THE PAWSE -- SEASON 6 -- Episode 9.5

Filming this episode was a lot of fun, until it wasn't...

(Filmed 1/19/2021)

Bonita Teachers Spotlight (Bickett, Oualline, Karaian)

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GCU Info from Christian

Below is a summary of information shared with us from Christian.

Link to free application (leave the box CRM ID empty).

https://apply.gcu.edu/Account/login?molid=B1139

https://apply.gcu.edu/Account/Login

Christian Arteaga is an admissions counselor who reached out to me via email last week.  The email caught my attention because the subject line read: I had you as a teacher.  It turns out that Christian was my Gladstone High School student who graduated in 2013.  I immediately jumped onto this opportunity and received permission from my administrators for Christian to present.  Christian did an AMAZING job.  He was energetic, positive, knowledgeable, and passionate about GCU.  I am very proud of him.  (From 1/28 and 1/29/2021).

Bonita High School - Announcements - Jan 27, 2021

Bonita Teachers Spotlight (Varnes, Yip, Frederick)

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Bearcat Weekly Breakdown 1/25/21 - 1/29/21 (Week 20)

 

Justice: What's the Right Thing To Do - Michael J. Sandel (Book Read January 2021)

 

This book challenges readers to rethink about welfare, freedom, and virtue.  I am only one chapter into the book, but I feel that it will be an important read for me this year.  (From 1/25/2021)

Bonita Teachers Spotlight (Plunkett, Raleigh, Mann)

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Bonita High Marching Bearcats SCSBOA 3A Field Championships - "Coven" 2017

A throw back video that I saw on YouTube.  Go Bearcats.

Poet Amanda Gorman Recites 'The Hill We Climb'

The nation's first Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman recites "The Hill We Climb."

(From 1/21/2021)

When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry. A sea we must wade.

We braved the belly of the beast.

We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.

And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow we do it.

Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.

We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.

We seek harm to none and harmony for all.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true.

That even as we grieved, we grew.

That even as we hurt, we hoped.

That even as we tired, we tried.

That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.

Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.

If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made.

That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare.

It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit.

It’s the past we step into and how we repair it.

We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation, rather than share it.

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

And this effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.

In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.

This is the era of just redemption.

We feared at its inception.

We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour.

But within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.

So, while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.

We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, become the future.

Our blunders become their burdens.

But one thing is certain.

If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.

Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.

We will rise from the golden hills of the West.

We will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states.

We will rise from the sun-baked South.

We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.

And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful, will emerge battered and beautiful.

When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid.

The new dawn balloons as we free it.

For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

Bonita High School - Announcements - Jan 20, 2021

Bonita Teachers Spotlight (Allender, Grzechowiak, Baumgartner)

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Bonita Campus - January 2021

A Promised Land - President Barack Obama (Book Read January 2021)

 

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I am sharing my current reading of our first Black American President's recent memoir on his presidency.  I am only a few chapters in, yet I feel uplifted and a deep sense of optimism from his writing despite the current political climate.  As a slow reader, this 700-page book is daunting.  I will take my time and be persistent in reading his words.  (From January 2021)

THE PAWSE -- SEASON 6 - Episode 9

The Pawse Crew and Mr. Eichen: "New year, slightly new format. In this episode we speculate on how 2021 will go and we explore the depths of teaching via Zoom.   Special thanks go out to Oualline, Arriola, Reatiga, Kniss, Dynes, Guillen, Frederick, Monsen, Mayer, and Zeuli for being a part of this one. " (From 1/13/2021)

THE PAWSE -- SEASON 6 - Episode 8.5

Bonita Peer Tutoring 2021

Thanks to Mrs. O'Grady, our tutoring program continues in the spring.  

(From 01/11/2021)

Bonita High School - Announcements - Jan 13, 2021

Bonita Appreciation from Victoria V.

 

I'm always happy to get cards in my mailbox, especially ones from my wonderful PreCalc Honors student Victoria!  (From 1/11/2021)

Mt. San Antonio College: Concert of Hope

A performance by talented musicians including of my former student Ahlitney.  (From 1/8/2020)

Bonita Teachers Spotlight (Mullen, La Manna, Pavey)

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Many students' favorite and my friend: Mr. Mullen!

How the Halls of Congress Were Overtaken

January 6th, 2021 was a historical day for the United States.  This video from one news source captures the timeline of the events.  The reporting also compares the events of January 6th to other major events/protests from 2020.  I am including this video here as a historical account of today's climate and what we are going through in 2021.  Readers and viewers are encouraged to do their own research and to explore other information and news outlets.  I strive to keep my personal opinions private and offline for the moment.  (From 1/10/2021)

Thank you Betty

 

Thank you, Betty, for more holiday treats.  I had the pleasure of tutoring Betty's son Nathan on Geometry topics earlier in the fall over Zoom.  Both Betty and Nathan are super fast runners.  (From 12/19/2020).

THE PAWSE -- SEASON 6 -- Episode 8 (Xmas Episode)

I forgot to share this over winter break.  At the end of the episode, I made one more trip to Mr. Wes' farm for some goods.  (From December 2020).

Bonita High School - Announcements - Jan 6, 2021

Thank you Daniel & Laura

I have the opportunity to help Daniel with his college statistics work.  Daniel and his mom Laura are way too kind to give me this gift.  (From 12/2/2020)

 

Classroom Upgrade

Keurig K-Slim Single Serve Coffee Maker - This is the new addition to my classroom.  Coffee is essential to a lot of teachers.  This machine can help me save money and to be more environmentally friendly.  Looking forward to putting this black Friday deal to good use. (From 11/30/2020)

D Street Seniors -- Class of 2021

The D-Street Senior performers led by Mrs. O'Grady.

D Street Juniors -- Class of 2022

 

The D-Street Junior performers led by Mrs. O'Grady.

D Street Sophomores -- Class of 2023

The D-Street Sophomore performers led by Mrs. O'Grady.

D Street Freshman -- Class of 2024

Shared by Mrs. O'Grady (From 11/6/2020)

Happy New Year!  Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe 2021.  I will share the Bonita High School D-Street dance team videos across the four classes to kick off this year.  This video showcases the D-Street Freshmen performers.  In 2021, I strive to work hard, be kind, and let go.  (From 12/31/2020).