Media Advisory
1450 Herndon, Clovis, CA 93611-0599
(559) 327-9000; Fax (559) 327-9099
www.cusd.com
August, 16 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kelly Avants, Administrator, Communications & Board Relations
Phone: 559-327-9092 Fax: 559-327-9099
or
via e-mail
Back to School rally for employees kicks off new school year
Thursday, Aug. 18 Close to 3,000 Clovis Unified employees will crowd the Savemart Center to kick-off the new school year. The annual rally-style event will feature student performances, messages from the superintendent and Governing Board president, and a keynote address from Ron Clark, teacher and author of the book “The Essential 55.”
In his book, Clark outlines the 55 essential expectations he had of his students that helped them succeed. Students in Clark’s classes, first in rural North Carolina and then in Harlem, repeatedly increased their academic performance; resulting in three invitations from the White House to recognize their accomplishments. Following his presentation at the District’s General Session, Clark will meet with a small group of teachers from Miramonte Elementary School over lunch.
Miramonte Elementary, a Title I school in southeast Clovis, has made significant gains in the academic performance of its students. This year, the school was one of only four in Fresno County to be recognized by the California Department of Education with the Title I Academic Achievement Award. Teachers from the school will meet with Clark to discuss ways to further serve students who face economic and academic challenges.
WHAT: Clovis Unified School District All-Employee General Session followed by a meeting with teachers and keynote speaker Ron Clark, Oprah Winfrey’s “Phenomenal Man” honoree and the 2001 Disney Teacher of the Year.
WHERE: General Session will take place at the Savemart Center at Willow &
Shaw avenues in Fresno.
Following General Session, Ron Clark and teachers from Miramonte
Elementary will meet at the Clovis Memorial Building, 453 Hughes Ave. Clovis
WHEN: Thursday, August 18
General Session 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon 12:00 p.m.
Media are invited to attend the General Session rally and/or the Don Clark luncheon that follows. Please contact Kelly Avants, director of communications, or Dr. Ginny Boris, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction, at the events.
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