Fontana High School’s highly acclaimed Fire Technology and Law Enforcement Public Service pathways were each awarded national certification from the Law and Public Safety Education Network (LAPSEN), representing the commitment to excellence and quality of both programs. Both of FOHI’s career technical education (CTE) Public Service pathways join a prestigious cohort of secondary and post-secondary schools across the country to be named a LAPSEN National Program of Excellence (NPE). A LAPSEN national certification signifies a program has reached the apex in terms of preparing students for careers in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency management, legal studies, and related fields. Fontana High’s Fire Technology and Law Enforcement CTE pathways are hands-on electives that prepare students for jobs in the public safety sector, with more than 170 students enrolled across both pathways. The pathways fulfill a student’s A-G requirements and are dual-enrollment programs that articulate with Chaffey College, allowing students to earn both high school and college credits and putting them on a fast track for industry certifications.
Whittier High School senior Erik Villa rarely stops to catch his breath. Between his schoolwork, mentoring classmates in the school’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT), volunteer work for the Whittier Chamber of Commerce, and managing a Whittier juice bar, Villa goes nonstop from sunup to sundown with a goal of helping anybody who needs his assistance. An unsuspecting Villa was sitting with his CAT classmates when a representative from Edison International came into the class with a surprise announcement – Villa had been named a 2024 Edison Scholarship winner, an honor that comes with $50,000 in tuition support for students pursuing a major in a STEM field. Following the announcement, Villa’s classmates erupted in applause. Villa is one of just 30 Southern California high school students to receive the award.
Grace Miller Elementary School first-grade teacher April Maidens has been recognized with Computer-Using Educator’s (CUE) second annual Suzanne Mitchell Award, honoring her years of volunteer work for the nonprofit, which aims to advance student achievement through technology. Maidens, a former Grace Miller student and Bonita High School alumna, has been a member of CUE’s planning committee since 2011, helping organize CUE’s annual conferences, working behind the scenes to schedule sessions, prepare speakers, talk to guests, and ensure that the events run smoothly.
Fontana Unified School District will expand its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program to Jurupa Hills High School starting in the 2024-25 school year to complete a full K-12 DLI pathway and rigorous and enriching educational experience for District students. The DLI program, a cornerstone of academic excellence within the Fontana Unified School District, has garnered widespread acclaim for its commitment to bilingual education and fostering multicultural understanding. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students have the unique opportunity to become proficient in both English and Spanish, equipping them with invaluable linguistic skills and cultural competence.
Ramona Middle School has been honored as a 2024 Distinguished School by the California Department of Education, celebrating its exceptional academic performance and efforts to foster a supportive and welcoming learning environment. Ramona is among 293 middle schools and high schools honored by the CDE this year, marking its first California Distinguished School recognition since 1996. The school’s academic success is attributed to a robust instructional program that includes dedicated intervention classes in English language arts and math. Ramona’s supportive campus culture is bolstered by a focus on building students’ character, supported by Where Everybody Belongs peer mentors and Associated Student Body leadership who offer encouragement and celebrate their peers’ successes.
Bonita Unified Culinary Students Get Personal Tour of Porto’s Bakery
A group of Bonita Unified culinary students visited Porto's Bakery and Cafe in West Covina on March 27, receiving a behind-the-scenes look at the facility and learning about the family business from vice president Beatriz Porto. Culinary instructors Nick and Laurie Brandler, who teach at San Dimas High and Bonita High, respectively, arrange field trips at a variety of culinary establishments throughout the school year, providing students with insight into the industry and the opportunity to network with professionals.
Whittier Union High School District’s Santa Fe High School hosted an “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event featuring a simulated car crash, rescue efforts, and the dramatized deaths of students. The program consisted of a mock funeral that aimed to emphasize the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence. “Every 15 Minutes” is a national campaign that focuses on high school juniors and seniors and aims to challenge students to think about the dangers of drunken driving. The campaign also encourages students to think about the impact that their decisions can have on their family, friends, and community.
Gladstone Elementary School students gasped, clapped, and cheered with delight as they watched their stories come to life – and learned about the essential elements of storytelling – during a March 28 performance by The Imagination Machine. Formed in 1981 by a classroom teacher, The Imagination Machine selects stories written by students and performs them in the form of school assemblies, with the goal of encouraging students to explore their imagination through creative writing. The Imagination Machine assemblies have been a treasured tradition at Gladstone Elementary for more than 20 years. This year, six stories were selected by The Imagination Machine and performed for Gladstone students.
Two Fontana Unified School District schools, Sequoia Middle and Fontana High, have been honored for their success in boosting student achievement and fostering college and career readiness. Fontana High and Sequoia Middle schools were both re-designated as Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) National Demonstration Schools, retaining statuses held since 2016 and 2019 respectively, that reflect the site’s implementation of AVID instruction school-wide. Sequoia had even more reason to celebrate when it was also redesignated a 2024 California Middle School to Watch on March 8.
Fontana Unified Schools to Observe Upcoming Solar Eclipse
All 30 Fontana Unified School District elementary schools will use the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 as an opportunity to spark curiosity and a love for science among its students. Each District elementary school has been provided with solar eclipse viewing kits, including safety-certified eclipse glasses, to ensure students can safely observe the natural phenomenon. Teachers will integrate the eclipse into their science curriculum throughout the day, turning this natural phenomenon into a hands-on learning experience. Students will also take educational materials home with them, giving them a chance to discuss the significant astronomical event at home.
