Pictured is Fillmore Unified School Board Trustee (former principal of San Cayetano) Tricia Gradias, reading to San Cayetano Elementary students.
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Pictured above are Ventura County Sherriff Deputies with Mountain Vista Elementary Principal Christine McDaniels, after reading to students in celebration of Read Across America.
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Fillmore Unified School District participated in Read Across America. Read Across America is an annual nationwide reading celebration to promote literacy and encourage children to develop a lifelong love of reading. Organized by the National Education Association, the event brings together schools, libraries, families, and communities to participate in activities such as classroom read-aloud, book drives, author visits, and literacy-themed events. Originally launched in 1998 to coincide with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the initiative has expanded into a year-round program that celebrates diverse books and authors while encouraging students of all ages to read regularly and explore a wide range of stories and perspectives.
San Cayetano Elementary School Principal Dina Ticas said, “Not only did we have Filmore High School Flashes visit our campus yesterday, but we also had special guests: Trustee Gradias (former principal of San Cayetano) and Sheriff’s Deputies Brutz and Horwill. They read to our students and a fun time was had by all.”
Mountain Vista Elementary Principal Christine McDaniels said, “Thank you to our amazing guest readers Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and The Fillmore Flashes Football Team.”

Fillmore Middle School Principal Jenny Plugge said, “Our 6th Grade AVID students had the opportunity to visit Ventura College in support of the college and career objectives."

Rio Vista Elementary School Principal Kayleigh Kelp said, “Congratulations Rio Vista Elementary students who were awarded with this month’s character trait, Integrity. This month, we are proud to recognize our students who have demonstrated Integrity, which is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. We are so proud of our Roadrunners! Beep! Beep!”

We want to celebrate our students of the week for February 20th, Ellyse Miramontes, Camila Leon and Kenia Murillo. Congratulations to these Bulldogs for demonstrating Bulldog Pride. Posted February 20, at 2:23pm courtesy https://www.facebook.com/Fillmore-Middle-School-268457367119759.

Ventura, CA – As the March 2 priority financial aid deadline approaches, Ventura County high school seniors completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are encouraged to check whether they have a CalKIDS Scholarship that can help pay for college or career training.
In Ventura County, more than $39 million in CalKIDS Scholarship funds are available to support students pursuing higher education.
The scholarship is easy to claim and doesn’t require essay submissions, recommendation letters, or a minimum GPA.
CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships of up to $1,500 for eligible California public school students. Funded by the State of California and administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, CalKIDS helps reduce financial barriers as students plan for college or career training.
“CalKIDS was created to support students at moments when financial decisions can feel overwhelming,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA. “Having scholarship support already in place can empower students and families to make confident financial choices as they plan for college or career training.”
Statewide, more than 60% of public school students in grades 2–12 are eligible to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $1,500. Some college-age students may also have a CalKIDS Scholarship available. The scholarship can be used for qualified higher education expenses, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and computer equipment.
Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship is simple and can be completed online. Students or families only need the student’s Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), which can be found by contacting the student’s school or by visiting CaliforniaColleges.edu. Once they have the SSID, students can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and claim their scholarship account.
San Ly, a student from University of California, Los Angeles shared, “Having a CalKIDS Account has helped me fund leftover expenses related to school without having to take overtime shifts, which has allowed me to focus on my academics.”
To expand access and awareness, schools across California are required to share CalKIDS information with students who submit the FAFSA or CADAA. Through a partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), students who also apply for state financial aid can now view their CalKIDS eligibility through CSAC’s WebGrants 4 Students portal.
“We are grateful to CalKIDS for this partnership. Together, we can help make college affordable for many more Californians.” said Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission. “Utilizing the power of data sharing across state agencies, we can close information siloes…We are the partner that can connect students and families with CalKIDS, and CalKIDS is the missing link when we seek to promote educational equity in our state.”
With support from state agencies, community partners, and schools, more students are checking eligibility and claiming their accounts. Statewide, more than $50 million in CalKIDS Scholarship funds have already been used at colleges and universities, demonstrating how the program can make a real difference in students’ educational journeys.
For eligibility details and to claim a CalKIDS Scholarship Account, visit CalKIDS.org.
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About CalKIDS: The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, and Chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, the program is designed to promote the pursuit of higher education statewide by empowering families to build assets, nurture savings habits, and raise their educational aspirations. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 and every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022, is awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $175, ensuring more families have the resources needed to support their children’s education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.

