Fillmore High Seniors Revisit Elementary Schools to Thank Former Teachers

Last week, graduating seniors from Fillmore High School's Class of 2024 embarked on a heartfelt journey down memory lane, visiting their former elementary schools to express gratitude to the teachers who significantly impacted their lives. This nostalgic event took place across several schools, starting with Rio Vista, then moving to Piru, San Cayetano, and concluding at Mountain Vista and Fillmore Middle School (FMS).

This year saw a significant increase in student participation, with nearly 80 seniors visiting FMS alone. The enthusiasm and turnout underscored the strong bonds and appreciation the students felt towards their former educators.

The event allowed seniors to reconnect with their past in meaningful ways. They revisited classrooms, spending time thanking and bidding farewell to their special teachers. These interactions were filled with emotional exchanges and reflections on the journey from elementary school to high school graduation.

Additionally, the seniors took the time to answer questions from the younger students, sharing insights about high school life and the path to graduation. This interaction provided elementary students with valuable perspectives and inspiration for their own educational journeys.

Beyond the classroom visits, the seniors indulged in the simple joys of their elementary school days. They played handball, soccer, swung on the swings, and enjoyed the jungle gym, momentarily reliving the carefree days of their childhood. This playful engagement added a layer of fun and nostalgia to the event, bridging the past and present in a heartwarming way.

The event was lauded as a wonderful opportunity for reflection, appreciation, and community building. It highlighted the lasting impact of teachers and the importance of maintaining connections within our small town and educational community.

Elva Gonzalez Nares Appointed Director Expanded Learning, Multilingual Learners, & Quality Programs

Elva Gonzalez Nares

Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle said, “Elva Gonzalez Nares is an experienced and dedicated educator with a career spanning 28 years. She will begin a new role as the Director of Expanded Learning, Multilingual Learners, and Quality Programs in the Fillmore Unified School District. Throughout her extensive career, Elva has demonstrated a deep commitment to enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for students.

Elva's career began in the classroom, where she spent 17 years teaching elementary school children in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Her passion for education and student engagement led her to take on various roles beyond teaching. She has served as a principal, assistant principal, and English Language Development (ELD) teacher on special assignment. In these roles, she focused on maximizing student engagement and supporting English learners. Elva has also led professional development initiatives both at the district and site levels, emphasizing lesson modeling, data analysis, and identifying barriers to student achievement.

As a principal, Elva has been a champion of educational excellence, guiding her school towards academic success and fostering a positive, inclusive atmosphere for all students and staff. Her leadership has been instrumental in creating environments where students can thrive academically and personally.

Elva is a lifelong resident of Ventura County and is proud to be the parent of an adult son who is following in her footsteps to become a teacher. She is a first-generation college graduate and the first in her family to earn a master's degree, highlighting her dedication to education and personal growth.

Elva is honored to join the Fillmore Unified School District family and looks forward to impacting student outcomes positively in her new role. Her extensive experience and passion for education make her a valuable addition to the district's leadership team.”

Roger Adams Appointed Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Human Resources

Roger Adams

Roger Adams, a lifelong resident of Oxnard, CA, and father of two, has dedicated 25 years to education, supporting students and communities across Ventura County and the state. After graduating from Oxnard High School in 1991, he attended Oxnard Community College before transferring to the University of California, Irvine, where he studied Developmental Cell Biology. During his studies, Roger worked with organizations advocating for underrepresented communities, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This advocacy work sparked his passion for teaching, leading him to work with students ranging from kindergarten to university undergraduates.

Upon earning his degree, Roger pursued a California teaching credential and a Master's in Education from California Lutheran University while teaching at EO Green Middle School in the Hueneme School District. In 2004, he transitioned to Pacifica High School in Oxnard, where he continued as a life science teacher and contributed to developing Career Academies. His efforts in grant writing and curriculum development were instrumental in establishing the Health Science Academy and Teaching and Educational Careers Academy, which became models for career academies district-wide.

In 2008, Roger was promoted to Dean of Student Accountability at Hueneme High School, where he led the establishment of the Engineering and Design Career Pathway, the school's first career academy. He quickly advanced to assistant principal at Pacifica High School, where he spent three years enhancing students' academic and social-emotional success. Subsequently, Roger was appointed Director of Expanded Learning Services with the Ventura County Office of Education, collaborating with K-12 districts statewide to provide leadership, resources, and technical assistance for state and federal after-school grant programs.

Despite the broad impact of his work, Roger chose to return to his home district as the inaugural principal of Rancho Campana High School, a comprehensive Career Academy school focused on Health Science, Engineering, and the Arts. Over three years, he led the development of the physical and academic infrastructure, propelling Rancho Campana to rank as the 66th-best high school in California out of 1,299 schools. In 2018, he became Principal of Channel Islands High School in South Oxnard, revitalizing a positive school culture that ensured students felt safe, welcomed, and supported both academically and socially.

Roger's dedication and hard work led to his appointment as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, where he created collaborative and innovative environments to implement research-based educational programs. His efforts supported the district's vision of prosperity through equity, inquiry, and wellness for all 16,400 students and their families.

As Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services for the Fillmore Unified School District, Roger brings his extensive experience and expertise to the Fillmore educational community. He is committed to the FUSD Mission to harness the power of culture, history, and traditions to create opportunities designed to produce high-performing students who are productive members of the community and society.

