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Bonita Unified School District

  • Bonita Unified Grads Learn Importance of Recycling Organic Waste through Waste Management Internships

    Three recent Bonita Unified graduates looking to learn more about protecting the environment and the importance of processing recycling materials and organic waste spent the summer as interns for Waste Management (WM), assisting the Baldwin Park-based company in its efforts to ensure corporations and businesses are complying with green waste mandates issued by the state of California. San Dimas High School Class of 2025 graduates Jacob Hidalgo and Krishna Ramnani teamed up with Bonita High School Class of 2025 graduate Isabel Rodriguez for the one-month internship, working with Waste Management representatives to canvass areas and contact companies that have failed to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 1383, which requires all residents and entities to put green waste – such as fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds – in yard waste containers.

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  • Bonita Unified Football Teams to Face Off in Annual Smudge Pot Rivalry Game

    The Bonita Bearcats and San Dimas Saints will compete for the coveted silver Smudge Pot, an oil-burning tool once used to protect fruit trees from frost and a nod to the cities’ roots in the Southern California citrus industry. Overall, the Bearcats have a 27-24-1 lifetime record against the Saints. A complete history of the rivalry game, including scores, records, and archival photographs, can be found at .

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  • Bonita Unified ProStart Students, Alumni Plate Success at Culinary Clash Extravaganza

    Bonita Unified ProStart culinary students and alumni continued to make delectable gains during summer break after a successful appearance at the 14th annual California Restaurant Foundation (CRF) Culinary Clash, as they designed gourmet meals while collaborating with industry professionals and making connections. The Culinary Clash, which raised more than $95,000 for high school culinary programs at this year’s event, pairs ProStart students, who serve as sous chefs, with restaurant executives for a three-month CRF mentorship. Beginning with original ideas brought by the students, teams work to create a dazzling menu item, using certain required ingredients, then plate their creations at a festive outdoor tasting event, where attendees sample and then vote for their favorite student/industry combinations.

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Bonita Unified Band Director Performs in 2022 Rose Parade

In 1991, Bonita Unified band director Kelly Leyva showcased her musical talent on a world stage, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a student in Los Angeles Unified School District’s All District Honor Marching Band. In a full-circle moment, Leyva returned to march the 5.5-mile parade route in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 – this time, as part of a 270-member marching band consisting of band directors from across the United States. As part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, Leyva and her fellow band directors performed in the Band Directors Marching Band and accompanied a colorful, animated float that embodied the theme “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.”

Bonita Unified Band Director to Perform in 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade

In 1991, Bonita Unified band director Kelly Leyva showcased her musical talent on a world stage, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a student in Los Angeles Unified School District’s All District Honor Marching Band. In a full-circle moment, Leyva will return to march the 5.5-mile parade route in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade – this time, as part of a 270-member marching band consisting of band directors from across the United States. As part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors project, Leyva and her fellow band directors will perform in the Band Directors Marching Band and accompany a colorful, animated float that embodies the theme “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.” Leyva will play the mellophone, the same instrument she played in the parade 31 years ago.

Bonita Unified Board of Education Selects New Officers

Bonita Unified School District’s Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting on Dec. 8, voting members into new leadership roles. The Board selected Derek Bahmanou as president, Glenn Creiman as vice president and Greg Palatto as clerk. Members Chuck Coyne and Jim Elliot round out the Board.

Bonita Unified Auto Shop Students Hone Technical Skills, Restore Truck

Bonita High School advanced auto shop students are getting a glimpse of La Verne’s past as they learn skills for the future, working in partnership with the La Verne Historical Society to restore a 1938 International D-35 pickup truck in time for the city’s 2022 Fourth of July parade. Under the guidance of Bonita High auto shop teacher Rob Zamboni, students are working toward a full restoration of the truck throughout the school year, rebuilding the engine and transmission, adding new tires and brakes, and refurbishing the interior and flatbed. The truck’s rustic exterior will be preserved to retain its authenticity. The restoration is a full one-year project.

Bonita Unified Special Education Students Gain Future-Ready Skills through WorkAbility I Program

Bonita Unified School District special education students are acquiring the tools for future success through Bonita’s WorkAbility I/Transition program, which provides comprehensive pre-employment training, paid work experience and job placement, while promoting self-advocacy and life skills exploration. More than 400 Bonita Unified students in grades eight to 12 have access to the program, which helps them find the right fit for them in the community and provides assistance with job applications and resumes. Working with the La Verne and San Dimas Chambers of Commerce, the District has established partnerships with local businesses to provide students with short-term and long-term job assignments.

Bonita Unified Auto Shop Students Hone Technical Skills, Restore Vintage Truck for Community

Bonita High School advanced auto shop students are getting a glimpse of La Verne’s past as they learn skills for the future, working in partnership with the La Verne Historical Society to restore a 1938 International D-35 pickup truck in time for the city’s 2022 Fourth of July parade. The vintage truck has a long and colorful history, representing a time when La Verne served as a hub for southern California’s booming citrus industry, and future three-time All-American halfback Glenn Davis led Bonita High to an undefeated season and its first football championship in 1942. Under the guidance of Bonita High auto shop teacher Rob Zamboni, students are working toward a full restoration of the truck throughout the school year, rebuilding the engine and transmission, adding new tires and brakes, and refurbishing the interior and flatbed. The truck’s rustic exterior will be preserved to retain its authenticity. The restoration is a full one-year project.

Bonita Unified Teachers Receive Mini-Grants from Rotary Club

Twelve Bonita Unified School District teachers were awarded mini-grants from the La Verne Rotary Club, providing financial support for educators who seek new ideas to enrich classroom experiences.The mini-grants, totaling $3,229.56, were presented to this year’s awardees during the Nov. 3 Board of Education meeting.

Bonita Unified Recognized in 2022 ‘Best K-8 Schools’ Rankings

Seven Bonita Unified elementary and middle schools have been recognized among the top performing public schools in California, according to the 2022 Best K-8 Schools rankings by U.S. News & World Report. Shull Elementary School and Oak Mesa Elementary School ranked in the top four percent and five percent, respectively, of elementary schools in the state. They are joined by Grace Miller Elementary, ranked in the top 12 percent, and Gladstone Elementary and Roynon Elementary, both in the top 13 percent. Ramona Middle School and Lone Hill Middle School were also recognized, ranking in the top 11 percent and top 16 percent, respectively. The inaugural K-8 rankings are based on student proficiency and performance in mathematics and reading.

Bonita Unified Offers Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing to Community

Bonita Unified School District is offering a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic to students, parents, employees, and community members, held 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The next clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 at San Dimas High School, 800 W. Covina Blvd., San Dimas. The clinics will run through Saturday, Nov. 27. Appointments are not necessary to receive the PCR test, but every participant must complete a patient test request form.

Bonita Unified Receives No. 1 Ranking on California Reading Report Card

Bonita Unified School District has been ranked No. 1 out of 287 of the most populous school districts in the state for excellence in reading comprehension according to the California Reading Coalition California Reading Report Card. Among California school districts with 100 or more socio-economically disadvantaged Latinx third-graders, Bonita Unified topped the Reading Report Card with 64% of the subgroup meeting or exceeding California grade-level standards, according to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress English language arts testing from 2017-18 and 2018-19. The District’s No. 1 ranking is the capstone of a 15-year commitment to boost reading comprehension across all grade levels.