BVM Parent and Guardian Community,

We couldn’t be more proud of how our students, teachers, and staff returned from Spring Break—focused, energized, and ready to finish the year strong. Our admin team had the opportunity to visit every classroom on day one, and what we observed was incredibly encouraging: students fully engaged in learning and teachers diving right back into their units with purpose and enthusiasm. Even more impressive? The feedback we received from teachers echoed that same message—students were not only present, but they were dialed in and motivated to do well.

This speaks volumes about the strong partnership between home and school. Thank you to all our parents and guardians for continuing to support our shared expectations and reinforcing the importance of staying focused during this critical time.

We also want to give a big shoutout to the students who showed up this past Saturday to recover credits and stay promotion eligible. That kind of dedication—on a Saturday—is something we truly admire and celebrate!

That being said, we’re now entering what we like to call an important stretch of time in the semester. The next progress report will be published on Friday, April 25th, which gives us two more weeks to stay the course and make meaningful gains. After April 25th, we have state testing, a couple of minimum day weeks, and End of Course Exams, which really limits the instructional time left in the school year. Therefore, let’s maximize the time we now have in the classrom (stress that at home please) and keep that positive momentum going—whether it’s finishing strong in a challenging class, asking for help when needed, or simply staying on top of assignments.

We also want to highlight the excellent behavior we saw across campus last week. With very few incidents to report, students were focused, respectful, and contributing to a positive school culture. This makes a huge difference in the day-to-day experience for everyone at BVM.

Looking ahead, we’re preparing for CAASPP/SBAC testing in Math, English, and Science, which begins the week of May 5th. Assistant Principal Ms. Higareda will be sharing more details in the coming weeks, including the testing schedule, the purpose behind the assessments, and how families can help support students at home during testing season.

As always, please take a moment to explore the rest of this newsletter for upcoming events and key updates. Let’s keep the energy high and make this another great week, BVM community—we’re so proud of all the hard work we’re seeing every day!

With sincere appreciation,
Dr. Salazar
Principal, Bonita Vista Middle School

Parents and guardians, if you did not have the opportunity to attend last week's Coffee with the Principal, please take time (at your leisure) to check out the following topics that we discussed:

Promotion Requirements and Date, Location, Times

Academic and Behavior Expectations for the remaining 8 weeks left of school

California Healthy Kids Survey --3 Year Review

Upcoming Events

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. Vallejo, Christopher Merrill. Chris is such a hard-working Math student and a good team player. Chris ahs been working hard to maintain a good grade in Math!!! Let's go BVM!!! Let's go Christopher!!!

Nominated by Ms. Vallejo, Katyanna Martinez. Katyanna has been working very hard this semester. I want to recongize all the effort she has put into her grades --and especially in Math. Katyanna is an exemplary student as she is always prepared to learn. Katyanna puts her best effort forward for all her work. Thank you for being so amazing, Katyanna! Let's go BVM!!! Let's go Katyanna!!!

This week, students in one of our specialized classrooms explored the science of plant growth through a dynamic and interactive lesson. The activity began with a video introducing key concepts like photosynthesis and what plants—and humans—need to grow. Students were encouraged to reflect on and share their favorite parts of the video, building both comprehension and communication skills.

Following the video, students worked on labeling the parts of a flower using colorful materials before heading outside to plant seeds themselves. With support from our dedicated instructional staff, students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning by preparing soil, planting, and interacting with real garden materials.

These types of learning experiences are designed to meet our students' diverse needs while promoting meaningful engagement with academic content. At BVM, we remain committed to providing all students with a supportive, enriching, and inclusive educational environment.

This past Saturday, our BVM student-athletes continued their spring competition season with great energy and determination. We’re proud to share that both our Girls Varsity Volleyball and Girls Flag Football teams earned hard-fought victories against rival schools—an impressive accomplishment that reflects their dedication and teamwork.

