This Week in KCUSD

The Kings Canyon Unified Educational Partnership Foundation hosted its first-ever Superintendent’s Luncheon in November, kicking off what is sure to become a meaningful tradition in support of Kings Canyon Unified students and staff.

This exciting event brought together dozens of donors and community partners to highlight the successes of the district while raising funds to continue efforts to fund creative and innovative programs in academics, arts, and extracurricular activities.

The Kings Canyon Educational Partnership Foundation has been serving our district for more than 30 years. The commitment from individual donors, businesses and organizations will allow the foundation to support students in ways that go beyond what traditional school budgets can provide.

Every year the foundation offers scholarships for Kings Canyon Unified students to pursue higher education or career training. These scholarships open doors for students with big dreams and bright futures, enabling them to take their next steps toward their future.

New teacher grants help new teachers like Alta’s Diana Gomez enhance their classrooms with innovative resources and tools. Diana used her grant funds to buy many books for her students. She also bought story book character pillows and a beautiful multicultural rug to make a welcoming spot in her classroom for students to read.

Donations to the foundation help new Kings Canyon Unified teachers start their careers equipped not just with the basics, but with the ‘bells and whistles’ that inspire students and make learning more engaging.

The foundation also strives to support creativity and innovation in the classroom and beyond, offering grants for projects at school sites like classwide science projects, school theatrical performances and even school club projects.

The Kings Canyon Unified community is grateful for the generosity and commitment of its partners who are helping to build a brighter future for every student. Many thanks to the following:

Harris Construction

Digitech Integration, Inc.

Valley ROP

Pacific Gas & Electric

Keygent Advisors

Inform 2 Aspire

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud, Romo

Lee's Service

Gonzalez Architects

City of Reedley

PBK

Integrated Designs by SOMAM, Inc.

CAL BENNETTS

Superintendent John Campbell

EECU

The Lopez Doerksen Family

Assemblyman Jim Patterson

Adventist Health

Barragan Home Loan Group

Better Enterprises

Fire System Solutions, Inc.

To learn more about the foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.kcusd.com/supportkingscanyon

Kings Canyon Unified TK through 8th grade students recently participated in the Oral Interpretation Festivals held at each elementary and middle school. This exciting event is a first step in their creative journey, as students showcased their skills through expressive readings and lively performances.

The students’ hard work and dedication were evident as they brought stories, poems, and prose to life. Those whose performances stood out as truly exceptional will advance to the Tulare County Poetry and Prose Festival in March 2025, where they’ll represent our district and share their talents and gain valuable insight from caring and knowledgeable judges.

We’re incredibly proud of every participant for their courage and commitment. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate these young storytellers and support their growth as communicators and performers!

Students across Kings Canyon Unified celebrated STEM Day with engaging, hands-on building challenges that sparked creativity and teamwork! At lunchtime, students enthusiastically gathered to take on exciting challenges, using Legos to build imaginative creations.

At Navelencia, students took their STEM activities outdoors, enjoying the fresh air while working with oversized building resources that added an extra level of fun and complexity to their designs. Meanwhile, at Great Western, students faced an ambitious challenge: building an entire city using every Lego piece available! This task inspired students to think big, collaborate closely, and make their creations come to life.

STEM Day provided a fantastic opportunity for students to explore engineering, problem-solving, and design.

We are proud to recognize two exceptional members of the Kings Canyon Unified School District who have been honored by Superintendent John Campbell with the “Service with a Heart” challenge coin. These awards celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to make our district a welcoming, supportive, and compassionate place for all.

Silvia Barojas, school secretary at Grant Middle School, has dedicated 13 years to serving her school community. Silvia’s commitment goes far beyond her role as secretary. She takes great pride in supporting student activities such as dances and carnivals and is often seen assisting with student supervision. Her positive rapport with parents has played a key role in enhancing the school’s climate, making Grant Middle School a warm and inclusive environment. Silvia’s dedication and tireless efforts are a testament to her passion for her work and her school community.

Guadalupe “Lupe” Barajas De Aguado, a KCUSD bus driver for 10 years, is a cornerstone of the transportation team. Lupe’s willingness to cover routes at a moment’s notice and her collaboration with dispatch showcase her dedication to ensuring the smooth operation of transportation services. Beyond her work on the road, Lupe fosters a sense of community by preparing delicious breakfasts and baked goods for her colleagues, creating a warm and welcoming workplace. Her proactive approach, positive attitude, and team-oriented spirit make her an invaluable member of the district.

These awards highlight Kings Canyon Unified’s commitment to building a customer service culture where all educational partners—students, parents, staff, and community members—are respected, valued, and heard. We look forward to celebrating more individuals who embody the spirit of “Service with a Heart” in the future.

Please join us in congratulating Silvia and Lupe for their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to making Kings Canyon Unified a wonderful place to learn, grow, and work!

Orange Cove High School students are using Artificial Intelligence technology for a Día de los Muertos-inspired project. Students in Mrs. Castaneda’s Digital Photography class are merging their technical skills with cultural heritage using a unique blend of art and technology to create beautiful designs.

The class is offered through Valley ROP and is among the first to explore AI creatively, using Adobe’s advanced AI tools. By combining traditional Día de los Muertos imagery with AI-enhanced effects, students learn to manipulate photos and add layers of color and texture that convey the spiritual richness of the holiday.

Students who learn to use AI applications for digital media are amplifying their creative potential placing them at the forefront of today's technology.

For the past 18 years, Leticia "Letty" Carmona, Bilingual Community Aide at Alta Elementary, has been a cornerstone of our KCUSD community. Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving others embody our district’s priority to “Support, Support, Support.”

Letty consistently goes above and beyond, ensuring duties are performed effectively while providing exceptional customer service. Her warm demeanor, meticulous attention to detail, and willingness to answer questions have left a lasting impact on parents, students, and colleagues alike.

Letty’s compassion and enthusiasm shine through in her interactions with families, creating a welcoming environment where parents feel valued and supported. Many families have witnessed her care firsthand as she goes the extra mile to meet their children’s needs.

Congratulations, Letty!

To have your story or announcement included in This Week In KCUSD, or on district social media platforms, email Communications Director Alisha Gallon.

Email: gallon-a@kcusd.com
Website: kcusd.com
Location: 1801 10th Street, Reedley, CA, USA
Phone: 559.305.7193