Dear Students, Families, and Staff, 
We hope you enjoy this final bi-monthly edition of Rim’s Edge of Excellence in January. 
As we turn the page to February, we are excited to welcome a month filled with meaningful learning experiences, special moments, and Valentine's Day Kindness activities filled with friendship grams, card exchanges, kindness challenges, and gratitude notes with a little extra sweetness along the way!. 
We look forward to sharing all the exciting things this month has in store for our school community.
Page: Rim’s Edge of Excellence Newsletter.Rim’s Edge of Excellence Newsletter. Date of School Board Meeting: 
Thursday,  February 19th, 2026. Time: 5:30 p.m. Place:
Rim of the World Unified School District Office.24740 San Moritz Way , Crestline, CA 92325. If you are unable to attend in Person, 
You can watch the meeting live on YouTube https://youtube.com/@rowusdschools/streams
Page: Superintendent Message: Dear ROWUSD Families, Staff, and Community Members, Last week, ROWUSD cabinet members and Board attended the School Services Governor’s Budget Workshop to review the Governor’s proposed 2026-2027 TK-12 education budget.
Each January, the CA Governor releases a proposed State Budget based on forecasts of available state revenues, including funding for school districts from tax collections.  The Governor’s 2026-2027 Proposition 98 funding proposal, which includes a 2.41% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), is actually a REDUCTION in education funding for CA school districts compared to the July budget proposal. The proposal includes a $5.6 billion withholding below the Prop 98 constitutional guarantee, raising concerns about underfunding for school districts across California. In addition, the Governor’s budget lacks adequate funding to support increased costs for operating K12 public schools. 
 The Governor’s budget release is the First Step in negotiations with the Legislature!
The positive elements of the Governor’s proposal include continued investments in key programs, such as Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOP), Community Schools grants, Universal Meals, Arts and Music education, and early childhood education, among others.
Rim of the World Unified School District has taken a forward-looking approach to financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability. The District proactively develops multi-year budgets and prioritizes the responsible and transparent use of general fund and grant fund dollars. Recent increases in enrollment and improved attendance have positively supported the District’s fiscal planning efforts. We remain committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities while prioritizing the needs and success of our students and staff.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we advocate for the resources necessary to serve our students and community.
Page: Educational Services Presents: Empowering Families, Supporting Learners! Educational Services, District English Learner Support Specialist,
 EL Coordinators, site administrators, and EL site representatives from each school proudly hosted the first annual ROWUSD English Learner Parent Engagement Night on Tuesday evening in the 
Rim of the World High School Library. The event supported Families with an informative night focused on supporting student success. The event provided parents with the opportunity to explore hands-on resources and guidance for ELPAC practice, Renaissance Place/Accelerated Reader goals, i-Ready, Google Classroom, AERIES, Edgenuity/Access, and Adult Education opportunities. 
The evening also highlighted the purpose and importance of ELAC and DELAC, helping families better understand how their voices play a vital role in district and school-site English Learner programs and supports. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this  event memorable,
 We look forward to growing this tradition together!
Page: RHS’s Advanced Drama students had the audience laughing 
Last week on Friday afternoon, as they performed for our
 local community at the RHS PAC Center with their short one-act comedy, “Bad Auditions with Bad Actors.”
Thank You for your support! Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas hit the road with & RIM’s Advanced Drama Students who performed their one-act comedy at the CA State Thespian Play Competition Festival where RHS Drama  Students earned outstanding high marks! Two students received Best Performer recognition.
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas, and to everyone involved, for the time, care,
 and dedication you have given in guiding our students.
Page: Rim HS Mountain Bike Team Gears Up for 2026! Rim High School Mountain Bike Team is out on the trails, putting in the miles, showing dedication, and gearing up for an exciting race season! With plenty practices and perseverance, RHS student-athletes are training hard and building strength, teamwork, and confidence on every ride! First race: February 8th at Lake Perris..the Countdown is on! To help support the Bike Race Team as they travel to races throughout the season, the  Bike Team is hosting a 
Krispy Kreme Fundraiser. Your support helps ensure our riders have what they need to get to each race and compete at their best. For questions about the fundraiser, please contact Christine Roth at christine_roth@rimsd.k12.ca.us Please, consider supporting our Rim HS Bike Race Team and cheering them on this season!
