ASAP - Mile 79 (Shipment Arrival)

A Shoe Adoption Project update: Our shipment with ten new pairs of shoes arrived. I will attempt to deliver them as soon as possible so the children can have new shoes for the New Year. As always, thank you to all of the donors, supporters, and friends of this charity project. More to follow soon.
-Ricky

PS - I had ordered eleven pairs of shoes, but the shipment had only ten pairs inside the box. The large box was already pretty beat up when I pick it up from Walgreens on Sunday afternoon.  The shoes and shoe boxes were a mess inside. I will follow up with customer services. However, since I really want to deliver the shoes to the children before the New Year and the shoes are not extremely expensive, I may let it slide this time. Two pairs of size 5's from Eloise's donation have already been donated. So we are looking into delivering eight pairs of new shoes in the upcoming batch of donation.  (From 12/30/2018)

Thank you, Diana

Thank you, Diana, for your kinds words and your gift. Diana is one of the top students of the class. It's an honor having such bright students in my classes. (From 12/20/2018).

Thank you, Amber

Amber's first name is the color of her last name. Amber and Ahlitney visited me on Friday morning bringing me gifts (mug and artwork). They're both excellent and talented students with only positive energy. It's my pleasure having them in AP Statistics this year. Amber is also in the Chamber Singing Program and she's a captain for the D-Street Hip Hop Dancing Team. (From 12/21/2018).

Amber and Ahlitney stopped by to visit after their finals.

Amber's signature gift wrap and humor. =)

Awesome coffee mug - Thanks Amber!!!

THE PAWSE -- SEASON 4 -- Episode 8 (XMAS Special)

Thank you, Ahlitney

Ahlitney is an artist. She is in our Chamber Singing Program and an Improv Comedy artist. I had a chance to do a "rap battle" against Ahlitney during our student-teacher comedy show. She painted this piece for me, I love it. I'm very grateful. (From 12/21/2018)

Amber and Ahlitney visiting me after their finals.

Staff Holiday Party 2018

We had good food with teacher friends to close the fall semester. The jazz band and chamber singers performed. The team I was in placed second in the trivia game. The school also honored Dave for all of his years of service. I particularly enjoyed the jazz band and Claudia's performance of "All I Want for Christmas is You." (From 12/20/2018)

Trivia game winning team

ASAP - Mile 78 (Christmas Eve Delivery)

Two Pairs of Filas Rocket Fueled (Kids Size 5's)

A Shoe Adoption Project update: Last week, I received an email from the Case Manager Assistant Dinna asking for help with shoes for incoming youth seeking asylum from Central America and India. That same Tuesday night, I placed an online order of eleven pairs of new shoes for the children. Although that order has not been delivered, I was able to deliver two pairs of shoes the matched the sizes to Dinna on Monday - Christmas Eve. These two pairs of colorful shoes came from the donation by my friend Eloise's friend Ryan. Thank you, Ryan!

Dinna is from the David & Margaret Youth and Family Services (Division of Unaccompanied Children Operations Program) located in La Verne. I hope my order will arrive in time for the new year. More to follow.

The campus of David and Margaret in La Verne

A follow-up on a previous batch of donation: Thank you to Jim and Anna for sending our shoes to their friend Carlos. Carlos will be driving these shoes along with other donations up to Northern California to help the victims of the Paradise area fire. Thank you, Carlos!

Thank you, Mitch

Thank you, Mitch, for this gift. I really don't need gifts from students. Mitch is a thoughtful student and a cross country superstar. (From 12/19/2018)

ASAP - Mile 77 (Thank you Eloise)

A Shoe Adoption Project update: Thank you to my friend Eloise, her son Ethan, and her friend Ryan for their generous donations. Eloise donated two pairs of high quality running shoes. Her friend Ryan also contributed to eleven other pairs of new shoes for children. I have been in contact with a local case manager in La Verne, some of these shoes will go to children in need very soon. I hope to deliver them during this holiday season. More to follow soon.

Gift for Ahlitney

Ahlitney is a wonderful student in my AP Statistics class. She was a member of the Student Improv Team that performed last week with the Teacher Team. She's also my 6th period TA. This is her Christmas gift. As you can see on her backpack, Ahlitney has "a thing" for pineapples. Rumor is that she has many watches, clocks, and pocket watches. Kris is my TA for 3rd period and he received an In-n-Out gift card. (From 12/17/2018)

Thank you, Math Department

Thank you, Bonita Math Department, for hosting a warm holiday gathering. Mrs. Vandenberg took charge and led a pot-luck on our last compact day of the fall semester. She put together for each teacher a small box containing compliments from our peers. Mrs. Redman made candy for each of us. Thank you for all of the compliments and treats. Happy Holidays. (From 12/17/2018)

Thank you, Gilbert

Gilbert delivered this box of golden treat to me as a Christmas present. Thank you, Gilbert. (From 12/17/2018).

AP Review Session Part Two

We had more kids showing up again this week. For AP Calculus, we had over 30 students came at 11am, and about 12 students came for AP Statistics. They had no problems helping me with the donuts, bagels, juice, and coffee. (From 12/15/2018).

Bonita Dance Show 2018

 Taia, me, and DK

"Live, Love, Dance" was a wonderful show. I was entertained through the entire night. It was great to see students doing what they love. Thank you Mrs. O'Grady for leading such a powerful program and for giving me a ticket to this sold-out event! (From 12/15/2018)

ASAP - Mile 76 (Seven More Pairs)

We have our seven pairs of shoes ready to be delivered to the Martin Family this holiday season. Thank you again to my friends Carolyn and Tyrone for making this winter season a lot warmer for this family in need. Thank you to all of the donors, supporters, and friends of this shoe charity project. (From 12/8/2018).
*I delivered the shoes to CC and Ty on Sunday 12/16/2018.

Champions Gusto XT-II (Girls 10) for Remi

361 Degrees Marshall (Mens 10) for Rasheed

And One Tipoff (Mens 10.5, Mens 11) for Ryan and Rodney

RBX Chelsea (Women 9, Women 10) for Robbin and Rajanea

RBX Jess (Women 8) for Raine

Here is a cropped picture of Jeremy who was going through chemo a year ago when he received our shoes. We just received positive news last week that he has completed his final round of treatment. Keep fighting Jeremy and we wish you a speedy recovery.