The 2026 California Distinguished Schools recognition program aims to recognize exemplary instructional programs throughout California public schools, the largest public school system in the United States. El Diamante had to meet at least 95% of student participation in statewide assessments and show low suspension or chronic absenteeism.

“We are incredibly honored to have one of our schools earn this distinction, because it truly shows that the staff and leadership are closing the gap on student performance,” said Superintendent Kirk Shrum. “This isn’t an award you apply for, it’s strictly based on measurable data.”

This year’s award categories build on long-standing recognition of the following two categories:

• Exemplary High Achievers: Schools that are among the highest in the state in academic achievement for all students, which have also ensured that historically underserved student groups are maintaining or increasing academic progress.

• Achievement Gap Closers: Schools that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved, while also demonstrating achievement for all students that is above the state median and maintaining or increasing academic performance for all students.

This year, California Distinguished Schools added a third category of recognition:

• Beacons of Opportunity: Schools serving rural or Title I school communities that distinguish themselves through multiple student outcomes at very high performance levels.

According to the most recent Dashboard data, El Diamante demonstrated an 8.1 point increase in mathematics and maintained their progress in English Language Arts and English Learner Progress. El Diamante also earned a “green” rating in College and Career Readiness. The 2026 California Distinguished Schools will be recognized alongside other designations on April 24, 2026 in Anaheim.

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As the largest book club on the West Coast, One Book, One Coast brings readers together around one book to create opportunities for conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection across neighborhoods, cities, and state lines.

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker is the title chosen to read and discuss. Through this shared reading experience, communities are encouraged to explore themes of identity, patriotism, family, loyalty, and resilience while strengthening connections through dialogue and learning.

How to Participate

Beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2026 a free copies of They Called Us Enemy from any Tulare County Library Branch are available, while supplies last. Limit one book per person. The book can also be requested from the collection with a current library card online or by visiting or calling the Library.

From Wednesday, April 1, 2026 through Saturday, June 6, 2026 unlimited digital copies of the eBook in English and Spanish are available through the Libby app by OverDrive.

Tulare County Library offers two local programs. Uprooted Memories, Recollections of the Japanese American Incarceration panel on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11am, at the Visalia Branch Library located at 200 W Oak Ave Visalia. A discussion of the book, They Called Us Enemy on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6pm at the Exeter Branch Library 230 E Chestnut Exeter 93221. Please attend to join other community members together in conversation.

Please visit www.tularecountylibrary.org/oboc for more information.

About the Book

They Called Us Enemy a powerful graphic memoir by George Takei that reflects on civil liberties, democracy, and what it means to be American — both historically and today. The memoir recounts actor/author/activist George Takei’s childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II.

Author Talk with George Takei

To close the program, George Takei appears for a special author talk and book signing on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 2 pm at East Los Angeles Library, a Los Angeles County Library Branch. Join the livestream on YouTube that allows readers to participate together. A link to the livestream will be shared via social media in the coming months.

Tulare County Library serves all the residents of Tulare County with locations in 17 communities, a literacy center, Pop Up Tulare County outreach and bookmobile, online www.tularecountylibrary.org, and coming soon Book Lockers for holds pick up. Follow the Library on Facebook www.facebook.com/tularecountylibrary or local branch pages, Instagram, @tularecountylib, or Twitter at twitter.com/TulareCountyLib.

Tulare County Library’s One Book, One Coast project is made possible by the support of the  Tulare County Library Foundation. The Library Foundation, a 501(c)3, ensures the success of the Library with financial support through community fundraising, including its continued growth of its million-dollar endowment to ensure regular funding for the future. The Foundation is also dedicated to fundraising for Library construction and remodeling projects, including Dinuba, Springville, Alpaugh, and Orosi projects. www.tularecountylibrary.org/foundation

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Over the past 21 years, the District has proudly helped more than 160 students pursue their academic goals. Recipients have gone on to careers in various industries, including STEM, business, healthcare, education, and more.

“By investing in our youth, we are playing a small role in advancing the future of our region and developing the next generation of agricultural and water leaders,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Sometimes all it takes for a student to succeed is for someone to help support their dreams, and with these scholarships, Westlands aims to support our local students as they chart their paths to fulfill their full potential.”

High school seniors graduating from the following Westside school districts are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Reef-Sunset Unified School District, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, Hanford Joint Union High School District, Lemoore Union High School District, Mendota Unified School District, Riverdale Joint Unified School District, and Golden Plains Unified School District.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on their applications, which include an essay, academic transcript, letters of reference, demonstrated leadership, involvement in their local communities, career aspirations, and financial need.

