Clovis Unified School District

🍎 CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
Today we recognize Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19, that commemorates the end of enslavement in the United States.

❤️ PEER2PEER SUPPORTS
From the elementary to high school level, schools across Clovis Unified have been implementing "Peer2Peer Support" programs to help empower students to lift each other up and keep their campuses safe, kind and inclusive.

At the high school level are Peer Counselors, intermediate and high school students trained and certified to listen to and guide their peers through challenging situations. Select juniors and seniors are chosen to be Peer Ambassadors, with a high level of experience as a Peer Counselor and represent the program to district leadership, the community and the elementary sites.

Newer to the elementary sites is the Mediator Mentor program, where fifth and sixth grade students are trained by an experienced high school Peer Counselor on conflict-resolution and active listening. They assist during primary-grade recesses to help students work through minor disagreements. Each Mentor is also matched with a young student who could benefit from extra guidance and support.

"From a fifth grader helping a first grader find a friend at recess, to a senior speaking passionately before our School Board, the Peer2Peer Supports program is a living embodiment of the Clovis Unified spirit," said Teacher on Special Assignment and Peer2Peer Support coordinator Derrick Davis. "It reminds us all that our schools are not just places of academic learning; they are communities of care."

⚙️ FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS!
What did some curious-minded kids do their first week of summer break? They tried out hands-on projects like building a lemondate stand in a business lab, programming a robot in an engineering lab, and even dissecting a sheep's heart in a medical anatomy lab! At the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART), high school learning labs were opened up to younger students for one week so students could expand their knowledge and also see what courses they may want to one day take themselves.

CART is a campus shared by Clovis Unified and Fresno Unified, which allows juniors and seniors the chance to learn real-world skills in career-focused courses, often partnering with local organizations to put their lessons into action and make connections that will benefit them after they graduate. Learm more at cart.org.

💻 TECHNOLOGY BOOT CAMP
Staff from around Clovis Unified came together for a two-day Technology Boot Camp! The camp, organized by the Technology Department, has previously won awards for its success in providing essential professional development in a fun way. From creative classes about Canva and Adobe products to serious courses about Microsoft Office tools and ParentSquare, our staff is polishing up their tech skills to be ready for another great school year in the fall!

🏃 MORNING MILES FOR THE EAGLES
Pinedale Elementary’s “Morning Miles” crew topped off the school year by participating in the recent Fresno Hot Fudge Sundae Run at Woodward Park – and Superintendent Corrine Folmer and her husband ran right alongside of them!

The Morning Miles club met before school on Wednesdays at the blacktop for current and former students, staff and family members to enjoy running together. Students earned collectable charms for every five miles they logged throughout the year.

"This program was developed when we saw that many of our students could not pass the mile run for Physical Fitness Testing," said Pinedale Principal Debra Bolls. "Since starting this program, students who participate have been passing this test, and we have increased our numbers of students participating in cross country and track."

To celebrate their hard work, each year the group takes part in a 5K walk/run at Woodward Park. Not only did they get rewarded with ice cream and all sorts of toppings following the race, the group also won a $100 gift card for being the largest and most spirited team! Congratulations also to Pinedale participants Noel Altamarino and Oslin Pineda Ochoa who won first and second places, respectively, in their age group!

⭐ FLAG DAY
Happy Flag Day, always celebrated on June 14 to commemorate the day the design of the United States flag was officially adopted in 1777 by the Continental Congress. Here are a few fun facts about the United States flag!

• Although Flag Day was celebrated for years prior, June 14 was officially proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and made a national holiday by President Harry Truman in 1949.
• The official United States flag has always featured red and white stripes and white stars on a blue field, although the first flag only had 13 stars arranged in a circle.
• The design of the United States flag has been adjusted 27 times over the years! The current flag, with 50 stars and 13 stripes, was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959.

🏰 BRIGHT SMILE
A Weldon Elementary student recently had a wish granted by Make A Wish, and went on the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland, Universal Studios and Medieval Times! Ashton has Leigh's syndrome, a neurometabolic condition that affects how his body processes food into energy. This means he takes extra care in managing his energy levels every day.

His favorite part of the whole experience was meeting characters from Star Wars, Marvel and Shrek. He was even made a knight by a queen at Medieval Times!

"Ashton inspires us every day with his determination, resilience and bright smile," said Weldon Elementary GIS Leticia Lewis. "We love seeing him on campus, especially now with his Disney-decorated wheelchair!"

🚲 E-BIKE ACCIDENTS RISING
Local law enforcement has reported an increase in e‑bike-related accidents in our community. As summer approaches and more students are riding, we encourage families to take time to review safe riding practices.

Did you know that more than 80% of e-bike and e-scooter accidents occur in urban areas? According to a Harvard report, statistics also show these accidents have been doubling every year.

Parents, make sure your children know the rules of riding an electric vehicle to help keep them safe on the road.
Under California Vehicle Code §21200, those riding bicycles or e‑bikes on public roads have the same responsibilities as drivers of cars. If used incorrectly, e-vehicles can be impounded and will require expensive fines to be returned.

For more information and safety tips from law enforcement, check out our full Parent Bulletin on E-Bike Safety at cusd.com/parent-bulletin.

🏕️ HIRAYAMA CAMPING DAY
A bear was spotted on the Hirayama Elementary campus during the last week of school! Well, it was actually second grade teacher Rachel Sanchez in disguise, surprising her students on their "camping day!" Sanchez prepared scavenger hunts, s'mores and other outdoor adventures for her class to celebrate the end of the school year.

🎓 GRADUATION: PARENT EDITION!
To officially wrap up our graduation season, we wanted to look back at the last few weeks of celebrations and turn the camera onto some of the biggest supporters of our students: their loved ones! Parents, grandparents, friends and more were cheering from the stands, and we captured just a few of those moments showing just how much support our students have.

One final congratulations to our Class of 2026!