Leadership Visalia travels back to school

By Victoria Balderas, Human Resources Senior Program Coordinator, CSET

On Friday March 8th the Leadership Visalia day session focused on local education. We kicked off the morning bright and early at Mt View Elementary where we had a warm welcome and were treated to a delightful breakfast accompanied by coffee, juice and music. We started off with an Icebreaker activity that involved sharing meaningful memories or personal traits, fostering connections among attendees.

The morning featured the distinguished speakers, Claudia Ardon-Diaz the Director of Teaching and Learning with a focus on multilingualism, and Dr. Cifuentes, the passionate principal at Mt. View Elementary. In addition, Lizette Ayala, a dedicated student success teacher, shared insights into coaching teachers working with dual languages.

Claudia’s journey, shaped by her early separation from her parents, emphasized the importance of understanding each child’s story to make a difference. The mission and vision highlighted the commitment to a dual language program, now in its third year, emphasizing partnership and program structure. The model ensures unity in language, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals. Currently, Visalia Unified School District has two schools that offer Dual Immersion programs.

The day continued with a presentation by Vanessa Alvarado on the Family & Community Resource Center, addressing issues like homelessness, substandard housing, and unaccompanied youth. A poignant video shed light on students facing housing challenges, reinforcing the need for community support and awareness.

The program also addressed the needs of newcomer students, spanning 2-3 years in its journey since its inception in 2016. The learning process actively involves student voices, aiming to understand their experiences and address challenges, while also recognizing and valuing their individual stories.We had a wonderful pizza party with student panelists who shared their stories. We learned what the program is doing for them or what it has done for those who graduate from the program.

After Lunch, we all gathered for the ride of our lives. We traveled to COS on a yellow school bus. The class was provided with a behind the scenes tour of COS, led by COS President Brent Calvin and Vice President of Student Services Jessica Morison. We visited the Giant Market which is offered to every student, providing them with 18 essential items per month. Additionally, students are encouraged to sign up for CalFresh, reinforcing holistic support beyond educational needs.

Remarkably, the Giant Market program goes beyond the academic realm, offering housing for students and emergency transportation services. The focus on well-being is evident through initiatives like kitchen demonstrations, emphasizing essential life skills such as cooking. Practical aspects like laundry facilities and the availability of Grab and Go items for them at no charge.

Partnerships with local entities, including Giant Threads COS, showcases a collaborative effort towards the program’s success. There is much anticipation for the growth at COS including the expansion of their partnership with the University Center and the offer of more local programs