NEW SECTION: REAL ESTATE
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Inside
Bittersweet ending Locals say goodbye to ice creamery. 8
OPINION
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REAL ESTATE
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OBITUARIES
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CLASSIFIED ADS
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LEGAL LISTINGS
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Ohlone campus Board discusses student housing. 6 TRICITYVOICE.COM
VOL 25 NO 8
FEBRUARY 17-23, 2026
Paige Francis
Fremont Unified lays off over 40 staff members
Owners Jef and Gail Paderes were inspired by at-home jams and karaoke nights, as well as their kids’ experience at School of Rock in San Ramon.
● Laid off positions include bilingual assistants and paraeducators
Students speak Fremont walkout supports immigrants. 6
Family history Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) is laying off over 40 staff members that assist disabled and English as a Second Language (ESL) students. The staff report from the Feb. 11 school board meeting says the affected positions include community liaison/bilingual positions, instructional paraeducators and office positions. The employees will be terminated at the end of the school year. According to the district’s education code, the school board members can cut positions because of the lack of work hours and/or lack of funding for those positions. An assistant principal and a teacher from Fremont Adult School will also be laid off at the end of the school year. The staff report says the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and Fremont School Management Association (FSMA) are aware of the layoffs. — More on page 4
Photos courtesy of School of Rock (Castro Valley)
By Roelle Balan
Tour Shinn House for its 150th. 9
PERFORMANCE READY The year-round program is divided into four seasons, and students perform live at venues throughout the season.
Kids rock out in Castro Valley ● Husband and wife team opens performance-based music academy By Charlene Dizon
W
hat kid hasn’t dreamed of becoming a rockstar? The School of Rock, a music education and performance-based
school first launched in the late ’90s, makes this a reality. With over 400 schools worldwide and students of all ages, School of Rock Castro Valley is eager to join the lineup. School of Ro ck C a st ro
Valley’s franchise territory includes Castro Valley, Hayward, San Leandro and unincorporated communities in between. Husband and wife Jef and Gail Paderes’ journey in joining the franchise began in 2024, when Jef was finishing his MBA from Saint Mar y’s College. Jef ’s pas— More on page 8
Dancing through life and motherhood Local entrepreneur starts dancewear business. 10
Downtown improvement New businesses and art in the heart of Hayward. 22