10.16.26 COMMUNITY CONNECTION
October 16, 2026
Dear TVUSD Families,
In TVUSD, our greatest stories are written every day in our classrooms, on our campuses, and throughout our community. They are stories of students learning and growing, dedicated staff making a difference, and families and community partners working together to create opportunities for our children.
With so much happening around us, it's important to remain grounded in what matters most. Our focus remains firmly on our students, our staff, and the families we are privileged to serve.
This week, our elementary schools held parent-teacher conferences, providing an important opportunity for families and educators to connect, celebrate student progress, and work together to support continued academic growth. These conversations reflect the strong partnerships that are essential to student success.
That spirit of partnership also extends beyond our classrooms. From October 17–30, TVUSD is proud to partner with our PTAs and MilVet to support a military care package drive for deployed service members. This meaningful effort is another example of how our school communities come together to serve others, demonstrate gratitude, and make a positive difference.
These moments define who we are as a District. They remind us that our strength comes from the people who show up every day with a shared commitment to our students and to one another.
As we move forward together, please know that our commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and meaningful opportunities remains unwavering. We have much to celebrate, much to look forward to, and important work ahead.
Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and support. Together, we will continue to elevate experiences, opportunities, and each other.
With gratitude,
Students of the Month Program
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.
It was a sizzling success at the 2026 Battle of the Burgers on Saturday, October 10th!
More than 400 guests gathered at Pechanga Resort Casino for an afternoon of delicious food, friendly competition, and community support, raising a record-breaking $13,314 for TVUSD's Career Technical Education (CTE) Culinary Arts Program!
Eight local restaurants competed for the title of Best Burger, while Temecula Valley High School CTE Culinary Arts students teamed up with professional Pechanga chefs to create their own unique loaded fries.
Congratulations to TVHS students Abner Yat and Sebastian Pablo Tomas, who partnered with Chef Edward Hyman of Paisano's to win first place in the Judges' Choice category for their "Olympian" loaded fries! The People's Choice award went to TVHS students Hailey Tronti, Raleigh Kay, Michael Sullin, and Evan Crisp, who partnered with Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar chefs to create "Jamaican-Me-Hungry" fries!
Beyond the competition, this event gave students valuable hands-on experience working alongside professional chefs while bringing our community together to support the next generation of culinary talent.
A huge thank-you to Visit Temecula Valley, Pechanga Resort Casino, participating restaurants, and everyone who helped make this year's event such a success!
Congratulations to Great Oak High School and Chaparral High School, both recognized as 2026 Race to Submit winners and California State Champions by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)!
The schools earned this statewide recognition for achieving some of the highest FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) completion rates in California, helping more TVUSD seniors take an important step toward accessing financial aid and pursuing education after high school.
During last week’s Race to Submit Recognition Ceremony, GOHS Counselor Indra Baca and CHS Counselor Paula Riesenbeck accepted the awards on behalf of their schools and shared some of the practices behind their success. Both emphasized that financial aid completion is truly a team effort, made possible through collaboration among counselors, staff, administrators, Cal-SOAP representatives, families, community partners, and other organizations supporting students.
From one-on-one senior meetings and classroom lessons to family outreach, application support, and creative incentives, both schools are working to make sure students understand the financial aid process and the opportunities available to them after graduation.
Congratulations to our GOHS and CHS counseling teams and everyone who helped our students cross the finish line! 🎉
GOHS Counselor Indra Baca accepts the Race to Submit State Champion recognition.
CHS Counselor Paula Riesenbeck accepts the Race to Submit State Champion recognition.
Calling All Future Scientists, Engineers & Innovators!
TVUSD is excited to launch our District Science Fair, open to all middle and high school students! Participating in the Science Fair is more than a competition; it’s an opportunity to explore something you’re curious about while building valuable college- and career-ready skills. Students will strengthen their critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, research, data analysis, communication, and presentation skills as they design and complete their own science or engineering investigation.
