With Fresno Unified students returning to school on Monday, district officials and Fresno police want parents to know about new resources, new educational expectations, and how to be safe.

Those changes include new technology for parents to track their children and get questions answered, said Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her at a news conference Wednesday at the  Farber Educational Campus.

“We’re going to do this school year with so much clarity, purpose, partnership, and a deep, deep belief in what’s possible for every single one of our students,” Her said. “We have goals, we have guardrails. We have identified metrics that we will monitor on a consistent basis. We are going to be transparent about this process and we are charting a new path for Fresno Unified.”

Police Chief Casto Wants to Keep 2025-26 Safe

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto wanted both parents and drivers to be safe as students return to school.

“The first week or two of school will undoubtedly be chaotic and busy, but with the help of parents, students, and staff, we can make it safer,” Casto said.

For parents wanting to get that photo opportunity before school, Roosevelt High-area Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas advised getting there early.

Jonasson Rosas also said the district always needs volunteer crossing guards.

Fresno High Area Trustee Andy Levine said resources are available for parents who have trouble getting their kids to school.

“If there are barriers to being able to get to school on time every day, please let us know,” Levine said.

Fresno police reported no serious collisions causing injuries around schools during the entire 2024-25 school year, Casto said. She wanted to keep that trend, emphasizing 25 mile-per-hour speed limits at schools and to stop for buses displaying stop signs and flashing red lights.

“If we work together this year, we can keep it that way for the 25-26 school year,” Casto said.

Related Story: Fresno Unified Student Test Results ‘So Close’: Superintendent Her

Parents Should Ask Questions If Kids Are Reading Below Level: Her

The district has four new goals and guardrails this year. They include a promise to have 80% of first graders reading by 2030.

A literacy intervention program will help advance third- through eighth-grade students who come in behind grade level.

“Our goal is to make sure that while they are with us, that we improve them at least one grade level for every year that they are with us,” Her said.

A career and college readiness program will make at least 64% of students ready for jobs or higher education by the time they leave high school. Right now, the district only has 43% of students at that level.

The district’s fourth goal looks at more holistic approaches including advancing critical thinking, problem solving, and self-regulation.

For parents, that means being involved and asking questions about their students reading levels.

“For parents, as they’re meeting with their teachers, especially if they’re in first grade, talk about ‘where is my child right now, currently?’ ” Her said. “If the child is not on grade level, like they don’t have all their foundation skills, then — ‘how do I get there?’ Those will be really critical questions for parents to ask.”

New Resources for Parents

Parents can now track children who ride the bus via the district’s new partnership with Zum. The Zum app — available on Google Play and the Apple App Store — lets parents know where buses are in real time and alerts them about route changes, Her said.

Fresno Jo, the district’s chatbot, answers many questions for parents, students, staff, and community members.

McLane-area Trustee Veva Islas emphasized school lunch programs. She wanted students to take advantage of food programs.

“We offer breakfast and lunch, and it is really important for those program to also be maximized. It is a cost savings to you,” Islas said. “It is a delicious meal. We’ve been improving our school meals. I know a lot of people may not believe that, but it’s true.”