Photos by Robin UnderwoodToys were swiftly unloaded from the bus by tribal members and passed down the lines filled with students, school staff, and volunteers. 400 families of school district benefit from program hosted by Soboba ■ Robin Underwood / Contributed The 11th Annual Soboba Gives Back Toy Drive gave back to the community yet again with a tour bus stuffed to the brim with brand new toys for the valley’s needy families during this holiday season. On Monday, Nov. 26, the Soboba tour bus guided by a fire truck made its way into the San Jacinto School District parking lot with dozens of families, volunteers, and students grouping together just (more…)

StatePoint MediaParents are often looking for ways to support a wider range of development at home. While school provides children with a wealth of knowledge, parents are often looking for ways to support a wider range of development at home. Consider the following ideas to engage children outside the classroom: After-school activities From soccer teams to science clubs to pottery class, enrolling your children in a range of after-school activities can help you identify where their talents and interests lie. It’s also a great opportunity for kids to learn new things, build new skills and foster friendships in a less formal setting than the classroom. Check your community and school listings (more…)

Metro ServiceStudents heading to college next year, returning college students, and grad students can already get started on the FAFSA for academic year 2019-20 With the changing leaves and autumn chill come a few staples students can count on: fresh notebooks, fall festivals, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students heading to college next year, returning college students, and grad students can already get started on the FAFSA for academic year 2019-20, which opened for applications on Oct. 1, 2018. Completing the FAFSA is the most important step to qualify for $150 billion available in financial aid including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. What’s more, completing the (more…)

Photos by Stacey BaileyThe Interact students sold grilled cheese sandwiches, chips and glow hair clips. ■ By Stacey Bailey / Contributed The Hemet Sunset Rotary jointed the San Jacinto Valley Academy Interact Club at the school’s annual Harvest Festival on Nov. 11. The Harvest Festival was held at the school from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Interact students sold grilled cheese sandwiches, chips and glow hair clips. They made over $250 because the Sunset Rotary donated all the supplies plus two experienced cooks, Curt Welshon and Brian Flanagan. The Hemet Sunset Rotary jointed the San Jacinto Valley Academy Interact Club at the school’s annual Harvest Festival on Nov. 11. Interact (more…)

Theater Department holds dance auditions for musical theatre production ■ Mt. San Jacinto College / Contributed A red cape, a strand of golden hair, a golden shoe, and a white cow. It’s these four items that send a baker and his barren wife through the woods on a magical journey to reverse an evil spell. They wish for a child and are sent by an evil witch on a scavenger hunt. Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella soon join the mix in this magical tale of love and adventure. In this version of Into the Woods, the Mt. San Jacinto College Theater Department explores the idea (more…)

■ Metro Service / Contributed It may seem like only yesterday that the school year began anew, but before students (and their parents) know it, winter break will have arrived. College and university students may have several weeks off between semesters, while some may be off just a week or two. Regardless of how much time you have, these are some ways to make your winter break as productive as possible. Make time for play. Don’t discount the importance of using your downtime to rest and recharge. Prior to winter break, many students face year or semester end exams. Such students can use their winter break to refuel their brains. Earn (more…)

Metro ServiceParents are students’ staunchest advocates for their success in the classroom. ■ Metro Service / Contributed Schools are an important cornerstone of children’s development, both academically and socially. And whether students are part of the general education curriculum or requires accommodations for physical or developmental challenges, their parents are their staunchest advocates for their success in the classroom. Parents can represent their children in the educational climate more effectively if they understand how schools operate. As with any official government or municipal organization, there are policies and regulations in place. Parents who can navigate effectively will have the greater chance of having their voices heard. Develop a positive image in (more…)

Unique ‘Rotational Approach to Learning’ produces exceptional results Robin Underwood / The Valley ChronicleDirector Amal Allam oversees a tutoring session. ■ Robin Underwood / Contributed Parents concerned with their children being hard-pressed by school work and in search of options to help aid their child’s academic success may want to take a look at The Tutoring Center in Hemet. First opened in Huntington Beach in 1993, The Tutoring Center eventually morphed into 122 facilities across the nation. A transformative approach is offered – a combination of the “Rotational Approach to Learning” and “One-to-One Instruction.” Both methods are trademarked having been developed by Edward S.Thalheimer Ph.D., founder of The Tutoring Center. The (more…)

Hemet High Theatre presented their adaptation of Shakespeare on November 1-3 Photos by Corey EvanJuliet takes advice from her family nurse… or fails to, as life would turn out. ■ By Corey Evan / Reporter Teenage romance is often a complicated thing. But when a couple’s families don’t get along, and when friends don’t agree, matters can often drive these young lovers to suicide. Perhaps no playwright understood this better in his time than William Shakespeare, who detailed such understanding in his tragic love story ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ The Hemet High theatre department would bring this star-crossed love story to life in the Ron Murray PAC Center on Thursday through Saturday, (more…)

StatePoint MediaNovember is National Scholarship Month, a perfect time to find free money for college. ■ StatePoint Media / Contributed Bargain hunters will spend November tracking down Black Friday deals to save on holiday shopping, but savvy higher education shoppers know November is also National Scholarship Month, a perfect time to find free money for college. To help students and families get the most out of scholarship season, Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company, is offering six tips: Get an early start. Apply for scholarships your junior year of high school and every year in college. Approximately 50 percent of available scholarships are for students already (more…)