Ceres Unified School District

Growing the future! 🌱✨ Elementary students from across CUSD visited the Ken Moncrief Ag Center for interactive learning led by Central Valley High School ag students. 🚜🐮

This annual tradition gives our younger students an exciting peek into ag science while our high schoolers practice leadership, mentorship, and community connection. They’re inspiring the next generation! 🙌 Big thanks to everyone whose hard work makes this event possible. 🫶 #AgricultureInAction #TheCeresWay

Drop-in Day at Walter White Elementary saw Stars learning, exploring, connecting … and shining bright! 🌟✨💫💙🤍

👤 Principal Heather Houtchens
👤 Assistant Principal Monica Mendoza
🗓 Opened 1949
⭐ Home of the Stars

#StarsGonnaShine #TheCeresWay

Making sure students feel heard and their perspectives are valued is central to #TheCeresWay. Superintendent Amy Peterman had lunch this week with a group of Adkison Elementary students to hear what was on their minds and answer great questions like, “What’s your favorite school in CUSD?” 😄 (She didn’t pick a favorite, but did share the top three things she loves about Adkison.) 🐊

When Dr. Peterman asked if every student gets the help they need to learn, Gators answered with a resounding yes! 🙌 They shared real examples of support in action, including Chomp Time for intervention, small group help from teachers, immediate individualized feedback using the AI tool Snorkl, speech support and more.

These conversations are always candid, insightful, and so much fun! 💬 #StudentVoice #TheCeresWay

Caswell Elementary Dual Language Academy teamed up with Safe Kids Stanislaus to celebrate International Walk & Roll to School Day! 👟🚲🛴🌎

Students, families, staff, and community partners walked, biked, and rolled to campus to promote physical health and pedestrian safety while reducing vehicle traffic. Students also received free bike helmets at a morning assembly.

Whether getting there by foot or on wheels, every child deserves a safe route to school and the tools to navigate it with confidence. Big thanks to the community partners who make Walk & Roll to School Days possible! 💚💛 #SafeRoutesToSchool #WalkAndRoll #CougarsGetThereSafely #TheCeresWay

Our 2026-27 Youth Advisory Council met for their first session of the school year. Designed as a multi-year journey from freshman to senior year, the #YAC gives students a platform to share their experiences and have their voices heard on issues that matter. 🗣️🙌 #ShapingTheFuture #StudentVoice #TheCeresWay

A big thank you to our new neighbors Burlington and the national nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org for supporting Ceres students and classrooms with a $5,000 donation to Caswell Elementary Dual Language Academy! 💚💛🐾

The donation was presented at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Burlington’s new Hatch Road location. ✂️🎉 We’re grateful for community partners who invest in our schools! 🤝 #BurlingtonEmpowersStudents #OurCeresCommunity #TheCeresWay

Drop-in days are a window into the school day. 🪟 When we stopped in at Central Valley High School, our #CVHawkNation was busy doing what they do best – deepening their learning, building connections, and making their campus a great place to be. 💚 Nice work, Hawks! 🦅

👤 Principal Casey Giovannoni
👤 Associate Principal Kimberly Wood
🗓 Opened 2005
🦅 Home of the Hawks

#HawkPride #TheCeresWay

The National Park Service has #FatBearWeek. 🐻 CUSD introduces Fat BOOK Week! 🎉📚

Raise your hand if you love chonky books. ✋ Fat books, skinny books, fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, e-books, audio books – we love them all! 💙 Superintendent Amy Peterman and district librarians Rebecca and Claudette are sharing a few of their favorite thick reads. 📖

Reminder: The CUSD Reads Superintendent’s Book Club returns Thursday, Oct. 1! Visit our website to learn how students can read books, write reviews, and earn rewards. ✨ #CUSDReads #FatBookWeek #TheCeresWay

Our Hidahl Huskies brought the #GoodVibes to a pop-up read-aloud with Dr. Peterman! ✨🫶📖 There are less than 2️⃣ weeks to go before the #CUSDreads Superintendent's Book Club kicks off on Oct. 1. Visit www.ceres.k12.ca.us and select "CUSD Reads" to learn how students can read books, write reviews, and earn rewards! 📚✍🎁 #TheCeresWay

