Foundation for Clovis Schools

On May 10, the Doc Buchanan Invitational was held at the San Joaquin Country Club
and generated $41,783 for 43 Clovis Unified School and the Foundation for Clovis
Schools. The golf invitational was named in honor of Dr. Floyd B. Buchanan who was
Superintendent of Clovis Unified for 31 years.

Tee sponsorships totaling $24,900 were disbursed directly to schools and the
Foundation received $16,883 which will support classroom grants, Students of Promise
scholarship program and grants for new teachers.

The Foundation wishes to thank event sponsors, Tee sponsors, raffle prize donors
and the many committee members who worked tirelessly to make the Golf Invitational
happen.

Click here to see Tee Sponsor dollars for each school.

On June 22, Foundation Directors and Clovis Unified educators met to review 55 grant
applications from teachers and staff across the school district. Thirty-one projects
totaling $150,721 were selected to be funded for the 2010-2011 school year.

One of the signature programs that the Foundation supports annually is the “Classroom
and School Grants” program. Grants awarded through this program provide innovative
and creative educational experiences which help students succeed academically and
personally.

According to Mike Flynn, Foundation Chairperson, “the Foundation received requests
for projects totaling $287,343. It was evident that teachers and staff put a lot of thought
and care into writing their applications. Every request was for a quality program and we
regret that we could not provide funds for all 55 projects.”

Grant amounts awarded ranged from $195 to $10,000. Community Day School
received $195 to purchase “Brain Pop” which is an animated, interactive website
that uses fun animated characters to teach vocabulary and concept development.
Buchanan High School received $10,000 for a Mobile Netbook Lab that can be moved
from classroom to classroom. The Netbook Lab will teach students how to make
interactive presentations with the latest technology.

Click on the link below for a complete list of projects funded.

San Joaquin Country Club
May 10, 2010

A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY . . .

Recently, a group of parents and business owners met to discuss how to raise dollars to help our schools cope with the biggest budget reductions in the school district’s history. Over the past 18 months, the State has taken $50 million from Clovis Unified’s budget. This represents 15% of the school district’s total budget!

Out of that meeting came the idea for the “Doc” Buchanan Golf Invitational to benefit the Foundation for Clovis Schools. The proceeds will be directed to K-12 schools across the district in addition to classroom grants and student scholarships sponsored by the Foundation.

A variety of sponsorships are available including Tee Sponsorships for $300. 100% of proceeds from Tee Sponsorships will go directly to schools and Tee Sponsors may designate which school(s) will receive their sponsorship.
Additional sponsorships for up to $10,000 will provide funding for critical programs that District leadership has asked the Foundation to support.

Click on the Brochure PDF below to access information about sponsorship levels and benefits. In addition, you may print the Sponsorship Agreement and the Golf Invitational Registration Form. Instructions for submitting forms and payment are on the brochure.

This inaugural event is sure to stand out among the best. Each player will be provided great food, a beautiful day of golf and a tee prize package you won’t soon forget! We invite you to be part of this prestigious event by becoming one of our valued sponsors, by playing in the Invitational, or both. You will be helping our schools at a critical time.

Please join us.

Honorary Co-Chairs
Nick Zinkin
Steve Poindexter
Dennis DeLiddo
Jim Fugman

Event Chair
Danny Parra

PDF - Golf Tournament for the Foundation for Clovis Schools

For more information, contact Danny Parra at 281-1264 or at danny.parra@lennar.com.

The Foundation kicked off the New Year with three new directors joining the Board of Directors.

Wes Qualls, Director of Irrigation and Industrial Surfaces, Franklin Electric

Wes is a graduate of Clovis High School and has three children currently attending Clovis Unified schools. He has served on the Cedarwood Elementary Soccer Board and the Clovis High School Cougar Foundation Board. When asked why he wanted to serve as a Director for the Foundation for Clovis Schools, Wes said, “As a product of Clovis Unified, I want to help our schools continue to provide the excellent education I received and that my children are receiving. There is not another school district anywhere that can match Clovis Unified in what it does to provide children with opportunities to be successful. My goal is to increase the community’s understanding of the low amount of funding the District receives to educate our children. It’s really important that we correct the misperception that Clovis Unified is a wealthy school district. Clovis Unified is a special place. As a new director, I’m constantly amazed at the dedication of school district employees and volunteers and the countless hours they commit to our children. Being part of this team is truly rewarding.”

Ed Dunkel, Jr., President/CEO of Precision Civil Engineering, Inc.

Ed spent his entire K-12 school career in Clovis Unified schools. He attended Jefferson Elementary, Clark Intermediate and graduated from Clovis High School. In addition to serving as a Foundation for Clovis Schools Director, Ed serves on the Saint Agnes Foundation Board, Building Industry Association Board, Bulldog Foundation Board and the Fresno State Athletic Council. When asked why he wanted to join the Foundation for Clovis Schools Board, Ed explained, “The one Foundation program that really touched me initially was Students of Promise. I can fully relate to these students. I know how important a program like this can be for a child that might be financially disadvantaged or lacking the support of a traditional family unit. Also, I know how much the school district needs financial help from the community. My hope is that the Foundation can raise enough funds to significantly impact the needs in our schools. I’m hoping we can touch every student and every teacher.”

Betsy Sandoval, President, Clovis Unified School District Governing Board

Betsy was elected as President of the Clovis Unified Governing Board at their December 2009 meeting. As President of the Governing Board, Betsy will serve as an active, voting Foundation Director for the next year. Having the Governing Board President serve on the Foundation Board of Directors ensures that Directors are aware of current District needs and goals, that the Foundation adopts educational programs identified as a priority by the school district and that Directors establish appropriate fundraising goals to support those programs. Betsy has served on the Foundation Board of Directors numerous times during her tenure on the Governing Board and has been a tremendous help to the Foundation in building community support for our schools. When asked how it feels to be back on the Foundation Board, Betsy commented, “It is my pleasure to once again serve as the CUSD Board’s representative to the Foundation Board. This board is a dedicated group of volunteers that puts in countless hours of their time to raise money to help our students and schools.”

Business and community leaders will come together on Tuesday, September 22, to hear Dr. David Cash, Clovis Unified’s new Superintendent, give the annual “State of the District” address. Dr. Cash will share how state funding is impacting district programs and operations as well as report on the latest student achievement results.

The Superintendent’s Back-to-School Breakfast is hosted by the Foundation for Clovis Schools with proceeds going to educational programs in Clovis Unified schools.

The event will be held at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Clovis. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Cash’s presentation. For reservations, call Melinda Lail at 327-9093.

Download Breakfast Invitation