On a seemingly ordinary February morning in Lake Isabella, the library of Kern Valley High School buzzed with activity that was anything but ordinary — high school seniors studying literature, learning a Victorian ballroom dance, and becoming published authors. It’s all part of the annual Dickens Day of Writing, an academic celebration held in honor of Charles Dickens’ birthday.
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Inside the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) Warehouse, home of the Maintenance and Operations Department, high school students are stepping into a working classroom — learning warehouse operations while gaining real-world experience that can launch their future careers.
Each February, Black History Month honors the contributions of Black Americans who have shaped communities and created pathways for future generations, celebrating both achievement and the enduring power of legacy. At KCSOS, that legacy is reflected in the daily work of educators and staff whose leadership is rooted in mentorship, service, and belief in others. The stories that follow highlight just a few individuals whose examples continue to influence careers, strengthen teams, and create lasting impact across the organization.
Stockdale High School received the Claude W. Richardson perpetual trophy as the overall team winner of the 46th Annual Kern County Academic Decathlon which concluded today at Stockdale High School. 130 students from 16 high schools participated. Stockdale will represent Kern County in the California Academic Decathlon scheduled for next month.
Counselors from across Kern County stepped away from their campuses today to focus on their own well-being at the inaugural Counselor Retreat hosted by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). Held during National School Counseling Week, the event recognized the emotional demands of the profession and the importance of self-care for those who support students, families, and schools.
Before students take the stage at Leaders in Life, other students are already leading. Meet the McFarland High School team behind the conference’s custom-printed T-shirts — and the partnership that turns creativity into real-world experience.
The Cats of California have made their Super Bowl pick — and they’re betting on the Seahawks. With a perfect prediction record so far, will CALM Zoo’s feline forecasters stay undefeated?
The Kern County Board of Supervisors Board Chambers buzzed with anticipation as high school students filed into their seats Wednesday evening. Months of preparation came down to the final round of carefully timed objections. But this year’s Mock Trial competition brought more than the usual adrenaline — it introduced a new system designed to make competition more transparent and equitable than ever before.
At the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) Central Kitchen, staff prepare thousands of meals a day while also cooking up future careers. Through a growing network of internship and apprenticeship programs, the KCSOS Central Kitchen is becoming a training ground for aspiring culinary professionals, career changers, and students seeking real-world experience. While multiple pathways are available, the newest opportunity comes through a partnership with the Chef Ann Foundation, a national nonprofit aiming to promote more clean eating and scratch cooking.
From enhancing your morning brew to putting the “I” in KIND, students across Kern County are finding creative ways to lead with compassion this week as part of the Great Kindness Challenge, a worldwide effort to strengthen school climate and foster safe, supportive learning environments. The Great Kindness Challenge began as a positive, proactive bullying-prevention initiative for PreK-12 schools back in 2011. Now, the program serves more than 21 million students across more than 43,000 schools.
KCSOS is working to increase enrollment in its state-funded preschool programs, which serve children ages two to five and are designed to support families across Kern County, including many who may not realize they qualify. Each KCSOS early childhood education site offers all-day educational childcare in a safe and nurturing environment.
Maple Elementary’s first Harvest Parade connected lessons to real-world agricultural practices this week. Through live demonstrations, expert explanations, and a Tower Challenge using the machinery, students gained a deeper understanding of local farming and the impact it has on their families’ lives.
The Bakersfield City School District Board of Education has appointed Dr. Karling Aguilera-Fort as the District’s next superintendent, formalizing his leadership following a period of service as interim superintendent.
Join CALM for its third annual delightfully mischievous Valentine’s Day tradition: Roses or Roaches! This playful fundraiser lets you celebrate love, laughter, and a little lighthearted sass.
In the rural mountain communities of the Kern River Valley, new data from the Kernville Union School District reveals districtwide gains in academic performance, attendance, and student behavior, with Wallace Middle School leading the way.
Educators, industry leaders, and community partners gathered Thursday to celebrate innovation in Career Technical Education, with CTE Superstars recognized for their impact on student success across Kern County.
Kern County children are gaining a new opportunity to learn about healthy eating through hands-on experience with the installation of a Charlie Cart teaching kitchen at the Beale Memorial Library. The mobile cart is designed to help children develop practical cooking skills, learn about nutrition, and understand how food fuels their bodies. The Charlie Cart Project is a collaboration between Blue Zones Project Bakersfield, the Kern County Library, and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). For the next six weeks, cooking professionals will provide hands-on lessons and cooking demonstrations for kids every Wednesday afternoon inside the Beale Memorial Library. These lessons are free and open to the public.
The Greenfield Union School District (GFUSD) is putting student physical and emotional health front and center with the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new student wellness center this week. Dubbed the “Pawsitive Wolfpack Den,” the wellness center at Crescent Elementary School is the first of 12 that will open across the district over the next two years to provide students with encouragement, support, and a sense of belonging.
They’re often the first smiles of the day for students and families across Kern County. Crossing guards like Melvin Wandick and Mike LaBarge show how a wave, a smile, and a few kind words can shape a student’s entire day — leaving behind memories that last long after the final bell.
Dozens of middle and high school students from across Kern County gathered at California State University, Bakersfield for the third annual Student Voice Matters Day — a powerful celebration of young people finding their confidence, building leadership skills, and learning how their voices can drive real change on their campuses and beyond.
