PAID FRESNO, CA U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 398 PERMIT NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT

December 2018

Clovis Unified School District — WHERE CHARACTER COUNTS! Volume 21, No. 5

follow us on TM and at CUSD.COM

Principal Sounds of CUSD named for new school

CUSD Today

A principal has been named for the new elementary school that will open August 2020 at the northeast corner of Shields and Locan avenues. Kacey Gibson, current principal of nearby Reagan El- ementary, will be- gin her official role in July 2019. In the upcoming months, she will, however be a part of recom- mending a name, mascot and colors Kacey Gibson for the new school with the help of the community. She will also add input as the facility is constructed, providing insights on what will work best for her future teachers and students. All 10 Clovis Unified intermediate and “I’m looking forward to building a new high school marching bands came school culture with the Clovis East Area together at CUSD Band Night in No- community,” said Gibson, who has worked vember. They collectively took to the all of her 14 years with the district in the field and played the National Anthem Clovis East Area, at Temperance-Kutner, to open the event. Each the Reagan Educational Center and Reagan Elementary. band then took turns District “Change is hard and I will be with the with dazzling perform- receives parents and students every step of the way ances at Veterans Me- ‘Best Music to make sure this transition is as seamless morial Stadium to the Education’ as possible. My heart is in the Clovis East delight of parents and award Area and we will be working together to music enthusiasts. make this the eighth elementary school in Music education is an our area to build future Timberwolves for integral part of Clovis the Reagan Educational Center.” Unified, with all students The new school is needed to keep pace at some point in their with rapidly growing residential develop- educational career tak- See Page 3 ment in the area. It will be constructed on ing part in music cur- 25 acres and be modeled after Boris Elemen - riculum. CUSD recently received the tary, the district’s most recent state-of-the- art facility that opened in 2016, using a Best Communities for Music Education slightly modified design plan from Boris. Award. For more about this prestigious It will have three wings with 28 classrooms, award and a Q&A with Clovis Unified’s an administration building, a multi-purpose Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator room, amphitheater and playfields. Daniel Bishop, see Page 3. Similar to Boris, it will feature an energy- efficient design, drought tolerant landscaping Photos special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb ➤ Please see Principal, Page 3 CUSD inclusionary preschool FOUNDATION wins 2018 Golden Bell Award FUNDS

