Why some Clovis school employees want the district to be more like Fresno Unified
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Hey everyone! It’s Lasherica. It’s Tuesday, Aug. 23. How is it already the end of the month?
Well, as a parent, I know the end of August means that most teachers have returned to their classrooms and started learning about and attempting to address the needs of their students.
And sometimes – I can actually say often – students need their teacher to be more than a teacher. Teachers tend to take the role of a parent, a provider, and a confidant.
For decades, teachers have even tried to take on the role of psychologists for their students.
“If I had my way, I’d be everything for every student, but I can’t be,” 15-year Clovis educator Judy Dumas said last week during a Clovis Unified board meeting. “These fragile young people need more than I can provide.”
Teachers are not trained to be psychologists, counselors or social workers. A safe, caring adult, yes. But not a trained expert.
“Success at my job depends on our school psychologists and mental health professionals,” she said. “Without these professionals, our most vulnerable students cannot learn, and I cannot teach them. “
That meeting was one of two about mental health last week. Clovis psychologists and teachers were vocal about the need for more psychologists during a public hearing that’s part of the collective bargaining process between Clovis Unified School District and the unionized psychologists under the Association of Clovis Educators.
Then California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited McLane High School in Fresno Unified to launch a multi-billion dollar, multi-tiered mental health plan.
He and others said there has been a lack of mental health services for years, even before the pandemic. The pandemic only amplified mental health problems.
Here’s the thing. Many people, including the governor and local community members, say Fresno Unified is putting students’ mental health first with increased investments and resources.
“Our neighboring district, Fresno Unified, has invested in the meaningful and invaluable part of their team – school psychologists,” Clovis psychologist Cy Hiyane said.
So what is it that Fresno Unified is doing? Read this story about why FUSD’s McLane High School, specifically, is a model for the state.
McLane’s Coordination Of Services Team has a full-time staff of three social workers, a restorative practice counselor, a child welfare and attendance specialist and two psychologists, as well as the seven academic counselors who often provide social-emotional support. The team uses a multi-tiered support system to serve students’ mental health and academic and post-secondary education needs.
Across the district, Fresno Unified has made a “significant” investment in mental health support, prevention and intervention, Superintendent Bob Nelson said.
Among the many investments over the years is a 24/7 mental health response team – which Trustee Elizabeth Jonasas Rosas called a “life-saving service.”
In the most recent budget, according to FUSD Trustee Claudia Cazares during a June board meeting, investments also include adding:
27 psychologists
15 guidance and learning advisors
10 resource counseling assistants
10 clinical social workers
“How can we universally provide students with appropriate coping skills to deal with today’s new challenges?” Clovis psychologist Bernadette Rodarte asked. “How can we ensure every student is connected with a network of support? How do we build systems of safety to ensure students don’t resort to hurting themselves and others?”
Clovis Unified said they are negotiating a contract that “respects” the work the district has done and hopes to do.
“We recognize and value the work of our close to 80 school psychologists and mental health professionals and are actively engaged with them to negotiate an initial collective bargaining contract that respects the breadth and scope of what has already been accomplished as well as what is hoped for in the future,” CUSD spokesperson Kelly Avants said.
I’m working on a story this week focused on mental health services in Clovis schools. Do you have thoughts to share about Clovis schools and the social-emotional support for students and teachers? You can email me at lthornton@fresnobee.com.
Until then, you can read these other stories from the Ed Lab.
You can also take this survey and let us know about issues that are important to you.
THE LATEST FROM THE EDUCATION LAB
Husband, wife school board trustees under microscope in this Fresno-area fall campaign
It’s not illegal for spouses to serve on a board together, but the community is questioning the appearance of it.
For a list of the candidates in major education races in Fresno County, you can read last week’s newsletter, written by my coworker Julianna.
‘We started a movement.’ Fresno Unified’s plan to end achievement gap for Black students
“Teachers are able to give them exactly what they need.”
MORE FRESNO-AREA EDUCATION NEWS
With a video about a recent graduate who is an immigrant and mother of three, Madera Community College won Lumina Foundation’s “The Million Dollar Community College Challenge.”
The national grant is meant to help community colleges reach adults who often have “competing demands but could benefit greatly from a college degree, credential or certificate,” a media release said.
Madera Community College became one of 10 finalists this summer and had to create a video about what they could provide for adult learners.
Jennifer Hernandez, Madera Community College student ambassador, filmed and edited the winning video featuring recent graduate Marisela Maciel. Her story captured the “vulnerability and tenacity of the student experience,” the media release said.
“Madera really impressed us by their focus on creating a visceral sense of belonging on campus and in their message of generational transformation,” said Shauna Davis, the strategy director for Lumina Foundation. “This challenge isn’t about advertising; it’s about the intentionality that goes into connecting with the community and creating a college experience that is great from the website, to the parking lot, and to the classroom.”
Clovis Unified School District received four awards from the California School Public Relations Association for “excellence in strategic communication and digital media.”
The school district won Awards of Merit for their 2021 Annual Report and for the Back in the Game Social Media Splash Video and Awards of Excellence for an internal communications campaign for a spring update and a multimedia Heroes Act Spotlight.
The internal communications campaign also received the National School Public Relations Association’s highest award – the Golden Achievement Award.
Students at the College of the Sequoias can participate in a Finding Your Pocket: The Comprehensive Financial Plan workshop on Aug. 29 at 6 pm to learn and develop a plan to control how they spend and save money.
The 90-minute workshop is the last of a six-part series by Pockets Change, a hybrid organization that works with K-12 schools and colleges in financial education.
Still want more education news? Here’s what we’ve been reading
Julianna’s list
He’s antigay and a race extremist. He’s running unopposed for a Bay Area school board seat
The candidate, Dennis Delisle, is one among over 100 candidates running unopposed in school board races across the Bay Area. They won’t appear on the ballot but instead will be appointed as a cost-saving measure. But that means voters may learn of a candidate’s potentially extreme positions only after they start the job. | San Francisco Chronicle
Back to school: California Republicans bet big on local board races
The state GOP is setting their sights on school board elections instead of statewide offices this cycle, seeking to “capitalize on parents’ anger” and “motivate Republican voters.” Part of their efforts involve recruiting and training candidates for the “Parent Revolt.” | CalMatters
Lasherica’s list
Later start times present new challenges for school leaders
Some school districts implemented legislation that required later start times for middle and high schoolers earlier than required, which gave them at least a year to figure out the dos and don’ts of bell schedules and bus routes and consider parent feedback. | EdSource
California colleges now have centers to help students with basic needs like food and housing
New law requires campuses hire a basic needs coordinator. | EdSource
That’s it for this week’s newsletter. But you can always enjoy some other stories from The Fresno Bee.
