Nearly 300 students, families, staff members, and community partners gathered at Upland High School (UHS) on Feb. 12 for Upland Unified School District’s Fifth Annual Black History Night, an evening dedicated to honoring Black culture, uplifting student achievement, and strengthening community connections. The celebration showcased the extraordinary talents of Upland Unified students through poetry, spoken word, vocal performances, and dynamic dance presentations. A live DJ energized the crowd and led an interactive dance tutorial that invited audience members of all ages to take part, creating an atmosphere of unity, joy, and shared pride.
Upland Unified School District opened enrollment for its 2026 summer programs on March 2, offering academic support, enrichment activities, and arts instruction opportunities for students from transitional kindergarten through high school. Programs begin in June and families are encouraged to review deadlines carefully, as some programs have limited capacity. Summer Bridge, part of the District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, serves current TK through fifth grade students. The program will run from June 15 through July 23, Monday through Thursday, with Juneteenth observed as a holiday. The morning session includes instruction focused on reading, math, and social skills. Afternoon programming emphasizes enrichment activities, sports, and hands-on experiences. Enrollment closes April 17. All current TK–5 students who apply before the deadline are guaranteed placement.
Bonita Unified School District Superintendent Matt Wien addressed a crowd of community members, local and state elected officials, students, and staff during the 2026 State of the District on March 2 at the Bonita Center for the Arts, celebrating remarkable achievements across academics, athletics, arts, and career technical education that exemplify “The Bonita Way.” During the biannual address, Wien highlighted Bonita Unified’s continued academic success through California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) metrics, noting that 74% of students met or exceeded standards in English language arts and 63% in mathematics on the 2024-25 statewide assessments, both all-time highs for the District. The results place Bonita Unified among the top-performing unified school districts in California, ranking in the top 6% statewide in English language arts and the top 8% in mathematics, while the District continues to reclassify more than 20% of its English learner students as proficient in English each year.
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.
Mountain View High School (MVHS) students across all grade levels participated in a full-scale studio production on Feb. 23 as the school’s Viking Informational Systems Technology Academy (VISTA) program filmed its annual Red Camera Training project at Silver Dream Factory Studios. The collaboration brought together students from VISTA, theater, choir, and dance to produce “Life is a Musical.” Written and directed by VISTA seniors, the project gave students hands-on experience with Red digital cinema cameras, professional sound equipment, and studio lighting inside a working soundstage. Industry professionals — including a director, director of photography, sound designer, and lighting specialists — mentored students alongside Mountain View educators.
Two longtime Whittier Union administrators have been recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as Region 15 Spring Award winners, highlighting their unwavering commitment to student success, innovative leadership, and empowerment of education communities. Pioneer High School Principal Mary Chapman was recognized as ACSA Region 15 Secondary Principal of the Year, while Whittier Union Adult School (WUAS) Assistant Principal Juan Anzaldo received the ACSA Region 15 Adult Education Administrator of the Year award. Region 15 covers all of Los Angeles County except for L.A. city schools.
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.
Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School students are putting the pedal to the metal through the new Bike Tech Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway and Ride Club, opening a space for the school’s vibrant bicycle and eco-green culture to come alive and gather student enthusiasts for bike rides throughout Southern California. The pathway, which debuted at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, engages students through hands-on learning and prepares them for a growing workforce demand in eco-mobility and sustainable transportation.
Bonita Unified ProStart culinary students enjoyed an opportunity to rub elbows with Michelin-starred chefs and National Football League (NFL) legends – while contributing to the fight to end student hunger – during Taste of the NFL 2026, a culinary and gridiron extravaganza held during Super Bowl weekend in San Francisco. Taste of the NFL raised $2.2 million for GENYOUth, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to ending student hunger, increasing access to physical activity, and elevating student voices. The money will increase access to nearly 150 million school meals for 540,000 students in 1,000 schools across the nation.
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.
