PAID FRESNO, CA U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 398 PERMIT NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT May 2018 Clovis Unified School District — WHERE CHARACTER COUNTS! Volume 20, No. 10 follow us on TM and at CUSD.COM LCAP will open for comment Days CUSD Today Clovis Unified parents should watch their email inbox for the next edition of 2 Minutes Today, the video 2 MINUTESToday blog Trending topics in education for students, parents and community. comple- ment of CUSD Today, which this month looks at how the district is using state dollars to make a difference in our local schools. Education is all about partnerships – students partner with their teachers, the community partners with our schools – all in an effort to maximize achievement for ALL students. Nowhere is this partnership more obvi- Ag students in Clovis East’s Plant Production and Management ous than in the development of the district’s course taught by Steve Gambril, above, often hold class outside. The Local Control and Accountability Plan students learn all aspects of plant production including planting, (LCAP), a collaborative effort between par- maintaining and selling their produce. In the fall, Clovis Unified’s ents, students and employees to target Campus Catering bought the students’ broccoli and used it in meals spending in areas most effective at boosting sold at the high schools. Recently several varieties of their lettuce were student success. used for Old Town Clovis’ Farm to Table Dinner that showcased lo- Over the last four months, each school cally grown foods. The current crops of romaine, escarole, fennel and site has engaged in conversations with the three types of kale were planted in January, and soon will be cleared community about what helps students suc- for planting summer produce that will include sweet corn, water- ceed. This feedback melon and squash. At the end of a season, with all costs paid off, the ➤ Comments: was discussed at students share in the remaining profits. “The kids work very hard To review or length by the more and learn a lot,” Gambril said. “They are budding entrepreneurs.” comment on the than 300 members Above right, junior Goashing Vang trims Romanesco and romaine proposed LCAP. of the district’s lettuce. Below, the class shows off their recent harvest. www.cusd.com LCAP Advisory Committee at meet- Photo special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb. ings in January and April. This year’s proposed LCAP looked at the needs of the entire student body, es- pecially focusing on English Learners, Foster Youth and homeless student populations. The LCAP is required from the California Department of Education to explain how Local Control Funding Formula resources will be spent. It also provides an opportunity for families to be directly involved in the development of Clovis Unified’s budget. Clovis Unified is in the final phases of this year’s LCAP update, and members of the community are invited to participate in a public comment period throughout the month of May. A copy of the draft LCAP is available online at www.cusd.com. In total, 1,983 community member com- ments helped shape this year’s proposed LCAP, which includes over 40 actions and services, organized around Clovis Unified’s three strategic aims as determined by the Governing Board. Those are: ■ Maximizing achievement for ALL stu- dents. ➤ Please see LCAP, Page 8 District works with Bus driver Class of 2018 agency to reduce appreciation graduation dates new type of mosquito Clovis Unified will celebrate the successful com- pletion of school for several thousand students at CUSD Today upcoming ceremonies throughout the Clovis Unified has partnered with the Consolidated district. Congratulations graduates. Mosquito Abatement District in an effort to reduce a We are so proud of you! community-wide mosquito population of an aggressive May 30 – Clovis High, 7:30 p.m., breed that is relatively new to the area. Called the Lamonica Stadium May 31 – Clovis East High, Aedes aegypti, the mosquito was first detected 7:30 p.m., Lamonica Stadium in the Clovis/Fresno area in 2013 and June 2 -- Clovis Adult Edu- has now spread throughout every res- cation, 11 a.m., Mercedes Ed- idential community in the region. wards Theatre This mosquito differs from the native June 2 – Clovis Online mosquito in that it will bite people throughout the day School, 1:30 p.m., Mercedes Ed- and does not need large standing pools of water to wards Theatre breed. The mosquito mostly bites people from the June 4 – Alternative Educa- knees down, staying low to the ground. tion, 7 p.m., Mercedes Edwards One strategy to reduce the population involves the Theatre release of male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry a June 5 – Clovis North High, naturally-occurring bacterium that, when mated with Photo special to CUSD Today. Clovis Unified’s Michael Thalee shows his daughter