CUSD Celebrates! Olympic Bronze Medalist Brittany Brown

Claremont Unified School District is beaming with pride as we celebrate one of our own, Brittany Brown, a 2013 Claremont High School graduate and Olympic Bronze Medalist! Brittany recently secured a Bronze medal in the Women's 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, adding to her impressive career as an elite sprinter.

During her time at Claremont High, Brittany's talent on the track was undeniable. This earned her a full athletic scholarship to the University of Iowa, where she majored in Human Services. While at Iowa, she became a 5x Big Ten Champion and an 11x All-American, solidifying her status as a top-tier athlete. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Brittany is a passionate advocate for women's physical health and has been featured by outlets such as WorldAthletics.org, Olympics.com, and USATF for her advocacy and leadership.

CUSD and the City of Claremont will host a parade and pep rally on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, to honor her achievements. The parade will kick off at 4:45 p.m. at Claremont City Hall, and all CUSD families are encouraged to meet us at Claremont High School's Central Quad at 5:00 p.m. for a pep rally and celebration of Brittany's remarkable journey. After the rally, a meet-and-greet with Brittany will allow attendees to connect with this hometown hero. Let's come together as a community to celebrate Brittany Brown's incredible achievements and the inspiration she brings to our city!

For more information, contact the Recreation and Human Services Department at (909) 399-5490 or SpecialEvents@ci.claremont.ca.us.

Welcoming Two New Panelists for the Women in Leadership Event

Claremont Unified School District is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished panelists to the Empowering CUSD Students: Women in Leadership event on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Don F. Fruechte Theatre for the Performing Arts at Claremont High School. The event will feature an inspiring lineup of female leaders, and we are excited to introduce our newest panelists: Dunia Elvir and Darlene Berg.

Dunia Elvir is an award-winning news anchor for Telemundo 52, bringing decades of journalism experience to Spanish-language audiences across Southern California. With numerous Emmy awards and a GLAAD Media Award, Dunia has shaped the coverage of critical stories affecting the U.S. and Latin America. Her dedication to the community extends beyond the newsroom—she volunteers with organizations such as InsideOUT Writers and March of Dimes, helping to uplift underserved populations.

Darlene Berg owns Endless Fitness in Claremont and has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. Her holistic approach to health and wellness focuses on physical and emotional well-being, and she works with a diverse range of clients, from children to seniors. Darlene is also deeply involved in the Claremont community, organizing charity events for the Alzheimer’s Association and supporting local schools through her volunteer efforts.

These incredible women join a dynamic panel of leaders ready to share their journeys, insights, and advice with CUSD students, parents, and staff. Their stories will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of female leaders.

We invite the entire CUSD community to be part of this empowering evening! Click the link below to RSVP for this free event. To read more about this event and the other panelists, click the event information button.

CHS Cross Country Shines at the 2024 Iolani Cross Country Invitational

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Claremont High School's Boys and Girls Cross Country teams recently traveled to Hawaii for the prestigious 2024 Iolani Cross Country Invitational, where the girls took first place and the boys placed fourth against fierce competition from Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Coach Mark Batres praised the teams' performances, highlighting the strong race run by Grace Smith and Isla Bulmer, who led the girls' team to victory. Grace finished first with an impressive time of 17:20.45, followed closely by Isla, who crossed the finish line at 17:56.14. "The girls ran against tough competition, including Tesoro High School, and they really rose to the occasion," shared Coach Batres.

Freshman Grace Smith was thrilled with the victory: "It was a confidence booster and got us ready for the season." Senior Kaitlyn Smith, Grace's older sister, echoed that excitement, expressing pride in their team's growth and new mentality. "This year, we're fearless and team-centered. We're ready to show off what we've been working on all summer," said Kaitlyn. The trip also provided a great bonding experience for the team, including snorkeling and hiking, further strengthening their unity for the season ahead. Claremont Unified thanks the boosters and supporters who made the trip possible, and we look forward to watching the teams' continued success!

Mountain View Elementary Thanks Local Firefighters for Their Service

In response to the recent Bridge Fire, the RTI team at Mountain View Elementary wanted to show appreciation for the firefighters working tirelessly to keep the community safe. After seeing fire trucks head out toward the fires, the team came up with the idea to create a thank-you sign for the local fire station.

With support from Principal Briana Hawkins, the RTI team crafted the sign and invited the entire school to participate. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with students, staff, and even Superintendent Dr. Elsasser and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lopez adding their signatures.

Over the weekend, Principal Hawkins and her sons delivered the signed poster to the local fire station. The firefighters were touched by the gesture and planned to display the sign at their station.

This thoughtful act of gratitude brought the Mountain View community together and highlighted the importance of recognizing those who work to keep everyone safe.

CHS Seniors Selected for PASCH Triathlon in Colorado

Claremont High School seniors Charles Young and Justine Ouellette have been selected to represent CHS at the prestigious PASCH Triathlon in Colorado from October 11-13, 2024. This unique event brings together students from 12-15 schools across North America for a weekend of STEM activities, sports, and full German language immersion.

Charles and Justine underwent a selection process led by their German teacher, Frau Jennifer Tsai, which included interviews to ensure they were well-prepared for this immersive experience. "I'm excited to interact with other German programs and improve my language skills," Charles said, hoping to study physics in Germany after high school. Justine also expressed her enthusiasm: "It's an incredible opportunity to connect with students from across North America, and I'm looking forward to practicing German for the whole weekend!"

We are proud of Charles and Justine for their achievement in being selected for the PASCH Triathlon, and we wish them the best as they represent Claremont High School in this exciting event!

CHS Junior Jesse Li Raises Over $6,500 for Upland Animal Shelter

Claremont High School junior Jesse Li showcased his musical talent and his dedication to giving back to the community during a recent fundraising event held in Pasadena, CA, on September 13, 2024. The event, organized by Jesse and supported by his family and friends, successfully raised $6,550 for the Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, which will go towards helping homeless pets in need.

Jesse, a member of the CHS Chamber Orchestra, performed violin at the fundraiser, which was well-attended and received high praise from the shelter organization. In a letter from Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, Vice President Shelley Foglesong expressed deep gratitude, stating that the funds would "make a significant difference in the lives of many dogs and cats."

Jesse's passion for animals and commitment to making a positive impact on his community is truly commendable. We proudly celebrate his accomplishments and look forward to seeing the continued impact of his generosity and hard work!

SALT Collaboration at The Benton Museum of Art

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Last week, the Site Arts Lead Teacher (SALT) collaboration took place with The Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College. CUSD teachers explored the latest exhibitions, including "Open Sky," and gathered for a welcome session to kick off the year. These exhibitions will be featured in our upcoming Arts Integration Professional Development for TK-12 teachers on December 17, 2024. This event, presented by our Arts TOSA, several SALTs, and museum staff, supports the LA County Museums' theme for education: Where Art and Science Collide. The Benton Museum is free and open to the public, offering students and teachers an enriching opportunity to connect with art and science.

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