March 2017

Click here to download a printable version of The Gear

THE GEAR MONTHLY PARENT NEWSLETTER ISSUE 64 MARCH 2017

Bosco Tech’s 2016-2017 ASB/Student Council (Not pictured are Rodrigo Plata and Ryan Suarez)

SALESIAN DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Dear Bosco Tech family, Once again, it's time for Lent. This year, please don't give up "the usual." Lent calls us to examine our lives and change what needs to be adjusted in our relationship with God. This goes a lot deeper than giving up chocolate, ice cream, and social media.

To help with this journey, I recommend two books (reading a spiritual book is a good Lenten practice): the first, “Rediscover Catholicism” is a great way to re-connect with our faith if our prayer and worship have become rote or mundane.

The second, “Rediscover Jesus,” is another way to deepen our relationship with Jesus. Both are written by Matthew Kelly and are light easy reading. This, coupled with spending quality time with your family, are easy and meaningful Lenten practices.

May you have a meaningful Lent that leads to a glorious Easter, Fr. Steven Way, SDB Director, Bosco Tech

OUR LADY OF TALPA STUDENTS SAY “THANK YOU” The children of Our Lady of Talpa School thanked Bosco Tech’s International Club and the many generous bingo players for their generosity and hard work in their heart-warming Christmas toy drive that brought every young student a gift requested from Santa.

In their letter, the Talpa school family mentioned “the extreme Christmas joy you have brought to our school, to our students and teachers. You have taken time to read each one of their letters and have granted them the gifts they have wished to received from Santa. We were so amazed with the hard work and love you have put to make this day very special for our students. You saw the excitement of the whole school and the smile on the faces of our students as you and the elves went into the classrooms. Once again, we sincerely thank you. We pray that God continues to bless you and give you all the happiness your hearts can hold. May you have a grace-filled New Year! With much love, Talpa family.”

2

COLLEGE WEEK AT BOSCO TECH During the week of Feb. 13-17, Bosco Tech recently hosted its annual College Week for all students. The week began with a school-wide assembly whose keynote speaker was Rakin Hall, the Associate Director of Admissions at USC. During the week, there were grade-level presentations to students from Marymount California University, University of Nevada Reno, and the University of New Mexico. Seniors engaged in a panel discussion with Bosco alums about the transition from high school to college.

In addition, representatives from a variety of universities were on campus each day at lunchtime to meet with students, answer questions about their schools and provide informational materials. Among the schools represented were: UCLA, Whittier College, Grand Canyon University, Cal State Los Angeles, Woodbury University, and the University of Alabama.

“It’s crucial for our students to keep their eyes on the future,” said Mr. A.J. Pimentel. “Events like our College Week help them maintain their long term goals even when their day-to-day schedules are busy and active. Many of them learned more about schools they’re interested in and some they may not have considered before.”

The sessions were open to all students. Please ask your son if he attended and his impressions of the different schools represented.

GEAR HEADS ROBOTICS TEAM IN ACTION Bosco Tech’s Gear Heads Robotics Team is revved up and entering the competitive arena! They recently competed at Monrovia High School and achieved terrific results, impressing their coaches and supporters.

Admission to future events is free so come on out and cheer on the enthusiastic and hard working team!

Contact Mr. Al Lopez (alopez@boscotech.edu) or Br. John Rasor (jrasor@boscotech.edu) for information.

3

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY HOSTS DANCE —BY NHS MEMBER AND DANCE COORDINATOR NOEL CORDERO Bosco Tech’s National Honor Society recently co-organized and co-hosted a dance with Ramona, Salesian, Holy Family, and San Gabriel Mission. Tech organizer and NHS member Noel Cordero tells us:

Planning this dance was fun yet difficult in that we had to plan so much and perfect every little detail to make this dance one of the best. It was an honor being invited to plan the dance and represent both the National Honor Society and Bosco Tech. I met so many new faces and people—it was fun working with them too. In the end, it was a successful dance, with over 850 people in attendance.

Together, we raised over $8,000 for noteworthy nonprofits. The proceeds gained will go to various organizations that we selected like Children’s Hospital of LA, City of Hope, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Americia.

If I had another chance of planning the dance next year, I would love to do it. I would like to thank Mrs. Elenes for helping me coordinate the dance. Also thanks to the NHS members who came before the dance to set up and to clean up after. By far, Tech students brought in the most people to help set up and clean up the dance.

