LUESD

It is with great excitement and gratitude that we welcome EACH ONE of our students, families, and staff back to the Lemoore Union Elementary School District. A new school year brings new opportunities, new beginnings, and a renewed commitment to ensuring that every student experiences an exceptional year of learning, growth, and belonging.

Our theme this year, EACH ONE, ONE TEAM, represents more than words we place on a banner or a message we share at the beginning of the year. It represents how we choose to show up for one another and how we choose to lead. EACH ONE reminds us that every student matters, every staff member matters, and every contribution matters. ONE TEAM reminds us that our greatest impact comes when we work together with a shared purpose and a collective commitment to our students.

As we begin this year, we are focused on creating the conditions for exceptional teaching and learning across every classroom and every campus. We will continue to strengthen our instructional practices, invest in our people, build strong relationships, and use evidence and results to guide our work. At the center of all we do is a simple belief: every student deserves our very best, every day.

Our families are also an essential part of our team. The strongest schools are built through strong partnerships between home, school, and community. I encourage you to stay connected with your child’s school, attend school events, communicate with teachers and staff, and continue to follow district and school updates through ParentSquare, our district website, social media, and other communication platforms. Your partnership matters, and together we can create the support and encouragement our students need to thrive.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication and heart of our LUESD staff. From preparing classrooms and campuses to welcoming new students and families, our employees have worked with purpose to prepare for this new beginning. Their commitment reflects what it means to be EACH ONE, ONE TEAM, different roles, different strengths, and different responsibilities, but one shared mission: to serve our students well.

As you explore this edition of our newsletter, you will find information about the people, programs, opportunities, and priorities that make Lemoore Union Elementary School District such a special place to learn and grow. We look forward to sharing the many successes, celebrations, and stories that will unfold throughout the year.

Thank you for trusting us with the students we are privileged to serve. Thank you to our staff for the difference you make every day, and thank you to our families and community for standing alongside us.

Let’s make this a year defined by purpose, connection, learning, and results. Let’s continue to believe in what is possible for every student. And let’s remember that when EACH ONE brings their best and we move forward as ONE TEAM, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.

Here’s to an exceptional 2026–2027 school year!

EACH ONE. ONE TEAM.

With gratitude,

Cheryl Hunt
Superintendent
Lemoore Union Elementary School District

On behalf of the Lemoore Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees, it is my honor to welcome our students, families, and staff to a new school year filled with opportunity, purpose, and promise. As we begin another year together, I am reminded of what makes our district special, the people who come together each day with a shared commitment to our students.

This year, we proudly embrace the theme “EACH ONE, ONE TEAM,” a reflection of our belief that every person has an important role in helping our students succeed. This theme is grounded in our district vision of:

EACH ONE: Every Student, All Staff, Committed to High Expectations, Oriented to Results, No Excuses, and Excellence Every Day.

As a Board, we are committed to supporting our schools, our staff, and our students as we continue to pursue excellence in all that we do. We believe that when each of us takes responsibility for our part, supports one another, and keeps students at the center of our work, we become stronger as a district. One team, united in purpose, can accomplish great things.

Our staff has worked diligently to prepare for the year ahead, creating welcoming schools and classrooms where students will be challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their potential. We are especially excited to welcome our newest members of the LUESD family. We are grateful that they have chosen to join our team and look forward to the experience, energy, and perspective they will bring to our schools and our students. We are equally grateful for the partnership of our families and encourage you to remain connected and engaged in your child’s educational journey.

Thank you for the trust you place in our district and for allowing us the privilege of serving the children and families of the Lemoore community. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year. Through collaboration, commitment, and a shared pursuit of excellence, we will make this an exceptional year for every student. EACH ONE, ONE TEAM.

Sincerely,

Jerry Waymire

Board President

Growing Together for EACH ONE!

Lemoore Union Elementary School District teachers gathered on August 6 for Summer Professional Development, welcoming the 2026–27 school year with a shared focus: strengthening culture, collaboration, and instruction to help every student succeed.

Centered around EACH ONE!, the day gave educators an opportunity to reconnect with the district’s mission and vision, examine student achievement data, and strengthen their collective commitments to student success.

