RUSD Family & Community eNews

Message from the Coordinator of RCSS

In Redlands Coordinated Supports and Services (RCSS), one belief guides our work each day: Every student deserves to come to school knowing they belong, that someone cares about them, and that help is available when they need it.

As November brings opportunities to reflect and give thanks, we are grateful for the families, staff, and school teams who help our students feel safe, understood, and connected. We know that learning is closely connected to well-being. When we care for the whole child—including their emotional, psychological, and physical safety—we help make room for learning, friendships, and growth.

Building a Strong Foundation

Our work begins with helping schools create welcoming, consistent environments where students can build positive relationships and learn the skills they need to succeed. Through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), we support schoolwide practices that teach clear expectations, recognize positive behaviors, and strengthen students’ sense of belonging.

We also support our elementary counselors and the care they provide as children learn to understand their feelings, work through challenges, and connect with others.

Connecting Students with Support

Some students need a little extra help, while others need more individualized support. Through all three tiers of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), we help schools address behavioral and mental health needs. These supports are essential to improving attendance, strengthening school connectedness, and helping students succeed academically.

We are especially excited about our work to bring on eight additional mental health clinicians. This will bring us to a total of 16 positions, helping fill current service gaps and expand support for students’ social-emotional learning and mental health.

Working Together

We are grateful for the families, educators, counselors, and school teams who partner in this work every day. Thank you for noticing when a student is struggling, taking time to listen, and helping them connect with support. These everyday actions help students know they belong—and that they do not have to face challenges alone.

With gratitude,

Marissa Butcher

Coordinator, Behavior Analyst
Redlands Coordinated Supports and Services

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

Two Orangewood High School students smile at the fire safety event for eAcademy elementary students, one wearing a red plastic firefighter helmet.

OHS Students Led Fire Safety & Prevention Event for eAcademy Elementary

Orangewood High School’s Careers in Child Development students took the lead in teaching younger students about fire safety, designing and leading hands-on activities for eAcademy elementary students.

The stations combined firefighting-themed games with practical, potentially lifesaving skills. In a fire-escape obstacle course, students practiced crawling low under smoke, getting outside and dialing 911. Bucket brigades and other firefighting challenges added opportunities for teamwork and fun.

A student practices dialing 911 on a large paper phone keypad beside a “Call 911” sign during the fire safety event.

The Redlands Fire Department joined the event, connecting students with the firefighters who help keep their community safe. Students met the crew, explored a fire truck and its equipment, and asked questions.

The collaboration gave high school students an opportunity to put their learning into practice as leaders and educators while helping younger students build fire safety skills alongside the people who serve their community.

Kindergartener Noah smiles as he holds up his new blue, yellow and red shoes at the Shoes That Fit event.

Lugonia Elementary Students Receive Shoes That Fit

“They’re going to make me super fast, supersonic!” TK student Victoria had high hopes for her new athletic shoes.

Victoria was one of more than 550 students at Lugonia Elementary School who received new shoes on Oct. 21 through a partnership between Stater Bros. Charities and Shoes That Fit. Every student received a pair, from big-name brands including Nike, Saucony and Skechers.

Students also received their choice of shoe charms, a reusable shopping bag and fresh produce, courtesy of Stater Bros. Charities.

“They are so comfy! I like the color,” said kindergartner Rooh. “I got a flower charm I’m going to put on my shoes. I’m going to wear them every day!”

Three top Stater Bros. checkers and their store manager, at right, wear red Stater Bros. Charities shirts while posing in front of stacked shoeboxes at the Shoes That Fit volunteer event.

Lugonia was selected after the Stater Bros. store at 1775 E. Lugonia Ave. raised the most money among stores participating in the Stater Bros. Charities campaign benefiting Shoes That Fit. The three top checkers and the store manager volunteered at the event, joining PTA volunteers and representatives from both organizations to help distribute shoes to students.

