middle and high school application cover page...

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California Department of Education 2013 California Distinguished Schools Program

Middle and High School Application Cover Page 37684116059745 County-District-School (CDS) Code – 14 Digits

San Diego County Name

Sweetwater Union High School District District Name

Bonita Vista Middle School School Name (If your school is selected for honors, this school name will be engraved on the award plaque.)

650 Otay Lakes Road Chula Vista 91915 Mailing Address City and Zip Code

619-397-2200 619-482-9356 Area Code and Phone Number Ext. Area Code and Fax Number

[email protected] Principal’s E-mail Address

Georgina Meza, Assistant Principal 619-710-5153 Winter Break (Alternate) Contact Name Area Code and Phone Number Ext.

I certify that I have reviewed the information contained in this application and, to the best of my knowledge, it is complete and accurate. I understand that any changes to our original data submission may affect our schools eligibility. I further certify that:

The Office for Civil Rights does not have any outstanding findings of civil rights statute violations by the school or district that may affect the school;

There are no pending lawsuits by the Department of Justice against the district alleging that the school, or the district as a whole, has violated one or more of the civil rights statutes or the Constitution’s equal protection clauses; and

The school or district is addressing or has addressed any identified areas of noncompliance under federal or state laws and regulations.

Virginia Sandoval-Johnson Principal’s Name Principal’s Signature Date

Dr. Edward Brand District Superintendent’s Name District Superintendent’s Signature Date (or authorized designee)

California Department of Education 2013 California Distinguished Schools Application

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Bonita Vista Middle School

School Information

1. Total student enrollment: 1061

2. Which category best describes where your school is located? Urban X Suburban Rural

3. Does your school receive Title I funding? X Yes No

If yes, indicate type of services: Schoolwide X Targeted Assistance

4. What is your school calendar? Traditional Year-round X Modified

5. Is your school a charter school? Yes X No

6. Number of full-time and part-time staff members in each of the categories below: Full-time Staff Part-time Staff

Administrators 3

Classroom teachers 37 5

Counselors 2.6

Credentialed librarians 1

Nurses 1

Psychologists 1

Technology/media specialists or technicians 1

Paraprofessionals 14 2

Campus resource officers 2

Other staff (specify) Clerical, Custodial, Food Service 10 4

Total staff 71.6 12


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Directions to Your School

If your school is selected as a statewide nominee, the site visit team members will need directions to your school.

San Diego County

Sweetwater Union High School District District

Bonita Vista Middle School School

650 Otay Lakes Road Chula Vista 91915 Street Address City and Zip Code

Virginia Sandoval-Johnson 619-397-2200 Principal Area Code and Phone Number Ext.

San Diego International Airport Name and Location of the Nearest Airport

Highway 5 and the Highway 805 Major Freeway Access

Provide detailed travel directions indicating the surface streets that lead to your school. Please do not submit directions or a map generated by an Internet Web site. The text font must be Arial 12.

From San Diego International Airport Follow Airport exit sign Turn left on N. Harbor Drive Turn left on Grape Street Take I-5 South to CA-54 East Merge onto I-805 South From the I-805 South Take the East H Street exit Drive East on H Street for approximately 3 ½ miles Turn left onto Otay Lakes Road Drive North on Otay Lakes Road for approximately 1 mile 650 Otay Lakes Road is on the left


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School Overview

Bonita Vista Middle School, built in 1968 and partially renovated in 2009, was named a California Distinguished

School in 1988, 1994 and 1999. It is situated in a growing suburban upper middle class community 12 miles from

the U.S.-Mexico border, and serves a diverse ethnic population with a rich history of parental involvement and

high academic expectations and results. Our ethnically diverse population of 1061 students provides an enriched

campus atmosphere. Our population from the largest to the smallest is: Hispanic: 62%, White: 16%, Filipino: 6%,

Black: 4%. Asian: 3%, Pacific Islander: 1%, American Indian: 1%.

Academic achievement has always been in the forefront of our educational goals, and in 2012 we reached an API

score of 869. We also strive to meet the affective needs of our middle school youngsters. We offer an array of

opportunities for students to become involved, from clubs, after-school programs, intramurals and counseling

groups to academic pursuits such as science fairs, math field days, knowledge bowl competitions and spelling

bees. Our attendance rate, like our standardized test scores, remains high at 97.6%,

We have developed many programs designed to make sure our students and their families feel connected to

school, and that they feel safe, respected and appreciated. We embrace cultural and personal diversity while

emphasizing cooperative learning, problem solving, and peaceful conflict resolution as a means for preparing our

students to become active and positive contributing participants in a culturally diverse, technologically advanced,

global society. With a tradition of strong school-community ties, we welcome the participation of community

members in school programs, including the PTSA, ELAC, SSC, GATE and SCE. This school-community bond

helps build a sense of community and responsibility, strong character and self-worth while benefiting students,

their families, and the community at large.

