.
.

NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
FRESNO, CA
PERMIT NO. 398
August 2018

Clovis Unified School District — WHERE CHARACTER COUNTS!	Volume 21, No. 1

follow us on	TM               and at CUSD.COM

CUSD team eager to welcome 43,000 students

IN JUST a few days another school year will begin, and in Clovis Unified we are busy putting the final touches to decorate classrooms, finish construction and modernization proj-ects, and prepare to welcome our largest student enrollment yet – around 43,000 students.
We can’t wait to meet the more than 2,600 bright-eyed and anxiously excited kindergartners approaching their first day of school ever. At the same time, we know it will be a bittersweet homecoming for members of our senior class, who just finished taking their senior pictures for the

Getting

➤
INFO:
yearbook and will only be with us 10 more
months. Across the dis-	See Page 5for helpful tips trict and in every class-	parents can do now to help room, we are eager to	their student get ready for a see where our adven-	great school year.
tures will take us for the 2018-19 school year.
Whether you are returning to Clovis Unified, or if this is your first year with our district, we want it to be a successful year for your family. I encourage you to take advantage of the information contained in this issue of CUSD Today, and that in our video update, 2 Minutes Today delivered to your email every month. Each are packed with helpful tips

Ready

on starting the year off right.
This summer we also updated each of our school websites and have launched an app for CUSD. We are very excited to offer the Clovis Unified app – just search for “Clovis Unified” in either the Android or Apple stores.
We want to stay in touch. Your school leaders and your classroom teacher want you to play an active and involved role in your child’s education.
Welcome to the 2018-19 school year, and may it be the best one yet for you and your family!

THINGS TO KNOW
TO START THE SCHOOL
YEAR RIGHT!

Photo special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb. Summer provides time for Clovis Unified campuses and equipment to get some extra attention. Maintenance, ren-ovations and repairs that include everything from painting torepaving all get underway to prepare for the upcoming school year. In the final few weeks, landscaping is enhanced and even the school buses polished as the district readies for the return of students. Pictured, clockwise from above, groundskeeper Xong Vang trims a hedge at Reyburn In-termediate. Bus driver Feng Ly washes a bus. Bucket loads of wood chips are distributed around Clovis East High.

1. Clovis Unified School District starts school on
Monday, Aug.20.
2 High school students attending the Center for
Advanced Research and Technology will begin
classes at CART Wednesday,Aug. 15.
3. Information about individual schools’ start and
end times can be found at www.cusd.com/schools. 4 A listing of bus schedules is available at
www.cusd.com/transportation.
5. School lunch menus are available online through
Nutrislice. Listings of upcoming menu items, images and nutritional information are available
at www.cusd.nutrislice.com.
6. School websites can be a resource about club
signups, co-curricular activities, teachers, class supply lists and more. Check your school’s website often for new information. (School websites can be found on the district website at www.cusd.com
under the “Schools” tab.)
7. Three CUSD schools have new leadership. New
principals for the 2018-19 school year are Joshua Shapiro at Clovis North Education Center, which includes Clovis North High and Granite Ridge Intermediate; Ben Clement at Enterprise High and Clovis Online; and Ed Schmalzel at Clovis Adult
School.
8. Back-to-School Night will be held at individual
school sites within the first few weeks of school. Parents, plan on attending to learn what teachers
will expect from students in the coming year.
9. Parent Connect offers information about student
academic standings on assignments, homework and exams as well as information pertaining to lunch balances and attendance. Parents are encouraged to login to their student’s information weekly to keep informed. Go to www.cusd.com and click on
“Parent Connect” under the Parent tab. 10.Download the new Clovis Unified mobile app,
available for free on Apple and Android app stores to easily find information about a school.

Clovis Unified launches new free mobile app

➤
INFO:
CUSD Today                                                                                                 work is available. Through ParentConnect, parents can also put money onto their
Clovis Unified is introducing a new, free	Search Clovis Unified child’s cafeteria account.
app for mobile devices that provides the	in the app store.	Access to NutriSlice, where school latest school news, event dates, student                                                 lunch menus and nutritional information grades, lunch menus and more all in one                                                 is offered, can also be found through the place.                                                                                                             district’s new app.
“We are always looking for ways to increase	“We wanted to make it easy for parents communication with families and are excited                                                 to access all the ways our schools com-to launch another resource to stay connected                                                 municate. The app gives parents this access with parents, students and employees,” said                                                 from their mobile device, anytime,”Avants Chief Communication Officer Kelly Avants.                                                 said.
Parents will be able to use the app to follow their	In March, the district partnered with eSchoolView to child’s school and receive calendar notifications, report     create the app and power the district’s websites and a child’s absence, view staff lists and call the school     phone-callout system, which previously used different when using on a mobile device. If a parent has students     platforms. With the app, website and callout now in different schools, more than one school can be selected     integrated under the same system, schools can share in-and followed.                                                                         formation more efficiently.
The new app provides access to Peach Jar, which is	“Enter once and publish everywhere” is how CUSD the district’s system that emails out school newsletters     Digital Communications Coordinator Jonathan Mathis and flyers about clubs, sports and other opportunities.     explained it. “We know our school sites are busy, and (Peach Jar replaced traditional paper flyers in the district     under this new approach, an office manager, for example, five years ago and has saved not just time, but also     can enter a message in one place and easily designate several hundred trees that would have been needed to     the different ways for it to be sent out. This will be a real make the paper.)                                                                    time saver.”
The CUSD app also links to ParentConnect where	The app is available for download in iOS and Android information on a student’s grades, test scores and home-     app stores.

