August 11, 2025

Dear FUSD Community,

Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year! I hope your summer was filled with quality time with loved ones and that you are ready for a great school year.

All staff have been working diligently to prepare for the year ahead, and we are eager to partner with you to make this school year one of growth, achievement, and opportunity for all students.

This school year, we will remain committed to student academic success and creating safe and respectful schools where every student can thrive. We acknowledge that some of our families and students are experiencing anxiety and fear due to recent immigration activities. Please be assured that we are prepared to support our students and their families, providing them with the available resources. Please don’t hesitate to reach out; we are here for you. We also recognize the critical role of mental health and are dedicated to offering expanded resources to support emotional well-being and long-term resilience.

Additionally, we will continue to invest in facility improvements across our school district. Below are some highlights:

- Student Academic Success

- Full-time bilingual community liaisons at all school sites

- Free online academic tutoring available 24/7

- Reading Intervention teachers at all elementary schools

- Restorative Practices Teacher at Fillmore Middle School

- Block schedules with built-in academic support at Fillmore Middle and Fillmore High schools

- Differentiated academic support within the school day at all elementary schools

- Expanded Independent Study Program with customized schedules and curriculum

- No-cost after-school program until 6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday

- No-cost enrichment programs during school breaks

- No-cost after-school sports program at Fillmore Middle School

- Preschool programs for children ages 2.9 months to 4 years

- College/university field trips to promote a college-bound culture

- Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways at FHS

- STEM Electives, including robotics, medical detectives, and video production at FMS

- Community College Dual-Enrollment classes during the school day and after school at FHS

- UCSB Early Academic Outreach Program at FHS and FMS

- CSUCI Guaranteed Admission at FHS

Mental Health Support

- Wellness Centers at FMS, FHS, SHS, Piru, San Cayetano, and Mountain Vista Schools

- Counselors at all sites; full-time social workers at Fillmore Middle and Fillmore High Schools

- New Telehealth options for students 2024-2025 Facilities Improvements

-Rio Vista School: New 200-meter all-weather track

- Fillmore High School (FHS): New varsity baseball field, new restroom building, and flex space at the School Farm

- Piru School: New HVAC in the cafeteria, new shade structures, and restroom building, new school sign

- San Cayetano School: New HVAC in cafeteria, new furniture in every classroom, office redesign and upgrade, and new shade
structure

- Mountain Vista: new shade structure and upgrades to landscaping 2025-2026 Facility Improvements

- Fillmore High School: career center relocation and renovation, two new shade structures, library patio renovation

- Fillmore Middle School: New student and teacher furniture in every classroom, new office furniture and drywall, new
outside tables, upgraded landscaping

- Mountain Vista School: new outside patio tables and umbrellas

- All Schools and Facilities: upgrade and expand security cameras for school safety

Future Projects

- Fillmore Middle School (FMS): New paint and HVAC in the gym, new outdoor shade structures.

- Fillmore High School (FHS): New athletic complex (projected completion date December 2026), locker room remodel to
include girls’ locker room, and kitchen upgrades

- Transportation Department: Charging stations for new electric buses

Great things are happening in our school district! It is important that we continue to work together, build relationships

with each other, and maintain our collective focus to do what is best for our students. They are counting on us!

Please join and support our School Site Councils, English Learner Advisory Committees, Parent Booster Clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Connecting with these organizations and school staff is vital to your child’s success. I look forward to seeing our students back to school on Wednesday, August 13, and am confident we can make this school year a safe and positive experience for everyone.

Sincerely,

Christine Schieferle,

Superintendent