Supt. ScoopTheScott Siegel, Ed.D.

Ceres Unified School DistrictSupt. ScoopFall 2019-2020

CUSD Board welcomes new employees

Continued on page 4

At a recent Board meeting, the CUSD Board of Trustees celebrated more than 120 staff members who

are new for the 2019-2020 school year! When you see these fresh faces around the district, please make them feel welcome:

CertificatedJordan Abbott • CC • Lang. ArtsErika Alarcon • CF • Grade 4April Autrand • CVHS • EnglishAndrea Baroni • CHS • Learning DirectorKimberly Berbena • SPED • MH ClinicianKate Bigelow • CC/MH • AgTyler Bolton • ARG • Science

Anika Brock • LR • KindergartenAnna Brown • CVHS • EnglishKarina Cantu • SPED • School Psych.Kimberly Carr • Preschool • PreKPatricia Correia • CAS • Grade 6Nicholas Crivelli • CC • ScienceJonathan Davis • CC • Lang. ArtsGurpreet Deol • CHS • Math/ScienceBethany Doty • SV • TKEmily Farris • SPED • SLPBeatriz Flores • CC • Dual Lang.Holly Gaylor • VP • Assistant PrincipalKelly Gloria • SPED • Behavior Specialist

Susana Godinez • PKB • Grade 4Leah Grant • CHS • Activity DirectorKassandra Gutierrez • WW • Grade 6Angelica Hernandez • CAS • BCLAD KElizabeth Hernandez • CF • KBrian Jones • CC • Lang. ArtsAnthony Kasch • CVHS • ScienceManjot Kaur • SV • Grade 3Jeffrey Kleiner • MH • Social StudiesJordan Lefler • CHS • ResourceBertha “Alicia” Linarez • MH • MathSalvador Loera • ARG • Social Sciences

In this edition: Preparing studentsfor the future ... p. 2

CUSD Foundation fundraiser ... p. 3

Produced by CUSD Communications

Nov. 1 professional learning day ... p. 2

Preparing students for the future During a meeting, I asked CUSD

administrators to close their eyes and imagine that their child (or niece, nephew, or grandchild) is graduating from high school. I then asked for a show of hands from those whose vision for that loved-one’s future includes college or other post-sec-ondary education. Every hand in the room went up. My follow-up ques-tion was this: Should our expecta-tions for students be different than those we have for our own children?

Research has long shown the dramatic impact of education level on earning potential. But did you know that, in 2016, the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors estimated that the chances of losing a job to auto-mation over the course of a career were 20 times higher for the lowest paid workers (those earning $20/hour or less) versus high earners ($40/hour or more)? At a time when entire industries are giving way to artificial intelligence and automation, a high school diploma is no longer enough to assure today’s students a living-wage job – let alone a com-fortable living – throughout their working lifetime.

Does this mean that every student should or will enroll in a four-year college immediately after high school? No. However, a study by the ACT determined that the academ-ic skills required for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other “vocational” trades that provide a reasonable standard of living were the same as those for prospective college students.

Ceres Unified is working to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to choose their own post-secondary path – whether it be community college, state or private university, vocational training, or military service. Some of the ways we are accomplishing this are:

• Continuing to build proficiency in core skills (reading, writing, math)

• Developing “the four C’s,” critical thinking, creativity, col-laboration, and communication – abilities that will remain relevant in rapidly evolving job markets

• Strategic use of technology to supplement quality instruction, such as an Internet-enabled device for every K-12 student. In 2018-2019, we were also able to provide “Chromebooks for College” – gently used Chrome-books retired from district service and offered to graduating seniors at no cost.

• A focus on college and career, beginning in elementary school

• College Transition Learning Directors to assist high school students in preparing for post-secondary education, apply-ing for college and financial aid, and successfully transitioning to college

• Community partnerships that support mentoring, skill building, scholarships, and other resourc-es. Last year alone, scholarships totaling nearly $200,000 were awarded to graduating Ceres seniors.

• A Career Technical Education program structured around industries and skill sets most in demand, with college credit and internships available after graduation

A study by the ACT determined that the academic skills required for electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other “vocational trades” ...

were the same as those for prospective college students.

A heartfelt shout-out to everyone who made the Nov. 1 professional learning day a resounding success – planners, presenters, and all who attended.