questions
Page 2	CUSD Today	August 2018

District encourages
Many ways for parents to be informed, reach out

n shared information,

CUSD Today

This school year, let’s keep in touch. Clovis Unified looks forward to parents
and the community partnering with our educational team as we help our students become the best they can be in mind, body and spirit.
With last year’s enrollment of 43,106 students, Clovis Unified has now grown to become the 15th largest school district in California. While we are excited about growth, we remain solidly committed to staying accessible to our community.
There are many ways parents can reach out to connect with us, and there are mul-

tiple ways we strive to connect with them. Each month our student families and employees receive CUSD Todayin the mail. Our district newspaper – funded by com-munity sponsors by way of advertising support – showcases some of the bigger events and news of the district while also highlighting a sample of the many great things going on in our 52 schools. Story ideas and photos are welcome, and can be sent to a school’s designated Media Site
Coordinator for consideration.
The district also uses Two Minutes Today, a short video blog emailed monthly to par-ents, to provide information about current news or upcoming topics. (Watch for this month’s segment that discusses ways to get ready for the school year and details about Clovis Unified’s new mobile app and up-dated school websites.)
Each of our schools offers a newsletter, website and social media channels that are

full of useful information. On a districtwide level, ParentConnect, NutriSlice and PeachJar will let parents and students easily find out about grades, schoolwork, lunch menus and more. The new Clovis Unified app will give parents the convenience to access much of these items in one place. Parents are also encouraged to follow Clovis Unified on Facebook and Instagram for digital news and updates.

School area system
For families new to the district, it is helpful to understand the structure of Clovis Unified.
Clovis Unified School District includes five comprehensive high schools, five in-termediate schools and 33 elementary schools. It also has four alternative education schools, an online school, an outdoor school, CART and an adult education school.
The 200-square-mile area that makes

up Clovis Unified includes most of the City of Clovis, parts of Fresno County and around 20 percent of the City of Fresno.
The district is divided into five school areas and an educational service area, and each has an overseeing assistant superin-tendent.
The area structure allows the district to maintain a smaller, interactive approach to the needs of the school-area community as the district continues to grow annually by around 300 students.
Founding Clovis Unified Superintendent Dr. Floyd“Doc” Buchanan established many of the core values that the district continues to follow today, including the tenet that it’s people, not programs, who make a pos-itive difference.We value people to people connection. Our area structure allows us to remain small and form relationships

➤ Please see Informed, Page 3

Call for a FREE
Comparative Analysis of Your Home

Cal DRE #09911793

Kevin Cookingham

26 Years Serving CUSD Now with Solid Oak Realty

� Same CUSD values

� Same CUSD competitive spirit

� Same CUSD committment to excellence

Call Kevin at 250-9059 Cal DRE #00770037 Realtor

for ‘artday’
August 2018	CUSD Today	Page 3

Photo special to CUSD Today. Campus Club instructor Angela Romero gives students a lesson on art during the afterschool program last year. The lessons were a favorite among kids and will continue this year.

Van Gogh, Matisse visit Campus Club

nStudents excited

By Lucy Babb CUSD Campus Club

“Art has the power to transform, to illu-minate, to educate, inspire and motivate!”
— Author unknown Clovis Unified’s Campus Club plans on
doing just that!
Clovis Unified’s Campus Club instructors and credentialed-teacher Angela Romero provided students the opportunity to learn and experience art last year during the af-terschool program’s “Artist of the Month,” and the Campus Club team plans to continue the successful program into the upcoming school year.
Featured artists varied from Vincent Van Gogh, to local artist, Margaret Hudson. Les-sons often gave students the opportunity to learn both math and ELA standards through art.
The program created high interest and engaged students through creative projects.

Informed: FROM PAGE 2

tionships with the community.. As our theme for the year says, we know we are “Better together!”

