Bonita Unified Teacher Receives Surprise from SoCal Honda Dealers
Andrea Castaneda, a teacher for the Autism Spectrum Disorders Intermediate (ASD-I) classroom at Lone Hill Middle School, received a surprise visit from the SoCal Helpful Honda Dealers on May 7, bestowing her with a variety of tools and equipment, including an iPad charging cart; Hokki stools, which provide flexible seating for students with sensory needs; books; and desk fidget bands, which allow students to move their feet and legs while they sit. Photos are available.
Bonita Unified School District presented members of its Food Services Department with the Purpose Award during an April 7 Board of Education meeting, celebrating their exemplary commitment to students and families throughout the pandemic.
The Bonita Unified Food Services team has provided its community with more than 750,000 free meals via curbside pick-up since the closure of schools in March 2020. On average, the District serves more than 1,700 breakfast and lunch meals daily.
Bonita Unified School District locked in savings of more than $5.5 million for local taxpayers by refinancing existing general obligation bonds, which will lower property tax bills. Combined with previous bond refinancing from 2012, 2014 and 2016, the District has saved taxpayers more than $18.8 million. Prior to the bond sale, the District received an ‘AA-’ credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, an American credit rating agency that publishes financial research and analysis on stocks, bonds and commodities.
Bonita Unified Prepares for April Reopening, Hybrid Instruction
Bonita Unified School District will welcome middle and high school students back to campus for in-person instruction on Monday, April 12. The students will be taught in a hybrid model, designed to meet state and county health and safety protocols. Bonita Unified students will have the option to remain in distance learning for the remainder of the year. The District opened its doors to elementary school students on April 5.
Chaparral-Vista High School is one of 27 schools recognized as a 2021 Model Continuation School by the California Department of Education and the California Continuation Education Association Plus, recognizing its innovative approach to addressing the academic, social and emotional needs of students as they pursue their paths toward graduation. Chaparral is focused on providing a nurturing environment that guides its students toward realizing their potential. This is Chaparral’s first designation as a Model Continuation School.
Bonita Unified School District will welcome elementary school students back to campus for in-person instruction on April 5, following the continued decrease of COVID-19 case numbers and rising vaccination rates among District staff. Elementary students will be taught in a hybrid model, designed to meet state and county health and safety protocols. The District also set an April 12 target date to reopen its middle and high schools – grades six to 12 – using a similar hybrid model. Bonita Unified students will also have the option to remain in distance learning for the remainder of the year.
Bonita Unified Employees Receive Purpose Award for Pandemic Response
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.
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.
Shull Elementary second-grader London Williams’ love for creating and curiosity for learning has inspired her to make and sell her very own scented candles, a venture that is spreading joy to the Bonita Unified community this holiday season. What started in March as a simple question to her mother: “Mom, how are candles made?” has now become a part-time business for 8-year-old Williams, whose biggest order consisted of 35 candles after her mother, Lisa M., shared them with family, friends and co-workers.
Bonita Unified’s Board of Education administered the Oath of Office on Dec. 9 to new member Greg Palatto and returning members Krista Chakmak and Glenn Creiman, as well as honoring retiring member Diane Koach with the Bonita Unified Purpose Award. Palatto works as a school psychologist at Charter Oak Unified School District and is a member of the La Verne Rotary Club. Palatto is dedicated to strengthening mental health services and special education. His two children attend Grace Miller Elementary and Ramona Middle School.