CUSD Today a model of continuous learning, researching and doing what is best for our kids,” said Child Devel- 25 Clovis Unified School District’s Preschool In- opment Director Janet Samuelian. “The Preschool clusion Program received the state’s leading edu- Inclusion Framework was developed by passionate cational honor, the Golden Bell Award, Nov. 29 educators to ensure that our programs will in San Francisco. It was one of 51 public remain in the future, expand and grow school recipients – recognized with the so that ALL students will benefit from honor at the California School Boards a strong foundation for their edu- Association (CSBA) conference – cation. We are committed to give for innovation, sustainability and every child, whatever their back- best practices that facilitate positive ground or needs, the best edu- student outcomes. cation and the best possible op- CUSD’s Preschool Inclusion portunities for success.” Program blends the needs of stu- The Golden Bell Award is de- The Foundation for dents in both general education cided by a 17-member judging Clovis Schools and special education through a col- panel made up of experts from awarded 25 grants laborative effort. The program is staffed school districts and county offices to fund health and with special education teachers, general of education throughout California. wellness programs education teachers and instructional assistants. The panel reviewed written entries and in the district. For In addition, there are speech and language pathol- made the initial recommendations for the awards. the complete list ogists, school nurses and school psychologists as- On-site validators then assessed the programs in of grant recipients, signed to support the program as well as recreation, action before the recipients were announced. see Page 6. Pic- occupational and physical therapy consultation. This year’s awards are presented to school tured, Kastner Co-Teaching or Team Teaching models are used districts and county offices of education helping Intermediate stu- while employing Second Step as the framework students achieve through after-school programs, dent Noah Llano for promoting social-emotional learning. The mentoring, instructional interventions, use of data enjoys a game of benefit of inclusion preschool lies in the depth of and other innovations. parachute catch social-emotional growth and in the cognitive de- “The Golden Bell recipients exemplify the spirit thanks to “Shining velopment of all the children learning together. of innovation and excellence for which all of Cal- Stars,” a grant that Teachers and parents alike have witnessed the ifornia’s public schools strive,” said CSBA CEO funded equipment heightened self-confidence, astounding first words, and Executive Director Vernon Billy. “The Golden for PE classes that bonds of empathy and friendship – results pointing Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of out- bring special and to an impassioned and truly dedicated staff. standing education offerings in our state, and general education “In Clovis we are committed to being life-long demonstrate the tenacity, vision and dedication students together. learners and instilling the love for learning in our of school leaders across California.” children. Preschool Inclusion does that. It embraces Details: https://gb.csba.org/. Happy Holidays from Clovis Unified SPORTS Page 2 CUSD Today December 2018 Clovis Unified athletes sign letters of intent Fifty senior student-athletes in Clovis Unified schools signed Letters of Intent at ceremonies Nov. 14, including standout swimmers Abby Samansky and Averee Preble to University of Tennesee and Auburn Uni- versity, respectively, and basketball player Madison Campbell committing to USC. Buchanan High had a record-number 21 athletes signing, with wrestlers heading 2018 fall sports league champions to University of Nebraska and Fresno State, and two of its leading water polo players Hundreds of Clovis Uni- Clark, 8th-grade football; area’s inflatable mascot tun- both signing to play at Harvard University. fied student athletes joined Clark, 7th-grade girls vol- nel. Wearing their future-college’s apparel, in fall school sports, including leyball; Granite Ridge and Football – Bowl Series athletes were celebrated at events on their football, water polo, volley- Kastner (tie), 8th-grade girls Champions were Reagan, high school campuses with proud parents, ball, golf, cross country and volleyball; Alta Sierra, 7th- Dry Creek and Cedarwood coaches and friends cheering them on. Isabella Sonkoloy – Fresno State, water polo tennis. grade boys water polo; Clark, elementary school teams, The following are the students identified Makena Ogas – Fresno Pacific University, vol- Athletes wrapped up their 8th-grade boys water polo; with Fort Washington, Maple by school: leyball final league games in No- Clark and Granite Ridge (tie), Creek and Mountain View Averee Preble – Auburn University, swimming vember and the champions 7th-grade girls water polo; also participating. Buchanan High Mikayla Weiss – Fresno State, volleyball Clovis East High emerged. Kastner, 8th-grade girls water Girls Volleyball – Free- Michelle Berry – Fresno Pacific University, bas- polo; Reyburn, boys cross dom Elementary took home Ashley Dittmann – UC Riverside, volleyball High School Tori Carlos – CSU Monterey Bay, volleyball ketball country; Reyburn, girls cross the top prize of the eight- Jasmine Megerdichian – Geneva College, soft- Tri-River Athletic Confer- country; Kastner, girls golf; top-team tournament; Dry Tyler Deen – University of Nebraska, wrestling Matthew Olguin – Fresno State, wrestling ball ence winners for varsity high and Granite Ridge, girls ten- Creek was the second-place Taja Felder – University of Louisville, school sports were Buchanan, Kaleb Archer – Harvard University, water polo nis. finisher. Clovis North High boys cross country; Buch - Cross Country – All ele- Gabe Putnam – Harvard University, water polo anan, girls cross country; Elementary School Zach Zetz – Fresno Pacific University, water Taylor Pilot – CSU Stanislaus, basketball mentary school teams had Sierra Alvarez – Sonoma State University, soc- Buchanan, girls volleyball; The Clovis Unified Ele- their top runners participate polo Clovis North, girls tennis; mentary Athletic Champi- Conner Schink – Fresno Pacific University, cer in the championships, which Brady Crow – Fresno Pacific University, base- Clovis, girls water polo; onships featured top season had the last segment of the water polo Buchanan, boys water polo; finishers along with a few Sierra May – CSU Long Beach, water polo ball race enter in the stadium Curtis Vidinoff – Fresno Pacific University, Clovis West, girls golf. Central wild card teams. and finish on the track. Fug- Christian Johnson – University of Texas, track High won league football. The championships were and field water polo man’s girls team and Fort Trevor Lott – McPherson College, baseball held at Veterans Memorial Washington’s boys team fin- Maren Butler – Tulane University, track and Intermediate Andrew Penrose – McPherson College, base- Stadium with football, vol- ished first in the fifth/sixth- field School leyball and cross country all TJ Fondtain – San Diego State, baseball ball grade competitions. In the Mattie Herzog – Azusa Pacific University, water In the Clovis Intermediate occurring simultaneously in Jacob King – UC Riverside, baseball fourth-grade race, Dry polo Athletic League, or CIAL, top different locations. Athletes JD Ortiz – UC Santa Barbara, baseball Creek’s boys team and Fort Ben Forbes – Northwestern University, swim- varsity team finishers were took to the fields by running Miguel Ortiz – Cal State Fullerton, baseball Washington’s girls team were ming Clark, 7th-grade football; through their high school the victors. Madilyn Hernandez – Fresno Pacific University, soccer Theo Tuggle – McKendree University, swim- Mattie Millwee – Colorado State Pueblo, golf ming CUSD students raced to victory in BMX State Finals Michelle Kroell – Friends University, softball Clovis West High Several Clovis Unified students through- Emma Ryan, girls, No. 3 Rachel Kessler – Colorado School of Mines, Madison Campbell – University of Southern out the district participated in the Nor Cal Gettysburg Elementary fourth-grader softball California, basketball BMX State Finals in Santa Clara this fall Krista Hopkins, girls, No.1 Nathan Schwantes – Biola University, swimming Jordan Diaz – Youngstown State University, and earned prestigious state titles. Boris Elementary third-grader Joel Clovis High soccer They are: Vawter, intermediate, No. 4 Darian Miller – University of New Mexico, Hannah Lambert – Augustana University, swim Buchanan High sophomore Joshua Lore- Boris Elementary first-grader Jace Mc- baseball Champney Pulliam – University of Idaho, bas- do, intermediate class, state ranking No. 1 Govern, intermediate, No. 5 Jacob Good – Arizona State University, wrestling ketball Kastner Intermediate seventh-grader Jefferson Elementary kindergartner Dy- Maxwell Anderson – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Abby Samansky – University of Tennessee, Brady Tarango, expert, No. 3 lan Braden, intermediate, No. 7. University, wrestling swim Clovis North High freshman Andrew BMX is an organized bike racing sport Brandon Paulson – Cal Baptist University, Aari’Yanna Sanders – Academy of Art Uni- Bernabe, intermediate, No. 1 on a dirt and asphalt track. Riders spend wrestling versity, basketball Reyburn Intermediate seventh-grader many hours training and competing. Jackson Lake – Oregon State University, golf Jessica Schab – Dixie State University, swim Abby Mammen – Cal Baptist, water polo Claire Shubin – Dominican University, golf December 2018 CUSD Today Page 3 District receives Best Music Education award In Clovis Unified, students encounter each student’s week – something to look n Clovis Unified music education starting in early elementary forward to and different from core instruction school and many opportunities are available in classrooms. Music and the arts foster hits the high note to continue with music education at the in- brain activity that uses both hemispheres termediate and high school levels. of a student’s brain (analytical/scientific and CUSD Today The following is a Q&A with Bishop the creative), and helps them to use these about music education in Clovis Unified. skills in other disciplines and study as they Clovis Unified has received the Best Com- Q. Why is music important in education? get older. munities for Music Education designation A. There was a time in music education Q. What music options does CUSD have from the NAMM Foundation for its out- when it was felt “smart kids” were attracted that are not necessarily found in other dis- standing commitment to music education. to taking music classes. Now the educational tricts? The competi- research and study of brain development A. We have a comprehensive music pro- tive award of the suggests that music study makes kids smarter. gram and unified curriculum for first through National Associa- In CUSD every student moves, sings or sixth grade. tion of Music plays an instrument in first through sixth In first to third grade, all 33 elementary Merchants recog- grade, with many of them continuing in sites use “Spotlight on Music,” a compre- nizes school dis- these programs at the secondary level. hensive curriculum aligned with all California tricts that show Q. How does it benefit students? and National standards for music education, outstanding A. Music and musical performances help for 30 minutes per week. achievement in ef- young students with self-discipline and time All fourth-grade classrooms receive an forts to provide management skills. Playing in groups fosters introduction to instrumental music (re - music access and collaboration and team building much like corders) class, and many of the schools offer education to all a sport. Students have to constantly work a beginning choir section, for two 30-minutes Dan Bishop students. together to achieve something beyond the classes per week. We hope soon to see this To be consid- measure of their individual skill on an in- class in all 33 elementary sites. ered, Clovis Unified answered detailed ques- strument or with their voices. This year all fifth- through sixth-grade Photo special to CUSD Today. tions about funding, graduation require- Q. How is music valued in Clovis Unified? students will participate in either band, Clovis High music instructor Christopher ments, music class participation, instruction A. Music (and all the Visual and Per- strings or choir for 90 minutes per week. Watson leads his class. time, facilities, support for the music program, forming Arts) are part of the three core At the secondary sites we offer concert and community music-making programs. principles of the district – Mind, Body and band, marching band, winter percussion taught by some of the most sought-after Responses were verified with school officials Spirit. Music is one of the components and color guard, jazz bands, pep bands, music professionals in California. Our sec- and reviewed by The Music Research Institute that enriches our students’ lives orchestras, small wind and string ondary programs are second to none and at the University of Kansas. and truly enhances the “spirit” ensembles, choirs, show choirs, would hold their own compared to any dis- “This is a tremendous honor,” said Clovis part of our core principles in vocal jazz ensembles, musical the- trict in America. Unified Visual and Performing Arts Coor- CUSD. ater, dance, drama, a full range dinator Dan Bishop, noting the award vali- Q. What is the goal in pro- of visual arts – drawing, painting, By the numbers… dates the ongoing hard work of the district’s viding music classes at the photography and ceramics – All CUSD students have participated in many teachers and directors to expose chil- elementary age? and AP music theory and audio dren to music. A. Music is a fun part of recording classes. These are all ➤ Please see Music, Page 9

