Superintendent's Message - Bonita Unified School District

Superintendent’s Message

Celebrations
There was much for us to celebrate in April of 2018:
On April 2, 2018, Arma J. Shull Elementary School received a highly acclaimed recognition
from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson as a 2018 California
Distinguished School. Shull Elementary was selected for its outstanding educational programs
and practices that help students excel academically and socially. Shull is an excellent example of
the highly effective school environments that exist throughout Bonita USD.
The reason behind our successes continues to be from the tremendous work from our staff. We
recently recognized three individuals, one from each employee group (certificated, classified,
and management), that were awarded District Employees of the Year. We congratulate:
           o Cory Hanson, Ramona Middle School Student Services Coordinator
           o Jennifer Flores, Secretary III, Curriculum & Instruction Department
           o Jack Nance, Interim Principal at San Dimas High School.
These three individuals are excellent examples of the 1100 staff members who work hard to
benefit students every day at our 13 campuses.
On April 11, Lone Hill Middle School celebrated the opening of their new gymnasium. This is
the second of two gymnasiums that was completed in the last six months thanks to the generosity
of our community members who voted to approve Bond Measure AB. On the day we opened the
new gym, our Board of Education, dignitaries from both cities of San Dimas and La Verne, Bond
Committee members, and Education Foundation members joined together with our students,
parents and staff members to celebrate. It is amazing to see the depth of commitment of our
remarkable partners we have in our communities who routinely come together to support
students.
As we enter the last month of the 2017-18 school year, I look forward to sharing in many more
successes of our students and staff. It is a wonderful time to celebrate our accomplishments and
to reflect on the many impressive achievements in BUSD.
Respectfully,
Carl J. Coles
Superintendent

Bonita USD Calls on Legislature to Fund
Public Schools at the Average of the Top 10 States
As part of its ongoing work to ensure that all District students benefit from the resources needed
for a high-quality education, the Bonita Unified School District Board of Education is calling on
the Legislature to raise school funding to the national average by 2020 and to the average of the
top 10 states by 2025.
During the April 11, 2018, Board of Education meeting, the Board passed a Full and Fair
Funding resolution sponsored by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). The
resolution asks the Legislature to raise funding to a level that allows schools to prepare all
students – regardless of background – for success in college, career and civic life.
Currently, California ranks 41st in per-pupil funding, 45th in the percentage of revenue devoted to
public schools, and last or nearly last in almost every measure of school staffing, such as student-
teacher ratio or the number of counselors, students, librarians or nurses per student.
Substantial research points to a positive relationship between education funding and improved
student outcomes, particularly for economically disadvantaged students. As the Full and Fair
Funding resolution states, “in order to prepare our students for participation in a democratic
society and an increasingly competitive, technology-driven global economy, California must
fund schools at a level sufficient to support student success.”
According to, Vernon M. Billy, CEO and executive director of the CSBA, California has the
highest gross domestic product (GDP) of any state, yet spends significantly less per-pupil than
most other states. This wasn’t always the case, and the Full and Fair Funding resolution urges the
Legislature to reprioritize education. In 1970, California funded schools at $400 per student
above the national average — roughly $2,600 in today’s money. Today, California funds schools
at nearly $2,000 per student below the national average and nearly $7,000 per student below the
average of the top 10 states.
If the District was funded at a level $2,000 above our current per pupil funding, Bonita USD
would receive $20 million more per year, or $60,000 more in funding per classroom. These
funds could be used for counseling, technology, curriculum, arts education, and sports – all items
that would greatly enhance our education program and benefit our students.
On behalf of the Board of Education, Bonita USD is proud to join school districts across the state
in calling for Full and Fair Funding of California public schools.

Schools in the Spotlight

Ekstrand Elementary

Ekstrand Elementary School’s Spring Events
Ekstrand students and staff enjoyed their annual "Pop Your Top" reading event. Students came
dressed up as their favorite book character and enjoyed a school-wide reading time in the quad
area. Principal Wang read to students dressed up as the character Waldo from the children’s
book, Where's Waldo? Can you find Waldo? Some parents and the community members joined
in the fun at this annual reading event that has been a tradition at Ekstrand School for over 20
years. Students look forward to this annual reading event.

