Dear Parents and Guardians of the Bonita Vista Middle School Community,

Good morning! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, and if you are watching the Super Bowl, I hope you have the chance to share these moments with friends and family.

As we enter the 5th week of our second semester, I want to highlight some important events, particularly for our 8th-grade students as they prepare for their transition to high school.

High School Transition – Key Events for 8th Graders

• Thursday, February 13: During their PE classes, 8th graders will receive a presentation from Bonita Vista High School counselors and sign up for their 9th-grade classes. Instead of suiting up for PE, they will focus on selecting courses that will shape their freshman year.
• Monday & Wednesday (February 10 & 12): Teachers from BVHS will visit English (Monday) and U.S. History (Wednesday) classes to showcase elective course options. Students will have the opportunity to choose one elective for their 9th-grade year.
• Tuesday, February 11 – Future Baron Festival @ 5 PM: BVHS will host this exciting event for students and families to explore academic programs, extracurricular activities, and sports opportunities. This is a great chance to get firsthand insight into the programs available and help students make informed decisions about their high school experience.

February – A Critical Month for Student Success

For both 7th and 8th graders, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of this time of year. Historically, our data shows that February is a challenging month—we see a dip in academic performance and an increase in behavioral issues. Suspensions rise, and our D/F rate reaches its highest point of the school year.

To counter these trends, we are taking proactive steps at school, including:
✅ Reinforcing clear expectations for students
✅ Providing staff with data and insights to support student success
✅ Engaging parents and guardians to keep our community informed and involved
✅ Promoting kindness, empathy, and service-oriented behavior throughout campus

How Families Can Support Student Success at Home

As we approach the upcoming progress report on Friday, February 28, I encourage parents and guardians to:
✔️ Review your student’s grades together and discuss areas of improvement
✔️ Develop an intervention plan at home to address any academic challenges
✔️ Encourage attendance at after-school tutoring (Check out our tutoring schedule for available support sessions)
✔️ Have conversations about positive behavior and the values of kindness, empathy, and responsibility

With two short weeks ahead due to Presidents’ Weekend, now is the perfect time to ensure our students are on track academically, behaviorally, and socially-emotionally. Remember that we do not have school on Friday, February 14th and on Monday, February 17th as they are observed holidays. We will have regular dismissal (3:10 pm) on Thursday, February 13th.

Let’s make this a awesome and productive week! Please also take a moment to check out all the amazing events we provided for our students last week.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Sincerely,
Alex Salazar

Principal, Bonita Vista Middle School

Dear 8th grade parents,

If you would like to be added to your child's Class of 2029 google Classroom for Bonita Vista High School counselors, please make sure to submit your request at the link below:
shorturl.at/jmEhy

Parents can only be added IF your child has joined the BVHS Class of 2029 google classroom. The invite link was sent yesterday by Ms. Sandoval, BVM Counselor. Please remind your student to join if they haven't done so already. BVH Counselors will be sending important information about 9th grade course selection and registration through our google classroom. Once they are in high school, they will receive important information about college, careers, scholarships, and other resources through the google classroom.

The join link for the STUDENTS is:
classroom.google.com/c/NzQ0NTEwMTIxNzY5?cjc=264d3gi

BVHS Counselors

The theme for Black History Month 2025 is "African Americans and Labor," focusing on the significant contributions Black workers have made to the social, economic, and cultural development of the United States throughout history.

Key points about the 2025 theme:

• 
  

  Focus on Labor:

  This theme specifically highlights the vital role Black people have played in the workforce, exploring their labor practices and struggles.

• 
  

  Historical Significance:

  It aims to acknowledge the historical impact of Black labor on the nation's development.

• 
  

  Contemporary Relevance:

  The theme also examines the ongoing issues related to racial disparities in the workplace today

  
  

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).

This Week's Crusader of the Week will be published after Monday, February 10th

This Week's Crusader of the Week will be published after Monday, February 10th

This year, we are thrilled to celebrate a record-breaking number of students who achieved Straight A’s in both academics and citizenship! 🎉

In total, 130 outstanding students were invited to our Straight A Awards Assembly and Luncheon, where they were honored for their hard work and dedication. After receiving their well-deserved certificates of achievement, our award winners enjoyed a special luncheon on our beautiful east lawn, celebrating their success with peers and staff.

Congratulations to all of our Straight A Award winners! Your commitment to excellence is truly inspiring. A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us in recognizing and celebrating these incredible students—we appreciate your support!

Let’s continue striving for greatness, BVM! 💙✨

#BVMExcellence #StraightAAwards #ProudCrusaders

Our 8th graders had an incredible experience at the annual Welcome to the Kingdom event at Bonita Vista High School (BVHS)! 🎉

The event began with students marching to BVHS under a police escort provided by the Chula Vista Police Department. Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the BVHS Band, Cheerleaders, and ASB students, setting the tone for an exciting day ahead.

