Desert Sands Unified board honors staff and students; Shadow Hills ASB presents multi-sensory report

The Desert Sands Unified School District board opened its March 17 meeting by recognizing staff and students for actions that kept campuses safe and for academic and extracurricular achievements.

Public information officer Tamara Watkins told the board that paraeducator Hector Gutierrez and after‑school safety staff member Jonathan Gomez responded decisively during a brief lockdown at Hoover Elementary, keeping students safe until district security and local law enforcement arrived. "Their calm, decisive actions reflect the strength of our preparation and our shared commitment to student safety," Watkins said as she presented certificates.

Watkins also honored the district's March employees of the month — Amy Pearson, Victor Jimenez and James Wiley — for organizing an inclusive adaptive physical‑education field day that enabled students with extensive support needs to participate in Olympic‑style events. Dr. Steve Hickman of the Riverside County Office of Education presented the RCOE Winter Academic Athletic Team Award to the Palm Desert High School girls basketball team for achieving a 4.37 team GPA.

The board then heard an ASB report from student board member Larissa Lopez of Shadow Hills High School. Lopez led a short, multi‑sensory presentation that highlighted school traditions, the school’s deaf and hard‑of‑hearing program and ASL offerings, and programs that reward attendance and punctuality. "We want to give you a little experience of what it’s like to be part of the Knight family," Lopez said before showing a student‑produced video.

Board members and the superintendent praised students and staff, noting recent district events including student leadership day and career-technical showcases. Several trustees asked staff to continue work that expands student engagement and inclusion.

The meeting proceeded to routine business after the recognitions and student report.