Canyon Hills Junior High School in Chino Hills, California, hosted a “History Rocks 250” assembly tied to a national civics-and-history tour ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026, prompting some parents and grandparents to question the event’s organizers and whether students could opt out.
Canyon Hills Junior High School in Chino Hills, California, held an on-campus assembly branded as “History Rocks 250,” part of the U.S. Department of Education’s nationwide “History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour” as the country approaches the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026.
Local reporting by ABC7 and CBS Los Angeles said some parents and grandparents objected to the program after learning it was connected to a broader civics coalition that includes conservative-aligned organizations, and they also complained about what they described as a lack of a formal opt-out option for students.
Chino Valley Unified School District officials said the presentation would focus on topics already taught in class, including the American Revolution and founding documents. Sonja Shaw, president of the district’s board of education, told CBS Los Angeles the assembly would include a game-show-style format and be a celebration of the upcoming national anniversary.
According to The Daily Wire’s account of the assembly, the program included the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, along with history-themed trivia and student remarks highlighting the United States as a place where immigrants have sought freedom and opportunity. The Daily Wire also reported that Katharine Gorka, described as a senior adviser for civic education at the U.S. Department of Education, spoke to students.
CBS Los Angeles reported that after the event, some students said they did not perceive the assembly as political, while some parents planned to protest outside the school.
