Fresno Unified students will notice changes to several campuses this year. New buildings will make their debut on Monday, including one at Hoover High School. The two-story academic building has 20 new classrooms and is taking the place of more than 20 portable class rooms. This is the first new building on the school's campus since the 1970's. School officials are hoping the new space will provide a better learning environment.
Clovis and Fresno Unified students are not the only ones going back to school today. Summer break for students in the North Valley is also over. That includes those at the new El Capitan High School in Merced. A ribbon cutting ceremony brought hundreds of students, parents, staff, and other community members to the campus last week. The 56-acre campus is located on Farmland Road near G Street. More than 800 freshman and sophomores will attend the new school this year. An estimated 1,800 students will be enrolled there by 2015. The $98 million campus features 82 classrooms, a large theater, and two gyms featuring the new "Mighty Gauchos" logo. It was built to relieve overcrowding at Merced's other two high schools.
Thousands of students in Clovis Unified will be greeted by new principals when they return to campus on Monday. Several schools have new administrators including Kevin Kerney, who will be in charge of Clark Intermediate. Principal Todd Deck will oversea Copper Hills Elementary. Also among the new principals are Tami Graham, Chuck Sandoval, and Janet Samuelian.
Many families spent their kids' last night of their summer vacation stocking up for the first day of school. Many of them were doing some last minute shopping over the weekend. Action News caught up with a few who say they're excited about the their new school supplies and the start of the new school year.
"My favorite thing is the scissors because it can cut pretty good," said Andrew Amezcua, student.
"I'll miss them but this whole summer they've been driving me crazy," said Betty Amezcua, parent.
Some parents do say this time of year gets pricey, but they're willing to spend the money on their kids.
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Action News Reporter Amanda Venegas contributed to this story.