The deadline to apply for the Westlands Water District 2026 High School Scholarship is 11:59 p.m. on Monday April 20, 2026. All applications and supporting documents must be received by the District on or before the application deadline. Students can submit their applications and supporting documents through the District’s website.

For more information please contact the public affairs office at (559) 241-6238 or at pubaffairs@wwd.ca.gov.

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Meet featured authors with Central Valley connections, ask questions, and purchase books for signing throughout the event. This year’s featured authors include:

Margarita Engle is an award-winning author of novels in verse for young readers, including The Poet Slave of Cuba, Enchanted Air, and The Firefly Letters. Her work often explores history, culture, and the power of storytelling, and she has received numerous honors including the Newbery Honor. Come to hear about her books, including Wings in the Wild featured in many of our branch book clubs, at 12:00 p.m.

Gary Soto is a nationally recognized poet, novelist, and memoirist whose writing reflects everyday experiences. An author who grew up in the Central Valley, he writes for children, teens, and adults, including the books Too Many Tamales and Buried Onion. Soto’s work is widely taught and celebrated for its warmth, humor, and authenticity. Join him at 11:00 a.m. to hear about his most recent middle grade book Gone Viral about the instant fame of two kids from Visalia.

Attendees can sign up for a poetry workshop led by Loud Mouth Poetry starting at 9:00 a.m., then bring their interactive spoken word skills to the festival at 10:00 a.m. In addition, community resource groups offer opportunities to connect with local organizations and services.

Bring the little ones to Be Our Guest at storytime at 10:00 a.m. featuring Belle and the Beast and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

Listen to Dorian Yarnelson at 1:00 p.m., a historical interpreter and illustrator with California State Parks, talk about the Buffalo Soldiers’ storied legacy in the history of Black Americans, the American West, and United States Army. He has researched the historic trails of the Buffalo Soldiers for over 15 years. This presentation focuses on their remarkable contributions to the development of the state and national park systems here in California, including our own Allensworth State Park.

Inside the library, the Friends of the Tulare County Library groups host a book sale offering a wide variety of titles for readers of all ages and provide information on how you can join their groups. Also, stop by the Tulare County Library Foundation’s book sale, to buy featured author’s titles, learn about the Foundation, and discover ways to support the Library.

The Tulare County Library gratefully acknowledges the Tulare County Library Foundation and the Friends of the Tulare County Library groups for their support, leadership, and ongoing commitment to literacy and community engagement through the 2026 Book Festival. A very special thank you to The Family Healthcare Network for being an ongoing and wonderful sponsor for this event.

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Students felt a mix of relief and excitement from the competition. Lincoln Graves, a senior from University Preparatory High School (UPHS) in Visalia, said, “It was exhilarating!”

Graves won Best of Event for his project, “Black Tide: How California’s Worst Oil Spill Turned Beaches Black and the Nation Green,” in the Individual Performance – Senior Division category. As a finalist and Best of Event winner for the fourth year in a row, Graves had a mixed reaction to his final NHD at the county level.

“Sad it’s over but I’m glad we’ll be going to state again,” he said. Three other UPHS students were selected as finalists, with another student’s project selected as an alternate.

In the Senior Division for high school students, $200 scholarships were awarded by the Tulare County Historical Society for one project in each of the 10 categories. Two category scholarships went to students at UPHS and Tulare Union High School, while the other eight went to students from Dinuba High School.

Dinuba High School had a total of 17 finalists at the competition, with two projects also recognized as Best of Event winners. Heaven Gonzalez’s “From Silence to Reform: The Transformation of Mental Illness Care” (Individual Documentary) won Best of Event for its insightful look into the history of mental health. Teammates Isaiah Yepez and Jonathan Valadez also won Best of Event for “Smallpox Was” (Group Documentary), which explained the history of smallpox and its impact on modern vaccinations.

Also earning a Best of Event award was Evelyn Meza from Kings River Union Elementary School (Kingsburg). Meza competed in the Individual Performance – Junior Division. Her performance was entitled, “The Revolution, Reaction, and Reform of the Most Notorious Human Traffickers: The Poquianchis Sisters.” Meza is one of three Kings River finalists coached by Sophia Perez.

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The presentation features a multidisciplinary team from Bristol Hospice who will provide a holistic look at end-of-life care. The discussion is designed to go beyond the physical aspects of medical care, addressing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of both the patient and their support system.