Because we want our students to be well-rounded, we offer a fairly comprehensive elective program in addition to

a rigorous core curriculum with over 63,000 instructional minutes each school year. Choosing from an array of

electives ranging from art and music to technology gives our students many opportunities to discover their

strengths and interests. We also offer a multitude of opportunities for under-performing students to improve and

strengthen their academic skills. Tutoring, Credit Recovery, Structured English Immersion classes for EL

students, Collaboration Classes for Students with Disabilities, and Support Classes in Math and English are a few

examples. We also incorporate technology throughout the rigorous and challenging curriculum.

The high academic performance of our students is but one indication of our school-wide success. In addition, we

have many award winning programs on campus, including the PTSA, student newspaper, band, chorus, and

service clubs, just to name a few. Our staff and parents are directly involved in our school governance. Many of

our teachers have served as Mentor and Master teachers and have been recognized for their excellence in

numerous ways, such as being named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Staff is committed to

continuous improvement and this year we are utilizing 32 minimum days (every Friday) for teachers to

collaborate during our Professional Learning Community time, to align curriculum, instruction and assessment

practices, refine effective teaching strategies and continuously seek ways to improve instruction, intervention and

thus, student achievement. The Administration, CIS Coordinator, Counselors, Academic Support Team, School

Site Council, FAC, Department Chairs PLCs and others work in collaboration to ensure academic success and

personal wellbeing. School-wide, the staff is dedicated to creating an atmosphere in which all students can grow,

flourish and succeed while preparing to become tomorrow’s leaders.


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Signature Practice 1 Summary

1. Name of Practice:

Academic Intervention

2. How long has this practice been in place?

Less than 2 years 2-4 years 5-8 years 8+ years

3. What is the Target Area? (you may choose more than one)

Target Areas:

Career Technical Education

Closing the Achievement Gap

Education Supports

Nutrition and Physical Activity/Education

Parent and Community Involvement

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Use of Technology

Visual and Performing Arts

4. What are the target populations? (check all that apply)

Race/Ethnicity Subgroups:

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian

Black or African American

Filipino

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Two or More Races

Other Student Groups:

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged

English Learners


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Signature Practice 1 Summary (continued)

Students with Disabilities

At-Risk Students (Academic, Social, Emotional, Behavioral, or Health)

English-Language Arts – Students Not Yet Proficient

English-Language Arts – Advanced Learners

Mathematics – Students Not Yet Proficient

Mathematics – Advanced Learners

Other Core Subject Areas – Students Not Yet Proficient

Other Core Subject Areas – Advanced Learners

Other (specify)

5. What strategies are used to implement the practice? (check all that apply)

Strategies:

School Climate

Small Learning Communities ( (PLC) Professional Learning Community)

Parent Involvement

Data-Driven Decision Making

Health Support

Social/Emotional/Behavioral Support

Professional Development

Other (specify)


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Signature Practice 1 Narrative