Keep in touch
Clovis Unified encourages an exchange of information and parents and the com-munity are invited to share comments or questions by contacting a child’s class-room teacher, school administrator or area superintendent. School websites

BUCHANAN AREA Assistant Superintendent: Robyn Castillo, Ed.D., 327-9370 High School: Buchanan Intermediate: Alta Sierra Elementary: Century, Cole, Dry
Creek, Garfield, Tarpey,Woods

CLOVIS AREA Assistant Superintendent: Scott Dille, Ed.D., 327-9360 High School: Clovis Intermediate: Clark
Elementary: Cedarwood, Clovis, Get-tysburg, Jefferson, Mickey Cox, Red Bank,
Sierra Vista, Weldon

CLOVIS EAST AREA Assistant Superintendent: Corrine Folmer, 327-9365 High School: Clovis East Intermediate: Reyburn
Elementary: Boris, Fancher Creek, Freedom, Miramonte, Oraze, Reagan,
Temperance-Kutner

➤ INTERESTED:

Campus Clubis a fee-based before and after school enrichment and child care program for grades K-6. It is available at most CUSD elementary schools. Details: 327-9160 or on-line at www.cusd.com/campus-club.

It provided great opportunities for critical thinking and learning objectives that sup-ported their learning in all subject areas. Students learned rich vocabulary through different mediums, textures, shapes and ac-tivities.
Campus Club’s objective was for each child in the program to have gained knowl-edge and love for the arts.
“You can’t get this wrong,” Romero would tell her students, encouraging them to take risks when creating their own art projects and engaging in artistic creation.
When kindergarten student Aiden was asked what he liked best about Campus Club art lessons, he replied,“I like making primary and secondary colors, and I like coloring.”
Students often asked instructors, “Is it art day yet?” and were eager to participate.

have staff and administrator contact in-formation, and teachers will review with parents the best method to connect with them – some prefer emails, others like phone calls – during back-to-school night. Teachers generally should be a parent’s first stop, but parents are always welcome to contact school staff, principals and area superintendents as needed.
Working together, we will make a pow-erful team for our students and we will make this a great school year!

CLOVIS NORTH AREA Assistant Superintendent: Darin Tockey, 327-9355 High School: Clovis North Intermediate: Granite Ridge
Elementary: Bud Rank, Copper Hills, Fugman, Mountain View, Riverview

CLOVIS WEST AREA Assistant Superintendent:
Marc Hammack, Ed.D., 327-9375 High School: Clovis West Intermediate: Kastner Elementary: FortWashington,
Liberty, Lincoln, Nelson, Maple Creek, Pinedale, Valley Oak

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Assistant Superintendent: Steve France, 327-9380 Specialty Schools: Center for
Advanced Research and Technology (CART); Clovis Adult Education;
Clovis Community Day Elementary; Clovis Community Day
Secondary; Clovis Online; Enterprise High; Gateway High; Sierra
Outdoor School

		

LEARN LAUGH SHARE GROW
	
CUSD preschool programs are located at 28 school sites. Classes are available in the morning or afternoon,
3 to 3-1/2 hours per day, five days per week.

2018-2019 REGISTRATION

NOW Relaxed Income Guidelines make

NO COST, QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS IN CLOVIS UNIFIED

MORE AVAILABLE THAN EVER!

CALL
327-9180 TO SCHEDULE A REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT

OR GO TO WWW.CUSD.COM
Parents, My Student, Preschool for all the details!

Page 4	CUSD Today	August 2018

Great dining choices at all CUSD schools

By Nancy Whalen, Registered Dietician CUSD Campus Catering

Clovis Unified School District’s Campus Catering department welcomes students to the 2018-19 school year.
The Campus Catering team serves ap-proximately 25,000 nutritious and delicious meals to CUSD students each day. School menus, along with photos of our food, nu-trition information and descriptions can be found at www.cusd.nutrislice.com.
All menus meet USDA nutrition regu-lations based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, such as whole grains, variety of fruits and vegetables, and low-fat and fat-free dairy. The staff recognizes food is only nutritious if consumed, therefore, they work to follow market trends and conduct taste tests to plan student-driven menus that students will enjoy while meeting USDA requirements.
To begin the 2018-19 school year, Campus Catering is offering a vegetarian lunch entrée choice daily on the elementary menu (please note: these vegetarian choices are not all vegan and may contain cheese and/or egg). Some of these new vegetarian options

include: Quesadillas, Three Bean Chili, Macaroni-n-Cheese and Cheesy Pull Apart Bread with Marinara Sauce. In addition, bread and rolls are baked fresh in our schools’ kitchens creating an amazingly inviting environment in which to dine.
These balanced nutritious meals are priced at $1 for breakfast (elementary), $1.25 for breakfast in grades 7-12 and $2.25 for lunch (elementary), $3 for lunch in grades 7-12.
To determine eligibility for free or reduced meals, visit www.cusd.com/lunch. All stu-dents are offered the same selection of meals. The Campus Catering team hopes your children enjoy dining with us often and thank you for your support!