Students enjoyed a pep rally assembly, featuring an inspiring welcome speech from Principal Lee Romero. They also had the opportunity to learn about BVHS’s academic programs, sports teams, extracurricular activities, and clubs—helping them get excited for their upcoming transition to high school!

A huge thank you to our 8th graders for their enthusiasm and participation, and a heartfelt shoutout to BVHS for being such a welcoming host! 💙

#FutureBarons #BVMtoBVHS #WelcomeToTheKingdom

If you missed last week's Coffee with the Principal, be sure to check it out! ☕🎓 Bonita Vista High School’s IB Coordinator shared valuable information about their International Baccalaureate (IB) program, along with other important details about what your student can expect as an incoming 9th grader at BVHS.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and help your student prepare for their high school journey! 💙📚

Last Friday, despite the rainy weather, our PE teachers went above and beyond to ensure that students were not only safe and indoors but also had an exciting and engaging PE class!

Check out the video below to see the fun in action! 🎥👏 A huge thank you to our incredible PE department for always putting our students first and creating a positive experience—rain or shine! 🌧️💙💪

Our students had an amazing time at last Friday’s Valentine’s Dance! 💃🕺✨

A huge thank you to Ms. Schroeder, our ASB Dean, and, of course, our incredible ASB students for organizing such a fantastic event. Their hard work and dedication created a safe, fun, and engaging atmosphere where students could enjoy music, laughter, and great memories with their friends and classmates.

Great job, everyone, on an unforgettable event! 🎉👏💙

In a match filled with intensity, resilience, and heart, the Bonita Vista Middle School girls' soccer team delivered an incredible performance against Rancho Del Rey Middle School last Saturday.

Though the game ended in a heartbreaking loss decided by penalty kicks, our girls showcased grit, determination, and unwavering passion from start to finish.

The first half was a defensive showdown, with both teams locked in a scoreless battle, exchanging equal opportunities on goal. The deadlock continued deep into the second half until an unfortunate penalty in the box awarded Rancho Del Rey a crucial penalty kick, which they converted to take the lead.

But our Crusaders refused to back down. With mere seconds left on the clock, they fought until the final whistle, delivering a stunning game-tying goal as time expired—igniting a wave of excitement from the BVM crowd and silencing the RDR crowd in a moment's notice.

The match ultimately came down to penalty kicks, where Rancho Del Rey edged out the victory, but our girls left everything on the field and earned the respect and admiration of everyone in attendance.

To our BVM girls’ soccer team—we couldn’t be more proud of your effort, heart, and sportsmanship. Keep your heads high, and let’s carry this momentum forward!

Let’s go, BVM Girls Soccer! ⚽💙🔥 #CrusaderPride

Crusaders,

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of witnessing true grit, perseverance, and the power of high expectations as our Girls Soccer team competed in a hard-fought semi-playoff match against Rancho Del Rey Middle School.

The game was a battle from start to finish. Both teams played an intense, scoreless first half, and Rancho Del Rey managed to take the lead late in the game off an unlucky penalty—that’s life. But what happened next was nothing short of inspiring. Our girls never gave up. With just five seconds left, they fought to the very last moment and tied the game—a testament to their unwavering belief, heart, and determination.

The game ultimately came down to penalty kicks, and though we fell just short, what I took away from that game is something far greater than the final score.

At the end of the match, our girls were devastated. Some were emotionally drained, others physically exhausted, but all of them felt the weight of falling short of their expectations. And that’s when it hit me—this is what high expectations look like.

Our team wasn’t upset because they lost; they were upset because they expected to win. Their coaches expected it. I expected it. And that expectation drove them to give everything they had on that field. That mindset—setting high expectations and relentlessly striving to meet them—is exactly how we should approach each day here at Bonita Vista Middle School.

To Our Students:

You, too, are playing a game—a game that matters far beyond the walls of this school. You're striving to win at academics, at being leaders in our community, at preparing for high school, college, and the real world. Set high expectations for yourself, and when you fall short, feel that disappointment—not as defeat, but as fuel to push forward.

To Our Staff:

We are playing that same infinite game of continuous improvement. We, too, must demand the best from ourselves—and when we fall short, we must embrace the lesson, reset, and come back stronger.

The Bigger Lesson:

Falling short of expectations is not failure—it’s an opportunity. Every day, we get the privilege of hitting the reset button. We get to choose our attitude, our effort, and our mindset. Disappointment is just a reminder that we are capable of more—and we will rise to that challenge.