We all did a great job!

Special thanks also to Gabriel Espejel for designing the winning dance poster; each school’s students submitted poster designs and Gabriel’s surpassed them all.

IMPORTANT DROP-OFF REMINDERS —BY DEAN OF STUDENT SERVICES CARLOS PLANTILLAS

One of the primary responsibilities of a school is to keep students safe. One area in which we need to improve is driving and parking in the Administration lot, located in the front of the school. There is a considerable amount of foot traffic in the Administration parking lot at school start and dismissal times and allowing cars to pull in and out puts the students and drivers at risk.

In spite of the clearly posted signs that say, “One Way—Do Not Enter,” we recently have experienced some close calls regarding drivers pulling into the north Administration lot traveling the wrong way. In one incident, two vehicles almost collided and on another occasion, a student walking across the lot was almost hit by a car. Because we would like to prevent any type of accident, we ask that your remember our pick up and drop off policies. We prefer students to get dropped off/picked up in the south lot off Arroyo Ave. However, if it is easier for you to drive on San Gabriel Blvd., please drop off students in the Senior Lot or use the curbside on San Gabriel.

Please refrain from driving and parking in the Administration lot and adhere to the posted “No Student drop off or Pick up” signs and traffic barricades blocking the lot. Failure to follow our drop off and pick up policy will result in students receiving a Saturday detention. Thank you for your cooperation with this request and for helping keep our students safe.

4

XIN NIAN KUAI LE (HAPPY NEW YEAR!) INTERNATIONAL CLUB CELEBRATES CHINESE

NEW YEAR

—BY JUNIOR YUZHONG ‘JOE’ LI

The Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals in the Chinese tradition. Families get together over a one-week period to celebrate this large feast.

This is the year of the Rooster, the tenth totem in the Chinese tradition. The rooster means a brand-new day because it wakes the people up and reminds them to get up and start working; the chicken can also exorcise evil spirits.

On Feb. 2, Bosco Tech’s international students and the International Club held a celebration of the Chinese New Year in the form of a luncheon in the International Learning Center, on the second floor of the library. The International Club counselor, Mrs. Catherine Diaz, invited campus administrators, faculty, and staff to the celebration. We will like to thank Ms. Anna Chu, Mrs. Anne Sigoloff, Ms. Anne Dennis from the Development Department who participated in our luncheon. Thank you to Mr. A. Valdivia, Bryan’s father; Mrs. Martinez, Julian Lopez’s grandmother, and Mrs. Mercado and Mrs. Medina, sophomore parents. A special thanks to Ms. Carolina Schmeisser, Spanish teacher, who all volunteered to serve us the meal.

The celebration was catered by Panda Express. With the support of Mr. Anthony Iniguez, the manager of Panda Express, we had a rich Chinese lunch. We decorated the library using red lights and red tablecloths, we also had new year symbols on the walls. We played music we like and we had a great lunch. For the International Club members, this special luncheon was meaningful.

It was great to eat with best friends and have the traditional Chinese food. We felt respect for our culture from our counselor, Mrs. Diaz, and all the guests that participated.

—YOU’RE INVITED GALA GIFT GATHERING PARTY IS MARCH 23 Please join us on March 23 between 4 and 7 p.m. for a special gala gift gathering party. The gifts collected that evening will be auctioned off at the Black & Gold Gala on April 30.

We're looking for unique items that will make the gala auction interesting and successful. Gift cards, art, baskets, fine wine, sports and theater/concert tickets, unique, custom or handmade items, theme park and attraction tickets, bicycles, jewelry, and music and sports memorabilia--anything you can help us gather to make this year's auction the most profitable ever will be welcomed.

Come join us on March 23 in the campus multi-purpose room for good food and drinks-and a bit of fun--as we gather items that will help make this year’s Gala the best one yet!

Questions? Please contact Mr. Michael Seymour at mseymour@boscotech.edu.

5

IMPORTANT 2017-2018 REGISTRATION NEWS Registration for 2017-2018 Current Students When: Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14-15, 5-8 p.m.

Where: MPR- Multi Purpose Room located next to the ACE building.

