Blog

When the school year ends, our commitment to students does not. At Madera Unified, Nutrition
Services spends the summer making sure children and families continue to have access to
healthy, nutritious meals. What many people may not see is the incredible amount of heart,
planning, and teamwork that goes into making that happen.
Our Grab-and-Go Summer Meals program is much more than handing out food. It begins
months in advance with planning menus, purchasing food, coordinating distribution, and making
sure we have the people and resources needed to serve our community. Behind every meal is a
team working to ensure that food is prepared, packaged, transported, and ready when families
arrive.
This summer, our team provided 456,360 meals to 22,818 students/children across our
community. Each meal represents a child who had access to nourishment, a family who received
support, and a reminder that our district cares about students even when they are not sitting in
our classrooms.
Our Nutrition Services staff and volunteers are the heart of this work. From the employees
preparing the meals to those delivering the food, coordinating the distribution site, and
welcoming families, everyone plays an important role. Their dedication, flexibility, and
willingness to step up throughout the summer are what make this program possible.
We take great pride in ensuring our meals meet state and federal nutrition requirements.
Providing balanced meals during the summer supports student well-being and helps families
stretch their resources during a time when school meals are not part of the daily routine.
Being a Good Human is about more than words. It is about recognizing a need and taking action
to help others. I am proud of our team for doing exactly that.
What I appreciate most is knowing that our work extends beyond the cafeteria and into the
homes of the families we serve. This program reminds me that the most meaningful impact often
comes from people simply showing up, working together, and caring.
I could not be prouder of our Nutrition Services team. They show us every day what it means to
be Good Humans in Action.

For Madison Elementary School students in the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, a new school year has brought a new place to learn, explore and prepare for the future.

This school year, students began learning in Madison’s new two-story academic building, marking another investment by Madera Unified in the continued growth of one of its signature programs.

The $13.7 million facility includes 11 classrooms, additional office space, a covered outdoor eating area and dedicated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Art spaces that provide students with more opportunities for hands-on learning, creativity and collaboration.

The project also addresses Madison’s need for additional classroom space, with some students previously learning in portable classrooms.

“The new building reflects the district’s continued commitment to strengthening and sustaining the Dual Language Immersion pathway through the middle school years,” said Madera Unified Director of Multilingual Educational Programs Mercedes Ochoa. “This expansion helps ensure students can continue developing bilingualism and biliteracy in both Spanish and English as they progress through school. It provides the space and continuity needed for students to thrive academically while remaining connected to a cohesive TK–8 Dual Language pathway.”

The expansion allows Madison to serve more than 250 DLI students in grades 6 through 8 in the new building. Overall, approximately 800 students at Madison participate in DLI, contributing to more than 1,500 students enrolled in DLI programs across Madera Unified.

“The new building has strengthened Madison’s Dual Language Immersion program by providing our middle-grade students with dedicated spaces that foster independence, belonging and pride while maintaining their connection to our TK–8 community,” said Madison Elementary School Principal Cindy Peña. “As our program continues to grow, these expanded learning spaces allow us to preserve strong DLI cohorts while maintaining the strong sense of community that makes Madison special.”

The changes are making a difference for teachers in the classroom in the new environment.

“Teaching in the new building has created a more comfortable, organized, and focused classroom environment,” said Madison Elementary 7th-grade teacher David Ramos. “The dedicated middle school area provides students with a greater sense of independence while making daily routines more efficient.  The additional space in the classroom allows for more collaboration and hands-on learning.”

For the students who now call the new classrooms home, the building represents a new learning environment and a new chapter in their DLI experience.

“It has more resources for us to do our work and learn more,” said Madison Elementary 8th-grade student, Tasveen Mann. “Gives us a better opportunity, like sinks in STEM, to do experiments without making a mess in the classrooms. “

For Ochoa, the expansion represents an opportunity that previous generations of students did not have.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students and families,” Ochoa said. “We’re creating spaces where students can continue to grow in two languages, explore new areas of learning and build a strong foundation for their future.”

Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity and a Student Champion who believes in your potential. For Captain Daniel O. Coles, that opportunity came at Furman High School more than three decades ago. His story shows how support from caring school staff can change a student’s path.

