Kern County’s education landscape has lost a transformational leader. Dr. Kelly Foster Blanton passed away earlier this month, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of dedication, innovation, and a commitment to the success of all children. He was 87. From his humble beginnings as the son of Dust Bowl migrant farmworkers to his transformative tenure as Kern County’s 18th superintendent of schools, Blanton’s life exemplified resilience, vision, and service.
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Through the Positivity Project, Discovery Elementary is teaching students the power of gratitude, kindness, and service. This year, their Honor Flight fundraiser surpassed expectations, raising $2,140 to send a local veteran to Washington, D.C. Students, staff, and families came together, making a lasting impact and strengthening their sense of community.
Schools throughout the region are set to benefit from the launch of PBIS ACER 2.0, a comprehensive certification overhaul designed to enhance the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This updated process emphasizes consistency, quality, and accountability, taking school climate and student outcomes to the next level.
The California School Boards Association’s Golden Bell Awards program has long been a tribute to the innovation, dedication, and excellence found in California’s public schools. At the annual awards ceremony held earlier this month, Standard School District and the Bakersfield School District were among California’s esteemed honorees.
Bakersfield’s beloved holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, is celebrating its 47th annual production this Christmas season, bringing magic to audiences of all ages. Today and tomorrow, as many as 6,000 local students will have the chance to experience the wonder of ballet during the Nutcracker Young People’s Concerts held at the Mechanics Bank Convention Center.
In a tight-knit town rooted in the legacy of oil fields, the Taft Union High School District (TUHSD) is defined by its hard work, resilience, and unyielding community pride. Over the past decade, the district’s educators and leaders have faced challenges head-on, driven by the belief that hard work and collective effort can yield positive results for their students.
Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu honored KCSOS employees who are retiring with 10-plus years of service during a semi-annual celebration this yesterday. Each received kind words and a classic school hand bell as a memento of their dedication as “Advocates for Children.”
Lillian Tafoya, a dedicated educator and advocate for equity, is retiring after 28 years as a Bakersfield City School District trustee, concluding a nearly 65-year career in education. She has been honored with the CSBA Golden Gavel Award for her exemplary governance and leadership.
Golden Valley High School buzzed with excitement today as students from seven Kern County high schools — Centennial, West, Independence, East, Liberty, Arvin, and host Golden Valley — showcased their constitutional expertise in the annual We the People competition. Arvin High School upset the competition with its 22nd Congressional District win and an overall score of 1686.
In the far reaches of Kern’s vast landscape — atop foothills out east and sprawled across the oil and ag land out west — lie eight of the County’s smallest school districts. Together, they serve fewer than 1,000 students. Despite facing unique challenges like social isolation and limited resources, these districts are proving that size is no limitation when it comes to making a big impact.
Kern County has been awarded a $5.2 million Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) grant, a groundbreaking investment that aims to transform the lives of thousands of young people facing housing instability.
Gloria Rodriguez, a 22-year-old foster youth, was beaming with excitement and hope today as she received her first car — a gently used Ford EcoSport SE — thanks to a community partnership between the Dream Center, Kern County Network for Children (KCNC), and Jim Burke Ford. The donation marks a transformative moment in Rodriguez’s journey toward independence and success.
Applications officially opened for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) today. Y2LEF teamed up with the Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) to host a news conference highlighting financial aid opportunities here in Kern County. Local education leaders and community officials joined the conference, stressing the importance of access to higher education.
Kern County’s most anticipated holiday tradition, HolidayLights at CALM, is back and brighter than ever. Running from November 30 through January 4, this award-winning event combines breathtaking light displays with festive activities, making it a must-visit for families and friends during the holiday season.
The annual update to the California School Dashboard, the state’s annual report card for K-12 public schools, was released today. It provides a transparent overview of how schools and districts are performing across key indicators.
More than 6,000 students descended on Mechanics Bank Arena today to watch the Bakersfield Condors take on the Abbotsford Canucks for the annual Field Trip Day. Students were bused in from more than two dozen school districts to take part in the event, presented by Valley Strong Credit Union. The Canucks beat the Condors 4-2. The Condors’ next game is on Friday.
Ishmeet Singh, a junior at Stockdale High School, is reshaping how students across California receive critical mental health support. He spearheaded an initiative to integrate QR codes on all school ID cards across the state, linking students directly to the mental health resources they need.
The Embrace Equity Symposium in Bakersfield is honoring three Equity Champions whose dedication to inclusivity is inspiring change in Kern County. This year’s honorees—Salvador Avalos, Raji K. Brar, and Ishmeet Singh—are celebrated for their tireless work to uplift others.
Nearly 500 educators and community members from Kern County and beyond gathered at the Mechanics Bank Convention Center for the 4th Annual EMBRACE Kern Equity Symposium, marking the first day of this impactful two-day event.
As California gears up to offer an entirely new type of teaching credential geared toward pre-kindergarten through third-grade teachers, experts and educators alike are rallying around the idea that play is more than just a break from learning — it is the learning.
