PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Firebirds announced today a $60,000 classroom grant program to support teachers across three local school districts. Through the team’s One Valley Foundation, the “Ultimate Firebirds Classroom Grant Program” will award $2,500 to two classrooms at each elementary, middle and high school in the Desert Sands, Coachella Valley
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) -As students head back to classrooms across the Coachella Valley, parents are being reminded to take precautions to protect children from seasonal illnesses. With flu season approaching and COVID-19 still circulating, local health officials are offering guidance for families navigating the new school year. The new Stratus variant of COVID-19 has
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COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Sixth-grade teacher Oracio Magaña of Valley View Elementary has been named the “One Class at a Time Teacher of the Month” by News Channel 3 and the Walter Clark Legal Group. Magaña is a Coachella Valley native. He was recognized for his work with KidWind, an after-school STEM program where students design
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Foundation for Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) distributed 2,500 pairs of new Vans shoes to students in need on Thursday. The “Shoes for Students” campaign, launched in spring 2025, raised nearly $40,000 to support students and their younger siblings with new footwear for the school year. The event
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Students are returning to class today at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus, the only public university in the Coachella Valley offering full four-year degrees. This fall, the campus continues to grow with a new Student Success Center under construction. This year they are growing multiple programs like hospitality
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Tomás D. Morales is set to step down as president of California State University, San Bernardino, following the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Morales made the announcement last week at the university’s annual Convocation of faculty, staff and administrators. Morales has spent 51 years in higher education, including 13
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It is the dawn of artificial intelligence. And already — kids are using it in their daily lives. But educational policies and standards at large have not caught up to the dramatic rise of AI and how students are using it, whether for good or bad. “In my math classes, people cheat with AI, and it’s really invasive
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s that time of the year! Students at DSUSD returned to school Wednesday morning for the start of the 2025-26 school year. Desert Sands has 34 total schools, which includes eighteen elementary schools, one charter elementary school, six middle schools, one charter middle school, four comprehensive high schools, two continuation high schools, one
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NORTH SHORE, Calif. (KESQ) – Coachella Valley Unified School District is officially back in session today, welcoming nearly 16,000 students across the East Valley. Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza encourages all students to arrive prepared, in uniform, and ready to learn as the new academic year begins. This year, a brand new school is opening. North
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School District officially appointed Alena Callimanis to fill the vacant Trustee Area 2 seat on the board of education. The seat was formerly held by Sylvia Paz, who announced her resignation on June 17. Paz said she was resigning to begin a “long-planned sabbatical.” Callimanis will serve
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is hosting its annual Backpack Bonanza this Thursday. According to the National Retail Federation, back-to-school costs are projected to average $875 per student. To help ease the burden for low-income families, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is giving stuffed backpacks to local students. The event will begin at 6:30
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)– The Palm Springs Unified School District receives funding from taxpayers, but when it comes to inspiring students, one local non-profit, The Foundation, sets the goal. The Foundation is made up of a group of several local philanthropists wanting to make sure the future of our valley is not just educated but
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians has donated 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to Coachella Valley Unified School District students for a giveaway event tomorrow in Thermal. The drive-thru distribution will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 87225 Church Street, near the district office, and will continue while
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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – It’s the first day of school for students in the Palm Springs Unified School District, and with high temperatures expected this week, district officials are asking families to take precautions. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children dress appropriately for the heat and bring a reusable water bottle to
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)–The James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center received a big tech upgrade thanks to a grant from the California Public Utilities Commission. The center, located on 480 W. Tramview Road, received a grant over $56,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission to upgrade their facility. With 16 brand-new computer workstations and
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LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Sands Unified School District is making sure all positions are filled for the school year. On Thursday, the DSUSD hosted a Career Fair at the District office in La Quinta. Open positions included substitute teachers, paraeducators, and bus drivers. Some staff members were on hand to answer questions and
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The California Indian Nations College in Palm Desert is receiving help to become California’s only federally accredited tribal college. Friday morning, Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) presented a $10 million state general fund check to CINC. The check presentation will help it become the state’s only federally accredited tribal
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)– The Desert Sands Unified School District (DSUSD) celebrated its summer school graduation ceremony honoring the Class of 2025 earlier Thursday. This meaningful celebration brought together DSUSD students and families from five of the district’s high schools to highlight the important milestone for these accomplished students. Ryan Mancilla DSUSD graduate comments on his
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Assemblymember James C. Ramos will present a symbolic $10 million state-funded check Friday to California Indian Nations College as part of an effort to help the school become the state’s first federally accredited tribal college. The presentation featuring a “blown-up” check is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Agua Caliente
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IMPERIAL, Calif. (KESQ)– Coachella Valley Unified School District is set to receive a $70k grant from the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). IID announced they are set to award more than $1.1 million in grants to 20 local educational institutions throughout California through their Grants for Energy Modernization Program (GEMS). IID launched the GEMS grants earlier
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