Fontana J8 School District

FIRST® LEGO® League introduces STEM to children in grades 4th through 8th through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together. FIRST LEGO League competitions inspire youth to experiment and grow their critical thinking, coding, and design skills through hands-on STEM learning and robotics. https://youtu.be/kkN08bDv9EI

This is an opportunity for students to show parents, friends, family, and community the different talents that they have.  The talents range from dancing, and gymnastics, to magic tricks, karate, singing and more.  It is great to see students do things that you would not see in a regular school day.

Our Fontana School Hope Squad creates a safe school environment, promotes connectedness, supports anti-bullying, and encourages mental wellness. The Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by the Hope Squad Advisor (Ms. Christensen). The Hope Squad members learn to empathize with their peers, listen without judgment, and reduce stigma regarding help-seeking behaviors and mental health.

Wellness Wednesday for Families is a bi-weekly group that meets either in-person or virtually to connect, support one another, and discuss different topics. The Wellness Wednesday series incorporates special guests such as our very own daycare director, local therapists, the Fontana Police Department, and more! These groups provide new and/or continued education and rich conversations for family members.

Our annual Walk for Wellness incorporates our Hope Week which is planned and organized by our Fontana School Hope Squad members. All are welcome to gather at Fontana School to eat good food, speak with local agencies to gather resources, and walk/run together! We partner with the local agency, Bigger than the Trail. Bigger Than The Trail is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that is using trail running as a platform to advocate for mental health. They come alongside individuals, providing educational support, and bringing light to the real struggles and challenges that are associated with mental health. 

Student council is a group of student leaders who work with advisors to collaborate with others to impact their school community. As a group, we work to PROMOTE CITIZENSHIP, PROMOTE SCHOLARSHIP,  PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, PROMOTE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, AND PROMOTE CULTURAL VALUES.

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school's commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship and helps middle-level students develop the knowledge and skills to become well-rounded student leaders in their school, community, and beyond.

This is an opportunity for students to see what performing a theatrical performance for an audience is like.  They can see how many people are needed, how much time it takes, and the many different aspects of the show.  It also prepares them for the future if they want to participate in shows in high school and beyond.

The goal of Fontana Outdoor Education is to ensure each student is given the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. We want to instill a sense of respect and appreciation for nature and care for our land and lakes in each student, which will last long past our week at camp. In addition, students grow in many ways during our week at camp and learn how to get along with others and rely on themselves.  This week is often described as the most memorable week for many graduating Fontana students.

Makerspaces and FabLabs are becoming integral pieces of the educational puzzle in schools worldwide. It is fun for students, teachers, and the community to see new technology like 3D printing utilized in educational settings. Another reason for integrating space like this into educational settings is to give students next-generation skill sets than can make them valuable in the new age of mechatronics. We are developing increasingly complex assemblies of mechanical, electrical, and computerized devices in all avenues of our lives. Spaces that allow students to explore this career field prepare them to lead in many professions.