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3/28/2025: RIMS Edge of Excellence Newsletter

Posted Date: 3/28/25 (10:45 PM)

Dear Students, Families, and Staff, 
Another  week of the RIMs Edge of Excellence Newsletter, keeping you informed about the incredible happenings across our school campuses. 
We are proud of our students and deeply appreciate everyone who contributes to their success-from supportive families to dedicated teachers and staff. 
Thank you for being a part of our thriving school community!

Page One: Rim’s Edge of Excellence Newsletter. March 28th, 2025. Let's stay connected. COme join us at the School Board Meeting on April 17th, 2025 at 5:30 pm. Located at the District Office. If you are unable to attend in Person, watch the meeting live on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@rowusdschools/streams  
Page Two: From ROWUSD Superintendent Office-Dr. Paul Sevillano. Dear Students, Families, and Staff, There are many ways to measure your child's learning. Your child's teacher uses report cards, grades, classroom work, teacher observations, and end-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child's learning. CAASPP testing is another opportunity to showcase your student's learning, critical thinking, and academic growth.  As we approach the CA Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) testing period, we encourage families to support their student's participation. CAASPP is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned and show their academic growth.These assessments provide valuable insights into your child's progress, helping us refine our our teaching strategies and support student achievement. Why does CAASPP matter for your child and our community? First, CAASPP measures a student's growth & progress. This helps track student learning, showing where they excel and where extra support may be needed. Second, CAASPP prepares students for the future. These tests build critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable for college and career readiness.  Third, these tests help improve instruction through testing results, improving teaching strategies, and providing additional resources where needed. This year, the ROWUSD will administer the CAASPP assessments between April 7th through May 30th. Each school will maintain a testing schedule. There are many ways to help your child feel more confident and prepared. Help them feel confident and prepared by reminding them that this is a chance to show what they know, and that efforts matter more than perfection. A good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast make a big difference. Lastly, encouragement goes a long way in boosting their confidence and reminding them they are capable and prepared.  Together, we can create a positive and supportive atmosphere for our students to shine. Let's celebrate their hard work and encourage them every step of the way!
Page Three: Dates to Remember: Spring Break  March 31st-April 4th  Classes will resume on:  Monday, April 7th, 2025 PLC and modified Days will be suspended. Starting April 9th through the end of the school year,  Schools will follow their regular full-day schedules.   The next RIMs Edge of Excellence Newsletter will be sent out on April 18th to accommodate Spring Break.  CAASPP testing: April 7th to May 30th, 2025
Page Four: ROWUSD Community Schools At ROWUSD, we believe that education is more than academics. It’s about ensuring that every child has the support, resources, and opportunities to thrive in all areas of life.  This is why ROWUSD is committed to the Community Schools model, which focuses on the whole child by providing access to essential services, strengthening family-school partnerships, and creating a sense of belonging for every student. 
 A Community School is not just a place of learning; it is a hub for support, connection, and opportunity! Our families are a vital part of the Community Schools model. Your involvement helps us build stronger connections and ensure that our programs meet the needs of our students. 
Saturday Academy: Learning & Fun Combined!! Looking for a way to keep your student engaged and excited about learning? Saturday Academy is the perfect opportunity!  Saturday Academy is a FUN & SUPPORTIVE environment where learning feels exciting! Encourage your student to join us and experience the benefits of extra learning time in a positive and engaging setting.  We LOVE to see them there!!! We look forward to sharing updates on the Community Schools Implementation Grant application process, as we are currently awaiting approval.
Page Five & Six: Celebrating RHS’s Outstanding  WASC Accreditation Review! We are thrilled to share that Rim of the World High School recently completed their WASC accreditation review, and the results were nothing short of exceptional! The WASC auditors were highly impressed with RHS administrative & Leadership team, staff, and especially our dedicated  teachers! They recognized the strong voice and meaningful choice our students and families have in their learning, as well as the collaborative spirit that exists throughout the school and district.  Most importantly, they saw what we already know-our students are engaged, empowered, and ready for their future! Thank you to our students, families, and community for your ongoing support, engagement, and collaboration! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible leadership & administrative teams, staff, and teachers for your Dedication, Collaboration, & Commitment to Student SUCCESS!  Your efforts in fostering inclusivity, engagement, and providing valuable resources help make RHS an exceptional place to Learn, Grow & Thrive! We appreciate all that you do to support our students & Community. “At RHS,  we don’t just teach,  we do it in Style!!!l”
Page Seven & EIght: RHS Spotlight-Wind Ensemble Shines at  Festival Competition. Last week, RHS WInd Ensemble  showcased their talent & dedication at the Festival competition held at Redlands High School on March 12th. Their journey to the competition was not without its challenges, but thanks to the support of our incredible parent volunteers, they Made It to the Stage-and delivered an Outstanding Performance!! The Wind Ensemble performed 3 pieces before a panel of expert adjudicators. Students were able to hone their performance skills, engage in constructive competition, and receive professional feedback to further refine their musical abilities. The Judges were highly impressed with RHS students-commending  their technique, skill, & remarkable sound, especially given the small size of our band. Our students delivered a Mighty Sound! A special shoutout goes to Boedy Reisner, who was personally recognized by one of the Judges for his Exceptional balance & contribution to the band’s overall sound! Following the performance, RHS students faced another challenge. “Sight Reading”. This test required them to perform a brand-new piece they had Never seen before, with only 5 minutes to review the music before playing.
