FONTANA, CA – Celebrations spread around Fontana Unified School District’s 45 schools as students embraced their peers, teachers, and administrators as they returned to campus to officially usher in the 2024-25 school year on Aug. 5.

Lively music, smiling staff, welcome banners, photo backdrops, and even waving, inflatable tube men warmly greeted students as they stepped back on campus for a historic day in Fontana Unified. Redwood Elementary School celebrated its 75th anniversary to open the new year, while several schools commemorated new campus developments.

Third grader Olivia Santana admitted to feeling some nerves as she walked into Redwood Elementary for her first day both in the school and the District. Those butterflies were mixed with excitement, as she looked forward to her new school’s cooking class so she could learn how to prepare macaroni or sushi – two of her favorite foods.

“I couldn’t be more excited for her,” Cecilia Santana, Olivia’s mother said. “We came to Fontana Unified to be closer to home and Redwood Elementary was the perfect fit for us because of the dual-language immersion program, which was extremely important to us.”

At Sierra Lakes Elementary, the campus was abuzz as families walked a red carpet into campus and paused for photos in front of the school’s new two-story building housing 15 new fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms adjacent to a new campus playground.

“It is great seeing our students back after summer break,” Sierra Lakes Elementary Principal Joel Aviña said. “The facilities are just beautiful and our whole community is thrilled about this new state-of-the-art building where our students can learn.”

Nine FUSD schools opened the school year with new principals: Almond, Citrus, Locust, Maple, Virginia Primrose, and West Randall elementary schools, along with Chaparral Academy of Technology; Alder Middle School; and Summit High School.

Six District schools in the south end of Fontana: Canyon Crest, Oak Park, and Shadow Hills elementary schools; Chaparral Academy of Technology; Southridge Tech Middle School; and Henry J. Kaiser High School completed on-campus reclaimed water projects over the summer, as their existing landscape irrigation water supply was connected to recycled water.

It is one of four eco-friendly initiatives underway in Fontana Unified, including the use of electric buses, solar panels, and organic waste recycling at all District sites.

Development in Fontana Unified is far from finished, with the District expected to open new middle and elementary schools in 2026 and 2027, respectively, to help meet the needs of a growing Fontana. Both new schools will be located in the north end of Fontana, where new housing is under development and new families continue to move into the community.

“The first day of the new school year is always special, and today’s milestone celebrations of anniversaries and school improvements are perfect reminders of Fontana Unified’s rich history and exciting growth,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Everyone in our District is passionate about ensuring our students have the tools and support they need to thrive, and we are excited to continue that work with students back on our campuses.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_FIRSTDAY1: A Redwood Elementary School family heads into campus for the first day of school on Aug. 5. Redwood Elementary commemorated its 75th anniversary during the day.

FUSD_FIRSTDAY2: Sierra Lakes Elementary School students celebrate the first day of school on Aug. 5. The school opened a new two-story building holding 15 classrooms, along with a new playground on the first day of the 2024-25 school year.

FUSD_FIRSTDAY3: The Redwood Elementary School Eagle mascot welcomes a student to campus during the first day of school in Fontana Unified on Aug. 5.

FUSD_FIRSTDAY4: A Sierra Lakes Elementary School family celebrates the first day of school in Fontana Unified on Aug. 5.