Press Releases & Newsletters

Stay informed with official District news, announcements, press releases, and newsletters, providing timely updates on programs, initiatives, events, and important information for our community.

Members of the media are encouraged to contact the Communications Office for interview requests, media inquiries, or additional information.

Press Releases

2025-26 School Year

June 10, 2026: Annual Preschool Event Offers Glimpse Into Fullerton School District’s Early Learning Programs

May 26, 2026: Fullerton School District Celebrates Completion of Third Student-Built Tiny Home

May 22, 2026: Fullerton School District Students Turn Creative Ideas Into Real-World Businesses Through Spyder Lab

May 18, 2026: Fullerton School District to Celebrate Completion of Third Student-Built Tiny Home with Ribbon-Cutting

May 11, 2026: Fullerton School District Awarded $525,000 Grant to Expand Student-Built Tiny Home Project

May 6, 2026: Fullerton School District Teacher Surprised with $5,000 Award During Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4, 2026: Fisler School Earns School to Watch Redesignation, Highlighting Sustained Excellence and Innovation

April 21, 2026: From Esports to Film, Fullerton School District Students Showcase Creativity at Annual FSD Fest

April 20, 2026: Fullerton School District Celebrates Maple Elementary’s 2026 Green Ribbon Recognition

April 16, 2026: Fullerton School District to Host Award-Winning FSD Fest Showcasing Student Innovation, Creativity

April 15, 2026: Fullerton School District Appoints Superintendent, Launching New Era of Innovative Leadership

April 13, 2026: Fullerton Students Showcase Talent, Culture at 2026 K-Pop Battle of the Bands

April 9, 2026: Fullerton School District Technician Honored as 2026 Orange County Classified School Employee of the Year

December 16, 2025: Fullerton School District Makes History Again: All 20 Schools Earn PBIS Platinum for Second Consecutive Year

December 8, 2025: Fullerton School District Announces Open Enrollment Window for 2026–27 School Year Jan. 12 through Feb. 13, 2026

November 13, 2025: Fullerton School District Launches Food Drive to Support Families Impacted by Federal Government Shutdown

September 25, 2025: Smiles, Excitement and Lots of Bubbles - Fullerton School District Hosts Inaugural Special Education Parent Alliance Family Faire

September 16, 2025: Fullerton School District Becomes First in the Western US with All Schools Named as Apple Distinguished Schools

September 12, 2025: Fullerton School District Superintendent Dr. Bob Pletka Announces Retirement

September 4, 2025: Fullerton School District Speech and Debate Team Wins Sixth Consecutive National Championship

August 22, 2025: Fullerton School District's Fisler School Recognized as One of America's Healthiest Schools

2024-25 School Year

June 18, 2025: New Mural at Hermosa Drive Elementary Celebrates Community, Kindness, and Student Voice

May 28, 2025: Orange County’s First Middle School Promise to Talk “Green Bench” Unveiled at Nicolas Junior High for Mental Health Awareness Month

May 14, 2025: Fullerton School District’s Golden Bell-Winning FSD Fest Returns with Even More to Explore

April 29, 2025: Riding into 90: Former Fullerton School District Superintendent Takes a Victory Lap on a Mower

March 31, 2025: Fullerton School District to Host First-Ever K-Pop Battle of the Bands Finale at The Source OC

March 3, 2025: Fullerton School District Enhances Free School Meals with Innovation and Inclusivity

February 13, 2025: Over 400 Fullerton Elementary Students Receive New Coats Thanks to Ocean Subaru of Fullerton and Operation Warm

December 9, 2024: Fullerton School District Announces Open Enrollment for the 2025-26 School Year

November 26, 2024: Fullerton School District Achieves Rare PBIS Feat with Platinum Recognition for All 20 Schools

November 21, 2024: Parks Junior High Students Celebrate Kimchi Day with Hands-On Kimchi-Making Experience

October 24, 2024: Fullerton School District Closes Achievement Gap for English Language Learners

October 16, 2024: Fullerton School District Students Outperform State Peers in Latest Assessment Data

October 11, 2024: Fullerton School District’s Sheila Hebert Honored with Award of Distinction by OCDE

September 27, 2024: Fullerton School District Set to Host First-Ever Community Fair and Sees Expansion of its Community Schools Program

September 3, 2024: Fullerton School District Named Best School District in North Orange County

August 22, 2024: Fullerton School District’s Speech and Debate Team Named National Champs for Fifth Year in a Row

August 16, 2024: Fullerton School District’s Maple Elementary TK Classroom Receives Reggio-Inspired Makeover

August 2, 2024: Fullerton School District Offers Free Meals for All Students in the 2024-25 School Year

2023-24 School Year

June 13, 2024: Fullerton School District Schools Named to California Honor Roll

May 28, 2024: FSD's Performance Academy Sports Program is a Game-Changer for Advanced Student-Athletes in LA and the OC

May 20, 2024: Vibrant Mural Showcasing Community Collaboration and Culture Unveiled at Raymond Elementary School

May 14, 2024: Nurse Susan Spreads Joy at Woodcrest Elementary School Garden

April 25, 2024: Maple School Celebrates 100 Years

April 23, 2024: FSD Performance Academy: Filling the Niche for Advanced Athletes

April 19, 2024: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion with 3rd Annual Korean Cultural Night

April 16, 2024: Fullerton School District Wins Gold from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services

