Four more community colleges nationwide have achieved Caring Campus Certification, a distinction honoring institutions that exemplify what it means to lead with care while advancing student persistence, retention, and success. Patrick & Henry Community College in Virginia has made Caring Campus history as the first institution to earn gold certification, while Northeast Lakeview College in Texas, along with West Los Angeles College (WLAC) and Yuba College in California, have each earned silver certification – demonstrating their deep commitment to fostering connection, belonging, and opportunity for all students.
From performing in the United States capital to playing for a national audience in Pasadena, the Henry J. Kaiser High School Music Department has earned recognition and invitations to perform at several prestigious events. Now, Kaiser High’s celebrated String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble are preparing for another historic performance – this time at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall during the National Band and Orchestra Festival in April 2026. Kaiser is the second Fontana Unified school, joining Summit High School’s Fortepiano String Orchestra, to be selected to perform at the invitation-only 2026 National Band and Orchestra Festival.
Ten recent Bonita Unified graduates are ready to begin new careers in healthcare after receiving their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) diplomas during a commencement celebration held Aug. 30 at the Village in Pomona, as part of a career technical education (CTE) partnership between the District, America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), and Prestige Career College. The former Bonita Unified students received their diplomas after completing the rigorous five-week course and passing the California CNA certification exam. As CNAs, the students will assist nurses and healthcare providers in the field, at hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities, providing, among many essential tasks, basic bedside care and personal hygiene while serving as patient advocates.
All three comprehensive high schools in Covina-Valley Unified School District have been ranked among the top 25% of public high schools nationwide and the top 35% in California by U.S. News & World Report, underscoring the District’s unwavering commitment to student success. U.S. News evaluates schools based on six key indicators of achievement and quality: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates.
Mountain View High School students, staff, and the El Monte Union community celebrated the completion of the school’s Modernization Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9. The event highlighted major campus upgrades including classrooms, athletic facilities, redesigned landscaping and outdoor seating, and infrastructure improvements. The ceremony featured speeches from Principal Jose Bañas, Associated Student Body President Heidi Scanlan, El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees President Florencio Briones, and Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga, followed by a taco dinner for the community.
Upland Unified School District is transforming student wellness with dedicated wellness centers on all 14 campuses, providing safe and welcoming spaces that nurture mental health, foster connection, and ensure every student feels seen and supported, all through a bold initiative funded by District resources and grants. Each wellness center is tailored to meet the unique needs of its school community, but all share a calming atmosphere and dedicated staff who provide individualized and group support. Beginning in elementary school, students can visit centers to practice calming strategies such as deep breathing, light yoga stretches, or taking a short break with a book. At the middle school level, counselors lead proactive social skills groups and teach stress management strategies. High school wellness centers focus on student check-ins, emotional regulation, and quick “brain breaks” that allow students to reset and return to class ready to learn.
Three recent Bonita Unified graduates looking to learn more about protecting the environment and the importance of processing recycling materials and organic waste spent the summer as interns for Waste Management (WM), assisting the Baldwin Park-based company in its efforts to ensure corporations and businesses are complying with green waste mandates issued by the state of California. San Dimas High School Class of 2025 graduates Jacob Hidalgo and Krishna Ramnani teamed up with Bonita High School Class of 2025 graduate Isabel Rodriguez for the one-month internship, working with Waste Management representatives to canvass areas and contact companies that have failed to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 1383, which requires all residents and entities to put green waste – such as fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds – in yard waste containers.
Covina High School junior Gatsbee Gumban, known by his teammates as “The Great Gatsbee,” has been named the Sports Illustrated National High School Boys Athlete of the Week for Aug. 18-24, a recognition that highlights his extraordinary football performance. In a game against La Puente High School on Aug. 21, Gumban rushed for 337 yards and scored four touchdowns, powering the Colts to a 49-35 victory and earning him the national recognition. Beyond his athletic ability, Gumban is known for his kindness and humility both on and off the field, consistently supporting his teammates, classmates, and school community.
Fontana Unified School District once again set a benchmark as 33 of its schools received California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition Awards for their dedication to fostering inclusive, supportive school environments that promote student success during the 2024-25 school year. This is the fifth consecutive year Fontana Unified has increased the number of schools recognized, highlighting the District’s ongoing commitment to building social-emotional skills and providing educators with strategies to enhance student outcomes. All 33 schools will be recognized at the 2025 California PBIS Coalition Conference, held Oct. 8-10 in Sacramento.
For the first time, Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) will host the annual Regional College and Career Fair on a District campus Jurupa Hills High School. Presented in partnership with Chaffey Joint Union High School District (CJUHSD), the fair will serve as a one-stop shop where thousands of K-12 students and families can connect with more than 70 colleges, universities, and employers to explore post-graduation pathways. The Regional College and Career Fair is part of Fontana Unified’s ongoing commitment to boosting college and career readiness by removing barriers and increasing access to information and financial support.
