BVM Community,

Good morning, families! I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather this weekend! I wanted to share a few important updates with you. Also make sure to check out some of the events and student activities of this past week! We also have updated information of the teams participating in the Middle School Athletics Championships this coming Tuesday (Scroll Below).

Progress Report #2: Friday, November 1, 2024:

First, we're nearing our second progress report--Friday, November 1, 2024. Please log on to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view your student's grades. While this report is not a final grade, it plays a crucial role as we have only five weeks, plus finals week, to make any improvements before the semester ends.

To support our students during this important time, we've updated our tutoring schedule and added more teacher tutors for extra assistance. Although we've started mandatory tutoring for a select group of students, I want to remind you that tutoring is available to everyone. If your child received a D or F on their progress report (after this Friday), I encourage you to consider assigning them tutoring to help them succeed.

Additionally, please remember that all 8th graders need to pass all their classes this year and last year to participate in the promotion ceremony. We are at a pivotal point in the school year, and it’s essential that we all focus our efforts on academics.

Let’s work together to ensure every student has a successful finish to the semester!

Thank you for your continued support!

A Parent's Guide to Surviving Middle School:

I wanted to take a moment to share an insightful article I came across during last Friday's football game between Bonita Vista High School and Hilltop High School. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a former colleague who shared a piece that really resonated with me, especially as I reflected on my experiences here at Bonita Vista Middle School over the past three years.

The article, "A Parent's Guide to Surviving Middle School" by Russell Shaw, Head of School at Georgetown Day School, https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2024/10/parenting-guide-middle-school-advice/680368/addresses both the challenges and exciting moments that come with this pivotal time in our children’s lives. While it's directed towards parents, I found it immensely supportive and thought it would be beneficial for our community as well.

Here are 10 practical tips highlighted in the article:

1. There's No Such Thing as Normal

2. Don't Get on the Roller Coaster

3. Anchor with Routines

4. Remember That They are Watching You

5. Challenge the "Everyone Else" Myth

6. More Limits Online, More Freedom IRL

7. Don't Interview for Pain

8. Befriend Your School

9. Don't Go It Alone

10. Enjoy Your Middle Schooler

I highly encourage you to take a moment to read this article. I believe it can provide valuable insights and reflections as we navigate this important time alongside our children.

Let's make it an awesome week community!

Sincerely,

Alex Salazar

BVM families,
Those interested in trying out for boys soccer, girls’ soccer, or girls Field Hockey must first complete the clearance process through the "Home Campus" website. Instructions are attached. You must be cleared before you can tryout. Get cleared before it's too late. Let's go Crusaders! Please click on the link below.

Parents and guardians, to report a student absence, please make sure to fill out the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLJrFXTi9s9G9nIzEOJSMEn2NeMLbDqMYUseHAKr5YRwJmYQ/viewform.

For any absences extending to 5 or more school days, please contact Ana.Monge@sweetwaterschools.org, our Attendance Coordinator, to complete an short-term independence study contract.

Please contact Ms. Rubi.deleon@sweetwaterschools.org, our attendance technician, to report any attendance errors.

The Acknowledgment Corner will be continued to be used to highlight and celebrate our students at any opportunity that we can! If you would like your student acknowledged for something we may not be aware of, please feel free to contact me (include a picture or video if possible).

Nominated by Ms. Timmons, Eisley Phelps. Eisley is fully invested in dance class by being focused in class, asking clarifying questions and it's evident she practices concepts and technique outside of class. She has been an advocate for this class by trying to recruit other students to take dance and when the class was closed due to funding, she was brave enough to speak at the board meeting to voice her desire to keep dance class going and expressing what the class meant to her. She is hard-working, has a positive attitude and most importantly is kind to all her classmates. Way to go Eisley! Let's go BVM!!!

Nominated by Ms. Roman, David Martinez. We want to congratulate David Martinez who reclassified last week by earning English Proficient Status! We recognize David and his journey toward becoming an English Proficient student! Let's go David and let's go BVM!!!