“I attended Furman High School during a time when I was struggling to succeed in a traditional school environment. Few people had faith in me at the time,” Coles wrote in a letter to the school.

“The independent study format offered a different path, one that gave me the support, flexibility, and encouragement I needed to stay focused on my education and work toward graduation. For me, it was exactly the opportunity I needed.”

Coles graduated in 1991 with guidance from teacher Mr. Varlas and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He later began a law enforcement career in Georgia. After 28 years as a sheriff’s deputy, he serves as a captain and commander. He has also appeared in film, television and commercials.

“Many of the skills that contributed to my achievements, perseverance, self-discipline, and determination, were strengthened during my time at Furman High School.”

He hopes students see alternative education as an opportunity.

“My hope is that current and future students can see that an alternative educational path is not a limitation but an opportunity. Furman High School gave me a chance to succeed when a traditional setting was not working for me, and that chance helped set me on a path toward a fulfilling career, public service, and personal achievement.”

His story reminds students that a different path can lead to success with the right support.

“I will always be grateful for the role Furman High School played in my journey.”

At Madera Unified, we believe education is about more than preparing students for the next grade level, graduation, college or a career. It is also about helping young people develop the character, skills, and sense of responsibility they will carry throughout their lives.

That belief is at the heart of Madera Unified’s Good Humans Project.

Being a Good Human isn’t simply a slogan. It is a commitment to how we live, learn, work and treat one another. It means choosing kindness and respect, listening before judging, taking responsibility for our actions and recognizing that our words and choices impact those around us. It also means having the courage to stand against negativity rather than contribute to it.

More Than a School Initiative

Throughout human history, storytelling has been one of our most powerful tools for learning. We also know that quality peer mentoring provides younger children with positive role models. By capturing powerful student voices through video to spark meaningful dialogue, teachers have another way to engage students about what it means to be a Good Human. After all, we all live better lives when surrounded by Good Humans.

The Good Humans Project was developed through extensive conversations among Madera Unified students, educators, administrators, and community representatives. A defining feature is that its topics and lessons were developed by Madera Unified teachers, for Madera Unified teachers and students. For the past 18 months, a dedicated team of educators has designed, tested and refined these lessons, drawing upon their classroom experience and understanding of our students and community. This ensures the learning is intentionally shaped to reflect the needs and experiences of our own schools.

Families and students are also an important part of this work because developing Good Humans cannot happen within the walls of our schools alone.

Our children are growing up in a complicated world. They are exposed to more information, opinions, influences and interactions than ever before. Social media has changed how young people connect and increased their exposure to misinformation. Artificial intelligence presents an entirely new challenge. As technology becomes increasingly capable, there is even greater value in developing the qualities that make us uniquely human – empathy, kindness, support and care. AI will never replace the importance of how we treat one another.

Schools have an important role to play, but we cannot do this work alone. We need families, schools and our community working together to reinforce a simple message: how we treat people matters.

The Good Humans Project gives students opportunities to consider what that looks like in their own lives. Rather than labeling children as “good” or “bad,” we focus on reinforcing positive behaviors, helping students reflect on their choices, and teaching them they can choose how they respond to situations they encounter. We all have the ability, and responsibility, to make choices about how we treat others.

Skills for School and for Life

Through age-appropriate learning experiences, students explore kindness, respect, emotions, relationships, personal growth, responsibility, digital citizenship, fairness and caring for their community and environment.

They learn that every person has inherent value, regardless of differences. They learn to build positive relationships and communicate in ways that strengthen friendships and communities. They also learn honesty, perseverance, accountability and ownership of their actions.

These skills are not separate from academic success; they help create the conditions in which learning can happen. A student who feels safe, respected and valued is better positioned to learn. A student who can communicate, collaborate, manage emotions, work through challenges and take responsibility is developing skills that will serve them long after they leave our classrooms.

It Takes All of Us

Perhaps the most important part of the Good Humans Project is that the responsibility does not belong only to students. Adults must model what we ask of our children.

That means extending grace, assuming positive intent, speaking respectfully, listening to understand and remembering that disagreement does not require disrespect. It means creating schools, workplaces, homes and community spaces where people feel welcomed and valued.

