New Mascots

At the February 10 FJUHSD Board meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Dr. Karl Zener announced new mascots for both Fullerton Union and Sonora High Schools.

Both schools worked over the last 6 months to gather input from students, staff, and community members to choose updated mascots. Students at Sonora chose “Rowdy” the Raider, a feisty bear with a logo that includes the traditional Sonora High “S” in gold and blue.

Fullerton Union High will comply with California legislation AB 3074, which expanded the defined derogatory phrases used to demean Native Americans by removing the existing Indian mascot and replacing it with the Fullerton RedHawks.
Fullerton Union High plans to honor its 131-year legacy as Fullerton Indians by setting up a museum on the library’s third floor, where many of the alumni gifts and student art will be shown in revolving exhibits.

Both schools will remove old mascot identifiers along a gradual timeline that immediately offers new mascot spirit wear, retires sports uniforms according to regular scheduling, and paints over established murals over the summer.

Facilities Update

At the January FJUHSD Board meeting, Trustee Joann Fawley asked about panic bar installations for the newly installed 8’-0” fencing and gates surrounding Buena Park and Fullerton High Schools, paid for with general and deferred maintenance funds. Senior Director of Facilities, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation Vince Madsen said that both campuses are large enough to have “Designated Areas of Refuge” for all the students and faculty on site, so the gates are currently locked during the school day.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Ruben Hernandez, who oversees the Facilities Department, and Director Madsen clarified some of the safety protocols for both campuses. If any type of emergency requires all students to evacuate the classrooms, they are drilled to locate by grade level in designated areas on campus. These locations are not publicly shared to protect student safety. If the school needs to evacuate the premises completely, parents are notified by Parent Square and Aeries Apps to enact reunification procedures.

FJUHSD and FSD currently train with Fullerton police and fire departments to coordinate for multiple emergency scenarios, including a vehicular evacuation from a school site. Onsite safety staff committees work with all staff to train for issues and emergency factors unique to each campus.

Trustee Update

At the end of the FJUHSD Board meeting, Trustee Dr. Chester Jeng announced his resignation in April. Dr. Jeng served as FJUHSD Trustee representing La Habra Area 1 since 2018. He is moving to Utah this summer to assume a professor position.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting is on March 10 at 6pm.