Panelists and Perspectives

The panel includes a diverse group of professionals dedicated to comfort-focused care. Jennifer Franco, Hospice Liaison, serves as the primary contact for families and focuses on community education regarding the transition from curative to comfort measures.
Richard Freitas, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who assists families in navigating the dynamics and coping mechanisms associated with the end-of-life process. Vicente Pacheco, RN Clinical Supervisor, will address common misconceptions about hospice and the clinical criteria for receiving services. Finally, Thomas Olson, Spiritual Advisor, is a pastor who provides spiritual support and comfort to patients and their loved ones through various stages of transition.

This event is FREE and open to students, faculty, and the public. It offers a unique opportunity to understand the philosophy of hospice and the resources available to the community when facing difficult life transitions.

For more information on the CHAP program at PC, you can visit the CHAP Web Site at https://www.portervillecollege.edu/about-pc/chap/index.html or contact CHAP Coordinator Leslie Keele at leslie.keele@portervillecollege.edu.

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The report provides the community with a transparent update on progress made during the first half of Year 1 of the district’s Strategic Plan, “Visalia Unified Forward 2030: A Community Driven Blueprint for the Future,” that aligns district resources towards the shared mission of Every Student Learning Every Day.”

A key feature of the report is the use of four progress indicator metrics, which Visalia Unified will use throughout the life of the Strategic Plan. These indicators reflect where each strategic action currently sits along the improvement process – from research and design to implementation and monitoring. The four-step process creates clarity, consistency, and accountability across the organization and community as a whole.

“These progress indicators are designed to help our community understand not just what we are working on, but where the work currently stands,” said Superintendent Kirk Shrum. “When an action is implemented, we can confirm with confidence that the work has been completed with integrity.”

Guided by three themes – High Expectations, High Achievement (Theme 1); Empowering Students, Engaging Families & the Community (Theme 2); Organizational Efficiency & Effectiveness (Theme 3), Visalia Unified has focused its early efforts on strengthening system, preparing schools for success, and aligning districtwide practices to better serve students, families, and staff.

“This biannual report reflects the intentional work happening across our district to turn our collective vision into action,” said Superintendent Kirk Shrum. “While this is just the beginning of our Strategic Plan journey, I hope our community is just as encouraged as I am in our District’s momentum.”

Highlights included in the report include:

• Designed and implemented 1.A.1.2, balanced instructional models, ensuring aligned focus across campuses with academics, sports, and visual and performing arts.

• Established and implemented a unified communication platform and protocols for reaching families through action item 2.D.1.1.

• Designed and implemented the public financial dashboard for public accountability.

• 16 actions have been implemented in the 2025-2026 school year through action item 3.A.2.1.

• Nearly 50% or more of all action items in each theme are in the research and design phase.

The next biannual report will be shared with the board at the June 11th board meeting. Reports can be found on the District website at  https://www.vusd.org/forward-2030/strategic-plan

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In addition, Visalia Unified engaged students in the budget process by hosting a districtwide drawing contest to adopt a cover for the adopted budget. The selected artwork was created by Remmy Wright, an 8th-grade student at Green Acres Middle School, reflecting a commitment to student voice in all aspects of the district.

ASBO International’s MBA program sets the standard for excellence in school budget development and communication. This is the highest distinction possible, and to receive it, school districts must submit documents for rigorous peer review and are evaluated against a criteria with valuable feedback.

An effective school budget is more than just numbers—it’s a vital tool for building trust and engaging the community,” said Jim Rowan, CAE, SFO, Executive Director of ASBO International. “The Meritorious Budget Award recognizes districts like Visalia Unified School District that prioritize financial clarity and accountability. We commend their dedication to upholding nationally recognized budget presentation standards.”

“We know that financial transparency is vital to building trust with our community,” said Superintendent Shrum. “This distinction is a result of intentional work over the last few years on presenting a clear and accurate budget to our Board and community. I am proud of our commitment and growth in earning this distinction.”

In previous years, Visalia Unified received the Pathway to the MBA, and now joins a handful of California districts receiving the highly selective MBA award. Receiving the MBA reflects the District’s steady progress and dedication to learning through accountability on behalf of staff, students, and the community.

Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) is the 32nd largest district in California serving over 32,000 students in preschool to adult at 56 locations, including 42 schools and several administrative buildings that house a community library, a family resource center, a bus transportation hub, and much more.

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The first-ever Tulare County Esports League Winter Tournament took place this past Saturday with 10 teams from across the county participating in the inaugural event.

