Tracy Hofmann, a third-grade teacher at Virginia Primrose Elementary School, has been named Fontana Unified School District’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year, marking the second time in her career she has earned this distinction. The recognition highlights her nearly three decades of commitment to helping students grow in confidence, character, and academic skills. Hofmann has taught at Virginia Primrose for 29 years, creating a classroom environment where students feel safe, valued, and intellectually curious. By establishing positive connections, Hofmann ensures each student is comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, learning from mistakes, and supporting one another.
The Kaiser High School Music Department will hold a fundraiser for the music program’s upcoming trip to New York to perform at the legendary Carnegie Hall as part of the National Band and Orchestra Festival from April 3-4. The Kaiser High Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble will perform their entire Carnegie Hall set under the direction of band director Roberto Ronquillo, along with a performance from Southridge Tech Middle School’s advanced band and orchestra, led by music teacher Sara Dvorak.
Fontana Unified students from Henry J. Kaiser and Summit high schools showcased their culinary expertise and musical talents during the City of Fontana’s State of the City: Taste of Fontana event on Feb. 19, demonstrating the strength of the District’s Career Technical Education (CTE) and performing arts programs. CTE culinary students from both high schools prepared dishes from scratch, serving a variety of savory and sweet selections for city officials and community members to enjoy throughout the evening. Guests sampled jalapeño poppers, and caramelized onion and apple tarts, along with desserts such as churro cheesecake and chocolate mousse, all crafted and presented by students.
The Summit High School Advanced Orchestra and its boosters will hold a fundraiser for the music program’s upcoming trip to New York to perform at the legendary Carnegie Hall as part of the National Band and Orchestra Festival from April 3-4. Members of Summit’s Forte Piano Advanced Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will perform their entire Carnegie Hall set, conducted by band director James Sharp.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD), in partnership with San Bernardino County District 2 Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, announced a $418,000 investment that will fund the expansion of CENTEGIX CrisisAlert, a cutting-edge emergency alert platform designed to improve response times and enhance safety for students and staff across all FUSD schools. The funding will expand CENTEGIX CrisisAlert to FUSD campuses following a successful pilot program conducted over the past year at four District schools. The pilot demonstrated how the technology can provide faster, more precise communication during emergencies and daily incidents, strengthening coordination amongst school staff, school police, and first responders.
As Fontana High School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) marksmanship team delivered one of its strongest finishes in program history during the MCJROTC National Air Rifle Championship in Utah from February 5 to 7, freshman cadet Victoria Avila’s dedication and hard work cemented her place alongside her team on the national stage. Avila’s path to the national competition was equally shaped by her growth in the classroom as well as on the range. During her first semester, her grades fluctuated, and at times threatened her eligibility to travel with the team. Determined to earn the opportunity, she pushed herself to improve and used the competition as motivation to stay focused on her academics.
Jurupa Hills High School juniors and seniors gathered along the street in front of campus on the morning of Feb. 23, where they were met with a tragic scene: a staged car crash involving their classmates, designed to confront them with the real-life consequences of driving under the influence. The simulation is part of Jurupa Hills’ participation in the national “Every 15 Minutes” program, challenging students to reflect on the dangers of impaired driving. Throughout the school day, one student was pulled from class every 15 minutes, symbolizing the lives lost to alcohol-related crashes. By the time students assembled outside, they were faced with a powerful visual reminder of how quickly a single decision can alter countless lives.
Southridge Tech Middle School eighth-grader and community leader Cyrus Moss, who led the effort in the successful renaming of O’Day Short Elementary School to pay tribute to the Short family and formally recognize their place in Fontana’s civil rights history, has been selected to serve as Grand Marshal for the 58th Annual San Bernardino County Black History Parade & Expo.
Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) celebrated academic achievement, strong character, art, and cultural pride at its fourth annual Black History Month celebration on Feb. 7, honoring the achievements and contributions of Black students and families across the District. More than 1,300 Black students in grades 3–12 were recognized for academic success, including high GPAs and excellent attendance. An additional 130 students and parents received Historical Figures Character Awards recognizing their leadership, service, and community engagement.
When Henry J. Kaiser High School Catamount Pride and Color Guard band director Roberto Ronquillo arrived to lead the music program at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, he was tasked with replacing a legend, former Kaiser band director Anthony Allmond, who led the music program from the school’s inception in 1998 until his retirement in 2022. It was a steep learning curve for Ronquillo – an A.B. Miller High School Class of 2007 graduate who had previously worked alongside Allmond as a student teacher at Kaiser – but one that has brought its own rewards, with a long list of recent team and individual accolades that have added significantly to Kaiser’s esteemed history. These honors include a first-ever Southern California Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) 2025 Division B championship, along with selections to state and regional honor bands and the Pasadena City College (PCC) Rose Parade Honor Band.
