Hemet High School Proudly Recognizes Dr. Christopher Watkins as Its Employee of Excellence
Hemet High is proud to honor Dr. Christopher Watkins as our Employee of Excellence for his exceptional leadership within the CTE Nursing Pathway. Dr. Watkins has done a phenomenal job expanding the program, transforming it into a premier training ground for the next generation of healthcare professionals. His dedication goes far beyond book work. By bridging the gap between academic theory and clinical practice, his students are provided with an unmatched competitive edge.
Dr. Watkins’ commitment to student success and his tireless efforts to grow the pathway make him an invaluable asset to the Bulldog family. Aside from being an outstanding teacher, Dr. Watkins is also one of the most dedicated and involved staff members on campus. Whether it’s a school-wide dress up day, a staff dance for Homecoming week, or an opportunity to volunteer at student events, he is all in!
While he may have once upon a time graduated as a Mustang, it’s clear that Dr. Watkins has fully embraced being a Bulldog. Congratulations, Dr. Watkins!
Hemet High is proud to honor Dr. Christopher Watkins as our Employee of Excellence for his exceptional leadership within the CTE Nursing Pathway. Dr. Watkins has done a phenomenal job expanding the program, transforming it into a premier training ground for the next generation of healthcare professionals. His dedication goes far beyond book work. By bridging the gap between academic theory and clinical practice, his students are provided with an unmatched competitive edge.
Dr. Watkins’ commitment to student success and his tireless efforts to grow the pathway make him an invaluable asset to the Bulldog family. Aside from being an outstanding teacher, Dr. Watkins is also one of the most dedicated and involved staff members on campus. Whether it’s a school-wide dress up day, a staff dance for Homecoming week, or an opportunity to volunteer at student events, he is all in!
While he may have once upon a time graduated as a Mustang, it’s clear that Dr. Watkins has fully embraced being a Bulldog. Congratulations, Dr. Watkins!
Hemet Unified deeply appreciates the generosity and commitment of our valued community partners. Your ongoing support plays a vital role in enriching educational experiences and empowering every student to thrive. #TheHUSDway #HUSD #HemetUnified #Generosity
We’re proud to recognize our November Students of the Month! These students lead with determination, overcome challenges, and consistently strive for excellence in and out of the classroom. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Our October Students of the Month remind us what’s possible when hard work, resilience, and a positive mindset come together. 🍁💪 We are so proud of your achievements and the example you set for others. Congratulations!
🎉 We did it again! Hemet Unified has won its 4th straight Golden Bell Award, this year for our Daily Huddle Program — celebrating collaboration, innovation, and improved outcomes for students! 🏆✨
Read more: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2607399
Read more: https://www.hemetusd.org/article/2607399
Over 300 Students Participate in 4th Annual District Choir Festival
On October 21, 2025, West Valley High School hosted the fourth annual District Choir Festival, welcoming more than 300 participants from nine secondary schools. Choir students and directors presented performances across ten ensembles representing a full range of ages and experiences. The festival featured two distinguished university clinicians, Dr. Nicholle Andrews (University of Redlands) and Dr. Ariel Quintana (La Sierra University), who provided written evaluations and on-stage workshops with each ensemble.
Cottonwood K-8 participated in the Festival for the first time and director Sally McCampbell brought a combined choir of elementary and middle school students who performed with confidence, enthusiasm, and poise throughout the day. The following example captures Dr. Andrews working collaboratively with both the teacher and students during their post-performance clinic.
Ms. McCampbell reflected, “It was eye-opening for me to connect movements to phrases and hear the difference it made to the students’ voices. I am excited to work more movement into our warm-ups and performances. I found the clinicians to be really supportive and constructive with their criticisms and advice and I picked up some really useful skills to implement.”
Meaningful feedback is essential for both teachers and students. Hattie (2009) emphasizes that timely, specific feedback has a significant impact on student learning, with an effect size of 0.73. Clinicians play a vital role by providing interactive, immediate assessments of performances, along with actionable strategies to improve outcomes. This process benefits both students and teachers and often occurs in tandem, similar to an ensemble, which is a group that learns and performs together.
