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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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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – An exhibit featuring photographs from several Coachella Valley journalists will open next week in Palm Springs, with proceeds funding the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation’s visual journalism internship. The opening ceremony will be held at the Stephen Richard Baumbach Gallery in the Backstreet Art District, at 4116 Matthew Drive. The exhibit
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COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ)- Coachella Valley Adopt the Arts Honor Choir helped Ringo Starr celebrate his 85th Birthday with the annual “Peace & Love” campaign on July 7 with the help of the Artemis Space Program. Adopt the Arts Honor Choir is a program made up of 3rd-5th graders from four different elementary schools in
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Young Creators Program is opening doors for the next generation of filmmakers. This program is part of Palm Springs Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Program, aimed at giving students opportunities they might not get during regularly scheduled school hours. Over nine days, students have had the opportunity to learn
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THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Sylvia Paz stepped down from her position as trustee of the Coachella Valley Unified School District. The move went into effect on June 17, the district announced on Friday. Paz said she is resigning to begin a “long-planned sabbatical.” Paz spent seven years on the board. District officials said she leaves
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Low-income children in the Coachella Valley will receive free backpacks and school supplies through a donation drive in Indio hosted by the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. The 15th annual Backpack Bonanza drive-thru event is scheduled for 7 a.m. Aug. 14 at 47470 Van Buren Street. Organizers aim to distribute school supply-filled
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When kids returned to school after the pandemic, behavioral issues skyrocketed across the nation. Here in the Coachella Valley, parents and students reported a spike in altercations and sent News Channel 3 several videos of school fights. Now, years later, fights continue to be an issue at some schools, like a recent one at James Workman Middle
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LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Desert Sands Unified School District is sharing that its free summer meal program is available weekdays for children and teens 18 and under. The program includes both breakfast and lunch, and is offered Monday through Friday at multiple schools throughout the district as well as at select locations of community
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UPDATE 06/10/2025: PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education has named Dr. Marcus Funchess as the new PSUSD Superintendent. The PSUSD Board of Education will take action on Dr. Funchess’ contract at its upcoming June 24th meeting. Dr. Funchess will begin his employment on July 1st, following Dr.
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