Dear FSD Staff, Families, and Community,
We are thrilled to share that the Fullerton School District has been honored with a prestigious Golden Bell Award for our FSD Fest, a district-wide celebration of student talent and innovation. The Golden Bell Awards, which have recognized outstanding educational programs for over 40 years, are presented annually by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Each year, approximately 50 Golden Bell Awards are given to highlight excellence in education across California’s public schools.
Winning a Golden Bell Award signifies a district’s commitment to advancing student learning and showcases exemplary programs that address the needs of students and the community. The FSD Fest, known for spotlighting creativity and student engagement through interactive exhibits and performances, stood out as a model for fostering student growth and celebrating student voice, choice, agency, and achievement.
Here’s more on what makes FSD Fest so impactful from the perspectives of our valued participants.
From Grace Hanchett, 6th Grader, Raymond Elementary School:
“I think it’s cool that different kids from different schools can socialize together and share their new ideas, interests, and passions. You can learn a lot of new things at FSD Fest, and it makes me proud of my school to share what we are doing.”
From Pamela Zinnel, 6th Grade Teacher at Hermosa Drive Elementary:
“As a sixth grade teacher, I am invested in honoring what students love to do and unearthing what they hope to accomplish as they get older, and every year, Fullerton School District creates a space for students to do just that. FSD Fest is an opportunity for students to share their passions and dig deep into what excites them. I also love how this event offers different ways for students to choose how they want to share. Presenting slide decks or artfully made posters from booths to passersby in a showcase hall, hosting mini-lectures in a small classroom to event attendees, or giving Ted Talk-style presentations to a live audience are just a few of the many ways students get to pick the most meaningful way for them to share about what they’ve learned. My favorite aspect is the eSports tournament. Watching everyone cheer on all the many groups competing for the leaderboard is incredible. I also adore watching the incredible Film Fest entries; our kids are incredibly creative and innovative. FSD Fest is a fantastic experience for all involved.”
We are so thankful to our Innovation and Instructional Support team for continuing to organize and thoughtfully evolve this great, multifaceted experience for our students. We are also very grateful to all of our school leaders, educators, and district administrators for their continued support of this important program. Of course, none of this would be possible without the assistance and funding we receive from the Fullerton Education Foundation (FEF), led by FSD Board of Trustee Hilda Sugarman. Last year, FEF raised and donated $40,000 to help make FSD Fest possible. Without FEF’s important work in fundraising for our schools, we simply could not make such award-winning experiences possible for our students, which also now includes our unique, life-changing Tiny Home Project.
Please join us in celebrating our collective work and commitment to ensuring world-class opportunities and success for our students. To learn more about the FSD Fest, which will be held May 16 through 17 in Cal-State Fullerton’s Titan Student Union, visit www.fullertonsd.org/fsdfest. To learn more about the Fullerton Education Foundation, please visit https://www.fullertoneducationfoundation.org/.
Way to go, Team FSD!
Fullerton School District