We had a wonderful time this past Friday at our Halloween Costume Dance! Thank you to Ms. Schroeder and our awesome ASB students who helped to organize and coordinate this event! It was wonderful to see students enjoy pizza, take selfies with friends, dance, or just enjoy time with friends at school in a non-academic setting! Thank you to all of those who attended and we look forward to our next dance that will take place in the Spring. Let's go BVM!!!

Students in Dr. Meza's class enjoyed the opportunity to present their "Dia de Los Muertos" altar projects. Students will have their projects on full display in our front office! Make sure to check them out when you come in this week! Great job Spanish for Spanish Speakers 5-6 and great job Dr. Meza!!! Let's go BVM!!! #FutureSpanishAPStudents

We want to congratulate and commend our BVM Softball Team who battled hard this past Saturday at Otay Ranch High School. Our ladies edged out Eastlake Middle School in the semis but fell short to Rancho Del Rey Middle School in the Championship Game. Congratulations to our BVM Softball Team on a competitive season and finishing 2nd overall in our district!

Congratulations to our Boys Baseball Team for another competitive season. This past Saturday our boys almost advanced to the Championship Game before losing a close game 5-4 to Rancho Del Rey Middle School. We want to commend our BVM Baseball players who gave it their best this season and thank you to our coach, and supportive parents who stood by our team unconditionally! Thank you again BVM Community!!!

Great job to all our Cross Country runners who participated in this past Saturday's Otay Ranch High School Invitational. Our two 1st place finishers came from the 7th Grade Girls Division and our 8th Grade Boys Division! However, what was most impressive was watching so many of our runners improve their times from previous Invitationals. Good luck to our Cross Country team on their last and upcoming invitational at Montgomery High School on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Congratulations to our Boys Basketball Team who defeated Rancho Del Rey Middle School this past Saturday at Olympian High School and now have advanced to the Championship Game. Come out and support our Boys Basketball Team as they take on the top seed Eastlake Middle School for the Championship! The game will be played on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Mar Vista High School with tip-off at 6:45 pm. The game will be played at Mar Vista High School's New Gym. Good luck to our awesome BVM Boys Basketball Team!

Congratulations to our Girls BVM Basketball team who pulled off a huge upset over Rancho Del Rey Middle School this past Saturday at Olympian High School. Although our girls trailed for the majority of the game, they never gave up and they were able to secure a 28-25 victory to earn a trip to the Championship against top-seeded Eastlake Middle School. Come support our laides this coming Tuesday, October 29th at Mar Vista High School in their new gym. Tip-off for this game will be at 5:30 pm! Good luck to our Girls Basketball Team! Let's go BVM!!!

Our Cheerleaders were busy at work as they participated on Friday night at Youth Night/Senior Night at Bonita Vista High School where Bonita Vista High School's Varsity Football Team defeated Hilltop High School on a last second field goal! Our ladies cheered alongside BVHS' Varsity Cheer Squad and helped support our awesome local high school --Bonita Vista High School #OneCommunity!!!

Thanks to our community and the donations that we received, we are bringing back our annual Turkey Trot tradition where we have students, per grade level and gender, race each other during their PE periods. We will be able to give BVM Turkey Trot T-Shirts to the following groups (40 Total T-Shirts like the ones you see above):

Top 10 7th Grade Girls

Top 10 8th Grade Girls

Top 10 7th Grade Boys

Top 10 8th Grade Girls

10 T-Shirts for Teachers who partake in the Turkey Trot

We also give Turkeys to the Top finishers in the four categories above and the 2nd and 3rd place finishers receive pumpkin pies/apple pies (4 Pumpkin Pies and 4 Apple Pies)! We wan to again thank our awesome community for their donations and sponsorships in making this event possible for all our students. Let's go BVM!!! You are truly the best!!!

Thank you!

