Former A.B. Miller High School media teacher Leo Rivas was named a San Bernardino County 2023 Teacher of the Year, a fitting final tribute for the popular teacher who inspired scores of A.B. Miller students to develop a passion for TV and film production before leaving the District to work for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Rivas, who was previously recognized as the Fontana Unified 2021-22 Teacher of the Year, helped create a three-year media production pathway at A.B. Miller, teaching beginning and advanced concepts of TV and film production, giving students a chance to earn college credits, and paving the way for the acclaimed student-produced news program ABTV and the annual A.B. Miller Film Festival. He is one of four educators to be honored as a San Bernardino County Teacher of the Year.
Citrus Elementary School fifth-grade students held flags and banners aloft, waved blue and yellow pompoms and shouted “U-C-L-A, fight, fight, fight!” in honor of their adopted homeroom university during a college day rally designed to encourage Citrus students to plan their future in higher education. The monthly rallies are just one element of Citrus Elementary’s schoolwide College Bound initiative that includes instruction provided by the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college-prep program. Every Citrus class, from kindergarten to grade six, employs AVID strategies that help students organize their tools, time and thought to spur student achievement and inspire students to think of college as their destiny.
A.B. Miller High School is seeking additional community input via survey and town hall meetings as it undergoes the process to rebrand its Rebel mascot image, asking the question “what mascot best represents A.B. Miller High School Rebels and its core values?” A rebranding committee composed of students, alumni, certificated and classified staff, administrators and parents gathered in late August to discuss the purpose, parameters and intended goal of the process, which aimed to gain consensus regarding whether the school should retain the Rebel name and change its mascot image, or change both the name and the image.
Fontana Unified School District educators have been honored by the UC Davis C-STEM Center for the fourth year in a row, recognizing the District’s excellence in implementing an innovative curriculum to close achievement gaps, boost social-emotional wellness and help students discover a love for mathematics. Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Monica Makiewicz was named a 2022 C-STEM Administrator of the Year during the center’s annual conference, held Oct. 21. Elementary school teachers Greg Bradshaw, Monica Reyes and Heather Williams were also named 2022 C-STEM Teachers of the Year for their excellence in supporting student achievement through C-STEM instruction. C-STEM is currently available at 23 FUSD elementary schools, five middle schools and one high school.
Twenty-seven students from Henry J. Kaiser and Fontana high schools have received the National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA) from the College Board, recognizing their academic achievement and strong performance on college-preparatory exams among underrepresented students. Each Fontana Unified student received the award – which can be included on college and scholarship applications to help them stand out in the admissions process – for placing in the top 10 percent of students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or placing in the top 10 percent of Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores among California Hispanic students.
Fontana Unified High School Students Relax with Wellness Wednesdays
Summit High School students looking to relieve their stress and anxiety rise early on Wednesdays, meet with faculty and staff at the administration tower and take a brisk walk around the school, a routine born from a schoolwide mental health and wellness initiative that includes physical and virtual activities for students and staff. The most popular feature of the initiative is Wellness Wednesdays, when Summit students and staff are invited to participate in activities designed to calm nerves and bring an air of positivity to the school day. On Wellness Wednesdays, students work on puzzles and play games, meditate, create chalk art and origami figures, and work on building healthy relationships.
Fontana Unified Launches 25th Annual ‘Fontana Santas’ Toy Drive
Fontana Unified School District is celebrating 25 years of bringing holiday cheer to local families in need with the kickoff of the annual Fontana Santas Toy Drive. Donations of unwrapped toys and gift cards can be dropped off at the Fontana School Police Department, 9680 Citrus Ave., Building 9, Fontana. The Fontana Santas Toy Drive will culminate with a drive-thru distribution event, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the District Office. There, families in need identified by school sites will enjoy the sights and sounds of cheerful holiday decorations, festively dressed volunteers and classic holiday music as they receive age-appropriate gifts.
Fontana Unified School District celebrated 25 years of bringing holiday cheer to local families in need during the Nov. 2 Board of Education meeting, when District employees, Board of Education members, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus provided the first donations to kick off the annual Fontana Santas Toy Drive. Fontana Santas began in 1997 when Fontana School Police Officer Cindy Evaro and District employee Lydia Wibert learned a Fontana boy ran away from home after Christmas because he did not receive any presents. Evaro, Wibert and the Fontana School Police Department collected toys and donations from local organizations and delivered them to students during the holidays, creating a treasured tradition that has provided toys to thousands of Fontana Unified students over the last 25 years.
When Yubleni Cazares came to the Fontana Unified After School Education and Safety (ASES) program as project director in 2018, she immediately realized the potential of the program to provide crucial academic and socio-emotional support to more than 2,000 students across the District. Under the guidance of Cazares, ASES has developed into a model program that continues to grow. For her success in developing activities and lesson plans that resonate with students, the California Department of Education (CDE) has honored Cazares with its Expanded Learning Innovative Leadership Award. Cazares was recognized during the California Afterschool Network’s annual Lights On Afterschool ceremony, held Oct. 17. Cazares represents CDE Region 10, which includes San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties.
Tokay Elementary School celebrated its 40th anniversary with a schoolwide assembly on Oct. 14, featuring lively songs and chants performed by students, as well as heartfelt speeches and memories shared by former Tokay principals and current student council members. Tokay Elementary opened its doors on Sept. 7, 1982, becoming the first year-round school in Fontana Unified.