Principal: Input welcomed in attendance boundary process FROM PAGE ONE Superintendent of Facilities portant in these decision- ➤ mize gerrymandering; and before the doors open,” Pe- and have a theme that com- Kevin Peterson. By re-using making processes,” said Clo- Details: where possible, reduce op- terson said. bines agriculture and tech- the plans with some adjust- vis East Area Superintendent Full details on the erational costs (e.g. busing). It has been determined nology. Each classroom will ments, the district is able to Corrine Folmer. “While we attendance boundary The committee will con- that students who are sched- include touch technology save time and money. The recognize that elementary process can be found at tinue this month to gather uled to enter the new school https://tinyurl.com/ within it, short-throw pro- facility is being paid for by school boundary changes parent input and develop in their sixth-grade year at CE-boundaries jector systems, walltalker developer fees. can be difficult, our entire . options and in January pres- the start of the 2020-21 display response boards and Elementary team in the Clovis East Area ent a proposed plan for the school year will be allowed more. There will be flex- attendance is eager to work with families education, business services public to review and offer to remain at their current furniture for the classrooms boundaries to build another excellent and others. The committee comments. The goal is to school. Families wishing to and portable book shelves educational experience for has five guiding principles have a final recommenda- access this enrollment option in the library. The Clovis East Area held students at this new school.” to follow in developing a tion to present to the Gov- should watch for additional “We received very posi- a forum Dec. 5 to discuss The district has formed proposal. They are: utilize erning Board in February. information available next tive feedback from the ad- the process of creating ele- a Boundary Change Steering existing school design ca- “By making these deci- spring. ministration, staff, students mentary attendance bound- Committee made up of pacity whenever possible; sions more than a full year Details on the boundary and parents regarding Boris, aries for the new school and CUSD employees, including keep neighborhoods togeth- ahead of the school’s open- process and upcoming in- and anticipate our new adjusting current elementary principals, classified staff, er; create long-lasting ing, the new school com- formation can be found at school community will feel boundary lines in the area. plant operations, food serv- boundaries; create contigu- munity can come together https://tinyurl.com/CE- similar,” said CUSD Assistant “Parents’ voices are im- ice, transportation, special ous boundaries that mini- and build relationships even boundaries. Page 4 CUSD Today December 2018 CW junior writes book about grieving ➤ ANNOUNCEMENTS n Proceeds donated instead of bottling it up be- Alarming trend seen with e-cig, vaping to Hinds Hospice cause they don’t know how to release it.” According to a recent study, usage of e-cigs and vaping By Carol Lawson-Swezey A.J. was a participant in has increased by 80 percent among high school students and 50 percent among middle schoolers in the last year. Special to CUSD Today the grief group when he was in elementary school follow- This alarming trend is the topic of Clovis Unified’s recently When she was quite ing the death of his father. issued Parent Bulletin that was distributed through emails young, Maddy Bauer lost her “My favorite part was making and Peachjar. It also is the topic of the district’s monthly beloved grandfather, Richard a memory collage for my dad video blog “Two Minutes Today” in December. Parents Pease, at age 63 to lung dis- with pictures of race cars, and students are encouraged to become more informed ease. footballs and cologne, things about the health risks and dangers these pose. Many are “I was only 4 years old that reminded me of him. surprised to learn that an e-cig can contain liquid nicotine when my Poppy died and I At the end of every session, that equates to the amount found in two packs of cigarettes. had a hard time understand- all the friends gather into a Marijuana oil is also being used in these devices that are ing death and that I would circle and share, and someone sometimes unrecognizable as they appear like everyday not see or talk to him ever blows out the candle. I re- objects such as a pen or USB flash drive. For conversation again,” Maddy said. “Soon member hating that moment starters with your student or for more information, see after his death, I got some because it meant I wouldn’t the Parent Bulletin on www.cusd.com. balloons at a birthday par- see my special friend for an- ty. When I got home, I went other week.” Download the app! Photo special to CUSD Today. Maddy said she hopes her Keep connected with all the latest news about Clovis into my backyard and re- From left, Hinds Hospice’s Kathy Beatty, Clovis West stu- book will also be a help to Unified schools by downloading the Clovis Unified app, leased the balloons into the dent and author Maddy Bauer, Circle of Friends facilitator children experiencing the loss available through iOS and Android app stores. Available sky for my Poppy.” Kathy Phillips and Clovis West student and Circle volunteer of a loved one. through mobile devices, the app conveniently accesses atten- A dozen years later, the A.J. Granera. Clovis West High junior “Poppy’s death left a big dance reporting, lunch menus, school flyers, student grades wrote an essay on her grief to love life and to be myself – – play,” said Circle of Friends hole, “she said. “Even though and more. for the school’s literary mag- that I am no better than any- co-facilitator Kathy Phillips. I was so young, I spent a lot Parent academies help students azine, The Torch, which ulti- one else, but no one’s better “Our volunteer mentors, be- of time with him. Through mately became the inspira- than me,” Maddy said. tween the ages of 14 and 24, pictures, videos and lots of Clovis Unified will offer four Parent Academy workshops tion to write a book, “Bal- Clovis West hosted a book are trained to help children conversations, I continue to throughout the 2018-19 school year at no cost to attendees. loons for Poppy.” signing for Maddy in No- express themselves through learn about Poppy and keep The workshops are designed to inform and empower parents Her children’s book about vember and she donated the art, games, play and activi- my memories of him alive. I with information, understanding and resources to support grieving took months of writ- proceeds to Hinds Hospice ties.” can still hear him say, ‘Who their student at home and at school. Dinner and childcare ing, editing, researching other and its Circle of Friends pro- Maddy’s Clovis West loves you?’ are offered for each event. All workshops are held at the books and collaborating with gram. The program is a 12- Mock Trial teammates Gabby “My purpose in writing Clovis Unified Professional Learning Center, 362 N. Clovis illustrator, Marie Alizee, who week children’s grief support Olivas and A.J. Granera are the book was to help children Ave., #101, in Clovis. (Southwest corner of Herndon and works at Maddy’s father’s group that has student vol- current volunteers for the understand the importance Clovis avenues, behind In-N-Out). The workshops are 5:30 law office. unteers assisting. Thousands fall session of Circle. of keeping the memories of to 8:30 p.m. and include the following: ■ The book follows the path of children in the Valley have “A lot of adults think that their loved ones alive and “Communicating with Your Child,” Jan. 15 ■ of fictional character Molly, been helped by Circle of young kids don’t understand that we can still live their “Technology in the Classroom,” March 19 ■ who struggles with losing Friends, and Maddy has death and what it means, legacy.” “Social Media Awareness,” May 21 her grandfather but finds friends at Clovis West who but we do,” Gabby said. “Kids At Clovis West, Maddy is For more information contact Krista Cortez in CUSD that lost loved ones live on volunteer for the program. just don’t have the proper active in leadership, plays Supplemental Services at 327-0667 or [email protected]. in memories. Molly mirrors “Children express their coping mechanisms adults varsity volleyball and is a SPECIAL EDUCATION Maddy’s loss. thoughts and feelings through have and that’s why I was so member of the varsity mock The following upcoming workshop will be offered by the “My Poppy was a musi- play. Adults talk, babies cry, eager to be a part of Circle. trial team. She hopes to attend CUSD Special Education Department’s Family Resource cian, an entertainer, the life children – especially in the It gives kids the chance to College and follow Center. For more information please call 327-8455. of the party. He taught me 3- to 12-year-old-age group open up about their losses in her dad’s law footsteps. ■ Writing her book, she said, “Looking at Behavior through a New Lens,” 6 to 8:30 has been a healing process p.m., Jan. 24, Clovis Veterans Memorial Building, 808 Fourth for her. St., Clovis. Free. Presented by the Diagnostic Center of Cen- Board makes four new “Just like Poppy taught tral California, this is an early intervention, preschool and me, life is about lifting oth- day care conference open to the community. The intended ers,” she said. “This process audience includes educators, day care providers, social leadership appointments has taught me that we are all workers, nurses, para-educators and parents. The workshop connected, and the things we will address difficult behavior. The conference is sponsored by CUSD Special Education Family Resource Center. RSVP: By Kelly Avants ➤ BOARD January workshop. do can positively impact oth- Chief Communications Officer ■ Approved a revision to ers.” https://tinyurl.com/Earlyedconf1-19. BRIEFS Board Policy No. 6503 – ❑ ■ Nominations are being accepted for the Special Education Nov. 14 Health and Welfare Benefits “Balloons for Poppy” is Exceptional Person of the 2018-19 school year. Families, Sounds of the ’80s kicked contract with Yang during to reflect current practices available on amazon.com. staff, students and volunteers who have been exceptional in off the Nov. 14 meeting of the action portion of the and existing law related to For more information helping students with special needs may be nominated the Clovis Unified Governing meeting). She will join the health benefit qualifications. about Circle of Friends: 248- through March 1. The nomination form can be found at: Board meeting as cast mem- district in January from the ■ Approved an agreement 8579. https://tinyurl.com/ExPerson2019. bers from the Clovis North Fresno County Office of Ed- with TerraVerde for main- production of “The Wedding ucation where she currently tenance and management of Singer” performed for atten- serves as general legal coun- the district’s solar energy sys- dees. sel. tem. The Nov. 14 meeting ■ May Moua, from the ■ Authorized the submis- marked the last meeting of position of learning director sion of an application to the Governing Board Members at the Reagan Educational San Joaquin Valley Air Pol- Jim Van Volkinburg, D.D.S. Center to deputy principal lution Control District to and Sandy Bengel, both of at Clovis West High. Moua participate in the New Al- whom have served on the will begin the role full time ternative Fuel Vehicle grant board for the past 25 years, for the second semester of program. and whose terms are at an the current school year, and ■ Approved the 2019 end. Principals from every until then will split her time Summer School calendar and school, along with classified between the two schools. programs to be offered dur- and certificated leaders from ■ Jennifer Thomas, from ing Summer 2019. throughout the district were the position of principal at ■ Authorized an agree- on hand to publicly thank Fugman Elementary to de- ment with Code 3 Corpora- the two for their service to puty principal at the Reagan tion Security, Inc. for after- the students, employees and Educational Center, effective hours security services for community. Both were com- July 1. district facilities. mended for putting students ■ Kacey Gibson, current ■ Approved the place- first in their decision-making, principal at Reagan Elemen- ment of a special education placing a priority on the well- tary, to the position of prin- student at Creative Alterna- being of the entire commu- cipal at the new Shields and tives to receive services iden- nity and devoting thousands Locan elementary school to tified in the Individualized of hours to serving as role be opened in 2020. This Education Plan. models of good government. transfer will be effective July Oct. 24 During the meeting, the 1. The new school opening board announced the ap- In other action, the board: near Shields and Locan av- pointments of four new ad- ■ Accepted a staff report enues in southeast Clovis, ministrators to open posi- summarizing the results of prompted the start of efforts tions in the district. These the California School Dash- to develop new attendance appointments include: board local indicators. This boundaries in the Clovis East ■ Maiya Yang to the po- report, along with other stu- area, according to a report sition of general legal counsel dent assessment data, will be (the board later approved a studied in greater depth at a ➤ Please see Board, Page 6 VISION December 2018 CUSD Today Page 5 As parents, we learn together ways to help our kids

