When the Class of 2022 walked across the stage this past week, the level of energy and enthusiasm was similar to the many graduations I've presided over in my career. Pomp and circumstance filled the air as the excitement and anticipation of the traditional turning of the tassels slowly built as families filed into a packed Zack Earp Stadium. Our senior speeches were as eloquent as they have ever been. And while the weight and burden of the COVID era were evident in many of their deeply reflective words, our students expressed incredible optimism and hope about their futures, in deference to the pandemic experience and in spite of it. Our students were brilliant in many ways. They are an impressive group of young adults.

On behalf of the Board of Education and our entire school district, we are proud of our seniors and all of our students for their resiliency and perseverance. Thank you parents and caregivers for helping your children cross the finish line. We consider ourselves privileged to be your education partner and look forward to 2022-23.

Summer school is now part of our expanded learning program. The summer program is free. Students are assigned to a certificated teacher who will provide targeted intervention in the areas of English language arts and mathematics, as well as enrichment activities such as art, crafts, music, sports, and STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Students will be provided breakfast and lunch too. Incoming 6th grade students will attend their middle school program, not the elementary school they attended for grade 5 this past school year.

K-5: Mon-Thur (Closed Friday). June 1 - June 30 (Closed June 20th) - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

6-7-8: Mon-Thur (Closed Friday). June 1 - June 30 (Closed June 20th) - 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Learn more about our K through 8th grade programs and sign up here, based on availability.

For high school age students, the summer sessions will also be held Monday through

Thursday each week. Students must maintain positive attendance to earn graduation credit. There is a 6-hour absence limit for each 9-day session.

Session 1 – May 31 - June 14 - 7:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Session 2 – June 15 - June 30 (Closed June 20) - 7:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Contact your high school office for details and registration information about credit-bearing coursework and programs specifically designed for incoming freshmen.

As we process our shock and grief in the aftermath of the horrific act of senseless violence inflicted upon innocents at Robb Elementary School this past Tuesday, our hearts are broken. In the days to follow, details will emerge. There will undoubtedly be lessons to learn for every school and school district, every mental and behavioral health professional, every parent, and hopefully our legislators. We will continue to work closely with school safety experts and our law enforcement partners to ensure we are constantly improving school safety. There are multiple elements that we revisit and update on a regular basis, campus security and access to our school campuses are key among those elements.

Other elements of school safety and safe school practices we are committed to include safety drills and ongoing school safety assessments, consistent enforcement of school discipline policies, constant communication with parents and caregivers, mental and behavioral health services focused on identification and recognition of student mental health issues, collaborative relationships with multiple agencies, effective prevention and intervention programs, and crisis response training.

On behalf of the Board of Education, enjoy a safe and pleasant Memorial Day holiday in grateful joy for the freedoms and liberties we are afforded thanks to the sacrifices of generations of women and men who gave up their lives for our country.

In partnership,

Allan Mucerino

California has established an Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, authorized by Senate Bill 129 and Assembly Bill 130, as amended by AB 167. It is the intent of the Legislature that expanded learning programs are pupil-centered, results driven, include community partners, and complement, but do not replicate, learning activities in the regular school day and school year. Expanded learning will include before school, after school, summer, and intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences. Look for additional information and a parent survey in the coming weeks.

Data for the week ending Friday, May 27:

• 37 students (down from 48 the previous week)
• 8 staff members (down from 19 the previous week)

Contact Tracing:

• 296 identified (down from 657 the previous week)
• 12 placed in full quarantine (down from 28 the previous week)

Overall, as of May 27, including the first semester, we have had 3,432 students and 448 staff members report a positive test for COVID-19. Stay current with our case rate by regularly tracking our COVID-19 Data Dashboard and FAQ here. Cases recorded on the Dashboard are confirmed by Riverside County Public Health officials and remain on the Dashboard for 14 days.

During the week ending May 27, in Riverside County, there were 1,979 new cases (0.3% increase), equating to 21.8 cases per 100K (7-day average), 0 new deaths (0.0% increase), and a 10.7% test positivity (7-day rate), which is a 1.8% increase from 7-days prior. Since many people are now testing at home with antigen rapid tests, the positivity rate is estimated to be much higher since all cases are not reported. There are currently 91 COVID-19 hospitalized patients,1 more patients hospitalized from prior day total (1.1% increase)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's newly created Community Level COVID-19 rating system, the community level in Riverside County remains Low. The Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

This data is as of May 27, 2022, as reported on the State's tracking web site.