At the May 5, 2010 Board of Education Meeting the Classified Employees of the
Year and nominees were recognized for their outstanding work and dedication. These
recipients represent the hundreds of Fontana Unified School District's
classified employees who help provide safe, clean, and productive environments
for the students in our district every day. Without their contributions,
our schools and our district could not function. From this exceptional
group of employees, Yolanda Mendoza, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources announced the 2009-10 FUSD Classified Employee of the
Year, Child Welfare and Attendance Community Liaison Bernadette Gallagher.
Ms. Gallagher has worked for the Fontana Unified School District for the past
sixteen years. Her work as a CWA Community Liaison takes her into the
homes of elementary children who are struggling with attendance issues.
She also works with organizations that assist the children of Fontana, including
Shoes That Fit and the United Way. Working with families in strife and
distress on a daily basis is often emotionally demanding but Ms. Gallagher's
passion for children keeps a smile on her face and her spirits high.
She continues to find new ways of reaching out to
the community to aide in her efforts of giving the children in Fontana what they
need from basic necessities like new shoes and socks, clothes, backpacks and
school supplies, just to mention a few.
Said Ms. Gallagher, "I am a very lucky person to be able to do something I
love and work with such amazing people."
Categories for recognition were designated by the San Bernardino County
Schools, based on the State recognition program. Nominees for winners of
the Classified Employees of the Year recognition were determined by the
classified employees' union, United Steel Workers.
Winners in each category were submitted to the San Bernardino County Superintendent
of Schools as District representatives in the County recognition program.
Sylvia Kipness, Senior Kitchen Operator at Summit High School, was selected by the
County as a County Classified Employee of the Year (click
here to read more). Ms. Kipness was
honored at the San Bernardino County Board of Education Meeting on April 5,
2010.
The nominees in the following categories were recognized at the meeting
(category winners are in bold):
