Ceres Unified’s 2023-24 school year starts today

• More than 13,000 back in class

Ceres High School sophomore Stephanie Espinoza checks to see if she has textbooks coming from senior Natalie Horta at the Wednesday morning registration event. - photo by Jeff Benziger

CHS registration with Stephanie Espinoza — Ceres High School sophomore Stephanie Espinoza checks to see if she has textbooks coming from senior Natalie Horta at the Wednesday morning registration event. - photo by Jeff Benziger

Summer vacation is officially over in Ceres today as the 2023-24 Ceres Unified School District school year gets off to its start.

Administrators, teachers and staff greeted more than 13,000 students near the entrances of their respective schools.

“Every first day of school is exciting,” said Beth Jimenez, communications specialist for the district. “We really look forward to welcoming students whether they’re returning or new. It’s a great way to start the year. Our site level teams really go the extra mile to generate energy and enthusiasm, and let our students and families know how important they are to our school communities. We see a lot of smiles.”

High school student orientation and registration sessions were held last week. Central Valley High School held its annual Taking Flight orientation on Aug. 8 and Ceres High held registration day on Wednesday and Friday. The orientation gave students a chance to have their student ID photos taken and pick up schedules, Chromebooks and buy PE clothes, student body cards and yearbooks.

The Ceres Police Department is cautioning drivers to beware of the start of school and to be extremely careful, especially in the areas around Ceres’ numerous school campuses.

The district has hired 56 new teachers and 79 classified staff members.

Approximately 3,768 students attended Ceres Unified’s Super Summer Academy, which ran June 6-28 at all Ceres school sites. Reid Volk, coordinator of Educational Options for the district said the feedback was “very positive” with the kids learning a lot while having “a lot of fun doing it. I’m going to do everything in my power to keep it going in that direction.”

The following administrative changes were made for the new school year:

Kimberly Wood (Associate Principal – Central Valley High School);

Kristen Casal (Assistant Principal – Central Valley High School);

Michelle Madrigal (Assistant Principal – Central Valley High School);

Susana Kandeel (Lead Learning Director – Central Valley High School);

Jose Perez Sanchez (Learning Director – Central Valley High School);

Courtney Musselman (Learning Director – Central Valley High School);

Andrea Baroni (Assistant Principal – Ceres High School);

Nicole Aguiar (Learning Director – Ceres High School);

Jorge Dominguez (Learning Director – Ceres High School);

Patricia Correia (Assistant Principal – Mae Hensley Jr. High School);

Alexandria Martinez (Learning Director – Blaker-Kinser Jr. High School);