Fillmore Unified School District

The Fillmore Unified School District board gave special recognition to a pair of migrant education students and a parent at Tuesday night's board meeting.

Emilio Gomez and Mariela Inda-Ramirez were honored as migrant education students of the year. Emilio's father, Emigdio Gomez was also given recognition as parent of the year.

The migrant student of the year honor is awarded to the student(s) who exhibits exceptional leadership, maintains a grade point average of 3.5 or better; and plans to continue their education and involvement in their school and community. The migrant parent of the year is awarded to the parents who become involved in their children's education, strive to further their education and get involved in school and community.

Tricia Gradias, Migrant Education Coordinator, introduced the three honorees.

Certificates were presented by FUSD Board President Tony Prado.

Gomez, a senior, has a 3.6 GPA and was a defensive lineman on the football team. He was named to the All-County defense team this year. He also plays basketball and says he is looking forward to the track season. He throws the discus and shot put. He plans to attend College of the Canyons in the Fall, where he will play football. He ultimately wants to become a surgeon.

Senior Inda-Ramirez, in addition to taking AP classes, has a 4.7 GPA and is a member of the California Scholastic Federation. She is also a member of the Go Green and Hiking Clubs at FHS and a UC Ambassador. In addition she volunteers in the community for various projects. She will be the first in her family to go to college. She plans to attend UCSB and major in either psychology or sociology.

Emigdio Gomez said of the honor, “I'm very surprised.” He's a leader of the parents in the migrant program and is also serves on the parent-advisory committee and is vice president of the same committee at the County level. “He believes that education is the most important thing in a person's life,” Gradias said.
Gradias also gave out the “Power of One” award to Carolina Avila. Avila, who recently retired, was with the migrant education program for 34 years, 24 of those years in Fillmore. Gradias said, “She is dedicated to the migrant program, even going to student's homes to speak with parents and give them support. Of course Mrs. Avila is going to be missed.”

Superintendent Jeff Sweeney told the board that he attended the California League of Middle Schools conference in Sacramento. Fillmore Middle School Principal Todd Schieferle, Assistant Principal Tricia Godfrey, and other staff members gave a workshop presentation on the Response to Intervention Model Program for student success. They were one of 100 presenters who were invited to make a presentation and share the success of the program. “It shows what a collaborative staff can do,” Sweeney said.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush asked the board for permission to go out to bid for the modernization of Sierra High School. The project will increase the number of classrooms from three to seven, will add an administration office, counseling room, media center/library and a desperately needed science classroom. “Our hope is to have adequate facilities by August,” Bush told the board.

Student representative Garrett Reilley announced the renaissance awards program, to honor students who a GPA of 3.0 or higher and those students who increase their GPA by .5.

The next meeting is March 9, with a closed session at 5:15 pm and open session at 6:00 pm. The board will interview candidates for the open seat. On March 23 their will be another special session. A closed session will take place at 5:15 pm and the open session at 6:00 pm. They will announce the appointment to fill the vacant board seat.