Teams went head-to-head playing Rocket League in a 3v3 single-elimination showdown, showcasing skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. After nine matches, teams from Sunnyside Union School (Strathmore) and Sundale Union Elementary School (Tulare) faced off in the championship match with Sunnyside coming out on top as the tournament’s first-ever winner. They received a trophy and medals for their victory.

“The win meant a lot to our students,” said Sunnyside’s coach Vicente Soto. “They have put in a great deal of time practicing and working to improve specific aspects of the game. Seeing their hard work pay off was very rewarding, and the students were extremely excited and proud of what they accomplished.”

This was only Sunnyside’s fourth month having an esports team, and Soto thanked his school staff for the support that helped bring home the win.

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible for our students,” said Soto. “We are thankful for the continued support of our staff and administration. Their support played a big role in creating such a positive and memorable experience.”

Also receiving medals were Sundale’s Blue Team, which placed second, and its White Team, which placed third after defeating Palo Verde Union Elementary School (Tulare). Also participating in the tournament were Divisadero Middle School (Visalia), Roosevelt Elementary School (Tulare), and Carl Smith Middle School (Terra Bella).

The Tulare County Esports League was created in response to the growth of esports in schools across the nation. In 2020, esports was officially recognized as a high school sport by the California Interscholastic Federation – California’s governing body of sport.

“Since its inception, the league has seen a surge in participation from schools throughout the Central Valley,” said Doug Cairns, an instructional technology specialist for TCOE. “This expansion offers a unique platform for students who may not participate in conventional athletics to represent their campuses with pride. Beyond the screen, participants engage in leadership roles and technical management, gaining experience that translates directly to the modern workforce. We are committed to providing the resources and infrastructure necessary to sustain this momentum for years to come.”

The middle school Esports League Tournaments are one of over 40 Student Future Ready Events offered through TCOE. The spring tournament is set for May 16, 2026, and an increased number of teams and schools are expected to participate.

For more information on the Tulare County Esports League, visit tcoe.org/esports. For more on esports in Tulare County, contact Doug Cairns at doug.cairns@tcoe.org.

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At the state level, Visalia Unified demonstrated measurable growth in both English Language Arts and Mathematics on the 2025 California School Dashboard, as released by the California Department of Education, which measures distance from standard. In English Language Arts, the district increased its average, outpacing statewide growth. In Mathematics, performance also improved year over year.

Key Results from the 2025 Dashboard:

• English Language Arts: +9.3 points overall

• Mathematics: +5.9 points overall

• ELA Growth by Student Group:

  • Hispanic students: +10 points

  • Socioeconomically disadvantaged students: +10.2 points

  • English Learners: +4.8 points

  • Students with disabilities: +12.6 points

• Math Growth by Student Group:

  • Hispanic students: +6.9 points

  • Socioeconomically disadvantaged students: +6.2 points

  • English Learners: +3.4 points

  • Students with disabilities: +4.3 points

In addition to state accountability systems, the Visalia Board of Education intentionally adopted locally defined Priority Student Outcomes, to monitor student progress using multiple indicators aligned to long-term goals, instructional priorities, and student experiences across grade levels.

The data presented reflects “Year 0” of the district’s five-year strategic plan Visalia Forward 2030: A Community Driven Blueprint for the Future that was adopted last year. The district’s three Priority Student Outcomes are measured through 12 specific metrics, and the report shows growth across all areas compared to the multi-year baselines established by the Board.

Some Key Highlights Include:

• College and Career Readiness: +9 points

• A-G Readiness (Grades 9–12): +6 points from grade 9 through graduation

• K–6 Reading Growth: All student groups showed a 5-point increase from start to end of year

• Reading Milestones: +5 in students meeting grade-level benchmarks

When asked what he attributed to the early gains, Superintendent Shrum responded, “While the plan is in its first year of implementation, we’ve known what’s important for our students to succeed and had already begun implementing several core strategies last year.”

“While state data is important and holds us accountable at a larger scale, having local accountability allows us to keep an eye on how things are going before state data is released,” added Board President Todd Oto, Ed.d. “Measuring the process quarterly and a public report twice a year holds us accountable to our families who expect to see progress every year.”

Priority Student Outcomes are monitored quarterly and reported publicly to the Board twice a year. If a goal is met early and sustained, the Board will come together to set a new target  based on progress. To view the strategic plan and full reporting schedule visit https://www.vusd.org/forward-2030/strategic-plan.

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