To our Girls Soccer team—thank you for showing us what it means to give your all. And as John Wooden, legendary coach and winner of 11 National Championships at UCLA, once said:

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

Let’s attack this week with that same mindset, Crusaders! 💙💪🔥

Let’s go!
Dr. Salazar

Character building is embedded in an IB education. We want our students to learn and embody 10 Learner Profiles (See attachment below). Our Seventh Learner Profile: Open-Minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

IB Learner Profile Open-Minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

February is a time to honor, reflect, and celebrate the incredible contributions of African Americans throughout our nation's history. It is also a time to recognize the courage of those who fought tirelessly to ensure equality and justice for all.

Among the many trailblazers who shaped our history:

• Harriet Tubman, known as “Moses,” escaped slavery and became an abolitionist, leading countless others to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
• Rosa Parks, the “First Lady of Civil Rights,” refused to give up her bus seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and a nationwide movement.
• Ruby Bridges, at just six years old, bravely became the first Black student to integrate an all-white school, paving the way for future generations.
• Shirley Chisholm broke barriers as the first Black woman elected to Congress and later became the first Black presidential candidate in 1972.

As former Congressman John Lewis wisely said:

"Take a long, hard look down the road you will have to travel once you have made a commitment to work for change. Know that this transformation will not happen right away. Change often takes time. It rarely happens all at once."

The fight for equality continues, and we cannot become complacent. The rights and freedoms we enjoy today were hard-won, and it is our responsibility to honor those sacrifices by actively working toward a more just and inclusive society.

Families, how will we honor this legacy? Let’s engage, learn, and take action to ensure the progress made continues for future generations. 💛✊🏾 #BlackHistoryMonth

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.

Dear Crusader students and families,

We are excited to announce that the Comienza con un Sueño Conference at UCSD is returning in person! This exciting conference is a FREE, accessible, and culturally enriching event designed for Latinx students in grades 6-11 and their families. While the focus is on the Latinx community, we invite individuals from all backgrounds from Bonita Vista Middle School to join us and benefit from this invaluable experience.

Bonita Vista Middle School is generously providing transportation to ensure you can attend. To help us create an unforgettable and impactful learning experience, we kindly ask for your assistance in providing the necessary information. Students who participate in the Comienza con un Sueño Conference will be able to receive Saturday School Credit.

The conference is scheduled for Saturday, March 15th, 2025 at UCSD. Our deadline to register for this conference is February 18th. Please be advised that this is on a first come first served basis. We need to know the total number of attendees for transportation purposes.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Thank you for being a part of this amazing opportunity!

For questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our Community Relations Facilitator, Evelyn Clabeaux at evelyn.clabeaux@sweetwaterschools.org or (619) 397-2210

Estimados estudiantes y familias de BVM,

¡Nos complace informarles que la Conferencia Comienza con un Sueño en UCSD regresa en persona! Esta emocionante conferencia es un evento GRATUITO, accesible y culturalmente enriquecedor diseñado para estudiantes latinos en los grados 6-11 y sus familias. Si bien la atención se centra en la comunidad latina, invitamos a personas de todos los orígenes de Bonita Vista Middle School a unirse a nosotros y beneficiarse de esta valiosa experiencia.

Bonita Vista Middle School proporcionara generosamente transporte para garantizar que pueda asistir. Para ayudarnos a crear una experiencia de aprendizaje inolvidable e impactante, le pedimos amablemente su ayuda para proporcionar la información necesaria. Los estudiantes que participen en la Conferencia Comienza con un Sueño podrán recibir crédito de escuela del sábado.

La conferencia está programada para el sábado 15 de marzo de 2025 en UCSD. La fecha límite para registrarse a esta conferencia es el 18 de febrero. Tenga en cuenta que esto se otorga por orden de llegada. Necesitamos saber el número total de asistentes para fines de transporte.

POR FAVOR HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA REGISTRARSE

¡Gracias por ser parte de esta increíble oportunidad!

Si tiene preguntas o inquitudes, no dude en comunicarse con nuestra facilitadora de las relaciones de la comunidad, Evelyn Clabeaux al evelyn.clabeaux@sweetwaterschools.org o (619) 397-2210

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 Mr. Sias, our amazing Art Teacher, as Bonita Vista Middle School’s Certificated Employee of the Month!

Mr. Sias leads our Art Program with passion and creativity, inspiring students to explore their artistic talents. Year after year, his students achieve remarkable success, earning district-wide awards and showcasing their incredible work.

We are truly fortunate to have Mr. Sias as our Art and Art Survey teacher, sharing his dedication not only to his students but also to the arts and education profession as a whole.

Kudos to Mr. Sias! 🎉 Thank you for your commitment, talent, and the lasting impact you have on our school community! 🎨✨

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