Ina Arbuckle School marks 70th anniversary with community celebration

Ina Arbuckle School celebrated its 70th anniversary at a community event where alumni, former staff and a district representative praised the school’s role as a neighborhood anchor.

Organizers said the celebration began simply with cake but grew into a larger gathering of families who wanted to acknowledge the school’s history and the generations of students who attended. A presenter opened the event, saying it was an opportunity to recognize “all the work that's been done here.”

Residents and former staff members framed the milestone as a story of continuity. A resident observing that the culture has changed since 1956 said the “main theme” of the school remains community. A former staff member who said she “started here when it opened” recalled returning to see the school thrive and described the experience as emotional: “I started here when it opened. I worked here. It was my last job,” she said.

Speakers repeatedly credited the school with providing a strong foundation for students and highlighted multigenerational attendance by families. One resident noted that reaching 70 years is a “big milestone,” saying many alumni have gone on to success.

A representative of Jurupa Unified School District closed with a statement about the district’s priorities. “We're a district of educators who care about our students, who create community, and we focus on kindness and care of our students,” the district representative said, affirming the district’s support for the school’s continued role in the community.

The event emphasized celebration and remembrance rather than policy or administrative action; no formal motions or votes were recorded.