During a surprise visit at Megan Cope Elementary on February 16, Dr. Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools announced that our own Dr. Emily Price (Principal, Megan Cope Elementary) has been named the 2024 Riverside County Principal of the Year. Dr. Gomez’s statement, “Out of 515 schools in Riverside County, YOUR Principal was selected as the SINGLE Principal of the Year” really resonated with the students and staff in attendance!

Congratulations, Dr. Price! We are all proud of you!

RCOE's Press Release

Valley News Article

Video of Dr. Gomez's Announcement

Tiger Media Network students were able to coach future broadcasters from San Jacinto Elementary during a campus visit on February 8.

The trip, a collaborative effort between SJE teacher Jessica Holmes and SJHS teacher Jeremy Murphy, provided a chance for the young TIGER NEWS students to learn from the more experienced TIGER MEDIA NETWORK students.

The verdict is in and San Jacinto High School junior, Kayla Hancock has been recognized for outstanding prosecution skills during the mock trial! Congratulations!! Your dedication, preparation, and talent truly shined in the courtroom. We are proud of you!

The month-long competition involving fictional trial: People v. Clark featured 22 high school teams and was sponsored by Riverside County Superior Courts, the Riverside County Bar Association, and the Riverside County Office of Education.

RCOE Press Release

Photo credit: San Jacinto High School

January 2024 Winners

🏆 Megan Cope Elementary

🏆 Monte Vista Middle

🏆 San Jacinto Leadership Academy

Each month the winning school receives bragging rights, the coveted attendance trophy AND a lunchtime BBQ for all students and staff!

GET READY... THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE....

Starting in February, schools will compete for positive attendance versus highest ADA.

In short, positive attendance recognizes GOOD and IMPROVED attendance and any school that improves their Daily Attendance for the month will have the opportunity to win the trophy!

MARYLOU RUSH (Bilingual Instructional Aide, San Jacinto High) Ms. Rush is extremely kind and compassionate. She is a great asset to our newcomer students, not just by assisting them in their learning but also by showing them how much she cares. She always comes to work with a kind word and a big smile. We are so fortunate to have her at SJHS.

CANDACE HAGIHARA (Noon Duty/Crossing Guard, San Jacinto Elementary) Recently, as an ambulance was nearing San Jacinto Elementary School, Ms. Candance quickly used her stop sign and signaled for vehicles to stop. The ambulance was able to pass without interruptions. Ms. Candace always has a smile. Thank you for being the San Jacinto Difference and keeping our students and community safe!

LAURA DICKENSON (Special Education Teacher on Special Assignment) Every month Mrs. Dickenson joins my online class and reads a book to my K/1 students. She shares the books that she and her husband read to their boys growing up. Laura has the needed energy and enthusiasm that younger students enjoy.

NOEMI VALENCIA, SARAH O'BRIEN, DEVEN SKIBINSKI, and EMILY CARRASCO (District Office) These individuals are to be recognized and appreciated for their coordination, logistics, and leadership qualities and for providing needed support and guidance during the recent departmental realignments/moves at the District Office. These ladies took charge of furniture moves and remodeling work that will benefit our office staff for many years. We are truly grateful for their assistance on this project.

EVELYN ORELLANA (LVN, Mtn. View Alternative Schools) Ms. Orellana is an amazing LVN for our Mtn. View/MHA students! She is very knowledgeable and has a special way of taking care of our students. We're so blessed to have her here.

TAMARA "CHEF” HARDY (CTE Teacher, San Jacinto High) Chef Hardy has opened the Tiger Café at San Jacinto High! She oversees the entire operation of the student run café and the more I visit it for lunch the better it looks. The food is of excellent quality and she deserves to be recognized for her tireless effort in bringing the Culinary Arts program to life and making chefs out of our culinary arts students!

DOLORES THOMAS (Health Clerk, Megan Cope Elementary) We are so lucky to have Ms. Thomas as the health clerk here at Cope! She is always very caring and loving to all the many “Littles” who come and see her everyday. Thank you, Ms. Thomas, for taking such good care of our students!

CRISTOPHER FERRALES and GEOVVANY MENDEZ (Campus Aide and Resident Sub, Estudillo Elementary) Mr. Ferrales and Mr. Mendez jumped into action after school recently when they noticed a stalled vehicle in the line of cars waiting to pick up their students. They went out (in the rain) and pushed the car out of the way so other parents were not delayed! Thank you!

CORY SUMRALL (Special Education Teacher, San Jacinto High) Mr. Sumrall works to assure his students receive opportunities that are afforded to students with less severe disabilities and this year has worked to get some of his students participating in paid work activities. When it comes to his students, Cory sees solutions where others see obstacles. His students are definitely lucky to have him.

Use this form to recognize a co-worker for being awesome! Next month we'll share the good reports and let you tell us about additional outstanding employees!