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Fontana Unified School District

  • Fontana Unified to Celebrate Renaming of O’Day Short Elementary School, Honor Family’s Legacy

    Fontana Unified will host a renaming ceremony as Randall Pepper Elementary School officially transitions to O’Day Short Elementary in the 2025-26 school year, honoring the O’Day Short Family, which is remembered for breaking Fontana’s color barrier 80 years ago. District middle school student Cyrus Moss championed the renaming of O’Day Short Elementary. Moss submitted a petition with 132 signatures to rename Randall Pepper Elementary to the Fontana Unified Board of Education in March 2024. The Board unanimously voted to rename the school in September 2024 after all administrative regulations were met.

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  • Fontana Unified Aviation Program Helps Students Reach New Heights in Aerospace Careers

    From classroom simulations to real-world takeoffs, A.B. Miller High School’s career technical education (CTE) aviation program continues to soar, as students work toward earning their pilot’s licenses, complete major flight training milestones, and launch careers in the aerospace industry. Senior Jesse Cuba is set to earn his private pilot license this summer after completing a major milestone: his first solo flight. Cuba would be the fourth A.B. Miller student in the last three years to secure a private pilot license the summer of their senior year. The A.B. Miller aviation program is a two-year course offering pathways to several rewarding careers in aerospace. It serves as a flight training school and includes a pilot training class, an airline mechanic class, and a flight simulator lab.

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  • Fontana Unified Students to Compete on World Stage in International Robotics Championship

    Six Fontana Unified School District elementary and middle school students are preparing to showcase their teamwork, coding, and critical thinking skills on a world stage at the 2025 World Robot Olympiad Open Championships to be held in Panama this October. Mango Elementary School’s Luis P. and Roman H., West Randall Elementary’s Joey Santana, and Wayne Ruble Middle School’s Flora F., Angel F., and Ivanna V. all qualified to represent Team USA Robotics and the United States Engineering League (USEL) at the World Robot Olympiad. They will compete in the challenge-based “RoboMission” category in the elementary and junior divisions, respectively.

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Fontana Unified Students Recognized as ‘Academic Trailblazers’

Canyon Crest Elementary fifth-grader Matilda Vinuela and Fontana High School senior Miranda Ordoñez were recognized by San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. as District 5 Academic Trailblazers during the Oct. 6 Fontana Unified Board of Education meeting. The award, given in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month, recognizes high-achieving students for their academic and civic achievements. Ordoñez, who serves as the District’s 2021-22 Board of Education student representative, balances Advanced Placement classes with a variety of campus clubs and activities. Vinuela came to Fontana Unified not speaking any English; despite being in unfamiliar surroundings, she immediately began to blend in as she listened, asked for help, and made friends quickly.

Fontana Unified CTE Teacher Appears on CBS Show ‘Tough As Nails’

While Fontana High School’s newest career technical education instructor, Lamar Hanger, guides students in developing carpentry skills in the classroom, his own expertise is being showcased across the U.S. on the television show “Tough As Nails” – which premiered Oct. 6 on CBS. Hanger brings versatile experience in construction, welding, metal-stud framing, and lath to the CBS competition series for working-class professionals and to his new position at Fontana High School, where students are receiving a hands-on education that can lead to apprenticeships and career opportunities.

Fontana Unified to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Community

Fontana Unified School District has partnered with Walgreens to offer a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at Fontana High School, 9453 Citrus Ave., Fontana. The clinic is open to anyone ages 12 and up who is interested in receiving their first, second or booster does of the Pfizer vaccine. No appointment is necessary.

Fontana Unified CTE Instructor, Carpenter to Appear on CBS Show ‘Tough As Nails’

While Fontana High School’s newest career technical education (CTE) instructor, Lamar Hanger, guides students in developing carpentry skills in the classroom, his own expertise will be showcased across the U.S. on the television show “Tough As Nails” – airing Wednesday, Oct. 6 on CBS. A 32-year member of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC), Hanger brings versatile experience in construction, welding, metal-stud framing, and lath to his new position at Fontana High School (FOHI). Following a successful teaching stint through the apprenticeship program at SWRCC, Hanger was inspired to bring the union’s existing education program, Career Connections, to Fontana Unified. Career Connections is a CTE program that provides students with a practical STEM education, supported by a state- and District-approved curriculum that features projects and hands-on learning.

Fontana Unified Middle School Named Microsoft Showcase School

Southridge Tech Middle School has been redesignated as a Microsoft Showcase School, reaffirming the school’s commitment to providing its students with access to digital platforms and bridging the technology gap. Southridge Tech was first designated in 2018. The middle school is one of just three schools in California and 30 schools across the United States to receive the designation in 2023, joining a global network of schools from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia.

Fontana Unified’s New Aviation & Space CTE Pathway Takes Flight

A.B. Miller High School students are exploring careers in the aerospace industry and learning what it will take to be part of the next generation of astronauts and space explorers through the school’s new Aviation & Space career technical education (CTE) pathway. Students are engaging in two new CTE classes, held on Saturdays at Ontario International Airport and developed in tandem by Barboza Space Center and Shades of Blue Aviation. The weekend courses, which run through December, are teaching students the basics of aviation while training to successfully complete the FAA’s Private Pilot Certificate written exam, as well as building Tiger Teams of junior astronauts, engineers, scientists, and drone pilots while developing life forms that could survive on Mars and support human exploration in space.

Fontana Unified’s New Aviation & Space CTE Pathway Takes Flight at Ontario International Airport

A.B. Miller High School students who wish to explore careers in the aerospace industry and learn what it takes to be part of the next generation of astronauts and space explorers will meet at Ontario International Airport (ONT) on Saturday, Sept. 11, when the school launches its new Aviation & Space career technical education (CTE) pathway. Students will receive an overview of two new CTE classes, developed in tandem by Barboza Space Center CEO Bob Barboza and Shades of Blue Aviation founder Capt. Willie Daniels; discuss career opportunities with ONT Chief Operating Officer Bruce Atlas, as well as representatives of the FBI and TSA; meet the Ontario Police Department K-9 corps; and receive a tour of Ontario International Airport.

Three Fontana Unified Administrators Promoted to New Leadership Positions

Three Fontana Unified administrators are advancing to new positions within the District, building on years of educational leadership as they assume their new roles at Hemlock, Cypress and Oleander elementary schools. Adam Andersen will move from Cypress Elementary, where he has been principal since 2015, to become principal at Hemlock Elementary; Lorena Michel will take the helm as principal at Cypress Elementary, where she has served as assistant principal since 2016; and Julie Hansberger will step in as principal at Oleander Elementary, following seven years as the school’s assistant principal

Fontana Unified School District to Co-Host Regional Virtual College and Career Fair

Fontana Unified School District is partnering with Chaffey Joint Union High School District and Rialto Unified School District to host the Inland Empire Regional Virtual College and Career Fair from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16. Students of all ages and their families are invited to attend the free virtual fair, where they can learn about admission requirements and available programs for more than 50 colleges and universities from across the country and gain insight on career opportunities and planning through breakout sessions. To register, visit www.ow.ly/vt7A50FXZEj.