As we move into the second semester, it is good to take a few minutes and reflect on a few of the many good things that are happening at our school. While we continue to monitor the economic crisis affecting our State and its effect on education, here at Bonita High School things are going well, and our students and staff are accomplishing great things. Here are some of the events happenings around school.

Congratulations to Coach Lonnie Carr and Adrianna Contreras! Coach Carr leads the girls and boys cross country teams and was named Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year by the San Gabriel Tribune. Coach Contreras is our volley ball coach and was named Coach of the Year by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin after leading the team to an appearance in the CIF Championship game.

In spite of the tough budgets we are facing, we are continuing to make improvement to the facilities available to our students. During the Thanksgiving break, we were able to install a 20 by 40 shade structure near the cafeteria. We have been saving money for the project for several years and it is great to finally have it complete. We really appreciate all the people who have contributed to our campus beautification program over the years through activities such as buying pavers or helping with other fund raisers.

Another facilities improvement project that we have been working on for several years is improving the softball diamonds at Las Flores Park. Last year we were able to have the fields laser leveled, which significantly improved the fields. This year we have added a concrete pad and new bleachers to provide better viewing for the fans. In addition, a number of trees were planted which will, after a few years, provide shade from the afternoon sun. Funds for this project were provided by the City of La Verne, the Bonita Unified School District, as well as our ASB. To further improve the facility, the team and parents have raised funds to install a home run fence for both fields.

Bonita High School is moving forward with plans to use Measure AB funds to build a new gym. The new structure will include two regulation-size basketball courts for practice, as well as one tournament court. There will be home and visitor seating on opposite sides of the tournament court for around 1150 people. Additionally, the existing gym will be upgraded with a new roof and refurbished restrooms.

There are a number of advantages to focusing on a new building rather than expanding the existing gym, but the most significant short-term advantages to the students may be that BHS will be able to continue to use the existing gym throughout the construction of the new building. If we were to expand the existing gym instead, we would lose access to the building for nine months to a year.

Providing additional gym space meets critical needs for several of our school programs. One of the most glaring examples occurs during the winter season when three girls and three boys basketball teams need gym space, and practices often do not end until 9:00 P.M. When the construction is complete, we should be able to complete practices by no later than 6:00 P.M. We will also be able to move the wrestling program out of the student union into the small side of the existing gym, providing a much better practice location for wrestling and freeing the Student Union for the Drama Department and other groups to access. We hope construction of the project will begin by the end of 2010.

The site for the new building is the grass area just north of the Administration Building. Because of the scale of the building, it will become the new face of Bonita High School and redefine the entrance of the school, as well. Having three practice courts will allow us a great deal more flexibility in the way we schedule our practices. Currently our teams lose a great deal of practice time because of schedule conflicts between groups.

" Having home and away seating will make event management much more effective," (Athletic Director Eric Podley).