Photo special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb. Clovis Unified’s Campus Catering serves around 25,000 nutritious, tasty meals every day at school cafeterias. School menus can be found at www.cusd.nutrislice.com.

among ways to prepare
the coming school year we must
elevate the importance of team.
in it lies our happiness.”
E
C
,
stay focused on their goal.
VISION

August 2018	CUSD Today	Page 5

District team parallels approach of cave-rescue team

By Eimear O’Farrell, Ed.D. Superintendent

EVERYfour years the FIFA

World Cup draws the attention of sports	fans around the world. My Irish heritage definitely comes
out during this	Eimear O’Farrell, competition and             Ed.D.
I find myself
drawn to the athletic skill and heart of the hundreds of soccer players who compete in this renowned tour nament.
I’ve also delighted in hearing the stories from back home in Ire-land of the enthusiasm that the World Cup inspires in soccer fans across the globe.
But this summer there was an-other soccer team that held the world enthralled, a team that was far removed from the glamour of the World Cup. This was a team of 12 young players and their coach who became trapped in the Tham Luang caves in Thailand.
I, along with everyone I know, was glued to the news throughout their ordeal, rooting enthusiastically for their successful rescue and shed-ding tears of joy when each one of the young men made it out safely. It was a drama in real life story that caught the hearts and minds of our entire world, and since its happy conclusion I’ve come to re-alize that this story has parallels with our own Clovis Unified team. What I saw play out on the nightly news and streamed through social media was a story about the power of team, and about a very real example of Clovis Unified’s theme for this school year: Better Together! I truly believe that this happy story would have had a very different outcome if it hadn’t been for teamwork; and what a lesson we can all learn from their exam-
ple.
This fact first caught my atten-

tion as I heard about the number No one group served a more im- tion. This group reminded me of     is integral to the success of our of different groups from around portant purpose, and each was op- our business team and grounds or     entire district.

These teams came together, worked
around obstacles and looked past
any differences in language or culture to
“
the world who converged on the erating in their field extensive cave system north of of expertise with a Bangkok, Thailand to aide in the common goal to bring rescue effort. Civil engineers, med- the boys and their ical teams, geologists, dive experts, coach home. members of the military and many	Some groups, like other groups from numerous coun- the geologists and tries were involved in this rescue mining experts who operation.                                          were focused on at-
My second aha moment came tempting to find an
when I thought about how each alternate exit route,
of these groups brought a different served a secondary support role – construction workers whose work         Others, like the cave divers, were skill set and expertise to the attempt. a safety net to the primary opera- takes place in the background but     on the front lines of the rescue. They reminded me of our classroom

teachers who each day stand before our students and work tirelessly to bring learning to life and inspire students to success. They, like the divers, are singularly focused on bringing a “happy ending” to our students.
These teams came together, worked around obstacles and looked past any differences in language or culture to stay focused on their goal. After the boys were rescued and in the midst of the worldwide celebration, I heard a story that mentioned another example of the power and necessity of teamwork. In the final hours of the Tham Lu-ang rescue, apparently a critical pump that had been siphoning wa-ter from the flooded cavern, failed. If the same thing had happened just a few hours earlier the entire operation would have been com-promised.
What if just one group had waved off the offer of help from another? The happy ending to this story may never have happened. What a life learning lesson for us, and what a great reminder that in
Photo special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb.

Clovis Unified’s Summer Fun program offered participating students the chance to explore a variety of in-
cator in our district – and every
terests from art and pottery to baking, science and coding.                                                                                Our team includes every edu-“Love of learning is the most necessary passion ... employee is an educator. It also in-cludes every one of our students
and every one of our parents and guardians. I’m excited about this year, and energized to have every
MILIE DU	HATELET FRENCH MATHEMATICIAN	one of you on our team! We are all better because of you.

Tips to help students have a successful school year

n Campus tour, homework station

CUSD Today

The first day of the 2018-19 school year is just around the corner! From teachers and custodians to bus drivers and principals, Clovis Unified employees are getting ready to receive more than 43,000 students this fall at the district’s 33 elementary schools, five intermediate schools, five high schools and four alternative edu-
cation schools.
As summer break winds down, the following are recommendations that can help your child ease back into school and have a successful new school year.

