October 30, 2026

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ROWLAND SCHOOLS ROUND UP AWARDS

At Annual Buckboard Days Parade

Rowland Unified Schools celebrated a rich history and community pride at the 53^rd Annual Buckboard Days Parade, presented by Los Angeles County First District Supervisor Hilda Solis. The parade’s theme, “Wanted: A Good Time! Keeping the Community Wild and Safe,” celebrated the spirit and cultural diversity of Rowland Heights. RUSD school groups, marching bands, cheerleaders, the RUSD Board of Education, RUSD Superintendent Alejandro Flores and leadership, law enforcement and community organizations joined the parade.

Congratulations to the following parade award winners:

SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP

First Place:

Jellick Elementary School

Second Place:

Stanley G. Oswalt Academy

Third Place:

Shelyn Elementary School

A three-photo collage of school groups participating in a community parade. The first photo shows students in blue shirts carrying large gold letters and a “Jellich Elementary” banner. The second shows a group in red and black holding large “OSWALT” letters. The third shows students in blue shirts carrying large “SHELYN” letters, accompanied by shark-themed decorations and blue-and-white costumes.

MARCHING BAND/COLOR GUARD

A two-photo collage featuring marching band performances. The left photo shows band members in white uniforms and tall hats marching down a street while playing brass instruments and drums. The right photo shows a line of musicians in blue and gold uniforms with white feather plumes playing woodwind and brass instruments.

First Place:

Nogales High School

Noble Regiment

Second Place:

Alvarado Intermediate

Marching Matadors

tudents ride in and stand around a blue pickup truck during a Buckboard Day parade. A student in a football jersey holds a Rowland Raiders banner, while another student sits in a small blue go-kart nearby. Palm trees, storefronts, and spectators line the street.

CLASSIC/CUSTOM VEHICLE

First Place: Rollin’ Raiders – Rowland High School Automotive Club

Students showed off their two-month project, a 2003 Chevy Suburban they “chopped,” converting the truck into a convertible!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PARADE AND EVENT PHOTOS

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Orange icon featuring a group of three people, with a raised arm and a star above them, representing student leadership, recognition, or achievement.

STUDENTS LEARN REAL-WORLD SKILLS

In Animation and Film

Students work at computers in a classroom equipped with large monitors, drawing tablets, and creative software. Several screens display digital illustrations and graphic design projects as students collaborate at their desks.

Computers whirred, creativity flowed, and the clock ticked as 25 students from Rowland High School took part in this year’s Global 24 Hours Animation Contest. Student teams were asked to create a mind-blowing 30-second animated short film in just 24 hours, judged by industry giants.

The animation contest has grown considerably since Rowland High School became the first high school to enter the competition in 2015. Today, more than 15,000 students from 240 high schools and colleges in 35 countries participate.

Students sit together at computers and tablets in a classroom, drawing and designing digital illustrations. Two students in the foreground work on tablets while monitors display character drawings and a digital layout.

Students can explore animation, film production, and multimedia/graphic production with Design Visual Media Teacher Edwin Gomez, who brings 20 years of entertainment experience (including work with The Walt Disney Company, Klasky Csupo, and Cartoon Network) and industry connections directly into the classroom.

“I want students to know that what they are learning can be implemented into real-world applications. At the end of each year, our advanced-level animation class has their final film reviewed by a panel of industry leaders," said Gomez. "My passion is to connect them with professionals and to spotlight this broad field they can enter that includes digital arts, video effects and production, motion graphics, sculpting, coding and game design.”

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

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ROYALS BRING HISTORY TO LIFE

at Living Wax Museum

Photo collage of students showcasing their creativity and school projects. One student poses with a decorated presentation board, two students display projects outdoors in costumes, and another student holds a guitar.

Students stepped into the shoes of inspiring Latino and Latina leaders, changemakers, artists, and trailblazers who have made a lasting impact on our world at Rorimer Elementary’s Living Wax Museum event.

From researching their role models to creating displays, dressing the part and sharing their stories, Royals showcased their creativity, confidence and public speaking skills. Thank you to the community for coming out to support the event, and to the Rorimer PTA for providing snacks and refreshments to raise funds for the 6th graders’ upcoming Outdoor Science School field trip.

RUSD is proud to honor the past, inspire the future and celebrate our stories!

Follow Rorimer Elementary’s new Instagram @Rorimer_Royals

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LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER

Simple Steps to Keep Trick-or-Treaters Safe

It’s time for spooky fun, harvest festivals and trunk-or-treats galore across Rowland Unified! As you take your little ghosts and ghouls out to celebrate this weekend, we want to make sure our families stay safe by following these important pedestrian safety tips that save lives.

Halloween photo bar collage: A three-photo collage featuring Halloween festivities. The first photo shows an adult wearing a crown and costume posing with children in front of a decorated vehicle. The second shows people dressed as Minions, including a large Minion costume and children holding a stuffed toy. The third shows a person in a bright green costume standing behind a grinning character in a striped outfit at a decorated vehicle.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Slow down near schools, parks and neighborhoods.
Look before every turn, especially right turns. People in the crosswalk are easy to miss.
Put the phone down. A glance is all it takes.
Stop fully at crosswalks and stop signs, and yield to people on foot and on bikes.
Use extra caution after dark, when most pedestrian crashes happen.

ON FOOT

Make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb.
Cross at marked crosswalks and intersections where you can.
Be visible at night – light or reflective clothing helps.
Watch turning vehicles even when you have the walk signal.
Teach kids to stop, look left-right-left, and wait for a clear gap.

Tips provided by the Stop4Aiden Foundation

Graphic featuring a red stop sign with the word “STOP” and a green rectangular banner reading “4 Aidan.”

Stop4Aidan works to increase the awareness and safety of streets for the people walking and biking on them - so that no family loses someone to a crash that never had to happen.

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$11 PER TICKET

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Dark purple text that says "CLASS OF 2026" with a dark purple circle with an arrow pointing down

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CELEBRATING DISTINGUISHED

2026 GRADUATES

Hollingworth Elementary & Nogales High Alumnus

The spotlight shines on Annemarie Arrazola, a driven former Hollingworth Hawk, who shares how her teachers and the International Baccalaureate Program at Nogales High School helped her reach her dream of attending UC San Diego.