📢 Attention HUSD Students!
The City of Hemet is currently recruiting members for its Youth Council, and they’re looking for passionate student leaders to get involved! This is a great opportunity for students ages 13–19 who want to make a difference in their community and have their voices heard.
✅ What You Need to Know:
📍 Open to students enrolled in HUSD middle or high schools
📅 Applications are open until April 30, 2025!
📲 Apply online at: https://hemetca.gov/1280/Youth-Council
HUSD is proud to share this opportunity on behalf of the City of Hemet and encourages our students to step up, lead, and make an impact in their community!
This week West Valley High School hosted its 4th annual bake-off competition. Over the years the heated competition has really seen members of West Valley's staff up their game in competing in the categories of "Cake", "Pies", "Cookies/Brownies", and the catch-all "Kitchen Sink" Category.
This year's event was judged by Superintendent Dr. Christi Barrett, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary Wendland, HUSD Board Vice President Stacey Bailey, and West Valley Principal Cynthia Leon.
Congratulations to the 2026 winners!
- Cake: Kerry Guizzo
- Pies: Kerry Guizzo
- Cookies/Brownies: Jen Riffey
- Kitchen Sink: Jen Bradshaw
- Fan Favorite: Jen Riffey
This year's event was judged by Superintendent Dr. Christi Barrett, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary Wendland, HUSD Board Vice President Stacey Bailey, and West Valley Principal Cynthia Leon.
Congratulations to the 2026 winners!
- Cake: Kerry Guizzo
- Pies: Kerry Guizzo
- Cookies/Brownies: Jen Riffey
- Kitchen Sink: Jen Bradshaw
- Fan Favorite: Jen Riffey
Hemet Unified School District’s Nutrition Services team is working to ensure more students start their day fueled and ready to learn. As part of their strategic action plan, the department has set a goal to increase average breakfast participation by 7.5% across all school sites by May 2026, using monthly meal participation data to guide their progress. Read more: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2762407
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!
Our October Students of the Month remind us what’s possible when hard work, resilience, and a positive mindset come together. 🍁💪 We are so proud of your achievements and the example you set for others. Congratulations!
🎉 We did it again! Hemet Unified has won its 4th straight Golden Bell Award, this year for our Daily Huddle Program — celebrating collaboration, innovation, and improved outcomes for students! 🏆✨
Read more: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2607399
Read more: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2607399
Over 300 Students Participate in 4th Annual District Choir Festival
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
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
📣 We’re Hiring Instructional Aides!
Join us for our Instructional Aide Job Fair on 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.
Join us for our Instructional Aide Job Fair on 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.
West Valley High School is proud to recognize Frank Urquiza as their Employee of Excellence!
Mr. Urquiza is a steady, reliable presence on our campus and consistently goes above and beyond to support our teachers in a wide range of needs. His leadership and commitment were especially evident in his major role coordinating the Destination High Performance visit, an event that proved highly successful thanks in large part to his effort and organization.
Mr. Urquiza is a natural leader who can always be counted on to step in for the benefit of our students. His dedication strengthens our school community every day. We are truly fortunate to have him at West Valley High Schoo!
Mr. Urquiza is a steady, reliable presence on our campus and consistently goes above and beyond to support our teachers in a wide range of needs. His leadership and commitment were especially evident in his major role coordinating the Destination High Performance visit, an event that proved highly successful thanks in large part to his effort and organization.
Mr. Urquiza is a natural leader who can always be counted on to step in for the benefit of our students. His dedication strengthens our school community every day. We are truly fortunate to have him at West Valley High Schoo!
🎉 It’s Math Week at RCOE! 🎉
From September 8–12, families are invited to Riverside County’s Virtual Math Week—a free, online celebration full of fun math games, exciting stories, and hands-on activities for students in PreK–8.
Activities are available in English and Spanish and can be enjoyed right from home!
✨ Join the fun here: bit.ly/Region10MathWeek2025
Let’s celebrate math, enjoy learning together, and log your minutes for a chance to win awesome prizes!
From September 8–12, families are invited to Riverside County’s Virtual Math Week—a free, online celebration full of fun math games, exciting stories, and hands-on activities for students in PreK–8.
Activities are available in English and Spanish and can be enjoyed right from home!
✨ Join the fun here: bit.ly/Region10MathWeek2025
Let’s celebrate math, enjoy learning together, and log your minutes for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Join us in celebrating our September Students of the Month—remarkable young individuals who not only excel in the classroom but also rise above life’s challenges with courage and determination. 💪📚 Your strength, perseverance, and positive attitude inspire us all! Congratulations!
Reminder: The countdown is on! Hemet Unified is excited to welcome students back to school on Monday, August 11, 2025! We can’t wait to see all the bright smiles and eager minds ready for a new year of learning. ✏️📚 Until then, keep enjoying your summer, making memories, and recharging for an amazing year ahead! ☀️🌴
📚✨ There's still time to enroll! Hemet Unified is accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year. Join a district that embraces, educates, and empowers every student—every day!
👉 Enroll today at hemetusd.org/enrollment
👉 Enroll today at hemetusd.org/enrollment