Before school starts
n Tour the school before the first day to help your student become familiar with where things are. Be sure to find your child’s class-room, or classrooms for those in intermediate or high school. Note where the restroom, library, cafeteria and nurse’s office are lo-cated.
n Identify your child’s drop-off and pick-up meeting place on the school site. If a child is participating in Campus Club or taking a bus home from school,
be sure he or she is familiar with where to go.
n Visit the school website. The website contains valuable information including school start and end times, Back-to-School Night dates, lunch menus, and details about how to get involved in co-curricular activities. There is also a full listing of teachers and administrative staff on the website, including contact information.
n If your child is interested in sports or co-curricular activities, find out through the school or its website how to get involved and when tryouts or signups are. Help your child prepare and begin to train or practice as necessary.

n Ease students back into a regular school schedule. The week before school starts, have students go to bed and wake up earlier a little more each day, moving them closer to what the school bedtime/wake-up routine will be.
n Grab a good book. If students have not been reading this summer, there is still time to warm up those reading skills. Have bedtime reading with younger students.
n Set up a homework station in the home. Find the best place for students to get their work done. Equip it with necessary supplies and make sure it has a good work
surface and lighting.
n Go back-to-school shopping. Take inventory of what your child has and fill in the gaps with what he or she needs. Keep in mind Clovis Unified’s
dress code if purchasing clothes. On many teachers’ websites (which can be found through the school website), class supply lists are available. Other items to consider are a new lunch
box, backpack, water bottle or athletic shoes, depending upon the condition of the year’s
previous ones.
n Talk about what that first day may be like and ask your child how he or she feels about it. Offer reassurance, enthusiasm and support. Let them know it’s OK to be nervous and let them know that lots of other students feel the same way. Have your child plan out what he or she will wear for the first day of school. Review
the after school plan.
n Make arrangements, if possible, for your child to walk to school with a friend or child in the neighbor-hood. Meet before the first day
of school to practice the route and spend time together building a friendship.
n Encourage your student to enter the new school year with a mindset of meeting new people
and having new experiences. Talk about getting involved at school and
joining at least one activity such as a club, academic

or sports team, or the performing arts.
n Fuel the body well. Take a shopping trip with your child now to help choose foods that are nutritious and that they will enjoy bringing to school.
n Pre-make a few dinners that can be frozen. Having meals ready the first week of school can help the family avoid added tension and keep things running smooth. After school starts

n Make sure your child eats breakfast before school. Have students bring a water bottle to keep hydrated through-out the day. Pack a good lunch. Send a few healthy snacks. n Be sure your child gets enough sleep. Doctors recom-mend children up to the fifth grade get as much as 10 to 11
hours of sleep each night.
n Establish regular weekday routines for school, home-work, mealtime and bedtime.
n Have your child go to bed organized with backpack, P.E., or co-curricular clothes and equipment ready for the
next day.
n Make lunches the night before.
n Keep informed. Review all materials the school sends home. Browse the website often to check for important in-formation and dates.
n If the first couple of days are a little tough: remain positive and calm. Let your child know you care and are there to support him or her.
n Check in with your child after school. Review homework. If a child begins to struggle in a given subject and you are unable to help, talk it over with his or her teacher.
n Help your child learn how to keep organized by creating check lists or using a daily planner. Students should note their homework assignments, upcoming deadlines, practice schedules, club meeting times, when permission slips are due and any other important dates.
n Plan some down time. The weather is still nice and kids will do better having had some time to play outside or ride a bike.
n Attend Back-to-School Night and meet your child’s teacher. This informative night provides parents with an understanding about the structure and expectations of the classroom.

➤ Please see Successful, Page 8

— ABOUT US —

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 news-paper highlights the achievements of Clovis Unified students and staff; profiles new and updated Gov-erning Board policies; and shares general news and information happening within the district.
Circulation: 32,500.
Funding: All costs associated with producing, printing and mailing CUSD Today are 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 publication date. We do our best to include as many submissions in each issue as our editorial space will allow.

CUSD Today Staff

Publishing & Editorial Clovis Unified School District 1450 Herndon Avenue Clovis, CA 93611 Telephone (559) 327-9094 Fax (559) 327-2957 cusdtoday@cusd.com Kelly Avants, APR
Chief Communication Officer
327-9092 Patti J. Lippert Managing Editor
327-9094 Charity Susnick Advertising 327-9095 Verna Garcia

Graphic Designer 224-9711

CUSD Governing Board

Jim Van Volkinburg,D.D.S.	Elizabeth J. Sandoval	Ginny L. Hovsepian President                              Vice-President                                 Clerk

299-8994	291-7564	434-8272

.
Sandra A. Budd          Christopher Casado Steven G. Fogg, M.D           Brian Heryford 448-6801                          908-9953                          269-7000                           299-4586

