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

As we wrap up both Week 3 and the month of January, we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students so far in the second semester. These achievements include but are not limited to coming back and ensuring in all classrooms that we emphasized and highlighted social emotional awareness and learning to better receive our students back from their intended breaks, holding successful tryouts for our Flag Football Teams (Track Tryouts will be forthcoming) crowning our Spelling Bee Champion, Charlie Keller (8th) Grade, our Girls Field Hockey Team winnig the Mesa League Championship Banner this past weekend, and continuing to work in partnership with our parent and guardian community of Bonita Vista Middle School --thank you for a collaborative January and start to our 2nd semester.

With February just around the corner, we are shifting our focus toward an important milestone—helping our 8th-grade students transition to high school! While ensuring to keep our 7th grade students engaged and excited about school, their learning, and their overall academics.

We encourage all parents to stay informed and involved in the upcoming Quarter 3 events (Q3 Events) that will help prepare our students for this next chapter. Here are a few but very important events:

✅ Welcome to the Kingdom – A special event to introduce our 8th graders to the high school experience (February 6th). Make sure to turn in field trip permission slips to Ms. Schroeder. If you need a permission slip or have any questions, please contact Ms. Schroeder (Ashley.Schroeder@sweetwaterschools.org).
✅ Future Baron Festival (February 11th) – A fantastic opportunity for students to explore Bonita Vista High School and learn about the programs and opportunities available.

✅ 8th Grade Course Registration (February 13th) – Students will officially select their courses for next year!

Your support at home is essential in making sure students are informed, prepared, and excited for these important steps. Please take time to discuss these events with your child and encourage them to ask questions about their future high school journey. You can see all the Q3 events listed below. In this week's Coffee with the Principal (via Zoom only), we will be highlighting these events and discussing them in more detail.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Let’s make February a great month of preparation, continued development and opportunity!

Sincerely,

Alex Salazar

Principal, Bonita Vista Middle School

National School Counseling Week 2025, "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive," will be celebrated February 3-7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems.

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. Bade, Kylie Fox. Kylie writes poetry, she is active in Principal's Council, helps students who are unable to write and always shares her food :). Kylie always has a friendly smile and attitude and she is well liked by her peers. She is a standout in Ms. Bade's class and we are happy to nominate her! Let's go BVM!

Nominated by Ms. Leonhardt, Luna Lenavent. Luna Lavenant has demonstrated exceptional dedication to her studies, a strong work eithic, and passion for learning. Her commitment to excellence in English has set a great example for her peers. Keep up the great work!

We couldn’t be prouder of our Bonita Vista Middle School Field Hockey team! This incredible group of athletes showcased skill, determination, and teamwork all season long, culminating in a decisive victory over Eastlake Middle School this past Saturday. Their hard-fought win earned them the prestigious 2025 Mesa League Championship Banner—an achievement that cements them as the top Field Hockey team in the district!

A huge congratulations to our dedicated players, their hardworking coaches, and everyone who supported them along the way. Your passion and commitment have made Bonita Vista Middle School shine! Thank you for representing our school with pride and excellence!

A huge congratulations to all 30 participants who took on the challenge and showcased their dedication—your perseverance truly embodies what we’ve been emphasizing this past week at Bonita Vista Middle School!

A special thank you to Ms. Kavouklis for organizing this incredible event for the third consecutive year, and to Mr. Claudio for serving as both a judge and emcee. Your support makes this experience possible for our students!

👏 Finalists: Harlow Armatis, Ayako Blanchard, Isaiah Canedo, Charlie Keller, and Jerome Nanquil.

🏆 Champion: Charlie Keller, who secured the 2025 Spelling Bee title by correctly spelling “ambiguity”! Charlie will proudly represent BVM at the County level—way to go!

A huge thank you to our BSU Elders and our amazing BSU Advisor, Ms. Monge, for organizing this incredible event! Your dedication made this experience truly special for our students.

We also appreciate Ms. Leonhardt and Ms. Evans for chaperoning and ensuring our students had a fantastic time at this one-of-a-kind event at Southwestern College. From enjoying delicious traditional Southern food to participating in engaging workshops focused on college and career paths, our students had an unforgettable experience!

A special shoutout to our BSU Elders—Don Dumas, Sasha Scott, Moenee Santee, and Sesha Haynes—for your leadership and commitment. Your impact continues to inspire!

🎉 Thank you all for making RISE Conference 2025 a huge success! 🎉

We are incredibly proud of both our Girls and Boys Soccer Teams for their outstanding performances this past weekend, representing Bonita Vista Middle School with skill and determination!

🔥 Our Boys Team secured an impressive victory over Rancho Del Rey Middle School, showcasing their hard work and teamwork on the field.

💪 Our Girls Team put up a fierce fight, ending in a hard-earned tie against Southwest Middle School, an undefeated team until now—a testament to their resilience and talent!

It was truly a great weekend to be a Crusader! 🏆👏 Congratulations to all our student-athletes for their dedication and sportsmanship. We’re so proud of you! 💙⚽️

Last week, we held Flag Football Tryouts for both our Girls and Boys Teams, and we couldn’t be prouder of the amazing effort, energy, and passion our students brought to the field!

To everyone who tried out—whether you made the final roster or not—your courage, determination, and commitment are what truly define a champion. As the great John Wooden once said, “Success is the result of knowing that you gave your very best effort.” You showed up, gave it your all, and that’s something to be incredibly proud of!

For those who didn’t make the team this time—don’t stop here! Keep practicing, stay involved, and explore the many sports, clubs, and activities our school has to offer. There’s a place for everyone to shine at Bonita Vista Middle School!

A huge congratulations to our Girls and Boys Flag Football Teams—we’re excited for an incredible season ahead! Go Crusaders! 💙🏆💪

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

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

After many years of dedicated service as both an English and History teacher, we extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Kennedy as he prepares for his final day at Bonita Vista Middle School on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Mr. Kennedy’s impact on our school community is immeasurable. His passion for teaching, unwavering commitment to his students, and dedication to academic excellence have left a lasting mark on all who have had the privilege of learning from and working alongside him. He will be deeply missed by his students, colleagues, and the many lives he has influenced throughout his time at BVM.

Personally, I will greatly miss the insightful conversations we’ve shared, but above all, I will miss knowing that our students had a teacher who consistently upheld the highest standards and prepared them for high school with integrity and care.

Mr. Kennedy, we thank you for your years of service, your dedication, and the countless lives you have touched. You will always be a part of the BVM family, and we will miss you dearly! 💙

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