9.4.26 COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 8th.

In this episode, Dr. Velez visits Pauba Valley Elementary School for a fun conversation with second-grader Walter Evans. They talk about science, handball, bow ties, and Walter’s big idea for the Pilot playground: a water slide!

Walk & Talk with Dr. Velez follows TVUSD Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Velez as she visits schools across the district, connects with students, and hears directly about their experiences. Through fun and meaningful conversations, the series gives students a chance to share their perspectives and highlights the people and moments that make each of our schools special.

Temecula’s popular Battle of the Burgers will return to Pechanga Resort Casino, giving a panel of esteemed judges and local burger fans a chance to vote for the best burger in Temecula Valley.

This friendly and fun competition gives area restaurants a chance to show off their best burger and provides hands-on training for our high school CTE Culinary Arts students as they team up with Pechanga chefs to create the Best Loaded Fries!

Your ticket includes samples of mouthwatering burgers and loaded fries from every participating restaurant and CTE student/chef team. You won't leave hungry!

📆 October 10, 2026
📍 Pechanga Resort Casino, Summit Ballroom
🕛 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

👀 Watch this video for a taste of what's in store at Battle of the Burgers! 🎥 Video Credit: TVUSD CTE Media Arts Interns

Join us for the 2026 VAPA Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony as we celebrate and honor Heidi Mewes for her lasting contributions to Visual and Performing Arts in TVUSD. The evening will feature performances by student and former student musicians, reflections from colleagues and students, a special look back at Heidi’s career, and the presentation of the Wall of Fame award.

📆 Friday, September 25, 2026

🕕 6:00 p.m.

📍 TVHS Golden Bear Theater

⭐️ Reception to follow

TVUSD is excited to continue offering a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program at Temecula Elementary School!

A Unique Opportunity: DLI is a unique educational model where students learn to speak, read, and write in two languages while meeting the same high academic standards as all other students.

50/50 Model: Students receive 50% of their instruction in English and 50% in Spanish.

This program is open to all incoming kindergarten students for the 2027-2028 school year. An equal number of English-and Spanish-speaking students must enroll to begin.

Learn more about the DLI curriculum and what it means for your child. More info to come!

📆 Thursday, September 24, 2026

🕔 5:00 pm

💻 Via Zoom

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

The TVUSD Community High Five Program gives parents, students, and community members an opportunity to recognize the dedicated employees who make a difference across TVUSD. Whether it's a kind gesture, exceptional support, or going the extra mile, a Community High Five is a simple way to celebrate a TVUSD employee and let them know their efforts are appreciated.

Fill out this quick form to send a Community High Five! The Communications Department will create and send a digital certificate to the employee with your message of appreciation. Each month, two High Fives will also be selected for our Community High Five Spotlight and featured in an upcoming edition of Community Connection.

From new classrooms and modernized learning spaces to shade structures, gathering areas, and athletic improvements, our Facilities Development team has been busy improving campuses throughout the district. Many of these projects have taken months, and in some cases years, of planning and coordination. We’re excited to share a look at the progress happening now and the spaces our students and staff will enjoy for years to come.

Construction is underway on a new building featuring 10 classroom spaces and a new multipurpose room, replacing the campus's older portable classrooms. Once the new building is complete, work will continue next summer with an expansion of the kitchen in the existing MPR. Together, these improvements will create updated spaces for learning, lunch, and school gatherings, with the full project anticipated to be ready for the 2027-28 school year.

The transformation of TES continues! Now in its third phase, the modernization project builds on previous improvements that included removal of the former pool, placement of the preschool portable, and addition of a dedicated bus loop. This summer, crews refreshed the corridors of the campus's two applicable classroom buildings, and work continues on a complete renovation of the administrative building, scheduled for completion by Spring Break.

There’s been significant progress at MMS, with improvements reaching several areas of the campus. Work includes a fully modernized 12-plex classroom building, updates to the nearby robotics classroom and other spaces in the main building, replacement of the storm drain running across the blacktop, and multiple ADA walkway improvements. Work is also continuing on a future outdoor amphitheater and new PE courts, creating even more spaces for students to learn, gather, and participate in activities.

