Ed.D.
Other-people mindset spurs generosity in our students and our community

By Corrine Folmer, Ed.D. Superintendent

DURING this time of year, there are abundant opportu-nities to do good for others in our community. It is

our students’ in-volvement	in these opportuni-ties that develops the human spirit and models the value of thinking of others first.
Coretta Scott
King said, “The Corrine Folmer,
greatness of a
community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,” and her words ring true of our Clovis Uni-fied community. Our students and staff model compassion and care for our community during a season filled with gratitude.
From the massive collection of coats every winter to record-setting canned food drives, giving in many different forms to our community is in action across the district.
Within these efforts, our stu-dents are learning the valuable life lesson of taking care of others. We believe these lessons are as equally valuable as the academic ones, be-cause the future of our community depends on both the knowledge and character developed in our students.
To that end, we work inten-tionally on our campuses to de-velop qualities that create a well-rounded person whose intellect is paired with a healthy body and a

strong character. This sentiment	One example of how some of	- people mindset.” This mindset is our district’s mission: “To be a      our team is striving to build com-	is characterized by five qualities: quality educational system pro-      munity and model our mission is           n Supporting others when they viding the resources for ALL stu-      the Positivity Project. This sup-	struggle
dents to reach their potential in	plemental curriculum is used to	n Identifying and appreciating mind, body and spirit.”	teach our students about an “other      the good in others

LESSONS

Inspirations by, for and from our CUSD students

Photo by Kenny Gilman/Special to CUSD Today PERFECT NOTE: In a rare performance, all Clovis Unified’s 10 high school and intermediate school marching bands played the National Anthem together at Veterans Memorial Stadium for CUSD Band Day. The nearly 1,000 musicians then took turns on the field doing their individual shows and cheering for one another.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,

”
flight to the imagination and life to everything. PLATO, ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHER

n Knowing that words and ac-tions affect others
n Cheering others’ successes
n Giving others our attention These qualities are the basis of great discussion at school and home. At the same time, the com-munity service projects on our campuses year-round are a way that we can create opportunities for students to live out what “sup-porting others when they struggle” or “giving others our attention”
can look like in action.
Another reminder of commu-nity and caring for others is carried out through the slogans and mottos developed by our schools. Slogans such as “Cougar Country,” “Stay Golden,” “Bear Nation,” “Wolfpack Means Family,” “The Code of the North,” “Be the Change” and “Be-lieve, Achieve, Succeed” remind our students that they belong to something larger than themselves. In our work with other munic-ipalities we often say, “Great com-munities build great schools, and great schools build great commu-
nities.”
I am humbled by the generosity of our students and staff and the care they take of each other and the greater community. And I am equally humbled by how generous the community is to our Clovis Unified family, donating clothing, toys, food, full Thanksgiving meals and much more to our students and families.
Recognizing our interconnec-tivity and responsibility toward each other is what makes us the unique and very special place that we are, and in this season of grat-itude I am most grateful for that!