Fontana Unified School District is aiming to narrow the achievement gap with the launch of a 1:1 device initiative that will equip every student with a laptop to foster digital literacy. The first phase of the initiative rollout – which provides over 11,000 high school students with a Dell Latitude 3190 laptop, stylus, protective case and earbuds – began in January at Jurupa Hills High School, followed by Fontana, A.B. Miller and Summit high schools. Rollout at Henry J. Kaiser, Eric Birch and Citrus high schools will run from late February through mid-March. Middle schools are expected to receive devices in 2020-21, followed by elementary schools in 2021-22.
Fontana Unified will hold its inaugural Career Pathway Showcase from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, giving families the opportunity to learn about the array of career technical education (CTE) programs available in FUSD schools. Attendees can watch demonstrations, speak to CTE students and instructors, and explore the pathways available at Fontana Unified high schools. Pathways include mechatronics, TV production, renewable energy, aviation, automotive technology, Certified Nursing Assistant, fire technology and emergency medical response. The showcase will be held at the Lewis Library and Technology Center, 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana.
Cypress Elementary will unveil its science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) classroom to the community during its annual Family STEAM Night at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. Attendees will be 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 will feature stations with various family-friendly STEAM activities, including robotics and a mobile planetarium. Cypress Elementary is at 9751 Cypress Ave., Fontana.
Fontana Unified High School Students Excel in County Academic Decathlon
Eight students from Henry J. Kaiser High School earned medals for netting the top scores in their individual categories at the San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon on Feb. 7. Kaiser’s team has improved steadily year after year and placed eighth overall.
Fontana Unified Students Learn Financial Skills during ‘Bite of Reality’
Summit High School students were empowered to make their own financial decisions – and learn the consequences of exceeding their budget – during Bite of Reality, an interactive simulation that tests students on real-world financial challenges. The Feb. 13 event, sponsored by Chaffey Federal Credit Union, gave students a fictional occupation, salary, family and debt, then challenged them to maintain a fixed monthly budget.
Fontana Adult School to Hold College and Career Fair
Fontana Adult School and Fontana Unified’s Special Services Department will hold a college and career fair for the community from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25. Attendees can meet representatives from community colleges, career technical training schools, apprenticeship programs, armed forces and public service agencies, local employers and more. The fair will be held at Fontana Adult School, 10755 Oleander Ave., Fontana.
Fontana Unified Opens Enrollment for Transitional Kinder, Kindergarten
Fontana Unified School District is accepting 2020-21 enrollment applications for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten through Tuesday, March 31. Fontana Unified offers comprehensive early learning opportunities that include coding and robotics, dual language immersion and leadership development. Visit www.fusd.net for enrollment information.
Fontana Unified School District announced the promotion of Lee J. Powell to Fontana School Police Department chief. Powell has served as a lieutenant in the school police department since 2017 and has 33 years of experience in law enforcement. Powell succeeds Martin Sissac, who retired as chief in November 2019 after four years in the post.
Fontana Unified, Lewis Library Delight Students with Epic STEAM Takeover
Fontana Unified School District, in partnership with the Lewis Library and Technology Center, held an Epic STEAM Takeover event for middle school students on Jan. 29. Middle school students engaged in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities, including a STEAM escape room, coding with Ozobots, building pulleys, creating slime and more.
Fontana Unified Continuation Schools Celebrate Early Graduates
Two Fontana Unified continuation schools are celebrating the early graduation of nearly 30 students, many of whom came to campus behind in credits. Thirteen Eric Birch High School students and 16 Citrus High School graduates worked hard to complete their graduation requirements one semester early and have plans to attend college.