Photo 1: “Pop Your Top” reading event

Ekstrand’s got talent!
From yo-yo masters to a brother and sister piano playing and singing duet of “My Favorite
Things” from “The Sound of Music,” Ekstrand had it all that night. Parents, teachers, students,
and community members were at the edge of their seats, as 26 participants walked the red carpet
to take the stage and performed their well-practiced acts. Following the big event, PTA hosted a
dessert reception where everyone was able to mingle, congratulate each other, and best of all, get
their photo taken with the Stars. We are looking forward to next year’s 13th Annual Ekstrand’s
Got Talent Extravaganza!

Photo 2: Talented students at Ekstrand Elementary

Oak Mesa Elementary
Character Counts at Oak Mesa

Oak Mesa is excited to reintroduce students to the Character Counts program. Each month,
students learn what it means to have trustworthiness, fairness, respect, responsibility, citizenship,
and caring as each trait is designated for a specific month. Students experience short videos or
lessons on the month’s trait each day which are promoted by all staff on campus. Every
Tuesday, you can see students wearing a specific color tied to the trait of the month to help
promote what it means to be a person of character.

Encore to our Music Programs!

Oak Mesa band and chorus groups performed at the Bonita Center for the Arts earlier in the
year. Students were able to showcase their hard work performing holiday concerts which were
enjoyed by all who attended. Oak Mesa students appreciate having wonderful directors in both
Andy Mainiero and Heidi Bird, as well as have a district who values the arts!

Photo 3: Oak Mesa chorus performs

GATE Kids Get a Taste of Sea Life

Oak Mesa teachers, Catherine McKay and Jean Marston, along with some helpful parents,
provided GATE students the opportunity to dissect squids and learn about sea life. Students were
able to dissect and investigate their own individual squids while Mrs. McKay did an exceptional
job of demonstrating each step using her own. It was amazing to see students’ interest and
enthusiasm to perform their dissections and locate several main parts of the sea life.

Photo 4 & 5: Students dissect squids

Lone Hill Middle School

Gym Grand Opening

Lone Hill’s gym is completed! Construction finished shortly before spring break and a grand
opening was held on April 11th. The gym features three full basketball courts, 4 scoreboards,
bleacher seating for approximately 300, and a spacious air conditioned weight room. The new
gym will allow our students new opportunities in physical education classes as well as a top

notch facility for our after school volleyball and basketball teams! The campus is buzzing with
excitement!

Photo 6: Lone Hill’s new gymnasium officially opened on April 11
Lone Hill Goes to College

February 26th was the start of college and career week at Lone Hill. Students participated in
college related activities and listened to speakers from the community on career day. The week
culminated with over 300 eighth-graders boarding six buses that transported them to UCLA and
USC. Students had the unique opportunity to walk both of these prestigious universities and get
a first-hand look at a college campus. It truly was a special day for Bonita Unified and Lone Hill
Middle School!

Photo 7: Lone Hill students visit the UCLA campus

The Wall That Heals

The community of San Dimas and Lone Hill Middle School had the unique opportunity of
hosting The Wall That Heals Veteran Memorial Wall from March 22-25. The wall honors the
more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War and
bears the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Built
by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the replica wall travels across the country to provide
those who have not visited the original in Washington D.C. the opportunity to see the memorial.
San Dimas was fortunate to be one of 38 cities to host the Memorial Wall this year throughout
the country, and only one of two cities in Southern California.

Photo 8: Students viewed the Vietnam Memorial Wall up close

5th Grade Parent Night

On March 15th Lone Hill opened its doors for all incoming 6th graders. Our future Lions and
their families received guided tours of the campus provided by our WEB leaders. Parents and
students also got to see our choir and band perform, as well as our new Lone Hill dance team.
Principal Coss addressed the crowd of over 500 people about what to expect in middle school.
There were also food trucks and dessert provided by our PTA. Students were also given the
opportunity to go onto our website and choose their elective for next year. Lone Hill staff are
very excited to receive the promoting class of 2021 in the fall!

Healthy Living

Lone Hill’s Healthy Living students have had a ton of fun learning how to shop, prepare, and
cook meals for themselves. Students have spent time learning how to budget for groceries,
developing their measuring and knife skills, and most importantly, cooking for themselves.
These students have also shared their cooking skills with Lone Hill faculty and staff. Some of

our favorite dishes this year include: pancakes and scrambled eggs, gourmet grilled cheese,
spaghetti with meat sauce, and holiday peppermint bark.

