Superintendent’s Message
Successful Schools
Besides the significant number of talented adults working directly and indirectly with Bonita
Unified School District students, there are three key elements that I believe to be of great
importance in respect to the success each of our schools continue to experience.
1. Clarifying Beliefs
 About Students
o What they most need and deserve when they walk on to Bonita Unified
School District campuses and into their classrooms
 About Our Role – the Adults that Serve the Students
o What we must bring to the game to serve our students at the highest levels
2. A Clear Goal
 Our goal is to ensure academic achievement at the highest levels for ALL students in
a nurturing and safe environment, while providing exemplary educational programs
meeting the diverse needs of each student
3. Solidifying the Culture
 A Culture of
o High expectations for students, our colleagues, and ourselves
o Ensuring that we are about both Process (how we will perform the work) and
Product (what we accomplish)
o Respect
o Support
o Not allowing “Good” to be the enemy of “Great”
o A 25-Foot View – Focusing our efforts on:
 Each Student
 ALL Students
o Seeking ways to make what might seem Impossible – Possible
I believe along with Nelson Mandela that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you
can use to change the world.” Talented educators working alongside supportive parents and
community members creates powerful opportunities for students.
Gary Rapkin, PhD
Superintendent
District States Objectives for Using the
Common Core
The current age requires students to think critically and engage with technology in many aspects
of their lives. As applications of information change rapidly, the focus must be less on fixed
procedures and more on principles. This is the basis for why the Bonita Unified School District
is implementing the Common Core State Standards. The District breaks it down into three
fundamental objectives:
1. Students mastering the math and English standards of the Common Core will be prepared for
higher education and the demands of the 21st century.
2. The Common Core standards require students to consistently think critically at a deeper level
than ever before.
3. Historically, students have learned and been assessed on skills in isolation. The Common
Core standards require students to put multiple skills together to solve problems and
complete work.
Bonita Unified School District is implementing the Common Core State Standards by providing
curriculum that focuses on best serving our students’ needs at the high levels.
Four BUSD Students Place in Elks Lodge
Drug Awareness Poster Contest
Four Bonita Unified Students took top honors in a drug awareness poster contest hosted by the
Duarte Elks Lodge #1428. Students created posters in response to the phrase, “Refuse to Use—
You’re Never Alone!” Each winner will be honored at an awards dinner March 12. The
following students’ entries advance to the San Gabriel Valley regional contest with opportunity
to advance to the State level.
Stephanie Be
Mariah Chavez
Abbey Ferguson
Andrew Brumley
Roynon Elementary
Roynon Elementary
Shull Elementary
Roynon Elementary
Girls Division, First Place
Girls Division, Third Place
Division 1, First Place
Division 1, Second Place
Roynon’s School Age Care Site Supervisor Lillian Garcia encouraged her students to participate
in the contest, which resulted in many entries from Roynon. Garcia supported the students
through the creative process and supplied them with the necessary tools to complete their
posters.
“Lilliana never passes on an opportunity to challenge her students to reach for the stars,”
Coordinator School Age Care & Categorical Programs Nancy Sifter said. “Lilliana epitomizes
what School Age Care is: A place for students to explore, engage, and thrive.”
Annual Golf Tournament Tees Up for
Students
The La Verne / San Dimas Educational Foundation is hosting their 10th annual Ed Jones
Memorial Golf Tournament, Friday, May 8, 2015, at the San Dimas Canyon Golf Course. The
day’s proceeds go to teacher grants, school arts, the District’s Hands-on History program, and to
scholarships and awards for students within the Bonita Unified School District who persevere
through difficult times.
Tournament Chairman Chris Crum said that the tournament begins with an 11:00 AM box lunch
and a putt and chip contest. The official shotgun start is at 1:00 PM as well as a hole-in-one
contest to win a 2015 Toyota Camry, a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, premium golf equipment,
an electronics package, airline tickets for two, or a men’s or ladies’ Seiko watch. Prizes will also
be awarded for the drive closest to the pin on all Par 3’s, and cash prizes will be awarded to the
First, Second and Third Place teams. A Golf Ball Drop promises $1,000 for the ball landing
closest to or in the hole and $500 for the ball landing the furthest from the hole. Participants do
not have to be present to win. After a raffle, a silent auction, and the distribution of sports
memorabilia, the event will be capped off with a prime rib dinner and awards.
A single participant’s fee is $150, and the cost for a foursome is $550, which includes golf,
lunch, a goodie bag and a banquet prime rib dinner. Dinner only is $35.
Thanks to funds raised in 2014, the Foundation increased the total amount of funding for Teacher
Mini Grants to $5,000 to fund classroom projects. Mini Grants are available for causes that are
close to the heart of the teachers applying and that benefit the classroom with special equipment,
supplies, books, and more.
Ed Jones, the tournament’s namesake, was a five-time Bonita Unified Board of Education
president. The annual golf event was one of Jones’s favorite activities as it combines sports with
the opportunity to benefit students that may be suffering financial, physical, or emotional
hardships.
Schools in the Spotlight
San Dimas High School
Restorative Justice Cuts to the Heart of Conflict Resolution
San Dimas High School has implemented a new program called Restorative Justice, which has
cut student suspension days by a significant measure this school year. The program seeks to
repair harm and restore relationships when serious behavior problems occur such as fighting or
stealing. During a Restorative Session, school officials meet with the students and their parents
to talk through the incident and arrive at a solution.
“Suspension can be a necessary consequence, but as school leaders, we are looking for ways to
teach students how to work through conflict and restore peace in much the same way that parents
work with the children in their home,” shared Dean of Students Cassie Morton said.
Principal Michael Kelly added, “Generally speaking, parents don’t send their kids away for five
days when they fight and then bring them back home and hope all is well. They make them sit
down together and talk things through. That is the goal of Restorative Justice.”