Our Boys Volleyball and Boys Flag Football teams also showed strong effort and sportsmanship in their matches. While the outcomes weren’t in their favor this time, we are proud of their resilience and continued growth as teams.

At BVM, we celebrate the commitment of all our student-athletes. We remain focused on creating meaningful and positive experiences in all our extracurricular programs, and we look forward to continuing to improve how we support each of our teams throughout the season.

Please take a few moments to look at this past Saturday's results, current standings, and next week's schedule.

Character building is embedded in an IB education. We want our students to learn and embody 10 Learner Profiles (See attachment below). Our Eighth Learner Profile: Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.

IB Learner Profile Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.

Are you passionate about performing arts? Do you dream of dancing on Broadway or acting on stage? Bonita Vista Middle School is excited to partner with Southwestern College to offer two amazing courses this Fall—right here on campus!

📢 Open to all students looking to explore their creative side!

🔥 Dance 181: Musical Theatre Dance I
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM

• Learn foundational musical theatre dance techniques

• Perform choreography from Broadway & Off-Broadway musicals

• Final showcase performance required!

🎭 Theatre Arts TA 141: Performance Studio I
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 4:00 PM - 6:05 PM

• Master the art of acting & stage performance

• Develop skills in script analysis, rehearsal techniques, & ensemble work

• Mandatory participation in rehearsals & live performances!

💡 Why enroll?
✅ Earn college credit while in middle school!
✅ Get hands-on experience with industry-level training
✅ Prepare for high school & beyond in the performing arts
✅ Have fun, express yourself, and shine on stage!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something extraordinary! Spots are limited—sign up today!

For more information, see the flyer above!

🎶💃 Let’s bring the stage to life, BVM! 🎭🔥

We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Laurel Bade, who has been honored as Bonita Vista Middle School’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year—an award voted on by her colleagues in recognition of her dedication and impact.

On Thursday, March 21st, we had the privilege of celebrating Ms. Bade, a longstanding Spanish teacher who has played an instrumental role in fostering a love for the Spanish language, Latin American cultures, and traditions among our students at Olympian High School (see the pictures and video above). Beyond her exceptional teaching, Ms. Bade is known for her kindness, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to student success.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Bade as part of our BVM family! Congratulations, Ms. Bade, on this well-deserved honor! 🎉👏💙 #BVMTeacherOfTheYear

At Bonita Vista Middle School, we are proud to recognize and celebrate two incredible members of our school community—our dedicated Librarian, Ms. Terry Funk, and our wonderful Library Technician, Ms. Carmen Colin.

Last week, we observed National School Librarian Day (April 4th) and National Library Workers Day (April 9th)—both important opportunities to honor the essential role these two professionals play in supporting student learning, creativity, and connection on our campus.

Our library is so much more than a collection of books. Thanks to Ms. Funk and Ms. Colin, it is a welcoming space where students can explore new ideas, collaborate with peers, and find a quiet moment to read, reflect, or recharge. Their daily work helps nurture curiosity, encourage lifelong learning, and create a positive environment for all members of the BVM community.

Please join us in celebrating Ms. Funk and Ms. Colin for their commitment, kindness, and the positive impact they make at BVM. We are grateful for everything they do to support our students, staff, and families!

Dear BVM Parents and Guardians,

This past week, we proudly joined schools across the nation in celebrating National Assistant Principals Week 2025—a time to recognize the incredible dedication and contributions of assistant principals everywhere. The role of an assistant principal is one of the most dynamic and challenging in education, involving everything from supporting students and staff to managing campus operations and ensuring school safety. Often working behind the scenes, assistant principals are essential to making our schools run smoothly each and every day.

At Bonita Vista Middle School, we are especially fortunate to have two outstanding assistant principals who go above and beyond for our students, families, and staff.

Ms. Higareda, who joined our team just over a year ago, has already made a lasting impact. From leading our English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meetings with purpose and heart, to launching staff recognition efforts that build a sense of community, her thoughtful leadership is evident in everything she does. Her work with the School Site Council and her strong collaboration with our counseling team continues to help strengthen the important home-school connection we value so deeply at BVM.

