The Gear--January 2020

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Mඈඇඍඁඅඒ Pൺඋൾඇඍ Nൾඐඌඅൾඍඍൾඋ Iඌඌඎൾ 93 Jൺඇඎൺඋඒ 2020

Salesian Spirit Games—

Celebrating Teamwork & Brotherhood!

Mൾඌඌൺ඀ൾ ൿඋඈආ ඍඁൾ Pඋංඇർංඉൺඅ Hello, Bosco Tech Family— As you’ve already heard, the Tech family experienced a great loss in early December with the sudden passing of our beloved receptionist, Mrs. Espie Rocha. Mrs. Rocha touched all our lives with her pleasant demeanor, helpful ways and cheerful heart. We all will miss her and are encouraging students and faculty to remember her in a positive way by sharing the same kindness she expressed for everyone who crossed her path.

Loss is always difficult, but at this time of year, sadness can be especially hard to deal with. It is my prayer that our community will come together to console each other and to remember that it was for such times as this that Christ was born into our midst. He came to bring great light and joy to us when we do not understand life and when we experience pain and grief. May the Peace of Emmanuel (God with us) be present in your homes and family celebrations this year and may we remember His many great promises for our future as we enter the New Year.

As your son completes the school year’s first semester and wraps up final exams, I am confident that it was a beneficial season and that he is thriving in his studies and extracurricular activities. We anticipate continued good things in 2020!

Congratulations to our freshman class who selected their technology majors on Dec. 14 (see page 3). That important decision will set the tone for the next three years and will undoubtedly influence his college major and impact his future career.

Our hard-working seniors are completing the last of their college applications and many are already receiving impressive offers from schools across the country. Special thanks to our counseling team who walked with them, and their dedicated parents, through this arduous process. Please encourage your son to inform Mr. Ray Chavez, our Director of Counseling, of all college acceptances and scholarship offers. We track this important information from year to year.

My prayer for the coming year is that our Tech community would truly be led by the Lord and that we will see God’s blessings upon our students’ lives in the year ahead.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mr. Jeff Krynen (BT ‘81)

Iඇඍൾඋඉඋൾඍංඇ඀ PSAT Sർඈඋൾඌ — Pਁ਒ਅ਎ਔ Mਅਅਔਉ਎ਇਓ Sਃਈਅ਄ਕ਌ਅ਄ ਆਏ਒ Jਁ਎. 22 & 23 Bosco Tech’s Counseling Department will host meetings for all freshmen, sophomore and junior parents on Wednesday and Thursday, January 22 and 23, to hand out results of the PSAT and PSAT 8-9 exams and help interpret scores.

The meetings are:  Freshman parents (only parents) — Wed., Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. in the school library.  Sophomore and junior parents (only parents) — Thurs., Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. in the library.

Guest speaker Mr. Ed Ceja from The Princeton Review will meet with sophomore and junior parents to explain the impact of the PSAT scores and how they can be used for college admissions. Please contact Director of Counseling Ray Chavez at rchavez@boscotech.edu for more meeting information.

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Cඅൺඌඌ ඈൿ 2023 Sൾඅൾർඍඌ Tൾർඁඇඈඅඈ඀ඒ Mൺඃඈඋඌ Congratulations to our freshman class on the selection of their technology major 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 14.

This important decision was made after several months of preparation that began last summer in the Freshman Summer Program (FSP), a five-week introduction to engineering and applied sciences that exposes students to Bosco Tech’s six technology majors. Upon completion of the FSP, the students spent the fall semester rotating through three of the six 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 Assistant Principal Eric Tom. “Congratulations to each freshman on the selection of his major.”

Tൾർඁ Hඈඌඍඌ Jൺඉൺඇൾඌൾ Hං඀ඁ Sർඁඈඈඅ Gඎൾඌඍඌ Domo arigato to our friends from Numazu Chuuoh High School in Shizuoka, Japan, who visited the Tech in early December during their Southern California trip. Bosco Tech students in Mrs. Ritsuko Rowe's Japanese Language classes graciously welcomed our guests and provided campus tours. During this coming spring break, Mrs. Rowe will take 30 Tech students to Japan where they will visit their new friends’ school.

