Generations of Fontana Unified students have pursued higher education with the technical and life skills gained through the District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, and eight more AVID seniors will continue this legacy with support from the Riverside Inyo Mono San Bernardino (RIMS) AVID Scholarship Program. Eight seniors from the District’s five comprehensive high schools were awarded 2023 RIMS AVID scholarships to help them pursue their academic goals after graduation. RIMS AVID supports more than 220 AVID programs in Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties. The RIMS AVID Scholarship Program began in 2003 as a way to provide more financial assistance to graduating AVID seniors, especially for undocumented students who were not eligible for financial aid.
Summit High School junior Julieta Gutierrez Martin will serve as Fontana’s Unified’s Board of Education student representative in 2023-24, a role in which she will aspire to motivate other students to strive for success and make the most of their educational opportunities. Gutierrez Martin, now a high-achieving student actively involved in campus activities, came to the District as an English learner in preschool. Through her aptitude and passion for mathematics, she was able to bridge the language gap and develop her English language arts and writing skills.
Cypress Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students are developing valuable life skills in the school’s newest afterschool learning opportunity: the sewing club. The club, which meets once a week for two hours, will teach students the basics of sewing, including how to use a sewing machine, load thread, fix torn clothes, sew on buttons and more. Students also learn how to follow directions and work in a team environment. The sewing club was formed when Cypress Elementary School Assistant Principal Michael Rodriguez heard that the City of Fontana had additional funds available to provide after-school programs for students. Rodriguez reached out to Fontana Adult School sewing teacher Mr. Hayes, who expressed his interest and excitement in teaching elementary students how to sew.
Fontana Unified School District will hold its third annual STEM Showcase, providing families with a day of engaging activities and highlighting the array of science, technology, engineering and mathematics offerings available from elementary school through adult education. This year’s event, themed “CSI: Cultivating STEM Innovations,” will feature activities and demonstrations in aviation, computing, programming and robotics, as well as a planetarium.
Move over, Cannes and Sundance: Fontana Unified is set to challenge these internationally acclaimed destinations for cinema lovers by hosting its first-ever districtwide Fontana Film Festival on Friday, May 5. Open to all Fontana Unified K-12 students and alumni, the film festival will showcase the emerging talents of TV Production and film students from all corners of the city. The festival will be held at 6 p.m. at Steelworkers Auditorium, located at 1555 Summit Ave., Fontana.
Summit High School’s instrumental and vocal music programs blew the judges away with their melodious sounds at the Heritage Festival hosted by WorldStrides on March 24, earning them multiple awards and placements. Summit’s Madrigal Choir earned a silver medal in the chamber choir category, putting on a strong performance in their first year of participating in the festival. The Wind Ensemble and Advanced Orchestra groups won 3A division national titles, both earning the Adjudicator award for scoring above 95%. Additionally, the Advanced Orchestra took home the sweepstakes title in the orchestral division for the second year in a row, indicating they received the highest score of any competing orchestra.
Santa Fe High School senior and student leader Christian Sanchez has become a prominent figure on campus for his tenacity and commitment to fostering a sense of community amongst his peers, as well as his unwavering dedication to creating unforgettable experiences for those around him. As a member of Santa Fe High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB), Sanchez's contributions to the school's social and academic life are undeniable, as he sometimes spends his weekends tirelessly preparing for student activities and assemblies. While juggling his ASB responsibilities, Sanchez has managed to complete 25 honors and Advanced Placement credits in the span of three semesters. For his motivation to be a student leader and his numerous academic achievements, Sanchez was recognized by the Whittier Union Board of Trustees with an Award of Merit during its April 11 Board meeting.
Fontana Unified to Hold Third Annual STEM Showcase for Community
Fontana Unified School District will hold its third annual STEM Showcase from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 29 at Summit High School, providing families with a fun, interactive look at the District’s STEM programs, student projects and more. This year’s event, themed “CSI: Cultivating STEM Innovations,” will feature activities and demonstrations in aviation, computing, programming, and robotics, as well as a planetarium. Summit High School is located at 15551 Summit Ave., Fontana.
Fontana Unified School District and the City of Fontana are partnering with community stakeholders to create a Community Round Table, giving residents and local leaders the opportunity to come together to address concerns and seek solutions that support diversity, inclusivity and compassion throughout Fontana. The joint effort to foster a more cohesive, respectful sense of community was announced following a recent exchange between a Fontana Unified student and teacher, related to the use of a racially insensitive word, that was recorded and shared on social media.
Citrus High School student-athletes hit all the big shots and showed all the right moves during an inspiring 2023 basketball season that saw the team go undefeated with a 13-0 record, on their way to the Inland Empire Alternative Schools League (IEASL) championship. The Jaguars dominated their competition, outscoring them 686 to 337 during their unbeaten streak, highlighted by a stifling defense that on two separate occasions held their opponents to 16 points. This is the second year in a row that a Fontana Unified school has won the IEASL title, following Eric Birch High School’s championship season in 2022.
