made its way into Fresno County and
youth and hides the drug in plain
Fresno County Superintendent of
‰See Fresno County District Attorney

	CUSD
September 2022
	
	NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID FRESNO, CA
PERMIT NO. 220
			
	School District Ave.
611
		
	Clovis Unified S 1450 Herndon Clovis, CA 936
	
Clovis Unified School District — DEVELOPING STUDENTS IN MIND, BODY & SPIRIT	Volume 25, No. 2

FOLLOW US ON	AND AT	M

2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR Welcome Back!

Off to a great start
Warm welcomes, cheers and high-fives greeted the approximately 42,700 students on the first day of the 2022-23 school year across Clovis Unified campuses. Rallies, back-to-school nights and special events were part of many sites’ start to school. Pictured, clockwise from top left:Incoming stu-dent Alex Martirosyan gives flowers to Copper Hills Elementary first grade teacher Rebecca Jackson. Alta Sierra Intermediate student Garrett Aviles gives new students a tour of the campus. Clovis Unified Director of Pur-chasing Leeann Errotabere rings the original Jefferson Elementary School bell marking the oficial opening of the new year. Clark Intermediate stu-dent Clair Williamson hands out glazed donuts before school on the first day.Teacher Mike Knittle waves to students and the driver aboard a CUSD bus arriving to campus.

Photos by Kenny Gilman, P.J. Lippert, Rob Lambert/CUSD Today

Are you eligible for free child care?
nQualifying Ed Benefit Survey available

Families are urged to fill out the Educational Benefit Survey that determines income eligibility for students and families for additional supports. This may include no-cost before- and after-school enrichment care for elementary students through Clovis Unified’s new Expanded Learning Opportunities Pro-
gram (ELOP) or Af-ter School Educa-tion	&	Safety (ASES) program, which are similar to Campus Club.
Other benefits for those who qual-ify are discounted home internet, test fees waived for col-
lege-admission tests and discounted application fees. Additionally, even if you think you don’t qualify, taking
the survey can help your child’s school as survey data is used to make available federal and state funding for schools with students in need to enhance services.
This survey was previously required of students to qualify for no-cost meals, but with school breakfast and lunch meals now free for all students, some families may have chosen not to take the survey during CUSD’s Annual In-formation Update where it was offered.
To find out if your family qualifies and to help your school, please fill out the Educational Benefit Survey at cusd.com/EducationalBenefitSurvey.

Fentanyl dealers targeting youth with ‘candy’

n
Parents, students encouraged to
view or attend Town Hall, Sept. 15
“This dangerous drug is in our community and has robbed families of their children,” said Clovis Unified Superintendent Eimear O’Brien, Ed.D. “I want to per-
Hall and have a conversation in your home about the
To raise awareness among parents and students of a sonally encourage everyone to attend or view this Town dangerous fentanyl epidemic that has	dangers of fentanyl.”
people while trapping others in a cycle
North High Sept. 15.
in an alarming new trend that targets
cussed at the Town Hall at 6 p.m.
and an information fair will also be
on stat on CW59 and available for
has taken the lives of dozens of young                                                              disThe growing fentanyl crisis will be of addiction, local officials are joining                                                              Sept. 15 at Clovis North’s Lecture Hall, forces at a live Town Hall at Clovis                                                              held. The event will be broadcast live Fentanyl is being disguised as candy                                                              viewingionline afterward.Among those scheduled to speak are Fresno County
no County Sheriff-Elect John Zanoni;
sight of parents and adults. Throughout	District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp; Fres-the nation, law enforcement officers
fen anyl and resembling G mmy Bears or Skittles, Pez
Dr. John Zweifler.
are t encountering versions uof candy containing illicit Schools Jim Yovino; and Fresno County Public Health's tablets, or rainbow-colored powder.
The synthetic opioid can be up to 50 times more Learn more: potent than heroin, and just a few grains of it can prove
Lisa Smittcamp’s column, Page 5.
to be fatal. Fentanyl overdose is a leading cause of drug-related deaths in Fresno County.

TOP CHARACTER! Congratulations to 10 Clovis Unified elementary schools
that were recently recognized by the Fresno State Bonner Center for Character Education and Citizenship with the Virtues and Character Recognition Award.
They are: Boris, Cedarwood, Clovis, Cole, Fancher Creek, Freedom, Pinedale, Reagan,Weldon and Young elementary schools.

➤
CUSD Athletic
Page 2	CUSD Today	September 2022

Athletic Hall of Fame inductees named

n Sports-greats to share their stories at event

Learn about some of the greats who made their marks in Clovis Unified athletics and then went on to become Olympians, professional athletes and national champions.
Clovis Unified will induct its Sixth Class into the Athletic Hall of Fame in a showcase event planned for October. Inductees represent different decades in Clovis Unified sports and were de-
termined by a committee that received numerous nominations.
des:
Hall of Fame	cluThis year’s Hall of Fame Class in-■ 6 p.m. reception/             ■ Paige Bowie – Basketball & Softball,
7 p.m. ceremony	Clovis West High
■ Oct. 29                            ■ Tom Deel – Football, Softball & ■ Shaghoian Concert     Golf, Clovis West High and current
Hall on Clovis	coach at Buchanan High
North campus	■ Matt Giordano – Football, ■ Legendary ath-           Buchanan High
letes. Videos. On-	■ George Petersen – Football, stage interviews.         Wrestling & Track, Clovis West High
■ Admission is free.            ■ Keith Poole – Football, Clovis High ■ Jaime Ramirez – Soccer, Clovis
High
■ Torrey Schroeder – Softball & Volleyball, Buchanan High ■ 1974 Clovis High Football Team
■ 1997-2019 Clovis West Girls Swim Teams
■ Roger Oraze will be receiving the Doc Buchanan Award, pre-sented to a longtime supporter and friend to Clovis Unified athlet-ics.

