How test scores are recovering post-pandemic, city launches food security plan, and Veterans Day Parade and free tree giveaways set
City sustainability staff and local business owners will share tips on waste reduction, composting, and eco-friendly holiday habits at the free Nov. 19 event.
How test scores are recovering post-pandemic, city launches food security plan, and Veterans Day Parade and free tree giveaways set
District data reveal small gains in reading and math, but persistent gaps by income and only modest improvement since last year. New data from the California Department of Education show that overall proficiency has barely moved since 2023.
Explore our interactive charts in the article below to see how each school compares. Read more here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
As schools work to close learning gaps left by the pandemic, city leaders are also turning their attention to the basic needs that shape student success. This week, the City Council approved a new food security initiative aimed at improving access to healthy meals — a move that dovetails with local efforts like the Family Service Association’s annual food drive to support families facing rising costs.
🍽️ Redlands launches Food Security Initiative: As families face the fallout of federal cuts to monthly food budgets, the City Council has approved a new Food Security and Child Nutrition Support Initiative to strengthen local access to nutritious meals. The program will create a citywide task force and partner with schools, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to address gaps in food support — especially for children. Updates on the initiative and funding opportunities will be shared in February 2026. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🥫 Family Service Association Fall Food Drive: Local families are already feeling the strain, and the Family Service Association of Redlands is stepping in to help. The group’s annual Fall Food Drive will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 612 Lawton St. Volunteers and donations are needed to stock the food pantry for the year ahead. Bring five or more items for a chance to win raffle prizes. Read more here.
🐔 Backyard hens could soon be allowed in all single-family residential areas: Redlands City Council voted unanimously to draft an ordinance expanding where hens can be kept, potentially allowing them in all single-family residential areas. The proposal aims to modernize city code, regulate existing coops and ensure disease tracking. Read more here.
Kathryne Mccann
🏙️ Redlands seeks new Planning Commissioner: The city is inviting residents to apply for an open seat on the Planning Commission, a volunteer board that helps shape Redlands’ future growth and development. Applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 19, and those with experience in planning, design or related fields are especially encouraged to apply. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🍊 Community Forward Redlands is a reader-supported, locally owned publication. We can only continue our work with the support of readers like you. Can you pitch in $7/month to help sustain quality local journalism in our community?
🚨 Redlands Police Weekly Report: A man was arrested after allegedly attacking a hospital security guard with a trekking pole, a 74-year-old was jailed following a stabbing on The Terrace, and a teen was cited for DUI after crashing into parked cars. Police also responded to gunfire near a juvenile party, a large downtown bar fight, and multiple weekend hit-and-run crashes. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🇺🇸 Veterans Day Parade and Celebration — Tuesday, Nov. 11: Redlands will honor local service members and veterans with a parade and ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. at Redlands High School and ending at Jennie Davis Park. This year’s Grand Marshal is retired U.S. Army Sgt. Dan Flanigan, a Vietnam veteran and Redlands native. The observance at 10:45 a.m. will include remarks from Mayor Mario Saucedo and a proclamation recognizing 100-year-old Navy veteran Eddie Chacon. A community celebration will follow with food vendors, live music, and a display of military vehicles. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🏈 Sports Notebook: It was a tough week for Redlands Unified football teams, with Redlands East Valley, Citrus Valley and Redlands High all facing defeats. Meanwhile, Arrowhead Christian Academy’s girls volleyball team advanced to the CIF-SS Division 6 title match after a decisive 3-0 semifinal win. The University of Redlands football team also rallied a win over La Verne 29-14, and Redlands High’s girls volleyball squad earned a spot in the CIF-State SoCal Regionals. Plus, several local athletes and coaches made headlines, ranging from Hall of Fame announcements to standout performances. Read more here:
John Murphy
🏃♀️ Local schools shine at league cross-country finals: University of Redlands junior Stian Asper led the Bulldogs with a third-place finish at the conference cross-country championship, helping the men’s team secure fourth overall. The women’s team placed seventh, paced by junior Kiera Beyer’s strong 24th-place finish. Redlands Unified runners delivered strong performances at the Citrus Belt League championships, with standout finishes from several local athletes. Teams from Redlands East Valley, Citrus Valley, Yucaipa and Redlands High all earned top spots as they head into CIF postseason competition at Mt. San Antonio College later this month.