Our students confidently chose the harder Sight Reading piece and earned a SUPERIOR RATING-
the HIGHEST SCORE! In their main performance-Wind Ensemble received an EXCELLENT RATING (2nd place equivalent)- a testament to their HARD WORK & PASSION for MUSIC.Congratulations to OUR TALENTED and DEDICATED MUSICIANS!!
Page Nine: RHS Spotlight-Choir Festival. RHS Choir Shines at High Desert Festival!! On March 17th, the Choir competed at the High Desert Festival at Silverado High School in Victorville.The Choir performed three pieces for the adjudicators, our Choir impressed the Judges, especially with their German & French pronunciation-a BIG Thank You to Mrs. Delfolie for her help! Competing against eight ensembles, our students held their own, earning an  EXCELLENT RATING!  Congrats to our talented Music Director Kari Stebbins and the Choir for their hard work & outstanding performance! We are Proud of You! Thank You parents for stepping up to carpool students to the competition, ensuring our students could attend!
Page Ten: RHS Spotlight-JAZZ. Fundraising COncert benefitting RIM District Schools Bands.  SUnday 3/27/25 at Lake Arrowhead Spa & Resort. $10 contribution and Students are free. Starting at 12:30 pm. COme early to enjoy the instrument petting zoo. The Petting ZOo will be Open!!!This is a great time for the little ones to try out instruments and see if Music is something for them! No commitment required, just some Fun time with Kiddos!
Page Eleven: RHS Spotlight- Creativity in Action at RHS! At RIM HS, we are excited to offer a wonderful new art elective this year called  Art Materials & Methods. This unique course allows students to explore Art using a variety of mediums beyond paper & canvas. Last week, Mrs. Stehmeier and her students took advantage of our beautiful  mountain setting  by using snow as their artistic medium! Students put their creativity and skills to the test, sculpting unique snow creations & embracing the natural beauty around them. It’s hands-on experiences like this that make RIM HS such a special place to learn & grow!
Page Twelve: RHS Spotlight- Spring Fling Success! A Huge Thank You to Charles Baccarri & the sophomore class for making the Spring Fling dance a reality!
RHS hosted a third dance, and thanks to Charles’ dedication, it finally happened. Held at the beautiful San Moritz Lodge, the event ran smoothly, and students had an unforgettable night!! A special shoutout to Carolyn, Amanda, Eddie, Vionica, and Ron for chaperoning and helping make the night a SUCCESS. It’s wonderful to see another tradition return, strengthening our school’s culture and community spirit!,
Page Thirteen: RHS Launches Paid Internship Program-Collaborative Career Internship Program. RHS 4th Intern, Dylan Lewis, will be interning at the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, working as the Fire Ecology Intern. RHS 5th Intern, Nathan Scolti, will work at the Running Springs Fire Department. 
You’ve Got This DyLAN & Nathan-Show OFF YOUR SKILLS!Thanks to funding from the Community Schools Planning Grant, Rim High School is proud to launch its Collaborative Career Internship Program, which provides paid internships for students to gain hands-on career experience-fully funded by the grant!
Local businesses- want to get involved?  ROWUSD covers wages and workers’ compensation, giving employers access to motivated student interns at no cost. 
Contact Stephanie Phillips at stephanie_phillips@rimsd.k12.ca.us to learn how your business can support student success! This is just the beginning-stay tuned as we continue to expand this exciting program!
Page Fourteen: Mountain High School-Credit Check-In: Staying on Track:
This week, students at MHS reflected on key graduation requirements-200 credits to graduate- and assessed their current progress.  
!2th Graders were asked to think about how close they are to walking with the CLass of 2025, and 11th Graders to evaluate their path toward the Class of 2026. 