By Eimear O’Farrell, Ed.D. marijuana oils in e-cigs, and the topic, and talked with our school and unregulated marketing effort about kids and families, when we Superintendent fact that we are seeing a higher sites to get a sense of how great of by e-cig manufacturers), our stu- into these rapidly developing and higher number of students a problem vaping has become in dents are failing to connect the use fads that threaten to overwhelm who are using vape pens in class- our own schools. I was saddened of these devices to their general us? First and foremost, we can work together as partners. That’s why we ARENTING is hard work! rooms and homes because their to learn that our schools, like others distaste for smoking that has been PP have committed to specific ways As the parent of two daughters, USB flash drive or stylus-like ap- around the nation, have seen a dra- carefully developed through exten- we are working to keep parents in- one of whom is pearance is so easy to hide. matic increase in the number of sive anti-smoking and tobacco-ces- You can be sure that following students caught with vaping or sation efforts over the years. formed and resourced around emer- poised to gradu- this discussion I did two things: other e-cig materials at school. For So, what can we do as parents, ging trends in youth culture. ate from college talked to my own child about this whatever reason (maybe an effective and as a school system that cares In this issue of CUSD Today you and one who will will see a column on new technology graduate from hitting Snapchat users. Written by high school this the producers of Screenagers: Raising year, I know first- LESSONS Kids in the Digital Age, the docu- hand the anxieties mentary about screen use shared that come along Eimear O’Farrell, Inspirations by, for and from our CUSD students with our community last year, this with raising kids, Ed.D. series will appear in coming issues as well as the of CUSD Today as well. It’s our many joys that seeing our children hope that this resource can help grow and flourish can bring. parents remain aware of some of Walking this parenting journey the technology trends in which kids myself is one of the many reasons are engaged in and start healthy I greatly appreciate the opportu- conversations at home around man- nities I have to sit down with other aging technology. Each edition of parents of Clovis Unified students. CUSD Today also includes parenting While our conversations typically resources designed to empower cover school policies and procedures families. or broad community-based issues, In the same way, 2 Minutes Today, they always at some point also turn a video segment we produce and to the shared challenges and dis- email to families each month (and tractions of raising kids in today’s which lives on our website as well) world. focuses on helping parents navigate Invariably, as a group we all the K-12 years. Topics like emotional agree that the pace of change in wellness, homework help, boosting society today often buries us under reading and math skills, and tech- waves of new technologies, trends nology management are just some and pop cultures. Not only is it of what’s been covered in these hard to stay up to date with our pieces. Just as the title says, each kids’ friends, interests and hobbies, edition is just two minutes long it’s also difficult to stay aware of out of sensitivity to the time chal- all of the things we “don’t know lenges that exist in our busy sched- we don’t know.” ules. Case in point: the risks posed Another tool we use to provide to teens by the vaping and e-cig resources on hot topic trends we industry. During a meeting last are seeing among students is our month with about a dozen parents parent bulletins. These one page e- from around the district, the subject newsletters are developed when we turned to the relatively recent trend see an immediate need for alerting of teenage vaping – the use of e- Photo special to CUSD Today. parents to a trending topic that im- cigs that contain liquid nicotine Clovis North High drama teacher Joel Abels, right, held a Dining in the Dark experience for his drama class pacts kids. These pieces have been (sometimes as much as two packs so his students could have a better understanding of classmate Heaven Vallejos, who is blind. Says Heaven, issued around school safety, emo- of cigarettes’ worth in one pod) or “I can still do things, but I just have to do them a little differently.” Heaven has performed in a school play, tional wellness and the “13 Reasons marijuana oil. run in cross country, and navigated city buses. “She inspires us daily,” Abels said. Why” series, and just recently, tack- As a room, we were all aghast at led the topic of e-cigs and vaping. the statistics shared by a parent Parenting is hard, no doubt who works in the healthcare in- “Shut your eyes and see.” about it, but it’s our hope as edu- dustry: An 80 percent increase in cators that we can be a powerful vaping among high schoolers and partner and support to families by JAMES JOYCE, AUTHOR a 50 percent increase among middle sharing knowledge and resources schoolers in just the past 12 months. that start healthy conversations at One in 11 students having used home. How teens track one other on popular app Snap Map

