Fontana Unified Senior Named Edison Scholar, Earns $40,000 Scholarship
Summit High School senior Michael Dugbartey has been named a 2020 Edison International Scholar, receiving a $40,000 scholarship toward his pursuit of a degree in computer science. Edison International awards $1.2 million annually to seniors who are pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields at four-year universities. Dugbartey is among 30 high school students across Southern California selected this year. Photos are available.
Fontana Unified to Offer Wireless Access to All Students
Fontana Unified School District will guarantee internet access for its more than 36,000 students – at home or wherever they may be – by creating the nation’s first school-operated private network through the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The Board of Education on April 15 approved a five-year initiative, in partnership with Crown Castle Fiber LLC, to establish a private cellular network that students can access on District-issued devices. The network is part of a long-term District plan to ensure access to instructional materials and close the achievement gap.
Fontana Unified High School Engages Students in Virtual Open Mic
A.B. Miller High School’s library is challenging students to flex their creativity during a virtual Rebel Open Mic, to be held all day Friday, April 24. Students are encouraged to share their family-friendly talent – whether it be in the form of music, poetry, jokes or dance – by tweeting videos to @ABMRebelLibrary and tagging them #RebelOpenMic.
Fontana Unified to Hold Dual Language Enrollment Lottery on Facebook
Fontana Unified School District will hold lotteries for 2020-21 kindergarten enrollment in its Spanish Dual Language Immersion program – available at Dolores Huerta International Academy (DHIA) and Redwood Elementary – via Facebook Live on Friday, April 24. DHIA will hold its lottery at 3 p.m.; Redwood Elementary will follow at 4 p.m. Parents can tune into the lotteries on the District’s Facebook page or view the videos on the District website in the evening.
Amid school closures and concerns over COVID-19, Fontana Unified is tackling the challenge of keeping students well-fed through its “Grab and Go” meal distribution program, which provides breakfast and lunch meals for children ages 18 and under. Meal distribution began on March 16; each weekday, Food Services staff and District employees prepare and deliver meals curbside to families at 10 FUSD schools. To date, the District has served up to 8,600 meals on a single day.
Fontana Unified Elementary Unveils New STEAM Classroom
SPARK-E, an animatronic robot dressed in a Fontana sports jersey, greeted guests on Feb. 27 as Cypress Elementary School unveiled a classroom dedicated to instruction in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) topics. Students eagerly showcased homemade Piper computers and whirling Ozobot robots they built and programmed for the unveiling, held concurrently with a Family STEAM Night.
Fontana Unified Elementary to Hold 2019-20 State of the District Event
The Fontana Public Schools Education Foundation will host Fontana Unified’s 2019-20 State of the District breakfast at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 20, providing community members and District partners with insight into the District’s successes and culture of innovation. Superintendent Randal S. Bassett will deliver the keynote address at the event, held at the Center Stage Theater, 8463 Sierra Ave., Fontana.
Fontana Unified to Hold Parent Meetings Spanish Dual-Language Program
Fontana Unified School District will hold virtual information meetings for its Spanish Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) program on Tuesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 8. The District is accepting 2021-22 enrollment applications for the program, which begins in kindergarten and is offered at Redwood Elementary School and Dolores Huerta International Academy, and will hold a lottery on Thursday, April 29. The DLI program aims to foster bilingualism and biliteracy, sociocultural competency and high levels of academic achievement. For meeting times, language options and links, visit the FUSD website.
Fontana Unified students and families performed CPR on manikins, programmed robots, recorded broadcast news segments and learned to pilot a Cessna 172 – all within the two stories of the Lewis Library and Technology Center on Feb. 27. The hands-on demonstrations were among many offered at the District’s inaugural Career Pathway Showcase, which highlighted the array of career technical education (CTE) programs available in FUSD high schools. Such demonstrations included a lesson on pneumatic systems from Jehad Abdallah, a sophomore enrolled in Summit’s mechatronics/automations pathway.
Fontana Unified Elementary Unveils STEAM Room during Family Night
Cypress Elementary unveiled its science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) classroom to the community during its annual Family STEAM Night on Feb. 27. Attendees were welcomed by Spark-E, a robot programmed by students to give greetings, and jazz music performed by the Jurupa Hills High School band. The event featured stations with various family-friendly STEAM activities, including robotics and a mobile planetarium.
