Districtr Newsletter

Dear Lemoore Union Elementary School District Families & Staff,

Spring has arrived, and we are excited to continue our commitment to fostering learning and providing engaging experiences for our students! We are already several weeks into the final trimester of the 2024-2025 school year, and there is still so much ahead of us in these last months. This edition of our LUESD District newsletter is packed with updates, celebrations, and highlights, including special moments shared by our students and staff.

Our LUESD staff has truly excelled, focusing tirelessly on meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of our students. We remain dedicated to supporting the growth of EACH ONE of our students. This was clearly demonstrated during our recent professional development day, where we deepened our focus on fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Our goal is to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our students, staff, and families. The dedication of our staff was evident as we worked together on enhancing instructional practices, collaborating as teams, refining our behavioral supports, and integrating behavior academies. These efforts are crucial in equipping our site and district support staff with the specific training they need to make a positive impact and difference for the students we GET to serve.

In this spring newsletter, I hope you'll enjoy exploring the variety of exciting experiences we’ve been able to offer our students. From engaging in sports at the elementary and middle school levels, to participating in Read Across America Day to celebrate our love of reading, our students have had countless enriching experiences. We’re also proud of our students’ successes in music competitions, sporting events as well as their impressive performances in the recent District and Kings County Spelling Bee events. Our students are shining examples of success each and every day!

Additionally, we're thrilled to announce our LUESD Employees of the Year, a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our staff, who play an essential role in our students’ success.

Thank you for trusting us with the education of our community’s children. We do not take this responsibility lightly. As we approach spring break from April 14-21, I wish all of our families and staff a restful and rejuvenating break. We look forward to the many exciting learning and engagement opportunities that lie ahead as we finish the school year strong!

Happy Spring Break!

Sincerely,

Cheryl Hunt, Superintendent

We are pleased to announce our Lemoore Union Elementary School District Employee of the Year

• Teresa French, Paraprofessional at Bridges Academy - Employee of the Year!
• Ana Ortiz, Instructional Resource Teacher at Meadow Lane - Teacher of the Year!
• Deena Mathers, School Psychologist at Liberty Middle School - Administrator of the Year!

The second trimester of the 2024-2025 school year at UCS has been an exciting and successful continuation of the great start we had this year! We’ve had many memorable moments that reflect our strong Hawk HERO culture.

Our students were busy with fun events such as the Annual Turkey Trot and the Jingle Bell Run on the Lemoore College campus, where the spirit of teamwork and community shone brightly. In sports, our 6th-8th graders competed in boys and girls soccer and basketball. A special shoutout goes to our B Girls basketball team for earning 3rd place in the league tournament an incredible achievement in our first year competing!

The ASB has kept the energy high with events like the Valentine’s Day Grams and the upcoming Spring Fling Dance. Our Kings County Spelling Bee participants continue to impress, consistently ranking among the top spellers in the county.

Our after-school program for 6th-8th grades has seen impressive growth, expanding from 7 to 18 participants. We’re excited about the continued expansion of this program. Additionally, we’ll soon be honoring our 2nd trimester academic achievement award winners, including Hawk Scholars (3.0-3.79 GPA) and Dean’s List (3.8-4.0 GPA) students. On a weekly basis, we celebrate our students’ hard work with Hawk Hero awards and our Student of the Month/Golden Hawk awards during Friday morning announcements.

We’re proud to announce that several 8th graders have registered for dual enrollment classes at Lemoore College following a Fall presentation. Additional exciting news, UCS is now officially a 4-H member! This allows us to launch new clubs in gardening, STEAM, and music/art. Our garden is already flourishing with flowers and various crops like peas, spinach, kale, onions, and carrots. This spring, we’ll be planting tomatoes, peppers, corn, zucchini, melons, herbs, and more. We’ve also kicked off special electives and tutorial classes, featuring LMCHS seniors as tutors, which has been a wonderful addition to our students’ learning experience.

