The Gear--January 2019

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THE GEAR MONTHLY PARENT NEWSLETTER ISSUE 83 JANUARY 2019

SALESIAN SPIRIT GAMES— COMPETITION, CAMARADERIE, SPORTSMANSHIP!

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT Dear Tech Family— Our students have now completed the Fall semester and are due some well-earned downtime over the Christmas break. Please join me in commending them for their hard work and dedication; many are successfully participating in extracurricular activities, sports, service opportunities, and campus leadership roles while maintaining excellent grades.

As the new year begins, many seniors are receiving exciting offers from universities across the country, while their younger ’brothers,’ our freshmen, have recently selected their technology majors for their remaining years at the Tech. Join me in praying for wisdom and direction for all of our students as they take important steps toward their futures. They are a testament to the value and effectiveness of a Salesian education.

As current eighth graders also compare high schools, we ask that if you know of a family member or friend who would thrive in the Tech’s challenging STEM-based program, please invite them to attend our upcoming Information Night on Thursday, Jan. 17, and our upcoming 47th Annual Math Competition on Feb. 2. As Tech families, you are the best witness to the difference the Tech makes in young lives!

May God richly bless your family in the new year, Mr. Memo Gutierrez (AU ‘83)

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Bosco Tech is proud of our many alumni and will continue featuring our graduates in issues of The Gear.

TECH ALUMNUS FACILITATES SMOOTH MARS LANDING Tech alumnus Paul J. Ramirez (MS '02), NASA JPL Parachute and Explosives Quality Engineer and Metallurgical Engineering Specialist, has a whole lot to celebrate. Not only did he recently welcome a beautiful baby girl, Noelle, but at the same time, he got to see his years of research and effort make interplanetary history when the parachute he worked on allowed the billion dollar Mars InSight robot to safely land on the red planet's surface.

Paul explains that he provided oversight of the manufacturing, testing, final inspection, and packing of the vital parachute into the mortar, which are the explosives that were involved in successfully deploying the ‘chute.’ Not content to rest on his laurels, Paul is already hard at work on the upcoming Mars 2020 mission that will employ the world’s largest parachute. “Not only do we ‘Dare Mighty Things,’ which is the JPL motto, but we accomplish them!” he says.

Working on Descent Stage in the InSight clean The billion dollar In- room Sight robot that required years of research and assembly relied completely on the parachute to deploy properly. When crunch time came, Paul says, “Everyone knew there was one person from JPL in charge of having packed that parachute; they all knew it was me. So, with everyone at work knowing and with the world watching, I can say I was pretty anxious.” The former soldier compares the tension to the same feelings during his first time in combat.

After graduating from the Tech, Paul’s service in the U.S. Army elite parachute infantry units and years as a Department of Defense certified Unexploded Ordnance Bomb Tech honed his skills in explosives, abilities that would later be deployed on Mars’ Inspecting every stitch, fold, seam, band, cloth, surface. ribbon, thread of the entire parachute.

Along the way, Paul majored in Chinese at Chapman University, with an emphasis in Chinese Strategic culture. He was awarded the school’s Horatio Alger Scholarship Award by former ambassador to Spain, George Argyros, for whom Chapman’s Argyros School of Business and Economics is named. Paul then completed Peking University’s Advanced Chinese Language Immersion Program and attended more advanced Chinese courses at Tsinghua University. Upon returning to the states, he continued his education at UCLA and Cal State, Los Angeles.

Through his amazing travels and experiences, what has stayed with Paul from his years at Bosco Tech? “The confidence that comes from having a hands-on experience at such a young age,” he Paul with past Tech Coach Bill Yurak, whom he replies without hesitation. “From foundry, to welding, to mechanical considers one of his greatest Bosco mentors, on (continued)

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the championship game day

TECH ALUMNUS FACILITATES SMOOTH MARS LANDING (CONTINUED) testing, to corrosion and failure analysis, these skill sets are vital to succeeding in the aerospace industry. Studying advanced theory from a young age was invaluable.”

“For example, freshman year in Materials Science, when you learn and memorize the iron carbide diagram, you have no idea what it is or what it means or why it even matters,” he explains. “But then, years go by, and these seeds that were planted begin to sprout, the dots connect, and then one day you have more than just knowledge. You have an in-depth understanding--very empowering!”

And what would Paul advise current Tech students?

“Be true to yourself,” he says. “Find the thing in your life that stimulates interest and feeds your passion.

Paul began by working at JPL as part of the Deep Space Network, climbing the antennas to do weld inspections.

Whatever your interests are, no matter how far apart they may seem, choose three of them and master them!

Then you’ll realize they’re not that far apart from each other. And maintain good relationships with people. Stay motivated and, as Horace Mann once said, ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.’”

These are lessons that baby Noelle will undoubtedly learn from her proud father! Congratulations on all counts to Paul and his beautiful family from his very proud alma mater!