Mr. Bonilla, a longtime member of the Bonita Vista community, has served our school with consistency, calm leadership, and deep care for our students. Whether leading campus safety efforts, improving school facilities, or mentoring students, he brings a strong sense of pride and dedication to all he does. As a parent himself, with one BVM graduate and another future Crusader on the way, Mr. Bonilla’s investment in our school goes well beyond the workday.

We are incredibly grateful for both Ms. Higareda and Mr. Bonilla. Their commitment to student success, safety, and school spirit helps make BVM a special place to learn and grow.

If you have a moment this week, we encourage you to join us in showing appreciation for our assistant principals. A simple note or kind word can go a long way in reminding them how valued they are by our entire BVM community.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership!

Warm regards,
Dr. Salazar
Principal
Bonita Vista Middle School

Families, below is a message from Superintendent Aguirre that was sent to you on Friday, February 7, 2025.

• In recognition of the complexities surrounding immigration matters, we have developed a dedicated section on our website aimed at providing accessible, reliable information and resources for all members of our community. It is our commitment to ensure that everyone has the necessary support to navigate these issues effectively.

• I encourage you to visit our website to explore these valuable resources. Our goal is to empower our community by providing the information needed to address any questions or challenges related to immigration.

• Click on this LINK to access the resources.

We understand that with busy schedules and different work commitments, finding time to eat together can be challenging. However, research shows that teens and kids who share meals with their families regularly are significantly more likely to achieve excellent grades—up to 40% more likely to earn A's and B's compared to those who have fewer family dinners each week.

At BVM, we encourage you to prioritize family meals, even if it’s just on weekends or during holidays. These moments you share around the table can strengthen your family bond and create great memories, fostering communication and support.

We recognize that every family's situation is unique, and even a few shared meals can make a big difference. So, let’s celebrate those opportunities to come together, nourish our bodies, and deepen our connections whenever we can. Thank you for your efforts to make family time a priority!

We are thrilled to recognize Ms. Ehrig, one of our outstanding Science teachers, as Bonita Vista Middle School’s Certificated Employee of the Month for March!

Ms. Ehrig is the embodiment of dedication and excellence, consistently going above and beyond for our students. Whether she’s organizing Unified Sports for students in our special education programs, tutoring students after school, or serving as a pillar of support in our Special Education department, she brings passion, care, and commitment to our school every single day.

👏 Thank you, Ms. Ehrig, for your unwavering dedication and for making a lasting impact on our students and school community! We appreciate you! 💙

#BVMExcellence #ThankYouMsEhrig #MakingADifference

We have been reviewing the study cited above in our efforts to always work on improving our school culture. Although we have seen significant improvements in student behaviors the past 5 years (according to our student incident data), we are always looking for areas of improvement. Our latest area of focus is targeting behaviors related to bullying, especially the bullying of students with disabilities. In following some of the strategies cited in the Princeton study above, we will be pursuing the following steps:

1. Setting Clear Expectations --In Progress

2. Enforcing Consequences for Bullying Behaviors --In Progress

3. Recruiting the help of our Students to Improve Student Culture and Target Bullying Behaviors (Begins 2nd Semester)

Remember to report Bullying of any kind Crusaders:

Assistant Principals:

Students Last Name (A - L): Roberto.Bonilla@sweetwaterschools.org

Students Last Name (M - Z): Marisol.Higadera@sweetwaterschools.org

Counselors:

Students Last Name (A - Gomez): Woodie.Taeatafa@sweetwaterschools.org

Students Last Name (Gon - Mc): Alexa.Vera@sweetwaterschools.org

Students Last Name (Me - Z): Veronica.Sandoval@sweetwaterschools.org

General Support:

MTSS Coordinator: Karla.Leonhardt@sweetwaterschools.org

Prinicpal:

Alexander.salazar-arbelaez@sweetwaterschools.org

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