Whether you’re a student teacher completing a credential through CUSD’s Residency partnership with CSU Stanislaus, or an experienced educator who never stops learning, professional growth is #TheCeresWay! Educator and author Grace Dearborn was back with practical and strategic insights for creating safe, structured, and supportive learning environments for all students. 🍎 📚✨

#TeamCUSD #LifelongLearners #CommittedToExcellence #ResponsiveToEveryStudent

Learning and leadership in action during this week’s #DropInDay at Patricia Kay Beaver Leadership Magnet. You’re building greatness, Beaver Leaders! 🛠️🐾🧡🖤

👤 Principal Libby Callahan
🏫 Opened 2014
🦫 Home of the Beavers

#LeaderInMe #BeaverBuilders #TheCeresWay

CUSD’s annual College & Career Family Night is an opportunity for students in grades 6-12 and their families to get inspired, plan ahead, and explore options for success beyond high school.

Come enjoy free frozen yogurt and connect with college admissions counselors, career sector representatives, junior high and high school learning directors, and others who can help navigate the path toward higher education and rewarding careers!

📅 Tuesday, October 6, 2026
⌚ Doors open at 5 p.m., program begins at 5:15 p.m.
📍 Central Valley High School, 4033 Central Ave., Ceres

It was #DropInDay at Argus and Endeavor, where students were hard at work learning, connecting, and enjoying a donut or two to wrap up the week! 🐲🚀🍩
 
School Facts:
🩵 Principal Marianne Ashby
💜 Home of the Dragons and Explorers
🩶 School colors: blue, purple, and silver
 
#Dragons #Explorers #CeresLearns #TheCeresWay

Our District Office secretaries meet regularly to connect, share information and resources, and support efficiency. Strong communication and collaboration help keep learning moving forward! #TeamCUSD #TheCeresWay

Hearing from our educational partners – including staff, students, families, and community – is an important part of #TheCeresWay. Our first Certificated Educational Partners meeting of the year was a time to exchange information and perspectives, keeping students’ interests at the heart of every conversation. Success starts with listening! 💙 #TeamCUSD #EveryVoiceCounts

The CUSD Reads Superintendent’s Book Club returns Oct. 1 – but Dr. Amy Peterman got a head start with a pop-up read-aloud at Caswell Elementary Dual Language Academy! 📚✨

Students listened to “Wild About Books” by Judy Sierra and each class received a copy for their classroom library. 📖

Participating in the book club is easy – students read any book on their own time, write a short review, and earn fun monthly rewards. To learn more, visit https://www.ceres.k12.ca.us/o/cusd/page/cusd-reads

Big thanks to Principal Ismael Maldonado and his team for coordinating today’s pop-up read-aloud! 💚💛 #CougarsRead #CeresLearns #TheCeresWay

All schools and offices in the Ceres Unified School District will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. We will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

We wish our CUSD community a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

The mood was 💥 fierce 💥 when Tigers, Sharks and Warriors were out in full force for Back-to-School Nights. 🐯🦈⚔️ Three schools – one great night of connection! 🎉🤝 #TheCeresWay

Big news this week … our comprehensive high schools, Ceres High School and Central Valley High School, are 2 of the top 4 public high schools in the greater Modesto area, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report! 🐾🦅🏆

Schools are evaluated on a range of criteria, including test scores, access to Advanced Placement (AP) classes, graduation rates, and college and career readiness. 🎓📊

This achievement reflects the effort and dedication our students, teachers, and staff bring every day, and the strong support of CUSD families and our Ceres community. Excellence is #TheCeresWay! 🙌🎉

Back-to-School Countdown, Day 1️⃣ - Our first round of Back to School Nights gave us a sneak peek of the excitement that’s just one day away! 💥 Thank you to the families who braved the heat to tour campuses and connect with staff last night. We stopped by PKB, Caswell, Hidahl, and Lucas, where the classrooms were cool and the vibes even cooler! 🧊😎

Students, get a good night’s rest. 💤 We can't wait to welcome everyone back tomorrow morning! 💙🎒 #CountingDown #SoLongSummer #TheAdventureBegins #TheCeresWay