Looking ahead, we’ll soon be painting our “UCS Stars” and “Top Hawks” on the walls, and our students will showcase their impressive projects in math, ELA, science, and history.

Here’s to even more accomplishments and exciting moments as we finish out the school year strong!

Our 6th grade students just had the opportunity to attend SCICON, an educational outdoor science camp located in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. SCICON is a hands-on environmental learning experience that allows students to connect with nature while deepening their understanding of science concepts.

During their time at camp, students participated in a variety of activities, including nature hikes, team-building exercises, and outdoor science experiments. They explored local ecosystems, observed wildlife in its natural habitat, and learned about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. The SCICON staff led interactive lessons that made science come alive outside the classroom.

Aside from the educational activities, students also enjoyed campfire songs, team challenges, and making lasting friendships. The experience helped build leadership skills, fostered teamwork, and inspired a deep appreciation for the environment

Our 6th graders returned from SCICON with unforgettable memories and a new sense of curiosity about the natural world. The trip was not only a fun adventure but also an invaluable educational experience that will have a lasting impact on their academic journey.

Read Across America week is always a highlight at Cinnamon! This annual event, dedicated to promoting the joy of reading, pays tribute to the beloved author Dr. Seuss and his contributions to children's literature.

Our amazing librarian, Mrs. Ahumada, worked hard to organize a week full of exciting activities to celebrate the event. Students and staff participated in fun dress-up days, from “Cat in the Hat” hats to wearing their pajamas for a cozy reading day. Mrs. Ahumada shared Dr. Seuss trivia and interesting facts about his life and works which kept everyone engaged and eager to learn more. Teachers also engaged students with classroom activities, including storytime, reading challenges, and creative projects inspired by Dr. Seuss’s stories.

We not only celebrate Dr. Seuss but also continue to inspire our students to develop a lifelong love for reading. It was a wonderful week filled with fun, learning, and plenty of Seuss-inspired joy!

Lemoore Elementary celebrated Read Across America during the week with a celebration of reading. There was also a week of dress up days, including dress as your future college or career. We also had guest readers from all over Lemoore reading & sharing stories with each one of our classes. Thank you to everyone who came to share stories with our students.

Congratulations to our Lions who participated in the Kings County Spelling Bee. Aiden Martinez (2nd grade) placed 2nd. Arielle Pasion (4th grade) placed 1st.

From January to March, the students at Lemoore Elementary got a chance to attend various field trips. Our 6th grade students attended SCICON. They spent a week away from home to learn hands-on about science and conservation. Our TK and Kindergarten students spent the day at ImagineU Children’s Museum. They experienced interactive exhibits that sparked curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth with hands-on activities.

During the month of March, our first graders went to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, third graders to Kings County Farm Day, and fourth graders were able to study California history at Harris Stage line in Paso Robles. In April, our 2nd graders will be heading to the Madera Fossil Museum. So many engaging and exciting experiences for our Lions

Each month students are nominated by their teachers and are celebrated for showing one of the markers of ROAR. ROAR stands for RESPECT, ON-TASK, ACHIEVE, RESPONSIBILITY. We honor students for showing one of these traits at our Lion of the Month breakfast. Parents and family are invited to see their child receive their award and have breakfast with them. Students receive a certificate with their picture, a 20 dollar ROAR buck for our school ROAR store and a gift certificate from a local business. This month celebrated academic success at our end of trimester rally on March 28th.

The Engvall Student Council has planned many fun events for our Engvall Families. They have helped plan 2 Movie Nights, 2 Bingo Nights, Fall Carnival and a variety of dress up days. They held an Engvall Family Paint Night and an Engvall Family Technology Night. Students from Engvall Student Council are elected to officer positions by their peers. Additionally, each classroom from grades 4th, 5th and 6th have two student representatives per classroom. Together as a council, these students work throughout the year to ensure Engvall students and Engvall Families are experiencing memorable events.

