Keith Derrick, Fillmore High Principal

Dear Fillmore High School Families and Community,

As we reflect on this past school year, Jim Collins’ words resonate: “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.” We want to thank our students for their discipline and making the choice to be great. This conscious choice has led to an incredible achievement for our school in being recognized as a California Distinguished School, the first school in our district’s history to receive this prestigious honor.

We also want to express our gratitude to you, our dedicated families and school community, for your support and encouragement throughout this journey. Your partnership has been invaluable in creating an environment where our students can thrive.

We want to thank our seniors for all their accomplishments:

$354,587 awarded at FHS Senior Scholarship Awards Night
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) – 36 students
State Seal of Biliteracy – 53 students
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma – 42 students
Valedictorians – 19 students
A-G Completion – 106 students (45% of graduating class)
Admitted to UCs – 27 students

Admitted to over 35 different Universities and Colleges
We want to thank our Guiding Coalition of teacher leaders for leading FHS in developing, refining, and implementing Flash Forward, as well as an array of initiatives and to our staff for embracing change. Their commitment to excellence has played a crucial role in our school’s success.

At the beginning of the school year, we encouraged our students to fully engage in all aspects of FHS life. We are grateful for their dedication and hard work as they pursued excellence in Academics, Arts, Athletics, and Activities, both inside and outside the classroom.

We look forward to sharing the coming school year with everyone and continue to help our students achieve their goals. As a California Distinguished School, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of education and providing our students with the tools they need to succeed.
Go Flashes!

Keith Derrick
Principal - Fillmore High School

Flor Rivas was a new student who transferred from a Las Vegas High School to live with her brother who suggested she move to Fillmore and finish high school at Fillmore High, where she was named Prom Queen, and will now attend UNLV to study nursing. She thanks Fillmore High for preparing her for the future.
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Posted at https://www.vcoe.org/news/Preview/true/ArticleID/10186
This story is part of a series of profiles the Ventura County Office of Education is presenting about graduating seniors in the Class of 2024.

It was her freshman year, and Flor Rivas was failing all of her classes at the large urban high school she attended in Las Vegas. The situation at home wasn’t good and she never imagined she’d earn her diploma. Then a lifeline came from her brother Elios, who suggested she come live with him and his family in the small Ventura County town of Fillmore.
“At first it was definitely scary. I went from a big school in Vegas to a small school where everyone knows each other,” she recalls. “But everyone was so welcoming and I loved it.” She said the faculty and staff at Fillmore High School made her feel right at home. “They’re very attentive and supportive. If you need help with anything, they go out of their way to reach out and I really needed that.”

With the school’s help and a lot of extra work that included summer school and online classes, Flor made up the missing credits she would need to graduate. “I honestly worked so hard. I was doing extra classes, coming in early and leaving later than everyone else. It was a struggle, but I’m good now, so it was worth it.”

Flor wasn’t surprised when Fillmore High School was named a California Distinguished School for the first time ever this year. She said, “It’s an amazing school with athletics, academics, and everything. They really deserve it.”
In addition to her remarkable academic turnaround, Flor threw herself into many of the other activities that the school had to offer. She became a cheerleader and signed up for drama class to explore her interest in theater. As a violin player, she wanted to continue developing her skills and realized that joining the school’s mariachi band was the perfect opportunity. “I always felt music was something I could escape reality with. When I would play my violin, I felt like no one was there, just me and my violin.” She capped off her high school experience in style after being selected as the queen of the senior prom.

This fall, Flor will become a first-generation college student as she heads to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to study health and nursing. She’ll be pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. “I’ve always loved helping people and feel it’s something beautiful. It’s perfect for me.”

As Flor prepares to head to college, she wants to thank her big brother and his wife for taking her in. “I know it was super hard raising a teenager and we would bump heads at times, but I’m very thankful for them. If it wasn’t for them, honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”

Elva Gonzalez Nares, Director Expanded Learning, Multilingual Learner & Quality Programs

Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...

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, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Human Resources

Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2....

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.

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https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...

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.

MANCHESTER, NH (05/15/2024)-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Winter 2024 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Sammantha Loza of Fillmore (93015)
Dillon Galarza of Fillmore (93015)
Justice Negron of Fillmore (93015)

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with an 91-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 225,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the "Most Innovative" regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.

Camarillo, Calif. (April 3, 2024) — Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges are proud to announce that all three institutions are launching applied baccalaureate degree programs on their campuses. As a part of the California Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program, these first of their kind degrees offer the Ventura County community increased access to affordable career education that will prepare them for well-paying jobs in the region.

These four-year programs were designed to meet the specific workforce needs of the region that are not currently met by the local California State Universities. Moorpark College’s Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing, Ventura College’s Bachelor of Science in Automotive Career Education and Oxnard College’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene each will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for high demand jobs within the changing, high technology industries in the county.

“The Community Colleges of Ventura County are responding to the evolving workforce needs by introducing new bachelor’s degrees," said Chancellor Rick MacLennan.

According to the state's Final Evaluation of the Community College Bachelor's Degree Pilot, 51% of students enrolled in a community college bachelor's degree program would not have otherwise pursued a bachelor’s education had it not been offered at their local community college. With the Ventura County community colleges’ upcoming program launches, these opportunities are extending to those students who may not have previously seen college in their futures. Through the Bachelor's Degree Pilot Program, tuition is capped at $130 per unit and $10,560 for the entire program—this means that many students who qualify for the College Promise program, state and federal aid and other financial aid options will now have another affordable path toward achieving academic success.

"The Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program is a transformative, potentially life-changing step forward for our local community college students in Ventura County," remarked Board Chair Bernardo Perez. "This legislation empowers our community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields that will meet the specific needs of our community and workforce."

Following the successful approval of their initial bachelor’s degree programs, the Ventura County community colleges continue to develop additional programs. Moorpark College’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity & Network Operations is currently in review, and Oxnard College has recently submitted a new proposal for a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Advocacy & Organizing. As these diverse academic programs demonstrate, the Ventura County community colleges collectively strive to meet the future with innovation and inclusivity.

"Moorpark College is proud to lead the charge in offering a bachelor’s program to our county’s students, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the programs in Dental Hygiene at Oxnard College and Automotive Career Education at Ventura College come to fruition," said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. "Together, we're not just expanding educational opportunities; we're setting the stage for our students to excel in the careers of tomorrow."

Moorpark College is accepting students for the Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing program’s inaugural class in Fall 2024. To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree Programs at the Ventura County community colleges, visit vcccd.edu/bachelorsdegree.

About Ventura County Community College District
The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 116-campus California Community College system and serves approximately 30,000 students annually. The District's three colleges—Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura—offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, visit vcccd.edu.

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