Education
Pre-Ancient Civilization Collections Exhibit Opens In San Bernardino

By Diara Marie Fowler — Guest Writer, California State University San Bernardino
Wednesday, October 23, 2019 — Over the weekend, the City of San Bernardino continued to set another cultural milestone with the opening of the new Kwai Tun Yau Museum, which is located within a short distance of the San Bernardino International Airport. The unveiling of the prehistoric civilization culture was followed by a tour of the exhibit showcasing a select number of the SanXingDui tribe’s elegant artifacts, some dating back as far as four thousand years. Sponsors for the museum are California Center For Cultural And Arts and World Pre-Ancient Civilization Research Center.
Collections of rare artifacts from a lost advanced ancient civilization from the 12th–11th centuries BC on exhibit. Called the “SanXingDui”, they were exceptional at metal working and their works include the world’s oldest life-sized standing human statue.
This civilization mysteriously disappeared around 3,000 years ago and no one knows what happened but there are a few theories. This advanced ancient culture has challenged traditional stories of how Chinese culture began.
Of the many discoveries, the bronze sculptures are what is exciting the world – an impressive technical ability present nowhere else in the world at the time and more outstanding than the Terracotta Army. This is a highly sophisticated and completely unique bronze age civilization in Sichuan, China.
- Jade Turtle Plastron of Hongshan Civilization — About 10,000 years old
- Bronze Human Head of Sanxingdui Civilization — About 4,000 years old
- Bronze Mask of Sanxingdui Civilization — About 4,000 years ago
The opening of the Kwai Tun Yau Museum is not only significant for its overall cultural up close experience and uniquely mesmerizing pieces, but for the research center as well.
“One of my wishes is to be able to answer more questions. When more people visit we can get more anthropologists, scientists, and archeologists together and figure it out,” said Museum Director Lan Chen.
What makes the museum so rare is the fact that it is set up to display three different types of pre ancient civilizations within China, the HongShan, LiangZhu, and SanXingDui tribes.
The grand opening of the museum was exceedingly strong as many knowledgeable specialists and community members joined, including, San Bernardino Mayor John Valdivia, paleontologists from CSUSB, a bevy of local students, and exciting artistic enthusiasts.
“Everything went extremely smooth with the opening of the museum, especially because there are so many Chinese Americans locally that took care of me, so things went very smooth and I was comfortable,” said Mr. Zhu, a pre ancient civilization collector.
“The SanXingDui had a fine eye for metal work and specialized in building artifacts out of silver, jade, and bronze. Their architecture and farming were also advanced. They knew to build their pieces from bronze and jade, predominantly to preserve for thousands and thousands of years,” said Director Chen.
Some of the featured items included musical instruments and metal masks that date back 10,000 years — “The lion statue stood out to me as if there were not two cultures from the bottom to the top part, the bottom was more smooth while the top had a more intricate look. Is this influenced by two cultures, or is this about something else?” stated observer Mikel J. Fenelon.
“I think that there’s a lot were going to learn from investing in this technology because I think this is something that we’re not even aware of, this is too sophisticated for us to fathom,” said Brain Sherman, attendee.
The future is bright for the museum as their plan within the next few years is to — “bring in more anthropologists, human scientists, and history together to study the pre ancient sector of time. In the last four years of China’s industrialization, China has become more and more modern having major breakthroughs and discoveries. These discoveries don’t just belong in China, they need to be shared with the world. So it’s not just Chinese history, it’s world history,” said Mr. Zhu.
Education
Over 2 Million CA High School Seniors & College Students Eligible for CalKIDS Scholarships Worth Up to $1,500 for College or Career Training

As college acceptance and financial aid letters arrive, California’s high school seniors and college students have a major opportunity through the CalKIDS program to ease their education costs. CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education.
This statewide initiative, administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, provides eligible California public school students with CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500—helping them take the next step toward college or career training by easing financial barriers to higher education. Eligible students can use their CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment. Since 2022, approximately $1 billion in CalKIDS Scholarships have been made available to more than 2 million of California’s public high school students.
To get the word out about this amazing program and ensure students and families are aware of and claim their CalKIDS Accounts, the ScholarShare Investment Board has established partnerships with high schools, school districts, community-based organizations, and financial aid directors at community colleges and universities across the state. Through a recent back-to-school campaign, these partnerships helped drive nearly 100,000 new scholarship claims in just four months.
“CalKIDS is an incredible resource for California families,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, chair of the ScholarShare Investment Board. “Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is the easiest step students can take on their path to higher education, whether that means college, trade schools, or technical and vocational schools. This investment is designed to support students, particularly those from historically underserved communities. We want every eligible student to claim their scholarship account and take full advantage of this opportunity.”
Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is quick and easy. Families simply need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), a ten-digit number, which can be obtained by contacting their school directly. Once they have the SSID, parents or students can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and claim a scholarship account in just minutes.
The funds can be used at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools, and career programs across the country. Once enrolled in a higher education program, students can log into their CalKIDS Account to request a distribution directly to their school to cover qualifying educational expenses.
For students like Samantha from Moreno Valley College, a CalKIDS Scholarship was a game-changer. “I felt very fortunate and less stressed … it was a huge help. I used the money for books and testing materials for school.”
“Studies show that students with just $500 or less set aside for college are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate,” said Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director. “CalKIDS Accounts are more than financial assistance—they’re an investment in students’ futures, and we want to give every one of these students a reason to believe in their path to higher education.”
With roughly 60% of California public school students eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship and key college decision and financial aid deadlines approaching, now is the time for students and families to check their eligibility and claim their scholarship account. For more information on eligibility, scholarship amounts, and how to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, visit CalKIDS.org.
Education
California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Inspires at Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit

