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Claremont Unified School District is excited to welcome families to our TK and Kindergarten Open Houses taking place January 28 to 30, 2026. Each of our elementary schools will open its doors for engaging, campus-based events where families can meet teachers, explore classrooms, learn about enriching programs, and experience the welcoming environments that make CUSD a special place to begin a child's educational journey. From innovative instruction to vibrant art, music, and STEM opportunities, these Open Houses give families a firsthand look at how we nurture curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence.

We look forward to meeting new families and helping them confidently take their first steps into the Claremont Unified community.

At the December 11 Board of Education meeting, the Claremont Educational Foundation (CEF) presented the district with a generous $150,000 donation, continuing a longstanding tradition of partnership and support for Claremont schools. Since 1991, CEF has played a vital role in strengthening educational opportunities for students across the district by helping sustain art, music, technology, and innovative classroom programs. This remarkable contribution reflects the dedication of CEF’s board members, volunteers, donors, and community supporters who remain steadfast in their belief that strong schools build strong communities.

Claremont Unified School District extends its sincere appreciation to CEF for its unwavering commitment to students and educators. Each year, this support helps preserve programs that enrich learning, encourage creativity, and expand opportunities for all students. The district is grateful for the continued partnership with CEF and looks forward to the positive impact this year’s donation will have throughout classrooms across Claremont.

Chaparral Elementary School was the setting for an unforgettable birthday surprise as Army Sgt. Charisma Manriquez reunited with her daughter, Aurora Manriquez, during a school celebration on December 8. After nine months of deployment in Texas, Sgt. Manriquez returned home just in time to surprise Aurora on her seventh birthday, creating a moment that left students, staff, and families smiling through happy tears.

Aurora and her classmates were outside participating in a school activity when the class paused to sing “Happy Birthday.” As the song ended, Sgt. Manriquez quietly appeared behind her daughter, and the surprise was revealed. The emotional reunion unfolded in front of Aurora’s classmates and teachers, many of whom were moved by the powerful moment of connection and love.

For Sgt. Manriquez, seeing her daughter surrounded by such a caring school community was incredibly meaningful. She shared how special it was to witness Aurora’s environment firsthand and to feel the warmth and support that Chaparral Elementary provides. The idea to surprise Aurora had been in her heart throughout her deployment, and once her return date was confirmed, everything aligned perfectly to make the moment happen on Aurora’s birthday.

Now home for the holidays, Sgt. Manriquez is looking forward to spending quality time together and making memories, whether that means trips to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, or Aurora’s creative wish to visit the ocean and the mountains in the same day. Being home for Aurora’s birthday and Christmas made the reunion even more meaningful for their family.

Sgt. Manriquez expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chaparral Elementary community for helping make the surprise possible and for the kindness shown to her daughter. This joyful moment serves as a beautiful reminder of the strength of the Claremont Unified community and the care and connection that make our schools such special places for students and families.

Claremont High School students are gaining real-world experience while strengthening campus connection through Buddies Bargains, an on-campus thrift store pop-up designed to support students in special education while fostering inclusion schoolwide. The initiative was led by Kaylee Wallingford, Education Specialist; Mar Minjares, M.S./P.P.S, WorkAbility & We Can Work Coordinator for Transition Support Services; and Daisey Calles, Education Specialist. Through this project, students participated in hands-on vocational training, taking part in every step of the process, including planning, sorting donations, folding, hanging, marketing, and assisting shoppers. Every item in the store is priced at just $1 (cash only) or 1 Wolf Buck, creating an engaging and authentic learning experience.

The store is powered by collaboration and generosity across the CHS community. All items were donated by staff, with additional startup support from Target and future design assistance from IKEA. Students worked diligently in every phase of the project, building valuable skills while contributing to something that benefits their peers, especially during the holiday season. Thanks to the success of the pop-up and the strong support from administrators, staff, and students, Buddies Bargains will now take place once a month at Claremont High School, reflecting CUSD’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and meaningful learning experiences for every student.

