Calexico Unified welcomes Rotary exchange student as superintendent urges improved daily attendance

The Calexico Unified School District board welcomed a Rotary Youth Exchange student and heard a back-to-school update from Superintendent Jimenez at its public meeting.

Purvad Mihi, who introduced himself as a Rotary exchange student from Romania, thanked the district and said he looks forward to joining athletic teams and learning from Calexico’s mix of Mexican and American cultures. Trustees and district leaders presented him with school gear and a locally authored bilingual history book to commemorate his visit.

Superintendent Jimenez used the opening portion of the meeting to summarize school-site visits across the district and to share logistics for upcoming events. He announced elementary back-to-school nights begin Thursday, Sept. 4 at 5:30 p.m.; junior-high nights are scheduled after Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m.; and high-school events are set for Thursday, Sept. 18 (9th–10th grade events at 5:30 p.m.; another high-school event at 6 p.m.). He also reminded families that Monday, Sept. 1 is a holiday and there will be no classes.

On attendance, Jimenez emphasized research showing attendance matters early in the year, stating that “students regress academically by being absent just two days a month,” and he urged parents to avoid unexcused absences and early dismissals. He told trustees he and Assistant Superintendent Alisa Ramirez have been visiting campuses and are encouraged by staff efforts to support student learning.

Trustees on the dais praised staff for handling recent weather-related disruptions safely, highlighted summer programs such as a second‑chance graduation in late July, and welcomed the new director of construction. The meeting moved on after public comment was reported as none.

The board recessed to closed session at the end of the public meeting; no public-action items were announced from closed session at the time of this report.