Behind the celebration was careful preparation to make sure everyone was included. Lugonia’s PTA measured every student’s shoe size before the event. Teachers collected shoes in the requested sizes for students who were absent, and organizers brought extra pairs for newly enrolled students who had missed the measuring period.

Shoes That Fit provides new athletic shoes to children in need so they can participate comfortably in school activities, including physical education and recess. At Lugonia, many students put their shoes to use right away, playing hopscotch, kicking balls, climbing and racing one another at recess.

Superintendent Cabral kneels to help a student try on their new shoes at the Shoes That Fit event.

Kindergartener Rooh smiles while playing hopscotch in her new pink sneakers during recess.

A student smiles as he holds up new gray sneakers with bright green soles at the Shoes That Fit event.

A community partner shows a young child a small succulent at an outdoor resource table while a parent stands nearby.

Community Resource Fair Connects RUSD Families with Local Resources

Redlands Unified School District hosted its Community Resource Fair, bringing together local organizations and families for an evening of valuable resources, community connections, and fun. Activities included piñata making led by Redlands High School's MEChA club, free pizza provided by RUSD Child Nutrition Services, and more. A highlight of the evening was the opportunity drawings, where families took home exciting prizes generously donated by local PTAs and the Redlands Administrative Personnel Association (RAPA).

Volunteers assist families at a community resource table featuring a colorful prize wheel and school supplies.

Community partners present backpacks to students at an outdoor resource booth during the event.

RUSD extends its appreciation to the community partners, volunteers, and organizations whose continued support helps connect families with resources and opportunities throughout the community.

A child in a blue costume holds a Halloween bucket while a costumed staff member offers candy from a bowl.

A Sweet Visit from Our RSEED Students!

Our Redlands Supporting Early Education Development (RSEED) students enjoyed a fun-filled visit to the District Office for some festivities! Students made their way through different departments, collecting candy and treats from staff members, many of whom wore costumes to create a memorable experience for our students.

A special highlight was SEPTA’s Sensory Dispensary, where students enjoyed a variety of sensory-friendly activities.

A young child dressed as a pumpkin sits on a red sensory seat while other costumed children and adults gather nearby.

A young child in a bright green costume plays with oversized colorful foam blocks during a sensory activity.

A child wearing a gray animal costume looks through colorful children’s books displayed on a table.

Despite the rain, our District Office staff and SEPTA made the most of the day, creating a welcoming, festive experience for our RSEED students. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a special celebration!

Mariachi musicians perform during Noche Cultural, with a violinist in the foreground and trumpet and guitar players behind her.

Third Annual Noche Cultural Celebrates Culture and Community

The third annual Noche Cultural, organized and led by Redlands High School's Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) students with guidance from their advisors, brought students, families, and community members together for an evening celebrating culture and traditions.

Children create colorful piñatas at a craft table during Noche Cultural, with Latin American flags displayed in the background.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of interactive activities, including piñata making, games, and a salsa dancing workshop. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed vibrant folklórico dancing, live mariachi music, and singing. The performances included an opening musical performance by a parent of RHS graduates and a special presentation by St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico of Redlands. Local vendors also offered a variety of traditional foods, including pupusas, tacos, and antojitos mexicanos (Mexican snacks).

Noche Cultural participants, staff, and community leaders pose together in front of a colorful balloon and flower backdrop during the event.

The celebration also welcomed the Mayor of Redlands, highlighting the community's involvement in this student-led event. Through music, food, and shared experiences, Noche Cultural provided an opportunity for families and community members to celebrate cultural heritage while recognizing the leadership and dedication of RHS students.

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

Calling All Student Filmmakers for the RUSD FilmFest!

The Redlands Unified School District FilmFest is back for its fifth year! Students can enter a short fiction or nonfiction film (between 30 seconds and 8 minutes long) for a chance to see their work shown "on the big screen" at Harkins Theatres!