Claremont High School’s varsity competition cheer team is off to an incredible start this season, earning top honors at multiple regional and state competitions. Before Thanksgiving break, the team competed at USA Regionals, placing first out of three teams in the Show Cheer division and fifth out of eight in the Game Day division, securing their qualification for USA Nationals in Anaheim this February, where they hope to reclaim a national championship title. Their momentum continued at the World Class California Championship in Pomona, where they earned first place in both the Show Cheer and Game Day divisions, were named Level Champions, and were crowned Overall Grand Champions as the highest scoring School Cheer Routine of the entire event. The team celebrated with championship rings, banners, t-shirts, and jackets, and they are already looking ahead to the Vegas Championship in March with hopes of doing it all again.

Oakmont Elementary School welcomed families to a warm and engaging Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., thanks to the leadership and dedication of Nancy Bird, Intervention Teacher at Oakmont Elementary School. The school’s multi-purpose room was transformed into interactive literacy centers filled with reading and writing resources for students and families to explore. Oakmont’s school librarian, Mrs. Robles, joined Claremont Public Library’s children’s librarian to host information tables, offering families helpful materials and ideas to support literacy at home. Families also enjoyed a festive hot chocolate bar and tasty snacks, creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere for the evening.

The event featured special experiences designed to inspire a love of reading. Families participated in a Give & Get Book Exchange, where students donated gently used books and selected new ones to take home. Two surprise guest readers shared cozy read-alouds in Rooms 1 and 6, while families also had the opportunity to meet author Jean Nishimura, The In the Clouds Duckling, and illustrator Sandi Sonke, known for Our Class Is a Family and her newest book, Our School Is a Family. A representative from Green Kids Books showcased eco-focused children’s titles, rounding out the evening with stories that celebrate both literacy and environmental awareness. With families encouraged to wear cozy pajamas and bring a favorite stuffy or reading buddy, the night was a joyful celebration of connection, imagination, and reading together.

The Claremont High School World Languages Department hosted its first-ever Lunch Holiday Market on Wednesday, December 17, transforming the 800 Quad into a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Entirely student-run, the market featured students from Spanish 3, Spanish Heritage 1, German 3, German 3 Honors, German Club, and French Club, who collaborated with LinkCrew to offer free activities, traditional holiday food samples, music, and cultural traditions from around the world. With free stamp cards and raffle prizes adding to the excitement, the quad was packed with happy students, teachers, and staff throughout lunch.

The event highlighted a wide range of global celebrations, with students proudly hosting booths representing Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Nikolaustag, Weihnachten, and Silvester, creating a holiday market that truly reflected diverse cultures and traditions. A special thank you goes to LinkCrew for providing hot chocolate to all freshmen and hosting engaging activities, as well as to the Hispanic Honors Society for an unexpected and energetic flash mob that delighted the crowd. The market also featured student vendors, including CHS juniors Summer Calimlim, Eve Englebert, and Isa Garcia, who sold handmade jewelry, ceramics, and hand-knitted items. The World Languages Department shared immense pride in the students’ leadership, creativity, and cultural knowledge, and encourages the community to continue supporting student businesses by visiting the teacher’s lounge this week for unique, handmade holiday gifts.

On December 9, schools across Claremont Unified School District turned the 67th day of school into a joyful celebration that blended student culture, creativity, and learning. Inspired by the viral “six seven” trend, students and staff embraced the moment with 67 themed outfits, spirited campus activities, and classroom lessons built around the number. From elementary to intermediate schools, teachers thoughtfully used the occasion to connect with students in meaningful ways, meeting them where they are while keeping learning at the center of the day.

Classrooms came alive with engaging activities tied to the theme, including writing reflections, art projects, and math challenges where students worked together to create equations that equal 67. Lunch periods featured 67-second games that encouraged teamwork, laughter, and positive interactions between students, staff, and volunteers. The celebration even caught the attention of local media, with ABC7 and FOX 11 highlighting the fun and creativity taking place on CUSD campuses. The 67th day of school was a reminder that small moments, when approached with intention, can create powerful connections and lasting memories for students.