Keep Pushing forward seniors!!! Huge SHoutout to Our Q4 SMARTIE Goal Achievers! Huge Congratulations to all MHS students who met their Quarter 4 SMARTIE Credit goals! Your commitment & effort are moving you closer to graduation-1 credit at a time. Keep up the momentum & continue to lead by Example!
You’ve Got This, & we are cheering you on every step of the way!!
Page Fifteen:  RVA: RVA’s group counseling sessions continue to guide students in developing mindfulness & grounding techniques to manage anxiety while leading.  This initiative fosters positive academic, social, & emotional growth by building empathy, communication skills and integrity-Key Traits of Strong Leaders! RVA Explores History at Riley’s Farm! Mrs. Lewis & Mrs. Barany’s classes had an unforgettable adventure at Riley’s Farm, experiencing early American life firsthand!
FRom picking apples to hands-on crafts, students had FUN while learning about farming & colonial history. Thank you to all who joined-stay tuned for more exciting things happening ahead!
Page Sixteen & Seventeen: VOE Elementary. What’s Happening in our VOE Classrooms? VOe classroom  turned mini basketball courts for a March Madness Desk Basketball activity! Students played right at their desks, learning about teamwork, sportsmanship, and sharpening their coordination skills-all while having a blast! Read Across AMerica  is in full swing! A group of 3 dedicated students have been meeting regularly to strengthen their reading skills and grow their love for books! In Science-students dove into a bubble exploration activity where they investigated how bubbles form & move.  The Fun didn’t stop there....Students also Zoomed around on their 3-wheelers, combining physical activity with curiosity and learning! We are proud of our creative & energetic learners who continue to grow through Fun, & Hands-On experiences!!
Page Eighteen & Nineteen: Mary Putnam Intermediate. The Amazing Spring Concert! Our talented MPH students gave it their all, delivering an incredible performance at the spring concert! Their hard work and dedication were on full display, making for a truly amazing show. Bravo to all who performed!! Thank You Kayla Hiss for accompanying the choir .Our MPH choir delivered a stunning performance, showcasing their talent & hard work! Their harmonies & energy made for a truly memorable show-Way to Go Choir! The spring dance was glowing-with purple lights setting the scene for a FUN NIGHT!! 5th Grade Visit to LAE
The MPH students had a great time visiting LAE on Tuesday! They learned about MPH, class scheduling and electives-plus-they enjoyed a little friendly competition. Exciting times ahead!! Every Girl Counts!! An empowering event featuring guest speakers who inspired students to take charge of their futures. A great reminder that ‘Every Girl Counts’ when it comes to SUCCESS!!!
Page Twenty: CHE-ELOP: Creative Minds at CHE! ELOP students in 2nd-5th grade put their imagination to work using 3D pens to bring their ideas to life!
Meanswhile, TK & K students enjoy a cozy daily storytime with mats, blankets, & stuffed animals-a perfect way to relax &  recharge.
Page Twenty-One: LAE-ELOP Adventures-LAE ELOP students explored the science of tree rings, learning how they tell a tree’s  story.  To make the lesson even more special, they colored their wooden necklaces to take home!!!
Page Twenty-Two: News & Fun Facts: The idea of spring can be traced back to ancient agricultural societies, where spring was a time for renewal and celebration after winter. In the 19th and 20th centuries, most US schools followed an agrarian calendar, with long breaks in the summer and shorter breaks in the winter and spring. This allowed students in rural areas to help with farm work. Spring Break became a cultural phenomenon in 1938 when students from Colgate University traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a swim meet. This inspired a trend of students traveling to warmer destinations, especially beaches during their spring break. Today, its a key academic break for students and teachers to rest and recharge before the final school months.  
Page Twenty-Three: A Fun & Easy Spring Family treat  to make is “Bird’s  Nest Cookies” These adorable NO-bake treats resemble little bird nests and are perfect for the season!! Ingredients: 1 bag (12 oz) butterscotch or chocolate chips 1 cup peanut butter (or substitute with sunflower butter for allergies) 3 cups chow mein noodles (or pretzel sticks for a salty twist) Mini candy eggs (like Cadbury mini eggs or jellybean's). Instructions::
1) Melt the butterscotch ro chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. 
2) Stir in the peanut butter until well combined. 
3) Gently fold in the chow mein noodles of pretzels until evenly coated. 
4) Scoop small portions onto a parchment-lined tray & shape them into little “nests”.
5) Place a few candy eggs in the center of each nest.
6) Let them cool and set in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes.
ENJOY!  They’re crunchy, sweet, and perfect for an Easter gathering  or springtime snack!!

















From ROWUSD Superintendent, Dr. Paul Sevillano