Welcome back, Team FCSS. Whether this is your first year with us or your 30th, I hope you're walking into these next few weeks with some excitement about what's ahead this school year, because I certainly am. This is my 36th “new” school year!
At All Staff Day, we talked about what ties nearly 1,700 of us together across so many different roles, departments and locations. It comes down to two words: Kids First. Every job in this organization exists to create the conditions for a student somewhere in Fresno County to succeed. That idea is going to show up a lot this year, not as a slogan, but as a filter for how we make decisions and talk about our work.
Speaking of All Staff Day, if you haven't had a chance yet, take a few minutes to look through the photos from the event. It was a genuinely a special day, and three moments in particular stayed with me. We honored Yolanda Randles from the West Fresno Resource Center with our Lifetime Achievement Award, for the incredible impact she's had on the families and the community she serves. We also celebrated our own Anthony Ayerza, Executive Director of CTE/ROP, as the recipient of our Above and Beyond Award, recognizing his "go big or go home" passion for creating opportunities for kids. If you see Yolanda or Anthony around, congratulate them! And the third moment was getting to meet our new mascot and Team Captain, Eddy. It touched my heart to see you all embrace him, take selfies with him, and welcome him to FCSS. If you were there that day, you know how much talent and heart fill this organization.
One last exciting note, soon you'll also start to notice some movement over in the downtown building. We're kicking off some light construction in the 2nd-floor hallway to modernize and support our mission work. Pardon the disruption while it's underway, but I think you'll love what it becomes.
To our new staff, welcome to a team that genuinely believes in the work it does. To our returning staff, thank you for coming back ready to build on everything we accomplished last year.
Here's to a great year for the kids of Fresno County.
Kids First!
With gratitude,
