The Horizon
September 2025
Dear Jurupa Unified School District families:
We know that education changes lives, but it’s not often that educators get to see that transformation happen in real time. This month, I had the special opportunity to see 24 lives changed as a group of Jurupa Adult School students were celebrated as new United States citizens.
These individuals worked hard to fulfill a dream, not just for themselves, but for generations to come. It wasn’t easy. They had to meet numerous requirements, but through perseverance and determination, and with the support of their teachers, they realized their goals. Seeing these new Americans proudly wave United States flags and pose for photos at a ceremony this month was an incredible sight to behold. These students appreciate the education they received and will now go out to make the most of it. I am beyond proud to know that Jurupa Unified was an important part of their journey. This truly is Learning Without Limits.
All of our students are making progress toward achieving their own goals, and need our help to succeed. One of the most important ways you can help is by ensuring that your students are at school on time every day. As we wrap up Attendance Awareness Month, we’re happy to celebrate the progress being made and look forward to continued improvement. You can read more about some of the creative activities and incentives schools have offered to boost attendance in this month’s edition of The Horizon.
September 15-October 15 is also recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month, and our schools and students have organized some incredible events and programs. Just one example is the new Foundations of Hispanic Art class at Jurupa Middle School, taught by Ms. Amalia Gonzalez. As students learned to draw portraits, they also learned about the artist Frida Kahlo. I enjoyed hearing students share about how this class helped them to appreciate their culture and to feel pride in their heritage. What a wonderful gift to share with our students. We look forward to offering many more creative opportunities for our JUSD students in the future.
Finally, we are excited to see our major construction projects at Troth Street Elementary and Jurupa Middle School wrapping up, while construction of new transitional kindergarten/kindergarten classrooms at Pedley Elementary has begun. These physical improvements to our schools help to create positive and welcoming learning environments that encourage all of our students to thrive and to reach their full potential.
Enjoy all that the fall has to offer and keep working toward your goals. As Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."
Sincerely,
Trenton Hansen, PhD
Superintendent
Fall 2025 Construction Updates
Jurupa Unified continues to make significant progress in districtwide modernizations and updates, providing an innovative learning environment for students.
“If you’re a parent in the community, it’s fantastic to see your students arriving to these updated, safe, clean, and modernized sites,” said Robin Griffin, Director of Planning and Development. “For the surrounding community, even in the neighborhood, it’s really nice to live amongst a modernized school.”
Troth Street Elementary School and Jurupa Middle School
This year’s Troth Street Elementary transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students are the first group of students to enjoy a full school year in the newly-built kindergarten classroom wing.
The Troth Street project is nearly complete with the final phase of the school-wide modernization expected to be finished early next year.
In addition to the new office building, multipurpose room, and learning village that were completed last year, the school community is receiving full modernizations of its classroom wings, playgrounds, track and field, an outdoor lunch shelter, and a new library.
After three years, the Jurupa Middle School modernization project is substantially complete with minor additional touches needed. Students and staff now enjoy a new office and classroom building, improved parking lots, modernized permanent classrooms, and updated landscape and outdoor features.
Modernizations at Troth Street and Jurupa Middle School were made possible by Measure EE, a local bond passed by the Jurupa Valley and Eastvale community in 2014, and state school facility matching funds. These modernizations are the last projects under Measure EE.
The improvements, “greatly enhance the educational experience and daily experience of our students,” said Ms. Griffin.
Jurupa Unified promotes good attendance in creative ways
Lowrider car shows, attendance dance parties, and staff versus student basketball games were a few of the events schools hosted to celebrate good attendance in September.
September is recognized as Attendance Awareness Month, and in Jurupa Unified, September 8th - 12th is celebrated as Attendance Spirit Week.
“We want to bring attendance to the forefront with our families to let them know how important it is to be at school every day for our students, not only academically, but also for their mental well-being,” said Victoria Jobe, Coordinator of Pupil Services.
Attendance matters because “we need our students to be in their classrooms learning all the standards and what they need to be able to move on to the next grade and to graduate from high school and pursue a higher education,” said Ms. Jobe.
This summer, Sunnyslope Elementary, Peralta Elementary, Van Buren Elementary, Mission Middle School, and Patriot High School received attendance awards for their efforts in decreasing chronic absenteeism.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as being absent 10%, or 18 days of school, said Ms. Jobe.
