TVUSD COMMUNITY CONNECTION
February 20, 2026
Listening to students and learning from every step.
Walk & Talk with Dr. Velez follows TVUSD Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Velez as she visits school sites across the district, connecting with students and listening to their perspectives. Through real conversations and meaningful moments, the series highlights student voice and the experiences that shape our schools.
In this episode, Dr. Velez visits Summit Academy, talking with 8th grader Maddie Yoon and 3rd grader James Abraham about the Leader in Me program and learning what matters most in their school experience.
The Gardner Middle School MathCounts team is headed to the state level after placing third overall at the Riverside/San Bernardino regional competition. This impressive achievement reflects a strong and ongoing partnership with Great Oak High School.
Each week, approximately 30 to 40 middle school students voluntarily travel to GOHS after school to participate in Math Club, where they explore challenging math concepts, solve complex puzzles, and prepare for competitions under the guidance of GOHS math teacher Steve Maxey.
“It’s pure chaos,” Maxey shared with a smile. “Loud. Competitive. But somehow… focused.”
During weekly sessions, students dive into math tricks, brand-new concepts not typically covered in class, and a wide range of competitions. “That’s what they love the most,” Maxey explained. “It’s competitive in a fun way. They argue about math!!”
Beyond local preparation, students also participate in national competitions against students from across the country and sometimes the world. According to Maxey, these experiences are where meaningful learning takes place. “I love watching them struggle through novel problems. This is where the learning happens.”
Although Maxey was unable to attend this year’s regional competition, Jason Slowbe, GOHS Computer Science teacher, stepped in to support the team on competition day. The students earned a third-place finish and advanced to the state MathCounts competition scheduled for March 21st.
The impact of the program extends well beyond competition results. Maxey, who has supported MathCounts for several years, has seen firsthand how the experience helps students transition into high school.
“Watching their transition to high school is fun,” he said. “When they arrive at GOHS as freshmen, they’re not walking into something completely new. They already feel comfortable here. That makes the move to high school a lot smoother.”
In addition to supporting middle school students, Maxey also oversees the GOHS Math Club, which recently competed in the Rocket City Math League, a national competition. Results are expected soon, with hopes of a top-five finish.
Above all, the program reflects the joy of learning and collaboration across grade levels. As Maxey summed it up simply, “We have a lot of fun.”
➡️ Follow gohsmath on Instagram!
Chaparral High School Girls: A Perfect Season and a CIF Title
The Chaparral girls wrestling team completed an undefeated season by winning the CIF Southern Section Division II Championship. The title followed another strong run through the Southwestern League, where the Pumas once again dominated league competition before capturing the Dual League Championship.
Led by head coach Max Irvin, the team continued to build on recent success. This championship marks Coach Irvin’s second CIF title in the past three years and makes him one of the few coaches to win CIF championships with both boys and girls wrestling programs.
In the championship match, the girls wrestled with confidence and energy, feeding off a loud and supportive home crowd. Their focus and teamwork helped them secure the Division II title and celebrate a season that will be remembered as one of the strongest in school history.
The team’s success carried into individual CIF tournament competition as well. All wrestlers qualified for CIF, six earned league championships, and six advanced to the CIF Masters meet, the most ever for the program. The team finished fifth overall, the highest placement in Lady Puma history, in one of the most competitive girls' wrestling sections in the state.
📲 Follow chspumawrestling on Instagram!
Temecula Valley High School Boys: A Championship Tradition
The Temecula Valley boys wrestling team added another title to its long tradition by winning the CIF Southern Section Division II Dual Meet Championship. Under the leadership of coaches Lyndon Campbell and Mario DeCaro, the Golden Bears returned to the top of the podium.
From 1992, when the dual-meet format became an official championship, through 2021, the Temecula Valley program claimed a Southern Section record 18 dual-meet titles and never went more than two years without winning one. After coming up short between 2022 and 2025, the team broke through once again this season.
Their 19th Dual Championship was secured with a decisive 49–15 victory over Victory Valley in the Division II title match. The Golden Bears showed strength across every weight class, using depth, discipline, and teamwork to control the match from start to finish.