Special to CUSD Today/Kenny Gilman Bears, Broncos in Cal-Hi Top 10

Congratulations to Buchanan	James Gambrell. “No longer are	(DII Valley), boys track (Valley), girls High (No. 2) and Clovis North High	league and section titles the only	track (Valley), and wrestling (Valley (No. 9) schools that both earned	goal, but we are also striving for	and State).
spots in the recently released Cal-     state and national championships.”          Clovis North High won Valley Hi Sports’ 2021-22 Top 10 Schools     The Bears have made the Cal-Hi     and/or State championships during of the Year list.                                     Top 10 list several times in the last     the 2021-22 school year in boys golf The prestigious rankings are based     decade, and they earned the top spot     (Valley), boys swimming (Valley), on the previous school year’s athletic     on the list in 2019 and 2020. “Our     girls swimming (Valley), and boys
championships and high school na-	success is reflective of a supportive	water polo (DI Valley).
tional and state rankings.                     governing board, great administra-          “This accomplishment provides The Clovis Unified schools are     tion, amazing student athletes, fan-     validation of the hard work our the only schools in the Central Valley     tastic directors of sports and first-     coaches and student-athletes exhibit represented in the list, and they are     class facilities.”                                     year in and year out,” said Clovis two of just four public schools (in          Buchanan High won Valley and/or     North Athletic Director Rob Streeter. addition to Newport Harbor and     State championships during the     “We are extremely blessed to have Campolindo) to make the Top 10.     2021-22 school year in girls cross     coaches throughout all programs “Buchanan is a flagship athletic     country (DI Valley and DI State),     who believe in our student-athletes program,” said Athletic Director     girls soccer (DI Valley), boys tennis     and are dedicated to their success.”

NO-COST MEALS BUT FAMILIES MAY STILL APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY BENEFITS
Clovis Unified Campus Catering offers healthy meals to all students at No-Cost for the 2022-2023 school year. California is the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for school children. California Universal Meals Program is designed to build on the foundations of the federal National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. In addition, Clovis Unified is operating the Community Eligibility Provision Program (CEP) for the 2022-2023 school year at the following schools: Boris, Clark, CCDS Elementary, CCDS Secondary, Clovis East, Clovis Elementary, Cole, Fancher Creek, Gateway, Gettysburg, Jefferson, Kastner, Lincoln, Mickey Cox, Miramonte, Moun-tain View, Nelson, Pinedale, Reyburn, SierraVista, Tarpey, Temperance-Kutner, Weldon.
Free and reduced cost meal applications may still be beneficial for families to complete at non-CEP schools, as those who qualify for the free or reduced meal program have additional benefit opportunities such as discount internet and advanced placement (AP) testing. The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price benefits. Household information provided on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by program oficials. To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, applications and more information can be found online at: cusd.com/nocost-meals.aspx. Applications may be submitted at any time during the 2022-2023 school year. For information, please contact the Campus Catering Ofice at 559-327-9140.
Clovis Unified Campus Catering Department is working with the State and Fresno County to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible such as CALFresh, CALWorks, or FDPIR. If a student receives benefits, an application is not needed.

September 2022	CUSD Today	Page 3

‰ Announcements

Parent Information Night scheduled for Sept. 13

How can you help your student at home? Need more information about Parent Connect? Does your student need tutoring help? Clovis Unified’s Transition Team, along with the Cur-riculum, Instruction and Accountability Team, will be hosting a Parent Information Night. Information and ideas about ways to help your child succeed will be shared during the evening presentation on Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Clovis Unified Professional Learning Center, 362 Clovis Ave., Clovis. Complimentary dinner will be available at 6 p.m. Free childcare is also available.
Learn more: CUSD Learning Director Lisa Vuola, 327-0666.
Sign up: Use this QR code to register.

CHS musical opens Sept. 30 Clovis High students will perform the

award-winning musical	“Tuck Everlasting” in the Mercedes Edwards Theatre later this month.	“Tuck Everlasting”	is based upon the children’s novel of the same name and is about a young girl’s en-counter with a

family who drink water from a magical spring that makes them immortal.Will she join them in drinking from the spring? Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 6, 7 and 8, with a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 1 at the MET, 902 Fifth St., Clovis. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: cusd.com/EventsTickets.aspx.

