Over the past year, Big Creek School has transformed an empty space into a vibrant art studio, a place where students can immerse themselves in painting, drawing, and ceramics. Through the Artistic Intelligence project, the school is taking its fine arts program to the next level with the addition of a fully equipped pottery studio for slab art, sculpting, and ceramic wheel work.

The July Superintendent's Superstary is Jacob Cavazos II, a standout senior at Career Technical Education Charter High School, embodies excellence, leadership and impact. As a gifted fabricator and artist, Jacob took first place in both the regional and state SkillsUSA Welding Sculpture competitions, and he will represent California at the national level — an incredible accomplishment that reflects his exceptional skill and dedication.

Summer kicked off with creativity taking center stage as students from across Fresno County participated in the Fresno County Summer Arts Academy (FCSAA). FCSAA is an immersive program designed to inspire and nurture young artists. Hosted by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with Fresno City College, the Academy offered hands-on instruction in visual arts, music, theater, and digital media, providing students a space to express themselves, build confidence, and explore new artistic skills.

A few months ago, 16 brand-new kayaks arrived at the Scout Island Outdoor Education Center, thanks to the generosity of donor Kaye Bonner Cummings. With summer programs now underway, the kayaks are now in full use. Students participating in the program learn more than just how to paddle, they gain essential skills in water safety, teamwork, and communication.

Washington Academic Middle School, in Sanger Unified, implemented a Special Olympics Program that has had a transformative impact on students in special education.

Students across various grade levels at Pine Ridge Elementary participated in engaging learning opportunities that fostered both social connection and academic growth. The Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) elective brought together a close-knit group of students who might not have otherwise formed such unique friendships. This group became enthusiastic ambassadors, actively recruiting new members and expressing excitement about attending school on D&D days.

The Orange Center Multicultural Arts Program continues to grow, enriching the school community by celebrating and educating students about the diverse cultural influences present within their student population and the broader community. This ongoing initiative provides a unique opportunity for the entire student body to engage with and appreciate a variety of dance and music traditions from around the world.

Madison Elementary launched its first-ever Best Buddies Club, a student-led initiative designed to foster meaningful friendships, inclusion, and mutual understanding between upper-grade general education students and their peers in special education. This important program provided opportunities for students to build relationships through shared activities, teamwork, and regular meetups that emphasized kindness, empathy, and belonging.

The Stay Safe, Stay Ready: First Aid Kits project at Washington Union High School successfully increased awareness and engagement with the Union Health Clinic, a vital resource for students and families. The team developed branded materials to represent the clinic at community events and school functions and presented to 14 school leadership groups to further promote its services.

Students at Pacific Union Elementary School created a Raised Bed Flower Garden to provide a hands-on, engaging learning experience. Through each stage, from planting seeds to watching flowers bloom, students explored the full plant life cycle while building key skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and observation.

This project aimed to enhance physical education by introducing CTEC Highs School students to badminton and spike ball, fostering teamwork, hand-eye coordination, and overall physical fitness. While both sports were well-received, badminton emerged as the favorite, with students quickly grasping the fundamentals and demonstrating enthusiasm for the game.

At Kerman Middle School, the recent acquisition of cooking supplies through the generous Innovation Grant, has transformed the life skills class for special education students into a vibrant hub of learning and creativity. Essential tools were carefully selected to cater to the unique needs of students, ensuring they have everything necessary to embark on their culinary journey.

The CUSD Ethnic Students Guided Inquiry Project brought together 9th grade students from Clovis East and Clovis North High Schools to present their in-depth research on local Fresno history during a district-wide, History Day-style showcase.

Through the support of the Innovation Grant, Coalinga High School successfully implemented the Link Crew program as a way to support the transition of incoming 9th grade students. Efforts included recruiting and training upperclassmen to serve as mentors, designing and producing custom Link Crew t-shirts to promote team identity and school spirit, and hosting a welcoming orientation for the entire incoming freshman class.

Cougar Cave has quickly become a beloved tradition on the campus of Clay Joint Elementary School, one that encourages positive behavior and builds a stronger sense of community among students. Designed as an incentive during recess, the program rewards students who demonstrate good behavior with a fun, well-earned break in the Cougar Cave.

The project at Kingsburg High School focused on enhancing the Academic Decathlon experience for participating students. With the support of Innovation Grant funds, the team was able to create custom t-shirts designed and produced by the school’s graphic design class, fostering student creativity and school pride.

The Developing Future Engineers and Innovators project has brought new STEAMe learning resources to elementary school students, offering hands-on experiences to explore science concepts such as balance, motion, and engineering. Kindergarten and first-grade students especially enjoy the Logic Puzzle boards, where they use motion blocks to code friction cars, strengthening sequencing and problem-solving skills.

Through the innovative classroom project, Learning Through Seeing, students at Washington Colony experienced Medieval Europe like never before, using advanced virtual reality (VR) technology to explore historical sites and life in medieval towns. With support from educational and technology experts, the project successfully integrated VR into the curriculum, allowing students to immerse themselves in the architecture, culture, and daily routines of the era.