With his sergeant, SFC Byron Braswell (now part of Special Forces), during combat in Iraq in 2003-04.

INTERPRETING PSAT SCORES — PARENTS MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 20 Bosco Tech’s Counseling Department will host meetings for all freshmen, sophomore and junior parents on January 24, 2019, to break down and discuss the results of each student’s recent PSAT results.

The schedule of the meetings are as follows: • Freshman parents — 5:45 to 7 p.m.

• Sophomore and junior parents — 7 to 8:15 p.m.

These will be informative sessions when your questions will be answered.

They will be held in the campus library. Please contact Director of Counseling Ray Chavez at rchavez@boscotech.edu for meeting details.

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GIVING BACK, HIGH TECH STYLE —BY SENIOR JULIAN LOPEZ, HARDWARE DONATIONS FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

A new campus group, Hardware Donations, has turned out to be a combination of hobby and giving back to those in need. The model is straightforward; we receive computers that people no longer want or need, and we refurbish them to donate to others. Although a simple model, the work has been intensive at times with the building of an operating system that required testing across several computers and the installation and modification of various applications. I have grown up with the understanding that no matter how small, you should always provide for others who are less fortunate than you. Even if a limited impact, this is how I considered the idea of rendering service on my own.

For this reason, Hardware Donations was set up at Hardware Donations volunteers include (left to right) Adrian Lopez (ACE), Julian Lopez (CSEE), Gary Lopez (CSEE), Yibin Bosco Tech with the aim to donate as many comXu (ACE), and Sergio Hinojos (MAT). puters as we could. Currently, we have partnered with the Salesian Family Youth Center in East Los Angeles to help us connect with and distribute computers to as many low-income families as possible. So far this school year, we have donated 20 computers, and we hope to give an equal or larger number during the first quarter of 2019. Although I have volunteered in many projects with my family, this is the most rewarding because I am involved in the whole volunteer process to, hopefully, make someone happy. Case in point in December, when we donated laptops at the Salesian Youth Center, some kids came up to thank us with a hug. That was a nice surprise!

Also, right after launching Hardware Donations in early 2018, a member, Patrick Miranda, introduced us to the opportunity to help a family that was financially burdened after being involved in a car crash that left a young girl seriously injured. At the time, we did not have the operating system up and going, but we managed to pull together and deliver a laptop that was included along with other items donated to the family.

I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has donated to Hardware Donations. Without your help, we cannot help others. We always appreciate new donations, but currently, we are in low supply of monitors, keyboards, and mice. Should you know of anyone with extra computer supplies they no longer need, please contact me directly at hardwaredonations@gmail.com.

Black & Gold Gala

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BOSCO TECH MUSIC NEWS —BY BAND BOOSTER ADRIANA WALL

The DBTI Music Program Wraps Up the Year with Holiday Music The Marching Band made their last performance of the year on December 2, as they performed at the annual Christmas Boutique, to the delight of shoppers.

To finish off the year, the Music Program held its annual Winter Concert on December 14 with “The Concert Before Christmas.” The concert featured performances by the Music Appreciation students and the DBTI Concert Band. Thanks to all staff, student and parent volunteers for making this event a success. Great Job, kids!

What’s Next for the Music Program The DBTI Concert Band is planning to compete at the Annual Heritage Festival in Nashville, TN, in the Spring. We welcome and appreciate your continued support as the band aims to bring home another award.

The DBTI Music Program offers several opportunities for your sons to excel. Prior knowledge of an instrument is not required.

The Concert Band will be well into rehearsals by the time you read this, to be followed by the Jazz Band in the spring. Please check out the band's YouTube channel, DBTI Music at www.youtube.com/dbtimusic and the program’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dbtimusic. For more information about the band program, contact music director Daniel Almanza at dalmanza@boscotech.edu or dbtimusic@gmail.com.

On behalf of the DBTI Music Program and the Music Boosters, we would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

“Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die.”

—Paul Simon

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IMPORTANT CAMPUS POLICY REMINDERS As we near the new semester, we ask that you please review these important guidelines. For a full description, please see the 2018-2019 Parent-Student Handbook.

Attendance In the event of an absence, please call the Attendance Office at (626) 940-2002 and leave a message on the answering service by 9 a.m. The parent/guardian calling must state the following: a) student's name, year, and ID # b) reason for the student's absence c) phone number where the parent/guardian may be reached during the day.

Upon returning to campus, the student must present a signed note to the attendance office stating the dates and reason for the absence. If the student was treated by a physician, he must bring a note from the doctor to the school nurse. The note must state: a) the date the student is permitted to return to school and b) any restrictions regarding participation in school activities such as PE, sports or technology.

Early Dismissals When a student needs to leave campus early, the student must submit a written request from the parent/ guardian to the Attendance Office between 7:40 and 7:55 a.m. If he cannot make it through the line by 7:55, he should go to his first period class and return at morning break or lunch to pick up his early dismissal pass.