CEHS performs comedy starting Oct. 6

Laughter and mischief await those attending Clovis East High’s fall production of “The Play	That	Goes Wrong.” The smash-hit farce is a play with-in a play as it opens with opening night of Cornley University Drama Society’s pro-
duction “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” and things quickly turn disastrous. It’s a comedic whodunit as the thespians carry on to the final curtain. Performances are at 7:30 p.m.. Oct 6-8 and 13-15 at the Dan Pessano Theater in the Clovis Unified Performing Arts Center, 2770 E. International Ave., Fresno. Box office opens at 6:30 pm.; seating opens at 7 p.m.
Tickets: https: vancoevents.com/BJFY

Win a home, support CUSD! It’s not too late to support Clovis Unified

students while also having the chance to win a brand, new home in a drawing held Sept. 28. The Foundation for Clovis Schools, which awards grants and scholarships to Clovis Unified students, is one of 12 community nonprofits that will benefit from Granville Homes “Home of Hope” fundraiser.
Ticket sales for the drawing of the $500,000-plus Deauville East home located in the Buchanan Area are limited and are no longer available at participating nonprofit sites. There is, however, one more chance to get a ticket by calling in during the Granville Home of Hope Live Telethon on KSEE 24 on Sept. 14. Partic-ipants are encouraged to mention the Foun-dation for Clovis Schools in order for proceeds from the purchase to benefit Clovis Unified students.
Find out more: FoundationForClovisS-chools.com or 327-9095.
Call the telethon on Sept. 14: 559.440-8388

Immunizations, physicals available at SV Center

Clovis Unified’s Sierra Vista Children’s Health Center is open Mondays through Thurs-days for immunizations, well-child exams and sports physicals. The services are available to children up to 18 years of age and are free of charge to income-eligible families. Patients who have Medi-Cal are also eligible for these services as well as those who do not have health insurance coverage. Sports Physicals are $30, cash only. The center is located on the SierraVista Elementary School campus at 510

➤ BOARD BRIEFS

By Kelly Avants

Chief Communications Officer

Aug. 17
Congratulations to the following new ad-ministrators, whose appointments to current openings were announced by the Governing Board at the Aug. 17 meeting:
■ Amanda Torres, to the position of Principal of Red Bank Elementary.
■ Karen Boone, to the position ofAssistant Director, Curriculum, Instruction and Account-ability.
■ Sheryl Elliot, to the position of Assistant Director, Nursing Services.
■ Geoff Dean to the position of Coordinator, Visual and Performing Ars
In other action, the governing board:
■ Recognized members of the district’s Communications Department for state and national awards received from the California School Public Relations Association and the National School Public Relations Association for excellence in strategic communication ini-tiatives.
■ Held a public hearing for sunshine and consideration of the initial proposal of the District to the Association of Clovis Educators (ACE) Psychologists and Mental Health Support Providers regarding an initial collective bar-gaining agreement, and later adopted the initial proposal of the District to ACE Psychologists and Mental Health Support Providers that was the subject of the public hearing.
■ Approved the district’s membership in the California School Boards Association (CSBA) for the current year.
■ Voted against maintaining membership

Barstow Ave., Clovis.Appointments are required and may be scheduled by calling 327-7976.

Get the app!
Parents can keep informed on their mobile device about their
child’s school by downloading	the Clovis Unified app. Available in the Apple and Android stores, the app lets parents
select schools to follow and receive notifications about school news, lunch menus and more.

in the CSBA Legal Alliance for the current year.
■ Approved conference, student trip and fundraiser requests, change orders, the annual schedule for elementary school trips to Sierra Outdoor School, minutes for the July 13 meeting, and the voluntary community recreation pro-grams as submitted.
■ Approved the annual voting membership for the Community Advisory Committee.
■ Awarded supply bids for Campus Catering produce for the current school year.
■ Approved new courses of study proposals for use at CART in the 2022-23 school year, about which more information is available in the Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability office.
■ Approved a provisional internship permit to allow a teacher additional time to obtain specialized credentialing.
■ Authorized an exemption to the Separation of Service Requirements for the 2022-23 school year for one former employee.
■ Adopted Resolution No. 3883 establishing the annual tax rate for bonds.
■ Adopted Resolution No. 3882 authorizing inter-fund loans for cash flow purposes.
■ Approved the submission of an application to the California Energy Commission to par-ticipate in the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing and Efficiency Grant Program.
q
The next regularly scheduled meetings of the Governing Board are Sept. 7 and 21 with the public portion of the meetings beginning at 6:30 p.m in the CUSD Governing Boardroom, 1680 David E. Cook Way, Clovis Complete minutes, agendas and videos of meetings are available online at www.cusd.com.

or call (559) 327-9090

All proceeds will be used by the Foundation for Clovis Schools
to support scholarships and classroom grants that directly benefit CUSD students!

Page 4	CUSD Today	September 2022

I could tell
VISION

September 2022	CUSD Today	Page 5

Evidence it’ll be a great school year!

By Eimear O’Brien, Ed.D. Superintendent

THEschool year is underway, and our campuses are abuzz with excitement and energy that tells me it is going to be

a great school year! That’s a bold claim to make, especially when we have only been in school for a few weeks. Even so, I know it’s true.

