RUSD Family & Community eNews

Message from Superintendent Juan Cabral

A Portrait of a Graduate is a shared vision developed by a school district in collaboration with its community. It defines the essential skills and attributes students should develop by the time they graduate. It goes beyond academic achievement to include the broader competencies needed for students to thrive in a complex and evolving world.

In Redlands Unified, this vision is expressed through EMPOWER – a framework that identifies the key traits we believe every graduate should embody.

Click here to learn more about EMPOWER!

What's Happening in RUSD

A Citrus Valley High School graduate smiles in her cap and gown while wearing a California State Seal of Biliteracy medal beneath a gold “Class of 2026” balloon display.

Class of 2026 Concludes with Summer Graduation

The District celebrated nine graduates from across Citrus Valley High School, Redlands East Valley High School, Redlands High School, and Orangewood High School during our Summer Graduation ceremony.

After completing their remaining credits in summer school, these students had their opportunity to walk the red carpet, receive their diploma, and be celebrated by family, friends, and staff. With this final graduation, we officially close the chapter on the Class of 2026. We are incredibly proud of every student who made it to this important milestone. Congratulations, graduates!

Superintendent Juan Cabral speaks to new teachers during a New Teacher Orientation session.

Welcoming Incoming Educators to RUSD

This week, our newest educators (who are either new to the profession or just new to RUSD) came together for a multi-day New Teacher Orientation. The event introduced participants to the people, resources, and support systems available throughout the District. It also gave them an opportunity to become familiar with RUSD and feel more prepared for the start of the school year.

Krystal Toy, a new speech language pathologist, smiles while holding a basket filled with classroom supplies provided during orientation.

Throughout the orientation, participants learned about classroom management, instructional and technology resources, inclusion and behavior supports, employee services, professional expectations, and appropriate staff-student boundaries. District staff shared practical information and guidance designed to help teachers begin the year with confidence. Each attendee also received a basket of supplies to help them start building their classrooms.

New teachers talk and connect during Redlands Unified School District’s New Teacher Orientation.

The event also created a valuable opportunity for these new teachers to connect with one another and begin building a supportive professional network across schools and grade levels. We know these connections will continue to be an important source of collaboration and encouragement throughout the year! We are excited to welcome all of our new teachers, SLPs, psychologists, and other staff members to the Redlands USD team. We look forward to the fresh energy, knowledge, and care they will bring to our schools and students!

Four women laugh during a leadership activity as one displays decorated trash pickers to seated colleagues. (

From TK to Graduation: RUSD Leaders Focus on Every Student’s Future

Redlands Unified School District leaders came together for the annual Administrative Advance, a two-day opportunity to learn, collaborate, and prepare for the 2026-27 school year with a shared commitment to student success.

Throughout the Advance, leaders were encouraged to reflect on who they are as leaders, continue pushing forward through challenges, and recognize the role each person plays in creating opportunities for students. At the center of those conversations was a shared goal: ensuring every RUSD student graduates with a plan for their future, and recognizing that work begins from the moment a student enters our schools in transitional kindergarten.

Mac McWilliams of Solution Tree joined the management team for a session focused on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), emphasizing the power of collaboration and collective responsibility in supporting student learning. The conversation continued through leadership roundtables led by members of the RUSD Cabinet, providing opportunities to connect, share perspectives, and explore leadership across different areas of the District.

The Administrative Advance also celebrated the people behind the work. RUSD welcomed familiar faces stepping into new leadership roles, along with new members joining the management team for the 2026-27 school year.

A special thank you to Crafton Hills College for hosting RUSD leaders and sharing insights into the college experience and opportunities available to students. As a valued partner in RUSD’s dual enrollment efforts, Crafton Hills College plays an important role in helping students explore pathways and begin preparing for what comes after graduation.

As RUSD begins a new school year, the Administrative Advance reinforced a simple but important message: preparing students for their future is a collective effort, and it starts from their very first day with us.

Meet Our New School Site Admins for the 2026-2027 School Year!

We are excited to announce our new school site administrators at our following school sites:

Kellee Baker, Principal at Crafton Elementary School
NaChé Thompson, Principal at Bryn Mawr Elementary School

David Finley, Assistant Principal at Arroyo Verde and Highland Grove Elementary School
Gayle Dockham, Assistant Principal at Bryn Mawr and Victoria Elementary Schools
Caleb Rothe, Assistant Principal at Crafton and Mariposa Elementary School
Nicole Howes, Assistant Principal at Franklin Elementary School
Melody DeLaval, Assistant Principal at Judson & Brown and Mission Elementary School
Jennifer Knecht, Assistant Principal at Kingsbury Elementary School
Entropy Mond, Assistant Principal at Lugonia Elementary School

Ebonee Ervin-Gardner, Assistant Principal at Clement Middle School

Ben Uribes, Assistant Principal at Citrus Valley High School
Todd Harris and Doug McCasey, Assistant Principals at Redlands East Valley High School

Two RUSD administrators conduct an on-the-spot interview with a paraprofessional job candidate during a district hiring fair.

Another Successful Paraprofessional Job Fair

The District welcomed nearly 100 prospective employees who received conditional offers of employment during the District’s Paraprofessional Job Fair. Throughout the event, applicants met with administrators and staff, completed interviews, and received guidance from the Human Resources team about the next steps in the pre-employment process. Many of these candidates will soon join RUSD and begin providing valuable support to students and teachers in classrooms across the District. Thank you to the administrators, staff, and Human Resources team members whose time and coordination helped make the event a success, and welcome to all of our new team members!

