Drcopher4kids

06/01/2026

Some events remind us of what truly matters.

Last Thursday evening, as we celebrated the graduation of 29 of our Fresno County Special Education Adult Transition Program students, there was an overwhelming sense of love, joy, and humanity in the room. We heard from three remarkable student speakers whose words touched every heart present. They spoke not about awards or accomplishments, but about the people who made a difference in their lives—the teachers they loved, the friends who became family, and the simple joy of coming to school each day to laugh, play, learn, and belong.

Their messages were a powerful reminder that education is about so much more than academics. It is about relationships, acceptance, encouragement, and helping every student find a place where they are valued and celebrated.

To our graduates: thank you for sharing your hearts with us. You reminded us all why we do this work. Congratulations on this important milestone, and thank you for making today a celebration none of us will soon forget.

To our teachers and aid staff, just THANK YOU!

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

Graduation season!!!!
I love it!

05/29/2026

Congratulations to our awesome grads!

05/27/2026

For our May 2026 Superintendent’s Superstar Student, we named Adriana Gonzalez Ornelas, Sanger West High School! She consistently demonstrates determination, leadership and a positive spirit in all that she does. Adriana arrives early, stays late and gives her best each day while balancing academics and a wide range of extracurricular activities. As a founding member of Sanger West Special Olympics, Adriana helped build opportunities for students while demonstrating her commitment to involvement and leadership. Through her work with the Hornet Hive Cafe, Adriana takes on meaningful responsibilities, including managing equipment, taking inventory and delivering meals and drinks throughout campus. She has also become a mentor to other students in her classes, helping them learn tasks, build confidence and grow toward their full potential. During her recent Senior Exit Interview, Adriana spoke proudly about WESTpectations, her involvement in WorkAbility, and her future dreams. Her confidence, work ethic, leadership and uplifting spirit have made a lasting impression on the Sanger West community and we were so proud to honor her!

05/26/2026

We at Team FCSS were so pleased to honor Genaro Erebia, Site Lead in Safe & Healthy Kids and assigned to Parlier High School, as our Employee of the Month for May 2026. Genaro puts a lot of thought into how activities are planned and how students are engaged, making sure they feel included, supported and motivated. He is excellent at communicating with students, school staff and partners, which makes collaboration easier and helps the program run smoothly. Genaro’s work ethic stands out. He is intentional with program resources to ensure students have access to high-quality, meaningful opportunities. One of his outstanding projects has been organizing a Mexican music group, consisting of students learning key regional Mexican instruments, led by local musicians and vendors. Other popular offerings include field trips to provide students with opportunities to try new experiences, and hands-on STEM activities, such as the 3-D Printing Club, Laser Club and computer building program. He has been an integral component of the NEW Parlier, and we are all so proud of him!

05/21/2026

Yesterday we were proud to hold our bi-annual Foundation @ FCOE Board of Directors meeting — and what an inspiring afternoon it was for the students of Fresno County.

We expressed our heartfelt gratitude to outgoing Board President Debbie Jacobsen for two years of outstanding leadership and service, and warmly welcomed incoming President Jose Elgorriaga as he begins his new role guiding the Foundation forward.

We also celebrated a major milestone: raising more than $1 million for our Endowment for Excellence and approving our new endowment spending Board Policy — an important step in ensuring long-term support for students and programs across Fresno County.

Adding to the inspiration, our VAPA Director Aaron Bryan introduced Fresno County’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate, Evy Singh, who beautifully recited her original poem, Adventure Awaits, written in the whimsical style of Dr. Seuss to celebrate preschool graduation. She reminded all of us of the incredible creativity and promise of our students.

Thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors for attending, leading, and believing so deeply in the future of Fresno County students. Over the past 15 years, The Foundation @ FCOE has proudly raised more than $27 million to support student opportunities in the arts, early education, STEM, and so much more. The impact continues to grow because of the generosity and leadership of this community.

05/20/2026

Yesterday, I was proud to visit Kingsburg High School to present Adult Transition Program student Alisha Melgoza with an “I Believe in You” award plaque and scholarship check, courtesy of Dr. Wes Sever and his nonprofit, Linking the Learner. Alisha is graduating from our program and has been accepted into the highly prestigious Redwood SEED Scholars program at University of California, Davis — an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects her hard work, determination, and bright future ahead. Beyond her own academic success, Alisha has been a powerful advocate for students with intellectual disabilities, even speaking with legislative leaders to champion the needs of Fresno County students and families. Her voice, courage, and leadership have inspired so many of us. From all of us in Fresno County, thank you, Alisha, for representing our students so beautifully. We are incredibly proud of you and wish you every success in the future!

05/19/2026

Congratulations to all of the Annual B’Nai B’Rith Student Scholar Athlete honorees representing 19 Fresno County schools! Your recognition reflects an extraordinary commitment to excellence in athletic achievement, academic success, and service to your schools and communities.
Thank you to all organizers, sponsors, and presenters who continue this meaningful tradition of celebrating outstanding young people in Fresno County. A very special thank you to Steve and Stephanie Nagin for their exceptional leadership and dedication to this event year after year.
And congratulations to this year’s overall winner, Conor Lott of Clovis North High School — an impressive example of leadership, scholarship, and athletic excellence. Fresno County is proud of all of our students and the bright future they represent!

05/19/2026

The FCSS Young Authors Faire!!!