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Mඋ. Rඈൻൾඋඍ Cඎඋඋංൾ (EL ‘64) 2020 B਌ਁਃ਋ & Gਏ਌਄ Gਁ਌ਁ Hਏ਎ਏ਒ਅਅ

As Bosco Tech’s 2020 Black & Gold Gala approaches, we’re highlighting one of this coming year’s honorees, long-time Tech administrator and instructor, Mr. Robert Currie.

In the fall of 1960, Robert (Bob) Currie started at Bosco Tech as a freshman in the Electronics Technology, a predecessor to CSEE. He participated in track and field, basketball and was a longtime player on one of the school’s first football teams. A good student, he graduated in 1964. Bob earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Whittier College and masters degrees in political science and educational administration from Cal State Los Angeles. He also earned credentials in administrative services, secondary teaching and community college instruction and supervision.

After graduating from Whittier College in June 1968, he began teaching at Bosco Tech in September 1968. Over the years, he taught a variety of subjects, including English and Math, but primarily social studies classes including AP Government, AP Economics and AP Comparative Government. He also coached basketball for several years, as well as helping the baseball, volleyball, and tennis teams. In the 1970s, Mr. Currie became more involved in school administration (including coordinating the early iterations of Summer School) and was named Dean of Academics in 1981. For many years, he was responsible for monitoring instruction and curricula, as well as creating teacher assignments, and promoting the integration of academic and technological curricula. Bob was responsible for scheduling classes and ensured that the school offered a program that prepared students for college, and maintained its accreditation. He also oversaw the various student information systems used by the Tech over those years.

Bob met his beloved wife, Lydia, in 1965 and they were married in 1969. The two recently celebrated 50 years of marriage; they have two grown children, including Tech graduate son Neil (MS ’89), and 5 grandchildren ranging in ages from 6 to 19. Coincidently, Lydia taught part-time in the Drafting Department in the early 1970s and had the honor of becoming the Tech’s first female technology instructor.

Through the years, in addition to the responsibilities noted above, students and alumni have come to Mr. Currie for transcripts and work permits in the Registrar’s office, as well as college information and wifi passcodes. He also served as Director of Counseling during his last two years at the school. Considered an institution at the school, the award-winning the administrative vice president retired in 2017 after 49 years of service.

His presence is still greatly missed on the campus; he was welcomed back in 2018 to moderate the school’s Model United Nations program. And in his well-deserved free time, he is enjoying retirement, attending concerts and art exhibits with Lydia and taking memorable vacations with his family!

Fඈඅඅඈඐ ඍඁൾ Tൾർඁ ඈඇ Sඈർංൺඅ Mൾൽංൺ

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Mඋඌ. Eඌඉංൾ Rඈർඁൺ (11/5/59-12/7/19)

The Tech community is heartbroken over the loss of the school’s beloved receptionist, Mrs. Esperanza Burciaga Rocha. Mrs. Rocha passed away suddenly on December 7 after suffering an aneurysm. Mrs. Rocha has served the Tech for many years and was the smiling face and pleasant voice of the school for visitors and callers.

She is survived by her husband, David, and her son, Tech alumnus Christian Rocha (’12). Please remember them in your prayers during this very difficult time. The school held a moving and very packed funeral service in Tech Hall on December 17.

Mrs. Rocha started working at the Tech in 2012, after many years in customer service and sales. After coordinating Christian Services programs in Youth Ministry, she became the full-time receptionist, greeting every visitor and caller with her cheerful disposition.

She was the youngest of seven children and a graduate of what is now Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Montebello. Mrs. Rocha lived in Whittier.

“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain. The world of the past has gone.”

