Mesa View Elementary School has been identified as an Inclusive Demonstration Site through the Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) Grant program, a statewide initiative recognizing schools excelling in inclusive education. This prestigious honor highlights Mesa View’s commitment to fostering an equitable learning environment and positions it as a model for other districts seeking to enhance their own inclusive practices.

For the Romoland School District, this achievement reaffirms its dedication to equity, access, and high-quality education for all students, particularly those with disabilities. By embracing inclusive practices, the district ensures that every student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to learn in a supportive, collaborative, and engaging environment.

As a SIP Demonstration Site, Mesa View welcomes educators from across the state to learn from its innovative approaches to inclusion. On February 6, Mesa View hosted representatives from Irvine Unified, Visalia Unified, Modesto Unified, and Lakeside Union for a day of immersive learning and collaboration.

During their visit, attendees:

• Observed inclusive teaching in action across nine classrooms, witnessing firsthand how teachers implement strategies that support all learners.
• Learned about the district’s structured system for behavior support, ensuring students receive necessary interventions to thrive in a general education setting.
• Participated in a mini-presentation led by co-teachers Vanessa Clark and Aishling Castaneda, who shared insights on their journey toward a co-teaching and inclusive instructionally designed classroom.

The event was also attended by a special visitor, School Board Member O'Rell Colbert, who is also a Special Education teacher in our neighboring Perris Union High School District. Colbert showed his support for Mesa View’s commitment to inclusive education and engaged with educators throughout the day.

This successful event would not have been possible without the dedication of countless staff members. A special thank you goes to supportive parent, Tammie Webb, and the teachers who graciously opened their classrooms: Ms. McDonald, Ms. Rojas, Ms. Castaneda, Ms. Graf, Ms. Hyde, Ms. Tassone, Ms. Game, Mr. Glosecki, Ms. Latif, Ms. Velk, Ms. Myers, Mr. Thompson, Ms. Raymond, Ms. Huhta, Ms. Medina, Ms. Clark, Ms. L. Peters, Ms. Ramirez, and Ms. M. Peters.

The visit concluded with an insightful panel Q&A session featuring Ms. Huhta, Ms. Game, Mr. Glosecki, Mr. Larson, and Ms. Cardenas-Knittle. Their expertise and willingness to share best practices further reinforced Mesa View’s role as a leader in inclusive education.

As Mesa View continues to serve as a model school for inclusion, it remains committed to fostering a culture where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. The school and district look forward to welcoming more educators in the future, furthering the mission of inclusive excellence in California schools.