Page: Big Adventures for VOE’s Littlest Learners! VOE’s youngest students (preschoolers) are learning that school is full of wonder, WIGGLES, and giggles! These brave little explorers had a blast holding WORMS (yes… real, wiggly worms!). The preschoolers were so excited to feed VOE’s pet chickens!  
Their excitement was EGG-STRAORDINARY as the chickens pecked away & the little ones laughed with delight. When it's time to burn off some energy, the little ones rolled down VOE’s grassy hill in its schoolyard! This was an old-time classic that has been making kids laugh for decades.
 No batteries, no screens, just pure joy, grass-stained clothes, & happy squeals all the way down!
Page: Lake Arrowhead Elementary ELOP. Mini Me Masterpieces in LAE ELOP! TK & K students were strengthening their fine motor skills...& the results were adorable!. Using air-dry clay, students created their own mini versions of themselves, full of personality! From tiny details to big smiles, this fun activity mixed learning &  and individuality!
Page: Snowflake Fun in VOE’s ELOP! ELOP students combined creativity with a bit of tasty fun as they built snowflakes from spaghetti noodles & marshmallows! This activity sparked imagination & lots of smiles while students designed their own unique creations. Learning through play (and food!) made this a fun experience for everyone. What a sweet way to create & explore!
Page: Draw Bots in Action at VOE ELOP! Things got electric in VOE’s ELOP as students created their very own draw bots and experimented with motor functions while watching their art come to life through movement! This high-energy, hands-on activity had creativity buzzing and curiosity spinning! This high-energy, hands-on activity had creativity buzzing and curiosity spinning! Learning + creativity +
 a little engineering = ELOP magic! ⚡✨A big shoutout to ELOP aide Devin Phillips for helping lead the fun and guiding students as they explored, tested, and tweaked their bots.
Page: Valley of Enchantment ELOP. Creativity in Full Color in VOE’s ELOP! VOE’s younger ELOP students have been busy practicing their creativity while learning all about shapes by bringing them to life! Using eyes, noses, mouths, hair, big smiles, and even some with ears, students created the cutest facial expressions and emotions. With lots of bright colors and imaginative designs, each face was full of personality. Learning has never looked so fun and expressive! 
Page: CHE Study Buddies in Action! Ms. Miller’s class teamed up with Mrs. Guzman’s class for the Study Buddies Program! There was shared learning, laughter, & teamwork among teachers & students!  It’s always inspiring to see learning across grade levels! How Do Arctic Animals Stay Warm? CHE’s Kinder scientists explored how Arctic animals stay warm by learning about blubber during science time with Mrs. Marshall. Students wore Blubber Gloves and tested insulation firsthand!  This was a fun project learning how arctic animals survive the freezing cold weather! Spin the Principal’s Wheel! Spin the wheel & you might just win a chance to be yard duty for the day! This student earned a spin on the Principal’s Wheel for her hard work and loved the excitement of being recognized for her leadership and responsibility—all while having fun!
Page: CHE’s Saturday School Winter Science: Crystal Creations! Saturday School students got hands-on with Winter Science, creating sparkling crystals while learning about science in action. Learning never looked so shiny! Saturday Fun: Hot Chocolate & Art! Students enjoyed a cozy Directed Draw Hot Chocolate activity during Saturday School. Do you want to know what the Best Part Was? They got to make and drink hot chocolate afterward! A sweet mix of creativity and fun! 
Page: CHE’s STEM Saturday: Snowflake Edition!. Students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work during Saturday STEM. They designed and built some awesome & Unique Snowflakes!. Every SNOWFLAKE was different...just like CHE’s AMAZING STUDENTS!
Page: Kinder Celebrates the 100th Day at CHE! A fun & tasty way to celebrate school! CHE’s Kinder students had a BLAST celebrating the 100th Day of School by making yummy 100-Day trail mix & showing off their COOL 100-Day hats! CHE students gathered for a special Meet the Masters Assembly led by Ms. McDonald, where art and creativity took center stage! Students enjoyed an inspiring time celebrating art, imagination & creativity!
