San Jacinto Unified School District’s San Jacinto High School will be hosting 17 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) units at their annual Color Guard Meet on Saturday, February 1, 2020, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The competition will be held in San Jacinto High’s gymnasium, 500 Idyllwild Drive, San Jacinto, CA 92583, featuring Junior Varsity and Varsity Color Guard event categories with U.S. Army Reserve Drill Sargent judges from Riverside County.

“We are very proud to host this event,” explained SJHS Principal Courtney Hall. “The strength of our program is reflected in our instructors Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael B. Howard, Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Richard J. DeMarti, and Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Troy L. Loar,” she said.

Since the competition is organized and sponsored by the school’s AFJROTC cadets and staff, their unit does not compete against the visiting school teams.

“We enjoy having parents and community members be a part of the audience during the meet,” explained SMSgt Richard DeMarti. “There is no charge to attend, and we have our concession stand open to help raise additional funds for new uniforms and gloves,” he noted.

San Jacinto High’s AFJROTC unit was established in 2001. Their unit earned an overall assessment score of “Exceeds Standards,” the highest rating attainable during their evaluation on October 28, 2019, by the Headquarters AFJROTC under the U.S. Air Force.

A significant student advantage of selecting the AFJROTC learning pathway is earning a certificate of training or a certificate of completion after two-three successful years in the program, which means advanced rank (and pay) if enlisting in the armed forces after graduation. Cadets serving as an officer in the program have an advantage when competing for appointments to service academies and when applying for ROTC scholarships to colleges and universities. For more information about the San Jacinto High AFJROTC program, please contact Col. Howard at (951) 654-7374 or mhoward@sanjacinto.k12.ca.us.

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A school district that’s winning, winning, winning…

Megan Cope Elementary Unveiling New School Community Little Library 

SJUSD’s Megan Cope Elementary will unveil a new ‘little free library” for their school community on Friday, November 15, at an 8:45 a.m. at Pep Assembly. 

“We heard about the ‘Little Free Library’ program, and knew at once that we needed to have one!” explained Principal Tye Allenbrand. “It features a cute little outdoor wooden box for a ‘take a book, return a book’ free book exchange,” he noted. 

Little Free Library is a registered nonprofit organization committed to fostering neighborhood book exchanges and promoting the love of reading, creativity and building community. Megan Cope Elementary School’s little library will be located outside the school campus fence but regularly monitored by staff (and cameras!) to ensure the books stay protected from the elements and are ready for reading enjoyment. 

San Jacinto Unified’s AFJROTC Unit Receives ‘Exceeds Standards’ Grade

The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) at SJUSD’s San Jacinto High School earned an overall unit assessment score of “Exceeds Standards,” the highest rating attainable during their evaluation on October 28, 2019, by the Headquarters AFJROTC under the U.S. Air Force. 

“The cadets were very impressive and displayed exemplary pride in their unit,” stated Col. Bobby C. Woods, Jr., Director of the HQ AFJROTC in his recent letter of congratulations. San Jacinto High’s unit was evaluated by Col. (Retired) Ben Young, Jr., to provide feedback on their performance and assess their compliance with Public Law, Department of Defense and Air Force Instructions, and the written agreement that exists between SJUSD and the Air Force. 

Instructors Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael B. Howard, Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Richard J. DeMarti, and Senior Master Sergeant (Retired) Troy L. Loar were all noted as exceptional role models and providing a quality AFJROTC program. “The strength of our program is reflected in the instructors. I had no doubt that the inspection would reflect their hard work and dedication to our cadets,” shared Principal Courtney Hall. She added, “Our cadets are amazing individuals who we are proud to have represent San Jacinto High School. We look to them for inspiration and for examples for all our students to follow. I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them and am so pleased that this inspection validated what we already know to be true about them!” 

The district agrees that the AFJROTC citizenship program is making a positive impact on the cadets, the school and the community. “Our ROTC is an amazing place of connection for our students where character, honor and professionalism are evident in every cadet,” said Superintendent Diane Perez. “It has provided hope and opportunities to students, many of whom have gone on to college and to be successful, contributing members of our community,” she continued, “and I am from an Air Force family and wholeheartedly support this incredible program.” 

San Jacinto High’s AFJROTC unit was established in 2001. In addition to grade-level specific classes, cadets engage in social events, community service opportunities, field trips, exposure to remote-controlled aircraft and model rocketry, along with other extracurricular activities.

A significant advantage of selecting the AFJROTC learning pathway is earning a certificate of training or a certificate of completion after two-three successful years in the program, which means advanced rank (and pay) if enlisting in the armed forces after graduation. Cadets serving as an officer in the program have an advantage when competing for appointments to service academies and when applying for ROTC scholarships to colleges and universities. For more information about the San Jacinto High AFJROTC program, please contact Col. Howard at (951) 654-7374 or mhoward@sanjacinto.k12.ca.us.

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San Jacinto, CA – San Jacinto High School’s Air Force Jr. ROTC is holding their annual remembrance event known as the Patriot Day Ceremony, as follows:

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Time: 9:05 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.

Location: San Jacinto High School – Campus Quad 500 Idyllwild Drive

San Jacinto, CA 92582

The annual event involves performances by the school’s marching band and concert choir, a flag presentation by the AFJROTC cadets who will also host a reception room for guests with support by SJHS Culinary Arts students. Susan Jordan, SJHS teacher since 2006 who currently teaches Civics/Government and is the Social Science Department Co-Chair, will give this year’s keynote address. She will be retiring at the end of this school year and has been a strong promoter of civic engagement for students. Mrs. Jordan will be sharing about her high school classmate that was in the World Trade Center on the fateful day of 9-11.

All community members including media representatives interested in attending the event are asked to contact Dawn Lawrence, SJUSD’s public information officer at (951) 929- 7700 x4411; she will provide directions for campus access and/or escorting to the event location.

SJUSD: “All Students College & Career Ready”

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