Editor’s note: “ Screenagers – Growing Up in the Digital privacy and security of the kids using it, but it can also ex- Age” is a documentary created and directed by Delaney acerbate feelings of being left out. Imagine you are at home Ruston, a physician and film director, that examines what it using Snapchat and you see a group of your friends at is to grow up in a tech-saturated time and how balance someone else’s house on Snap Map. “Why wasn’t I invited?” might be achieved between screen time and screen-free time. you think. Whether it was intentional or not, the feeling of Clovis Unified has brought this film and follow-up conversations being left out is an immediate blow. to its high schools. Starting with this edition of CUSD Today, When you first activate Snap Map, you are asked if you further discussion from Dr. Ruston will be offered on important want to share your location with all of your friends, some topics impacting children today. Taken from her weekly blog of your friends or remain private in Ghost Mode. If they “Tech Talk Tuesday,” the article highlights a current tech have already started using Snap Map, they can change their trend and can be used by parents as a conversation starter to privacy setting to Ghost Mode by going to the photo taking help their students smartly navigate the virtual world. To mode and pinching their screen to get to Snap Map. Once sign up for “Tech Talk Tuesday,” visit www.screen agers there, they click on the settings wheel and select Ghost movie.com. Mode to turn off location sharing. They will be able to see where other people are but no one will see them. By Delaney Ruston, M.D. I firmly believe that Snap Map has more downsides Screenagers moviemaker than upsides. The challenge is that many youths do use it. Therefore, when talking with your kids and teens about Last year Snapchat introduced this, I suggest entering the conversation from a place of cu- Snap Map, a cartoon-looking riosity rather than a place of heavy-handedness. This will map with Bitmojis of users po- increase the chance that they come to understand that the sitioned at their real-life locations. downsides outweigh any upsides. It might be that you At first, I thought this would create a rule specifying Ghost Mode even if they disagree not catch on because kids would your friends are headed. These updates are generated by with it. They might not be happy at the moment, but know that sharing their location Snapchat users moving around rather than typing in their chances are someday they will be thankful for the decision. widely is not safe. I was wrong. locations. You can actually watch as your friend moves The Snap Map function is used from one place to another. Conversation starters by most teens who use the app. The positive way to look at this is that some kids use the Here are some questions to get you started: It goes one step further than map to find their friends to meet up with them in real life, ■ What positives do think there are with Snap Map? just showing where the kid is, it and encouraging real-life interaction is often a good thing. ■ What negatives do you think there are? also can virtually show what they are actually doing. A But, in no uncertain terms, I want to say that I am con- ■ How is safety compromised if someone can see where Bitmoji is selected by Snapchat to represent what the user cerned that so many of our kids and teens are pinpointing you are and what you are doing? If someone can determine is doing. If they are at a concert or listening to music, the people’s exact location, including home addresses and your home address? Bitmoji might have headphones on. If they are at the gym street names. This raises a lot of red flags. As we know, the ■ Many kids and teens do indeed use the Ghost Mode or exercising, their Bitmoji might have exercise clothes word “friend” can mean anything from a true to a (my two teens do) and do you think this makes sense for and sneakers. If they are asleep, it shows them with little complete stranger. you? Even if they do not understand it at this point, you zzz’s or in a bed. There’s also a function called Map Explore Keeping our kids safe online is no easy task and Snap can tell them that you want the rule to be that they are in that allows you to scroll through the map to see where Map makes it even harder. It not only compromises the Ghost Mode.