Perennial favorites including The Hope Dealer, Jeremy Bates, and Conscious Teaching guru Grace Dearborn joined forces with CUSD superstars to lead meaningful learning on topics ranging from PBIS and

trauma-informed practices to PLCs, success criteria, and self care for educators.

The investment of time and energy that goes into a day like this is tremendous, both for those coordinating and running the event, and those committed to growing and learning. Our students will ultimately reap the rewards, and that, after all, is what it’s all about.

District-wide learning engages, informs

CUSD Foundation celebrates honorees, raises over $21,000 to benefit students

On Friday, Oct. 18, the Helping Students Today & Tomorrow fundraiser returned for its eighth year, raising more than $21,000 for the CUSD Foundation, which funds supplemental projects and activities to enrich learning for K-12 students, and college scholarships for graduating Ceres seniors. Approximately 200 guests gathered for a dinner, live auction, and the opportunity to honor indi-viduals and organizations for their significant and sustained support of Ceres schools.

Parent volunteer Yeni Cisneros was honored as the 2019 Elementary Volunteer of the Year, parent advocate Linda Castellanos was named the Secondary Volunteer of the Year, and G3 Enterprises’ Logan Mayes was honored as the Community Volunteer of the Year. Also recognized were the 2019 Friends of Education, Teens Run Modesto, which provides mentors and resources to support students in experi-encing the benefits of running, and Second Harvest Food Bank, which operates Mobile Fresh food distributions in the Ceres community.

In a video presentation during the fundraiser, recent graduates of Ceres High School and Central Valley High School shared how scholarships from the CUSD Foundation alleviated some of the financial pressures asso-ciated with post-secondary education, and allowed them to focus on academics and extracurricular activities.

“I feel like it was such a blessing and an honor to receive (the scholarship) because I’m able to enjoy my first year of college not wondering, ‘how am I going to pay?’” said Briana Rodriguez, who was awarded

the Walt and Edith Hanline Scholarship. “I work minimum wage and my parents, you know, they can’t really help me out … so having that scholarship, for me it’s a really big deal.”

Jennifer Novoa, 2019 recip-ient of a Grant and Mildred Lucas Scholarship, said, “I’m very grateful to have received this scholarship award and just to know that I don’t have to worry so much about finances, and that I get to focus more on school and the stuff that I’m involving myself in.”

The CUSD Foundation em-bodies the shared visions of the late Dr. M. Robert Adkison, founding superintendent of the Ceres Unified School District, community member Dave McConnell, and former super-intendent Dr. Walt L. Hanline. Since its inception in 2012, the “Helping Students Today & Tomorrow” fundraiser has generated more than $159,600 to benefit Ceres students through scholarships and teacher-mini grants.

Lisa Gasper, who teaches at Endeavor Alternative Center, is one of 59 Ceres teachers

who applied for and received a teacher mini-grant in the 2018-2019 school year. Lisa used the supplemental funding to purchase books for an elec-tive class that helps students explore life skills such as job readiness and goal setting. One of her students shared,

“I’m very grateful for this program because it’s helped me get ready for my future, and made me believe that I have a future, instead of complaining how I don’t think I’m going to make it out there. I think it’s really helped me realize that I have a chance.”

Above, left to right, are 2019 Volunteers of the Year Yeni Cisneros (nominated by Adkison Elementary), Linda Castellanos (nominated by Chavez Junior High), and Logan Mayes (nominated by Walter White Elementary), who were recognized at the Eighth Annual CUSD Foundation fundraiser on Oct. 18. Central Valley High School S Club students (below) helped greet guests and escort them to their seats.

“I’m very grateful for this program because it’s helped me get ready for my future, and made

me believe that I have a future, instead of complaining how I don’t think I’m going to make it out there. I think it’s really helped me realize

that I have a chance.”– Endeavor student on life skills elective

(books funded through teacher mini-grant)

Connect with CUSD on social media:

Ashley Maderr-Gill • WCS • Science/TechTeresa Madruga • SPED • School Psych.Nereyda Martinez • CF • Grade 5Rob Mayben • CVHS • Emotionally Dst.Genesis Mejia • CAS • BCLAD Grade 4Marcos Mendoza • CVHS • ResourceHannah Menk • ADK • Grade 4Monica Mendoza • CAS • BCLAD Grade 6Cameron Moscozo • CHS • EnglishAllison Mugele • WCS • ASL/AdvisoryJoshua Mullins • CHS • ScienceAna Aguirre Naranjo • CVHS/CHS • Criminal JusticeMonique Newton • WCS • DanceEnoe Ochoa • WCS • MathYadira Hurtado Orozco • CC • Lang. ArtsClement Otu-Tei • SSD • School NurseMichael Parsons • CVHS • PEVictoria Penaloza • CAS • BCLAD Grade 3Sandra Perez • SPED • School Psych.Clarisa Ramirez • WW • TKDaisy Ramirez • CAS • Grade 2Melina Ramirez • LUC/PKB • ResourceMargarita Ramos • MH • Lang. Arts/ELDDakinya Rashonazlo • DP • Grade 3Carmen Rivas • WCS • KindergartenDebora Rodriguez • VP • Emotionally Dst.Sonia Lopez Rodriguez • LUC • BCLAD Grade 4 Sophia Rout • SV • Grade 6Hayley Rovito • ADK • Grade 5Melissa Ruger • DP • Emotionally Dst.Victor Santoyo • SPED • SHAja Scheuber • CVHS • ResourceGurpreet Shokar • CAS • Grade 5Meghan Sims • SPED • SLPDianna Smith • WW • SHAmy Souza • SNC • Grade 3Lita Teixeira-Ahrens • ADK • KSydnee Tickenoff • CC • LHLisa Van Scoy • Preschool • PreKJocelyn Verdusco • Preschool • PreKMarilu Villasenor • Preschool • PreKStephanie Wallace • SNC • SH

Jess Watson • WCS • Social StudiesDana Whetstone • WCS • MathSara Wilson • MH • Business

ClassifiedAlejandro Arzola • CVHS • Campus Sup.Edimayri Corrales Ayon • CHS • SSSAshliegh Bain • Preschool • Instr. Para IIClaudia Calderon • SPED • Social Skills FacilitatorSergio Lopez Castillo • MH • Custodian IAmed Cazarez • WCS • Custodian IKyle Cerny • CVHS • Youth AdvisorKrystal Cole • CVHS • Instr. Para IIPriscilla Cruz • Ed. Options • Rec. Sup.Jacob Dominguez • BK • Itinerate Para IIITimothy Durazo • Ed. Options • School/ Staff Secretary IKimberly Flores • BK • Instr. Para IIMartha Gallardo • Ed. Options • Rec. Sup.Samantha Gomez Centeno • VP • Instr. Para IEdith Gonzalez • LR • Itinerate Para IIIBrennan Hauser • Ed. Options • Rec. Sup.Christine Ibarra • CF • Instr. Para IIIRay Lopez • MH • Campus Sup.Vicki Lopez • Ed. Options • Rec. Sup.Maira Madrigal-Marron • CWA • School/ Staff Secretary IIMonica McGowan • Child Nutrition • Food Service Worker I

Wuilfrido Molina • Ed. Options • Rec. Sup.Jasmin Montalbo • WP • SSSJennifer Montesdeoca • Child Nutrition • Food Service Worker IMaribel Moralez-Perez • LR • Clerk IIDaisy Ochoa • WW • Instr. Para IEvelyn Padilla • WW • Community LiaisonMorgan Parker • SSD • Instr. Para IJennifer Perez • CVHS • SSSNadean Perry • WW • Itinerate Para IIIVaneza Torres Pichardo • BK • Instr. Para IAna Prado-Jimenez • ADK • Itinerate Para IIIAshley Ramirez • CF • Itinerate Para IIIRoberta Riley • ADK • Itinerate Para IIIUlises Rosales, Jr. • Project YES • Youth AdvisorAlma Curiel Santillian • SSD • School/ Staff Secretary IBlanca Schopp • CF • Itinerate Para IIIJonathan Slefo • Technology • Tech. Spec. ISahil Soni • Ed. Options • Rec. Sup.Matthew Teixeira • Child Nutrition • Food Service Worker IIElizabeth Valencia • CC • Instr. Para IMaria Wolf • Transportation • Bus Operator/MaintenanceLizabeth Yepiz-Hernandez • CHS • SSSMaria Rosas Zepeda • Child Nutrition • Food Service Worker I

New employees (continued from page 1)

At a recent Board meeting, the CUSD Board of Trustees welcomed more than 120 employees who are new to the district for the 2019-2020 school year.