Ed Jones Education Center
Chaparral 11th Graders Participate in Rotary RYLA Program

Each spring, the San Dimas Rotary recognizes two outstanding 11th-graders by sponsoring their
attendance at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp (RYLA) over a long weekend in
Idyllwild. The camp is an award to recognize students’ leadership on campus, as well as an
opportunity to receive further training on how to become more effective servant leaders. This
year Naomi Pearson and Edgar Alonzo were selected for their campus involvement and the
leadership they have shown at Chaparral High School. Eleventh-grade students are chosen so
that next year they can apply their enhanced skills to be stronger campus leaders as 12th-graders
by taking on additional leadership roles. The students attended the all-expense-paid camp where
they heard a diverse group of speakers, made new friends through collaborative activities, and
discussed social issues. When student Naomi Pearson was asked what she liked most about camp
she said, “I liked that we started out as groups and we became families.”

The students are removed from their comfort zone and learn skills while new relationships and
friendships are being developed. Both Edgar and Naomi are campus leaders and belong to the
Interact Club which helps build community bonds and encourages servant leadership through
positive community projects. Sponsoring our Interact club and RYLA are just a few of the ways
the San Dimas Rotary is supporting our students and helping Chaparral High School produce
tomorrow’s leaders. “We are incredibly thankful for our relationship with the San Dimas Rotary
and the opportunity they provide our students to attend this amazing camp. Our students return
each year with new ideas on how to build a strong and spirited school community and more
confident in their role as school leaders,” said Principal Christine Black.

Photo 9: Outstanding Chaparral High School Juniors Naomi Pearson and Edgar Alonso

Annual “Strike 4 Success “Open House Event

On Thursday, March 29th 2018, Chaparral/Vista High School hosted its 5th annual Open House
“Strike 4 Success” event at Chaparral Lanes in San Dimas. Through partnerships with the San
Dimas Rotary Club and the San Dimas Senior Citizen’s Club, and support from our Parent
Teacher Student Association and the community, we hosted an exciting evening of bowling,
prizes, and great interaction between students, parents, teachers, and community members in a
fun and relaxed environment. “It was an amazing event! The students and parents were anxious
to bowl and were excited to be there. It was nice to be able to spend time with our students and
their families in a different setting,” said student services clerk, Sue Vetti.
For students and families, the night was completely free; students received two complimentary
tickets for themselves and a parent or guardian which included bowling and tickets for prize
drawings. “The interaction was fun and different. At school, it’s all about doing our work but
being able to spend time with my teachers and bowling with them was a lot fun,” said Noe
Gonzalez-Bettancourt. The San Dimas Rotary sponsored an auction that gave away great prizes
including a big screen television and Dodger tickets. Chaparral/Vista also provided baskets that
all students and parents could win. The baskets included hundreds of dollars of great prizes
donated by our community partners and other supporters, Funds raised will go towards student
leadership on campus, and our Renaissance and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and
Supports) programs to benefit students. Rotary funds raised go toward sending San Dimas
students to leadership camps, the Student Teacher of the Month and a Professional (S.T.O.M.P.)
program, and awarding student and teacher mini-grants. We appreciate the support from our
community partners to help our unique population of students who benefit from leadership
opportunities and continued recognition for outstanding attendance, positive behavior, and credit
earning. We had a record turn out this year of students, families, and community supporters.
Everyone had fun and among the strikes and spares there was great conversation and laughs
between teachers, students, staff, and parents. The goal for the event is communication,
conversation, and gathering together for one purpose…student success!

Photo 10: Chaparral High School students and staff enjoy bowling

San Dimas High School
Science Roadshow

The San Dimas High School Science Roadshow is a hands-on, student centered, science expo
that allows elementary school students throughout Bonita Unified, to experience a variety of
scientific demonstrations, led by San Dimas High School students. The Science Roadshow
emphasizes applying science standards to the phenomena in the world around us, while
communicating the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) in chemistry, physics, and
biology. Cross-cutting concepts in engineering, in a tactile, and exciting environment for
students. This Annual Science Roadshow is hosted by the San Dimas High School Science
Department and organized by Chemistry Teacher Mrs. Ruth Luevand.

Photo 11: Elementary students experience the Science Roadshow