Reviewing the City's workforce vacancy report, $54.1 million in annual RPU expenses, and committee discussion of a $110 million treatment strategy for PFAS chemicals are on this week's agenda.
Sixty students from John W. North High School spent the school year working at a Riverside child development center through a partnership between Riverside Unified School District and Family Service Association.
The students visited FSA’s Magnolia Child Development Center every Monday morning as part of the district’s Career and Technical Education program. They assisted teachers, helped with daily operations and worked directly with infants and toddlers at the center, which serves more than 150 families.
The partnership addresses a growing need for early childhood educators in the region. FSA is currently seeking to hire more than 100 early educators to meet demand for child care services.
“This internship through the CTE program has given me a deeper understanding of child development,” said Kayla Cabrera, a North High School senior who works at a local diner and hopes to become a pediatric nurse. “I’ve discovered that 4-year-olds are my favorite age group.”
Several students have expressed interest in pursuing early childhood education careers after participating in the program.
RUSD’s CTE program operates at 16 schools across the district and offers pathways in computer science, biomedical science, health careers, architectural design and automotive technology. The hands-on programs connect students with industry professionals and provide real-world experience.
Superintendent Renee Hill said the partnership demonstrates community collaboration while preparing students for future careers. Dr. Cheryl-Marie Hansberger, FSA’s chief executive officer, said the students bring energy and creativity to the center while providing needed support.
The partnership comes as demand for child care continues to grow locally. Early childhood educators support working parents and contribute to economic stability by enabling parents to maintain employment or return to school.
FSA provides low-cost and no-cost child development services to families in need. The organization’s Magnolia center is one of several FSA locations serving the Riverside area.
RUSD plans to continue expanding its CTE programs and similar community partnerships. The district views such collaborations as essential for bridging the gap between classroom learning and workforce preparation.
More information: Learn more about RUSD’s Career and Technical Education programs at riversideunified.org/students/cte_programs. And information about Family Service Association is available at fsaca.org.