Contributing Author
Contributing Author
Looking to add a little more shade or fruit to your yard? Two free tree giveaways are happening in Redlands this month to increase shade and reduce the effects of greenhouse gas.
🌳 Saturday, Nov. 8 (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) — SURF TreeStock: The University of Redlands’ Sustainable University of Redlands Farm (SURF) invites residents to its monthly TreeStock event, held every second Saturday. Pick up a free fruit, shade, or drought-tolerant tree and learn how these plantings help cool our city and fight the urban heat island effect. Eligibility is prioritized for residents with a CalEnviroScreen score of 60 or higher — email SURF@redlands.edu for details.
🌳 Saturday, Nov. 15 (9 a.m.–12 p.m.) — Northside Green Share at Martinez Park: Community groups are coming together to host the first Northside Green Share at Martinez Park. The event offers a morning of free shade trees, hands-on workshops, plant exchanges, and family activities. The event aims to make North Redlands greener, cooler, and more connected. Register here to reserve your tree — supplies are limited!
♻️ Reducing holiday waste: With the holiday season approaching, residents are invited to learn practical ways to reduce waste and make sustainable choices at a free community event titled Wasting Less, Living More: How Redlands Can Lead on Waste Reduction. The event, part of the Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) educational series Resilient Living: Facing Challenges Together, will take place Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Flores Senior Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
📌 Fri. Nov. 7-16 – 9:00 a.m.: The Museum of Redlands Vintage Sale at 1951 W Park Ave is running from Nov. 7–16 (9 a.m.–4 p.m.). Explore over 20,000 sq. ft. of antiques, artwork, jewelry, furniture, collectibles and more. Proceeds support the Museum of Redlands. Learn more here.
📌 Tues. Nov. 11 – 9:00 a.m.: The city of Redlands and the Redlands Hometown Heroes Foundation will host the annual Veterans Day Parade and ceremony. Read more here.
📌 Thurs. Nov. 13 – 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.: Celebrate local talent at the Joslyn Senior Center's Fall Craft Show. Explore handcrafted jewelry, artwork, home decor and more from experienced artisans. Learn more here.
📌 Sat., Nov. 15: Northside Green Share community event offering free drought- and heat-resistant shade trees, hands-on workshops, and plant exchanges. Supplies are limited; pre-registration required at link.ucanr.edu/northredlandstrees
📌 Sat., Nov. 15 – 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: Family Service Association Fall Food Drive. For information on what to donate and how to volunteer, click here.
📌 Sat., Nov. 15 – 7:30 p.m.: Redlands Symphony concert featuring works by Leonard Bernstein, Anna Clyne, and Tchaikovsky. Click here for ticket information.
📌 Sun., Nov. 16 – 3 p.m.: Redlands Community Orchestra opens its season with works by Bach, Strauss, and Tchaikovsky. Read more here.
📌 Tues., Nov. 18 – 6 p.m.: Redlands City Council meeting.
📌 Wed., Nov. 19 – 6:30 p.m.: “Six R’s of Waste Reduction” workshop at the Flores Senior Center, featuring sustainability tips, refreshments, and raffles. Read more here.
📌 Thurs., Nov. 27 – 8:00 am: Redlands Turkey Trot. Sign up
In case you missed it... Kimberly Elementary’s Roland Hosch has been honored by UC Davis as a C-STEM Teacher of the Year for bringing computer science and robotics into his fifth-grade math classroom. Hosch’s hands-on lessons using RoboBlocky software have helped students connect math with creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. District leaders say his work exemplifies Redlands Unified’s growing leadership in expanding access to computer science education. Read more here.
Community Forward Redlands
🍊 Want to advertise to our 25,000+ monthly readers while supporting local journalism? Learn more here.
😄 Thank you to our paid subscribers and sponsors who make Community Forward Redlands news possible!
📩 Missed a newsletter? Catch up here.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