This week is National School Counseling Week, and we are so grateful for our amazing counseling team at Rio Vista! A huge thank you to Ms. Ibarra, our incredible school counselor, and her wonderful interns Mr. Hughes and Ms. Gonzales for the care, compassion, and support they provide our students every day. Our school is a better place because of you! Posted on February 3, 2026, at 3:46p.m. courtesy https://www.facebook.com/Rio-Vista-Elementary-433256753864582.

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In celebration of National School Counseling Week, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our school counselor, Mrs. Fuentes, for her unwavering support of our students and staff. From supporting students’ academic success and social-emotional well-being to advocating for families and providing guidance during life’s challenges, she does it all with compassion and care. Her big heart for counseling and commitment to every student makes her an incredible advocate and an essential part of our school community. Posted February 5 at 9:21p.m. courtesy https://www.facebook.com/Piru-Elementary-270636636902397.

Sierra High School and Heritage Valley Independent Study would like to recognize, our incredible counselor Jackie, in celebration of National School Counseling Week. She truly cares about our students and consistently goes above and beyond to support them. We are so grateful for the compassion and dedication she brings to our school community. Posted on February 12, 2026, at 12:43p.m. courtesy https://www.facebook.com/FUSDWarriors.

Fillmore Middle School Principal Jenny Plugge said, “We want to celebrate our students of the week for February 6th. Alexx Alanis-Martinez, Lupita Lara, and Steven Dominguez. Congratulations to these Bulldogs for demonstrating Bulldog Pride.”

Rio Vista Elementary School Principal Kayleigh Kelp said, “January’s Roadrunner Character Trait Winners showed what perseverance looks like in action! From tackling tough assignments to staying positive through challenges, these students remind us that effort and resilience truly matter. Way to go, Roadrunners! Beep! Beep!”

Fillmore Middle School Principal Jenny Plugge said, “We want to celebrate our students of the week for January 30th. Marco Romero, Melanie Briceno, and Esteban Suarez Ceja (not pictured). Congratulations to these Bulldogs for demonstrating Bulldog Pride.

FILLMORE — Student creativity from across the Fillmore Unified School District will be on full display at the 3rd Annual Fillmore Student Art Show, featuring artwork from Piru Elementary School, Fillmore Middle School, and Fillmore High School. The exhibition will be hosted at the Cole Creativity Center and Amote Gallery at the Santa Paula Art Museum, celebrating the artistic talents of students at all grade levels.
The show will open with a public Opening Reception on Friday, January 30, from 5 to 6 p.m., where families, friends, and community members are invited to meet the artists and view the collection. Adding to the evening’s significance, scholarship awards sponsored by the Santa Paula Society of the Arts will be presented to selected student artists in recognition of their achievement and dedication to the arts.
Student work featured in the exhibition includes pieces created under the guidance of Ms. Silva at Piru Elementary School, Ms. Reyes-Gonzales at Fillmore Middle School, and Mr. Torres at Fillmore High School. The artwork spans a wide range of media and themes, highlighting the progression of artistic skill and creative expression from elementary through high school.
The exhibition will remain on view through Sunday, March 1, 2026, which will serve as the final viewing day. The annual event continues to grow as a meaningful collaboration between local schools and the Santa Paula Art Museum, providing young artists with a professional gallery experience and reinforcing the importance of arts education in the community.