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.
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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.
The 5th Annual KEEP CALM Jamboree — presented by Valley Strong Credit Union — will return to the California Living Museum (CALM Zoo) on Friday, April 24, celebrating a milestone year for one of Kern County’s most anticipated spring events. What began as a creative way to pair live music with community giving has grown into a signature fundraiser benefiting CALM Zoo and Camp KEEP, supporting wildlife education, conservation, and hands-on learning experiences for students.
Over the last decade, the field of School Social Work has expanded dramatically in Kern County, changing the way schools support students, families, and communities, and marking a significant shift toward whole-child wellbeing. That growth was on full display Monday and Tuesday as Bakersfield College hosted the California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW) Annual Conference for the first time.
In classrooms and communities across Kern County, students are beginning to see what’s possible for their futures — and they don’t have to figure it out alone. The new KCSOS Future Readiness Center is opening doors to college and career guidance, connecting students and families with free, personalized support, real-world professionals, and pathways to high-demand careers right here at home.
A countywide effort is underway to showcase the value of multilingualism in local schools, as the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) partners with Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) President Dr. Vernon Harper to promote the California State Seal of Biliteracy.
Of all the words to describe the Lost Hills Union School District in the rural lands of northwest Kern County, the best would be ‘longevity.’ From the teachers and staff members who started as students themselves and went on to spend decades serving the district to the school site that survived wild fluctuations in student enrollment the district has stood the test of time.
At Maple Elementary in Shafter, education isn’t limited to the school day — it continues around the kitchen table, in living rooms, and other places where families gather, talk, and learn together. Recognizing that many parents are unable to attend traditional evening events, the district found a creative way to meet families where they are, using simple videos and activities to strengthen connections, support students, and keep the rural community rooted in family learning.
The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is experiencing remarkable growth and impact across Kern County, where nearly 300 students at Rosamond High School and Tropico Middle School (Southern Kern Unified School District) alone are finding connection, confidence, and purpose through the century-old leadership program.
Bakersfield’s beloved holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, is returning to the stage for its 48th annual production this Christmas season. Presented by Civic Dance Center, the longtime production is once again enchanting audiences while also introducing the performing arts to thousands of local students through its popular Young People’s Concerts.
Vineland Elementary students shopped for fresh produce during a student Farmers Market that doubled as a lesson in nutrition and money management.