Ed.D.
in the smiling	Eimear O’Brien, faces and en-
thusiasm demonstrated by members of the Clovis East High leadership class I saw on campus at 6:30 a.m. the first day of school. They all wore brightly colored shirts that loudly proclaimed “Hello!” and identified them as a friendly face ready to help make their peers feel comfortable. In under a half an hour I watched them transform the campus with signage, balloons and pom poms signaling their excitement for a new year. Shortly after they finished, more than 4,400 students arrived on the Reagan Educational Center campus and were met with visible reminders that every one of them is welcome and cared about.
I heard it in the laughter and chattering young voices underlying the peal of Jefferson Elementary’s original school bell, rung promptly at 8:15 a.m. on the first day of school to celebrate the start of another year. Before hundreds of students and parents, the bell rung out with sweet, clear notes that reminded all of us that the school year is an important part of the rhythm of our entire community. Jefferson Elementary is 138 years old, and for that long, the same bell has called students to learn and grow. Building Tomorrow Today is our theme this year, and Jefferson’s

bell ringing ceremony had a particular      team by one. The team came together     reassurances and tears, this young poignancy given its resonant re-      to help decorate the new classroom,     man was drawn into the classroom minder that the kids who attend our      so our kindergarten students had a     with compassion, humor and ten-schools are the future citizens of our      beautiful and welcoming classroom     derness by the kindergarten team. community.                                         on the first day of school. This ex-     Their friendly faces and soothing More evidence was found at      perience reminds me that our schools     confidence helped transition worry every school campus onto which I      are served by thoughtful and creative     and fear to eagerness and wonder in
stepped during the first week of	educators who are willing to go	the classroom.
school.                                                 above and beyond, and who look            I attended a gathering of our At one school, the principal      for every chance to do what’s right     Transportation team and heard that proudly described to me how her      for our students and to help one     once again, our bus drivers who amazing teachers had stepped up to      another.                                              transport over 700 students with solve a staffing puzzle. Several teachers           I even saw it on the kindergarten     disabilities went out to every home willingly offered to change their      “red carpet” at Bud Rank Elementary     and personally introduced themselves grade level assignments in a stairstep      in the teary face of a student who     to the family to make sure they knew shuffle to address the school’s needs      wasn’t quite ready to say good-bye     their child would be cared for during
for both a new kindergarten teacher	to his mom.After three or four tries	their journey to and from school. and a reduction of its fifth-grade	at farewell, each culminating in hugs,           On another occasion, I joined

LESSONS

Inspirations by, for and from our CUSD students

Special to CUSD Today/Kenny Gilman Students at Clovis High are greeted on the first day of school with cheering and celebration.

“A smile is the universal welcome.” MAX EASTMAN, AMERICAN WRITER

our Plant Operations team and heard about the lengths our custodial, maintenance and grounds staff went to in order to get our schools ready for the new school year. I am in awe of the 60 construction projects that occurred over the summer to con-tinue to keep our schools and grounds updated and safe to meet the needs of our students returning to school.
In Clovis Unified, we have a tra-dition that founding superintendent “Doc” Buchanan started 62 years ago, where the superintendent per-sonally interviews every single teacher, and this summer, I com-pleted almost 200 interviews that included nurses, school psychologists, counselors and more. I can personally attest to you, our community, that in Clovis Unified, we continue to hold our standards very high, and to bring on the best role models to place in our classrooms and schools. Doc used to say,“If you want to de-velop winners, you’ve got to surround our children with winners” and our students need more than ever to be supported by us all in navigating the complexities of their lives.
As I look around at our educa-tional team and reflect on the weight of the responsibility that I have as your superintendent, I am once again reminded that we have the most wonderful educational team working hard to provide your chil-dren with an exemplary education. Every employee in our district is positioned to make a positive impact on our students, and that’s why I always remind them that every em-ployee is an educator!
And you, our families, our Gov-erning Board, and our community are our partners.What an awesome opportunity for us to join together and take close to 43,000 students to great heights as we build their to-morrows today. Teamwork and Trust is one of our core values in Clovis Unified, and I am excited to lead us all TOGETHER through another great school year!

What parents need to know about fentanyl

By Lisa Smittcamp

Fresno County District Attorney

Fentanyl is the most addictive, lethal drug ever to be sold in our communities. The fentanyl epidemic is not only throughout our state and country, but also here in Fresno County.
Lisa
Smittcamp
Historically, fentanyl was a drug used only by medical professionals to provide pain relief to patients. When properly administered, it produces effects such as relaxation, drowsiness, and respiratory depression.When used in uncontrolled amounts via counterfeit pills or powder,
it will slow respiration, reduce blood pressure, cause fainting and seizures, and can stop the heart and respiratory system entirely.
Non-prescription fentanyl, which is being put into coun-terfeit pills and powder form, is being sold to the public and killing thousands of Americans each year. In 2020, the CDC reported that 24,576 people died in the U.S. from fentanyl-related overdoses. In 2021, that number jumped to 71,238. In 2022, we expect death tolls from overdoses to precipitously increase. Law enforcement is seizing MILLIONS of counterfeit pills coming over the border containing enough fentanyl to kill hundreds of thousands of people.
Fresno County has led the way on educating our com-munity on the realities of this dangerous and potentially fatal poison through PSA’s, billboards and social media posts. In addition, through our collaboration with the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and our local media partners, we’ve been addressing this crucial topic on many platforms, from ABC30 producing the documentary, KILLER HIGH: The Silent Crisis, to FOX26 hosting live Town Halls, and Univision reaching the Spanish-speaking community.

