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Spring 2020 Career Readiness Newsletter
COVID 19 Update
As you are aware, Fresno Unified has made the extremely difficult decision to close all schools for students beginning Monday, March 16 through April 13. We realize the significant impact of this decision on our families and our community, however, out of an abundance of caution we believe this to be the best course of action to help reduce the impact of any potential spread of the virus. Please look for emails regarding upcoming CTE Advisory Committee Meetings and information from College and Career Readiness as we will be sharing data and a survey for community feedback electronically soon!! For more information on COVID19, please visit Fresno Unified website. https://www.fresnounified.org/
Please Save the Date: You are invited to attend the CTE Summit on May 14, 2020!
College and Career Readiness will host the 3rd annual CTE Summit on May 14, 2020. We invite parents, students, community partners and CTE Advisory Committee members to attend this important event. Your feedback and input is extremely valuable as Fresno Unified considers ways to improve our existing CTE programs as well as any new CTE courses in the future.
The event will take place at Duncan Polytechnical High School at 5:30PM. Refreshments will be served.
Fresno Unified Strong Workforce Program Grant-
Industry Partners Needed!
Fresno Unified received K-12 Strong Workforce Program funding that allows the District to pay students as interns in advanced-manufacturing and health-related facilities. All workkers compensation and liability is covered by Fresno Unified and students will have their own transportation to and from the internship location. Fresno Unified wants to hear from you if you are interested in hosting students in your facility! Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Things to know:
  • Internships will range from 40-120 hours at the employers discretion
  • Internships will be screened, interviewed, and will attend an internship orientation prior to placement
  • Internships must take place outside of school hours
  • Students will complete an application and interview prior to placement
  • Students must be Juniors or Seniors
Work-Based Learning
Successful Portfolio Day
70 community partners participated in Duncan Polytechnical High Schools’s Annual Portfolio Day providing invaluable feedback and interview experience to all 618 9 th  and 10 th  grade students. 
Community partners expressed enthusiam about participating on this day:  “Everything was wonderful! Both faculty and students were very pleasant. Great experience- I will be back!” “Today’s experience was a great day for me and I am thankful the students have this opportunity to prepare them for careers and post high school.” “This was a well-organized and fulfilling event. The students were so well prepared and professional. I can tell this is a special place with caring teachers and administrators. I was really impressed with how well the 9 th  grade students did- kudos to them and their teachers!”
More News in CTE
BHS Law Student Wins Scholarship

Ruby Hernandez, a senior in Bullard High School ’s first graduating cohort of Law & Social Justice pathway students, was recognized on February 21 at the annual Pathway to Law Summit. The summit seeks to strengthen partnerships between high school law academies, community colleges, and law schools to build a more diverse and representative community of legal professionals.
Ruby Hernandez was awarded the Ruthe Ashley scholarship at the event, in recognition of her work and achievement in her law pathway. Ms. Hernandez has been accepted to 9 colleges so far, and hopes to pursue a law degree and specialize in immigration law.
Congratulations to Ruby!
 
Boeing Flight Simulators
Boeing reached out to the District in an effort to build awareness early of the career path of a pilot. The simulators have provided an opportunity for students to learn more about the skills needed to operate a plane and Boeing has been an amazing partner to explain more to students about this occupation.
CTE -Excellence In Education
College and Career Readiness is proud to honor Dale Costa, Hoover Construction teacher and Doug Urabe, Duncan Polytechnical Manufacturing teacher. Both CTE teachers were nominated for the 2020 Excellence in Education for their amazing passion for what they do to teach our students to be Career Ready Graduates.
Fresno High Wins National Competition
Fresno High Construction, Design, and Architecture Technology (C.D.A.T.) Academy participated in the National Association of Women in Construction 2020 doghouse competition. Four of their female construction students competed against female construction students from Clovis High. The C.D.A.T. young women won the competition, breaking the win streak of Clovis High. This was C.D.A.T. Academy's first competition and first win. The doghouse was donated to a local no-kill animal shelter. Congratulations Warriors!
Job Shadow Days
Fresno Unified's 4th Annual Job Shadow experiences created opportunities for students to learn a bit more about various industries in our Valley. Over the course of this school year, students have had an opportunity to have a 'Day in the Life' perspective through intereacting with staff and observing how businesses impact our community. Experiences included Manufacturing, Public Service, Digital Media, Business and Entrepreneurship, Technology, Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as Human Services.
The students in the video had a very hands on learning day with simulation mannequins and virtual reality experiences at UCSF Fresno. We appreciate all of our partners for hosting students and sharing the world of work!!!
Fresno Compact Business-Education Partnership Awards
Fresno Compact's Business-Education Partnership
Award winners have invested their time, talent and resources into students in Fresno County. On March 4, 2020 Fresno Unified was proudand grateful to celebrate the business partners who have worked with sites, students and teachers in the District. Congratulations to Charlie Harris of LifeFlower LLC( pictured with Fresno Unified staff). Karen Musson of GarBennet, and Mike Betts with Betts Company
Duncan Polytechnical Students admitted into Future Nurses Program
A record breaking eight snior students from Duncan Polytechnical High School Nursing Services program, a CTE pathway in the Medical Academy of Science and Health ( MASH) were informed they were admitted into the Future Nurses Program at Fresno City College. This is more than double comparied to years past. The Future Nurses Program is a cohort of 20 CNA students who gain priority registration and automatice acceptance into the Registered Nursing Program at Fresno City College.
Fresno City Allied Health Counseling team complimented Duncan on how well the MASH Academy has prepared students for entering the workforce and college. Duncan Polytechnical MASH students receive BLS Health Care Provider certification, OSHA 1- ( health care) training, dual enrollment course credits, Medical Spanish, Medical Math, AP courses, community service opportunities and job-site training. Congratulations to the students and to Duncan MASH Academy!
Elementary CTE Experiences
CTE experiences begin as early as 3rd grade for Fresno Unified students.
Bricks 4 Kidz  -- a company specializing in STEM education utilizing Lego models - teaches engineering skills to each 3rd grade classroom. Bricks 4 Kidz will visit each elementary school site twice this school year to provide an in-class 60-90 minute learning activity to all 3rd grade students across the District. Cooperative team-based discovery and critical thinking skills are reinforced as students work together to determine career themes of the hands-on activity. 
Experiences are offered that expose our students to the Career Pathways and Programs offered at each region’s high school. The goal is to introduce students to future Career Technical Education opportunities and career possibilities. New industry partners along with many of our previous industry connections have volunteered to support our 4th grade students. 
6th grade students will visit one of three local community colleges: Clovis, Fresno, and Reedley. Each school offers a unique experience for our students, but all provide exposure to future educational opportunities with our higher education partners.
Below is a list of our industry partners working with our 4th graders.