Students at BVMS will soon have more shade during lunchtime thanks to a new structure being added adjacent to the food service area. The project was made financially possible by Nutrition Services and will provide students with a more comfortable outdoor space to gather and enjoy lunch.

A long-awaited improvement has arrived at Chaparral High School! Through creative financing and fundraising by the school, the campus was able to replace its scoreboard. The new addition provides an updated centerpiece for athletic events and another way to showcase Puma pride on campus.

TVHS is also celebrating a new scoreboard, another project made possible through creative financing and fundraising by the school. The upgrade brings a fresh look to the stadium and enhances the experience for Golden Bear students, families, athletes, and fans gathering for events.

The TVHS quad is getting an exciting upgrade! Final concrete has been poured and two new shade structures are in place, creating additional covered space for students to gather during lunch. Crews are finishing the roofs and electrical work for lighting, bringing the project another step closer to completion.

We look forward to sharing additional Facilities Development updates throughout the school year as projects continue to take shape across TVUSD.

The mark of a well-functioning school district is its willingness to reflect upon its long-standing, historical practices. In the interest of partnering with our parents in the evaluation of TVUSD's High School No "D" Grading Policy, please respond thoughtfully to the questions in the linked survey. In order to ensure that the responses are fully informed, please review each of the documents linked inside the survey prior to completing it. Your responses will inform future decisions regarding this high school policy.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback through our recent Community Connection survey. One message came through loud and clear: families value important dates and reminders and want an easier way to stay informed about upcoming events across TVUSD.

We heard you! This week, we’re excited to introduce a new TVUSD Community Events Calendar, making it easier to see what’s happening at schools throughout TVUSD and find more opportunities to connect.

➡️ Visit the District Calendar webpage to explore upcoming events from schools across TVUSD.

📲 Use the filter icon to narrow the calendar to one or more schools that matter most to your family.

➕ Events will continue to be added and updated throughout the year, so bookmark the page and check back often to see what’s coming up!

This month, TVUSD schools are coming together to remind every student that they are seen, valued, and important.

• Check in and make time to listen.
• Create opportunities for connection.
• Take changes in mood or behavior seriously.
• Let your child know it's ok to ask for help.
• Reach out to a trusted adult or mental health professional when support is needed.

TEMECULA, CA – September is National Preparedness Month, and the City of Temecula is encouraging residents to take steps now to prepare for emergencies and disasters at the City’s National Preparedness Fair on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Temecula Promenade Mall (40820 Winchester Road).

This free, family-friendly event will bring together local disaster service workers, emergency preparedness organizations, and community partners for a fun and informative day focused on helping residents prepare for the unexpected.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Watch safety and emergency preparedness demonstrations
• Explore information booths featuring local resources
• Meet local disaster service workers and emergency response personnel
• Learn practical tips for preparing their homes and families for emergencies
• Enjoy free activities for kids
• And much more!

For more information and emergency preparedness resources, visit TemeculaCA.gov/OEM. For information on upcoming City of Temecula Community Services Department events, activities, and programs, visit TemeculaCA.gov/TCSD and follow @TemeculaParksandRec on social media.

Our next Staff High Five spotlight is Dawn McCown, Database Programmer / Systems Integrator.

- "Her dedication, dependability, positive attitude, and willingness to support everyone around her make such a meaningful difference. Her hard work often happens behind the scenes, but it absolutely does not go unnoticed. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone who cares so deeply about her coworkers and the success of our TVUSD schools."

- "She always has an answer for us or shows us how to find what we are looking for. She puts in many hours outside of her regular workday just to keep us rolling at Independent Study. We appreciate you, Dawn, and all you do for us!" 🙌

Instagram link | Facebook link

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.

Catch up on past newsletters by visiting the Community Connection Newsletter Archive webpage.

Temecula Valley Unified School District is committed to building strong partnerships with parents in support of all students. Part of this commitment includes ensuring that families are informed of their rights and the right to opt their children out of certain instructional activities or assessments, as provided under state and federal law. The Frequently Asked Questions document linked below is designed to clarify the legal requirements, district procedures, and options available to parents regarding opt-outs.

For more information, visit: Know Your Rights and TVUSD Annual Notification for Parents.

Location: 31350 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA, USA
Phone: (951)676-2661