The postseason success continued at the CIF Individual Championships, where Temecula Valley wrestlers defeated top-seeded opponents and earned their 14th CIF Individual Meet Championship for the Inland Division. Ashton Lassig and Damen Vollmer claimed individual CIF championships, while an additional 10 TVHS wrestlers advanced to the Masters meet, completing one of the program’s strongest postseason performances in recent years.
📲 Follow temeculavalleywrestling on Instagram!
🥣 Ceramics Gives to the Community with Student-Made Bowls
📝 Sophie Bolyard, 12th Grade
Chaparral High School
A&E Editor, Platinum Press
In their last year of high school, many seniors jump at the chance to take the Ceramics course, an elective that teaches students how to mold clay into bowls, vases, plates, and other unique pieces. One of the second-semester assignments is to make three bowls that will later be sold at Empty Bowls Temecula in April, with the proceeds going to Mission Hope, a charity supporting people in need.
🔗 Check out the full article by clicking here or on the article below.
Life's Cycles
📝 Alaina Grace Crabtree, 9th Grade
Great Oak High School
Great Oak Gazette
Ten seconds to reflect on memories-
lingering, loud, and bright. I carried them longer than I deserved;
now I’m ready to set them down.
Nine lessons carved into time, mistakes etched like scars on my skin-
proof that growing hurts before it heals. A new identity is formed the
hard way.
Eight fears lurk in my shadows,
stretching long and whispering lies.
They stay behind me, not in front of me.
In light’s presence, they’re gone.
Seven promises bloom beneath doubt:
always grow, try, and forgive.
Roots crack through challenges;
They reach for brightness ahead.
Six unexplored dreams wait,
like beacons at the end of a sea.
They’re challenging and uncertain,
yet still alive and possible.
Five seconds to gather my courage—
to finally say goodbye and keep moving,
whether the future is awaiting me or not.
Four deep breaths to steady a storm within
It is a chance to inhale hope,
as well as a chance to exhale doubt.
Three words to carry forward
belief, faith, and change.
It may be a laughable melody, but not to me.
Two paths meet—
one behind and one ahead.
The first, precisely made from yesterday;
the other, still unwritten.
One moment of silence, a reverent pause.
Before everything begins, I imagine
possibilities.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one.
The clock dings, and everything’s one.
With that, the cycle begins once again.
We’re excited to launch this year’s TVUSD Student Board Member application process, a great opportunity for students to represent their peers and have a meaningful voice in district leadership!
A flyer is linked here with initial information. More details about the application process and timeline will be shared in the coming weeks. Please help us spread the word and support student leadership!
What You Need to Know - Use the link below to find details regarding:
- Registration dates assigned by school site
- Step-by-step enrollment directions for TK and Kindergarten
- Link to submit a Let's Talk message if you are having technology issues or have specific questions
- Call 951-506-7937 to speak with a CEC Technician
- Grade-Level placement for 2026-2027
📆 March 9, 2026
🍽 5:00 pm Culinary Reception
📍 6:00 pm Temecula Valley Golden Bear Theater
📱 Click the link above to RSVP
We can’t wait to share this inspiring evening with you!
✨ Be Part of Something Bigger
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.
TVUSD Staff High Five Spotlight: Tim Woods, GOHS PE Teacher
🖐️ Our next Staff High Five spotlight is Tim Woods, GOHS Physical Education Teacher. "With his leadership, we are creating amazing friendships, becoming better humans, and competing every year for the Unified Southwestern League Championships. Mr. Woods is exactly the person we need to help all of our students with special needs and show them what they can do for the rest of their lives." 🙌 @tvusd.parentcenter
2/10/26 Board Meeting Recognitions
Each month, the TVUSD Board of Education celebrates the people and schools making a difference across our district.
At our last meeting on January 10th, we recognized:
🌟 TVHS Regenerative Agriculture Community Service and Community Partners
🌟 TVUSD Spelling Bee winner Riya Rakesh and runner-up Eric Vizcarra
We’re proud to celebrate those who elevate experiences, opportunities, and each other. 💫 @tvusd.official
TVHS CTE Regenerative Agriculture
TVUSD Spelling Bee Winner & Runner-up
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR CHS SCHEDULE
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR GOHS SCHEDULE
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR TVHS SCHEDULE
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Location: 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: (951)676-2661