Student Academic Support 1. Rationale/Basis of the Practice

Bonita Vista Middle is a school that has always had high academic achievement in the forefront of our educational goals, we also strive to meet the affective needs of our middle school students by insuring a positive academic experience that enhances how the student sees themselves. With NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, it has clearly defined which of our students need the extra academic support in their educational progress. In addition, our school is one that has been identified where students within the district can choose to enroll from their current Program Improvement school. When working to address the academic needs of our students in our community, we also work to address the academic needs of students from other school sites who choose to transfer to Bonita Vista Middle School. Upon the transfer under the auspices of NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, these students become ours. The need of our Academic Support is to include all students while insuring a focus is on students who demonstrate non mastery in required academic content. The process and data used to identify targeted students is taken from the results of the CST exam to identity the initial core of students that we will be working with throughout the school year. This list of students is constantly changing as students transfer in and out of school. Prior to the school year beginning, students are identified by level of proficiency and assigned a study of course/s appropriate to their level. This process includes all students, with a specific focus on academic placement for English Learners and Special Education students. Level of academic proficiency is set by cut points set by the state department of California Department of Education. The placement cut point criteria is set by the school district. These guidelines help us structure how we work to meet the academic needs of our students. As the school year begins our teachers meet in weekly professional learning communities where curriculum planning is discussed and planned for the school year. As a result of this planning, teachers have opportunities to plan common assessments as instruction is moving along. Using student data, via DATA DIRECTOR, teachers are able to see which students and not meeting mastery levels of understanding of the curriculum. As teachers work together in gathering data, we find different levels of proficiency in technology and would at times not all be at the same place where everyone needs to be in order for the department to move forward. We have found a more efficient focus on identifying student mastery is to have one person crunch the data for staff, in an ongoing consistent basis. The Student Academic Support has through necessity forced us to streamline the technical process of identifying students to meet the need of a more expedient outcome for our students. While school is in session we also found need to support the students who did not complete assignments at home or complete long term academic projects at home. We have many parents that work long hours and looking at student work is the last thing on their mind. Many of these students need someone to encourage the completion of work in a timely and responsible manner. The Student Academic Support reaches out to these students who fall into both the proficient and non-proficient category. There is also a student who does not care to do homework or to stay for academic support when invited to do so. This student is provided an opportunity to stay afterschool for an hour and a half. This is to 1) get the student’s attention, and 2) to insure the student has ample time to complete all the work not completed in the expected timeline.


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Bonita Vista Middle School After an exam in a core content course, using student results, students are identified as to who is required to attend re-teaching of key content standards. Through the work of the PLC’s teachers develop the content used in the re-teaching of poor performing students. Upon completion of the re-teaching, students are assessed once again on the content and are able to us the higher grade on the exam as the final result. This activity is practiced through the school year. This practice greatly assists students who have not demonstrated academic proficiency on exams. Student that fail a core class required for high school promotion are recruited to attend a credit recovery course after school and on Saturdays. This practice meets the needs of many students who require passing all English and Math courses to meet the criteria of middle school promotion.

2. Description of the Practice Listed below is the description of the Academic Support Services provided to all our students with a specific focus on English Learners and our Special Education Students. Students are identified for all the listed support except for the walk-in tutoring where a student chooses to attend or a parent can send their child to attend. Academic Tutoring Re-Teaching Students who demonstrate non mastery of standards on a common formative assessment by scoring 70% or lower, are assigned (mandatory) to a scheduled re-teaching class for Friday afternoon of the same week with credentialed teacher. AEC: Academic Enrichment Center Students are scheduled to attend one hour (mandatory) on a daily bases due to failure to complete homework, classwork, or a class project, in need of specific tutoring, or received 2 or more F grades on the last progress report. On the day that AEC is scheduled the student is informed and provided a phone call phone so the student can tell their parent that because of the stated reason they have to stay behind. For bus transportation issues and previous appointments such as a doctor’s appointment, AEC is rescheduled for the next day. The student is also provided with a written letter to be given to the parent that same day. The AEC is staff with college and AVID trained students who assist students with homework and assignment completion. Students are monitored to insure attendance on the scheduled day. Students who fail to attend as directed are processed into the next step, ARC. ARC: Academic Recovery Center/Detention Students are scheduled to attend 90 minutes (mandatory) for non-attendance of Academic Enrichment AEC, non-attendance of Re-Teaching, poor behavior, or continually not prepared for class. Students are monitored to insure they comply by attending the session(s). Both parents and students are notified by paper notice and a phone call home. Walk-In Tutoring Students self-refer or parents send their students to attend for after school support. Credit Recovery Students who receive an F grade at the semester are scheduled to attend a credit recovery class in either an English or Math course that is required to be able to promote at the end of the eighth grade year. This includes classes after school and attendance on Saturday. Students are contacted in school and given a notice to give to their parent to sign. Those students who do not return the form with a parent signature are called into the office again to be reminded

3. Results of the Practice

The initial thoughts on the after school support for students was to fine tune the process and to make the most efficient use of school funds. The results we found more than pleased us at the end of the school year.


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We found teachers were interested in providing other avenues for learning. The afterschool Academic Teaching/Tutoring along with the Saturday Re-Teaching provided access both to the willing teachers and the academically challenged student.

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Average # Students Attending Re-Teaching Seminars

% Improved % Proficient

English 7 100

English 8 125

Science 1 45

Science 2/ 3 27

Algebra 120

86% 53%

77% 20%

100% 63%

74% 44%

91% 67%

Re-Teaching – Making A Difference!