And the opportunity doesn’t stop at TVUSD! Winners of the District Science Fair will advance to the Riverside County Science and Engineering Fair, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their work alongside other young scientists and engineers from across the county.
No matter where your interests lie, the Science Fair is a chance to ask questions, solve problems, explore your ideas, and challenge yourself. Start with something you’re curious about and see where it takes you!
Ready to participate? Check out the flyer for registration information and important dates.
TEMECULA, CA – The City of Temecula invites residents, families, businesses, and community members to come together for Temecula Together: Day of Service on Saturday, October 17, 2026, a new community-wide initiative dedicated to the spirit of Community Serving Community.
This event provides meaningful opportunities for community members to give back, connect with one another, and make a positive impact throughout Temecula. Volunteers can choose from a variety of hands-on service projects hosted at locations throughout the community.
Mayor Jessica Alexander states, “Community Serving Community - Temecula Together is about bringing our community together through the simple but powerful act of serving one another. There is something incredibly special about neighbors helping neighbors and people coming together to make our community a better place. I invite everyone in Temecula to find a way to be part of this special day - every act of service makes a difference.”
This year’s Day of Service features 12 hands-on volunteer projects with opportunities ranging from tree planting, landscape maintenance, fence painting, creek and trail cleanup, and community beautification to furniture assembly, workshop organization, and care bag packaging. Projects are hosted in partnership with local organizations and community partners, including the Boys & Girls Club Southwest County, Habitat for Humanity, His Little Feet, HomeAid Inland Empire, Jacob’s House, Mission Hope, and the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS®.
There are also opportunities for those who may not be able to participate in a hands-on project. Community members can take part by writing Messages of Kindness for deployed military service members or seniors living in care facilities, or by donating requested items to support military care packages through MilVet’s Support Our Troops.
Volunteer projects are available for a variety of ages, with age requirements and adult accompaniment varying by project. Registration is required for each volunteer opportunity.
To view available projects, learn more about each opportunity, and register, visit TemeculaCA.gov/DayofService. Keep up to date with events, programs and services from the City of Temecula Community Services Department by following @TemeculaParksandRec on social media.
Join us on campus to learn more and ask questions in person. More details to come!
📆 Thursday, October 22, 2026
🕔 5:00 pm
📍 Temecula Elementary School
Stay connected!
➡️ Visit the District Calendar webpage to explore our Community Events Calendar. This resource brings events from schools across the district together in one convenient place.
📲 Use the filter icon to narrow the calendar to one or more schools that matter most to your family.
➕ Events are added and updated throughout the year, so bookmark the page and check back often to see what’s coming up across the district!
Staff High Five Spotlight: Saul Lopez, Custodian Day Lead, Barnett Elementary
🖐️ Our next Staff High Five spotlight is Saul Lopez, Custodian Day Lead at Barnett Elementary. "Why Saul Lopez deserves this recognition:
- Unmatched Dedication: Saul takes immense pride in his work, ensuring that classrooms, common areas, and playgrounds are spotless and safe for students and staff.
- Positive Energy: He greets everyone with a warm smile and a helpful attitude, lifting the spirits of the entire school community.
- Reliability: Whenever a teacher or student needs assistance—whether handling a spill or something that needs to be fixed —Saul responds with kindness and efficiency.
- Role Model: Beyond his technical duties, Saul models hard work, responsibility, and community care for our students every day.
- Exposure to the Elements: Even on days when severe weather keeps everyone else inside, Saul is out working in the extreme heat, cold, or rain. We are incredibly grateful for the extra duties he performs to keep our school safe and clean. 🙌
National Custodian Appreciation Day
🌟 Today, we celebrate the incredible custodial teams who work behind the scenes to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming every day.
Thank you for all you do to care for our campuses and our TVUSD community. We appreciate you! ✨ #NationalCustodianAppreciationDay #TVUSD
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✨ 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.
Temecula Valley Unified School District
Location: 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: (951)676-2661