Ariel some 7:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Sta- a female, prevents the female’s eggs from hatching and dium producing offspring. of the features of the school bus he drives during a celebration of School Bus Drivers Day in April. Many drivers brought fam- June 6 – Clovis West High, 7:30 Release of the male sterile mosquitoes began in p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium ilies with them for a ride along on their routes, and all then April in the areas of Harlan Ranch, Loma Vista and June 7 – Buchanan High, met at the district’s Transportation Yard where they were Fancher Creek neighborhoods. Clearly labeled “Debug 7:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial treated to a breakfast served by administrators and members Stadium ➤ Please see Mosquito, Page 10 of the Governing Board. DISTRICTWIDE SPORTS VISION Summer school programs offered Athletic Hall of Fame ‘Be the Difference’ ... Are We? Signup now for academic programs and summer inductees named I encourage you to reflect on this question as it INSIDE: fun activities that are being offered in Clovis Seven people and two teams will relates to your own family’s experience and I hope Unified this year. Page 6 be honored in the fall. Page 7 that you will share your answers with me. Page 5 Page 2 CUSD Today May 2018 May 2018 CUSD Today Page 3 Nothing says grandparents like freshly baked cinnamon rolls CUSD Today Dry Creek Elementary smelled like a Cinnabon shop recently as more than 1,000 freshly baked cinnamon rolls greeted students and their grandparents at the school’s Grandparent’s Day Breakfast. The free event where chil- dren shared time and a treat with their grandparents was a way for the school to thank these special members of the family for all that they do, said Principal Aaron Cook. “Today, Photo special to CUSD Today. we see more Photo special to CUSD Today. Latino artist Gonzalo Plascencia discusses the meaning behind his murals of Mexican/Chi- and more Freshly baked cinnamon rolls filled the tables at Dry Creek El- cano history. grandpar- ementary for the Grandparent’s Day Breakfast. Above, Dan - ents after ielle Brown, right, enjoys a moment with her grandmother Latino Student Success Conference school pick- Bonnie Brown. ing up their Our grandparents are active Dry Creek parent and promotes culture, pursuit of dreams grandchil- supporters, cheerleaders and Barb’s Cakery owner Debbie dren from donors in assisting us to go Pallotta worked through the CUSD Today school, watching them com- above and beyond for our night baking the rolls, with pete in sports or other co- students. Grandparent’s Day a group of Dry Creek teach- The Fifth Annual Clovis Unified Latino curricular activities, and we Breakfast is a thank you to ers, cheerleaders, student Student Success Conference in April was hear how they help complete them for everything they a big success, with more than 700 students after school homework, too. do,” Cook said. ➤ Please see Rolls, Page 10 packed in the Performing Arts Center and multiple gyms at Clovis North Edu- cational Center. The day featured speakers, a college and career fair, entertainment and workshops. Upon arrival, students were greeted in the foyer to the sounds of the Clovis High Marimba Band, which set the stage for the day. In the theater, students were amazed by violinist Patrick Contreras Photo special to CUSD Today. with his Latin rock and upbeat style. He More than 700 students from throughout dazzled students and staff, even jumping the district participated in the Latino Stu- atop the narrow concrete half-wall in the dent Success Conference. audience arena, all the while continuing to play his violin. by Plascencia for their schools. The keynote speaker was Clovis High “The conference committee thought alum and ABC Channel 30 reporter Aman- it would be a good idea to contribute da Venegas, who spoke about overcoming these gifts to high schools to assist schools barriers and keeping one’s hope alive. in promoting a culturally relevant educa- The planning committee wanted to show- tional environment for all students,” said case a Clovis Unified graduate “to display CUSD Coordinator of Community Rela- to students they too can be a star”, said tions Saul Salinas. Richard Delgado, Conference Chairman. The second and third rotations involved The conference had a three-session ro- students meeting community mentors tation for students, which were about 45 where over 100 local business, health and minutes long. The first rotation was a community partners shared their expertise cultural workshop with national Latino with students. Local colleges and agencies artist Gonzalo Plascencia who shared his were also available to motivate and provide many paintings. His work was well received valuable information to students. and every student received a poster that The event ended with CUSD student they could have signed by the artist.