Page: 100 Days of Learning at CHE! CHE students, teachers, and staff celebrated 100 Days of Learning in the most fun way by dressing up like they were 100 years old! From gray hair and canes to creative outfits and big smiles, the campus was full of laughter and school spirit. Students enjoyed marking this special milestone and showing just how much students have grown in 100 days of school. What a joyful way to celebrate learning at CHE!
Page: CHE’s 5th Grade Students Take a Walk Through the Revolution! Dressed in costume, students reenacted key moments from the American Revolution, stepping back in time to experience history firsthand. This immersive lesson not only deepened their understanding of U.S. history, but also reminded us all of the importance of freedom in the country we live in today. 5th graders enjoyed an exciting
walk through the Revolution, where history came to life! A memorable and meaningful learning experience for students & parents!
Page: Lake Arrowhead Elementary.  Celebrates the 100th Day of School! LAE was buzzing with excitement as students celebrated 100 days learning & having 100 times the FUN!! Kindergarten students showed off their creativity by building amazing 100th Day models, proving big ideas come in small hands. TK students enjoyed a special grade-time with their 3rd-grade buddies, working together to create chains & write letters, learning & friendship all in one! To top it off, our 5th graders celebrated a great school year thus far, reflecting on their hard work and growth. What a fun-filled day celebrating learning, teamwork, and being 100 days amazing!
Page: Lake Arrowhead Elementary. LAE students are getting creative in their Meet the Masters classes! Students are learning about famous artists & then creating their own masterpieces using new tools, techniques, and lots of imagination. Art  Classrooms are buzzing with excitement as students create,  design, and proudly share their artwork with classmates. It’s inspiring to see LAE’s young artists explore their creativity and discover just how talented they are! 5th Graders Shine in Science at LAE! 5th grade students have been busy presenting their science element reports, sharing their knowledge and they taught their classmates along the way. LAE’s two 5th graders take the lead as they explain the properties and uses of the silver and iron elements, confidently answering questions and sparking curiosity. Their classroom turned into a mini science stage,  as these two students taught, shared, and shined!
Page: Lake Arrowhead Elementary. 3rd Grade Friday Sing-Along Fun. Friday was a BLAST!  The 3rd-grade students love hanging out, singing together, and filling the room with BIG voices and even 
BIGGER smiles. Singing together is just one more way our 3rd graders show leadership and school spirit!
What a HAPPY note to wrap up the week!!! LAE students learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month. Students created a meaningful project that celebrated love, kindness, and unity. Students colored cut-out hands filled with hearts and worked together to form one large heart, sharing the powerful message: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” This thoughtful activity encouraged students to reflect on kindness and carry that message with them as they head into Kindness Week, and throughout the remaining school year! WHAT A GREAT MESSAGE!. Student Pride on Display at LAE! Two LAE students showed their school pride by using blocks to spell out LAE, sharing their love and excitement for their school in a fun and creative way. It was a simple but meaningful reminder of the 'pride'  students have in being part of their LAE school community!
Page: Today’s VOE’s water learners are tomorrow’s planet protectors! Learning Made a Splash in 1st Grade! Water helps keep the world (and us!) healthy! VOE’s 1st Graders had a blast learning all about why clean water is so important...not just for our planet, but for our bodies too. Learning about the world around us is so much FUN!!!! What a wonderful way to explore science, the environment, and health all at the same time. Thanks to 1st-grade teacher Katie Nicholson,  &  CSUSB Watershed and Environmental Science Program Team for a wonderful day of discovery!
Page: Cooking Up Fun in 5th Grade at VOE! VOE’s 5th-grade girls were busy whipping up something special for their class mall! The students had a blast making tamales—and learning to make tamales is an amazing skill that takes patience, teamwork, and tradition. Another was also caught in the act, looking like an expert preparing taquitos for the 5th graders’ mall. This fun cooking activity brought lots of excitement to the classroom while helping students build valuable cooking skills at an early age! The girls mixed, wrapped, and cooked tamales & taquitos. Yummy!  This activity showed that learning to cook is not only useful,  it's also exciting and empowering! Way to go, VOE 5th graders!