Madera Unified is committed to schools where there is no place for hate, discrimination or behavior that diminishes another person’s dignity or sense of belonging. But building that culture requires all of us.

Parents and caregivers are our students’ first and most influential teachers. Educators reinforce these values every day. Coaches, mentors, employers, neighbors, faith and community organizations and other caring adults also help shape Madera’s young people. When children hear and see the same expectations from the adults throughout their lives, the message becomes more powerful.

Building Madera’s Future

Ultimately, the Good Humans Project is about the kind of community we want Madera to be.

We want our students prepared for college and careers, but also prepared to become good neighbors, coworkers, parents, leaders and citizens. Academic achievement will always be central to our work, but our greatest measure of success will be the young people our students become and the contributions they make to the communities they call home.

We invite all of Madera to join us.

Be kind. Show respect. Take responsibility. Listen. Extend grace. Stand up for others. Choose your words carefully. And when given the opportunity, choose to be a Good Human.

Because when our schools, families and community share that commitment, we aren’t simply preparing students for their future…we are building a stronger future for Madera.

Goodness to me is going out of your own way to do something small for someone like opening the door for them or saying good morning.  When I think of my family I would say they live goodness everyday through their actions. My coaches show goodness by caring about each individual player the same and are always there if I or our team needs to talk and they also push us hard every day because they know what we are capable of. One way that Madera shows their goodness is by the way that the community supports each other whether it is in sports or an education as much as people like to say that there is a rivalry between all three schools in Madera for my own experience I have noticed that as athletes and as students we tend to support one another in and out of the classroom this sense of belonging in the community.  This really helps bring others together and you can see it through social media as well as going out into the community and hanging around each other. In Madera Unified the goodness our school brings us is through the grab-and-go meal distributions during summer break.

Ethan Bazante 10th THS, Varsity Basketball

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! Whether you’re returning to one of our schools or joining Madera Unified for the first time, we are excited to begin another year of learning, growth and opportunity together.

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 60 years as Madera Unified School District. Since becoming a unified district in 1966, generations of students, families, educators and staff have built a legacy of excellence, opportunity and service. As we honor our history, we remain focused on preparing every student for success in school, career and life.

Looking ahead, we are continuing to strengthen our district by aligning our people, systems and resources around one shared purpose: improving outcomes for every student. When we work together with a common vision, we create greater opportunities for all children to thrive.

Just as important is the culture we create together. Through our Good Humans Project, we are reaffirming our commitment to kindness, respect and belonging. Every student, employee and family deserves to feel welcomed, valued and safe. There is no place in Madera Unified for hate, discrimination or language that diminishes the dignity of others. Instead, we will continue choosing empathy, compassion and respect as the foundation of our schools.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we look forward to building on our proud tradition while embracing the future with optimism. Thank you for your partnership and for helping make Madera Unified a place where every student belongs and every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Believe Here. Belong Everywhere.

Todd Lile 

Superintendent

King Husein School has begun its inaugural year with excitement, pride, and a strong sense of community. From the moment our doors opened, the positive energy across campus has been evident. Our students and teachers have settled into their routines, classrooms are filled with meaningful learning, and our Royals are already creating memories for the King Husein history books.

Our families have played an important role in this successful beginning. We were grateful for the tremendous support at our first Back to School Night. Parents and family members have also volunteered to serve on our School Site Council and participate in our Parent Club. Their involvement is helping us build a strong school community centered on partnership and student success.

Our students have already achieved several exciting “firsts”. King Husein wrestlers proudly competed at the district championships, with several students earning individual championship titles. Through our STEM classes, students also submitted numerous projects to the Madera Fair, showcasing their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Every achievement reflects the hard work, enthusiasm, and Royal pride growing throughout our campus.

We are equally committed to helping students become kind, responsible, and caring individuals. With support from the district’s Climate and Culture team, King Husein is incorporating the Good Humans initiative throughout our campus. This work connects  with our schoolwide PBIS expectations and our REIGN values: Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Growth, and Nobility.

Together, Good Humans and REIGN remind students that achievement is reflected not only in what they accomplish, but also in how they treat others, respond to challenges, and contribute to their community. We are grateful to our students, staff, families, and community partners for helping us create such a strong beginning. The Royals have arrived, our history is being written, and our future is bright!