LATEST

*Chronic absenteeism has reached 40% in some Redlands schools (Photo:* *Valerii Apetroaiei* *edited by CFR)*

Chronic absenteeism surges in RUSD, exceeding pre-pandemic rates

Across the district, about 20% of K-8 students are chronically absent, with some schools hitting nearly 40%.

BY KATHRYNE MCCANN

Chronic absenteeism in Redlands Unified School District has reached alarming levels, with 20.1% of K-8 students missing 10% or more of instructional days in the 2023-24 school year.

Why it matters: The district has seen its chronic absenteeism rate more than double since the pre-pandemic era. In the 2018-19 school year, only 11.4% of students were chronically absent. Now, that figure stands at 20.1%, affecting one in five K-8 students.

Details: While the district as a whole reduced chronic absenteeism from the previous year, with a 4% decrease, most schools maintain troubling rates.

Lugonia Elementary tops the list with the highest rate, jumping from 31% in 2021-22 to 39.9% in 2022-23, an 8.9 percentage point increase. Recent data shows that Lugonia Elementary improved slightly and had a 38.8% chronic absenteeism rate for the 2023-24 school year.

While Redlands Unified schools have seen improvements, their chronic absenteeism rates remain slightly higher than the state.

Read more about how the District is working to support students and improve attendance. Continue reading here.

EDUCATION

Redlands school board debates flag, cultural observance policy

Board agrees to survey students, parents, teaches on proposed flag display limits after heated meeting

BY: STEPHANIE HASTINGS MIRANDA

A proposal to limit flag displays and restrict cultural observances in the Redlands Unified School District drew a packed crowd to the school board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Parents, students and teachers voiced passionate opinions, with most opposing the measure backed by newly elected trustees Candy Olson and Jeannette Wilson.

Why it matters: The proposed policy would allow only the U.S. and California flags to be displayed on district campuses and restrict events or celebrations deemed political or ideological. Critics argue the policy marginalizes students and undermines cultural representation, while supporters see it as a way to maintain neutrality in education.

Details: Before the meeting, more than 460 public comments regarding the policy were submitted by email, with 400 in opposition. About 100 attendees lined up outside the school board meeting to share their perspectives. The majority of speakers urged the board to maintain current flag display practices.

Students were especially vocal, with about 15 from district high schools addressing the board. Many described the positive impact of inclusive representation in schools.

Continue reading here.

CITY HALL

📌 Tuesday at City Hall: The Redlands City Council returns to its first regular meeting after the holiday break. The Council will consider how to appoint new members to the Planning Commission and hear reports from the Airport Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Commission. Read more here.

📋 Homeless count volunteers needed: Redlands is calling for volunteers to participate in the annual Point-In-Time Count (PITC) of unsheltered homeless individuals on Thursday, Jan. 23. Read more here.

🌴 Street tree committee opening: Committee members are appointed by the City Council to advise and recommend policies for the planting, care and removal of trees and shrubs in all parkways in the city. Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

*The artistic round front desk with the boxy citrus MOR Store behind. (Photo: Courtesy Monte Stuck)*

Museum of Redlands to host open house ahead of summer launch

The $27 million cultural landmark, a gift from the Redlands Historical Museum Association, invites residents to explore its transformed mid-century modern space on Feb. 2.

BY: NELDA STUCK, Contributor to Community Forward Redlands

The iconic new Museum of Redlands is now complete and ready to be gifted to the City of Redlands by the Redlands Historical Museum Association.

To celebrate, the RHMA invites all residents of Redlands to a free, public open house on Sunday, Feb. 2, from 3-5 p.m. The purpose is to let the community view the interior architectural changes converting the building from the former Redlands Daily Facts, at 1 North Center St., at the corner of Brookside Avenue.

The official museum opening is planned for this summer after the museum partner A.K. Smiley Public Library has the needed months to install the first exhibits.

The open house will be an opportunity for the public to see the three display galleries (including the Brookside gallery now showing the 1923 International Citrus Grove truck); how the Facts' central atrium has been converted to a sky-lighted gallery; how the back pressroom, circulation and ink and paper storage areas have been converted to a huge, light-controlled display gallery.

Continue reading for more pictures and the history of the MOR here.

SPORTS

🏀 Cajon too much for Citrus Valley: The Cajon High basketball team used its advantage inside to build a nine-point lead after three quarters and then rained three-pointers down in the fourth quarter to defeat Citrus Valley 63-51.

EVENTS

📌 Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Redlands Symphony celebrates Mozart's Vienna with guest conductor and award-winning soprano:

📌 Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. - Una Corda String Quartet to perform at Spinet music program:

📌 Saturday, Feb. 1 - Lincoln Shrine to celebrate 93 years with Boy Scout pilgrimage and open house:

📌 Community Calendar

FINALLY

How to support those impacted by the LA fires

The Redlands Chamber of Commerce is rallying the community to aid those affected.

The Chamber has identified three key areas for support:

Restaurants Care: Donations will support food and beverage workers affected by restaurant closures, providing financial assistance to help them meet basic needs. Since 2017, Restaurants Care has supported over 2,300 workers and 1,600 independent restaurants. For those who need assistance, applications opened on Jan. 14 for the LA fires.
Pasadena Humane Society: Funds will go toward veterinary care and rehabilitation for pets injured or displaced by the fires. The center has already taken in more than 400 animals since the Eaton Fire started, reported KQED.
Firefighter Care Packages: Essential supplies will be assembled into care packets and delivered to Home2Suites and other local hotels housing displaced firefighters. Items include non-perishable food, beverages, toiletries, and comfort items such as socks and blankets.

"It’s possible that some might ask why the Chamber would take on an ambitious initiative like this. For us, it’s not a question of why we would, but instead, how quickly we can mobilize and start getting help to those who need it most," Evan Sanford, Executive Director of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, said in an email to CFR.

Monetary contributions to these organizations can be sent via Venmo @redlandschamber or by check payable to the “Redlands Chamber of Commerce.” Donors are asked to specify which organization they wish to support in the memo.

Donations of essential items are being accepted at the Chamber office, 47 N. 1st St., Redlands, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Read more here.

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Redlands News: Jan. 17, 2025

Redlands school board debates flag, cultural observance policy

Museum of Redlands to host open house ahead of summer launch

Stephanie Hastings Miranda

Kathryne Mccann

John Murphy