Fontana Unified Renames Elementary School to Celebrate Tech Programs
Fontana Unified School District on June 5 renamed Chaparral Elementary School to Chaparral Academy of Technology, reflecting the computer science immersion education students receive through Chaparral’s Code to the Future program. The renaming of the K-5 school celebrates its efforts to foster technological literacy and prepare students for the professional challenges of the future. Chaparral is the third Fontana Unified school to be renamed in 2018-19 to reflect science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.
Fontana Unified celebrated nearly 3,000 graduates from five comprehensive high schools, two continuation schools and one adult school in commencement ceremonies held May 20 to 23 at Citizen’s Business Bank Arena in Ontario. The District’s five comprehensive high schools honored 12 valedictorians and salutatorians, many of whom will pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields at prestigious colleges and universities across the country.
Eleven Henry J. Kaiser High School students who spent the school year learning the intricacies of operating unmanned aerial vehicles – commonly known as drones – have received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to become drone pilots. The Kaiser students passed the FAA’s Small UAS (Part 107) test and received Remote Pilot Certificates to fly their craft. Kaiser is the only high school in Southern California with an introductory drone class that leads to an FAA certification.
Fontana Unified High Schools Ranked by U.S. News and World Report
Fontana Unified’s five comprehensive high schools were named to U.S. News and World Report’s 2019 Best High Schools list, among nearly 3,000 schools in California to be honored for their college readiness efforts and improved academic achievement. U.S. News and World Report evaluates schools on six factors: college readiness, math and reading proficiency, math and reading performance, under-served student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.
Fontana Unified Students to Advance to National History Day Competition
Summit High School students Leslie Madrigal and Brian Garay will advance to the National History Day competition – to be held Sunday, June 9 to Thursday, June 13 – after taking first place in the senior group exhibit category at the History Day California contest May 10-12. This is Madrigal’s second consecutive year advancing to National History Day, which will take place at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Committed to providing equity in education while instilling a culture that promotes life-long learners, Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett has announced the names of five administrators who have been appointed to new positions within the District.
Adorned with garlands of blue and gold, Canyon Crest Elementary School welcomed dozens of families and community members on May 16 to celebrate its designation as a 21st Century Learning Exemplar school by the Battelle for Kids Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21).
Jurupa Hills High School Senior Accepted to Summer Leadership Program
Christian Castaneda – a student at Fontana Unified’s Jurupa Hills High School – will attend the prestigious California Youth Think Tank (CYTT) college residence program, held June 16-22 at the University of Southern California. CYTT empowers students to gain knowledge and skills for success in college, careers and beyond. Castaneda and nearly 60 student leaders will live on the USC campus, attend daily classes and engage in team debates, public speaking events, team competitions, panel discussions, off-campus field trips and more.
Fontana Unified Family STEM Showcase Highlights Innovative Curriculum
Programming drones and getting behind the wheel of a forklift simulator, Fontana Unified parents and students explored new aspects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during the District’s inaugural Family STEM Showcase, held May 4 at Citrus High School. Among the new technology available for students in the fall are Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality headsets, HTC Vive virtual reality headsets, heavy equipment simulators, an inflatable planetarium and a Makerspace collaborative work lab.
Henry J. Kaiser High School senior Jashandeep Lobana – an accomplished tri-sport athlete, AP scholar and avid volunteer – has been recognized as a 2019 Gates Scholar, one of two in Fontana Unified and among 300 students in the nation to be honored. Lobana’s academic feats have already secured him a $40,000 Edison International scholarship and admission to Johns Hopkins University, where he plans to study neuroscience before attending medical school and pursuing a career in neurosurgery.
