Bonita Unified School District’s Computer Information Department and Ed Tech teams were celebrated for their outstanding response to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, with employees from each group receiving the BUSD Purpose Award during the Feb. 3 Board of Education meeting. The Purpose Award is one of the District’s highest honors and recognizes exemplary conduct and achievement.
Beatty and Buena Park middle school students are showcasing their poise and competitive speaking skills while rising to the challenge of virtual speech and debate tournaments after an impressive performance during a Jan. 30 online Orange County Debate League tournament. Beatty Middle School’s virtual speech and debate program launched in March 2020, following the start of the national stay-at-home order. After a scheduled tournament on March 13 was canceled, the team adjusted its techniques and practices to ensure that students could compete in a safe environment while also preparing for future online events
For the eighth consecutive year, Monrovia Unified will partner with the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association to provide Black History Month activities to the community. Highlighting the virtual activities is a master class with animation industry pioneer Ronald Husband, who is the first African American animator for Walt Disney. Students will also listen to folk tales, learn about their family history, and participate in the annual elementary school art festival.
Sierra Vista High School Class of 2001 graduate Silvia Cervantes-Juarez addressed more than 100 students at her alma mater about mental wellness issues on Jan. 22, advising students that self-awareness, positive messaging, regular exercise and setting a schedule are the keys to staying mentally fit during COVID-19. Cervantes-Juarez, who works as a high school psychologist, dispensed words of wisdom and support to students during a Flex Friday intervention class presentation, held in coordination with Sierra Vista’s National Alliance of Mental Health Club.
The College Board has honored A.B. Miller High School for expanding young women’s access to Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science classes, recognizing the school with its 2020 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. A.B. Miller received the award for achieving 50% or greater female exam taker participation in its AP Computer Science (CS) Principles class.
For the second year in a row, the Inland Valley News Group has named Bonita Unified one of 2020’s Top Workplaces in the Inland Empire. The Inland News Group’s list is based on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage. The surveys were distributed to all 13 Bonita Unified schools and the District office, asking employees about workplace culture, if their jobs exceeded expectations, if they would recommend their workplace to potential employees, why they love their jobs and how their employer could improve the workplace environment.
Pioneer High School has launched an E-Sports team that will meet virtually as it prepares for competitions organized by Play Versus, Inc., a national platform for high school, youth and college E-Sports leagues. Students will compete with schools from across the country in games such as FIFA, Madden, League of Legends, Smite, Smash Ultimate and Rocket League. Initially participating from home, Pioneer hopes to provide an E-Sports room for students when health guidelines allow.
Monroe Elementary School held a virtual pep rally for students on Jan. 27, in celebration of 100 Days of Learning. Activities included dancing, trivia questions and a scavenger hunt. Students were asked to share one word that reflected their experience during the first 100 days of school. Monroe teachers put the words together to create the number 100 in a word cloud. Due to high student participation, Principal Lily Jarvis kept a promise to pie herself in the face. Photos are available.
Santa Fe High School senior Lyn Guinto has received a QuestBridge National Match Scholarship to Grinnell College in Iowa. Guinto is one of nearly 1,500 students across the United States to receive the full-ride four-year scholarship, which connects underrepresented students to the nation’s top universities. Though currently undecided on a major, Guinto has expressed a strong interest in social science.
Arroyo High School was recognized by the College Board with the 2020 Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Female Diversity Award, one of 831 schools across the United States honored for expanding access to young women in AP Computer Science Principles classes. The award is given to schools that show 50% or higher female exam taker representation in AP computer science courses or have a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population.