Description: To enroll your son for the 2017-2018 school year, a registration packet containing all necessary documents will be mailed to your home. Please fill out all documents at home, sign and date. Your son’s enrollment packet can be submitted on March 14, 15 or 16 between the hours of 5-8 p.m.

Registration for Freshman Class of 2021 & Current Students When: Thursday, March 16, 5-8 p.m.

Where: MPR- Multi Purpose Room at Don Bosco Technical Institute, 1151 San Gabriel Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770. MPR is located next to ACE building.

Description: A registration packet containing all necessary documents will be mailed to your home. Please fill out all documents at home, sign, date and bring them in on March 16 between the hours of 5-8 p.m.. If you have questions, please email admissions@boscotech.edu.

For 2017-2018 1) FACTS accounts are mandatory for paying tuition 2) The following charges will be deducted from FACTS accounts: a) Registration—$600 on March 16, 2017 b) Student Services Fees—$750 (two payments of $375 on 4/14/17 and 7/14/17) c) Tuition deductions begin in June 2017 Please contact the Finance Office at (626) 940-2018 with any questions.

SPECIAL THANKS TO BOSCO TECH’S GENEROUS SPONSORS

www.lamsusagroup.com http://printefex.com/

www.thejoint.com

www.princetonreview.com

www.skyerentals.com

6

ENGINEERING ALUMNI & SPECIAL GUESTS INSPIRE STUDENTS ON ENGINEERS DAY In a unique joint celebration, Bosco Tech and eighth and ninth grade girls from charter school Academia Avance celebrated National Engineers Week together on Wednesday, February 22.

The female students joined their high school hosts for presentations given by respected scientists and engineers, many of whom are Tech alumni. The speakers, who represented companies like DreamWorks Animation, Northrop Grumman and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, covered topics as diverse as developing partnerships between engineering and business, creating space flight mechanisms, and designing cinematography special effects.

“Because so many of the Tech’s alumni enter engineering and other STEM-related professions, we have a great resource from which to draw,” said Bosco Tech President Xavier Jimenez. “That we can share the opportunity to learn from engineering professionals with our friends at Academia Avance made the day even richer for us all.”

Among the companies and organizations represented were: - Dreamworks Animation - FMT Consultants - Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) - JMD Engineering - Los Angeles County Arts Commission - Los Angeles County, Department Public Works - Northrup Grumman Aerospace Systems Engineering - Oak Crest Institute of Science

- Stargate Studios - Vacco Industries

SIGNING UP FOR NEXT YEAR’S AP & HONORS COURSES As the current school year passes so quickly, it is important to plan ahead. If your son intends to take honors or Advanced Placement courses next school year, please remind him that deadlines will be coming up soon.

Applications are due in May and tests for classes that require proficiency will be held shortly afterward. Your son should speak with his current instructor in a particular subject or the appropriate Instructional Area Dean for more information. Thank you for your help in keeping our students on track and fulfilling their potential!

7

Upcoming Class of 2017 Events

8

Upcoming Class of 2017 Events

9

SPORTS UPDATES MARCH TRACK & FIELD EVENTS —BY ASSISTANT TRACK & FIELD COACH BRAD STOLZ

March is going to be the busiest month for our track and field team. We will be using St. Paul’s track for all our home events and also for all our Camino Real League meets. Since we will have no home events at Bosco itself, our team would greatly appreciate your attendance and cheering at any of our meets at St. Paul (or any of the invitational meets also). Here’s this month’s schedule: -Saturday, March 4, Bishop Amat Relays @ Citrus College (all day) -Saturday, March 11, Rosemead Invitational @ Rosemead HS (all day) -Wednesday, March 15, Camino Real meet #1 @ St. Paul (starts at 3:15) -Saturday, March 18, St. Paul Classic Invitational @ St. Paul (all day) -Wednesday, March 22, Camino Real meet #2 @ St. Paul (starts at 3:15) -Saturday, March 25, Bell Gardens Relays @ Bell Gardens HS (starts at 8:30) -Wednesday, March 29, Camino Real meet #3 @ St. Paul (starts at 3:15) -Saturday, April 1, Covina Invitational @ Covina District Stadium (all day) In addition, we will be taking part in the taping of “America’s Funniest Videos” on March 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is a track & field fundraiser in which the studio pays us to attend. We would welcome others to join us (high school age or adults), as the larger our group, the more we will be paid. The audience will be seen on TV. Last season, one of our team won $200 for being the best dressed male in the audience. Contact Coach Stolz at bstolz@boscotech.edu for details.