Page: Learning in Action in Mrs. Sydney McCook’s Class at VOE! Students in  Mrs. Sydney McCook’s
Kinder class have been busy exploring science & letters ( R for red &J for Jello) while learning about solids & liquids. As part of their lesson, students also celebrated “Jj is for Jello,” making learning hands-on, colorful, & Delicious. What a   Yummy way to mix science, letters, and smiles!
Page: Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate. Learning in Action: 6th Grade English Language Arts at MPH! MPH 6th graders are diving into building reading, writing, & sharing their voices in class! It’s AWESOME to see students engaged, collaborating, and growing as readers and writers! They are building the skills  needed to become strong thinkers and confident communicators! PE Time at MPH! MPH students were geared up and ready to go in PE class, dressed in their PE clothes and gathered on the gym floor as their instructor shared the day’s lesson. Focused, energized, & excited to move, students were Ready-SET for 
an active & fun class ahead!
Page: Rim High School Scots. Thursday, January 15, the Rim of the World Fighting Scots Varsity Boys Basketball team hosted the San Gorgonio Spartans in a non-league matchup. 
According to MaxPreps, the Rim of the World Varsity Basketball team won the Rim's home game against San Gorgonio by 38 to 25. Great teamwork, determination, and hustle that led to a well-earned win for the Rim Scots...Way to go SCOTS!
Page: RHS Wrestling Earns a Big Win! On Monday night, the Rim High School Wrestling team earned an exciting victory against ACA. The team showed strength, determination, and grit on the mat, coming together for a well-deserved win. Congratulations to RHS wrestlers & coaches on a great night of competition. Way to Go RHS Wrestling Team!!
Page: HISTORY MADE AT RHS! RHS Boys Soccer are officially LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
for the first time since 1989! Congratulations to our players, coaches, and supporters on an unforgettable season & a championship that will go down in RHS history! This incredible achievement is the result of hard work, determination, and nonstop teamwork. Fun Night in the Gym at RHS! RHS Boys Basketball battled hard in a close game, coming up just one point short in an exciting matchup. While the score was tight, the school spirit was off the charts! Fans showed up in full force, picked up some Rim swag, 
& even had fun pretending to be sports broadcasters. Fans brought their energy, laughs, & lots of school pride to the gym. 
Page: RHS Girls' soccer TEAM WIN! .Celebrations didn’t stop  with the Boys Soccer WIN
RHS Girls Soccer Team also came away with a BIG WIN. What a great night to be part of Rim! Their hard work, determination, and teamwork were on full display as they fought for the victory. Congratulations to RHS Girls' SOCCER team.  WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!
Page: MHS !! MHS Q2 Credit Check Celebration was a sweet success! 
Students who earned 12 or more credits were honored.
What a great way to show that hard work pays off! 
The room was buzzing with energy as students celebrated their achievements with fresh donuts, warm tea, and some seriously competitive E-Sports action. Keep those credits coming! We’re proud of MHS students for staying on track and leveling up their success! Yeti or Not, the Fun Was REAL! MHS & RVA Winter Social 2026. MHS Winter Social was an absolute hit! Students captured frosty memories at the festive photo booth, searched high and low during the “Finding the Yeti” contest, and cozied up with a crowd-favorite hot chocolate bar. The excitement reached peak levels with hands-on STEAM Science Kit building, adding curiosity, creativity, and just the right amount of Yeti-themed fun. Start to Finish, it was a COOL CELEBRATION full of smiles, laughter, and winter magic!
Page: WINTER FUN & SMILES AT RVA. Even without snowflakes falling from the sky, RVA’S Family Team’s Snowflake Challenge & “FIND THE yETI Contest” BroUght plenty OF FUN to RVA’S Winter Social! Families had a fantastic afternoon enjoying games, friendly competition, a cozy cup of hot chocolate from the hot chocolate bar, a fun photo booth, and Best of all...Enjoying quality time with  Friends, Family, and Teachers.
Who says you need snow to have a SNOW-MUCH FUN TIME? What a magical afternoon of togetherness!