Fontana High School (FOHI) has been recognized with a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association for its transformative College Application Submit Day (CASD), a celebratory event that honors students as they submit their college applications and has reshaped college readiness at FOHI, across Fontana Unified, and beyond. This year, FOHI will celebrate both the recognition and its ongoing commitment to student success during its ninth annual CASD on Thursday, Nov. 20, when students actively submit their college applications to qualifying universities. The day features on-the-spot admissions from local universities – including the University of Redlands, Cal Baptist University, University of La Verne, Azusa Pacific University, and direct admission to Cal State University San Bernardino – along with photobooths, “I Applied to College” stickers, college t-shirts, and a family reception. Each year, more than 400 FOHI families participate in the event, with over 2,400 applications submitted in a single day.
For the eighth year in a row, Southridge Tech Middle School has been recognized as a Microsoft Showcase School for the 2025-26 academic year in recognition of its ongoing commitment to educational innovation and use of digital tools to support student success. Southridge Tech was first welcomed into the global network of Microsoft Showcase Schools in 2018, joining campuses across six continents recognized for their forward-thinking integration of technology to improve student outcomes and promote inclusive learning. Only 32 schools across North America – and just three in California – received this honor this year.
More than 500 families gathered at Jessie Turner Park this fall for Fontana Unified’s 10th annual Early Education Family Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Night, an interactive, outdoor, community event designed to strengthen family engagement and spark curiosity in STEAM among the District’s youngest learners. Summit High School volunteers, alongside the Early Education instructional teams, guided families with children ages 2 to 5 in a range of play-based, hands-on activities that celebrated creativity and exploration. Organized in partnership with the District’s State preschool, transitional kindergarten, and special education preschool programs, the evening featured various stations that introduced STEAM concepts, including participating in sensory activities, observing color changes by mixing food dye, building catapults, constructing block structures from blueprints, and learning gardening skills.
Fontana Unified’s Alder Middle School will hold free nutrition classes from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29, providing families with tools to learn healthy recipes and plan budget-friendly meals. The classes, provided by the University of California Cooperative Extension, will be at the school’s parent center, 7555 Alder Ave., Fontana. Call 909-357-5330, ext. 30237 to register or learn more.
Fontana Unified School District will hold free Parent University workshops from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, highlighting strategies for promoting health and wellness for the entire family. The workshops will be at the John D. Piazza Educational Center, 9680 Citrus Ave., Fontana. Childcare services for children ages 3 to 11 will be available, as well as translation services. Call 909-357-7600, ext. 29409 to register or learn more.