Since its start in 1999, the BARR model has grown into a nationally recognized approach used in 24 states and more than 375 schools, supporting the success of over 360,000 students.

Now in its ninth year of implementation, SJHS continues to excel in the BARR program. With a school-wide focus on positivity, collaboration, and student success, SJHS is leading the way in supporting the whole student. From strength-based Block Meetings to engaging I-Times and Community Connect sessions, staff consistently work together to meet student needs. The 9th grade BARR team continues to implement program fidelity. The team has recognized over 200 ‘student of the week’, written over 250 ‘encouraging postcards’, delivered over 600 I-Time lessons, and continues to focus on decreasing failure as they strive to reach every student. Site administrators are actively involved in BARR meetings, which ensures seamless communication and aligned leadership.

BARR Coordinator, and now Assistant Principal, Fidel Salcedo and the Ninth Grade BARR team have played a key role in strengthening each element of the program. Their dedication has earned SJHS national recognition. Recently, during the 2024-2025 school year, their efforts were recognized on the national stage, as they earned the BARR Center Accreditation of Schools. SJHS was the only high school in California and one of just eight schools nationwide honored at last year’s BARR Conference in Rancho Mirage.

Congratulations to Mr. Salcedo, who will join the High School Panel at this year’s BARR National Conference in Rancho Mirage, where once again he will have the opportunity to showcase San Jacinto High School’s impactful journey.

SJHS exemplifies how a consistent, compassionate, and collaborative approach to BARR can transform school culture and outcomes. “We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone with you. Your school serves as a model for others across the country, demonstrating what is possible when a whole school community comes together around a shared vision of growth and excellence,” shared BARR Center Founder and Executive Director Angela Jerabek.

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“Our responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of public education and ensure that taxpayer resources are used lawfully and transparently,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said. “This audit identified serious concerns that merit further review by the appropriate authorities. We will continue to act with integrity, follow the law and ensure that the interests of students and the public remain at the center of every decision.”

The school district was made aware of the findings Wednesday but did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to the county Office of Education, the audit, which was authorized under provisions of the state Education Code, followed revelations of a “concerning relationship” between VVUSD and Pegasus California School in Qingdao, China.

The Office of Education retained the Los Angeles law firm founded by former U.S. District Judge Stephen G. Larson to scrutinize the district’s operations. Larson’s staff also previously handled a substantial audit of the county’s Department of Child Protective Services.

Officials said the VVUSD probe began after evidence surfaced that high school diplomas had been approved by the district for non-resident students at the Chinese school. There were also indications of potential malfeasance and conflicts of interest, according to the Office of Education.

Larson’s findings resulted in a narrative spanning more than 1,000 pages, which the Office of Education condensed to a single-page executive summary.

“The audit identified serious compliance concerns,” the summary stated, affirming evidence pointing to the likely issuance of diplomas to “students who did not meet applicable legal or residency requirements.”

“There was evidence raising concerns regarding internal controls, fiscal oversight and the potential for unlawful financial practices associated with the district’s international program,” according to the summary. “These findings are based on documented evidence reviewed during the audit and are subject to further review and determination by the appropriate authorities.”

The Office of Education said that, along with the VVUSD governing board, the Office of the State Controller, administrators for the California Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office had been informed of the findings.

“The Office of Education … remains committed to ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken where warranted,” according to the agency.

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Preschool Administrator Lenora “Ponie” Mojado said the school has always hosted a Mother’s Day celebration but because Father’s Day arrives in the summer, this year on June 15, students who have been there all year didn’t get an opportunity to share a special event with their dads, which they feel is important.

An outer space theme titled “Dad is out of this world” was spread throughout the multipurpose room that is adjacent to the preschool. A huge, balloon-trimmed screen that said, “I love you to the moon and back” was used for photos and a backdrop for the children to perform a song in Luiseño for their fathers and other invited father figures in their lives.

Wall decorations consisted of class projects with input from each student. One had mini rocket ships that each student colored, another had a large flying saucer with individual smaller ones surrounding it that were colored by each student and a giant spaceship filled with self-portrait astronauts included all the kindergarten kids.

The children made lots of handmade keepsake gifts. Preschoolers completed a questionnaire about their fathers with comments like: My dad loves to “sing.” Answers to finish the sentence Most of all I love my dad, included “he’s the bestest” and “he makes me happy.” Khloe Razon said, He is so strong “he can pick up heavy stuff and me.” She also said her favorite thing to do with her dad Leland is “play hide and seek.”

Kindergartners made and colored a cardboard toolbox with pictures of wrenches, saws, hammers and more on which they also completed sentences. Palkí Herrera said “working” when describing what her dad Gabe Herrera is really good at doing. She also completed the sentence: Thank you for “taking care of me.”

The toolbox contained more gifts. One was a laminated strip of three photos of their child holding the letter I, a heart and the letter U. Another was a small handmade pottery dish they painted, along with a few other special items.

Fathers also got to enjoy creating a keepsake with their children as each was given a small plaster cast of a planet, a rocket, or an astronaut they could paint in a variety of colors.

All guests were treated to a buffet of nachos or tacos with their choice of toppings, cups of cool watermelon cubes and mini churros.

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Campuses in Banning, Calimesa, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Palm Springs, Perris, Riverside, San Jacinto, Temecula, Thousand Palms and Winchester have registered for the event. Parents, teachers and community-based volunteers form “walking school buses” to shepherd children to their campuses, according to organizers and students were also encouraged to ride bicycles.

“National Walk & Roll to School Day offers an amazing opportunity for families to build stronger community bonds,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Community Services Officer Jasmine Quail said. “This event not only promotes pedestrian safety and advocates for safer routes for walking and biking to school, but underscores the importance of boosting physical activity among children and prioritizing their safety. It’s a wonderful way to come together and make a positive impact on our children’s well-being.”

Organizers said walking programs promote a reduction in childhood obesity and stress the importance of pedestrian access and safety on traffic corridors.

Students, parents, guardians and teachers were reminded to stay on marked walking paths or sidewalks, use crosswalks, remain vigilant when going through right-of-ways and wear visible clothing for the benefit of motorists.

More information is available at www.walkbiketoschool.org.

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