— ABOUT US — CUSD Today, Clovis Unified’s good news publi- CUSD Today Staff CUSD Governing Board cation, is sent directly to the homes of all CUSD parents and staff, as well as district supporters. In Publishing & Editorial an effort to unify the CUSD community, the news- Clovis Unified School District Jim Van Volkinburg, D.D.S. Elizabeth J. Sandoval Ginny L. Hovsepian paper highlights the achievements of Clovis Unified 1450 Herndon Avenue President Vice-President Clerk students and staff; profiles new and updated Gov- Clovis, CA 93611 299-8994 291-7564 434-8272 erning Board policies; and shares general news and Telephone (559) 327-9094 Sandra A. Budd Christopher Casado Steven G. Fogg, M.D. Brian Heryford information happening within the district. Fax (559) 327-2957 448-6801 908-9953 269-7000 299-4586 Circulation: 33,000. [email protected] Funding: All costs associated with producing, Kelly Avants, APR printing and mailing CUSD Today are entirely Chief Communication Officer CUSD Administration funded by our advertisers. To show your appreciation 327-9092 of their support, we ask you to consider patronizing Patti J. Lippert these businesses and services as the need arises. Eimear O’Farrell, Ed.D. Don Ulrich, Ed.D. Managing Editor Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Story submissions: Please submit all ideas to 327-9094 the Site Coordinator at your school. Please contact Sara Almaraz 327-9100 327-9107 your school to find out who your Site Coordinator Advertising Norm Anderson Barry Jager Michael Johnston is. Editorial deadlines are two weeks before the 327-9095 Associate Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, publication date. We do our best to include as Verna Garcia School Leadership Human Resources and Administrative Services many submissions in each issue as our editorial Graphic Designer 327-9350 Employee Relations 327-9110 space will allow. 224-9711 327-9308 Page 6 CUSD Today December 2018 Foundation funds 25 wellness, fitness projects to benefit 28,700 students CUSD Today Jefferson Elementary n Track and Field Equipment Overhaul A student mileage club, a TLC room and – To replace worn and dated equipment, to metal buckets to be filled with notes of en- invest in training tools that are safer and courage- more effective, to give students a better ex- ment are perience in the track program and to grow just some in overall physical wellness. of the n School-Wide Educational Makerspace many new – An area where students gather to create, activities and items being made possible invent and learn. The space is highly engaging this school year thanks to grants funded by and develops problem-solving through the Foundation for Clovis Schools. hands-on design, construction and iteration. The foundation awarded 25 health and It encourages curiosity, tinkering and iterative fitness projects and social/emotional-wellness learning. projects for a total of $132,310. An estimated 28,700 students in the district will be im- Mickey Cox Elementary pacted, according to the grant applications. n The First Tee National School Program Foundation treasurer and fundraising – Introduces youth to the sport of golf, chairperson Adam Holt said the grants were promotes physical activity and reinforces made possible because of generous donations positive character traits. Students learn the by Kaiser Permanente, Community Medical basic skills that will be incorporated into Center and Valley Children’s Hospital. the current PE program. “Our community partners care deeply Photo special to CUSD Today. Miramonte Elementary about children and are an integral part of The Foundation for Clovis Schools funded “Shining Stars,” a grant at Kastner Interemediate the financial resources we are able to provide to buy equipment that brings together special and general education students during PE. n School Counseling Room – With a schools for programs that encourage physical, goal to improve student wellness and to social and emotional health,” Holt said. “We presentation to be presented to peer groups ments to provide deeper connections. Like- equip students with coping strategies to are very grateful for their ongoing support.” in a classroom setting. wise, PSA’s will be created to build awareness manage their emotions, the school resource The following are the 2018 project re- n “CharacterStrong” – Provides curricula of existing opportunities that help students room will have a variety of games, books cipients: and trainings for schools that help educators persevere, stay connected and overcome and activities to support the social and infuse character and social-emotional learn- false beliefs. District Wide emotional needs of students. ing into the daily fabric of classrooms and Clark Intermediate ■ The Effects of Garden-Based Learning campuses. The program focuses on character Miramonte and Pinedale on Prosocial Behavior – A designated garden development which helps students cultivate n The Zen Den – Classroom space specif- Elementary social-emotional skills, grow their emotional ically designed to help students of trauma area that helps to provide positive interper- n Bucket Fillers – How full is your intelligence and with the development who have difficulty self-regulating and de- sonal communication opportunities, as well bucket? – A series of eight lessons for third- as integrated approaches to mathematics, of a stronger identity and purpose. escalating. The Second Step Social Emotional Learning Curriculum will be utilized, as grade students that focus on the social/emo- biology, physics, chemistry, history, geography Clovis North High and tional aspect of learning: bullying, self- and literature. well as specific furniture, lighting and sensory Granite Ridge Intermediate objects. worth, empathy, conflict resolution, etc. ■ CSI SAP Curriculum – Expands the Students and staff have the opportunity to Clovis Support and Intervention (CSI) pro- n Physical Education Lifetime Activities Kastner Intermediate fill the class bucket with comments to gram to enable additional and more specific – Will implement new units into the PE n Shining Stars – To provide opportu- support one another, as well as a journal. support to students who have experienced curriculum, such as disc golf and bocce ball nities for adaptive PE students to participate an event or life challenge that has affected to help students learn how to stay physically Red Bank Elementary more fully in activities. Specific equipment their personal and/or academic success. The active outside of school and enjoy exercise. n will be purchased to enhance current units Red Bank Recess Friends – Will recruit, model supports self-management, self-aware- of study along with the training of general train, and provide students with the skills ness, relationship skills and responsible de- Clovis West High education students to assist. to develop meaningful and positive rela- cision making. n KNOW MORE – A domestic violence tionships at recess with students who have Clovis Community Day education and intervention program for Clovis Elementary identified social/emotional needs. This will teens with the goal of educating youth on n The Second-Step Program, Moving help to develop a culture of connectedness, ■ Active Healthy Living – The purchase the devastating and long-lasting effects of Students Through Social and Emotional provide peer support, decrease anxiety and of specialized equipment to increase the adolescent dating violence. The program Stability – A K-6 research based program expand classroom connections. activity level and participation of students. utilizes drama, music, real-life situations that all teachers will implement into their The purchase of items like shot disc and statistics. The program trains a willing classrooms to teach and reinforce appropriate Riverview Elementary golf, megaflite kickball, soccer, bounce blast, group of students over a two-day period at social-emotional skills in an inclusive and n Top Toes Mileage Club – An all-inclu- ultimania, tipping point, team launch vol- the Marjaree Mason Center. The students supportive setting. sive walk/run program that offers knowledge, leyball and a variety of others will help stu- in turn will rehearse and perfect their own support and tools to easily track students’ dents learn to play and work cooperatively, presentation to be presented to peer groups Freedom Elementary mileage, while also motivating and rewarding minimize aggression through physical ac- in a classroom setting. n Sensory Materials – The purchase of effort and success. The program will promote tivity, and promote critical thinking. Clovis High and sensory materials for the intensive autism active and healthy lifestyles, increase car- ■ Project Smart Mentoring Program – program, Program of Acquisition of Lan- diovascular fitness and reduce obesity in Provides a school-base one-to-one mentoring Clark Intermediate guage of Social Skills (PALS), for students stu dents and teachers. relationship for at-risk students in grades 4 n Calming Corner – Areas will be estab- ages 3 – 6. This will allow for emotional – 8 in order to offer support and guidance, lished at both Clovis High and Clark Inter- development, sensory stimulation, commu- Weldon Elementary improve academic achievement, foster in- mediate to provide a safe place away from nication, behavior intervention and peer n TLC Room; Fostering Resilient Learn- terpersonal relationships, reduce drop-out stimuli that can compound a heightened interaction. ers – Funds an innovative, research-based rates and reduce levels of juvenile delin- emotional status. Students have the oppor- approach to effectively respond to childhood quency. tunity to be proactive in emotionally charged Garfield Elementary trauma. The TLC room will have flexible Buchanan High situations. n In Sickness and in Health Kids Matter seating and sensory furniture, sensory related – To modernize the health office with items, games and art projects, and an online n Unified and Special Olympic Sports Alta Sierra Intermediate updated equipment in order to better serve Trauma Academy for staff and parents. – To assist in the purchase of uniforms and n Overcoming the Odds – Building on students and staff. Will allow staff to ad- ❑ equipment for the Unified and Special an already successful videography program, minister medication, assess students more For more information about the Foundation Olympics sports teams that will help to short documentaries of students and staff quickly and efficiently and get them back for Clovis Schools, visit www.foundationfor promote a sense of pride and community, will be shared during morning announce- to class. clovisschools.com. as well as acceptance from the campus com- munity and beyond. n KNOW MORE – A domestic violence education and intervention program for teens with the goal of educating youth of Board: School psychologists recognized the devastating and long-lasting effects of FROM PAGE 4 mendation on new school at- fied. and equipment for specialty food adolescent dating violence. The program delivered to the board by Assis- tendance lines to the Governing In other action, the board: items and fleet vehicle replace- utilizes drama, music, real-life situations tant Superintendent of Facility Board in February 2019. ■ Approved the participation ments. and statistics. The program trains a willing Services Kevin Peterson. The Information about the work of students from Buchanan, Clo- ■ Adopted the annual orga- group of students over a two-day period at school is needed to keep pace to open the new school will also vis, Clovis East, Clovis North nizational charts describing the the Marjaree Mason Center. The students with rapidly growing residential be available in the coming weeks and Clovis West high schools in reporting structure of various in turn will rehearse and perfect their own development in the area, and online. the Concurrent Public Education departments and schools within presentation to be presented to peer groups Peterson’s presentation at the The 70-plus school psychol- Program for the first semester the district. These charts are in a classroom setting. Oct. 24 meeting outlined the ogists who support students of the 2018-19 school year. available online as an Exhibit to Clovis East High processes that will be used to across the district were present ■ Authorized two research Board Policy No. 1201. develop a school housing plan at the board meeting to be projects to be conducted during ❑ n KNOW MORE – A domestic violence proposal for the new school thanked for the important role the current fiscal year with Fair- The next meeting of the Gov- education and intervention program for along with timing of the selection they play in creating effective bank, Maslin, Maulin, Metz erning Board is scheduled for teens with the goal of educating youth on of a name, mascot, principal learning environments. (FM3) & Associates. The projects Wednesday, Dec. 12, with the pub- the devastating and long-lasting effects of and colors for the school. After expressing their appre- will be used to inform decision- lic portion of the meeting begin- ning at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom adolescent dating violence. The program This month marks the start ciation, members of the Board making about the potential need utilizes drama, music, real-life situations at 1680 David E. Cook Way in Clo- of a process designed to gather voted unanimously to adopt a and timing of a future bond vis. Complete minutes and agen- and statistics. The program trains a willing parent input, develop options resolution declaring Nov. 12-16 measure, and the district’s com- group of students over a two-day period at das, along with videos, of meetings for possible school boundaries, National School Psychology munication tools. of the Board are available online the Marjaree Mason Center. The students and ultimately make a recom- Awareness Week in Clovis Uni- ■ Awarded bids for supplies at www.cusd.com. in turn will rehearse and perfect their own 2018-2019 REGISTRATION AROUND THE DISTRICT December 2018 CUSD Today Page 7

