Fillmore Unified School District

Wednesday August 22nd was the first day of classes for Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) and all classes were full. The gardeners and custodians have been working hard to get the District in shape for the students’ and staffs’ return. This new school year brings a new Assistant Superintendent, new Associated Student Board (ASB) Speaker of the House, and new web-based instructional tool being implemented for the District.

Introduced at the August 21, 2012 FUSD School Board Meeting was new Assistant Superintendent Earl Davis. Davis has worked in education for 24 years starting in 1988 at Arcadia Unified, then Chaffey Community College, and Pleasant Valley School District in Camarillo. Davis, who has three grown sons and lives in Channel Islands, said he is looking forward to working at FUSD during these challenging yet exciting times.

Also introduced was Fillmore High School (FHS) senior Mary Ortiz, the new 2012 ASB Speaker of the House. Ortiz, who is 17, comes with an impressive resume of accomplishments; President of FHS Athletics Hall of Fame Club; President of Piru 4-H; Ambassador Girl Scout for 13 year; Junior Fair Board Secretary for Ventura County Fair; Varsity: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball; and honor roll student since elementary school. Presently Ortiz is working on the August 31st Homecoming, which is coming early this year.

Last school year both Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino and Asst. Superintendent Michael Johnson spoke of updating the District and bringing in new technology and are keeping to their word. To accomplish this goal FUSD teacher Amber Henry was asked to move to the district office and take on the special assignment of exploring the educational tool EdCalaber.

At Tuesday’s board meeting Johnson commented, “How can we make it easier for teachers?” then introduce Henry who gave a presentation on the new web-based instruction tool. Henry, who taught at Mount Vista, is now working to implement EdCalaber into FUSD. EdCalaber is a new web-based instructional management and collaboration tool for k-12 teachers and administrators and FUSD is the first in Ventura County to use the technology. EdCalber allows both teachers and staff to work from home, share lessons and resources while going paperless. The district wide knowledge of planning, monitoring progress, sharing of lessons and instruction will assure students, teachers and administrators of what is being accomplished and expected and can be viewed on their i-phones and other devices. Henry will be working with approximately 250 FUSD teachers on how to use the software while also getting feedback on what needs to be added or improved.

Aaron Largen and Riley Wright will receive their American Farmer Degree at the National Farmers of America (FFA) Conference which is planned for late October in Indianapolis, Indiana. Also attending will be 12 FUSD students and approximately 57,000 FAA members from all over the United States. It is a great opportunity for the students to meet other FFA member and expand the students’ knowledge about agricultural careers. Students will attend work shops, agricultural tours, career days, motivational speakers, national day of service and FAA leadership activities.