Teachers explored how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) help teams work together to improve instruction. By reviewing student work, assessments, and data, teams can identify what students have learned, provide additional support when needed, and offer enrichment for students ready to move forward.

Another key focus was effective instruction. Teachers reviewed Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and strategies for checking student understanding throughout lessons. These practices help keep learning engaging, maintain high expectations, and allow teachers to respond quickly to student needs.

The day also highlighted the importance of positive relationships, consistent classroom routines, and a school culture that keeps students at the heart of every decision. Teams concluded by developing measurable goals to guide their work and monitor progress throughout the year.

LUESD educators are ready to continue doing whatever it takes to help EACH ONE learn, grow, and succeed—every student, every day!

Lemoore Union Elementary School District is pleased to welcome Mrs. Delgado as our new Assistant Superintendent. She brings more than 21 years of experience in public education, having served as a classroom teacher, site administrator, and district administrator. Most recently, she served as Director of Educational Services, overseeing curriculum, instruction, assessment, state and federal programs, and grant-funded initiatives supporting students from preschool through 12th grade.

Mrs. Delgado is a collaborative leader who is deeply committed to supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of every student. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside educators to strengthen professional learning communities and ensure alignment among state standards, curriculum, instruction, professional development, assessment, and academic accountability.

Her extensive experience, proven leadership, and dedication to providing equitable opportunities for ALL students will be valuable assets to LUESD. We look forward to the positive impact Mrs. Delgado will make as she begins this new chapter with our district.

Sarah Swafford has proudly served Lemoore Union Elementary School District for the past ten years. She began her career with LUESD as an eighth-grade English teacher at Liberty Middle School and most recently served as the Instructional Resource Teacher at Engvall Elementary School. In that role, Sarah coached teachers and led instructional supports that strengthened teaching practices and positively impacted student achievement.

Sarah is a highly respected instructional leader with extensive knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and effective teaching practices. Her experience supporting both elementary and middle school programs, along with her commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement, makes her exceptionally well-prepared for her new role.

As Learning Coordinator, Sarah will support educators and instructional programs throughout the district. We are confident her leadership and dedication will continue advancing LUESD’s commitment to ensuring success for EACH ONE.

Lemoore Union Elementary School District is pleased to welcome Mrs. Amy Garcia as our new Director of Human Resources. Mrs. Garcia has served LUESD since 2000, providing administrative support in Human Resources and credentialing. Most recently, she served as Administrative Assistant for Human Resources, supporting recruitment, employee onboarding, credential compliance, benefits administration, personnel records, Board personnel agendas, and Human Resources compliance.

Mrs. Garcia is a dedicated and knowledgeable professional who is deeply committed to supporting LUESD employees. Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships with staff while consistently demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and outstanding customer service.

Her extensive institutional knowledge, proven experience, and deep understanding of District operations will be valuable assets to LUESD. We look forward to Mrs. Garcia’s continued contributions as she begins this new chapter of leadership with our district.

Lemoore Union Elementary School District is excited to welcome Officer Zamaripa as our new Youth Development Officer! In this role, Officer Zamaripa will partner with our schools to help maintain safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environments for all students.

Youth Development Officers serve as positive role models and trusted mentors on our campuses. Officer Zamaripa will help students develop respectful relationships, make responsible choices, and learn important lessons about personal safety, leadership, and crime prevention. Through daily interactions and educational activities, Officer Zamaripa will also work to build meaningful connections with students, staff, and families.

We are proud to welcome Officer Zamaripa to the LUESD family and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have in supporting the safety, growth, and success of #EACHONE of our students!

We welcomed our students back to University Charter School on August 10, 2026, and so much has already taken place! It has been wonderful seeing our Hawks back on campus and watching the excitement of a new school year unfold.

We had a fantastic turnout for our Back-to-School Night, and it was lovely meeting so many of our Hawks’ parents and guardians. Thank you for taking the time to come out, meet our staff, visit classrooms, and be part of our UCS community. We are excited to work together to make this a successful year for all of our students.

Our garden at UCS is thriving, with so many vegetables growing beautifully. Our chickens are doing amazing as well, and we have even been hatching eggs! Our students truly enjoy learning how to care for the garden and chickens, giving them hands-on opportunities to learn, grow, and take responsibility.

