WIXLIB

! 0UBLICATION OF THE &RESNO 5NIFIED 3CHOOL ISTRICT#VJMEJOH 'VUVSFT! 0UBLICATION OF THE &RESNO 5NIFIED 3CHOOL ISTRICTBoard of EducationLuisa MedinaPresidentCarol MillsClerkPatricia R. BarrValerie F. DavisManuel G. NunezJanet RyanTony Vang, Ed.D.AdministrationMichael E. HansonSuperintendent of SchoolsRuth F. QuintoAssociate Superintendent/CFO, Admin. ServicesTerry SimerlyAssociate Superintendent, Instruction DivisionBarbara BengelAsst. Supt. State and Federal ProgramsProfessional DevelopmentJacquie CanfieldAdministrator, Fiscal ServicesSandra CarstenAsst. Supt. K-8 EducationEva ChavezAdministrator, Labor RelationsElva CoronadoAsst. Supt. K-8 EducationHolland LockerAsst. Supt. K-8 EducationJohn MarinovichAsst. Supt. High School DivisionKim MecumAdministrator, Human ResourcesCynthia QuintanaAdministrator, Human ResourcesCaran RescinitiAdministrator, Curriculum & InstructionBuilding FuturesSusan BediCommunity Relations OfficerBuilding Furtures is published October and December,2005 and February and June, 2006 by the CommunityRelations Office of Fresno Unfied School District. Thedepartment can be reached at (559) 457-3733 oronline at www.fresnounified.org.Fall 2005#VJMEJOH 'VUVSFT Superintendent’s MessageWorking Together BetterIn last summer’sedition of Building Futures I wrotethat the successof our district isdependent on the“ dedication, diligence, fair and honest communication,Michael E. Hansonand above all, theSuperintendent of Schoolsdeep engagementof all who live andwork in the community served by FUSD.” Itold you that I would bring focus and rebuildsystems of accountability. In other messages Italked about the need for innovative leadershipand the need to implement cycles of continuousimprovement. Finally, I have talked about theneed for all adults to work well together, towarda common goal.The same messages are true today, but forthis article, I am choosing to focus on the lastconcept listed above – we must work well together.It is important for all to know that we haveshining examples of high level teamwork andcooperation, and we have even more exampleswhere we can improve. However, we can notafford to rest until all of our people work welltogether all of the time. It is clear that we havenumerous people working hard, but they do notwork together all of the time. It is equivalent topeople rowing a boat diligently, but not rowingin the same direction. The message is clear,our future as a district, and our ability to builda better future for our children is dependent onour ability as adults to work well together all ofthe time.We – parents, teachers, administrators, clas-sified staff, and community members – are thepeople who need to take the lead to improvehow we work together. While I am pleased withearly indications of progress, I am not satisfiedthat we have done all we can in this area.This isn’t just a theme for a newspaper article,it is a critical element of our work today. OnDecember 7, 2005 the Board of Education approved a new organization chart for the district.One of the primary reasons for reorganizing thedistrict was to refocus our work to better support schools and students. Along with thesechanges, we’ve also rewritten the job descriptions for many district leaders to require themto work outside of their “silos” and to work inmulti-departmental teams to develop innovativeprograms and procedures to support studentlearning. New School Improvement teams havebeen developed, with vice principals, assistantprincipals, and a principal on special assignment. Each of these people are being asked towork across all district departments to facilitateschool improvement efforts. Finally, we continue to work collaboratively with our bargaining units to complete negotiations and to swiftlyimplement items that have already been agreedupon. There are other signs of people workingtogether to build our future.The Choosing our Futures Task Force andcommunity leaders continue to meet with district staff to implement task force recommendations. English and Math teachers from all of ourhigh schools have been meeting regularly to develop a common curriculum for California HighSchool Exit Exam (CAHSEE) intervention classes for our seniors who have yet to pass the test.Our Assistant Superintendent’s of K-8 schoolshave brought together researchers, curriculumexperts, and PI 5 school principals (schools inProgram Improvement Year 5) to develop newsystems of accountability and support.These efforts to bring people together, tosolve complex problems, across multiple departments are just the beginning. We still havegreat work to do to rebuild a culture of professional trust, where parents, teachers, administrators, classified staff, and community members can rely upon one another. This is not easywork however. In fact, it represents my greatestchallenge as your superintendent.Working together doesn’t mean that we always agree with each other, or that we alwayslike what other people are doing. I accept andvalue disagreements and I realize that there maybe multiple ways to solve a problem. However,rather than focusing on sources of differences,I believe it is critical that we return to the onething that we must all agree upon:Everything we do must be focused on improving student learning.In the fall 2005 edition of Building FuturesI wrote, “Every student in our district deservesa high quality education with talented teachers,safe schools, and a challenging curriculum.”Today, I would add one more thing to the listof things that our students deserve: teamworkamong all of the adults in their world.Thank you for caring about our students, forworking hard each day to give our students every opportunity to succeed, and for finding newways to work together with other parents andeducators. At this time of the year it is naturalfor me to pause and count my blessings. I consider each person engaged in the challengingwork of education to be one of those blessings.I thank you for the warm welcome to Fresno andyour support early on, and I look forward toworking with you this year.FUSD prepares for California Exit ExamFresno Unifiedcurrently has 1,332seniors who haveyet to pass the California High SchoolExit Examination(CAHSEE) in order to earn a highschooldiploma.John MarinovichWith that in mind, IAsst. Supt. High School Divisionwould like to sharehow Fresno Unifiedhas been actively engaged in organized effortstowards our students’ successful passing of thetest and on the road to graduation.First, seniors who have not passed the CAHSEE have been through an individual diagnosticplan conference with their parents and schoolsite personnel. Retired counselors and administrators have been hired on a part-time basisto take on the roles of CAHSEE Case Managersto coordinate these efforts at each high school.Upon evaluation by the school, each student isplaced in appropriate intervention classes tomeet their particular needs based on previousexam scores; the class of 2006 has had the opBuilding Futuresportunity to take the exam once as a sophomore,twice as a junior and three times in their senioryear until receiving a passing score.Next, during the winter break (December 1922), seniors can attend intervention classes attheir home school for four days, 4 hours and 45minutes each day. Approximately 42 teacherswill provide the classroom instruction. Curriculum has been developed by high school mathand language arts teachers and focuses instruction based on each student’s weakest areas asper the diagnostic plan. The District has alsopurchased common textbook materials to use inthese intervention classes.Also, in January and February (January 7, 14,21, 28, and February 4) students will have theopportunity to attend Saturday classes, eachconsisting of four hours of instruction. Theseclasses will focus on content as it relates to testtaking strategies. In all, 39 additional hoursof instruction will be available to these seniorsthrough the intervention programs. Bus transportation is being provided for all students whoattend, and Bilingual and Special Educationteachers are also included in the program.California joins 29 other states that requirehigh stake exit exams. The CAHSEE will not begoing away; it is the District’s hope that currentseniors will take advantage of all the interventionprograms established so they will feel confidentand achieve success in passing the next examto be held on February 7 and 8, 2006. Whenstudents are sophomores their attitude is “yes,I know the CAHSEE is required.” When theyare juniors they often say, “yes, I know aboutthe CAHSEE and I am starting to worry.” Whenstudents finally become seniors and have yet topass the CAHSEE, many feel stress and havenegative thoughts. We don’t want our studentsto suffer this kind of frustration or to give up.It is our intention that these programs will leadeach student to success.As a district, we honestly feel that we arepulling out all the stops to support our seniors.As parents, I recommend that you support yourchild and urge them to take advantage of all theintervention opportunities offered by the district.Continue to give them the encouragement; urgethem to never give up. It’s not too late to takeadvantage of the intervention programs; call theSecondary Division at 457-3901 or your homeschool for more information.www.fresnounified.org

