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10% Project, bicycle, Bonsall, Bonsall High School, celebrate, Christmas, culture, Gird Road, growth, Hanukkah, Joy Org for Good Life, Kwanzaa, opportunity, Sullivan MIddle School, traditions, Uganda, Wheels for Life
Dear Bonsall School Community,
Happy Winter Solstice! As the shortest day of the year, now the days will begin adding daylight until we reach the summer. Our school year is about half over and it’s time to reflect on our progress toward the goals we set at the beginning of the school year. January will be full of mid year assessments and measuring success indicators of our strategic plan to be sure we are improving in meeting our purpose of “Academic Excellence and support for all students to become highly competitive in their chosen career path and/or college”.
The San Diego County Registrar of Voters has released official results of the November 8, 2016 General Election; Measure DD, the bond to build Bonsall High School did not pass; it got about 51% approval, but required 55%. As more and more developments begin building in our District, we are busy looking at options to continue steps toward building Bonsall High School. The last couple of BUSD Board Meetings included approval of fencing the Gird Road site for the high school, and continuing the required biological studies and pre-construction work there.
Those meetings also experienced some of the amygdale-driven behaviors the last blog entry discussed. Throughout our history there have been many differences among US citizens, and as a result of the last election many have been highlighted. But common decency of respect for opposing views and civil discourse has been the way our country has stayed strong and united. Abraham Lincoln’s use of the Gospel of Mark, 3:25, that a house divided against itself cannot stand, is as true today as it ever was.
As shown in the following excerpt, when our Bonsall children are given the gift of a great education, the whole world benefits. Last week, I received the following from Sullivan Middle School Principal Joseph Clevenger:
“…At Sullivan Middle School, each 8th grade student plans, organizes, and carries out a community service project. We refer to it as our 10% project and Mrs. Foxley and Mrs. Allen play key roles in its implementation.
Last year, an 8th grade student, Tristen Smith, was able to connect two things he was passionate about, riding his BMX bike and helping others, in a creative way. With help from his parents, community, and Mrs. Foxley, he developed the idea of organizing a bike ride to raise money for students and adults in underdeveloped nations to get to school and work daily. He worked with an organization by the name of Wheels for Life.
Yesterday he received an email from the recipients of these bikes in Uganda.
Through his planning, organizing, and implementation, Tristen was able to provide bikes to 23 individuals. What an experience for this 13 year old! What a difference he is making in the lives of others!”
The impact that one student can make is significant. We work hard every day to empower students to become smarter, harder working, empathetic young men and women. Imagine the collective good that will be done by the 200 8th grade students who will make an impact this year.
Here are some of the photos:
As we enjoy this time of celebrating through gift giving, please know how grateful we are for the selfless giving that occurs throughout the Bonsall School Community. As you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever traditions and celebrations that unite your family and friends in appreciation of each other, we wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Justin Cunningham, Ed D