September is Attendance Awareness Month

September is Attendance Awareness Month

September 7, 2017 (San Dimas, CA) – Bonita USD is joining with school districts across the country to celebrate September as Attendance Awareness Month.

As students start back to school in the fall, it’s important to remind parents and our community how important regular attendance is for our kids. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. When our schools, parents and community join together to promote consistent, on-time attendance for students of all ages, our students will be on the road to success!

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.  A child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:    

·        Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1^st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3^rd grade.  

·        By 6^th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.  

·        By 9^th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8^th grade test scores.  

Being on time is also important.  Children can miss crucial parts of the school day if they are late.  Late-arriving students are also disruptive to class routines.  Start a lifelong habit of arriving at school on time.

Here are a few practical tips to help families support regular attendance:

·        Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.

·        Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

·        Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick

·        Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.

·        Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.

·        Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up.  Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

We hope to see your child on time, every day at school.  Attendance counts!

More tips for families and communities can be found at www.attendanceworks.org

For more information, contact Susan Cross Hume at 909-971-8200 or Hume@bonita.k12.ca.us

Bonita Unified School District Promotes Two Curriculum Experts

Bonita Unified School District Promotes Two Curriculum Experts

Bonita Unified School District announced the promotions of Chris Ann Horsley and Anne Neal as the Senior Directors of Curriculum and Instruction at their July 5th Board of Education meeting.

Horsley and Neal will be based out of the Educational Services Department and will focus on ensuring the students of Bonita Unified School District continue to receive a first rate education, while exploring additional opportunities to bring in Personalized Learning.  “Both come into their new roles with a proven record of increasing student achievement, and we are thrilled to have them lead our District in curriculum and instruction for the coming years,” stated Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Matt Wien.

Chris Ann Horsley was the principal at Arma J. Shull Elementary school for the past 17 years, where she worked with staff and the community to continually focus on reading by the end of third grade for all of our students. Horsley looks forward to sharing her passion for reading and working with all of our schools across the district.

Anne Neal has been the principal of Ramona Middle School for the past ten years. Neal’s specialty has been providing a rigorous academic program while balancing it with the social emotional needs of our middle school age students. Neal looks forward to working alongside the rest of the schools as they continue to innovate in education. 

New Faces in Bonita Unified

New Faces in Bonita Unified

With the recent retirements and promotions within Bonita Unified School District, many of our sites and departments will have new faces.

Leslie Sandoval is the epitome of Bonita Unified through and through.  She grew up attending Shull, Lone Hill, and San Dimas High Schools.  Her husband, Jason Sandoval, works for Bonita Unified in the Computer Information Services department, and their two daughters, Sophia and Sarah attend Bonita schools. 

After 16 years at Lone Hill Middle School as a science teacher and ASB director, Sandoval is excited to transition from being a Lion to a proud Roynon Raccoon as Assistant Principal at Roynon Elementary. “Leslie is a wonderful addition to Roynon.  She brings extensive knowledge of the local community with her, as well as first-hand experience with the social and academic skills necessary to prepare Roynon students for the next level,” says Principal DiGrazia.

Dan Gribbon is the new Dean of Students for the Ed Jones Educational Center. Gribbon comes to Chaparral-Vista with extensive experience in administration and alternative education. What made him stand out among a very competitive field during the hiring process, is his passion for the work and his demonstrated commitment to kids and their academic and personal growth.  In 2013, he was awarded the ACSA Continuation Administrator of the Year for the state of California.  Principal Chris Black says, “ Dan shares our vision, which is to provide a rigorous and personalized educational program that prepares our students for success in college or their chosen career.  We are excited to welcome Dan to the Bulldog team; he will be a tremendous addition and asset to our school community.”

Bonita Unified School District Back to School Challenge

Back to School Bonita Unified School District Challenge

The days of summer are coming to a close as the staff, students and community are gearing up for the first day of school in Bonita Unified School District on August 21, 2017.

Back to school means looking for all the “right deals” to ensure students have the supplies they need to be successful in the upcoming school year. Every year, some of our students don’t receive the same opportunities. We are asking our community to please consider volunteering or donating to our La Verne-San Dimas Educational Foundation (LVSDEF) who provide funds and support throughout the year with teacher mini grants, Ed Jones Acts of Kindness awards and Perseverance awards. Volunteer opportunities and donations can be made at www.lvsdef.com. 

District Honors Career/Tech Student Achievement

Career/Technical Education Students Recognized

with Awards and Scholarships

 On May 4, 2017, the Board of Education, school principals, teachers, and District administrators gathered at Lone Hill Middle School to recognize outstanding students in the Career/Technical Education (CTE) Program. Twenty-eight students were identified by their teachers for outstanding performance in their respective classes. Seven students were awarded college scholarships.

$500   Aidan Ferguson

$500   Aleksandre Howes

$300   Madison Chillas

$300   Mikayala Mitchell

$300   Makenzie Bentson

$300   Kristi Faro

$300   Charisma Manriquez

The students recognized at this event represented outstanding performance in 28 different classes from seven industry sectors, including Arts & Media, Information Technology, Health & Medical Science, Transportation, Hospitality & Tourism, Public Services, and Product Development. Each year, students in these courses develop specialized skill sets oriented toward a specific career. The annual ceremony is a unique celebration of the accomplishments and creations of these students.

"Shrek the Musical" Opens at Ramona Middle School April 19!

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek the Musical jr., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. 

It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek the Musical is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. 

Ramona Middle School Drama is proud to bring to you our version of Shrek the Musical (jr).  Come enjoy an entertaining evening with Shrek and the entire cast. 

Dinner Theater at San Dimas HS Presents "Cabaret" April 19-22

San Dimas High School Drama is proud to present the Sainted Players performance of Cabaret, an entertaining, yet harrowing look at our world at the brink of Hitler’s regime.

Check out the troupe's Eventbrite page at sdhscabaret.eventbrite.com to make a complimentary reservation for this delightful dinner theatre event.

Dinner will be served by the SDHS Hospitality class.