While the summer season technically does not end until Sept. 22 in coordination with the autumnal equinox, the summer break has come to an end for local students.

On Wednesday the first batch of local children returned to class in Denair when the district welcomed roughly 1,300 across their four campuses. Meanwhile, Hughson Unified and Chatom Union will kick off their first classes on Monday. On Tuesday, both Turlock Unified, Turlock Christian Schools and Keyes to Learning Charter will start their new year. TUSD is expected to have just over 14,000 students enrolled this school year. Meanwhile, Hilmar Unified students will begin their academic year on Thursday.

Lattig takes the helm at TUSD

The 2024-2-25 school year will be David Lattig’s 24th as a teacher and administrator, but it is his first as the head of any school district.

In June, Lattig was appointed as interim superintendent by the TUSD Board of Trustees, taking over for longtime superintendent Dana Salles Trevethan who retired after 33 years in the district this summer.

Prior to his appointment, Lattig had been employed with TUSD for eight years and served in a number of administrative roles. His most recent role was Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Before that, he was principal of Turlock Adult School, director of Career Technical Education and Program Equity and assistant superintendent of human resources.

“TUSD is ready to partner with our families during the 2024-2025 school year to provide the best possible educational experience for our students,” Lattig said in a statement. “We are looking forward to a year of establishing new relationships and building upon those we’ve already created. By working together we can maximize academic achievement and help our students learn the skills they need to thrive. We can’t wait to get started on Tuesday!”

Districts stress importance of attendance

Per usual, one of the main topics of discussion amongst school leaders heading into the new school year surrounded how to improve attendance.

Denair Unified’s student/parent handbook is straightforward when it comes to absenteeism and tardiness. “Children cannot learn if they are not in school,” it states.

School districts have different truancy thresholds and varying penalties for students and parents, which can all be found in respective handbooks. By law, handbooks are accessible to the public online at each district website.

“This year, again we are placing a special emphasis on celebrating our students’ success through excellent attendance. We believe that consistent attendance is crucial for academic achievement, and we will be implementing fun incentives to encourage regular school attendance,” said Hughson Unified Superintendent Brenda Smith in her back-to-school message.

Public and district transportation is essential in bringing hundreds of students to school. This week, bus routes were also announced by the school districts, and can similarly be found on district websites.

Last year, the Stanislaus County Office Education incentivized students to come to school by giving away a car, though they have not made any indication that they will do it again this school year.

Denair emphasizes commitment to English-learning students and math instruction

Among Denair Unified Superintendent Terry Metzger’s top priorities for the 2024-25 school year is addressing the chronic struggles of English learners across all grade levels and boosting math literacy among all students.

English learners represent about 22% of Denair’s enrollment. Metzger said test results show the need to provide additional support for those students. To address the issue, class schedules this year have been adjusted to allow for specific Designated English Language Development time at the elementary level as well as grades 6-12. The district’s Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs (ELOP) also will focus on English learners for the next few years, just like it did during the summer session that just ended. 

Math also will be emphasized in ELOP activities. Denair students – like most across the state – continue to struggle to meet math standards. Being literate in math includes critical thinking and logic, as well as arithmetic skills. Metzger said the district also is partnering with the Stanislaus County Office of Education to provide intensive professional development in math for teachers at all levels.

No more suspensions for the ‘willfully defiant’

The most significant change arriving to public high schools comes in the form of Senate Bill 274.

SB 274, which was put into effect on July 1, is putting a stop to suspensions for high school students who are “willfully defiant.”

Conduct that is considered willful defiance, or low-level behavioral issues, include talking back to teachers, refusing to turn off cell phones, violating dress codes and being tardy.

The law, which only applies to public schools and is in effect through 2029, is an expansion of California’s existing ban on willful defiance suspensions at the junior high level. 

A call for updated immunizations

Districts are encouraging parents to make sure that their children’s immunization records are up to date. Vaccines that students should or are highly encouraged to have include:

·         Hep. A and B

·         DTaP

·         MMR

·         Polio

·         Varicella

·         HPV 

·         COVID-19

The Turlock Unified School District’s Family Resource Center is hosting a pair of vaccine clinics. The first is on Aug. 14 and the other on Aug. 21. Each clinic will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1574 E Canal Dr.

What’s up with lunch?

Turlock Unified School District, Denair Unified School District and Chatom Union School District will once again be offering their students free breakfasts and lunches thanks to the California Universal Meals Program.

As for students enrolled in the Hilmar and Hughson districts, parents had to have applied for free or discounted lunches.