#VJMEJOH 'VUVSFT ! 0UBLICATION OF &RESNO 5NIFIED 3CHOOL ISTRICTwww.fresnounified.orgBuilding FuturesFall 2005

! 0UBLICATION OF THE &RESNO 5NIFIED 3CHOOL ISTRICT#VJMEJOH 'VUVSFT Students ‘learned and earned’680 take part in Fresno County’s Student Pollworker programDid you happen tonotice a high schoolstudent working atyour local pollingplace this past election day? Over 680area high school seniors “learned whilethey earned” by taking part in FresnoCounty’sStudentPollworker program.Thepollworkerprogram in FresnoCounty began in2002, as a result of a statute in the state electioncode permitting high school seniors who are atleast 16 and holding a 2.5 grade point average,to work at the polls at election time. “OperationYouth Vote” quickly developed soon after.According to Victor Salazar, Fresno CountyClerk/Register of Voters, the program is a collaborative effort with school districts in recruiting students to work at the polls on electionday. Fresno County’s program is one of the mostsuccessful in the state. Additionally, students,recommended by their high school governmentteachers, must also be United States citizens andattend a mandatory two-hour training course.Duties are the same forthe student pollworker asfor the actual poll clerk.These duties range fromchecking voters in anddistributing ballots toshowing voters how thevoting machine works.Students are even paid 85 for their day workedat the poll, from thehours of 6:30 am-9:30pm. Hours worked canbe used by the studentsfor community servicetowards graduation, extra credit and on job orcollege applications.“I am convinced that if you get young peopleto work as pollworkers, from that point forward,they will be engaged in the election process,”said Salazar.Students working at the polls are only onepart of the three point program. Other pointsof the program include the active engagement ofvoter registration with voter registration drivesdirected at youth and helping to conduct student body elections. “Education about voting isessential so when people do actually vote, theyalready know the process,” said Salazar.While other counties across the statehave suffered with poorpollworker attendance,Fresno County has nothad to “close its doorsto democracy, due tothe contributions ofstudent pollworkers,”boasts Salazar.Fresno County has 430polling places staffed by1700 pollworkers. Over40% of this poll workforce is made up of student workers from over20 area high schools.“Students are a significant contribution to thesuccess of electionsheld in our county,” saidSalazar.A contest, held inconjunction with theprogram, awarded aspecial prize to the high school with the moststudent pollworkers and the highest percentageof workers within the senior class. Bullard HighSchool and SOUL Charter School (School ofUnlimited Learning) were this year’s recipientsof the award. Both schools were presented withan American flag certified to have flown over theU.S. Capitol.Giving Our Best.O’Neill“Pinkerton”Cotton/Acr ylic V-Neck Sweater, 52“Sur veillance” Bomber Jacket, 80“Tacoma” 5-Pocket Jean, 39.50RoxyGirls 7-16, 18- 58TakeoutSequin Shrug, Reg. 34.SALE 17One Step UpSatin Cami, Reg. 20.SALE 10HippieSaddle-Stitch Denim, 78Quiksilver.So you can give YoursBoys 8-20, 16- 72it’s aFall 2005Building Futuresgthingwww.fresnounified.org