El Roble Intermediate School, Claremont High School, and Claremont Unified School District were proudly recognized for earning placement on the California Honor Roll and were honored during the December 11 Board of Education meeting. Presented by Educational Results Partnership, the California Honor Roll recognizes schools and districts that demonstrate consistently strong academic performance and improvement using objective student achievement data. Approximately 21 percent of eligible schools and districts statewide earned this distinction, placing CUSD and its schools among California’s top performers.

This recognition reflects the collective commitment of students, educators, staff, and families to academic excellence and continuous growth. Honor Roll schools and districts are identified based on performance in English language arts and mathematics across multiple student groups and over multiple years, highlighting both achievement and progress for all learners. The success of El Roble, Claremont High School, and the district underscores the focused instructional practices, collaboration, and student-centered support happening daily across CUSD classrooms.

During the Board meeting, trustees and district leaders celebrated this achievement as a reflection of the district’s core values of Excellence, Equity, Innovation, and Integrity. From delivering high-quality instruction and ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities to fostering innovative teaching practices and maintaining a strong commitment to accountability, this Honor Roll recognition affirms the meaningful work taking place across Claremont Unified. The district extends its gratitude to its educators, staff, students, and families for their dedication and partnership in supporting student success.

Sumner Danbury Elementary School proudly hosted its second annual Cross Country Meet, bringing students of all abilities together for an inclusive, community-centered celebration of movement and school spirit. Held on campus and at Griffith Park, the event welcomed students across grade levels and ability levels, with races designed to ensure every student could participate and feel supported. Volunteers from the University of La Verne and Claremont High School cross-country teams were on hand to guide runners and cheer them on, alongside families and staff who lined the course with encouragement. The cross-country meet highlighted Sumner Danbury’s commitment to inclusion, teamwork, and belonging, creating a memorable experience where every student had the opportunity to shine.

At the December 11 Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized outgoing Board President Kathryn Dunn for her dedicated leadership and service to the Claremont Unified School District. Throughout her tenure as president, Kathryn has guided the board with thoughtfulness, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to students, staff, and families. Her work has helped strengthen our schools and support the district’s mission of Igniting curiosity, strengthening resilience, and inspiring excellence to empower each student’s academic journey. As the board transitions to new leadership for 2026, with Alex McDonald serving as president, Kathy Archer as vice president, Cheryl Fiello as clerk, and Kathryn Dunn and Richard O’Neill continuing as board members, we extend our sincere appreciation to Kathryn for her ongoing service and dedication to the CUSD community.

On behalf of the Claremont Unified School District, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible community for the overwhelming generosity shown during the holiday season. Because of your kindness and support, our district students and their families were cared for and uplifted in truly meaningful ways. Your compassion reminds us of the strength, unity, and heart that define Claremont.

We offer a heartfelt thank you to Endless Fitness and the Endless Foundation, Granite Creek Community Church, KidCare International, the Rotary Club of Claremont, the Claremont Police Department and Foundation, BSA Troop 407, and Trinity Youth Services for their generosity and continued commitment to supporting our students and families. We are also deeply grateful to Claremont Nutrition Services and our dedicated District staff, including our Educational Services team, whose donations and countless volunteer hours helped ensure every detail came together. Our sincere appreciation also goes to our hardworking District Custodial staff and the amazing Mountain View Elementary School staff for their time, effort, and support.

In addition, we wish to recognize and thank the following individuals, families, businesses, and partners for their generosity: The Spot Cafe, Dr. Grubb’s, First Amendment Pizza, Joyce Barnes Baked Goods, Tracy & Essence of Healed Women Heal, Kathy & Billy Archer, Lyndsay Petersen of Pres-Tek Plastics Inc., Donna & Kenny Pursell of Prestige Mold Inc., Laurel & Jon Mulvihill of Thin Metal Sales, Janelle & Joey Rasich of Gold Coast Solutions, Monique & Jackie Baca-Geary, Jasmyn & Lorena Handoval, Tracey & Dianna Macomber, Priscilla & Veronica, and Raya, Kallen, Jayden, Harper, Lily, Marley, Morgan, Olivia, Cambria, Jakob, and Stokely. Together, your kindness brought joy, comfort, and hope to our students and families during the holidays. We cannot thank you enough for the difference you continue to make in our community.

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