‰FENTANYL TOWN HALL n 6 p.m., Sept. 15

n Clovis North Lecture Hall n Broadcast Live: CW59
n Watch: cusd.com

n Speakers include: Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno County Sheriff-Elect John Zanoni and Fresno County Public Health Dr. John Zweifler

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Fresno Office with the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team (FORT) leads the way to bring education/awareness. It is the only task force in the area that investigates, arrests, and prosecutes the people who are selling this poison. FORT consists of members of the Fresno Police Department, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, United States Attorney’s Office, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Here are six things every parent should know about the dangers of fentanyl and how to prevent fentanyl use:
1. Monitor Social Media Platforms
Most of the fentanyl pills and powder are being sold on social media platforms. Common apps such as Snapchat, What’s App, Twitch, Instagram, Telegram, etc. should be actively monitored for any signs of dealers reaching out to your child. Different lingo is used to solicit buyers with phrases such as “M30, percs, blues, tango and cash, and xannie bars.”
2. Be Aware of Their Social Circles
Know who your children are associating with outside of

— ABOUT US —

the home. Look for changes in friend groups or certain be-haviors. People who are under the influence of fentanyl do not have objective signs of intoxication that are common with other substances.
3. Signs and Symptoms
Look for signs such as drowsiness, sedation, confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, pin-point pupils, change in sleeping patterns, lack of good hygiene, unkept bedrooms, and falling grades. Often, young adults are found deceased from fentanyl poisoning while they are laying in their beds, where their family members believed, they were just listening to music, playing video games or sleeping.

4. Influence of Vaping and Marijuana Use
Based on F.O.R.T. investigations and interviews, vaping and marijuana use cause anxiety based on the higher THC levels found in marijuana today. This increased anxiety leads the user to seek out drugs such as Xanax. Sadly, the “Xanax” they receive is a fake one laced with fentanyl.
5. Naloxone aka “Narcan”
This medication is used to reverse an opioid/fentanyl overdose, and if administered timely, can prevent a death. We encourage all parents to keep Narcan on hand, not only for their own children, but also for others who may be users and visiting your residence.
6. Cash Apps
Users purchase drugs using cash apps such as Venmo and Zelle. The average price for a counterfeit pill is $20. Parents should monitor all cash apps and should be aware that dealers will often deliver the pill(s), which are easily concealed, directly to the user’s home and simply drop it off in a location where it is undetected and easily accessible to the user.
We implore you to take this information seriously, share it with other parents, and warn our youth about the deadly effects of fentanyl.

CUSD Today, Clovis Unified’s good news publi-cation, is sent directly to the homes of all CUSD parents and staff, as well as district supporters. In an effort to unify the CUSD community, the newspaper highlights the achievements of Clovis Unified students and staff; profiles new and updated Governing Board policies; and shares general news and information happening within the district.
Circulation: 34,000.
Funding: All costs associated with producing, printing and mailing CUSD Todayare entirely funded by our advertisers. To show your appreciation of their support, we ask you to consider patronizing these businesses and services as the need arises.
Story submissions: Please submit all ideas to the Site Coordinator at your school. Please contact your school to find out who your Site Coordinator is. Editorial deadlines are two weeks before the pub-lication date.We do our best to include as many sub-missions in each issue as our editorial space will al-low.

CUSD Today Staff

Publishing & Editorial Clovis Unified School District 1450 Herndon Avenue Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone (559) 327-9094 cusdtoday@cusd.com

Kelly Avants, APR Chief Communications Officer
327-9092

Patti J. Lippert Managing Editor 327-9094

Verna Garcia Graphic Designer 224-9711

CUSD Governing Board Members

Y
Tiffany Stoker Madsen	David DeFrank	olanda Moore President                                           Vice President                                        Clerk
392-1014	327-9000	437-6580

Hugh H.Awtrey	Steven G. Fogg	Betsy Sandoval 437-6580                                                269-7000                                         291-7564

CUSD Administration

Eimear O’Brien, Ed.D.	Norm Anderson Superintendent                                                    Deputy Superintendent
327-9100	327-9107

Robyn Castillo, Ed.D. Corrine Folmer, Ed.D.	Barry Jager	Michael Johnston Associate Superintendent	Associate Superintendent       Associate Superintendent Associate Superintendent
Instructional Services	School Leadership	Human Resources and	Administrative Services 327-9373                             327-9350                     Employee Relations                   327-9110
327-9308

school year
some	new
Page 6	CUSD Today	September 2022

Students enjoy Summer CTE Academy learning

n New staff join several schools for 2022-23 year

By Karen M. Boone
Assistant Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability

CTE Summer Academy
Clovis Unified’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs don’t stop for summer break. This year, the Summer CTE Academy offered five free three-week programs throughout the district. During June and July, more than 150 sixth- through ninth- grade students made their first steps on their CTE journey, and many are looking forward to joining these pathways when they enter high school. Summer experiences included:
■ “Carpentry at Clovis High:” Students learned safe and efficient use of the wood-working procedures used by professional fur-niture and cabinet makers, as well as life skills for maintaining equipment at home
■“Building Information Modeling (BIM) at Clovis High:” Students became familiar with architectural drafting, design, and mod-eling utilizing industry software and tech-nologies such as BIM to visualize projects.
■ “A look into Health Careers at Clovis North:”Students learned about human mus-culoskeletal anatomy, athletic taping tech-niques, first aid, vitals, and became CPR/AED certified.
■ “Get your Motors Running through Automotive, Graphic Design and Children’s

Art at Clovis West:” Students learned about children’s art and basic automotive skills.
■ “The Art of Storytelling at Clovis North:” Students learned the basics of story writing and storytelling. Through the perspective of Ancient Mythology, students created and published their own mythological story.

Secondary level news
Twenty-six of the district’s CTE Education Pathway high school students were employed over the summer in Clovis Unified summer school, Campus Club and ELOP programs to gain insights in real work experiences. Most worked from June 16 through the end of July, supporting district programs, learning more about workplace options in the Edu-cation field, and also earning more than

m i n i m u m wage.
When stu-dents returned to campus for the 2022-23
last month,
they were wel-
comed	by
Career Technical Education (CTE) courses are offered at all of CUSD’s high schools and are designed to let students personalize their education to their interests. Students combine academic studies with hands-on learning applications
and mentoring by industry partners.
CTE teachers.
■ Michelle Reed is making the move from Kastner Intermediate to Buchanan High to lead the Engineering Pathway. Denise Jameson comes from outside the district to serve as the teacher in the Envi-ronmental Sustainability Pathway.

■ At Clovis East High, Martha Marin joined the Plant and Soil Science Pathway. ■ Clovis North High chemistry teacher Geoffrey Quiring will be moving over to the CTE department at Clovis North as the teacher for the Software and Systems De-
velopment.
■ Darren Grubel, former district digital communications coordinator, made the switch to the classroom at Clovis West High where he is teaching their Business Man-agement courses.

One out of 4 high school students in CTE

Currently, 3,884 of Clovis Unified’s 13,522 high school students, or just over 28%, are taking one or more CTE courses.

Clovis Unified offers programs and services for children with special needs

Special Education
The Clovis Unified School District offers a variety of special education services and programs to serve children with communicative, physical, learning, emotional and other special needs. These services and programs are available to all qualified children in public schools and, to a limited degree, children in private schools.
Special education services are provided only to children who have been found eligible through a process of testing and other assessments and when it is determined that their needs cannot be met using the resources of the general ed-ucation program. Parents, teachers, or other concerned in-dividuals can refer a child for assessment and determination of eligibility.
To learn more about special education services and the special education referral process, contact Clovis Unified School District Special Education Department at 327-9400.

Advisory committee meetings
Clovis Unified holds regular meetings throughout the year of its Special Education Community Advisory Com-mittee (CAC) that are open to the public. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Special Education Local Plan Area. Its goal is to raise community awareness about the needs of students and their families regarding Special Education programs and to provide information, workshops and resources to families to help ensure that quality programs educate the student with exceptional needs in mind, body and spirit.
CAC meetings are held from noon to 1 p.m. at the CUSD Professional Development Building, 1680 David E. Cook Way, Clovis, and a complimentary lunch is provided. Upcoming are:
■ Sept. 28– Topic:“Overview of CUSD Special Education Programs”

■ Oct. 26 –. Topic:“District and Community Resources” For more information or to secure an interpreter for a meeting, call 327-8455 or email familyresourcecenter @cusd.com. Information and can also be found on cusd.com.
Family Resource Center workshops

Clovis Unified Special Education Family Resource Center offers free online and in-person events that feature presentations, discussion and resource information. Upcoming are:
■ Oct. 6 – “Special Education Parent Night,” in-person. Join us from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the CUSD Professional De-velopment Building, 1680 David E. Cook Way, Clovis. Register: https://tinyurl.com/FRCparentnight2022.
■ Oct. 11 – “Positive Parenting – Parents of Preschoolers,” online. Presented by CUSD Child Development and Family Resource Center 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Zoom link will be provided after registration. Register: https://tinyurl. com/CUSD101122.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

September 2022

Finalists in Patriot Day contests Several Clovis Unified students

are finalists in Fresno County Su-perintendent of Schools “One Voice: Spirit of 9/12” contests for art, po-etry and logo design, and they could win a trip to New York.
Winners will be announced fol-lowing a Candlelight Vigil at the California 9/11 Memorial Sept. 10
in Clovis, and two grand prize winners will receive a trip to visit the National 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
The contest encouraged entrants to capture how – after the tragic day of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists bombed several locations in the United States – first responders heroically worked and communities came together to support those impacted by the tragedy.
CUSD finalists are:
■ Art – Junior High: Alta Sierra Intermediate students Camila Barajas, Serenity Harguess, Ryan Leslie, McKelle O’Brien, Kaedyn Powell.
■ Art – High School: Clovis East High student Julian Gimbel and Clovis High student Valerie Pham.
■ oetry – Junior High:Alta Sierra students Madi Amber, Camila Barajas, Sarah Ernster, Clara Hoff, Kaylee Kirk, Ethan Molina, Molly Narez, Joshua O’Brien, Tyler Thao, Jennureah Xiong.
■ Logo: Alta Sierra students Kaylyn Burger, Sarah Gip, Daphne Shengel, Camry Thompson, Josiah Ulep; and Clovis West High student Annalyse Oh.
The One Voice: Spirit of 9/12 Candlelight Vigil is at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the memorial, 3500 Pelco Way, Clovis; winners will be announced at 8 p.m.