Our After-School Program has also been busy with many educational and fun activities for our students. We love seeing them continue learning, exploring, and building new skills beyond the classroom.

You may have also noticed our new signs on the light poles throughout the parking lot. These new signs are a great addition to our campus and help make our school grounds welcoming and organized. A special thank you to Lemoore College for the new parking lot signs and for their continued support of University Charter School!

Students will begin their elective classes this week, and we are excited for all the opportunities these classes will bring. We are also looking forward to the first sports of the school year—volleyball and flag football! Tryouts will be starting soon, and we can’t wait to see our Hawks get out there and show their school spirit.

We are excited for an amazing year filled with learning, growth, new experiences, friendships, and opportunities. We look forward to everything this school year has in store and are grateful to have our students, families, and staff as part of the UCS family.

Here’s to a fantastic 2026–2027 school year! Go Hawks!

What an exciting first day at Freedom Elementary! Our campus was filled with smiles, laughter, and so many new and returning faces. From the moment our students arrived, there was incredible energy and excitement as everyone prepared for a wonderful school year. We were also thrilled to welcome families onto campus to walk their students to their classrooms and help make the first day extra special. Our cafeteria was open and ready to serve our Jets breakfast and lunch, helping students start their day fueled. There were so many excited students ready to learn, and we wasted no time getting started! On their very first day, our students began our Flight School Lessons, focusing on what it means to be Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient. These important values will guide our Jets throughout the school year as they learn, grow, and soar to new heights. Our students weren’t the only ones feeling the first day jitters! For some of our staff, it was their very first day of teaching; for others, it was their first day at Freedom Elementary; and for many, it was a very special day returning to our campus and reconnecting with our Freedom family. There was plenty of excitement, anticipation, and a few butterflies as our staff welcomed their new classes and began a new school year together. Families also had the opportunity to stop by our photo booth provided by our Freedom Jet Boosters before and after school to capture those special first day memories. It was wonderful to see families smiling, celebrating, and creating memories together as we kicked off a brand new school year. It was truly a fun-filled and exciting first day at Freedom Elementary. We are so grateful to our students, families, teachers, and staff for helping make the first day so memorable. Here’s to a fantastic school year, Freedom Jets! We’re ready to SOAR! ✈️💙

Liberty Middle School had an amazing best first day ever for all of our students and staff! The day began with walking students through the gym so that each student could get a copy of their schedule. Designated staff was assigned to tables to support our students and then immediately followed students outside to ensure everyone made it to their next scheduled class. The students spent the day touring the facilities as part of our Passport Day experience getting to know campus wide procedures for visiting the office, where bathrooms are located, getting in the lunchline for breakfast & lunch, entering the cafeteria and where to access equipment during lunch. Even the 8th grade students appreciated the reminders for getting to know the various locations on campus again as they too were excited about getting back into the school schedule. During lunch 7th & 8th graders together spent the lunch period hanging out, playing soccer, volleyball and/or football in their lunch time. At the end of the day the students reported back to their advisory class for more time getting to know their teacher and fellow students in class, building relationships and creating a community on their Liberty campus. It really was a great first day welcoming our Patriots back to campus and wishing us all a Happy New school Year!

We are thrilled to share that our Special Day Class (SDC) teachers recently participated in dedicated district Professional Development days designed to enhance classroom learning for your children! To ensure every student receives targeted, high-quality instruction tailored to their unique strengths, our district is officially implementing two evidence-based curricula this school year. Our Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten SDC classrooms will be utilizing the STAR Curriculum, which focuses on foundational academic, communication, and social-emotional skills through structured teaching strategies. Meanwhile, our 1st through 8th grade SDC classrooms will be implementing the Unique Learning System (ULS), a dynamic, standards-based curriculum that delivers interactive, modified academic content in reading, math, science, and social studies. Through these specialized programs and our ongoing teacher training, we are committed to providing an engaging, supportive, and enriching learning environment where every student can thrive!

As part of our district’s ongoing commitment to preserving and maintaining our school facilities, several improvement projects are scheduled across our campuses. These projects are part of our continued efforts to maintain both the interior and exterior of our school sites, ensuring safe, functional, and well maintained learning environments for our students and staff.