Character building is embedded in an IB education. We want our students to learn and embody 10 Learner Profiles (See attachment below). Our Third Learner Profile: Communicators means that we express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

You can email me pictures and stories of how your student has exemplified being an Effective Communicator if you'd like your student to be featured in our weekly newsletter: alexander.salazar-arbelaez@sweetwaterschools.org.

IB Learner Profile Communicator: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

Let's celebrate Ms. Veronica Sandoval for her outstanding leadership in our counseling department at Bonita Vista Middle School. As our head counselor, she has played a pivotal role in introducing Social Emotional Lessons on Anti-Bullying, Empathy, and Acts of Kindness to all our students. Ms. Sandoval's hard work and dedication have made her one of the strongest pillars of our leadership team, and we are grateful for her unwavering support for both our students and staff. Let's keep shining, BVM!

I wanted to take a moment to share an insightful article I came across during last Friday's football game between Bonita Vista High School and Hilltop High School. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a former colleague who shared a piece that really resonated with me, especially as I reflected on my experiences here at Bonita Vista Middle School over the past three years.

The article, "A Parent's Guide to Surviving Middle School" by Russell Shaw, Head of School at Georgetown Day School, addresses both the challenges and exciting moments that come with this pivotal time in our children’s lives. While it's directed towards parents, I found it immensely supportive and thought it would be beneficial for our community as well.

Here are 10 practical tips highlighted in the article:

1. There's No Such Thing as Normal

2. Don't Get on the Roller Coaster

3. Anchor with Routines

4. Remember That They are Watching You

5. Challenge the "Everyone Else" Myth

6. More Limits Online, More Freedom IRL

7. Don't Interview for Pain

8. Befriend Your School

9. Don't Go It Alone

10. Enjoy Your Middle Schooler

I highly encourage you to take a moment to read this article (click on the button above). I believe it can provide valuable insights and reflections as we navigate this important time alongside our children.

Warm regards,

Alex Salazar

It is with great pride that we announce our 29th Annual CABE65 Mini-Conference to be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at Otay Ranch High School. We are asking for your assistance in promoting this event focused on closing the achievement gap of our English Language Learner student community. In keeping with our motto of diversity, equity & multilingualism, this year our theme is "Powerful change through Unity!" Workshops will be planned in conjunction with the San Diego County Office of Education and will take into consideration professional development for parents, para-educators, teachers and administrators. Last year we were impressed by districts that sent teams composed of Board Members, school Principals, Teachers and Parents working together to ensure educational excellence for all students!

It is an excellent use of Title III funds as we will discuss the importance of parent involvement (DAC/DELAC), latest pedagogical research to increase ELL student engagement while meeting their socio-emotional needs and pathways to college and universities. The $120 conference fee includes light breakfast, great lunch from "El Tapatio" and entertainment. All proceeds go towards awarding $1,000 to one deserving 12th grader from each of our local high schools.

WishWell presents Family Circles at Bonita Vista Middle School—an innovative series of workshops designed to enhance trust, connection, and communication between parents and children. This past Tuesday, October 22, 2024 we had the opportunity to welcome 9 of our families who participated in the Building Bridges Workshop. Families were also treated to Pizza for Dinner while they enjoyed having a space, time, and a facilitator work with them and their student on buidling trust!

Make sure to sign up for our up and coming workshops! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxH9o6MjcwKWycIqOGf5i-BntHnGL_q2MNzR2ZKuJbHYdgng/viewform.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is in October. Beware of hackers and keep your personal information safe. Be cautious of what you do online and use strong passwords for your accounts. It's easy to stay safe online.

Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian American group in the nation and the second largest ethnic group in California. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, when Luzones Indios, native Filipino sailors conscripted into the Spanish navy as labor during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California, on Oct. 18, 1587. After years of advocacy by individuals and organizations, in 2009 the United States Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month.

Reach out and communicate with us!

Email: alexander.salazar-arbelaez@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: http://bvm.sweetwaterschools.org/
Location: 650 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619-397-2200
Twitter: @BVM_Principal