Live performances offer particularly valuable opportunities for feedback. Performing in front of an audience allows students to receive immediate responses, which can be instrumental in their development. This real-time feedback enables students to evaluate their performance, make adjustments, and deepen their understanding of musical expression.
Click the link to see the video performances from that night.
https://bit.ly/3L4v6XI
On October 21, 2025, West Valley High School hosted the fourth annual District Choir Festival, welcoming more than 300 participants from nine secondary schools. Choir students and directors presented performances across ten ensembles representing a full range of ages and experiences. The festival featured two distinguished university clinicians, Dr. Nicholle Andrews (University of Redlands) and Dr. Ariel Quintana (La Sierra University), who provided written evaluations and on-stage workshops with each ensemble.
Cottonwood K-8 participated in the Festival for the first time and director Sally McCampbell brought a combined choir of elementary and middle school students who performed with confidence, enthusiasm, and poise throughout the day. The following example captures Dr. Andrews working collaboratively with both the teacher and students during their post-performance clinic.
Ms. McCampbell reflected, “It was eye-opening for me to connect movements to phrases and hear the difference it made to the students’ voices. I am excited to work more movement into our warm-ups and performances. I found the clinicians to be really supportive and constructive with their criticisms and advice and I picked up some really useful skills to implement.”
Meaningful feedback is essential for both teachers and students. Hattie (2009) emphasizes that timely, specific feedback has a significant impact on student learning, with an effect size of 0.73. Clinicians play a vital role by providing interactive, immediate assessments of performances, along with actionable strategies to improve outcomes. This process benefits both students and teachers and often occurs in tandem, similar to an ensemble, which is a group that learns and performs together.
Live performances offer particularly valuable opportunities for feedback. Performing in front of an audience allows students to receive immediate responses, which can be instrumental in their development. This real-time feedback enables students to evaluate their performance, make adjustments, and deepen their understanding of musical expression.
Click the link to see the video performances from that night.
https://bit.ly/3L4v6XI
📣 We’re Hiring Instructional Aides!
Join us for our Instructional Aide Job Fair on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
✔️ On-site interviews
✔️ Bring your resume
Scan the QR code to apply now and take the first step toward a rewarding career with Hemet Unified.
Join us for our Instructional Aide Job Fair on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
✔️ On-site interviews
✔️ Bring your resume
Scan the QR code to apply now and take the first step toward a rewarding career with Hemet Unified.
🎉 It’s Math Week at RCOE! 🎉
From September 8–12, families are invited to Riverside County’s Virtual Math Week—a free, online celebration full of fun math games, exciting stories, and hands-on activities for students in PreK–8.
Activities are available in English and Spanish and can be enjoyed right from home!
✨ Join the fun here: bit.ly/Region10MathWeek2025
Let’s celebrate math, enjoy learning together, and log your minutes for a chance to win awesome prizes!
From September 8–12, families are invited to Riverside County’s Virtual Math Week—a free, online celebration full of fun math games, exciting stories, and hands-on activities for students in PreK–8.
Activities are available in English and Spanish and can be enjoyed right from home!
✨ Join the fun here: bit.ly/Region10MathWeek2025
Let’s celebrate math, enjoy learning together, and log your minutes for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Join us in celebrating our September Students of the Month—remarkable young individuals who not only excel in the classroom but also rise above life’s challenges with courage and determination. 💪📚 Your strength, perseverance, and positive attitude inspire us all! Congratulations!
Reminder: The countdown is on! Hemet Unified is excited to welcome students back to school on Monday, August 11, 2025! We can’t wait to see all the bright smiles and eager minds ready for a new year of learning. ✏️📚 Until then, keep enjoying your summer, making memories, and recharging for an amazing year ahead! ☀️🌴
📚✨ There's still time to enroll! Hemet Unified is accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year. Join a district that embraces, educates, and empowers every student—every day!
👉 Enroll today at hemetusd.org/enrollment
👉 Enroll today at hemetusd.org/enrollment