—Revelation 21:4

Hඈඅංൽൺඒ Bඈඎඍංඊඎൾ Dඋൺඐඌ Sඁඈඉඉංඇ඀ Cඋඈඐൽඌ —Bਙ Pਁ਒ਅ਎ਔ Cਏਕ਎ਃਉ਌ Lਉਁਉਓਏ਎ Cਁਔਈਙ Rਉਖਅ਒ਁ

Bosco Tech’s Holiday Boutique was a great day with a huge crowd consisting of parents, faculty and staff, our Salesian family, and the surrounding community. Our fabulous band performed, and Mr. & Mrs. Longoria played Santa and Mrs. Claus. We had festive Christmas music, colorful crafts for small children, great food and delicious handmade cookies and treats made by one of our very own Bosco Tech parents. Thirty vendors participated this year, offering unique and personalized items perfect for Christmas shoppers, including one-of-a-kind Bosco Tech ornaments made by talented parents.

On behalf of the Parent Council, thank you to everyone who came out and supported us, volunteered for the day, or made some beautiful items to contribute to our event. We could not have done this without you all!

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Nൾඐ Eඇඋඈඅඅආൾඇඍ Rൾ඀ංඌඍඋൺඍංඈඇ Pඋඈർൾඌඌ— February 27, 2020, 1–8 p.m. (ONE DAY ONLY) For incoming freshmen and re-enrolling 10th, 11th and 12th grade students, the Tech is implementing a new online enrollment process. An email with a link to the packet will be sent to your primary email using Google Docs. Please be sure to review the list of required documents and read all terms and agreements to process your son’s enrollment packet for the 2020-2021 school year.

For parents who would like to complete the process at Bosco Tech, we will be holding Enrollment Registration Day on Thursday, Feb. 27, in the library from 1 to 8 p.m. Staff will be available to assist you in the online process.

If you have any questions regarding the “New Online Enrollment Process” and/or FACTS accounts, please contact Mrs. Doris Longoria at dlongoria@boscotech.edu or (626) 940-2018.

2020-2021 Tඎංඍංඈඇ Aඌඌංඌඍൺඇർൾ Iඇൿඈඋආൺඍංඈඇ The Tuition Assistance application for the school year 2020-2021 is now available.

Applications for Tuition Assistance must be filed annually as assistance awards are valid for the year of application only. Assurance of an award cannot be guaranteed on an annual basis, and depends on many factors including available funding, timing of the application and need. We encourage families who are in need of Tuition Assistance to apply as early as possible.

The online application process is now available. The deadline to submit the Tuition Assistance application is February 14, 2020.

In order to apply for Tuition Assistance, you need to be registered with FACTS. Please follow the steps below: 1. Please click on the following link to start the Tuition Assistance application: https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/48613 2. If you are a new FACTS user, please select “Create a username & password” to begin. If you are an existing FACTS user, just enter your username and password.

3. Click on Start Tuition Assistance Application.

4. Select the appropriate school year.

5. Complete the steps as prompted.

Applicants will not be reviewed until all documentation is received. Please note that if your account is past due, your Tuition Assistance Application may be denied.

The Tuition Assistance Program is designed to provide funds to eligible students from institutional and private funding sources. In order to be eligible, applicants are required to submit a confidential application through FACTS and meet the following criteria:  Be a full-time student in good academic standing  Maintain, at every semester period, a minimum GPA of 2.500 and receive no D's and/or F's  Maintain good conduct  Demonstrate financial need  Satisfy any and all of the financial assistance requirements set forth by DBTI and/or our donors.

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Sඍඎൽൾඇඍඌ Tඈඎඋ Iඍൺඅඒ Dඎඋංඇ඀ Tඁൺඇ඄ඌ඀ංඏංඇ඀ Bඋൾൺ඄ During the Thanksgiving Break, eight Tech students and three chaperones traveled to Italy for nine days.

The tour started with St. Francis Basilica in Assisi and then to the Accademia Gallery in Florence to see Michelangelo’s “David.” From Florence, they traveled to Orvieto where the group took a tour of the Orvieto Cathedral. Once in Rome, they visited the Colosseum, Forum and Pantheon, and enjoyed some pizza Romana. In Vatican City, the group started the day with the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. It was an amazing trip, said Dr. Tony Arguelles.