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Met Growth Targets School: Yes All Student Groups: Yes All Targets: Yes

2011 – 12 API/AYP Numerically Significant

Groups 2012 Growth 2011 Base 2011 – 12

Growth Met Growth

Target

Hispanic or Latino 843 795 48 Yes

White 915 880 35 Yes


819

772

47

Yes

English Learners 813 747 66 Yes

Students with Disabilities 727 658 69 Yes

Made AYP: Yes Met 27 of 27 AYP Criteria

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Promotion Rate

2011 – 2012 92% 2010 – 2011 87% 2009 – 2010 82%


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Signature Practice 2 Summary

6. Name of Practice:

School Culture

7. How long has this practice been in place?

Less than 2 years 2-4 years 5-8 years 8+ years

8. What is the Target Area? (you may choose more than one)

Target Areas:

Career Technical Education

Closing the Achievement Gap

Education Supports

Nutrition and Physical Activity/Education

Parent and Community Involvement

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Use of Technology

Visual and Performing Arts

9. What are the target populations? (check all that apply)

Race/Ethnicity Subgroups:

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian

Black or African American

Filipino

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Two or More Races

Other Student Groups:


English Learners


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Signature Practice 2 Summary (continued)

Students with Disabilities

At-Risk Students (Academic, Social, Emotional, Behavioral, or Health)

English-Language Arts – Students Not Yet Proficient

English-Language Arts – Advanced Learners

Mathematics – Students Not Yet Proficient

Mathematics – Advanced Learners

Other Core Subject Areas – Students Not Yet Proficient

Other Core Subject Areas – Advanced Learners

Other (specify)

10. What strategies are used to implement the practice? (check all that apply)

Strategies:

School Climate

Small Learning Communities

Parent Involvement

Data-Driven Decision Making

Health Support

Social/Emotional/Behavioral Support

Professional Development

Other (specify)


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Signature Practice 2 Narrative

1. Rationale/Basis of the Practice

Bonita Vista Middle School’s culture features a warm, nurturing environment that allows students to explore and develop strengths while experience a rigorous academic curriculum. In striving for academic excellence we work continuously to insure that students’ affective needs are met and that their transition from elementary to secondary school is successful. We offer numerous programs geared toward developing students into well-rounded individuals, including after-school services, intramurals, and academic support classes during the day, as well as an outstanding elective program.

We want all students to reach their full potential, and provide individualized help to those who need it. Instructional support is available to help our students with targeted support for our most at risk such as our Limited English Learners and Learning Disabled Students.

Teachers of Bonita Vista Middle practice intensely strong collegiate support of one another in their day to day activities. We have many teachers and staff that have been at this school for 20-30 years and have remained here because of the strength and commitment of the staff to each other and to their students. For example, during the first semester of the last academic school year five different principals were assigned to the site. A new assistant principal transferred in October 2011 and the current principal arrived in January 2012. It is very apparent that the staff held together and worked to promote the excellent work being done here. Despite the frequent change of administration during the fall of 2011, instruction did not falter. Targeted afterschool academic intervention help students respond to the instruction that is reflected in the academic growth of 46 points. Bonita Vista Middle School had the highest point gain in the entire district for the 2012 CST.

The parents and community of Bonita Vista Middle School continue a robust support of the school by actively supporting student activities through fund raising activities, attending and assisting in supervising students for different events held both on and off campus.

We prepare our students to belong, not just to their academic and sports team and our school, but to the community at large. We prepare them to succeed, not just at school, but in life.

2. Description of the Practice

Academically We provide numerous avenues for students to excel including mastering rhetorical writing, art displays, Beginning and Advanced Band, Beginning and Advanced Choir, Woodshop, Annual Science Fair Competition at the site, District, County and State level. We have had many winners throughout the years of the field of Science competition. Our Robotic Team also strong and has competed against larger and older teams and has demonstrated great capacity to show depth and knowledge in the use of robotics. Our math department


