Local & Community
Back To School For The Palm Springs Unified School District
Desert Hot Springs, CA – It’s an exciting day at Two Bunch Palms Elementary School as students, teachers, and families return to campus to kick off a brand-new school year. After months of quiet hallways, the energy was palpable as students reunited with friends, met new teachers, and stepped into new classrooms.
“They’re excited and nervous… but mostly tired!” laughed one veteran teacher, Griselda Pacheco. “By Thursday, they’re awake and back in the swing of things.”
School Principal Denise Fenton says the first day can be especially daunting for the youngest learners — especially TK and kindergarteners — but with support from older students, teachers, and families, she says routines start to settle quickly.
While spirits are high, the weather is too. With temperatures expected to soar this week, district officials are urging families to take extra precautions.
Parents are encouraged to dress children in weather-appropriate clothing and ensure they bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. To combat the heat, schools are modifying outdoor schedules, keeping students inside during the hottest parts of the day.
The Palm Springs Unified School District heads into the new school year with a new superintendent, Marcus Funchess. Despite the heat, the energy of a new school year can’t be dampened. The smiles, hugs, and laughter were proof: school is back in session.
By: Thalia Hayden
August 6, 2025
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