Gonzalo Garcia Awarded Coastal California Youth of the Year 2022-23

The Fillmore Unified School District would like to congratulate Gonzalo Garcia for earning the title of Coastal California Youth of the Year for 2022-23.

For the first time in the history of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, a club member has won the title of Coastal California Youth of the Year. Sixteen year old Gonzalo Garcia Jr., who attends Fillmore High School from the Fillmore Clubhouse, competed against 8 other Boys & Girls Organizations on Tuesday March 8th in Solvang California. Gonzalo went through a very rigorous process that included an application, essay, interviews, a speech, and letters of recommendation. Gonzalo will be traveling with Boys & Girls Club staff to Sacramento later this month to compete for the state title of Youth of the Year.

A huge thank you to our community partner, Fillmore Boys and Girls Club, for providing our students with outstanding enrichment and leadership opportunities!

Good luck Gonzalo. We are proud of you!

Read Across America

To celebrate National Read Across America Day, Fillmore Unified School District staff, along with local fire and police departments, read to students to support literacy. Above is Superintendent Christine Schieferle reading to Mrs. Myers 3rd grade class at Mountain Vista Elementary School. Read Across America is celebrated from March 2 to 6. It begins on the birthday of beloved author Dr. Seuss. The National Education Association aims to encourage reading and to educate people about reading’s benefits, especially among children and young adults.

Trustees Rangel, Beylik, and Morris honored at VCSBA Meeting

At the January 30th, 2023 Ventura County School Boards Association Dinner Meeting, Trustee Rangel was honored for 12 years of service, and Trustees Beylik and Morris were honored for 8 years of service. The Ventura County School Boards Association works to promote and improve public education and to provide information and opportunities for the exchange of ideas on school related matters amongst school board members. VCSBA members include representatives from all 20 Ventura County public school districts, the Ventura County Board of Education, and the Ventura County Community College District.

Reclassification Celebration [English/Spanish]

On Wednesday January 25th, Fillmore Unified honored 90 students who achieved reclassification.  Los Rayos Mariachi from Fillmore High School opened the Reclassification with an amazing performance by student musicians.  Ballet Folklorico Alma de Fillmore from Fillmore Middle School performed for their very first time during the celebration.  Our honored speaker for the evening was Mr. Valdovinos Principal at Fillmore Middle School who shared a wonderful message with our students and families.  Congratulations to our students on this wonderful accomplishment.  We are proud of you!

El miércoles 25 de enero, el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Fillmore honró a 90 estudiantes que lograron la reclasificación.  Los Rayos Mariachi de Fillmore High School abrieron la Reclasificación con una increíble actuación de estudiantes de música.  El Ballet Folklórico Alma de Fillmore de la Escuela Intermedia Fillmore se presentó por primera vez durante la celebración.  Nuestro orador de honor para la noche fue el Sr. Valdovinos Director de la Escuela Intermedia Fillmore, quien compartió un mensaje maravilloso con nuestros estudiantes y familias.  Felicitaciones a nuestros estudiantes por este maravilloso logro. ¡Estamos orgullosos de ti!

Tracy Orozco selected new Director of Fiscal Services

We are excited to announce Tracy Orozco has been selected to serve in the role of Director of Fiscal Services.

Tracy has been a dedicated employee of the district for the past 20 years. She has been serving in the Office of Business Services for the past 14 years in the roles of Administrative Secretary and Manager of Accounting and Payroll. Tracy has knowledge and experience with district accounting and payroll functions, health and welfare benefits and risk management. She is extremely excited to transition to this new role where she can expand on her management skills and lead fiscal services for the district.

Congratulations Tracy!

Christopher Cline appointed new Bond/Facilities Project Manager

Mr. Christopher Cline was approved as our new Bond/Facilities Project Manager starting on February 1st.

Chris has spent his entire career working with building trades and managing construction projects.

Chris initially started as a Service Journeyman Plumber back in 2001. He then joined Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District and worked in various positions from plumbing and HVAC repair then promoted to a Facility Technician where he served as the ‘owners authorized representative’ to provide all oversight for bond programs, overseeing daily construction activities for all district bond construction programs. He was quickly promoted to Maintenance Supervisor whereby he managed all district facilities and building projects.

Later on Chris was hired as the Director of Facilities for the Newhall School District. There he oversaw operations for all District facilities, grounds, maintenance, custodial, warehouse and HVAC services and continued to specialize in managing bond program project completions.

For the past four years he has worked in the private sector as a Director and Chief Operating Officer of a Plumbing and HVAC company.

Chris is looking forward to getting back into the public school system where he feels he is able to use his skill set to serve our students and community by completing our bond and facilities projects.

Please welcome Chris Cline.

Captain Garo Kuredjian recognized at FUSD Board Meeting

At the January 17, 2023 Fillmore Unified School District Board Meeting outgoing Fillmore Police Captain Garo Kuredjian was congratulated on his promotion to Commander and recognized by the board of trustees and Superintendent Schieferle for his years of service to Fillmore Unified School District students, staff, and to the families of the communities of Fillmore and Piru.

A Message From Superintendent Schieferle

Dear FUSD Families,
I hope you had a restful and safe winter break. This message is to inform our families that all schools will be open tomorrow at the regularly scheduled times. We continue to remain in frequent contact with local officials and the California Highway Patrol and have been informed that routes to our schools are open. We were also notified that as of this evening traffic on Highway 126 is still being escorted by Cal Trans and CHP.  They are alternating east and westbound traffic because of debris blocking some lanes. The reopening of Highway 126 will allow us to resume bus transportation tomorrow morning for students who regularly ride our buses. If you typically drive your student to school from the Piru area, we suggest that you allow for additional time due to this delay.

We look forward to having our students back at school tomorrow!

Thank you for your support and please be safe.

Sincerely,
Christine Schieferle
Superintendent, Fillmore Unified School District

School Transportation Update

Dear FUSD Families,
Regarding transportation for Wednesday, January 11, 2023.  For students within our District that have been receiving transportation, our Transportation Department is planning on operating as we have since the beginning of the school year.  However, if certain areas such as Highway 126 to Piru, Torrey Road, Guiberson Road, the Bardsdale area, including South Mountain Road are still closed due to the recent flooding and mudslides, some locations may be inaccessible. If your student's pickup location is in any of those areas, they may need to find an alternate form of transportation to and from school. Please understand that Fillmore Unified will make every effort to get all students that require transportation to and from school in a safe and timely manner.

Respectfully,
FUSD Transportation Department