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generates a competitive math team for the Annual District Math Field Day, an event we have participated for a number of years. Although our Knowledge Bowl team, came in second place last year, it was reigning champions for the previous three years. We are confidante we will regain our stronghold this spring when the competition concludes. We recognize students for their efforts in improvement and success in a variety of ways including accomplishments such as Perfect Attendance, Straight A’s Luncheon for Student and Parent, Good Citizenship and Scholarship, Academic Improvement luncheon for Student and Parent, and involvement in the community. Extra Curricular We have a very successful intramural Sports Program where a large number of students, both boys and girls, participate in a variety of different sports. During the fall they are engaged in Baseball, Softball, Flag Football and in the Spring they participate in boys and girls Basketball, boys and girls soccer and girls Volleyball. Last spring 2012 our girls Basketball Team were the Basketball Champions for the District Middle School Afterschool Sports. This fall 2012, our girls Softball Team became the District Champions for the District Middle School Afterschool Sports. and regular grade level assemblies featuring our students and former students. Our ASB is active in offering student activities, after-school dances and lunchtime games. Community We weave into school activities a commitment to serve others less fortunate in our community and to participate in activities that will make our community stronger and better for all. Those activities include our ASB promoting on campus donations with TOYS for TOTS during the holidays. Our AVID students promote a blanket and pajama collection during the winter for orphans in nearby missions in Mexico. Students are recruited to assist in a BEAUTIFY Chula Vista project to help clean up designated neighborhoods. Students annually tour the Superior Courthouse, meet with a judge in their chambers, and have an opportunity to observe a court in session, interview attorneys, bailiffs, and others in our judicial systems for a better understanding of the legal profession. School Resource Officers visit our campus at the beginning of school during our school orientation to meet parents and students, to insure that both students and parents know that the local police is a resource on campus and is here to promote school safety. Parents/Staff We are extremely fortunate to have a very active PTSA that meets on campus on a monthly basis. They are involved in fundraising in a variety of ways, such as financing an ongoing sweatshirt sale, sponsoring an annual Book Faire, selling Kettle Corn and assisting our community during Open House. In addition to contributing to campus beautification, our parents lead our schools mural project. They methodically planned, raised funds, sought out an artist to paint the school mural, requested several possible school mascot scenes, and made a selection. The final product was a beautiful mural we are all very proud of and serves as an impressive backdrop to our 8th grade Awards Assembly and is the testimony of the many parents who contribute in making Bonita Vista Middle a much better place.


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3. Results of the Practice The results of our close knit school community is one of a proud school with enthusiastic parents, that at Open House, Coffee with the Principal, and ELAC (English Language Acquisition Committee) meetings, repeatedly affirm their belief in Bonita Vista Middle School, and that it is providing the best education for their student. Furthermore, that the school activities we provide support, and enhance their student’s academic achievement and social development. Our practice of maintaining a positive school culture is that it is inclusive of all stake holders and has resulted in the ability to sustain a positive student attitude reading their education. Additionally, our practice has strengthened students’ sense of belonging to a strong community base. We are a diverse campus with many interests and the culture created here lends itself to creativity and expression by all. Please refer to chart below that identifies the breadth and depth of our school culture.

Bonita Vista Middle School Culture

Students

Attendance Rate of 97.4

Knowledge Bowl Dist. Champions – 3 years

Outstanding Performance Awards – Band

Advanced/Beg Choir Recognition

District/County/State Science Fair Winners

Robotics Club Honors

Math Field Day Winners

Fleet Reserve Essay Winners

Jr. Optimist Community Partners

AVID Outstanding Student

ASB Toys for Tots

AVID Blanket/Pajama Drive for Needy

After School Intramural Sports Program

District M.S. Girls Basketball Champions

District M.S. Girls Softball Champions

SDSU Compact Mentor

Wood Shop Fundraising

CST Celebrations

College Career Week

ROP Career Video Production Class

7th Grade Orientation

Open Doors to Justice at County Courthouse/Superior Court

CJSF, very few in district

Academic Intersession Algebra Support Class

Beach Clean Up

Cyber Bullying Assembly

AYSO (youth soccer)

District Art Competition

Student Planner

BVMR-BVM Readers Club

Dr. Seuss Activities-March

AVID Tutors

Students, continued

Read 180 Support Classes

Anti-Tobacco Activities

English Learner Re-Classification Breakfast

Student-run Student Store

Staff

Anti-Defamation League District Recognition

Red Ribbon Week/Drug Free Lifestyle

Great American Smoke Out

Academic Interventions

Back to School Night

Annual Student/Staff Basketball-Say No to Drugs

Ongoing Staff Development

Department PLC’s

Zumba for staff promotes healthy lifestyle

Welcome Back Staff Breakfast

Halloween Dress-up

Parents

Coffee with the Principal

Bilingual Parent Committee

Active PTSA o Fundraising o Campus

Beautification o Teacher Recognition

Education Summit

College Making it Happen

Compact for Success SDSU Campus Visit

Annual Turkey Trot 1st Semester

Summer campus tours

School Resource Officer

Awards Assembly – Recognize Active Parents

School Site Council

Crusader Blog

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