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Fontana Unified School District

  • Fontana Unified Educator Selected as Finalist for California State Teacher of the Year Award

    Live Oak Elementary School teacher Michelle Vazquez discovered her calling for teaching and advocacy at a young age, growing up in a family that ran a foster home for adults with special needs. Vazquez credits her childhood for teaching her the importance of dignity, patience, and creating spaces where everyone feels valued. It’s a lesson the Resource Specialist Program (RSP) teacher has carried with her throughout her 16-plus years in education. That dedication helped lead to her recognition as Live Oak Elementary and Fontana Unified School District’s (FUSD) 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, as well as one of the 2026 San Bernardino Countywide Teachers of the Year. With the county recognition, Vazquez is now a finalist for the 2026 California Department of Education Teacher of the Year award.

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  • Fontana Unified to Expand Student Services by Uniting Award-Winning Continuation Schools

    Fontana Unified School District (FUSD) will strengthen and broaden academic and support services for its continuation high school students as it merges its two Model Continuation High Schools, Citrus and Eric Birch, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Both continuation schools will consolidate under the name Eric Birch High School, relocating to the former Citrus High site at 10760 Cypress Ave., and adopting the Citrus Jaguars mascot. The FUSD Board of Education approved the merger and an estimated $150,000 cost associated with renaming the Citrus campus to Eric Birch High School during its June 18 meeting. Fontana Unified’s continuation school instruction has been recognized by the California Department of Education (CDE) for its comprehensive excellence. Both Citrus and Eric Birch earned Model Continuation School designations from the CDE for their innovative approach to alternative education, with Citrus earning the three-year status in 2023 and Eric Birch securing recognition in 2024, which extends into the 2025-26 school year.

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  • 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 Code to the Future School Showcases Tech Skills

Students at the Chaparral Academy of Technology, one of Fontana Unified’s two Code to the Future schools, showcased their coding and robotics prowess during an Epic Build Showcase on Nov. 7. Chaparral became a Code to the Future School in fall 2018, providing K-5 students with immersive computer science curriculum that teaches block coding, robotics and scripted coding skills.

Fontana High School College Application Day Prepares Students for the Future

Fontana High School students submitted nearly 2,100 applications to colleges and universities on Nov. 6 during the school’s annual College Application Day, exceeding its original goal of 1,900 applications. Over 13 hours, students submitted their college applications with the help of counselors and staff. As an AVID National Demonstration School, Fontana High School aims to narrow the achievement gap and ensure more students enroll in four-year colleges and universities.

Summit High Student Wins Fontana Unified Red Ribbon Week PSA Contest

Summit High School student Anthony Arciga captured first place in Fontana Unified’s Red Ribbon Week PSA contest for his outstanding public service announcement. Arciga, a student in Summit High’s TV production program, was honored for his work at the Red Ribbon Breakfast on Oct. 24.

Fontana Unified Educators, Alumnus Honored by Senator Connie Leyva

Henry J. Kaiser High School principal Terry Abernathy, Redwood Elementary counselor Eduardo Valencia and Fontana Unified alumnus Jashandeep Lobana were recognized by Senator Connie Leyva on Oct. 21 at the third annual Terrific 20 of Senate District 20 event. Each year, local residents are recognized for their commitment and contributions in fields like education, community activism, business, law enforcement and hospitality.

Fontana Unified Computer Science School to Hold Epic Build Showcase

Chaparral Academy of Technology – one of Fontana Unified’s two Code to the Future schools – will hold its second Epic Build Showcase of the year at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb, 28. Students will demonstrate the skills they are learning through Chaparral’s immersive computer science curriculum, including coding, building and programming LEGO robots. Chaparral Academy of Technology is at 14000 Shadow Drive, Fontana.

Fontana Unified Elementary College Day Connects Students, Alumni

Redwood Elementary School challenged students to begin thinking about their academic futures during the eighth annual College Day on Oct. 18. This year, Redwood expanded on its traditional activities by inviting Fontana Unified alumni from a variety of colleges and universities back to campus to give presentations on higher education and answer student questions.

Fontana Unified Educators, Alumnus Honored by State Sen. Connie Leyva

Henry J. Kaiser High School Principal Terry Abernathy, Redwood Elementary counselor Eduardo Valencia and Fontana Unified alumnus Jashandeep Lobana were recognized by state Sen. Connie Leyva on Oct. 21 at the third annual Terrific 20 of Senate District 20 event. Each year, local residents are recognized for their commitment and contributions in fields like education, community activism, business, law enforcement and hospitality.

Fontana High School Showcases AVID Success for Local Educators

Nearly 50 local educators on Oct. 22 visited Fontana High School classrooms, met with administrators and learned from students about the school’s highly successful Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. The showcase provided teachers, principals, superintendents and school board members with a look at the inner workings of an AVID National Demonstration School – a status Fontana High School has held since 2006.

Fontana Unified Recognized for Workplace Wellness Program

Fontana Unified School District was honored with a Bronze Workplace Health Solutions Award by the American Heart Association (AHA) for promoting wellness in the workplace in 2018-19. The District held its annual Wellness Fair on Oct. 16, providing teachers, staff and administrators with health and wellness information, free medical, dental and vision screenings, massages and information about the open enrollment period. Twice a year, the District also provides its employees with a voluntary wellness challenge.

Fontana Unified Middle School to Host Día de los Muertos Festival

Southridge Tech Middle School will hold its third annual Día de los Muertos Festival from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Families are invited to enjoy refreshments and Mariachi, baile folklórico and Aztec dance performances. Southridge Tech Middle School is at 14500 Live Oak Ave., Fontana.