SDHS Varsity Cheer Competition Team
Coaches Keyauna King and Alyssa Baca are both in their second year with the San Dimas High
School Cheer Team. Last year, they led the squad to second place at the USA Cheer Nationals in
Anaheim. This year’s motto is “One Goal, One Team, Nationals 2015!”
The team has placed first in a series of competitions in January: USA Regional Competition at
Summit High School, USA Regional Competition at Brea Linda High School, and Cheer Pro
State Competition. Winning the first event qualified the team for Nationals, which is scheduled
for March 20-21, 2015. At the last event, the team beat the defending national champions from
Burbank High School. Senior Megan David was selected as a member of Cheer Pro’s State Team
and won a $500 scholarship.
San Dimas High School’s Cheer Team has taken 1st place in every competition they entered
in January. March 20-21 they vie for the championship at the USA Cheer Nationals in
Anaheim.
Pitcher Peter Lambert Signs with UCLA
Senior Peter Lambert has signed with UCLA as a pitcher for the 2015-2016 school year. Lambert
led the team to back-to-back league titles, which is a first for school history. He was the
unanimous MVP of the Valle Vista League, named to All-CIF as a pitcher, and named to the
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the San Gabriel Valley All Area Teams. If that weren’t enough,
he pitched over the summer on Team USA 18u and won gold in Mexico by beating Cuba and
was named Post Season All American by Collegiate baseball Magazine and All State by
maxpreps.com for medium sized schools.
As a sophomore, Peter started at shortstop for San Dimas, and claimed the middle of the lineup
by the end of the year. He was part of the 2013 League Championship team that made it to the
Semi-Finals in CIF Division 4. In 2014, Peter set school records for a single season in strikeouts,
second in single season Earned Run Average .61 in 69 Innings Pitched and counting. He’s
already in the career top five in strikeouts after only pitching 1 year. Peter is averaging over a
strikeout per inning this year. Of the 11 games Peter has started this year, he has thrown nine
complete games and six shutouts. He is a middle of the bating lineup and has only committed
three errors fielding at .980 this year. He helped the Saints gain pre-season #1 in CIF Southern
Section Division 4, and lead the Saints to the #3 seed at the end of the year.
San Dimas High School Senior Peter Lambert signs with UCLA.
Social Studies Instruction Enhanced by Document Based Questioning
Document Based Questioning (DBQ) is both a curriculum and an instructional strategy that has
been added to social studies classes including US History, World History and Government that
begins with students reading primary and secondary source documents. For example, students
may read a newspaper clipping from 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation, and a letter from
President Lincoln to his wife. Through class discussions, the students draw their own
conclusions about the period in history, in this case the Civil War. The final step in the process is
to complete a final performance task, such as writing an essay. Students must use primary source
documents to support their thesis and opinions about the topic at hand. An essential feature of
DBQ lessons is the progressive complexity of the tasks and the synthesis of real-world skills,
such as interpretation and analysis.
La Verne Heights Elementary School
La Verne Heights Student Council
The La Verne Heights Student Council is made up of 22 hard-working third, fourth, and fifth
graders who were elected by their peers to represent their classes and their school in the
community. During their monthly meetings, these students learn about student government and
leadership skills.
The Student Council hosts a monthly recycling fundraiser called KIDSCAN that raises money
for the school since 1994. The kids also learn about business and customer service skills while
working at the Student Store, selling “Paw Power” school supplies to raise money for student
agendas.
The Student Council also has a strong focus on philanthropy. This year they held a canned food
drive, a shoe drive for Shoes That Fit, and supported the school’s toy drive. They are currently
working on the spring charity project, which will raise money for the Pomona Valley Humane
Society. The Student Council voted on this worthy recipient because many of the students
adopted their pets at this shelter. These great kids are excellent examples of all six of the school’s
Character Counts traits, and they make LVH proud!
The Student Council at La Verne Heights Elementary School has been busy learning about
student government, fundraising for school supplies, and organizing philanthropic events.
La Verne Heights Lions R.O.A.R.
R.O.A.R (Relationships Out At Recess) is a lunchtime friendship-building group, started by
Speech Therapist Chelsea Gladue and Education Specialists Belinda Rodriguez. The goal is to
provide activities that help establish relationships between peers and to facilitate social skill
building. The group was started to help students with special needs build positive peer
relationships with their schoolmates and to encourage engagement while participating in group
activities during recess. Activities include crafts, playing board games and playing established
recess games (e.g. red light, green light). Everyone on the playground is invited to join in. You
can find the group out during lunch recess two days a week.
La Verne Heights students gather at recess twice a week to engage in activities designed to
help build relationships and facilitate social skill building.
La Verne Heights GATE Program Enriches Students’ Lives
The La Verne Heights GATE program under the direction of Michelle Horne provides stellar
enrichment opportunities for the gifted and talented students at La Verne Heights. Throughout
the year, GATE students participate in learning opportunities outside the classroom setting
through after school enrichment programs and all day field trips.
Through the Cabrillo Marine Institute’s Ocean Outreach Program, students spent a fun-filled
afternoon learning about squids, which includes an interactive dissection. They also toured the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, where students continued their scientific studies in the
field of astronomy, learning about satellites, rovers, and the United States space program. Their
studies continued in the field of archaeology, as the students toured the Bower’s Museum in
Santa Ana, which consisted of a guided tour focusing on the lost civilizations of China. One of
the highlights of the year was their February trip Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, where the
students explored the television and movie industry as a part of the Warner Bros. VIP Studio
Tour.
Fourth grade Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) students, James Henton and Cainan
Rietze at La Verne Heights handle a squid as a part of the Cabrillo Marine Institute’s
Ocean Outreach Program.