Mൺඇඒ Tඁൺඇ඄ඌ ൿඈඋ Gංඏංඇ඀ Bൺർ඄ As we enter the blessed holiday season, Bosco Tech students are giving back, contributing to both our local and the broader community.

In November, first- and second-year ASB students successfully hosted a food drive for those in need in the San Gabriel Valley area, and Youth Ministry’s Core Team supported Don Bosco Sobre Ruedas (Don Bosco on Wheels) purchase of wheelchairs and training for young people who have lost the ability to walk.

As Christmas approached, the Tech’s Letterman Society hosted a toy drive for the Salesian Boys and Girls Club. Thank you to all who contributed to make someone’s life brighter during the holiday season!

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Aඉඉඋൾർංൺඍංඇ඀ Aඋඍ Fifty Tech sophomores currently taking Art Appreciation classes recently had the opportunity to experience American art at the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. The students enjoyed the tour, and their teachers and chaperones received many compliments on the students’ knowledge and the courtesy they showed their docents.

JPL Fංൾඅൽ Tඋංඉ In Early December, Br. Tom Mass escorted several IDEA students who were given the exciting opportunity to visit NASA/JPL to see the new Mars Rover in person before its upcoming launch. Thank you, JPL!

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Mඎඌංർ Pඋඈ඀උൺආ Wඋൺඉඌ Uඉ Yൾൺඋ ඐංඍඁ Sඈඎඇൽඌ ඈൿ ඍඁൾ Hඈඅංൽൺඒඌ —Bਙ Bਁ਎਄ Bਏਏਓਔਅ਒ A਄਒ਉਁ਎ਁ Wਁ਌਌

The band made their last performance of the year on December 8, when they played at the annual Christmas Boutique.

To finish off the year, the Music Program held its annual Winter Concert on December 13. “The Polar Express,” concert featured performances by the Music Appreciation students and the Symphonic Concert Band. Thanks to all staff, student and parent volunteers for making this event a success. Great job, kids! There is a reason why this is an award -winning band.

Please view a selection of the performances in the links below. https://www.facebook.com/dbtimusic/videos/2226828764281115/ https://www.facebook.com/dbtimusic/videos/583097765566492/ More Photos of event: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dbtimusic/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2623164227766144 WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE MUSIC PROGRAM The Concert Band is planning to compete at the Annual Heritage Festival in Boston this spring. We welcome and appreciate your continued support as the band aims to bring home another award.

GET READY FOR QUARTER MANIA – FUN FOOD - PRIZES!!!

A cross between an auction, a raffle and bingo, equaling lots of FUN!!! Sunday, Jan. 19, in Tech Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. $25 per player (includes Italian buffet

by Lascari’s, a paddle and a (continued on next page)

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Mਕਓਉਃ P਒ਏਇ਒ਁ਍ (Cਏ਎ਔਉ਎ਕਅ਄) raffle ticket). See flyer in this issue for more information.

The DBTI Music Program offers several opportunities for your children 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!

“In string theory, all particles are vibrations on a tiny rubber band; physics is the harmonies on the string; chemistry is the melodies we play on vibrating strings; the universe is a symphony of strings, and the 'Mind of God' is cosmic music resonating in 11-dimensional hyperspace.”

--Michio Kaku

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Sਈਁ਒ਅ ਔਈਅ Nਅਗਓ— 2020-2021 Sർඁඈඈඅ Yൾൺඋ Aඉඉඅංർൺඍංඈඇඌ & Iඇൿඈ Sൾඌඌංඈඇඌ Bosco Tech is currently accepting applications and conducting interviews for the 2020-21 school year. Please share the news with family members and friends and direct them to contact the Admissions Office at 626-940-2009 or admissions@boscotech.edu for more information, to schedule a shadow tour or submit an application .