CUSD Administration

Eimear O’Farrell, Ed.D.	Don Ulrich, Ed.D. Superintendent                                       Deputy Superintendent
327-9100	327-9107

Norm Anderson                        Barry Jager                         Michael Johnston Associate Superintendent,          Associate Superintendent,            Associate Superintendent,
School Leadership	Human Resources and	Administrative Services 327-9350                             Employee Relations                              327-9110
327-9308

Page 6	CUSD Today	August 2018

Free, reduced-price meals available for eligible students

CUSD Campus Catering

Clovis Unified School Dis-trict has announced its policy for providing free and re-duced-price meals for chil-dren served under the Na-tional School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Pro-gram. Each school and/or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
The household size and income criteria identified in the 2018-19 Income Eligi-bility Guidelines chart will be used to determine eligi-bility for free, reduced-price, or full-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown here are el-igible for free or reduced-price meals.
Children who receive Cal-Fresh, California Work Op-portunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs, or Food Distribution Program on In-dian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automatically el-igible for free meals regardless of the income of the house-hold in which they reside.
Application forms are be-ing distributed to all house-holds with a letter informing them of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for enrolled children and will be available at all Clovis Uni-fied school sites. Online ap-plications are also available at cusd.com. To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school cafe-teria or the Campus Catering office for processing or com-plete an online application.

Applications may be sub-mitted at any time during the school year.
The information house-holds provide on the appli-cation will be used to deter-mine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials. Requirements for school officials to determine eligi-bility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving Cal-Fresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR benefits – applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household mem-ber. All children in house-holds that receive CalFresh, CalWORKS, or FDPIR are eligible for free meals, and if any child is not listed on the eligibility notice, that house-hold should contact Campus Catering to have benefits ex-tended to that child. For households who do not list a CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR case number, the ap-plication must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member,

and the signature and cor-responding last four digits of a Social Security number of the adult household mem-ber who completed it. If the household member who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate on the application that a Social Security number is not avail-able.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the sponsor/agency, shall re-view applications and deter-mine eligibility.
Parents or guardians dis-satisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the deci-sion with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a for-mal request for an appeal hearing of the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the sponsor/agency’s hearing official.
Parents or guardians should contact Campus Catering for specific infor-mation regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for a specific school, agency, or district.

2018-2019 Income Eligibility Guidelines

	FREE ELIGIBILITY SCALE Lunch, Breakfast
	REDUCED-PRICE ELIGIBILITY SCALE Lunch, Breakfast

HOUSEHOLD SIZE
	
YEAR
	
MONTH
	
TWICE PER MONTH
	
EVERY TWO WEEKS
	
WEEK
	
YEAR
	
MONTH
	
TWICE PER MONTH
	
EVERY TWO WEEKS
	
WEEK
	
1
	$ 15,782
	$1,316
	$ 658
	$607
	$304
	$ 22,459
	$1,872
	$936
	$864
	$ 432
	
2
	21,398
	1,784
	892
	823
	412
	30,451
	2,538
	1,269
	1,172
	586
	
3
	27,014
	2,252
	1,126
	1,039
	520
	38,443
	3,204
	1,602
	1,479
	740
	
4
	32,630
	2,720
	1,360
	1,255
	628
	46,435
	3,870
	1,935
	1,786
	893
	
5
	38,246
	3,188
	1,594
	1,471
	736
	54,427
	4,536
	2,268
	2,094
	1,047
	
	6
	43,862
	3,656
	1,828
	1,687
	844
	62,419
	5,202
	2,601
	2,401
	1,201
	
	7
	49,478
	4,124
	2,062
	1,903
	952
	70,411
	5,868
	2,934
	2,709
	1,355
	
	8
	55,094
	4,592
	2,296
	2,119
	1,060
	78,403
	6,534
	3,267
	3,016
	1,508
	
	For each
	additional f
	amily me
	mber, add:
									
	$5,616
	$468
	$234
	$216
	$108
	$7,992
	$666
	$333
	$308
	$154

If a household member     the CalFresh, CalWORKs, or     tus from the previous school becomes unemployed or if     FDPIR office that a child is     year will continue into the the household size increases,     a member of a household     next school year for up to the household should contact     currently receiving CalFresh     30 operating days or until a Campus Catering. Such     or FDPIR benefits or an as-     new determination is made. changes may make the chil-     sistance unit receiving Cal-     When the carryover period dren of the household eligible     WORKs benefits.                      ends, your child will be for benefits if the household's          School officials will notify     charged the full price for income falls at or below the     households of their eligibility, meals, unless the household levels shown above.                  but those who do not want     receives a notification letter Households that receive     their child(ren) to receive     for free or reduced-price CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FD-     free meals must contact     meals. School officials are PIR benefits may not have     Campus Catering. CalFresh, not required to send remin-to complete an Application     CalWORKs, and FDPIR     der or expired eligibility no-for Free or Reduced-Price     households should complete     tices. This institution is an Meals. School officials will     an application if they are not     equal opportunity provider. determine eligibility for free     notified of their eligibility         For more information meals based on documenta-     by Aug. 19.                                contact CUSD’s Campus
tion obtained directly from	Your child’s eligibility sta-     Catering at 327-9140.

