End-of-the-Week News A weekly sampling of the many great things happening at your Moreno Valley schools – October 7, 2016

World-famous Earth, Wind & Fire horn section visits MVUSD musicians Landmark Middle School recently hosted the first of a series of band workshops put on by the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department, and it was (like “September”) one to remember, as the guests were none other than the horn section from Earth, Wind & Fire! Gary Bias (saxophone), Bobbie Burns, Jr. (trumpet), and Reggie Young (trombone) performed for more than 200 students and parents, and then answered musicians’ questions about technique, practice habits, equipment and more. Here, Gary Bias leads the saxophonists in some drills. The visit was the result of a partnership between VAPA and the Moreno Valley Cultural Arts Foundation. (Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and more are just down the road at Indio; maybe they’d like to stop by, too!)

Crowd packs meeting for latest on CSHS stadium It was standing-room-only at Canyon Springs this week, as eager parents and students packed the theater to get the latest on the long-

awaited stadium project. Plans have been adjusted following input from attendees of a string of public meetings held last spring, and district officials plan to break ground on the stadium shortly after the new year, but first they have to reach agreement with the Moreno Valley City Council on the issue of what to do with Westbluff Park, which juts down into the campus from Pigeon Pass. The district wants to use the park entrance as a second entrance to the CSHS campus. City Councilmembers want to preserve the park as is and have the district work around it.

Walk to School Day gets students moving For at least one day this week, there were fewer cars dropping kids off at school, and more traffic on the sidewalks, as thousands of students took part in International Walk to School Day, organized at MVUSD by Safe Routes to School volunteers. The thinking is that getting students to walk to school again actually creates better, safer neighborhoods. Not only is there less car traffic and, thus, fewer chances for accidents (and more clean air), but also it creates more opportunities for families to explore their own neighborhoods and meet their own neighbors, which ultimately makes everyone more safe. Here’s a long line of walkers headed to school at Honey Hollow Elementary.

Mother/daughter teachers featured in Press-Enterprise School district employees are a pretty tightly knit family – to the point that sometimes they actually are family! Take teachers Kirsten Marsh-Barba and Deborah Marsh, who are daughter and mother. Kirsten serves at Edgemont Elementary

and Deborah serves at Bayside Community Day School. How did they come to be teachers at MVUSD at the same time? Read about it in this feature in the Press-Enterprise.

Canyon Springs artists get to the point Those student artists at Canyon Springs are always up to something fascinating. This time, it’s an exhibit of pointillism, a form of impressionism based on – that’s right – dots. Amazing how the artists master the use of shade and light and create a sense of depth all with tiny points of ink. Several works are on display at the CSHS library. This one, called “Olga,” is by the talented Joanna Segura.

Friday Night Lights League play starts this week. The Ravens of Vista del Lago host Banning tonight and are hoping to chalk up that first win. The Valley View Eagles welcome Rancho Verde. The Vikings of MoVal (3-2) are on home turf against San Bernardino (0-5). And after a tough loss to North last night, the Cougars of Canyon Springs have tonight off as they prepare for a trip to Rancho Verde next week.

Vista Heights students declare, “I’m going to college,” at UCLA event Vista Heights Middle School took 50 students to the recent Arizona State/UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl. But they were there for more than the game. It was VHMS’s annual trek to the “’I’m Going to College’ Fair”

held outside the stadium. UCLA sponsors the fairs throughout the year, pairing them with various athletic events, which places students in a “collegiate atmosphere that stresses the excellence of both education and athletics.”

Canyon Springs Invitational a new Cougar tradition It’s nice to play host once in a while instead of always being the guest. So it was a great feeling for runners from Canyon Springs to be able to welcome other Inland Empire cross-country teams to the recent (first annual!) Canyon Springs Invitational cross-country meet. Fifteen schools brought a total of 400 runners (and another 200 fans) to the event. And the Cougs fared well, with Victoria Mendoza winning the Junior Race by a long shot, and Sammy Sanchez winning the Freshman/Sophomore race, and CSHS placing 1, 2 and 3. Congratulations to coach Jose Ramirez and all those involved with creating this successful new tradition for CSHS and our community!

Family Photos Speaking of CSHS cross country, here’s a family photo from way back in 1988 of Cougar runners competing in the Arlington Invitational. By the way, the Cougar boys team ran undefeated that season: 5-0 in league and 9-0 overall. The cross-country tradition continues at Canyon Springs!

MVUSD Board of Education Jesús M. Holguín, President Dr. Denise Fleming, Vice President Cleveland Johnson, Clerk Gary E. Baugh, Ed.S. Patrick W. Kelleher