Why More Than 150 Beaumont Students Chose To Spend Their Winter Break At School

BEAUMONT, CA — While many students spent winter break traveling or visiting family, more than 150 transitional kindergarten through sixth-grade students in the Beaumont Unified School District chose to spend their holiday break back at school.

The students attended the district’s Scholars on Vacation program at the start of the new year while regular classes were closed for the holidays. The program is designed to keep students engaged through structured activities during extended school breaks.

“Our Scholars on Vacation program turns long holiday breaks into opportunities for learning, connection, and joy. Students stay engaged through enriching, hands-on experiences, while our staff builds meaningful relationships in a fun, relaxed environment,” said Michael Griffin, the district’s director of expanded learning, who oversees the program. “Families can feel confident knowing their children are safe, inspired, and excited to come back each day.”

In addition to Scholars on Vacation, the district’s Expanded Learning Department offers several other programs for Beaumont Unified students, including Impact, a before- and after-school program. All Expanded Learning programs are free for families to join, and select programs also provide free breakfast, lunch and supper.

On the second day of the Scholars on Vacation program, students rotated between classrooms following a schedule of activities. In one classroom, students were greeted by the smell of melted chocolate and Beaumont High School culinary instructor Chef Jonathon Weiner.

Using ingredients such as flour, sugar, vanilla, milk and chocolate chips, Weiner incorporated lessons in math, reading, science and teamwork. Working in groups of four, students read a recipe for no-bake chocolate chip cookies and identified the correct measuring tools for each ingredient.

“You’ll read the recipe, and I’ll add the margarine,” student Morgan Torres told her group.

During the activity, a bowl of freshly mixed ingredients was accidentally spilled onto the floor. The group regrouped and tried again without tears, turning the mishap into an unplanned lesson in teamwork and perseverance.

Families interested in learning more about the district’s Expanded Learning Program and its offerings throughout the school year can visit this link.

The Beaumont Unified School District, located in Riverside County, serves more than 12,300 students across 14 schools in the Beaumont–Cherry Valley area.