Key Dates:

Submission Deadline: March 5, 2027
FilmFest Event: April 28, 2027

Students can access rules, updates, tutorials and submission instructions by joining the FilmFest Google Classroom using class code: 5to3sqsp

Reminder: Students must be logged in to their RUSD Google account to join the classroom!

For questions, please reach out to Rebecca Maschack in the Communications Department by emailing rebecca_maschack@redlands.k12.ca.us.

Awards & Recognitions

Superintendent Awards Night

Superintendent Awards Night is a recognition program that regularly honors two students from each school for exemplifying one or more of the EMPOWER traits. At times, a staff member may also be recognized for their contributions to the school community. Congratulations to the October 20th recipients!

Staff Spotlights

Teacher Jonathan Martin wears a red San Francisco 49ers cap and smiles while crouching beside a large dog wearing a bright pink bandana.

Certificated Spotlight: Jonathan Martin

Meet Jonathan Martin! He is a man of many talents and responsibilities at Moore Middle School, serving as the zero period PE teacher, ASB advisor, and even the detention room teacher. He also coaches the Redlands Student Connections League (RSCL) softball and flag football teams. He has been at Moore for the past 10 years! Before joining Moore, he taught Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at Citrus Valley High School, as well as coaching for CV's football and track teams.

Every day in his role is busy! Since he teaches zero period, his day starts early and then he transitions to helping anywhere and everywhere on campus.

His favorite moments are seeing students go all out for spirit days, and his favorite ASB activity is the haunted house at the Fall Festival.

Jonathan said the EMPOWER trait that resonates most with him is W - Wellness and Life Skills: "To me, that's the definitive trait we should instill in every student throughout RUSD. Practicing self-respect and extending respect to others is a foundational life skill. I challenge students to commit to a 1% daily improvement across spiritual, physical, or mental dimensions, reinforcing the idea that continuous personal growth is a lifelong journey."

A fun fact you might not know about him? He grew up in Redlands and went to Moore as a student! Now he is back 30+ years later teaching there.

Jonathan's advice to students & families is: "Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and stop worrying about others' opinions of you!"

Alfred Cabral standing beside an Orangewood High School dragon banner.

Classified Spotlight: Alfred Cabral

Meet Alfred Cabral, the lead custodian at Orangewood High School! He has been serving at Orangewood for 15 years! Before becoming a Dragon, he was also a custodian at Cope and Redlands High School.

A routine day as a custodian starts with raising the flags in front of the school first thing in the morning. He then ensures each room is safe and clean before students and staff arrive. This includes taking out the trash, vacuuming, and wiping down furniture. Throughout the day, he cleans, stocks and sanitizes the restrooms, fulfills teacher and staff requests, and upkeeps the campus. Some days, he sets up and breaks down for various events and assemblies – you can't imagine how much water there was to soak up after the OHS/eAcademy Fire Safety & Prevention event!

He takes pride in his work and attributes his success in part to his "great teammate," Mynel Shelton, the OHS night custodian. "We both hold ourselves to the highest standard, doing what is needed daily to keep the school running smoothly." He is in his 20th year at RUSD and says he has had some of the greatest coworkers throughout those years.

Some of his favorite memories are from when he used to coach the basketball and soccer teams at Orangewood.

A fun fact you might not know about Alfred? He likes golf and hanging out with friends, and he's musically inclined! He does "a little karaoke," and plays drums as a hobby.

His advice to students & families is: "Be kind and respectful to others, and laugh as often as you can."

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 smiles and poses with their arms up surrounded by bubbles during a Bubble Run event.

Become a PTA Member!

Follow these steps:

Visit the Redlands Council of PTAs Membership Portal
Find your school site and/or the school you would like to support
Click "Join Now" and follow the steps on the next screen!

Our PTA units are striving to exceed their RCPTA membership goals. To view their progress and support their efforts, please go to the PTA Units Dashboard.

PTA supports their school sites through fantastic initiatives for families and students! Check out the video below to learn more about joining PTA/PTSA.

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.