Tag: BHUSD

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