By Mary-Justine Lanyon
The current enrollment at all the campuses of the Rim of the World Unified School District is 2,841.
That was the report from Jenny Haberlin, the district’s chief business official, at the Jan. 25 meetings of the district’s trustees.
Enrollment started out at 2,851 in the third week of the 2023-2024 school year. It then dropped to 2,827 in the first month but rose to 2,842 in the second month.
Enrollment continued to rise – to 2,861 – in the third month of the school year. It then dropped slightly to 2,856 in the fourth month and then to the current level.
The current attendance rate stands at 92.4 percent. Haberlin noted that is the standard right now statewide.
“Prior to COVID, our attendance rate was at 93.5 to 94 percent,” she added. And then, during COVID, it stood in the high 80s.
“We need to look at opportunities to increase the attendance rate, Haberlin told the trustees. “We can do that with Saturday school.”
And, she said, there is an initiative on remote learning and attendance recovery – ways to make it easier to recoup attendance. “I don’t have any details on what that would look like,” she said.
Student representative Diane Zhang gave a comprehensive report on the various schools.
The students at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School were participating in The Great Kindness Challenge, a weeklong program dedicated to creating a culture of kindness and compassion. At Lake Arrowhead Elementary School, the students are participating in a program that focuses on leadership, academics and culture. Since the beginning of the year, LAE has welcomed 12 new students.
Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School extended its congratulations to social studies and English teacher Melissa Daniels, who was being honored with the 2023-2024 History Social Studies Educator of Excellence award by the Inland Empire Council for Social Studies and the San Bernardino County superintendent of schools.
Students at Mountain High School have been participating in a career building class, a program offered by Rudy and Karyn Westervelt. The chess club has been a big hit at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, thanks to community members Keith Martin. He provides the resources and knowledge to make the club possible. So far this school year, 13 students have graduated.
Rim Virtual Academy has had 39 students transfer in, six of whom were new to the district. Six more transfers were in the process. Teachers are now meeting one-on-one with students biweekly.
Rim’s elementary school bands were bused to Rim High on Jan. 12 to meet with members of the Southern California Brass Consortium Quintet. That evening, the Rim High and MPH bands performed with the group. Rim High counselors are working with seniors to help them fill out their FAFSA applications. Rim wrestlers are the league champions. Girls and boys soccer secured playoff spots – the boys for the first time since 1996.
Assistant Superintendent Shannon Hansen, sitting in for Interim Superintendent Dr. Gary Rutherford, reported they had been doing site visits.
“We see the magic you work in the classrooms,” Hansen told the teachers in attendance at the board meeting. “We applaud you for everything you do in the classroom. As a former teacher, I understand. We will always value what you do.
“We’re here for a reason – the students,” Hansen continued. “We want what’s best for the district and the students. What makes Rim so special is every person in this room. Rim is family, is special.”
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