Also, high school informational sessions covering everything prospective parents need to know, from technology overviews to A-G coursework to financial aid, are scheduled. Please pass along to friends and family: 1) January 16 at 5:30 p.m.

2) February 27 at 5:30 p.m.

3) May 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Prospective families only need to attend one session.

Call Admissions Office for more information.

Aඇඇඎൺඅ Mൺඍඁ Cඈආඉൾඍංඍංඈඇ —Tਅ਌਌ ਁ F਒ਉਅ਎਄ Bosco Tech will host its mathematics competition for fifth through eighth grade students on Saturday, Feb. 1. The 48th annual event, the longest running in Southern California, will offer awards to the highest scoring individuals and teams.

To register, review rules, and see sample test questions, visit www.boscotech.edu. Event pre-registration is required and ends January 24; the cost to participate is $15 per student. Event check in is 8-8:45 a.m.; the competition begins promptly at 9 a.m. and concludes at approximately 10 a.m. Results will be announced at a ceremony shortly after.

Food and refreshments will be available for sale through the morning.

Yൾൺඋൻඈඈ඄ Sൺඅൾ Order your son’s yearbook today! Stop by the Business Office to place your order. The book is $85, but is discounted for early orders: Before January $65 Senior parents: Create a January $75 dedication page for your February $80 son. $100/full page $50/half page March $85

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Yൾൺඋൻඈඈ඄ Sൾඇංඈඋ Dൾൽංർൺඍංඈඇඌ

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Jൺඇඎൺඋඒ 2020

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.

Wednesday 1/1 Thursday Friday Monday

1/2 1/3 1/6

Tuesday Wednesday Monday Wednesday

1/7 1/8 1/20 1/22

Thursday Friday Mon.-Fri. Thursday Friday Saturday Monday Tuesday Saturday Sat.-Sun. Mon.-Fri. Tuesday

1/23 1/24 1/27-1/31 1/30 1/31 2/1 2/3 2/4 2/8 2/8-2/9 2/10-2/14 2/11

New Years Day; office closed (no Wednesday Bingo!)

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God School office closed School office hours 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

School resumes and second semester begins Feast of the Epiphany Parent Council meeting at 6 p.m.

Alumni Association meeting at 6 p.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (school and office closed) Club Photos PSAT Test Results Parent Meeting (grade 9) at 6 p.m.

PSAT Test Results Parent Meeting (grade 10-11) at 6 p.m.

Tuition Assistance deadline (all grade levels) Catholic Schools Week Concordia Meeting 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Feast of St. John Bosco (formal dress for all students) Bosco Tech Math Competition Faculty/Staff In-Service Day (pupil free day) Parent Council meeting 6 p.m.

ACT on campus at 7:30 a.m.

Msgr. Moretta Youth Retreat in chapel 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

College Week (various events) Oki Gakuen School (Japan) visit

Cheer On Our Teams

Visit the school’s general calendar, through www.boscotech.edu, for a full listing of Fall sports events and times.

1/3 1/4 1/8 1/10 1/15 1/17

SO: St. Monica (A) JV/V 1:30 p.m.

BB: Salesian Shootout SO: St. Paul (H) JV/V 1:30 p.m.

BB: Mary Star (H) F/JV/V SO: St. Anthony (H) JV/V 1:30 p.m.

BB: Salesian (H) F/JV/V 4 p.m.

SO: Mary Star (A) JV/V BB: Verbum Dei (A) F/JV/V SO: St. Genevieve (H) JV/V BB: St. Monica (A) F/JV/V

1/20 1/22 1/24 1/29 1/31

BB: Blair (A) 3:30 p.m.

SO: St. Monica (H) JV/V 1:30 p.m.

BB: St. Pius Matthias (H) F/JV/V 4 p.m.

SO: St. Paul (A) JV/V 3:30 p.m.

BB: Mary Star (A) F/JV/V SO: St. Anthony (A) JV/V BB: Salesian (A) F/JV/V 4 p.m.

SO: Mary Star (H) JV/V 1:30 p.m.

BB: Verbum Dei (H) F/JV/V