Fresh ideas create new possibilities. With the school year well underway, we continue to find creative ways to inspire our students, support our staff and help each learner reach their full potential.

Throughout October, we found meaningful ways to support students’ well-being, spark their interests and prepare them for the future. From making healthy habits fun through a television series to introducing high school students to careers in education and helping them claim scholarship funds for college or career training, each effort opened doors for students to explore what comes next.

As our students’ needs evolve, so does our work to meet them. By connecting students with meaningful learning experiences, resources and encouragement, we help build a strong foundation for their futures and bring our mission to transform lives through education to life.

Be sure to watch our new special series, Preparing for the Day After, where we reflect on the stories, successes and transformative moments that have defined the past decade, and continue to share what comes next. We also encourage you to learn more about additional events, programs and resources we offer throughout the County by reading the featured stories below.

In partnership, 

Ted Alejandre

County Superintendent

View Spanish version of the video here.

Para ver el video en español, haga clic aquí.

SBCSS is proud to have partnered with KVCR Public Media and the Dairy Council of California on The Great Food Quest, a new farm-to-school video series connecting young learners to food, culture, language, local agriculture, and healthy choices.

The series introduces viewers to agricultural education, food access and nutrition while highlighting local partnerships with businesses such as Old Grove Orange in Redlands, the Growing Hope Project at San Andreas High School in Highland, and Marvo Holsteins in Riverside County, that help bring locally grown food to our students and families.

Host Leo Rivas takes viewers on a quest to discover where his food comes from. In the first episode, “The Lettuce Lab,” Leo visits San Andreas High School’s “Growing Hope” hydroponics lab, where students show him how the lettuce on his plate might have been grown. And that’s just the first stop! Viewers will also get to explore how milk goes from cow to carton, and how a family-farm plants, grows and cares for local citrus. Each episode includes age-appropriate nutrition fun facts and healthy habits for the whole family.

Audiences can watch episodes on KVCR TV channel 24 or online at thegreatfoodquest.org. After each episode, viewers can access accompanying resources designed to cultivate healthy conversations about food culture, nutrition and the connections between farms and the foods we eat.

County Superintendent Ted Alejandre, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Fontana Unified School District Superintendent Miki Inbody joined hundreds of Fontana High School students for CalKIDS Claim Day, helping spread the word about scholarship funds available to support their education after high school. Several students even claimed their accounts on the spot!

Through CalKIDS, more than 348,000 eligible students throughout the County can receive $500 in scholarship funds, with some qualifying for up to $1,500. These funds can help cover education expenses at community colleges, universities, career training programs, trade schools, and other eligible institutions nationwide.

Students and families can check eligibility, claim their CalKIDS Scholarship Account and learn more at CalKIDS.org.

Workforce SBCSS and the Early Education and Development Local Planning Council hosted the 3rd Annual Future Early Childhood Educator Symposium at California State University, San Bernardino, welcoming more than 200 students from San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

With the theme, "Stamped for Success: Passport to Your Profession," this year's symposium was an incredible opportunity for students who have already embarked on their professional journey through their school's CTE programs, to learn from career educators, hear from a career panel, ask questions, make connections, and envision a future career in the classroom and beyond.

The event helped students see how what they're learning today can lead to future opportunities and careers working with our youngest learners.

SBCSS celebrated a season of fellowship and gratitude at its annual Harvest Luncheon. The beloved tradition provides an opportunity for staff from throughout the County to come together, share a festive meal, and celebrate staff milestones, strengthening our SBCSS community.

During the event more than 60 employees, marking 20 to 35 years of service with SBCSS, were recognized for their dedication. Each honoree was presented with a special pin to commemorate their time with SBCSS, along with a certificate recognizing their remarkable achievement.

We congratulate and thank our outstanding educators for their unwavering dedication to transforming lives through education.

Resources

County Superintendent Ted Alejandre issues this monthly publication to keep education partners informed about the many services and programs SBCSS provides to our learning community throughout the year.

View the Inspiration archive.