FONTANA, CA – Fontana School Police officers Amanda Liabeuf and Nicole Hauptmann will receive an Award of Distinction from the California Peace Officers’ Association Statewide Awards Committee for their exceptional leadership of the Junior Fontana Leadership Intervention Program (Jr. FLIP).

The Award of Distinction recognizes exceptional performance by an individual or departmental unit that goes beyond the call of duty and provides great service to the community. Liabeuf and Hauptmann will be honored Aug. 20 at the Association’s award ceremony at the Long Beach Convention Center.

“It is such a rewarding experience to watch these students undergo a positive transformation during their time in the program,” Liabeuf said. “We want students to know this program is just the beginning, and that we are available to help them now and in the future.”

Jr. FLIP is founded upon a partnership between Fontana Unified and Fontana School Police Department. The 16-week behavior intervention program, held twice each school year for students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, focuses on improving grades and behavior and building confidence and social skills.

Jr. FLIP participants attend four-hour classes on 16 Saturdays focused on topics like the power of education, drug and alcohol resistance, health and fitness, anti-bullying, leadership skill development and teamwork. Officers conduct weekly home visits and school visits to monitor students and maintain open communication with teachers, parents and administrators.

Program graduates who continue to display personal and academic growth are also selected to attend summer camp and day field trips.

“Jr. FLIP is unique in that it teaches leadership skill development, teamwork, self-motivation and other soft skills that encourage students to succeed,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “Congratulations to Officers Liabeuf and Hauptmann on this well-deserved recognition.”

The next Jr. FLIP class starts Aug. 24 at Fontana Middle School and will consist of approximately 40 students from Palmetto, Oleander, South Tamarind and Date elementary schools.

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FUSD_JRFLIP: Fontana School Police officers Amanda Liabeuf and Nicole Hauptmann will receive an Award of Distinction for their exceptional leadership of Jr. FLIP.