What began as a child’s fascination with twinkling lights has grown into one of Kern County’s most cherished traditions. As he celebrates 23 years leading HolidayLights at CALM Zoo, Josh Barnett continues to transform creativity, community spirit, and pure holiday joy into a winter wonderland that brings families back year after year.
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The stakes were high, the builds were fast, and the crowd was loud. In the end, it was the Comets who engineered their way to the top, claiming the title of first-ever STEAM Yard Showdown Champions, held Tuesday.
Second graders across Kern County are building confidence as readers thanks to the Community Reading Project. Learn how you can get involved.
California’s 2025 School Dashboard was released Thursday, providing a comprehensive snapshot of how the state’s students, schools, and districts are performing across a range of academic and school-climate measures. The annual accountability tool — created by the California Department of Education in 2017 — evaluates progress using multiple indicators such as English language arts and math achievement, graduation rates, suspension rates, chronic absenteeism, and college and career readiness.
A new report from John Burton Advocates for Youth names Kern County’s Dream Center as one of California’s leading programs reducing youth homelessness. Powered by HHAP funding, the center’s “one-door” model has helped more than 200 youth and achieved an 86% safe-housing success rate. But with HHAP absent from the state budget, the future of Kern’s only youth-dedicated drop-in center is uncertain.
From third graders at Patriot Elementary donning a judge’s robe to Liberty High students observing a live criminal trial, Kern County’s Judges in the Classroom program is bringing civic learning to life. Through engaging, age-appropriate experiences, students are discovering how justice works — and imagining themselves in the courtroom one day.
Every November, Native American Heritage Month offers a time to honor the traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples. For KCSOS employees Mindy Cruz and Deborah Jackson, this heritage is not limited to one month, though. It’s a daily source of identity, strength, and purpose.
Suds were flowing for a great cause once again as Sparkling Image Car Wash hosted its 15th annual fundraiser benefiting the Kern Environmental Education Program (Camp KEEP) on October 3. This year’s event raised more than $11,000 to support hands-on learning experiences for Kern County students.
From a one-room schoolhouse serving just 11 students to a thriving district with 26 campuses and nearly 20,000 students, the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District (P-BVUSD) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year by looking back at its remarkable legacy and looking forward to a future of growth and progress.
Dr. Douglas K. Fletcher Elementary’s April Raguindin has been named one of five educators statewide to receive the 2026 California Teacher of the Year honor — and California’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Known for her innovative, student-centered approach and passion for hands-on learning through Fletcher’s Edible Schoolyard program, Raguindin continues to inspire young learners and colleagues alike.
The Kern High School District has opened the East Side Aquatic Center at Highland High School, giving students and families in east Bakersfield access to a state-of-the-art competition pool and community swim facility close to home.
Fairfax School District has officially broken ground on a major modernization project at Virginia Avenue Elementary, marking the start of a new era for students and staff. The upgrades will bring new classrooms, expanded administrative spaces, and modern learning environments designed to support 21st-century education.
This fall, Valley Oaks Charter School (VOCS) is celebrating 25 years of reimagining education in Kern County. What began in 2000 with fewer than two dozen students, two part-time teachers, and a single bamboo table has since grown into one of the most unique and family-centered learning communities in the area.
KCSOS has launched the Kern County Kindness Project to honor high school students whose small acts of compassion make a big difference in their schools and communities. Nominations are open through December 5.
“It’s like a big family, basically.” Those six words from student Brycen Braz capture the heart of what makes El Tejon Unified special. When John Mendiburu visited the district this week, he saw a Community Schools model alive in every corner — from welding shops and FFA barns to family resource partnerships and health services. It’s a place where students feel seen, supported, and set on a path toward bright futures.
The excitement is building for the second annual STEAM on the Streets, and this year, the celebration is moving into a brand-new home. On Saturday, October 25, families from across Kern County are invited to gather at The STEAM Yard (2020 K Street) for a free morning of hands-on exploration, creativity, and community fun centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
California State University, Bakersfield has named Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu to its 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame, recognizing his decades of leadership and service to the community. The surprise announcement was delivered during a virtual meeting filled with familiar faces and heartfelt congratulations.
For two decades, families across Kern County have marked their calendars for one of the most beloved fall traditions in Bakersfield — Boo at the Zoo. This year, the California Living Museum (CALM) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Halloween-themed event, welcoming guests October 15–19 for five days of festive fun, animal encounters, and community spirit.
Students at Chipman Junior High School are taking civic engagement into their own hands, partnering with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) and local leaders to raise awareness about pedestrian safety in their community. As part of their “Safer Streets Project,” Chipman students are developing a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) aimed at reducing distracted walking — particularly among students using cell phones while crossing the street. The project will culminate with a student presentation before the Bakersfield City Council on October 8.
Kern High School District has unveiled two new hydroponics gardens at its central kitchen—bringing fresh, locally grown produce straight to students’ lunch trays. The innovative project, made possible through community partnerships, is changing how students connect with their food.
