fill out this quick form, and the Communications Department will create and send a digital certificate to the employee for their hard work. As an added recognition, one employee will be selected each month as a "Community High Five Spotlight," and their shout-out will be recognized in a future edition of the Community Connection.

The Intradistrict Transfer Open Enrollment Window for the upcoming 2026/2027 school year, including Summit Academy, is open.

Transfer requests can be completed and submitted via the District’s website.

• Submission Deadline: The window opened on Monday, October 15, 2025, and will remain open until January 31, 2026.
  

• Continuing Transfers: If your child is already on an approved transfer and will continue to attend the same school during the 2026/2027 school year, there's no need to submit a new transfer request. New requests are only required if you wish to change schools.
  

• New Transfers: If you would like your child to attend a school other than your school of residence based on your current address, please be sure to submit a transfer request during the Open Enrollment Transfer Window.
  

• Transitioning to Middle and/or High School: The transition from elementary to middle school and/or from middle school to high school is not based on a previous/current school of attendance; it is solely based on primary residence address. If you plan on having your child attend a middle school or high school other than your school of residence, be sure to submit a transfer request prior to January 31, 2026.
  

• New to/or not currently attending a TVUSD School: You may submit a transfer request during the Open Enrollment Window for the 2026/2027 school year, even if your child is not currently enrolled in a TVUSD school.
  

• Equal Consideration: All timely submissions received during the Open Enrollment Transfer Window will be given equal consideration. Consideration will be based on space availability at the requested school and meeting the District’s transfer eligibility criteria.

Our students thrive because of the dedicated people who support them every day. From classrooms to offices to playgrounds, every role matters. Join the TVUSD family and discover the rewarding opportunities waiting for you right here in our community.

Thank you to our amazing community partners who have supported the TVUSD Attendance Challenge!

Studies show that regular attendance is crucial for academic and life success. Here are some tips to keep your student on track:

• Prioritize attendance: Make sure your student is in school every day.
• Address health issues: Work with your student's doctor to minimize absences.
• Partner with the school: Stay involved and communicate regularly.

Remember: Chronic absence – missing just two days a month – can have a significant impact. Let's work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive!

👏🏻 HUGE thank you to 1909 Temecula for treating 47 students from Rancho Vista High School to a gourmet holiday lunch!! 1909 owners, Ricky & Kim Leigh, shared what they've learned from 11 years in the industry. Kim, a former high school teacher, told the students that in order to succeed, they simply need grit and a strong work ethic! This wonderful holiday celebration left the RVHS students full and fulfilled! 😊 @tvusd.official

The holidays are upon us—a time for joy, connection, and creating meaningful memories with loved ones. It’s also a season that can bring its own pressures, like planning visits, managing gift budgets, and organizing events. With everything on your plate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

While traditions and celebrations are meaningful, it’s just as important to care for your mental well-being. National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month reminds us to be mindful of stress and take steps toward self-care. Here are a few tips to help make your holidays more manageable and joyful:

• Modify traditions if needed. It’s okay to adjust traditions if they feel overwhelming. Your mental health takes priority.
• Learn the power of saying "no." If a commitment feels too much, give yourself permission to decline.
• Plan ahead. Use a calendar to stay organized and avoid last-minute tasks that can create unnecessary stress.
• Share your feelings. Talk to someone you trust if you're feeling anxious or missing a loved one. You are not alone.
• Take time for self-care. Make sure to rest and recharge, even as you care for others.

If you’d like professional support, Care Solace is available to help connect you or your loved ones to mental health services. This is a complimentary, confidential service provided by Temecula Valley Unified School District.

Access Support:

• Call: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support 24/7/365)
• Visit: caresolace.com/tvusdfamilies, search for a provider or click “Book Appointment” for assistance via video chat, phone, or email.

For immediate support:

• Call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response.
• Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
• Call or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ+ support): www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help

Wishing you a peaceful and stress-free holiday season filled with joy and meaningful moments.

Catch up on past newsletters by visiting the Community Connection Newsletter Archive webpage.

Temecula Valley Unified School District is committed to building strong partnerships with parents in support of all students. Part of this commitment includes ensuring that families are informed of their rights and the right to opt their children out of certain instructional activities or assessments, as provided under state and federal law. The Frequently Asked Questions document linked below is designed to clarify the legal requirements, district procedures, and options available to parents regarding opt-outs.

For more information, visit: Know Your Rights and TVUSD Annual Notification for Parents

Location: 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: (951)676-2661