Finally, we are still in urgent need of a new or used pole vault pit. We need donors to help us buy, rent, or rent to buy a new or used one. A grant from a company would be fantastic. Our vaulters are unable to practice until we get a usuable pole vault pit. Again, you can contact Coach Stolz at bstolz@boscotech.edu.

GOLF TEAM NEWS —BY GOLF COACH STEVE SOTO

This is an exciting year for the Bosco Tech golf team. Coming off of a 3 and 16 season, this year brings a fresh start as we enter the season with seven new golfers: freshmen Mavrick Henry, Berndien Balangauan, Luis Negrete, Aaron Lerma, Jacob Aramas and Joshua Morejon and one returning golfer junior Jason Zhang. This year is all about development, developing as a team and developing as individual golfers.

The Del Rey League provides tough competition, like La Salle and St. Paul, that will challenge us to come together as a team, and we will push each other to develop as individuals. We are committed to the expectations associated with Don Bosco athletics and with the season set to begin the future is bright for Tigers golf. Go, Tigers!

10

SPORTS UPDATES LACROSSE —BY HEAD COACH KEVIN HOLT

2017 marks the third season of lacrosse at Bosco Tech. Led by senior Robert Luna, juniors Alex Martinez and Gabriel Benitez, and sophomores Nick Gutierrez, Anthony Sosa, and goalie Josh Dominguez, the Tigers lacrosse team begins its season on February 25 with a double header against teams from Bakersfield and Vista.

After graduating 15 seniors last season, this year’s squad includes 15 rookies who have made excellent progress in pre-season practice, and are looking forward to a The 2016 Pacific Lacrosse League Semi Finalists—Bosco Tech team; this year’s team photo is pending. great season.

Bosco Tech’s 2016 lacrosse team went 6-6 and earned a berth in the first round of the Pacific Lacrosse League playoffs in only their second season of existence. Three members of the 2016 team have gone on to play college lacrosse: Christian Apenecatl at Cal State University Long Beach, David Casillas at UNLV and Jacob McKinney at the University of Puget Sound. Good luck to each of these alumni!

Come out and cheer on the team: 3/4 12:00 p.m.—Away vs Mission Hills HS Grizzlies 3/4 3:00 p.m.—Away Vista HS Panthers 3/11 11:00 a.m.—Home vs Camarillo Scorpions 3/18 11:00 a.m.—Home vs Riptide Lacrosse 3/25 1:00 p.m.—Home vs Lynwood Knights 4/2 11:00a.m.—Home vs Cowboys Lacrosse 4/8 1:00 p.m.—Away vs Rancho Buena Vista HS Longhorns 4/11 6:00 p.m.—Away vs Pasadena Tribe Lacrosse 4/22 1:00 p.m.—Away vs Lynwood Knights 4/23 TBD Away vs Beach Cities Lacrosse 5/6 1:00 p.m.—Home vs Mission Hills HS Grizzlies

11

BOSCO TECH MUSIC NEWS —BY BAND BOOSTER MR. JUN REYES

Marching Band Performances— Select members from the DBTI Royal Tech Marching Band welcomed incoming students to the Bosco Tech family by performing in the “Bosco Tech Class of 2021 Welcome Breakfast” held on January 21. Afterward, the band members and the boosters met with the families and talked about the Music Program and what it had to offer to the students. The marching band performed for visiting students from Japan on February 14.

California State University Los Angeles High School Honor Band— Daniel Hosseini, Michael Garcia, Yifan Zhang and Anthony Reyes participated in the 2017 California State University LA High School Honor Band. This annual program provides the opportunity for outstanding musicians from high schools across Southern California to come together to undergo training by Cal State LA music faculty, rehearse with their fellow musicians and perform a final concert for friends and family. The concert was held on Saturday, February 11. Good job, boys!

Los Angeles Philharmonic's Symphonies for Schools— Our DBTI Music Program students attended a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown L.A. on February 17. The annual event is sponsored by the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Symphonies for Schools. Thank you to the Philharmonic's Education Department for helping fulfill the music program’s mission of ensuring that the students of Bosco Tech and the youth of the Los Angeles area develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts through music education and other meaningful learning experiences.