It is the student's responsibility to get to class on time. Picking up an early-dismissal note is not an excused tardy.

If early dismissal is due to an appointment with a doctor, dentist, lawyer, or court, then a note on office stationery from the doctor, dentist, lawyer, or court must be brought to school the day the student returns. Unless pre-approved by the dean of student services, early dismissal will not be granted for the day of Spirit Games.

Tardies A student is tardy to school if he is not in his assigned place, in a classroom, when the first period bell rings.

If tardy, he must obtain a late slip from the Attendance Office. A note from a parent/guardian should always be presented explaining the reason for tardiness, although this does not assure the student an excused tardy.

Disciplinary action will be taken if the reason for the tardy is not recognized as valid.

Students are given four verbal warnings before detentions are issued. They will begin to serve after-school detention once they have accumulated their fifth tardy and serve Saturday detentions after their eighth tardy. Parents will then be contacted and a parent conference will be required to develop a plan that will assist the student in being punctual to class. Fifteen tardies per semester are the maximum allowed before credit for the course becomes null.

Student drop offs Parents are asked not to drop off or pick up students in the front administration parking lot because of the inherent danger this causes students on foot; instead, parents are asked to use the south parking lot to drop off/pick up students before/after school. Please observe the ‘no parking’ areas in front of the school, including the bus stop and designated emergency vehicle zones.

Parents’ vehicles are never allowed on campus unless by specific permission.

Closed campus For the safety of our school community, Bosco Tech is a closed campus between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. Visitors must sign in in the front lobby and be escorted to their requested location on campus. Upon completing business on campus, visitors must check out as they leave.

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SALESIAN SPIRIT GAMES A long-standing Bosco Tech tradition, the Salesian Spirit Games, had students competing for their technology in sports activities simultaneously across the campus on Dec. 7. The games followed a student body Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, honoring the Virgin Mary. The annual games are an opportunity for the school to express the four cornerstones of the Salesian education model—school, church, playground and home—all in one day.

Always a close competition, the results of the games had MSET taking home the first place trophy in the games. MAT won first place for overall spirit. Congratulations to all of our tech teams for their efforts and their demonstration of Salesian Spirit!

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CONGRATULATIONS, FRESHMEN! CLASS OF 2022 SELECTS TECHNOLOGY MAJORS Congratulations to our freshman class on the selection of their technology majors that will be their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) emphasis during their remaining years at Bosco Tech.

The formal selection process took place on December 15.

This important decision was made after several months of preparation that began last July in the Freshman Summer Program (FSP), a five-week introduction to engineering and applied sciences that exposes students to Bosco Tech’s five technology majors. Upon completion of the FSP, the students spent the fall semester rotating through three of the five majors to receive a more in-depth experience in those technologies. Based upon a positive recommendation from instructors, good grades and parent attendance at Technology Information Sessions, the students made their selection.

“The process is an important step in allowing the students and parents to make an informed and careful educational decision,” said Mr. Eric Tom, Assistant Principal of STEM Studies. “Congratulations to each freshman on the informed and well thought-out selection of his major.”

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JANUARY 2019 Please note that dates and events are subject to change. Check the school’s full calendar at www.boscotech.edu (see the Upcoming Events box on the lower right side of the homepage) for the latest updates and for events scheduled for later dates.

Tuesday

1/1

Wednesday Thurs.-Fri. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Saturday

1/2 1/3-1/4 1/7 1/8 1/9 1/12

Monday Thursday Saturday

1/14 1/17 1/19

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sun.-Sat. Thursday Friday Saturday Tues.-Wed. Thursday Friday

1/21 1/22 1/23 1/24 1/26 1/27-2/2 1/31 2/1 2/2 2/5-2/6 2/7 2/15

Happy New Year!

Music Program Rose Parade fundraiser Office closed Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

School resumes—second semester begins Parent Council meeting at 6 p.m.

Alumni Association meeting at 6 p.m.

ACT practice test #1 (all juniors) Winter Formal at Almansor Court at 7 p.m.

Faculty Faith Formation Day (no school for students) Admission Info Night #1; 5:30-7 p.m.

ACT 101 Class (all juniors) One Life LA (Campus Ministry—off campus) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observed (no school for students) Blood Drive Club photos PSAT results parent meeting: Grade 9—5:45 p.m.; Grades 10-11—7:00 p.m.

ACT 101 Class (all juniors) Catholic Schools Week St. John Bosco Feast Day (formal dress for students) WCEA in-service (no school for students) Bosco Tech Math Competition for elementary and middle school students Enrollment for 2019-2020 school year for current students Enrollment for current students and class of 2023 Regular admissions applications due for incoming freshmen

SAVE THE DATE—

Black & Gold Gala

Saturday, April 6, 2019