The Engvall staff has focused on student learning throughout the entire year. From the very first day of school Engvall Staff has prepared lessons and activities to ensure students are learning what they need to be successful in the current grade level and the upcoming grade levels. Our students will have the opportunity to show what they've learned on our upcoming DIBELS assessment for Kindergarten through Second Grade, CAASPP assessment for Third through Sixth Grade and ELPAC assessment for our English Learner students. Each of these assessments will be taken in May.

Engvall had a wonderful Winter Sport Season. The girls and boys soccer team played well on the field while focusing on good sportsmanship. We are extremely proud of both the Engvall Boys Soccer and Girls Soccer teams for their outstanding achievements and positive behavior throughout their respective seasons. The Engvall Boys Soccer Team, led by Mr. Abbott finished the season with a perfect record of five wins and zero losses. The Engvall Girls Soccer Team, coached by Mr. Gonzales worked incredibly hard throughout the season and ended their season with two wins and three losses. The Engvall staff and students are incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship displayed by both teams. Congratulations on your success!"

As a part of Read Across America celebrations, our students and staff gathered at Freedom Park to celebrate the love of reading. Each student found a cozy spot to dive into their favorite book, with some even sharing their stories with their book buddies. We were thrilled to have the Liberty Middle School Student Council join our TK class, spreading their passion for reading as well! This event marked the end of a week filled with fun dress-up days and exciting guest readers. At Freedom Jets, we truly LOVE to READ!

Our students are having an incredible year of field trips, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to LUESD for making these experiences possible for EVERY student in our district. So far, our students have explored exciting destinations like SCICON, the Chaffee Zoo, Imagine U, Farm Day, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And the adventure doesn’t stop there! We have more amazing trips lined up, including visits to Harris Stage Lines and the Fossil Discovery Center in the coming weeks. These field trips have provided invaluable learning experiences for our students, as well as memorable moments for our staff and parent volunteers.

Students in grades 1-6 recently competed in the Freedom Spelling Bee, the LUESD Spelling Bee, with a few advancing to the Kings County Spelling Bee. We are excited to congratulate Dafneigh Isip, the third-grade winner of the Kings County Spelling Bee!

The Jets had an outstanding soccer season, with our girls' soccer team finishing undefeated! Both teams demonstrated great sportsmanship throughout the season, following the Flight Plan by being respectful, responsible, and resilient—both on the field at home and while traveling to other schools.

A huge thank you to all the families who attended the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Annual Pancake Breakfast! Whether you enjoyed the breakfast, listened to great music, or participated in the auction, your contributions ensured that music education continues to thrive for LUESD students.

We also want to express our appreciation for the hardworking Liberty students, in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion, Choir, WinterGuard, and Winter Percussion, who practiced all year and shined during the band concert.

Finally, thanks to the volunteers, staff, band teachers, and everyone who contributed their time and effort. Your help was vital in making this event a success. We're incredibly grateful for the continued support from our Lemoore community and can't wait for this event next year.

Read Across America Week was a fun and creative celebration of reading, filled with exciting activities for everyone! As part of the festivities, Mrs. Yang hosted a DIY bookmark contest where students showed off their artistic skills. The bookmarks they created were truly amazing, reflecting their love for books and their creativity. Emerald Khaing and Melanie Valdez were recognized for their outstanding designs and won a gift card for their efforts.

In addition, some of our Liberty ASB students had the opportunity to visit Freedom Elementary and read aloud to Ms. Lopez's T-K class. They had a fantastic time reading stories, sparking excitement and a love for reading among the younger students. It was a heartwarming experience that not only built connections between the schools but also encouraged the joy of reading in our youngest learners

We had an exciting and spirited Liberty Patriot Rally. Students were encouraged to wear Red, White, and Blue to show their Liberty school spirit. The event featured some fun and competitive staff vs. students basketball games, as well as thrilling performances by our cheer team and jazz band.