#VJMEJOH 'VUVSFT ! 0UBLICATION OF &RESNO 5NIFIED 3CHOOL ISTRICTBaird students receive ‘cool’ helmets“Helmets Are Cool!” Just ask 15lucky students at Baird ElementarySchool that were fitted with brand newbicycle-style helmets in October, aspart of the Fresno Fire Department’shelmet give-away program, “HelmetsAre Cool!”.According to Deputy Chief/FireMarshall Kerri Donis, the helmet program is funded by Fresno’s non-profitFire Chief’s Foundation. The Fig Garden and North Fresno Rotary Clubsalso contributed money to the foundation especially for this program.Through the program launchedthis school year, which heightens firesafety and prevention awareness, allkindergarten through eighth gradeclassrooms throughout Fresno UnifiedSchool District proudly display an 11 x17 inch “Helmets Are Cool!” poster. Inaddition, each school is given a largerposter to hang in a common area foreveryone to see.The program also supplies all Fresnofire engines with the bicycle helmets.When fire crews are out conductingroutine inspections of fire hydrantsor returning from responding to acall and see a child out riding a bikeor skateboarding without a helmet,they will stop and fit the child with ahelmet. Besides the free helmet, thechild will also receive a trading cardwith a picture of the “Helmets AreCool!” poster on the front and safetytips on the back.The primary funding force behindthe Fresno Fire Chief’s Foundationis “Epicurean Delights”. The fundraiser, held at Central Distributing onW. Shaw Ave., features a sampling ofgourmet foods prepared by firehousecooks and professional chefs, including live and silent auctions. Thisyear’s event on May 15 attracted over300 guests, while plans for next yearare underway with the date set for May6, 2006.The first “Fire Safety House” for thecity of Fresno has been ordered withproceeds from “Epicurean Delights”2005. This mobile classroom willteach children how to respond to reallife hazards like smoke and heat. Dueto arrive in Fresno by next summer, the“Fire Safety House” will create an environment that provides children withthe knowledge needed to prevent firesand the steps to follow if they ever findthemselves in a fire situation.To date, over 500 of the original order of 2000 helmets have been givenaway through the program. Donis saidthat another order has been placedfor an additional 500 skater-style helmets.ADHD & Behavior ScreeningMajor Insurance Blue Cross Healthy Families Learning Disability TestingIndividual & Family Therapy Psychiatrist AvailableServing Pre-School to Adults (559) 432-10882William J. Volkoff MS MFT LEPMarriage Family Therapist Licensed Educational Psychologist7335 N. First Suite 102 Fresno CA 93720Also, We Can Help Your School with our Screen EXPRESS Program!Screen EXPRESS “Coordination of Care” for Studentsin your school. Teachers, in contracting schools, simply call or fax therequest. We immediately start assisting your students and families. We assistwith initial screening with our Screen EXPRESS program, help the familyconnect with a therapist and/or physician. Information is also provided to theschool and helps with counseling services, saves time with behavior plans,504 Plans, and other related services schools are currently providing.More than just a broker.A trusted source of ProfessionalInvestment Guidance.www.earlyintervention.comBRIGHT CHILDREN AND ADULTSwho have difficulty withREADING, WRITING, SPELLING and MATHneed specialized instruction offered at:The Cullinan Education Center Specializing in Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities Multi-Sensory Approach One-on-One Tutoring Intensive Phonics Teacher TrainingFresno/Clovis Area – Call 435-3276Outside Fresno Area - Call Toll Free 1-866-685-32761525 S. Mooney Blvd., Suite BVisalia, Ca. 93277 www.fresnounified.org6700 N. First, Suite 117Fresno, Ca. 93710Robert E. Hofm

Low rate loans and high yield savings FREE Checking 24 hour account access And much more.! www.eecufresno.org NCUA 437-7700 or 1-800-538-EECU EECU serves members in 10 counties with branches in Fresno (6), Clovis (2), Hanford, Selma, and Visalia. Do You Have A Child Enrolled in School? C