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Tulelake Is Ready For A Great School Year 

Tulelake, CA — Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District celebrated the start of the new school year with a Back to School Carnival, organized by the Community Schools Advisory Committee. The event, held on August 15th, was a huge success bringing over 350 attendees, including students, families, and community members.

The carnival was designed to provide students with a positive and supportive start to the school year.“We’re incredibly proud of the collaboration and community spirit that made our first Back to School Carnival a success,” said Brian Norby, Superintendent of Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District. “This event symbolizes our commitment to supporting our students and families, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement needed to start the school year on the right foot. It was heartwarming to see so many people come together to celebrate our students and their future.”

Students were able to get free haircuts from Alumni Frankie McAuliffe and Chuy Lujano. “Life is just expensive right now so this was a great event to give our families a fun night out that costs nothing and give them memories to start the year off right. The haircuts were just one activity provided in order to help students build their confidence and get ready to embrace the upcoming school year. I do believe this is going to be one of the best years yet as TBJUSD continues to find ways to connect with our small community.” said Samantha Macy, School Administration Manager at Tulelake High School.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of games and activities, with partners from both Modoc and Siskiyou Counties contributing to the fun with special carnival treats, giveaways, games and crafts. To go with the haircuts, families were able to sign up for an Angel tree at registration gifting students with a personalized back to school outfit and new shoes if needed. Students had lanyards where booths marked their participation and then each child was entered in the raffle with gift cards and prizes to help ease the strain of back to school expenses.  The Tulelake Fire Department generously BBQ’d and served a free hotdog dinner.

The carnival was not just about gathering materials but also an opportunity for families to connect, share resources, and enjoy an evening of family engagement and fun. Booths were set up by Modoc County Office of Education, Tiny Mighty Strong, TASSEL After School Program, Tulelake Boosters, Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School Board trustees, Frankie’s, Chuy’s Barber Shop, Ross Market, Macy’s Flying Service, Evergreen Ag, Tulelake Rotary, Tulelake Police Department, Tulelake Area Service Club, Lulu’s , Modoc County Health Services, Modoc County Tobacco Use Prevention Education, TASSEL, Tulelake FFA, DJ-O Entertainment, Siskiyou County Behavioral Health, Modoc County Sheriff’s Office, Waylight Photobooth, Oregon Institute of Technology, Rural Klamath Connects, Tulelake Boosters and dinner cooked by Tulelake Fire Department.

The participation of local partners from Modoc and Siskiyou Counties played a crucial role in the event’s success, offering an array of engaging activities and support services.

“We are thrilled with the turnout and the overwhelming support from our community partners,” said Heather Hadwick, Safety & Communications Specialist & Community Schools Lead for Modoc County. “This event was all about making sure students feel excited and ready for the new school year, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start. The Community Schools movement is one that focuses on building partnerships within the community and working together to not only support their academics but their social, emotional and physical health as well. Tulelake is going to be a stellar example of a Community School. They have amazing family support.”

As the school year begins, the Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District and the Community Schools Advisory Committee look forward to continuing their efforts to support students and families, building a strong foundation for success throughout the year. TBJUSD was awarded $2.375 Million dollars in the latest round of Community Schools Implementation funding. 

BrightLife Kids and Soluna

BrightLife Kids and Soluna are two innovative mental health apps, part of California’s transformative Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a $4.7 billion investment aimed at improving mental health care for young people across the state.

BrightLife Kids, powered by Brightline, provides free behavioral health coaching for children aged 0-12. No insurance, costs, or referrals are needed. With diverse and bilingual coaches, families can access video or chat-based 1:1 coaching, on-demand digital tools, and Care Guides to help manage complex needs and make referrals when necessary. BrightLife Kids ensures every child in California has access to the support they need.

Soluna, developed by Kooth, serves youth aged 13-25. This all-in-one mental health app offers a completely free and anonymous platform to help young people de-stress, reset, and seek support. Soluna provides scheduled or drop-in 1:1 coaching with diverse, bilingual coaches, interactive tools, self-support guides, and a moderated community forum.

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Learn more at BrightLife Kids or Soluna