Resilience and Readiness: Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges at the Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit
In an effort to address the lingering impacts of the pandemic on education and workforce readiness, the fourth annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit took place at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center on April 24. This year’s event, organized by Think Together in collaboration with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, saw a packed house of educators, business leaders, and elected officials.
The summit kicked off with an insightful presentation by Dr. Alex McDonald from Kaiser Permanente, shedding light on the intersection of healthcare, education, and workforce development. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the summit underscored the importance of initiatives that enhance overall community well-being while supporting academic success.
Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together, set an inspiring tone by introducing Jusbith Aguayo, a student speaker from Eisenhower High School, who shared her personal journey and highlighted the significant impact of educational support programs on students’ lives. Aguayo’s testimony emphasized the transformative power of education and community collaboration in overcoming barriers to success, especially in the face of unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic.
Following Aguayo’s heartfelt speech, Barth led an expert panel comprising leaders from education, workforce development, and healthcare sectors. Dr. Angelo Farooq, Dr. Carol Tsushima, Dr. Scott Price, Dr. Douglas Mack, and Connie Leyva engaged in discussions centered on preparing students for success in the workforce amidst the ongoing challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.
A highlight of the summit was the keynote address delivered by California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond. Thurmond emphasized the critical importance of equitable access to quality education and stressed the necessity for sustained collaboration among educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders. His address resonated deeply with attendees, underscoring the collective commitment to ensuring the success and prosperity of students across the Inland Empire.
Thurmond capped off the event, commending the efforts to bridge the gap between school-day learning and future success through afterschool programs that expose students to career-ready experiences. He emphasized the importance of investments in apprenticeship programs, paid internships, and workforce readiness initiatives to ensure students are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the real world.
For more information about Think Together and their impactful programs, visit www.thinktogether.org. Additionally, to learn more about the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to support commerce and economic growth, visit www.iechamber.org.
Education
Unlocking Potential: Fostering Inclusion and Innovation through Entrepreneurial Education at REAL Journey Academies

The REAL Journey Academies Entrepreneur High School Model / Inclusive Education Programming
Inclusive education is a fundamental right for all students. REAL Journey Academies was founded on this principal. The unique high school programs of Entrepreneur High Schools in Fontana and San Bernardino integrate entrepreneurship and career & technical education (CTE) to offer a unique opportunity to unlock the potential of students and prepare them for success in the constantly evolving century workforce. By providing tailored support, fostering self-confidence, and nurturing entrepreneurial skills, our unique high school program empowers students with IEPs and hidden talents to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.
This white paper explores the values of our entrepreneurship focused high school program for students with IEPs and hidden talents, highlighting the program’s potential to promote inclusion, boost self-esteem and cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The value proposition of our programming, in relationship to inclusive education, include:
- Promoting Inclusion:
- Our entrepreneurship focused program focuses on full inclusion by providing students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs and hidden talents, with opportunities to actively participate in hands-on, experiential learning experiences.
- By embracing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging, the entrepreneurship focused program of REAL Journey Academies empowers all students to realize their full potential and become active members of their communities.
- Boosting Self-Esteem:
- Entrepreneurship focused programming at its core boost self-esteem and confidence by recognizing and celebrating students’ individual strengths, interests, and talents.
- Through project-based learning and real-world experiences, students in an Entrepreneur High School have the opportunity to showcase their skills, gain recognition for their achievements, and build a positive sense of self-worth.
- Our program is designed to give students the support and encouragement they need to overcome challenges, set ambitious goals, and pursue pathways to success that align with their unique abilities and aspirations.
- Cultivating a Culture of Innovation:
- Our entrepreneurship focused program cultivates a culture of innovation by encouraging students to think creatively, problem-solve collaboratively, and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
- By providing students with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to explore their passions and develop their talents, the unique Entrepreneur High School Program is designed to inspire a lifelong love of learning and skills associated entrepreneurship.
- Through extensive work-based learning experiences and real-world projects, Entrepreneur High School students have the opportunity to unleash their creativity, tap into their potential, and make meaningful contributions to society.
The REAL Journey Academies’ entrepreneurship focused high school program has immense value for all students, including those with IEPs and hidden talents. By promoting inclusion, boosting self-esteem, and cultivating a culture of innovation, at its foundation our program is designed to empower students to overcome barriers, fulfill their potential, and pursue their dreams. As we strive to build a more equitable and inclusive society, investing in developing entrepreneurial skills in students with diverse learning needs is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in our collective future
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