Bears win Emmys!
Buchanan High video students won 10 Emmy Awards from the Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science for work done in the previous school year. Four of those, which earned the prestigious “Pillars of Excellence” award in the chapter’s National Student Production Awards, will be advanced to the national competition in the fall between all 19 chapters of NATAS.
The Emmy-award winning Buchanan projects and student winners are:
Pillars of Excellence
■ Newscast: BNN 2021 (Buchanan News Network), Lucille Malcolm, Gabriel Munro, Rylee Gonzales, Kelton Oliver, Ellianna Sandoval, Daniel Hall, Parker Wyatt, Alejandro Piedra Granados, Makayla Wyckoff, Phoenix Sadler, Ray Williams
■ Music Video:“Do You Love Me?” Parker Wyatt, Ciabel Querol, Makayla Wyckoff
■ Commercial: “Amanda Rogers Photography,” Rylee Gonzales, Gabriel Munro
■ Photographer:“Boboland,” Braden Estes, Levi Hull

CUSD Today

Certificate of Merit
■ Video Essay: “Building a Community: The Story of Fresno Ideaworks,” Parker Wyatt
■ Music Video: “Come a Little Closer,” Rylee Gonzales, Daniel Hall, Gabriel Munro
■ Audio/Sound:“Alone,” Gabriel Munro
■ Audio/Sound: “To Be or Not To Be,” Taylor Brunzell ■ Editor: “Alone,” Gabriel Munro
■ Photographer: “ICU – A COVID-19 Documentary,” Braden Estes, Levi Hull
Buchanan teacher Daniel Pearce is the advisor for these projects.

‘Pete’greets Weldon Warriors
Students at Weldon Elementary had a sur-prise visitor on cam-pus making the first day back to school even more fun. Parent Teacher Club (PTC) President Leslie Collins donned beloved chil-dren’s book character “Pete the Cat” and greeted kids and staff on campus. Excited students gave Pete high-fives on their way
to class, adding energy and calming nerves of any first-day jitters.
“He even popped in and made a special visit to our pre-school,” said Weldon librarian Lisa Palomares.

Page 7

Clark students win Top Film award

Clark Intermediate students received Best Film in the junior division category at the Picture the Valley Film Festival for work done in the previous school year. Jackson Wadley, Silas Roberts, Farrah Ibrahim and Carson Feeser won with their film,“Cyber-Bullying.” Each student won a medal, a trophy and an action camera. They also were filmed and scheduled to be on KMPH
Great Day.

Anna Richard Scholarship awarded

Clovis North High new graduate Sophia Linder received the Anna Richards Scholarship, pictured here with Anna’s mother, Eleanor Richards. Sophia was a member of the Na-tional Honor Society and plans to become a teacher. She at-tended CSUF Teach-ing Academy,CTE class, worked at Fug-man Elementary in the kindergarten class and has more than 614 volunteer hours helping families through the Marjaree Mason Center and the KNOW MORE program.

Editor’s note: “Around the District” is a regular feature of CUSD Today that highlights positive activities and accomplishments of students and schools throughout the district. Items for consideration may be sent to cusdtoday@cusd.com.

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September 2022	CUSD Today	Page 9

➤ Employee Briefs

District board honors retirees

Congratulations to the 136 men and women who retired from Clovis Unified School District and were celebrated by the CUSD Governing Board in June. We are forever grateful for their care and dedication to our students.
This amazing group made up of teachers, administrators, bus drivers, nurses, librarians, custodians and more, collectively provided close to 3,200 years of service!
Joe Lenigan (Visual and Performing Arts) topped the list, having worked for Clovis Unified for 39 years.
Thank you to each of our retirees — You made a positive difference and played a key part in the district’s mission to educate all children in mind, body and spirit!
The full list below includes retiree’s name and number of years with the district:
Erin Adams, 6; Susan Allen, 38; Tom Andersen, 4; Julie An-drews, 31; James Antonelli, 17; Katherine Araim, 26; Joanie Ashford, 38; Faith Avina, 36; Lucy Babb, 20; Teresa Barber, 36; Lorlyn Bartel, 19; Maryann Beshears, 16; Doreen Bicksler, 26; Lisa Bizer Hansen, 19; Kerin Blasingame, 25; Laura Bradbrook, 31; Stacy Brodish, 29; Pat Brown, 28; Cheryl Brumbaugh, 28; Maverick Bruno, 22; Gracie Brunt, 31; Karen Butler, 37; Sherry Call Richards, 37; Jay Center, 30; Ron Cox, 29;
Carole Deniz Warnert, 26; John Devere, 28; Mara Dougherty, 25; Will Dunn, 22; Jeannette Erickson, 20; Brenda Evers, 31; Deserae Faith, 29; Cecilia Flores, 29; Diane Foster, 18; Robert Fox, 35; Cindy Frazier, 2; Debbie Freeman, 21; Alison Gaede, 28; Gale Galle Carroll, 20; Irma Garcia, 27; Lori Garcia, 32; Tara Garrigus, 35; Barbara Genuser, 16; Amy Gomez, 19; Yolanda Gomez, 26; Margarita Gonzalez, 30; Ralph Guzman, 25;