The Jurupa Unified School District is so proud of our 24 newest United States citizens! These Jurupa Adult School students successfully completed a series of rigorous requirements and were celebrated at a special ceremony fittingly held on September 17, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
California State Assemblymember Leticia Castillo joined JUSD Superintendent, Dr. Trenton Hansen, Trustee Karen Bradford, MA, Jurupa Adult School Principal, Dr. Annamarie Montañez, Director of Secondary Education, Dr. Josh Lewis, Multilingual Education Coordinator, Ilsa Crocker, and teacher Alfredo Guerrero in the celebration. Students were awarded certificates and United States flags and enjoyed an “American” meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, apple pie, and cake.
The Press-Enterprise covered the celebration.
“I am so proud of these students, whose accomplishments will serve as an incredible source of pride and inspiration for themselves and their families for generations to come,” noted Dr. Hansen. “These students’ hard work, determination, grit, optimism, and hope for the future are the same qualities that helped to build our nation. We are proud that Jurupa Unified is helping to add new pages to the American story.”
“I am extremely proud of all of our students who earned their citizenship,” added Dr. Montañez. “They represent the best of our school, our community, and our country. They have shown that in spite of obstacles and challenges, they have realized a dream. This dream serves as an example to their children and the community at large that education opens many doors and endless possibilities.”
Enrollment for Jurupa Adult School Citizenship classes is available throughout the year.
For more information, please visit: https://jurupausd.org/schools/AdultAlternativeEducation/Pages/Citizenship%20.aspx
What are we learning in JUSD? Sixth-grade Dual Immersion students at Stone Avenue Elementary learned about animal and plant cells by creating 3D models of these cells. Students used household items and their creativity for this hands-on group project.
Watch the rest of the "What Are We Learning in JUSD" video series here to get a glimpse into what our students are learning.
Rubidoux High School now has a free laundromat for the school community!
Rubidoux’s Falcon Nest held the soft opening this morning, showcasing the space and washing machines available. Students also participated in a raffle with items available in their clothing closet, and played a SpongeBob-themed “pin the accessories on the bubbleman.”
Visit their website for more information on booking an appointment and the rules for using the space. https://sites.google.com/view/we-are-rubidoux/home.
JUSD Family Reading Challenge
Preschool and elementary families can participate by reading with your students and logging minutes read using the same link from last year: bit.ly/JUSDReadingChallenge.
Families can start logging their reading minutes beginning this Friday, September 19th, up until 3 p.m. on November 7th.
Students who participate will have opportunities to win fun reading-themed prizes throughout the challenge.
Thank you to our families for supporting Literacy Without Limits.
Join us for JUSD's Parent University
Please see the schedule below:
Elementary-focused programs:
📍P.I.C.O.
(3924 Riverview Dr.)
🕛8:30 - 10 a.m.
📅Wednesdays Oct. 1 - Nov. 5
📍Mission Bell Elementary School (4020 Conning St.)
🕛8:30 - 10 a.m.
📅Fridays
Oct. 3 - Nov. 7
📍Glen Avon Elementary School (4352 Pyrite St.)
🕛8:45 - 10:15 a.m.
📅Fridays
Oct. 3 - Nov. 14
🎓Secondary-focused programs (Pathways to Higher Learning)*
*These sessions will focus on college readiness and will be recorded.
📍JUSD Board Room, 4850 Pedley Road
🕛5:30-7 p.m.
📅Wednesdays
October 8, 15, 22, and 29
For more information, visit bit.ly/JUSDparentu.
Enroll in JUSD Dual Immersion
Join us for an informational meeting about our Dual Immersion program for new TK, kindergarten, and first-grade families. This meeting is a required step in the application process. Babysitting is available.
The first informational meetings take place on October 13 and will be offered at 9-11 a.m. or 5-7 p.m. at the JUSD Parent Center, 4850 Pedley Road in Jurupa Valley. For information, please call 951-360-4184.
JUSD Pathways to Higher Learning
This event rounds out our College Kickoff Month activities and will feature presentations and panel discussions featuring college representatives, professionals, and JUSD alumni. Students will receive important and enlightening information about the college experience as well as resources to help with college and career planning.
Representatives from community colleges, California State Universities, University of California campuses, private universities, the United States military, trade schools and pathways, and more.
A free breakfast and lunch to-go will be available to participating students, and you can even win prizes!
Save your spot by registering today at: https://bit.ly/JUSDpathways, or scan the QR code on the attached flyers.