Fresno Area Schools Supporting Frontline Workers & Giving Back

As coronavirus cases continue to surge during the holiday season, it is more evident than ever that Fresno area public charter schools have stepped up during this time of crisis, helping not only their students but also their families by supporting frontline workers and promoting literacy in the community.

Two public charter schools in the region have undertaken efforts to use their resources and talent to give back to their community producing medical supplies for frontline workers and providing free meals and books to children.

CTECH students leverage career tech skills to fill critical gaps

Students enrolled at Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTECH) can earn their high school diplomas in one of two technical career pathways: commercial construction or advanced manufacturing.

The overall goal is for CTECH students to become “goal achieving, fulfilled, and productive members of their community.” As such, students frequently engage and collaborate with Fresno community members on a wide variety of innovative projects – investigating and responding to authentic and engaging complex questions, problems or challenges.

Once the statewide shelter-in-place went into effect in the spring of 2020, CTECH educators and students quickly began putting their unique skills into action – utilizing its nine 3D printers to make face shields for healthcare workers on the front lines.

These critical supplies were distributed to hospitals, dentists, urgent care centers, and retirement homes in Fresno County and surrounding areas, including Valley Children’s Hospital and Community Medical Regional Center.

“Even though all these bad things are happening, we’re able to make an impact in a positive way,” said student Valerie Castro in a recent Fresno Bee article. “It’s like leaving your little mark on the world.”

In addition to helping frontline workers, CTECH is also making sure children have access to books during the pandemic by building Free Little Libraries – small public kiosks on sidewalks in which people can donate or take literature.

CTECH collaborated with the nonprofits Every Neighborhood Partnership and Reading Heart on the initiative.

CTECH students with a Snoopy-themed Free Little Library

Grab 'n' Go Library Books & Weekend Meals at Dailey Elementary

CTECH is not the only Fresno-based charter school that’s promoting literacy during the pandemic.

Dailey Elementary Charter School launched Grab & Go Library events so students, their families, and even community members have access to books during distance learning. Much like a school supplies distribution event, Dailey Elementary places checked-out books into bags and hands-out those bags at a drive-through event.

Dailey Elementary is a K-5 International Baccalaureate World School in Fresno in which students experience inquiry-based instruction with a focus on conceptual learning. Dailey – which serves a large population of Hispanic/Latino students – provides its students with the opportunity to learn through real-world applications, hands-on projects, technology, and skill building that will create life-long learners.

In addition, like so many charters school across the state, Dailey Elementary is also providing free meals and snacks to families on an ongoing basis throughout the week to prevent food insecurity.
On Friday, Dailey goes the extra mile and even distributes weekend meals so children, parents and/or guardians have food on the table on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check out Dailey’s efforts on Instagram: @dailycharter1