Rob Lambert/CUSD Today

Sandra Haikasian, 13; Lisa Halverstadt, 19; Carlla Hamilton, 20; Glenda Haux, 35; Deborah Hawk, 24; Susanne Heidt, 2; Brenda Helsel, 26; Denise Herman, 24; Lupe Hernandez Serpa, 34; Beth Hicks, 16; Karen Hill, 26; Monty Hill, 8; Brian Hirayama, 30; Terry Horak, 15; Jonathan Howerton, 33; Cynthia Huerta, 34; Iliana John Marrone, 31; Martin Johnson, 37; Norma Kawano, 20; Ralph Keeler, 18; Michael Khus Zarate, 31; Greg Knod, 20; Dale Kruser, 31; Lori Kuipers, 30;
Joe Lenigan, 39; Georgi Leonardo, 26; Maria Lorenti, 16; Corbett Loving, 32; Penney Lowder, 33; Rob Lowder, 32; Donna Lozano, 33; Darrell Mapson, 10; Stephen Martin, 35; Philicia Martin, 24; Kurt Martin, 21; Gayle Matsubara, 24; Joan Matsunaga, 25; Peggy McAllister, 31; John McGough, 15; Debbi McGuire, 13; Dawn McNair, 28; Henry Mendoza, 22; Linda Mesrobian, 38; Tina Mitchinson, 4; Phyllis Mohler, 29; Pam Nabors, 26; Laura Navarro, 16; Diane Netz, 23; Lorrie Palacios, 17; Enedina Perkins, 23; Timothy Pettengill, 38; Felix Pinedo, 17; Kim Podesta, 2; Marc Pogosyan, 28; Janice Purcell, 34; Megan Ratliff, 25; Linda Reese, 27; Gwen Ross, 15; Larry Ruiz, 16; Cynthia Sagmaquen, 8; Sandy Sanchez, 32; Lita Sanders, 27; Marisela Sarabia, 30; Clorinda Savedra, 28;Aaron Shoemate, 29; Cyndee Smith, 17; Doug Soderstrom, 22; Robert Starr, 3; Tereasa StCloud, 3; Randi Steele, 32; Melanie Stumpf,
28; Tanya Sumner, 5;
Lynn Tablada, 15; Sandy Tenney, 10; Rebecca Tillery, 16; Diane Townsend, 24; Grazia Tragitt, 19; Peter Tragitt, 29; Alben Vang, 22; Sherra Vongehr, 19; Thomas Warders, 33; Nancy Watson, 35; Diana Weakley, 13; Teri White, 15; Leslie Wiens, 13; Karen Wood, 15; Kristen Wright, 10; Tammie Wyrick, 20; Rodger Yarbrough, 32.
For additional photos: https://clovisunified.zenfolio.com/re-tirees2022

National honor for CE ag teacher
Clovis East High ag teacher Aireal Covey is one of 51 teachers in the nation to receive the 2022 HonoraryAmerican FFA Degree. The award recognizes those who have created high-quaity agricultural education programs that inspire and motivate students. The national award is determined from nominations made by state FFA associations.

Page 10	CUSD Today	September 2022

Christopher Transitional Kindegarten,
Woods

Matias, 3rd grade, Boris and teacher Linda Garcia

Jilian, Transitional Kindergarten, Cedarwood

Eli
3rd grade, Cole

Emory
1st grade, Freedom

Aliyah
3rd grade,Young

Finnly
1st grade, Riverview

Marley, 8th grade, Granite Ridge Madisyn, 6th grade, Milana, 3rd grade, Bud Rank

Cooper, 2nd grade, Mickey Cox, with teacher Tiffany Villard

Sydney, 7th grade, Kastner Sasha, 3rd grade, Lincoln

Geanna Kindergarten, Gettysburg

Jacob, 10th grade Clovis North

Emma, 2nd grade, Dylan, 3rd grade Copper Hills

Grant Kindergarten Bud Rank

Justin, 7th grade, Clark Sarah, 12th grade Clovis High

Madison, 4th grade Lincoln, 2nd grade, Red Bank

Carson, 4th grade, Freedom Kenny, 7th grade, Reyburn

Zoey, 3rd grade Aubrey, Kindergarten Fancher Creek

Becca 7th grade Kastner

Thank you to everyone who responded to our request for photos! We love seeing our students’ smiles. It’s going to be a great year!