Student leaders praise Super Summer Camp as district readies for school year; superintendent cites decade-high scores

Student leaders and district officials used the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board meeting to highlight the district's Super Summer Camp and to preview the coming school year. Student speaker Penny Gertson told trustees the camp, held across three campuses, served about 750 students — the largest number since the district began the program — and that participants read roughly 270,000 minutes collectively. "All of the students who participated like us will be super ready for the new school year," Gertson said.

Leslie Acosta, who identified herself as an FUESD student and led the Pledge of Allegiance, and other student leaders described camp activities that included art, robotics tournaments called Sumobots and math practice using the IXL program. Students reported working on team-based robotics projects and participating in age-tailored lessons to keep skills sharp.

Superintendent Hazel told the board the district held multiple welcome-back events for staff, opened a new cafeteria facility to support healthier meals and is finalizing assessment data that the superintendent described as showing the district at "the highest levels in 10 years" in reading and math (the superintendent noted the scores were still unofficial and being reviewed). Hazel also reminded families of upcoming meet-and-greet events and said the first day of school is scheduled for Aug. 11.

The student presentations and superintendent's remarks framed the board's business as the district moves into the new school year: the board paused for photos with student leaders and then proceeded to its regular agenda.

The meeting record shows the student remarks and the superintendent's report were presented during the open session; no policy decisions were taken in that segment beyond routine acknowledgements.