April 11, 2024: Golden Hill School for Creative and Performing Arts Receives NAMM Foundation Award

March 26, 2024: Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee

March 12, 2024: Nicolas Junior High School Teacher Awarded California League of Educators 2024 Middle School Teacher

February 16, 2024: Fisler School Teacher Named Parenting OC 2024 Top Teacher

December 13, 2023: Two Fullerton School District Teachers Awarded Region 11 California League of Educators Teachers of the Year

November 8, 2023: Fullerton School District Hosts Champions for Children Block Party

October 25, 2023: Fullerton School District Outperforms State and County

October 12, 2023: Sprouts Farmers Market's Generous Donation to Two FSD Schools

October 10, 2023: Fullerton School District's "The Hub" Resource Center Opens and Impresses

October 4, 2023: Fullerton School District's Rising Stars Program Launches the 2023-24 School Year

August 28, 2023: Fullerton School District's Beechwood School Big Reveal

August 15, 2023: Fullerton School District's Kick-Off to 2023-24 School Year Sees Big Smiles All Around

August 8, 2023: Fullerton School District Back to School 2023: Who's In Your Crosswalk?

2021-22 School Year

February 2, 2022: Fullerton School District Awarded 2022 CAPP

January 18, 2022: Parks Receives 2022 Schools to Watch Recognition

December 16, 2021: Maple School Teacher Awarded Region 11 California League of Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year

December 13, 2021: Open Enrollment Period for 2022-23 School Year

November 18, 2021: After School Site Lead Receives Emerging Leadership Award

March 29, 2021: Fisler School Receives US News & World Report Best Schools Ranking

February 24, 2022: Five Fullerton School District Finalists Revealed

(Fullerton, CA) – Fullerton School District (FSD) is excited to announce that five staff have been selected as Finalists for ParentingOC Top Teacher/Leader/Employee selection. Out of over 200 nominees, three teachers, one Leader, and one Employee in FSD were selected as finalists competing for the top spot. FSD finalists include:

Penny Endicott, Kindergarten teacher at Fisler School. Ms. Endicott’s students speak highly of the joy she brings to the classroom and the love that she has for each one of them. Everyday is a new adventure for discovery and she ignites a passion for learning for all her students. Ms. Endicott is a wonderful educator, colleague, and friend to whole Fisler community.
Veronica Krause, 3rd grade teacher at Maple School. Ms. Krause was nominated for this award, because she continually creates magic in her classroom. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ms. Krause has inspired her students to make great leaps in achievement while also building strong relationships and connections with them and their families. Ms. Krause is truly a hero to her students, our school, and the Maple community.
Elizabeth Zoellner, 1st grade teacher at Commonwealth School. Ms. Zoellner is the type of teacher that kids remember fondly throughout their schooling years. She does more than just teach, she gets her students excited about learning! She is creative and teaches not only reading and math but also life lessons. She has many former students who loved being in her class and her students always know how much she loves them. Elizabeth has been at Commonwealth for 26 years and has built strong relationships with families over the year. She is an asset to the Commonwealth community.
Dr. Helene Morris, Director of Administrative Services. Dr. Helene Morris has been a leader at the Fullerton School District for 16 years. She has created positive change and made a true impact in her various roles as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and currently serves as the Director of Administrative Services. She provides a whole child focus to encourage academic success and social emotional development. She is a very detailed, organized, and supportive educator who always provides excellent customer service to staff, families and community members. She currently guides and oversees the recent launch of a district-wide Social Emotional Learning team to provide programs and support that focus on student well-being and building positive relationships with teachers to increase school connectedness.
JoAnne Declaro, Account Technician in Business Services. Joanne was nominated because she works to ensure all employees are treated fairly by being an active part of our union. Many changes at our district have been implemented because of this. Joanne is always helping with events and offering to assist in any way. Her ideas to improve our work environment have made FSD a great place to be.

The five FSD finalists participated in a virtual celebration on February 23, 2022 during which the top spots were announced. FSD is proud to announce that Dr. Helene Morris was selected as a Top 5 Leader by ParentingOC. Additionally, Penny Endicott, Veronica Krause, and Elizabeth Zoellner were all selected as a Top 25 Teacher. It is with great pleasure to announce that Elizabeth Zoellner was announced the overall 2022 Top Teacher by ParentingOC.

“Fullerton School District is honored to have so many finalists in our District and pleased that others are able to hear about the wonderful effort by our amazing staff. These honors are a testament to the hard work and dedication our staff have to serving the students and families in our community. Congratulations to all the FSD finalists and to Elizabeth Zoellner for being selected as the 2022 ParentingOC Top Teacher,” stated Dr. Bob Pletka, Superintendent of Fullerton School District.

The Fullerton School District is located in northern Orange County, California and serves over 11,100 students in grades TK – 8th. The Fullerton School District includes 20 schools, 15 elementary schools, two K-8th grade schools, and three middle schools. The mission of the Fullerton School District is to work collaboratively with the community to provide an innovative, high-quality educational program for all students in a safe learning environment. The District motto, “Great Schools - Successful Kids” exemplifies the belief that all students will achieve academic excellence, acquire interpersonal skills, and develop technological expertise to contribute as productive citizens in a democratic society. For more information, call 714/447-7400 or visit www.fullertonsd.org.

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For more information, please feel free to contact Dr. Chad Hammitt/Assistant Superintendent of Personnel at 714/447-7450