High school news in brief ■ At the Sierra Cup Classic, the Buchanan High Marching Band placed second in the AAAA (4A) Division, winning Best Percussion and “all captions” during prelims. Students at Buchanan held the 20th annual Harmony Diversity Talent Show, consisting of performances by multi-cultural clubs and special needs students. ■ Clovis High has a new collaborative mentoring class in which students work together to support Special Education to build community relations and spirit on campus. The Clovis High Marching Band took first place in November at the Kingsburg Band Competition. ■ In recent weeks, Clovis East High’s marching band and color guard have taken numerous first-place awards including Best Music, Best Marching, Best General Effect and Best Percussion. The Wolfpack’s varsity football team attending a band competition to support the band who has supported the football team all season. The entire Reagan Educational Center took part in Unity Week that embraced cultures and diversity. The campus displayed many countries’ flags, held lunchtime awareness activities and gave students and staff the opportunity to share their cultures. ■ Clovis North High’s marching band took first place at the Golden State Marching Band tournament. In Bronco drama teacher Joel Abels’ room, a blind luncheon took place that gave students a “Dining in the Dark” experience. Students were blindfolded, guided into the darkened room and ate a meal in order to better understand and support a classmate who is blind. ■ Clovis West High’s competition pep and cheer placed Photo special to CUSD Today. first in Divisions 2 and 3 at the USA Regionals held in No- The Gettysburg Elementary Student Council show the new Buddy Bench that has been added to the campus this year. It vember. The school held its annual college week that has been an ongoing project of the council’s to raise money for the bench that is designed for students to make new friends. featured collaboration from the Counseling Department, AVID program, and Activities Office to assist with college applications, FAFSA completion, and engagement in the Gettysburg unveils Buddy Bench post-secondary planning process. This school year, Gettysburg Elementary introduced this summer. the addition of its new Buddy Bench to the playground The idea behind the Buddy Bench is simple. If a area. student is looking for someone to play with at recess, In 2015, the Gettysburg Student Council decided to they sit down on the Buddy Bench. When other students purchase and install a Buddy Bench on campus to help see someone sitting on the Buddy Bench, they go ask the students make new friends and socialize with others. Buddy to come play with them. Each fundraiser held since then by the Student Council Students will be taught kindness, consideration and has been dedicated to the purchase of the bench. With empathy for others and it will help all of the Gettysburg enough funds raised, the bench arrived and was installed Generals feel loved and included on campus.

