Santa Maria-Bonita School District

Student Council officers from El Camino Junior High presented at the recent school board meeting and talked about what it takes to be a HERO - Helping Everyone Respect Others. The HERO program at El Camino encourages students to support each other, reduces conflicts and creates a welcoming environment. At the meeting, the Board Members awarded a bid for a refrigerated food delivery truck, considered the furniture for the new elementary school being built, approved the school attendance calendars for 2020-21 and 2021-22 (will be posted on the website soon) and discussed the possible attendance boundary changes that will be necessary when the new school opens. The boundary changes might result in some modifications to the junior high schools that elementary schools feed into and perhaps even the creation of one or two Kindergarten though 8th grade schools. The Board is continuing to review options to create a boundary for the new school and relieve overcrowding at other district schools.

Students and PE teachers were on hand at the SMBSD Board Meeting last night to thank local 7-Eleven franchise owners George Waraich and Manny Virk for sponsoring a $4, 266 grant to provide PE equipment and playground balls at all 20 schools.  

In honor of Veterans Day, local servicemen and servicewomen were invited to a special ceremony at Sanchez School. Sanchez has been honoring veterans and active military members each year since the school opened in 2004. Students sang patriotic songs and recited a poem about the American flag.

Bonita School students and their parents tackled math puzzles together at the third annual Bonita Family Math Night on October 24. Families participated in a variety of math games and activities that gave students the opportunity to apply grade level math knowledge, strategize, and have fun! 

About 150 preschool students received hearing and vision testing at the district office. The youngsters also had their height and weight measured, received a dental screening and had a fluoride treatment applied to their teeth. The district's remaining preschool students will receive the same health services next week. The purpose of the screenings are to identify and treat health issues before they become distracting or problematic for the students.  

Fifth grade students from Arellanes Elementary recited the Preamble to the Constitution and a poem called The Essence of a New Day at the October 9 SMBSD Board Meeting. The Essence of a New Day is about making the most of every day by doing good deeds, something the Arellanes students take to heart. At the meeting, the School Board Trustees heard from representatives of the teachers' union about items the union would like to address in the upcoming contract negotiations. The Board also heard a report from the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee about the expenditures from the Measure T bond finances on the new elementary school and other projects. Related to the new school, the Board started the preliminary discussion to develop the boundaries for the school, which will open in August of 2020. The next Board Meeting is a special workshop on Wednesday, October 23, at 5 p. m. at 708 South Miller St.