A woman in a blue shirt holds a smartphone with a white interface, next to an open laptop displaying a presentation slide. The foreground says Aeries Student Data Confirmation.

Aeries Student Data Confirmation

The Student Data Confirmation for the 2026-2027 school year is open. Please visit https://bit.ly/AeriesRUSD to begin the process.

Completing the Student Data Confirmation ensures your Parent Portal Access where you can:

Check Attendance
Check Grades
Update Contacts and more!

A Student Data Confirmation must be completed for each child enrolled in the Redlands Unified School District. Need help in another language? Aeries offers translation support.

Please refer to the attached PDF for step-by-step instructions.

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RUSD Data Confirmation Parent Guide.pdf

RUSD Guía para Padres sobre la Confirmación de Datos en Aeries.pdf

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District Event Photos

Looking for more photos from recent events? Visit our District photo gallery at the link below to view and download images from events covered by the Communications Department.

Visit: redlandsusd.smugmug.com

Two students hold their certificates beside an RUSD administrator at the Superintendent Awards ceremony.

Two elementary students smile while holding a soccer ball together on the school playground.

View the District Photo Gallery Here

Upcoming Events

Get Ready for the First Day of School!

The First Day of School for the 2026-2027 school year is August, 13, 2026.

Check out our Back to School Checklist for a few tips to prepare!

One Week Before:

Practice your school morning routine: waking up early, getting ready, and eating breakfast
Enjoy your last days of SUMMER BREAK
Make sure your Student Data Confirmation has been completed on Aeries

Three Days Before:

Get familiar with your school’s drop-off and pick-up zones
Follow your school's social media pages

One Day Before:

Plan your first day of school outfit
Prep all your school supplies
Set alarms and get a good night of sleep

Awards & Recognitions

Redlands High School student Elena Zhang presents her formaldehyde filtration research to an attendee at the 2025–26 RUSD Science Fair.

Redlands High School Student Selected as California Delegate to 2026 National Youth Science Camp

Congratulations to Redlands High School student Elena Zhang on being selected as one of California’s two delegates for the 2026 National Youth Science Camp! Elena was selected for her academic achievement, scientific research, and leadership.

Elena’s interest in environmental science led her to the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University,. Elena’s internship gave her new tools to study environmental issues in her own community. Using ArcGIS Pro, she compared formaldehyde pollution levels with economically disadvantaged areas in San Bernardino County. Her findings showed that knowing where pollution is concentrated does not necessarily mean residents have access to affordable ways to protect themselves.

That work inspired her science fair project, which explored the use of low-cost graphitic carbon nitride filters to remove formaldehyde from the air. “I might not be a millionaire capable of donating thousands of filters to my county, but as a scientist, I can work toward making them accessible to communities in the first place,” Elena said.

Elena also serves as captain of the Redlands High School Debate Team, co-founder and head coach of Inland Empire STEAM for All, and president of the school’s Science Fair, Math, Environmental, and Economics clubs.

Her selection as a California delegate reflects both her scientific accomplishments and her commitment to developing practical, accessible solutions that can benefit her community. RUSD is proud to celebrate Elena and this exceptional statewide recognition.

Staff Spotlights

Certificated Spotlight

Image shows a dark blue silhouette of a person in front of a faint image of the district l

Classified Spotlight

Nominate a deserving staff member!

Whether it's a dedicated teacher, a compassionate paraprofessional, or a dependable bus driver, we want to hear about these exceptional individuals! If you know someone who deserves special recognition for their work, please click the button below to submit your nomination! Help us celebrate the remarkable staff who make RUSD a great place to work and learn.

Submit a Nomination

Redlands Council of PTAs

A PTA member speaks to attendees during a PTA meeting.

Become a PTA Member!

Follow these steps:

Go to https://jointotem.com/
On the search bar, type the name of your school site
Click "Join Now" and follow the steps on the next screen!

PTA supports their school sites through fantastic initiatives for families and students!

Five smiling people face the camera and are posed standing close together in a school cafeteria. In the foreground is a table with aluminum trays of food ready to be served.

Become a School Site Volunteer!

A few ways you can be involved as a School Site Volunteer:

Help teachers in classrooms
Chaperone field trips
Help PTA with events during the school day

Visit our School Site Volunteer information page to apply:

redlandsusd.net/school-site-volunteer-information

Stay informed!

Clear Communication helps make the school year run smoothly for everyone. Below are ways the District and school sites share important information with families.

District Communication

ParentSquare

The District uses ParentSquare to send newsletters, letters from the Superintendent, and important updates that may include action items. ParentSquare is available as a mobile app, and text and push notifications are recommended for urgent communications. To reduce email volume, you can switch to Digest mode which will send all posts for the day in one single digest at the end of the day (recommended).

Peachjar

The District uses Peachjar to distribute digital flyers from schools and approved community organizations. This helps reduce paper flyers while keeping families informed. Questions about Peachjar may be directed to peachjar@redlands.k12.ca.us.

Social Media

The District shares important reminders, events, and positive stories from across our schools on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

School Site Communication

Each school site communicates directly with students ad families through ParentSquare. Communication may vary by site and grade level. For site specific questions, families should contact their school directly.

Join the RUSD team!

We’re always looking for great people to join Redlands Unified School District. View current RUSD job openings on EdJoin and share the opportunities with anyone who may be interested.

Questions? Human Resources can be reached at (909) 307-5300.