The girls' basketball team fought hard but ultimately fell short against the staff, showing great determination throughout the game. On the other hand, the boys' basketball team made an incredible comeback after being down, rallying to secure a thrilling victory that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

It was an unforgettable day filled with Liberty PRIDE, teamwork, and lots of excitement. Thanks to everyone who participated and made the event such a success!

All students in grades 3–8 will be taking state assessments in English Language Arts and Math. Additionally, students in 5th and 8th grade will participate in the state Science test. We are confident that our students have worked hard and are well-prepared for these important assessments. To help them feel their best, please ensure they get plenty of rest and have a healthy breakfast before testing.

Key Tests:

• CAASPP: The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress – All students in grades 3–8 will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments in English Language Arts and Math.

• CAST: The California Science Test – Administered to students in grades 5 and 8.

• ELPAC: The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California – This test is for students whose primary language is not English, assessing their English language skills.

How Can You Help Your Child?

• Encourage your child by reminding them that both you and their teacher want them to try their best and that you are there to support them.

• Ensure they get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy breakfast on test days.

• Foster a positive attitude toward the test, reminding them that it’s an opportunity to show what they know.

• Visit the Starting Smarter website at https://ca.startingsmarter.org to review sample questions and resources.

• Take a practice test with your child on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Online Practice and Training Tests web page at https://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html.

We recently held our District Professional Development day on March 14th, where our staff continued their commitment to continuous learning and their unwavering dedication to improving our practices in support of students’ academic growth. We deeply appreciate the time and effort our staff invested in collaborative planning, working together to deepen their understanding of both instructional and social-emotional practices. This ensures that we provide high levels of learning and support for ALL students. Our ongoing focus on this collective work reinforces our vision of making EACH ONE a reality.

This year, our students have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of exciting and enriching field trips, providing them with unforgettable experiences outside the classroom. We are deeply grateful to our parent volunteers for their support as chaperones, and to our students for their enthusiasm in exploring new places and ideasSome highlights include: Our TK-Kindergarten students enjoyed an engaging visit to ImagineU, while 2nd grade students ventured to the Fossil Discovery Center. 1st grade had a fun-filled trip to the Chaffee Zoo, and 4th grade students took a fascinating journey back in time at Harris Stage Lines, learning about 19th-century travel to the West. Our 6th graders had the incredible opportunity to embark on a 5-day adventure in nature at Scicon, the outdoor school for science and conservation. These memorable experiences offer our students and families valuable opportunities for learning and adventure that will last a lifetime!

The top spellers moved on and participated in Kings County’s Spelling Bee which took place the week of February 25th through February 28yh, 2025 at the Civic Auditorium in Hanford. Our elementary district participants secured first place medals in grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 and second place medals in grades 2, and 6.

LUESD Kings County Spelling Bee Winners:

1st place : Noah Maldonado, 1st grade Cinnamon Elementary

2nd place: Aiden Martinez, 2nd grade Lemoore Elementary

1st place: Dafneigh Isip, 3rd grade Freedom Elementary

1st place: Arielle Pasion, 4th grade Lemoore Elementary

1st place: Julliana Cruz, 5th grade Engvall Elementary

2nd place: Daenneh Isip, 6th grade University Charter School

As the principal of Liberty Middle School, Erin’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative. Her dedication to our students and staff has earned her recognition from state and national organizations, including School to Watch and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Middle School ranking. Erin’s commitment to academic growth, inclusivity, and fostering strong relationships has made Liberty a model of success.

Erin’s leadership truly embodies our district vision of EACH ONE: Every student, All staff, Committed to High expectations, Oriented to Results, No excuses, and Excellence every day!

We are so proud to have you leading the way, Erin – your passion and vision inspire us all! #PrincipalOfTheYear #LeadershipExcellence #DifferenceMaker #EACHONE