Clark, GR earn national honor

Clark and Granite Ridge intermediate schools were re-designated as National Schools to Watch at the an-nual conference of the same name in Washington, D.C. this summer.
This is the second time Granite Ridge has received the designation and the third

time for Clark.
Clovis Unified School Dis-trict was also recognized as a district for having all five of its intermediate schools currently retaining the pres-tigious designation.Alta Sier-ra, Kastner and Reyburn in-termediate have previously been designated as such.

The National Schools to Watch program recognizes middle schools that show gains in academic excellence, are responsive to the chal-lenges of early adolescence, and are socially equitable in providing all students with high quality teachers, re-sources and support.

n
for Buchanan High
By Kelly Avants
July 18
emorial Stadium.
August 2018	CUSD Today	Page 7

BOARD BRIEFS

New culinary class OK’d
Board approves pay rate increases for substitute teachers

kindergarten, as required by the Education Code, and the second was regarding the dedication of an easement to PG&E related to improvements being made at Veterans
Chief Communication Officer	M Both recommendations were later ap-proved during the meeting.
Board members discussed a written staff At the Clovis Unified Governing Board	report reflecting that, during the second se-
meeting July 18, board members approved	mester of the 2017-18 school year, the district a new course of study, “Culinary Arts and	received zero noncompliance issues under Hospitality Management,” which will be	the elementary physical education settlement. available at Buchanan High for the 2018-19	This is the last reporting period required school year. In addition, the board approved	by the settlement.
the 11 community-funded bus routes re-	In other action, the board:
quested by school communities that do not	■ Approved the submission of a waiver otherwise qualify for busing as outlined in     request to the state allowing kindergarten Board Policy No. 8301 – Student Trans-     instructional minutes at some school sites portation Management.                                    to vary from transitional kindergarten in-
The board also held two Public Hearings.	structional minutes at those same sites. The first was related to submission of an          ■ Approved the Dashboard Alternative Instructional Minutes Waiver for transitional	School Status (DASS) and Student Enroll-

Preschool registration online

Clovis Unified’s preschool	provide a wide range of de-	emotional instruction. registration packet is available	velopmentally appropriate          To	register,	go	to online. Families whose chil-	activities for young children.	www.cusd.com, select “Par-dren will be 4 years old on	Parents and families are an	ents,” then “My Student” and or before Feb. 2, 2019, or	integral part of our preschool	then “Preschool. Open “Reg-whose children will be 5 years	program.	istration” from the menu on old between Sept. 2 to Dec.          The goal of the preschool	the left; read instructions; 2, 2018, are eligible to enroll	program is to develop the	click the orange “Online Reg-those children in Clovis Uni-	whole child through: lan-	istration” button at top right-fied’s preschool programs.	guage and literacy, math, his-	hand corner; and begin.
Each preschool program	tory, science, visual and per-	For information or assis-is comprised of a highly qual-	forming arts, physical devel-     tance, please call (559) 327-ified teaching staff. The staff	opment, health and social     9180.

ment Certification for Clovis Online and Enterprise High schools. The state’s new DASS program aims to evaluate more fairly the success or progress of alternative schools that serve high-risk students. To be eligible for the DASS program, at least 70 percent of each school’s enrollment must be com-prised of high-risk student groups.Admin-istrative team members from Clovis Online School, Enterprise High and the District Office determined that the enrollment for each school exceeds the 70 percent threshold for high-risk student groups and that DASS would provide the best model to evaluate the performance at both sites.
■ Approved the submission of Clovis Unified’s Local Education Agency Plan (LEAP) for the 2018-19 school year.
■ Authorized the district to enter into an agreement with Corwin, a SAGE Com-pany, to provide Visible Learning professional development district-wide.
■ Approved revisions to Board Policy No. 6401 – Rules Governing Payment of Certificated Salaries.
■ Authorized the purchase of musical instruments via piggyback through Fresno Unified School District RFP 16-15, which allows for the expedited purchase of new musical instruments for district VAPA pro-grams and enables Clovis Unified to receive negotiated cost savings and save order lead time.
■ Approved the conveyance of an ease-ment in a portion of the Buchanan Educa-tional Center property required for the in-stallation and operation of electrical facilities to support a communications tower and related improvements.
■ Adopted resolutions authorizing in-ter-fund loans for cash flow purposes; for general liability and workers’ compensation coverage related to volunteer personnel; and authorizing a debt service estimate to be provided to the County of Fresno respecting unsold general obligation refunding bonds for fiscal year 2018-19.
■ Approved all fundraiser requests, stu-dent trip requests, change orders, conference requests and bid for supplies, as submitted.

