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Celebrating Certificated Excellence: Honoring Jonathan Snapp

Claremont Unified School District proudly recognizes Sports Medicine Teacher and Certified Athletic Trainer Jonathan Snapp as the 2025-2026 Certificated Spotlight on Excellence recipient. Since joining CUSD in 2018, Jonathan has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Igniting curiosity, strengthening resilience, and inspiring excellence to empower each student’s academic journey. His ability to maintain high expectations while providing unwavering support reflects our district's values of Excellence, Equity, Innovation, and Integrity. Students describe him as a mentor who sees their potential and encourages them to thrive academically and personally.

Jonathan’s work on the Claremont High School campus exemplifies what it means to be a champion for student growth and well-being. His leadership in sports medicine and athletic training has elevated learning opportunities for students and modeled what student-centered education looks like in practice. CUSD is proud to honor Jonathan Snapp for his dedication, innovation, and excellence. Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Certificated Spotlight on Excellence recipient.

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Recognizing Classified Excellence: Honoring Bobby Arciga

CUSD is delighted to recognize Information Services Specialist Bobby Arciga as the 2025-2026 Classified Spotlight on Excellence recipient. Bobby began his service to the district in 2011, first as a substitute and later transitioning into permanent roles across multiple departments, including Nutrition Services, Adult School, Educational Services, and Information Services. His work reflects the heart of the CUSD purpose statement by empowering students and staff through reliable support, strong communication, and his commitment to serving others with integrity.

Colleagues describe Bobby as professional, dedicated, and consistently willing to go above and beyond to help students, families, and staff. His adaptability and strong work ethic bring stability and positivity to every department he touches. Bobby's contributions exemplify the CUSD Core Values and strengthen the experience of all who walk onto our campuses. We are proud to celebrate Bobby Arciga as our 2025-2026 Classified Spotlight on Excellence honoree.

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Honoring Leadership Excellence: Celebrating Terryl Noreen

CUSD is proud to recognize Executive Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations, Terryl Noreen, as the 2025-2026 Management and Confidential Spotlight on Excellence recipient. Terryl began his service to the district in 2003 and has been promoted three times due to his outstanding leadership, attention to detail, and student-centered approach. His commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and efficient learning environments reflects CUSD's promise to empower each student's academic journey.

Terryl is known across the district for his kindness, positivity, and consistent ability to find solutions that honor the needs of students and staff. His servant leadership embodies our core values and strengthens the foundation upon which great teaching and learning occur. His influence can be felt in every school building and every project completed with care and integrity. We congratulate Terryl Noreen on being named the 2025-2026 Management and Confidential Spotlight on Excellence recipient.

Rain or Shine, SAHS Thanksgiving Feast Unites the Community

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The Claremont Unified School District is proud to celebrate San Antonio High School's cherished tradition of hosting its annual community Thanksgiving Feast. Now in its nineteenth year, the event continues to reflect the school's deep commitment to belonging, care, and shared gratitude. This year marked a new chapter as Principal Andrea Deligio took the reins following the retirement of longtime organizer Ana Avilez, who shaped the event for nearly two decades. Principal Deligio and the SAHS team worked tirelessly to ensure the tradition remained strong and meaningful for every student and family who attended.

Despite days of steady rain across Claremont, the SAHS community showed up in impressive numbers. To keep everyone warm and comfortable, students and staff transformed classrooms into welcoming dining spaces, creating a cozy and festive atmosphere. Light sprinkles fell during the event, but the weather did not dampen the spirit of the day or the appreciation for the incredible meal prepared by the SAHS team in partnership with CUSD Nutrition Services. The joy on the faces of students, families, and staff highlighted the lasting impact of this tradition and the importance of gathering together to celebrate community, gratitude, and connection.

A Winning Visit: Ontario Reign Inspires Students at Sumner Danbury

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Sumner Danbury Elementary School received a special outdoor visit from the Ontario Reign as players and Kingston the mascot brought energy and inspiration to the blacktop. Students gathered on the asphalt for an exciting assembly where the team shared encouraging messages, demonstrated hockey tricks, and even invited a few students to join them for a fun on-the-spot demonstration. After the assembly, the players and Kingston visited classrooms across campus to read books, answer questions, and spend meaningful time with students. The joy on students' faces said it all as they connected with the team, especially enjoying Kingston's unforgettable dance moves. CUSD extends a big thank you to the Ontario Reign and the Hope Reigns Foundation for creating a memorable day filled with laughter, learning, and community pride.

Students Build, Code, and Compete in Mountain View’s Robotics Debut

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The Mountain View LEGO Robotics Club participated in its first competition at Diamond Bar High School on Saturday, November 8th led by their Coach Hafsa Shafiq and Co-Coach/Parent Chi Ni. FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a globally renowned STEM competition that challenges kids aged 4 to 16 to explore a real-world scientific topic, design and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology, and demonstrate teamwork through "Core Values." This unique competition is essential because it moves beyond textbook learning, giving students crucial hands-on experience in problem-solving, engineering design, and collaborative innovation. Participants quickly learn that success isn't just about the robot; it's about the entire process of discovery and respect. Seeing our students collaborate and communicate was a sight to behold and watching them complete the tasks proved inspirational for the attending parents. Fifth-grade student Winston Ni commented, "It's a lot of fun to see all the other teams and learn about the core values." FLL provides a supportive, project-based environment that prepares young people for future careers in science, technology, and leadership.

Wolfpack Advances to SCSBOA Championships for Second Straight Year

Claremont High School’s Band and Color Guard continue to shine this season, earning an impressive 2nd Place in Class 4A and a 5th Place finish in Open Class at last week’s Covina competition. While their Saturday event at Ramona High School was canceled due to rain, the team achieved a major milestone by qualifying for the SCSBOA Championships for the second consecutive year and, for the first time, in the highly competitive 4A Division. The CHS Band and Color Guard will perform at 5:47 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Long Beach City College, where they will compete among the top programs in Southern California. Families and community members are invited to come out and cheer on our talented Wolfpack performers.

Cal Poly Pomona Professor Brings Agriculture to Life at Oakmont

Fifth and sixth graders in Mrs. Marquez’s class at Oakmont Outdoor School recently welcomed Dr. Aaron Fox, a professor of agriculture from Cal Poly Pomona, for an engaging hands-on lesson about the history of farming and plant domestication. His visit complemented the class’s current studies on early hominids and their transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. Students eagerly participated, asking thoughtful questions about how farming practices evolved and how ancient innovations continue to shape modern agriculture.

Dr. Fox, who is also an Oakmont parent, brought an assortment of tools and plant samples to help students better understand how crops are cultivated. He displayed irrigation tubes, lemongrass, corn, and seeds, including pumpkin, wheat, sunflower, and cotton, while explaining how access to freshwater and fertile soil enabled early civilizations to thrive. Students were fascinated to learn about the evolution of irrigation systems and how they transformed food production worldwide.

California’s unique geography, rich soil, and mild climate make it one of the most productive agricultural regions in the nation, Dr. Fox explained. He also shared how insects play a vital role in farming, showcasing specimens of pollinators like bees, ladybugs, and butterflies alongside pests such as locusts and beetles. Oakmont Outdoor School expressed its appreciation to Dr. Fox for bringing real-world expertise into the classroom and inspiring young learners to explore the science of agriculture.

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