Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

9 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

11 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

12 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

12 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

12 hours ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

14 hours ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

1 day ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

1 day ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

2 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

2 days ago
Special Ed Teachers Put Finishing Touch on Renovated Rata High
By admin
Published 7 years ago on
December 19, 2018

Share

Fresno Unified is getting ready to reopen a high school dedicated to special education students after the holiday break.
To prepare for the students’ return to Florence Rata High School on Jan. 7, teachers and other staff are spending a few days unpacking boxes and organizing their classrooms.
During the 18-month renovation, McLane High School hosted Rata’s teachers and students. Rata school serves students in grades 9-12 and adults up to age 22 with developmental disabilities.
“It is a little bit overwhelming, but I can’t wait until the first day when the students get back in,” said Julia Smith, who teaches in the school’s adult transition program. “I want to see what their expressions are like when they come in to see all of the shiny newness we have.”

Scope of Renovations

Some of that shiny newness includes two new additional classrooms, two fully-equipped nursing stations, a conference room, and spaces for laundry and support.


“It is a little bit overwhelming, but I can’t wait until the first day when the students get back in.” — Julia Smith, adult transition program teacher at Rata High School
The district also remodeled the school’s existing 10 classrooms, two life-skills kitchens, and installed fully accessible restrooms in every classroom on the campus at 1373 W. Mesa Avenue.
To accommodate wheelchairs and other accessibility equipment, Fresno Unified widened and automated all doors to the school, and improved fencing and gates for security.
Additionally, the district extended and widened an outdoor walking track, installed new concrete walls for access to play courts and exercise apparatuses, and modified the bus loading and unloading area.

Special Ed Is Under a Microscope

The district funded the $5.2 million renovations with Measure X funds  — a $225 million school bond measure voters approved in November 2016.

Staff at Rata High School unpack boxes and organize classrooms for the Jan. 7 reopening.
The completion of renovations come at a time when the district is under criticism for not properly funding special education.
Criticism reached its peak at FUSD’s Nov. 14 school board meeting where former trustee Brooke Ashjian and Superintendent Bob Nelson debated on whether a $1 million supplementary spending proposal on special education was sufficient.
The Rata renovations are a big step forward, said board president Claudia Cazares. She voted against the Nov. 14 spending proposal, saying funds should go to hiring more staff.
“I think it is a blessing,” Cazares said of the renovations. “Much needed and long awaited from our special education students and their very patient families.”
Sarah Ogilvie, a teacher, said the renovations were definitely needed. If not for Rata, she said, a lot of her students wouldn’t be able to go to school.
“Some of our kids are so medically fragile that they cannot be on a general education campus,” Ogilvie said.

Teachers Glad To Be Back

During renovations, students, teachers, and other staff members relocated to McLane High.


“It is nice to be back (at Rata) so now we can do more things together.” — Latoya Chatmon, adult transition program teacher at Rata High School
Given that Rata educates students with developmental and physical disabilities, Latoya Chatmon said teaching and learning at McLane presented challenges.
“McLane made it a little bit difficult to do certain activities, but they adjusted really well,” said Chatmon, an ATP teacher. “It is nice to be back (at Rata) so now we can do more things together.”
After seeing the updated campus, Ogilvie said the wait was worth it.
“To have a place to call our own, to call home is really nice,” she said. “We are very grateful.”
To celebrate the school’s reopening, there will be an open house Feb. 8. The open house will include entertainment, food trucks, and tours.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

DON'T MISS

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

DON'T MISS

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

UP NEXT

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

UP NEXT

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

UP NEXT

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

UP NEXT

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

UP NEXT

Ringo Is Ready to Rock Your World With ‘Pawsitive’ Vibes!

UP NEXT

Calwa Park Sitting on $7.4M in Grants. Where is New Pool, Other Upgrades?

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Teisha Zonnette Thomas

UP NEXT

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

7 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

9 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

10 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

11 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

11 hours ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

12 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

12 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

12 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

12 hours ago

Ringo Is Ready to Rock Your World With ‘Pawsitive’ Vibes!

12 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has sent staff to the agency that enforces federal gun laws with the goal of revis...

6 hours ago

American Flag Revolver
6 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
6 hours ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
7 hours ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
7 hours ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Eastern Market in Washington, D.C.
9 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

Obamacare Sign in San Ysidro, California
10 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

Pride Flags Fly in New York
11 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

11 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend