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March 11, 2026
Cielo Vista Charter School Named First Blue Zones Project Approved School in Palm Springs
Palm Springs, CA — Cielo Vista Charter School will make history on March 18 as it becomes the first Blue Zones Project Approved School in Palm Springs, recognizing the school’s leadership in creating a culture of health and well-being for students, educators, and families.
Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, in partnership with Palm Springs Unified School District, will celebrate the milestone with a community “Walking School Bus” from Demuth Park to Cielo Vista Charter School, featuring hundreds of students, parents, and educators walking together, followed by a Blue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Healthy Carnival on campus.
The celebration will begin with the community walk at 7:15am from Demuth Park and continue with a Blue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 7:45am and Healthy Carnival at 8:00am, featuring outdoor games, crafts and activities from Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, and a pop-up farmers market by Aziz Farms for students, parents, and educators to enjoy.
“Being named the first Blue Zones Project Approved School in Palm Springs is an incredible honor for our entire school community,” said Juanita Perezchica, principal of Cielo Vista Charter School. “Our staff, students, and families have worked hard to create a school environment where well-being, leadership, and learning go hand in hand. Partnering with Blue Zones Project allows us to take this work even further by expanding opportunities for our students to grow healthy, confident, and connected to their community.”
Through the partnership, Blue Zones Project Palm Springs will work alongside the school to strengthen existing wellness initiatives and introduce new opportunities that support student health and learning.
These efforts include enhancing the school’s garden program, launching a monthly Walking School Bus, and expanding programming that helps students explore healthy eating, physical activity, and community connection.
“Cielo Vista Charter School has long demonstrated what is possible when a school community is deeply committed to the success and well-being of its students,” said Dr. Marcus Funchess, Superintendent of Palm Springs Unified School District. “Programs like their school garden and the Walking School Bus create meaningful opportunities for students and families to engage in healthy habits that support both academic and personal success.”
“When schools, families, and community partners come together around well-being, we create healthier neighborhoods and brighter futures for our children,” Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto said. “We’re grateful to Cielo Vista and Palm Springs Unified leadership for setting an example for schools across the city and region.”
For Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, the milestone represents an important step toward supporting lifelong healthy habits for local students.
“Growing up in a family of educators, schools have always felt a little like coming home to me,” said Mihai Patru, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs. “At Cielo Vista you can feel something special — kids learning, teachers leading, and a community that truly shows up for one another. That’s exactly the kind of place where healthy habits can take root. Through this partnership, we’re building on the incredible life-shaping experiences already happening here — expanding the garden, launching a Walking School Bus, and creating even more opportunities for students and families to move, connect, and grow together. Honestly, it’s the kind of school environment every kid deserves.”
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About Blue Zones in Riverside County
Blue Zones Project® is brought to Riverside County by Blue Zones and leading organizations Riverside University Health System – Public Health, Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Eisenhower Health. In collaboration with the County of Riverside and the Cities of Riverside, Banning, Palm Springs, and Coachella, this innovative partnership brings together private and public organizations under a shared vision to support, build, and measurably improve community well-being across the County. Blue Zones Projects have launched in Riverside, Banning, Coachella, and Palm Springs, while Mead Valley begins a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate. Over five years, local leadership and the local Blue Zones Project teams will implement the Blue Zones Life Radius® model to make healthy choices easier throughout the region through permanent and semi-permanent changes to the built environment, food environment, public policies, and social networks. www.bluezonesprojectpalmsprings.com
