The Horizon
January 2026
Dear Jurupa Unified School District families:
We are now well into 2026, and spring is just around the corner. This is a critical time of learning for our students. It is also an exciting time as students enjoy winter sports and school events. I hope that you all take time to participate in and enjoy the Jurupa Experience. I also encourage students to keep doing their best with positivity, focus, and determination to finish strong. We’ve got this!
Our students and staff returned from Winter Break focused and ready to do their best. Our JUSD Innovation Fair, held this month, showcased students’ scientific knowledge, curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. I had the privilege of speaking with and interviewing some of our young scientists and hardworking coordinators for my January episode of Education in Action, featured in this newsletter.
I am so grateful for our dedicated parents who not only support their own students but also help all of our students and teachers. The Helping Hands program, offered at several JUSD schools, is just one example. You can read more about this program in this issue of The Horizon. Thank you, parents, for all you do!
JUSD truly is a family, united by a singular mission – to ensure that every student we serve is prepared for success in school, in career, and in life. This month, we were excited to celebrate one of our family members – Data Analyst Daniel Whitman – who was named the 2026 Riverside County Classified Employee of the Year! Daniel works hard to build systems that support student learning. He is also a parent and an alumnus, having attended Sky Country Elementary, Mira Loma Middle, and Jurupa Valley High School. Daniel is an excellent example of the service, loyalty, and dedication shown by our outstanding JUSD team members.
I am also very proud of our amazing students. Rubidoux High School senior Andrew Portillo is just one example. Andrew, JUSD’s only QuestBridge Scholar, was matched with Boston University, where he will attend this fall on a full-ride scholarship to study engineering. You can read more about Andrew’s journey in this month’s Horizon.
Finally, I want to remind our families that testing season is just around the corner. I encourage all of our students to do their very best. Get your rest, eat a nutritious breakfast (all students get free breakfast at school), and come to school on time and prepared every day.
Have a wonderful month, and remember, whatever your goals or dreams may be, you have a team standing behind you to ensure your success. We are one Jurupa, and we are stronger together!
Sincerely,
Trenton Hansen, PhD
Superintendent
QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship recipient
One 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.
Elementary Parent Volunteers
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.”
JUSD is thrilled to celebrate our own Daniel Whitman, Data Analyst, who has been selected as a 2026 Riverside County Educator of the Year!
Daniel has spent his life in JUSD, first as a student attending Sky Country Elementary, Mira Loma Middle School, and Jurupa Valley High School. After graduation, he worked as an instructional aide and registrar in the district before joining the JUSD Education-Information Technology team. His work to build systems that support student success is highly valued and appreciated.
JUSD Superintendent, Dr. Trenton Hansen, noted that Daniel is “a wonderful example of JUSD excellence and dedication. We are so proud of Daniel and grateful for the important work he does to support student learning in the same district that gave him a strong foundation for success.”
Read Daniel's feature in The Press Enterprise here.
❤️🎶This special event will take place at the JUSD Parent Center, 4850 Pedley Road, on Tuesday, February 24, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.🎨❤️
Families will have the opportunity to explore our VAPA programs, participate in hands-on art activities, enjoy interactive stations, and engage with the arts together in meaningful and fun ways.
We hope you and your family will join us for this exciting arts-focused community event.
Congrats, Science Superstars!
Congratulations to our JUSD science and engineering superstars, who were celebrated at the 2026 JUSD Innovation Fair Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 22.
A complete list of winners is available at: https://bit.ly/26JUSDINNOVATION.
We are so proud of all of these students, as well as their teachers, our science fair coordinators, and our engaged parents who support Learning Without Limits in JUSD.
Celebrating JUSD'S Newest National Board Certified Teachers!
We are proud to honor three incredible educators who have earned National Board Certification! Fewer than 1.3 percent of California teachers have earned National Board certification. JUSD now has 8 nationally-certified teachers and counselors!
Our new Nationally Board Certified teachers are:
🍎Cecilia Power – Glen Avon Elementary
🍎Mahera Khan – Glen Avon Elementary
🍎Andrea Flores – Ina Arbuckle Elementary
This rigorous, multi-year program focuses on content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, effective and reflective teaching/counseling practices, and collaboration with families and colleagues. We are grateful for their dedication to excellence and lifelong learning. Thank you, too, Teacher on Special Assignment Donia Briones, who serves as their mentor.
Register now for Spring Break Explorers!
JUSD is offering a free Spring Break student program for all TK–6 students, in partnership with Think Together.
The program will run March 23–27, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students will have an opportunity to spend their Spring Break exploring, discovering, and participating in fun, hands-on activities. Breakfast, lunch, and supper will be provided daily at no cost.
Students may attend up to two optional field trips to the San Bernardino County Museum and the March Field Air Museum. Field trips qualify toward attendance recovery requirements.
Programs will be offered at the following sites:
- Camino Real
- Del Sol Academy
- Pedley
- Granite Hill & Mission Bell (at Granite Hill)
- Indian Hills & Peralta (at Indian Hills)
- Rustic Lane, Ina Arbuckle & Pacific Avenue (at Rustic Lane)
- Sky Country & Troth Street (at Sky Country)
- Glen Avon, Van Buren & Stone Avenue (at Stone Avenue)
- Sunnyslope
- West Riverside
JUSD will provide transportation for students attending the Spring Break program at a site other than their home school.
Please see the attached flyer for registration and the field trip interest form.
The following steps are required for registration:
Your student must be enrolled in Think Together to participate. If your child needs to enroll in Think Together, you can do so at www.thinktogether.org/enroll.
Complete the JUSD form at this link: https://bit.ly/JUSD26spring
Spring Break registration closes on March 6.
Get Ready for Testing Season!
We will soon be in our state testing window and we want your students to come to school prepared to do their best. Below are some tips to help them do that:
- Students should get plenty of rest the night before a test.
- Students should eat a good breakfast on testing days (and remember, JUSD students can get free meals right at school).
- Exercise is always important and helps to reduce stress.
- On testing day, be sure your student arrives on time to school.
- When taking the test, students should slow down and read the directions carefully.
- Be mindful of the time and try your best to answer all questions.
- Be confident, knowing you are doing your best.
You may also want to take practice tests with your students ahead of time to practice their skills. Free practice tests are available at: https://bit.ly/jusdpractice.
As always, if your child is struggling with a particular lesson or subject, be sure they ask their teacher for help.
Thank you for supporting your child’s success.