Bonita Unified Adult Transition Program students are entering a new phase in their lives, splitting time between the San Dimas High School campus and the University of La Verne (ULV) through a partnership that allows students ages 18 to 22 with moderate to severe disabilities to connect with students their own age as they work toward transitioning into adult life with full functionality. The program, which debuted in mid-January, places the students at ULV for two days a week, then switches back to San Dimas High for the remainder of the school week. Bonita Unified Adult Transition students receive full access to ULV facilities, including the library, gym, campus center and dining hall.
On his first day of practice as a member of the San Dimas High golf team, Class of 2008 graduate J.J. Spaun met the man who would help propel him to a career as a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, Saints coach Doug Shultz. From Spaun’s first practice as a freshman until his final putt as a senior, leading the Saints to their fourth consecutive league championship, Shultz was there to guide him. Spaun returned to campus on Feb. 22 to dedicate a memorial bench to the late Shultz, honoring the man who devoted so much time to his players in more than 20 years as a coach.
Bonita Unified Cheer Team Concludes Season with Championship Titles
San Dimas High School’s cheer team celebrated a successful competition season by ringing the bell in the school’s iconic bell tower on Feb. 8, a coveted privilege awarded for outstanding student achievements. The Saints’ cheer team won its third CIF Southern Section Division 2A Championship, followed by the Cheer Pros state champion title in tumbling and small varsity intermediate categories. San Dimas High students Maddison Arochi, Giselle Baeza, Melissa Rayas and Nailey Ornelas were also named to the All-State cheer team.
Bonita Unified Middle School to Stage ‘Little Mermaid’ Musical
Ramona Middle School’s Drama Society will stage a production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” as its annual musical at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1 and Thursday, March 2 at the Bonita Center for the Arts. Ramona offers drama as a sixth- and seventh-grade elective – as well as in an afterschool club open to all grade levels – as part of the District’s robust visual and performing arts program. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.bonitacenterforthearts.com/. The Bonita Center for the Arts is located at 822 W. Covina Blvd., San Dimas.
Oak Mesa Elementary School has been named a California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education (CDE) for the fourth time, celebrating the school’s excellence in closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance. Oak Mesa, which is among 356 elementary schools honored by the CDE this year, was previously named a California Distinguished School in 2008, 2012 and 2020. Schools were selected by analyzing data from the 2021-22 school year reported on the California School Dashboard, including assessment results, chronic absenteeism, suspension rates and socioeconomic data.
The Bonita Unified Board of Education unanimously approved Matt Wien to serve as the District’s superintendent during its Feb. 1 meeting, a decision met with deafening cheers and a standing ovation from a packed room of District teachers, staff, community leaders and families. The approval of Wien’s three-year contract for superintendent follows his success as acting and interim superintendent over nearly six months, during which he continued to serve in his previous position as assistant superintendent of educational services.
Bonita Unified Accounting Students Offer Free Tax Filing Services
Students in Bonita High School’s accounting class are putting their knowledge into practice by filing free tax returns for students, as well as local taxpayers with income below $60,000, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, the VITA program has provided free tax assistance for more than 50 years. Under the supervision of Bonita High accounting teacher Madhu Sekhri, students will be available to assist their peers and community members with their tax returns from 11:35 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Sekhri at m.sekhri@bonita.k12.ca.us or call (909) 971-8220.
Bonita Unified Board Approves Matt Wien as Superintendent
The Bonita Unified School District’s Board of Education unanimously approved Matt Wien as superintendent during its Feb. 1 meeting, earning deafening cheers and a standing ovation from a packed room of District teachers, staff, community leaders and families. The approval of Wien’s three-year contract for superintendent follows his success as acting and interim superintendent over nearly six months, during which he continued to serve in his previous position as assistant superintendent of educational services. Wien has more than 20 years of experience in education, nearly 13 of which have been spent in Bonita Unified.
4 Bonita Unified Students Named to All-State Honor Choirs
Bonita High School choral students Jhett Buggle, Trinity Moreno and Joe Ensign and San Dimas High School student Ethan Maun were selected for the California Choral Directors Association 2023 All-State Honor Choirs. The students will perform with the top high school musicians from across the state at the annual California Music Educators Association conference, to be held Thursday, Feb. 16 to Saturday, Feb. 18 in Fresno. Buggle, Moreno, Ensign and Maun were also selected to the Southern California Vocal Association Honor Choirs – an honor awarded to just 270 students this year – and showcased their musical talents in a culminating performance in November.
New Year’s 2023 will hold a special place in the memories of an elite group of Bonita Unified students, who were selected to don traditional red and white uniforms, march down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena and showcase their musical talents on a world stage as part of Pasadena City College’s (PCC) Tournament of Roses Honor Band. Six students from Bonita and San Dimas high schools were among the 230 musicians to march with the prestigious group, which consists of high school students from throughout Southern California and members of the PCC Lancer Marching Band, down the 5.5-mile parade route on Jan. 2.
