Tag: BHUSD

BEVERLY HILLS—On March 18, Beverly Hills High School held a ribbon cutting celebration for six new tennis courts on campus. In addition to the new courts, the BHHS Tennis Team also received new Nike uniforms that symbolized, “A new chapter for the program,” the website states. “This moment reflects our continued commitment to providing students with high-quality facilities that support both athletic excellence and school pride,” stated the BHHS. The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education members, District Leadership, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alexix Cherniss, Beverly Hills Mayor, Dr. Sharona Nazarian. Vice Mayor Craig Corman, and from the construction team, Fonder Salari and Erickson Hall construction Co. posed for a photograph with the BHHS tennis team in front of their six new beautiful tennis courts. BHUSD Board President Judith Manouchehri made the following statement: “Reopening the Beverly Hills high School tennis courts is a meaningful moment for our entire community, as we return this important facility to our students and staff where it belongs, supporting athletics, wellness, and school pride.” The implementation of the new tennis courts marks a significant milestone in the continued modernization of the BHHS campus facilities. “The project is part of the district’s broader bond-funded facilities program reflecting a focused effort by the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education to advance key construction priorities and deliver long-awaited improvements for students. The new courts were completed as part of ongoing work within the upper athletic fields area where critical site development and infrastructure enhancements have supported the expansion of athletic spaces…The completion of the courts reflects a continued emphasis on thoughtful planning, coordination, and execution across the district projects,” states the BHUSD.   By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, January 5, the Beverly Hills Unified School District’s Public Information Officer, Colby Gilardian, informed Canyon News via email that an electrical issue sparked the fire at El Rodeo Elementary School on December 30.

On December 30, 2025, a small electrical fire transpired in an exterior utility room at El Rodeo Elementary School. As a result of a quick response from the Beverly Hills Fire Department and the school’s advanced safety systems, the fire was quickly contained to a single area, and no injuries were reported.

The incident took place while Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) campuses were closed for winter break. The school’s sprinkler system activated immediately, helping to isolate the fire to a single area. There was no damage to classrooms or instructional areas.

Following the incident, BHUSD mobilized facilities and safety teams to conduct a thorough inspection of the entire El Rodeo Elementary School campus. This included:

-A comprehensive assessment of all classrooms and learning spaces
-Air quality testing to confirm a healthy environment post-incident
-Electrical inspections confirming power to all instructional areas
-Installation of temporary generators to ensure consistent and reliable power
-Continued coordination with Southern California Edison and the Beverly Hills Fire Department

“We are grateful for the swift response of our city’s first responders and proud of how quickly our teams worked to ensure the safety and readiness of the campus,” said Dr. Alex Cherniss, Superintendent of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. “All systems are operational, and El Rodeo Elementary School is fully prepared to welcome students back.”

 

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Wednesday, August 13, Colby Gilardian, Public Information Officer for the Beverly Hills Unified School District informed Canyon News via email that they launched a newly redesigned district and school websites, completing seven sites in just two months.

The new look is modern, with better navigation and features designed to better connect students, families, staff, alumni, and the community.

Key highlights of the redesign include:

-Unified District Calendar: A single location where all external school events are posted, making it easier than ever for the community to stay informed and engaged.

-BHHS Virtual Alumni Hall of Fame: In collaboration with the Beverly Hills High School Alumni Association, the new virtual Hall of Fame transforms the existing on-campus display into an accessible, interactive online experience. Visitors from anywhere in the world can explore and celebrate the achievements of distinguished BHHS alumni, keeping their legacy alive for generations to come.

-Unified Menu: One menu that easily allows you to switch between school sites

“We designed this website refresh with our community in mind,” said BHUSD Public Information Officer, Colby Gilardian. “From a unified calendar to an interactive alumni hall of fame, these features make it easier to find what you need while showcasing the pride and excellence of our district.”

“Our schools deserve a digital presence that reflects the quality of education and opportunity we provide. This launch is a major step forward in making sure our communication tools match the exceptional work happening every day in BHUSD,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss.

The redesigned websites are live and can be explored at www.bhusd.org. Visitors are asked to share feedback via the online form available on each site.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On January 23, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) announced that Jesse Braun, the teacher-librarian at Beverly Vista Middle School has been named as a finalist for the 2025, California Teacher of the Year (TOY) by California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond.

Braun, a University of California, Irvine (UCI) alumnus, is being recognized for his exceptional dedication to his students and his ability to foster the love of learning in those he teaches.

According to the BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy, Jesse Braun’s recognition as a finalist for the 2025 California Teachers of the Year is a testament to his incredible passion for education and his tireless efforts to inspire students to achieve their fullest potential. We are immensely proud to have an educator of his caliber representing our district and serving as a role model for our students and staff”.

UC Irvine School of Humanities highlighted Mr. Braun in their collegiate publication. Braun was at one time an honors student sharing his love and knowledge of broadband radio on campus.

In an interview for the alum newsletter, Braun was asked what advice or encouragement he’d give others seeking a position as a teacher-librarian.

Braun indicated that he had close to 100 students at any given time, in a library that seats 75.

“So, they leaned against shelves, sat on the floor, and curled up in corners. It made me really appreciate how much my library has become a central hub on my campus. It’s a, really vibrant, and active place.”

“Education is a vital and rewarding field, and I can unreservedly say that Teacher Librarians have the best jobs in education! I love what I do, and I feel lucky every day that I get to do it. I fear, however, that the era of the certificated Teacher Librarian who provides instruction in information literacy, digital citizenship, and research skills could sadly be coming to an end – at least here in the state of California.

I sincerely hope that we change, course and begin to invest more deeply in school libraries as essential educational spaces. This year, in my role as Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, I’m advocating for Teacher Librarians and the formal instruction we provide. I sincerely believe school libraries build a foundation in information literacy that imparts a broad societal benefit. I only hope that we can continue to offer that to the students of the next generation and beyond.”

By Sharon