June 13
Before the start of their June 13 meeting, the Governing Board honored employees retiring from the district with a reception. This year, more than 100 individuals retired after serving the students of Clovis Unified for a combined 2,550 years. Later in their meeting, the board approved a resolution thanking the retirees for their service and care for students of the District.
Following the reception, the board acted

upon a number of business items on their agenda.
Highlights of the meeting include:
■ Approval of a $20 increase in the daily rate of pay for substitute teachers from $105 to $125/day. Also approved was an increase to the district’s salary schedules of 3 percent. The substitute rate of pay for long-term subs was also increased by $20. These changes took effect July 1, and will appear on the employee’s first paycheck of his or her con-tracted work year. The district’s revised salary schedules are available online.
■ Approval of Rob Barnes to the position of Director of Information Technology, ef-fective Aug. 1, and Ben Clement to Principal, Online School, and Courtney McMahon to the position of Learning Director at Clovis Adult School, both effective July 1.
■ Passage of the proposed 2018-19 budget, a copy of which is available from the Business Services Office.
■ Passage of the Local Control Account-ability Plan (LCAP) outlining how the district will meet the needs of at risk students during the coming school year. The LCAP is available online at cusd.com.
■ A public hearing was held to provide opportunities for comment about, and later the Board approved, the annual Special Ed-ucation service plan and budget.
■ Approval of all fundraisers, student trips, change orders and conference requests as submitted.
■ Scheduling of public hearings related to a proposed waiver request for transition kindergarten instructional minutes require-ments, and for the consideration of the granting of a land easement to PG&E at Veterans Memorial Stadium to occur in July during the regular meeting of the Governing Board.
■ Approval of several agreements with service providers for the 2018-19 school year to meet the needs of Special Education students, provide equipment, and supplies and construction services.
■ Approval of new Board Policy No. 4607 – Federal Grant Funds, outlining prac-tices and procedures for handling federally funded grants; and revisions to Board Policies No. 2116, 2202 and 9301 to reflect new guidance from the California Attorney Gen-eral. The updated policies can be found online in the district’s policy database.
❑
Complete minutes and agendas are available online for all meetings, along with videos which are posted for 30 days following the meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Governing Board is set for Aug. 15 at 1680 David E. Cook Way in Clovis.

.

Page 8	CUSD Today	August 2018

Successful:

FROM PAGE 5
n Consider volunteering in your child’s class, library or parent club.
n Students, make a habit of packing your homework in your backpack right after completion to assist with be-ing organized in the morn-ing.
n Students, don’t procras-tinate. Plan your week ahead and don’t leave things until the last minute!
n Students, take P.E. class seriously. Set fitness goals and try to improve every day.
n Secondary students, al-ways communicate with your teacher about upcoming co-curricular events that will take you out of class. Find out how to make up the missed work and instruc-tion.
n Secondary students, re-member your learning di-rector and counselor are available to help you succeed. If you have a problem – ac-

ademic, social or emotional – talk with them as there is lots of support available to

assist you.
n Count on having a great school year!

August 2018	CUSDToday	Page 9

CART
For one week, the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) – which is a joint hands-on, learning based school run by Clovis and Fresno unified school districts for high school juniors and seniors – is transformed during the summer as an academy for younger students. Labs let students take part in a variety of activities including making a film, coding a program, building a toolbox and dissecting a sheep’s brain.

Photos special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb.

N
Page 10	CUSD Today	FU August 2018

Hundreds of kids had a blast this summer taking classes at Clovis Uni-fied’s Summer Fun program, held at Granite Ridge Intermediate. Chil-dren had the opportunity to learn
something new or dig in a little deeper to a variety of creative topics. Some of this year’s new classes in-cluded “Around the World Adven-tures,” “The Art of Disney,” “Jedi Training,” “Chinese” and “Improv.” Ongoing favorites ranged from arts and crafts, cooking, photography, sci-
ence, reading, computers, sports and drama. Summer Fun was a five-week program that offered two-hour classes for two days a week. Many signed up for multiple classes and made the program a great way to start the summer.

Photos special to CUSD Today by Ron Webb.