(From left) MLK student Perla Lopez, Gloria Rodriguez of Caltrans and Rachel Donatelli of Madera Unified take a look at some of the products recently donated by Caltrans as part of the organization's Caretote Backpack Campaign.

MADERA, Calif.

MLK was one of several local schools to benefit from the generosity of Caltrans District 6. A total of 257 backpacks were donated around the Valley as a part of Caltrans’ “Caretote” Backpack Campaign, first initiated during the 2006-07 school year. The campaign has resulted in the collection of over 700 backpacks, all filled with school supplies.

This is the second year in a row MUSD has received backpacks from Caltrans. Last year, Madera Unified redistributed the donated backpacks to students in foster care and families in transition.

“The pride associated with owning a Caltrans ‘CareTote’ not only inspires the student to do well in school, but also signifies the generosity expressed by the employees and sponsors who made each donation possible,” said Gloria Rodriguez of Caltrans. “Each backpack was filled with various school items such as pencils, binders, crayons, markers, paper, pencil boxes, erasers, notebooks, glue, and other supplies.

Among the highlights for MUSD were a record four schools surpassing 800 points on the Academic Performance Index (API), several other schools on the doorstep of 800, a new district record API score, two schools appearing to have exited program improvement status and unprecedented high levels of success across the board.

All of the data released today was compiled from testing administered during the 2008-09 school year. For Madera Unified, the results mark a fourth consecutive year of reaching new heights in student achievement.

“These results are a reflection of all the hard work our schools put in every day on behalf of our students,” said MUSD Superintendent John Stafford. “What is exciting for all of us is how we keep raising our achievement levels each year. We have proven that Madera Unified is a highly successful school district, and we’ll continue to set the bar very high to ensure our students are maximizing their potential.”

Former MUSD Superintendent Dr. Julie O'Kane will serve as the grand marshal for the Madera High homecoming

MADERA, Calif.

The rally began a week full of events to celebrate homecoming, which culminates Friday night with a varsity football game between Madera High and Cesar Chavez High of Stockton.

This year’s homecoming grand marshal is Dr. Julie O’Kane, a 34-year Madera Unified employee who spent her final eight years (1998-06) as the district’s popular superintendent.

O’Kane will help preside over the homecoming parade, which begins on Friday at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Yosemite Avenue and Flume Avenue in the city’s downtown area. The parade route will proceed west on Yosemite Avenue, turning left on L Street and moving in front of Madera High.

Students from Madera High and each of its feeder elementary schools will cheer on the parade from in front of the school, and then head into Memorial Stadium for a post-parade rally. Over 1,000 elementary students are expected to watch the parade.

The theme of this year’s homecoming is “Coyotes Go B.C.” Class and club floats utilizing the theme will take part in Friday’s parade, as will the Madera High football team, cheer and dance squad, the band and the school’s color guard.

Nearly 3,000 students attended the event, which is open to all students in the district ages kindergarten through six. The entire MUSD bus fleet is used to transport students from their respective schools to the Madera Fairgrounds.

School Tours Day is held each year during the Madera Fair. Classes are permitted to tour the livestock area as well as the exhibit and commerce halls. Vendors are on site selling food.