Gordon H. Beatty Middle School students will learn to fly the virtual skies and pilot drones through a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) Pilot program. The school has received 10 flight simulators and 20 drones for the program, which will teach concepts such as geometry, the degrees of freedom in flight, and physics. Science and STEM Pilot program teacher John Kopaczewski is preparing the simulators and drones for use when in-person instruction resumes.
Gordon H. Beatty Middle School has chosen the mighty Bronco as its new mascot after gathering votes from the school’s parents, students and staff members and factoring in student essays detailing their preferred symbol. Principal Erik Bagger said the decision to update the former elementary school’s longtime mascot, the Colt, was to show its maturation into a middle school. Bagger said the Bronco is a great way to honor the past mascot and create a connection to Buena Park Middle school, whose mascot is the Stallion.
Buena Park School District provided its community with another means to stay healthy as it administered 247 flu vaccinations to students in pre-school through eighth grade during its first drive-thru flu clinic. The District teamed with the Orange County Health Agency, Kaiser Permanente and Cal State Fullerton’s School of Nursing to deliver vaccinations to families who lined a parking lot and surrounding area of Buena Park Middle School. Students, staff, parents and volunteers wore masks and followed social distancing rules to maintain safety
Buena Park Learning Center Principal Mary Beckelheimer loves taking care of people – she exudes cheerfulness and positivity when connecting with parents, families and students to create a comfortable atmosphere wherever she goes. Her new role as principal for the Buena Park Learning Center, which includes the Buena Park Early Learning program and the recently launched Academy for Accelerated Learning, gives her the opportunity to build relationships with parents of young students and parents who want an additional level of safety in regard to COVID-19.
Buena Park School District to Provide Meal Distribution Program
Buena Park School District will continue to provide daily drive-thru meals to parents and students of the community. Meals will be distributed from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Emery, Whitaker, Corey, Gilbert and Pendleton schools. The District will be strictly adhering to social distancing rules and all guests must wear masks when picking up their food.
Emery School and Beatty Middle School will boost interest in engineering and coding by adding robotics kits and a 3-D printer into their curriculum, thanks to two grants from the Buena Park School District Education Foundation. Emery School teachers Gil Kim, Ana Ngo, Becky August, Jennifer Schell and Esther Lee were awarded funds to purchase a Hummingbird Bit Classroom bundle for their school, which comes with 12 robot kits and tools. Career Technical Educator Shelley Andros was awarded funds for a 3-D printer for Beatty Middle School’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lab to teach computer-aided design (CAD).
Seasoned Buena Park School District educator Stephanie Williamson thrives on challenging herself, whether that means learning a new skill or finding more ways to connect and encourage her colleagues and students. After 22 years of service in the Buena Park School District, she was recently named principal of Whitaker School.
Buena Park School District started the new school year with a series of lively drive-through welcoming events, where students were cheered onto campuses by teachers and received iPads, books and other materials to use during distance learning. Each school was decorated with colorful banners to mark the start of the 2020-21 school year as teachers and administrators handed out supplies. Staff, students and their families wore masks and followed social distancing rules to maintain safety.
Buena Park School District recently received a donation of 37,000 see-through face shields to protect students, teachers and staff, providing an additional barrier to slow the spread of COVID-19. The District received the face shields from Westminster-based company Tru-Form Plastics. Tru-Form Plastics Engineer Ed Hentges, a Buena Park resident and friend of Beatty Middle School Principal Erik Bagger, recommended that his company donate face shields to protect students and staff during the pandemic.
Buena Park School District Teachers Honored for Math Innovation
for their skill in boosting understanding of math concepts to students through personalized instruction. Mathspace recognized teachers Sean Hamilton, Courtney Hsu, Scott Magnin and Jon Christensen on July 6, making Buena Park School District one of only two districts in California to earn four Esteemed Educator Awards.