formance of Sign Language. Teacher Rebecca Parmer has Success Happens). coordinated the Building Bridges club for the last four “I thought it was great the way he incorporated real life years at Maple Creek and this year, she and Speech Pathologist, events and got the kids so interested in his message of Marya Livingston, lead the group together. character-building and healthy decision-making” was another Parmer, who has watched the club grow, said: “It teaches comment from sixth-grade teacher, Lauren Stewart. Photo special to CUSD Today. kids through direct experiences the benefits of not only Bryson Bales, with Boy Scout Troop 60, presents a lost and learning about others who may have a different journey, Robotics begins at Clark found rolling closet to Lincoln Elementary Principal Matt Ver- but also embracing it. Building Bridges has continued to Clark Intermediate is excited to offer robotics for the halen. evolve based on student responses. They are hungry to first time this year. The robotics team is coached by Audrey Former Lincoln student gives back learn about these differences. I can’t wait to see how our Perryman and Susan SharpLehr, with a team of 10 students Clovis West High freshman Bryson Bales recently pre- club continues to evolve.” meeting weekly to take on this year’s challenge “Into Orbit.” sented a lost and found rolling closet to Lincoln Elementary Flashlight Friday at MV Students are researching a real-world problem such as food as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Bryson, a Boy Scout in safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop Troop 60, began his scouting career as a Cub Scout while Mountain View Elementary students in Vanessa Avitabile’s a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot he attended Lincoln Elementary. sixth-grade class enjoyed a reward of “Flashlight Friday.” using LEGO MINDSTORMS, and compete on a table-top Bryson spoke with Lincoln Principal Matt Verhalen to There were glow sticks, head lamps, book lamps and playing field. see what he could give back to his alma mater, and ended flashlights that were being used to read in the dark. The Several schools throughout Clovis Unified have robotic up leading a team of fellow scouts, friend and family class earned the reward as a “Preferred Activity” for being teams, with student interest so high that many have multiple members to conceptualize, design and build the rolling able to complete tasks in a timely manner. The class accu- teams. Ongoing competitions help prepare for qualifying cart. mulates time saved throughout the week each time they ac- tournaments that start in December and can advance complish tasks faster than expected. Preferred Activity Time students to compete at the county, state or even national is a classroom management tool the Mountain View teachers level. learned at the Fred Jones, “Tools for Teaching” professional development that was held on the Mountain View campus the week before school started. Festival of Lights Freedom: Champions for Tomorrow Freedom Elementary held a special assembly that featured Clarence Lee, a national champion foot- ball player from Florida State University who played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the strongest player Photo special to CUSD Today. in the history of the uni- The Building Bridges Club at Maple Creek teaches students versity and demonstrated about inclusion and diversity. that he still has that strength by lifting two stu- Building Bridges Club at Maple Creek dents at once, doing Maple Creek Elementary began the club, Building Bridges, pushups with a teacher on with more than 80 students staying after school to participate. Photo special to CUSD Today. his back, and broke a solid NFL player Clarence Lee took Photo special to CUSD Today. The goal of the club is to help promote inclusion of ALL wooden bat across his Miramonte Elementary students learned about Diwali, students both in the classroom and on the playground. part in an assembly at Freedom back! Elementary. India’s biggest holiday of the year, and participated in mak- During meetings, students are taken through activities Lee is part of a team of ing Rangoli sand art, which is part of the celebration. Using that will help break down barriers, encourage collaboration, speakers who work with colored sand, rice and chalk, they created flowers, patterns promote problem solving, establish a climate of mutual Champions for Tomorrow, a non-profit group that strives and other artwork on the blacktop. They listened to tradi- respect and appreciation for differences. In addition, to make a difference in the lives of kids by giving them a tional Indian music and were led by Miramonte IA Vaneet students are taught Sign Language as part of their disability firm foundation of principles that instill character-building Bajwa, who dressed in traditional attire, and Guidance awareness instruction. Throughout the year, they will have and healthy, sound decision-making. Counselor Stacy Graves. Pictured are Graves, Nakayla Mc- guest speakers and volunteers to help teach about diversity. He came to Freedom Elementary and used quick chants Farlin, Abby Martin, Bajwa and Crystal Rico. Club members will participate in a community per- like: Produce, Persevere, Participate and PUSH (Push Until Page 8 CUSD Today December 2018 December 2018 CUSD Today Page 9 A multi-cultural delight ...

Photo special to CUSD Today. Clovis West students in AP Environmental Sciences have part- nered with PG&E to make solar units the size of a suitcase that can provide energy to light up a room. Clovis West students build solar suitcases CUSD Today Clovis Adult Education English- Clovis West students in Todd Kennedy’s AP Environmental learner students, many of whom are Science class and his Environmental Club have partnered newer to the , recently with PG&E to build solar suitcases. held a multi-cultural fair to share The all-in-one cases are portable solar photovoltaics traditions, tastes and customs of their that have enough power to light up a small room. When home countries. Students created in- completed, the suitcases are shipped to areas in need of formation boards highlighting facts power such as areas affected by a natural disaster or under- about their homelands and many also developed areas. In November, the Clovis West students made an array of native food for par- finished building their first kit and it was shipped to Kenya, ticipants to sample. Several wore tra- where it was to be given to a school for orphaned children. ditional clothing and took part in a “Students often remark that much of the world they see demonstration of traditional dances. around them is in decline and that they feel helpless in Photos special to CUSD Today trying to fix the problems of the world. This innovative solar program not only teaches students how to harness by Ron Webb sunlight to power lightbulbs, cellphones and other electrical devices, but also it teaches them that they can make a dif- ference in the lives of others,” Kennedy said. “Knowing they can make a difference in the world gives students a big boost. Knowing what they’re doing touches the lives of others has a long-lasting effect on their lives. If you give students a solution, or if you give them the op- portunity to derive solutions on their own, they just jump all over it and they accomplish amazing things.” Music: FROM PAGE 3 ementary music classrooms. music instruction. In any These changes and en- given week, approximately hancements, paired with the 30,000-plus students are par- excellence of our secondary ticipating in some kind of programs, have allowed us Visual and Performing Arts to be the recipient of this instruction, with the highest National Music Education number of these kids in a recognition. It’s a very good music class. thing to be the VAPA Coor- Q. What does this award dinator in a place like CUSD. mean to you? Music is so supported by A. Our VAPA office has our governing board, our worked really hard these past district administration, and two years to change how we our community and highly are doing business in our el- valued by all. EMPLOYEE CONNECTION Page 10 CUSD Today December 2018

Young enters Hall of Fame CUSD employees honored Retired Clovis Unified Su- roles. During her time, she perintendent Dr. Janet Young worked at Tarpey, Nelson, at Educator of the Year gala was inducted into the Clovis Miramonte, Kastner, Clovis Hall of Fame, sponsored by West and Fort Washington. the Clovis Exchange Club. During Young’s tenure, The Hall of Fame honors the district experienced in- leadership in the history of creases in academic achieve- the city of Clovis, recognizing ment, graduation rates, en- those whose commitment rollment and support, and and abilities positively shaped resources for students and the community. families. Young retired in 2017 as The Clovis Hall of Fame the district’s superintendent dates back to 1975 and a dis- after a 39-year career with on to be a learning director, play of past inductees can Clovis Unified. She began as principal and associate su- be viewed at the Clovis a first-grade teacher and went perintendent, among other Chamber of Commerce. California League of Schools honor CUSD regional finalists Three Clovis Unified employees were honored at the Fresno County Educator of the Year gala held in November at the Saroyan Theater in Fresno. Clovis West math teacher Denise Clovis Unified has several Clark ■ Marcos Martinez – DenHartog was a nominee for Educator of the Year; school bus driver Larry Crayne who Region 7 finalists for the Cal- ■ Paul Rigby – Kastner Buchanan transports special needs students was a finalist for the Employee of the Year; and Sierra Out- ifornia League of Schools Ed- ■ Lori Salazar – Alta Sier- Reyburn Intermediate Ac- door School Director Michael Olenchalk was a finalist for the Administrator of the Year. Pic- ucator of the Year award. ra ademic Block teacher Mica tured, from left: Denise DenHartog, Larry Crayne and Michael Olenchalk. Congratulations to: ■ Mica Tan - Reyburn Tan and Buchanan English Elementary finalists High School finalists teacher Marcos Martinez were ■ Jodi Anderson – Sierra ■ Derrick Davis – Clovis announced as regional winners Vista Elementary East advancing to the state com- ■ Shelley Arakelian – ■ Jay Eichman – Clovis petition. The elementary win- Garfield ■ Tricia Funk – Clovis ner had not yet been an- ■ Sally Kirchner – Jeffer- West nounced by press time. son ■ Rod Marvin – Red Bank ■ Renee Mullins – Clovis ■ Kristi Sagouspe – Cop- per Hills ■ Chris Simon – Mickey Cox Intermediate finalists ■ Tamara Chambless -

Mica Tan