We want to celebrate our Students of the Week for October 16th as we begin the 2nd quarter: Andrea Ortiz, Coraline Molzhon, and Matthew Flores. Congratulations to these Bulldogs for demonstrating Bulldog pride! Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1748042377323236&set=a.103743886838....

Our little learners had the best time with our School Resource Officers! From safety tips to stickers and smiles, it was a fun day of learning and making new friends. Thank you to our SROs for helping our students feel safe, welcomed, and cared for! https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/preschool-blog/2026/09/22/school-resour....

Fillmore Unified School District has announced free meals for children 18 years of age and younger during the school district’s fall break, October 5–9. Meals will be available at Piru and Rio Vista Elementary Schools. Children must be present to receive a meal. Posted September 29, 2026, courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/w....

The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2027-28 school year.
The scholarship application deadline for the Paramedic and Career Education programs is November 23. Students will be notified of their scholarship status by mid-December. The application deadline for all other scholarships is January 22, 2027. Students will be notified of their scholarship submission results by mid-April 2027. Scholarship award distributions will begin August 1.
Students currently enrolled at Ventura College in the 2026-2027 academic year and who have completed or are on track to complete at least six units in the semester are eligible to apply. Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards the unit requirement.
“Education costs should not prevent students from attending college,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “Scholarships can often make the difference between a student being able to afford college and not. Our scholarships help significantly for those students transferring to a four-year college. They can use their Ventura College scholarships to offset university expenses.”
Most scholarships are available for any field of study, though many target specific majors including engineering, environmental science, computer sciences, healthcare, nursing, business and education. Phoenix scholarships support non-traditional students, including active military and veterans, who have taken a break from schooling and are returning to college to continue their education.
Scholarships are possible because of annual contributions and scholarship endowments from the Ventura College Foundation board of directors, donors, and corporate partners. The foundation awarded a record $1,037,741 in scholarships through 537 scholarships during the last academic year.
“Many of our generous donors are Ventura College alumni,” says King. “They know that investing in the education of students today will have a powerful impact for years to come, not only for students and their careers, but our workforce and communities.”
The foundation encourages students to attend 1-hour on-campus or virtual workshops that help explain the application process. The first workshop is September 23. Others will be held through early January. Students with scholarship questions can also drop by the Ventura College Foundation office on campus every Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
For more about scholarships and submission requirements, workshop dates, and other financial assistance, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org/scholarships or contact Araceli Gonzalez Aggarwal, Ventura College Foundation programs and development specialist, at aaggarwal@vcccd.edu or 805-289-6461.
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Ventura College Foundation
Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation transforms students’ lives through education by providing innovative and vital resources and financial support. The foundation collaborates with Ventura College to enhance human potential, civic engagement, careers, and the academic success of students, enabling their effective impact and legacy on the college, local workforce, and our community. The foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus. For more information, contact Chloe Boswell-Dondorf at 805-289-6418, cboswelldondorf@vcccd.edu or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.

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Piru Elementary Principal Viviana Magaña-Laureano said, “Our Condors cooling off after a long week of warm weather. Condors who celebrated a full week of attendance enjoyed a refreshing Otter Pop! Instead of their regular Principal’s Recess, students got a special cool treat to celebrate showing up and being ready to learn each day. Attendance matters—every day counts!”

Rio Vista Elementary School Principal Kayleigh Kelp said, “August was all about kindness at Rio Vista! Congratulations to our Kindness Winners for the month of August. Thank you for being positive role models and for helping make Rio Vista a caring, welcoming place for everyone. We are proud of you and appreciate the many ways you spread kindness on our campus.”

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Excitement and smiles filled the air across the Fillmore Unified School District as students, families, teachers, and staff officially kicked off the 2026–2027 school year on August 12, 2026. From eager preschoolers taking their first steps on campus to high school seniors starting their final chapter, students across Fillmore and Piru returned to vibrant classrooms ready for a year of learning, discovery, and connection. Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle said, “Congratulations students, staff, parents, and our Fillmore/Piru community on a successful first day of school 2026!”

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Presenting another 2026 Ventura County Fair Livestock Exhibitor! These students have worked extremely hard over the past several months, and their dedication truly paid off, with multiple students earning top placements this year, many of whom were featured in last week’s Gazette. Pictured right is Small Livestock Exhibitor Ruby Aguilar, who was named FFA Market Turkey Champion.

Fair week wouldn’t be the same without our Fillmore Junior Fair Board members! From working in the barn to helping with setup behind the scenes, these students work incredibly hard to make the fair a success.

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We are excited to introduce three new teachers to San Cayetano! Lorena Johnston (on the left) left her den at Mountain Vista to join our nest and is teaching the 2/3 combination class. Ms. Geraci (middle) will be teaching 1st grade and flew in from Florida. And on the right is Ms. Hollinrake who will be teaching the K/1 combination class and though she doesn’t have wings--we’ve heard she’s swift underwater. We’re honored to have them on our team, empowering our students to reach new heights! Posted August 11, 2026, Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1910205656925121&set=a.7401914639265....