Fillmore High School UC Success Night

On May 22, 2024, The Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) at UC Santa Barbara held a UC Success Night at Fillmore High School (FHS) to celebrate the academic success of FHS seniors who have been admitted to any campus in the UC system. Students, staff, and their families were invited to a celebration dinner and ceremony in honor of their UC admittance. The program included a presentation of awards and State Proclamations from local Senate and Assembly members in recognition of students’ academic achievement.

University California Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a partner university at Fillmore High School. UCSB offers academic support through a dedicated full-time Early Academic Outreach Coordinator to support college readiness, enrollment, and provide opportunities to increase the number of students who enroll and are admitted into the UC system.

Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle said, “We thank UCSB’s Early Academic Outreach Program for their support and partnership at Fillmore High School. We will continue to reach out and build partnerships with local colleges, universities, and industries to support our district vision to develop high-performing students who are engaged and productive members of society. Congratulations Class of 2024. We are proud of you!”

Dr. Isaac Huang Appointed Assistant Superintendent Educational Services

Dr. Isaac Huang

Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle said, “We are delighted to share that as a result of action taken at the April 2, 2024 School Board meeting, Dr. Isaac Huang was appointed as the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services commencing on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Huang's previous role was Director of Expanded Learning, where he spearheaded the development of innovative programs and expanded learning opportunities for all students in our district. In October, Dr. Huang was asked to fill an interim appointment as Assistant Superintendent of Education Services where he quickly transitioned to fill that vacant seat. His transition was smooth as he quickly acclimated to keep all functions of Education Services key initiatives successfully moving forward. He has proved to be a valuable leader in FUSD where he is dedicated to supporting our educational programs.

With an extensive two-decade career in education, Dr. Huang has consistently prioritized meeting the holistic needs of students, encompassing their academic, social-emotional, and physical well-being. His dedication to the field of education spans the entire educational spectrum, from early childhood education to adult learning.

Dr. Huang is a strong advocate for instilling growth mindsets and fostering a culture of active learners rather than passive students. He places a significant emphasis on equity and diversity, exemplified by his participation in the Inaugural Equity Task Force of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. In his free time, Dr. Huang dedicates himself to serving others through his involvement with the CALSA (California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators) Mentoring Committee. He also holds the position of Past-President and is a founding member of CAAPLE (California Association of Asian Pacific Leaders in Education).

Furthermore, Dr. Huang is an active board member of the California Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (CASCD), an organization committed to promoting exemplary practices that ensure all learners reach their fullest potential. His dedication to educational leadership extends beyond his professional duties, reflecting his commitment to driving positive change in education.

Dr. Huang's educational achievements include a Doctor of Education degree from USC, a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from California State University Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from California State University Northridge.

His professional journey commenced as a preschool educator and progressed to become an elementary school teacher. He subsequently served as a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) with a focus on curriculum and second language acquisition. Dr. Huang has also contributed his expertise by teaching at Rose City Continuation High School in Pasadena and instructing post-secondary candidates in the MAT Program at the University of Southern California as an Adjunct Professor.

In administrative roles, Dr. Huang has served as a site administrator at both the elementary and middle school levels. Notably, he served as the principal and lead educator at Madrona Elementary in the Conejo Valley Unified School District. His remarkable contributions were acknowledged by CALSA, which named him the 2021 Statewide Site Administrator of the Year for his unwavering dedication to creating a community that fosters innovative and equitable learning opportunities for the students they serve.

We look forward to Dr. Huang’s continued leadership as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.”

Rio Vista Elementary School Update & Recognition

At the May 13, 2024 Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, Rio Vista Elementary Principal Beverly Garnica presented an update on the success of the school’s programs, activities, and initiatives for the 2023-2024 school year. Office Manager Karina Lechuga, and Speech Language Pathologist Isabella Liu, were both recognized for their outstanding work, and dedication to Rio Vista Elementary staff, students, and families.

National School Nurse Day

The Fillmore Unified School District would like to recognize and say thank you to our wonderful school nurses, Kayla Dunbar, and Gisela Patino. We appreciate everything you do for our students, staff, and the community. National School Nurse Day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting. School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.

Booty Sanchez Field Closing Ceremony

A ceremony in honor of Booty Sanchez, and the baseball field dedicated to his memory, was held on April 25th, 2024. The ceremony marked the final Flashes baseball game played on the field before moving to its new location. A rededication ceremony will take place when the new Booty Sanchez field is completed.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Sanchez family, The Friends of Booty, and the Fillmore Unified School District. DJ Danny Ibarra played all of Booty’s favorite songs. The ceremonial first-pitch was thrown by Booty’s youngest son Reggie (while wearing Booty’s original baseball uniform), to the catcher behind home plate, Booty’s middle son, Matthew.

Fillmore High Principal Keith Derrick was the Master of Ceremonies. Booty’s wife Debbie, and Sanchez family members in attendance were all introduced by Pokey.

Jack Morales provided a moving memorial of Booty, and talked about how The Friends of Booty was formed, and the history of how and why the field was dedicated to Booty’s memory.

Former long-time Flashes head baseball coach Tom Ecklund was unable to attend the event. Current long-time Flashes head baseball coach Matt Suttle spoke about his memories of playing baseball on the field as a player and as a coach.

Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle spoke about her personal memories of Booty, and shared the school district’s plans for the design and rededication of the new Booty Sanchez field.

Booty’s grand-children (left to right) Erika, Gabriel, and Alexis.

(left to right) Catcher #18 Paul Bennett, Booty’s father Gabe Sanchez, and Booty’s three sons, Reggie, Matthew and Pokey. The photo was taken March 10, 1984.