Community Honors RUSD Board President

David Malkin For His Service

California State Senator Bob Archuleta (30th District) honors RUSD Board President David Malkin at his last Board Meeting before retirement.

RUSD Board President David Malkin Retires

An outpouring of best wishes from RUSD community leaders, students and staff was felt at the November 14 Board of Education Meeting to thank RUSD Board President David Malkin for his nine years of service on the Board.

Alvarado strings students performed for

Mr. Malkin.

Mr. Malkin with Kiwanis members and Key Club students

To view the Zoom recording of the RUSD November 14, 2024, Board of Education Meeting to see all of the recognitions and more, please click above!

Rowland High Varsity Girls Golf

League Champs

At the November 14, 2024, Board of Education Meeting, the Rowland High School Varsity Girls Golf team was honored for winning its first league championship since 2016! Congratulations to team members: Alison Chieh, Viann Casuga, Esmee Lai, Karis Lim, Noelani Mendoza, Abigail Ngo, and Tian Tian (Bella) Yu.

Alvarado Intermediate was the Spotlight School at the November 14, 2024,

Board of Education Meeting, presenting their belief in the Power of One.

Rowland Schools Honored For Building Postive and Inclusive School Cultures

Congratulations to ALL schools in Rowland Unified! They have earned state awards for implementing programs that have created positive and inclusive school environments that prioritize student well-being. Each school was presented their PBIS banner.

Rowland Unified schools have been recognized for the 2023-2024 school year for their outstanding efforts in implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The California PBIS Coalition honored our schools with awards that reflect the commitment to fostering positive school environments, enhancing student outcomes, and promoting equitable and inclusive practices.

PBIS is a framework designed to improve the behavioral and academic outcomes of students by providing consistent, positive reinforcement and support. Schools are recognized at different levels—Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze—based on the depth and fidelity of their PBIS implementation, as well as their success in using data to improve student behavior and engagement.

“The District has prioritized implementing PBIS as a cornerstone of its educational approach, and these awards highlight the hard work of educators, staff, students, and families in making PBIS a success. It’s a team effort,” said Saima Saadi, Coordinator of Counseling Services and the Family Resource Center. “These recognitions affirm our Districts’ dedication to fostering environments where students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn," said Annette Ramirez, Director of Student Services.

Giano Gladiator Gets Ready to Represent Team USA in Cuba

Giano Gladiator Annaliece Rivas (in blue) will compete in Cuba on Thanksgiving Day, representing Team USA in the Pan Am Judo Competition. Photos courtesy of Jacqueline Rivas.

Rowland Unified is excited to cheer on Giano Gladiator Annaliece Rivas as she prepares for her first international competition. This seventh grader is headed to Cuba, where she will represent Team USA in Judo in the Pan Am Judo Competition.

While many will be cooking and getting stuffed with holiday food on Thanksgiving, Annaliece will be battling to bring home a medal in the Japanese martial arts sport, one she has been training in for only three years. She began after the pandemic studying at the La Puente Community Center with the Guerreros Judo Team. In a brief time, she has been able to achieve to a level that many students have been working on since they were five.

“When I won my first national tournament in June 2022, I knew I should keep doing this,” said Rivas. “Learning I qualified for the Pan Am competition felt like such a big accomplishment, it was a goal, something I have always wanted, and I placed on my vision board. I feel my hard work has paid off and I have gotten to travel with Judo.”

One of her favorite places was Connecticut, where she had the opportunity to visit her dream school, Yale. “That trip will keep me motivated. I want to attend Yale and study law and journalism. Now I am excited and focused on representing the U.S., having fun with my family and learning about the culture of Cuba, and hoping it will get me to a better future.”

When asked how she prepares before each match, she laughs and says, “To get myself ready I listen to Taylor Swift, I am a huge fan! I also wear my good luck bracelet that my black belt teammates made for me.”

We wish Annaliece luck, but something tells us she won’t need it! This Gladiator is on her way.

NOGALES AND ROWLAND HIGH SCHOOLS RECEIVE AWARDS FOR AP CLASSES

The national AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools doing outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses. Both Rowland and Nogales High Schools were awarded for developing an AP program that creates a college-going culture and gives students opportunities to earn college credit and to maximizing college readiness.

Rowland High School earned a Silver and Nogales High School earned a Bronze. To earn recognition a school must have the following:

College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least 1 AP Exam during high school.
College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least 1 AP Exam during high school.
College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took 5 or more AP Exams during high school. At least 1 of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade, so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.

Both high schools were also honored with the 2023 AP Access Award for ensuring AP coursework is equally available to students no matter their backgrounds.

Team Rowland celebrates together the ACSA state recognitions of Superintendent Alejandro Flores and Principal Gregory Perez last Friday.

On Friday, November 15th, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) recognized and celebrated Superintendent Alejandro Flores and Principal Gregory Perez for being selected as the ACSA State Administrators of the Year in their respective categories of Business Services and Continuation Education/Options. Congratulations!

WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO: EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Rowland Unified is excited to offer FREE Expanded Learning Opportunities for our TK-6 students, which includes before school, after school, summer or intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of our students through hands-on, engaging learning experiences.

To find out what is available at your school visit: https://www.6crickets.com/

UPCOMING EVENTS

RUSD COMMUNITY SURVEY

Dear RUSD Families and Community Members,

Please take a moment to fillout our RUSD Community Survey! As an involved District partner, your input and suggestions are highly desired.

This survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. ALL responses are confidential. The survey questions touch upon our District’s programs, initiatives and resources. Thank you!

RUSD Community Survey