Natalia Espinoza has excelled as the Family and Community Outreach Liaison at Acacia Middle School by elevating the role through her dedication, compassion, and strong commitment to supporting students and families. She consistently ensures that those in need are identified and connected to essential resources, working closely with the Wellness and Community Outreach Center to support schoolwide events and initiatives.
Through her community partnerships, she has secured critical supports such as free eyeglasses and bicycles, directly contributing to student success. Natalia has also built trusting relationships with families and colleagues alike, making her a reliable, positive, and highly valued member of the school community whose impact is felt daily. Thank you Natalia for all you do for our school community!
Yolinda Brown is to be congratulated for her outstanding dedication and hard work in support of our students and school community. Through her consistent efforts to recoup attendance using IDS, Yolinda has made a meaningful impact on student attendance and accountability. She also goes above and beyond by organizing awards for our assemblies, helping to celebrate student success and build a positive school culture.
Yolinda is truly a valuable member of the Bautista Creek family, always willing to step in, support others, and exceed expectations. We are grateful for her commitment, professionalism, and the pride she takes in her work. Congratulations Yolinda!
We are proud to announce that both schools have been named California Schools to Watch, a prestigious recognition honoring excellence in academics, student support, equity, and collaborative leadership. This designation reflects the incredible dedication of our students, staff, and families—and their commitment to continuous improvement and student success. 👏 Click the link to read the full story: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2645227
Join us in celebrating our December Students of the Month—outstanding students who shine academically and demonstrate resilience, determination, and heart. Your perseverance and positive spirit continue to inspire our entire school community. Congratulations!
We’re proud to recognize our November Students of the Month! These students lead with determination, overcome challenges, and consistently strive for excellence in and out of the classroom. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Hemet Preschool is Proud to Recognize Mrs. Katie Gage and Ms. Kimia Behrad as Employees of Excellence!
Hemet Preschool is proud to nominate Preschool Teacher, Mrs. Katie Gage (left) and Instructional Aide, Ms. Kimia Behrad (right) for their outstanding contributions to Hemet Unified Preschool Programs. With 8 years of service from Mrs. Katie and 2.5 years from Mrs. Kimia, they serve our youngest learners at the Idyllwild State Preschool mountain site in a full-day program where children feel genuinely loved, respected, and excited to learn. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4qw7BGE
Nutrition Services is making fresh, fluffy pancakes at Dartmouth Middle School! Start your Wednesday morning off right with a delicious breakfast before class. Make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out.
🥞 Event Details:
Time: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: The Pancake station will be set up outside between the Cafeteria and the Lunch Area!
📅 Mark Your Calendars:
* January 21st
* February 25th
* March 25th
* May 6th
Come hungry and ready to fuel up for a great day of learning. We can’t wait to see you there!
REMINDER: 📣 We’re Hiring Instructional Aides!
Join us TOMORROW- January 16th for our Instructional Aide Job Fair, from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
✔️ On-site interviews
✔️ Bring your resume
Scan the QR code to apply now and take the first step toward a rewarding career with Hemet Unified.
Winchester Elementary is thrilled to recognize Ngan Tu as our Employee of Excellence! Ms. Tu is an exceptional first-grade teacher whose dedication and passion shine through in everything she does. She works tirelessly to ensure her students not only meet expectations but truly excel. Her love for writing inspires a strong foundation not only in ELA but expands across all academic areas.
Ms. Tu’s warm, caring, and joyful presence creates a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day. Her commitment to her students and our school community makes her truly deserving of this recognition.
📣 We’re Hiring Instructional Aides!
Join us for our Instructional Aide Job Fair this Friday, January 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
✔️ On-site interviews
✔️ Bring your resume
Scan the QR code to apply now and take the first step toward a rewarding career with Hemet Unified.
Click the link to read the full story: https://bit.ly/44T88K6
May your break be filled with rest, joy, and special moments with loved ones.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, January 6, 2026!
Read more: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2607399
On October 21, 2025, West Valley High School hosted the fourth annual District Choir Festival, welcoming more than 300 participants from nine secondary schools. Choir students and directors presented performances across ten ensembles representing a full range of ages and experiences. The festival featured two distinguished university clinicians, Dr. Nicholle Andrews (University of Redlands) and Dr. Ariel Quintana (La Sierra University), who provided written evaluations and on-stage workshops with each ensemble.
Cottonwood K-8 participated in the Festival for the first time and director Sally McCampbell brought a combined choir of elementary and middle school students who performed with confidence, enthusiasm, and poise throughout the day. The following example captures Dr. Andrews working collaboratively with both the teacher and students during their post-performance clinic.
Ms. McCampbell reflected, “It was eye-opening for me to connect movements to phrases and hear the difference it made to the students’ voices. I am excited to work more movement into our warm-ups and performances. I found the clinicians to be really supportive and constructive with their criticisms and advice and I picked up some really useful skills to implement.”
Meaningful feedback is essential for both teachers and students. Hattie (2009) emphasizes that timely, specific feedback has a significant impact on student learning, with an effect size of 0.73. Clinicians play a vital role by providing interactive, immediate assessments of performances, along with actionable strategies to improve outcomes. This process benefits both students and teachers and often occurs in tandem, similar to an ensemble, which is a group that learns and performs together.
Live performances offer particularly valuable opportunities for feedback. Performing in front of an audience allows students to receive immediate responses, which can be instrumental in their development. This real-time feedback enables students to evaluate their performance, make adjustments, and deepen their understanding of musical expression.
Click the link to see the video performances from that night.
https://bit.ly/3L4v6XI
Channel 8 News Features Hemet HS Student
Hemet High School senior Lola Elzy was recently selected by California State University San Marcos to be spotlighted for its new “on-the-spot admissions” program. CSUSM had reached out to Riverside County schools seeking a senior with a compelling story who planned to attend the university. After submitting an early application, Lola was chosen for the feature, which included an interview with CBS Channel 8 News.
Click this link to watch the CBS Channel 8 News segment featuring Lola and her on-the-spot admission story.
Alessandro HS recently earned national attention with an article in The Fabricator. The piece, titled “SparkForce camp builds career paths in STEM and welding,” highlighted the school’s successful two-week Reimagined Rosies STEM Makers Camp. Led by HUSD’s welding instructor Josh O’Neal and industry partners, the camp went beyond classroom theory, immersing middle and high school students in hands-on fabrication. Alessandro HS hosted students who built projects like a drawbridge and metal sculptures, gained experience with robotics and automation, and later toured NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. The news feature highlights the program’s commitment to equipping students with real-world skills and career paths in manufacturing and the trades, as well as HUSD’s role in leading the way.
