From the VOL

From the VOL. 10 ISSUE 9 April 2017 SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK San Bernardino City Unified School District GREEN RIBBON AWARD GOES TO KIMBARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Students at Kimbark Elementary School see their environmentally conscious efforts as a way of life. They recycle as much as possible, are vigilant about conserving water, and love spreading their concern for Mother Earth with other students from across the San Bernardino City Unified School District. And, state officials are taking notice. Kimbark Elementary was recently recognized as a Green Ribbon School by the California Department of Education, an honor that went to fewer than 30 public schools across the state. The award acknowledges schools that demonstrate exemplary achievement in three key areas: environmental impact, student and staff health and wellness, and environmental education. Kimbark was honored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson at a ceremony held at Redondo Union High School on March 3. “These schools and districts serve as role models for their students in two important ways,” said Torlakson. “First, they manage their own facilities wisely by saving energy, conserving water, and reducing their impact on the environment. Next, they provide innovative education programs that teach students about nature, the importance of clean air and water, and how to make good choices to preserve the environment for future generations.” As a magnet school with an environmental emphasis, Kimbark Elementary students have always focused on conservation as a way to lessen their impact on the planet, said Principal Mario Jacquez. That focus became even more evident in the last year, when the state’s drought dried up one of two wells in the unincorporated, semirural community of Devore, where Kimbark is located. Students turned that near crisis into an opportunity to conserve water. “Our students and parents understand why our grass isn’t green,” Jacquez said. “They know that we’re being water wise.” Aside from significantly reducing its water use by 92 percent from 2013 to 2016, Kimbark Elementary also cut its greenhouse emissions by 40 percent as part of the District’s energy conservation program. Kimbark students are spreading their concern for the environment across the District by teaching other students to recycle. Recently, fifth- and sixth- grade students in the Kimbark Environmental Leadership Program, known as KELP, visited Belvedere Elementary in Highland to help children learn how to be better stewards of the environment. This spring, Kimbark students will put on “Recycle,” an original musical funded by a $12,000 grant from the San Bernardino Fine Arts Commission. INDIAN SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL’S SOCCER TEAM IS BEST IN REGION The journey that brought Indian Springs High School’s boys varsity soccer team to win the CIF Division 4 State Regional Championship is paved with grit and athletic talent. Indian Springs defeated Citrus Hill High School 3-0 in the championship game on March 11, shutting out the school that beat them in penalty kicks just a week before. The soccer title is the first for the school, which has only had a varsity soccer program for four years. “Their ability to play as a team is tremendous,” said Indian Springs High’s Athletic Director John Chamberlain. “You see teams out there with two or three really good players. But with us, you have 10 players on the field who are all playing at a really high level and building each other up. That’s tough to beat.” Ranked 5th in California and 24th in the nation, Indian Springs’ soccer team overcame some obstacles to reach the championship and end the season with a record of 23 wins, 4 ties, and 3 losses. Maintaining good grades was an issue for some players, who were motivated by teammates to attend tutoring to remain eligible to play, said coach John Arient. Several players missed weeks of practice in December to visit family out of town. Another player quit mid-season. But through it all, the players remained a team and became even more unified as the season progressed. For Arient, who has coached soccer and volleyball in San Bernardino City Unified for 18 years, the victory is a sign of even better things to come. “The majority of the team is returning to play next year,” Arient said. “And, we’ve started seeing college recruiters coming to our games.” In fact, a few players who graduate in June are being recruited by colleges like Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State Dominguez Hills, while others are planning to play soccer for San Bernardino Valley College and Chaffey College. SAN GORGONIO HIGH’S KRISTIAN BACARRO SWORN IN AS STUDENT BOARD MEMBER Kristian Bacarro wants high school to be more relevant for students so they can be critical thinkers who are also emotionally intelligent by the time they graduate. So the San Gorgonio High School junior became a student member of the Board of Education to hopefully bring about a greater focus on the unique needs of students. Kristian was sworn in to a one-year term in March. “We need a more individualized approach to learning,” said Kristian, who wrestles for San G and also takes rigorous Advanced Placement courses. “I realize this is a big responsibility for me, but it’s also an opportunity to make a difference.” As student members of the Board of Education, Kristian serves along with Cajon High students Danielle Quezada and Isabel Cholbi. Although student Board members have no voting power, they can advise the Board of Education on matters that impact students. DISTRICT PARTNERS WITH VALLEY COLLEGE TO DRIVE STUDENT TRAINING IN DIESEL MECHANICS A new, cutting-edge partnership between the District and San Bernardino Valley College is opening doors for high school students interested in earning certification as heavy diesel mechanics. In January, Pacific High School students began taking an entry-level heavy diesel technology class at Valley College that could pave the way for them to earn certification to work in the diesel field in as little as a year and a half. The entry-level class offers students concurrent enrollment, meaning they can earn high school and community college credit. For senior Diana Ceballos, 17, the hands-on class is a great way to learn a trade that could help her earn from $40,000 to $50,000 a year after she earns certification. “My mom told me this type of work is for men,” Diana said. “But once I told her how much I can earn as a diesel mechanic, she told me to go for it.” San Bernardino Valley College has one of the best diesel technology training facilities in the region, where jobs in that field are in high demand because the Inland Empire is a transportation hub for goods being moved from Los Angeles to the rest of the country. Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden sees the partnership as a way to train District students for well-paying jobs that could help break the cycle of poverty in the city. “When we look for ways to make hope happen in our community, this is what we’re talking about,” Marsden said. “People need high-paying jobs like these, right here in our own city.” Board of Education Dr. Margaret Hill , President Mrs. Abigail Medina, Vice President Dr. Barbara Flores Mr. Michael J. Gallo Mrs. Gwen Rodgers Mr. Danny Tillman Scott Wyatt, Ed.D. Superintendent’s Cabinet Harold J. Vollkommer, Ed.D. Deputy Superintendent Linda R. Bardere, APR, Director, Communications/Community Relations Jayne Christakos, Chief Business Officer, Business Services Kennon Mitchell, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services Rachel Monárrez, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent, Student Services Ginger Ontiveros, Executive Director, Community Engagement Joseph Paulino, Chief of District Police John Peukert, Assistant Superintendent, Facilities/Operations Division Perry Wiseman, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Division Carla Cross, Assistant to the Superintendent This monthly newsletter is produced by the Communications/Community Relations Department Linda R. Bardere, APR, Director Maria Garcia, Communications Officer Richard Carlos, Printing Services Supervisor David Chavez, Multimedia Manager Bill Campi, Graphic Design Corina Borsuk, Photographer .

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