Annual Heritage Festival— The award winning DBTI Symphonic Band will be competing in the 2017 Heritage Festival in San Antonio, TX on March 30 to April 2. Join us in wishing our boys the best of luck on their upcoming trip!

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

—Victor Hugo CSLA Honor band members

12

KON'NICHIWA—JAPANESE SCHOOL VISITS CAMPUS

Japanese language classes welcomed their counterparts from the Oki Gakuen School in Japan when they visited the campus on Feb. 14, as part of the school’s tour of Southern California. Bosco Tech has been privileged to host visitors from this school for several years now. Our Japanese language students enjoyed the opportunity to practice what they are learning in their classes while sharing American high school culture with their new friends.

13

MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION BRINGS OUT ‘MATHLETES’ Bosco Tech’s 45th Annual Math Competition on Feb. 4 brought together 300 sharp young students from several elementary and middle schools in the area.

Congratulations to the top teams: St. Dominic Savio Catholic School (Level 1) and Christ Lutheran School (Level 2).

Awards were offered for the highest scoring individuals and teams in large and small school divisions.

“Bosco Tech wishes to thank this year’s participants and commend the students for their effort and enthusiasm,” said Director of Admissions Valeria De Luna. “We also want to recognize the parents and teachers who so well prepared and supported these hard-working young people.”

REST IN PEACE, DR. RON GIBSON The Bosco Tech family sends our condolences to the family and friends of former physics teacher and administrator Dr. Ron Gibson who passed away on February 14.

Dr. Gibson was at Bosco Tech from the mid-60s to the mid-70s and held such positions as physics teacher, chair of the science department and, finally, the dean of academics. One of the primary architects of the Tech's five-year college program, he wrote his doctoral dissertation around that undertaking. It was entitled, "The Five-Year Concept: A Case Study of the Three-Two Plan for a Secondary, Post-Secondary Private Technical Institute.”

Our prayers are with the family of Dr. Gibson during this sad time as we say ‘goodbye’ to an old friend.

Please note: Due to the kind gesture of Bishop Alexander Salazar , who presided over St. John Bosco Day celebrations, Bosco Tech students have been given two extra holidays this school year. The special days have been added to Easter Break; one is the Wednesday before the break (4/12) and the other is the Monday immediately after break (4/24). Please mark your calendars that there is no school on these days!

14

ne Need

w

ic raph g & info

15

ne Need

w

ic raph g & info

16

ne Need

w

ic raph g & info

17

MARCH-APRIL 2017 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 Thurs.-Fri. Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Tues.-Thurs.

Wednesday Wed.-Thurs.

Thursday Friday Tues.-Fri. Thursday Friday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday Tues.-Fri. Tuesday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Wed.-Mon. Wed.-Mon. Sunday Tues.-Thurs.

Fri.-Mon. Tuesday Mon.-Fri. Sunday

3/1 3/2-3/3 3/7 3/8 3/9 3/10 3/11 3/12 3/14-3/16 3/15 3/15-3/16 3/16 3/17 3/21-3/24 3/23 3/24 3/29 3/30 4/1 4/2 4/4-4/7 4/4 4/9 4/11 4/12 4/12-4/24 4/12-4/17 4/16 4/18-4/20 4/21-4/24 4/25 4/24-4/28 4/30

Ash Wednesday Standardized testing Parent Council meeting at 6 p.m.

Alumni Association board meeting at 6 p.m.

Junior class unity ceremony at 6 p.m.

Junior class retreat SAT (off campus) Daylight Savings begins (don’t forget to turn clocks forward one hour) Registration for 2017-2018 starting at 5 p.m. (current students) WCEA/WASC accreditation mid-term visit Lenten Reconciliation Registration for 2017-2018 at 5 p.m. (class of 2021) Open House holiday (no school)—happy St. Patrick’s Day! Third quarter exams (regular schedule) Gala Gift Gathering Party from 4 to 7 p.m.

Spring Fling dance at 7:30 p.m.

Parent-Teacher conferences from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. (break from 4:30-5:30 p.m.)

Late start (classes begin at 8:50 a.m.)

Yurak Run (rescheduled from 2/18) Father-Son Breakfast at 10 a.m.

Kairos #85 Parent Council meeting at 6 p.m.

Palm Sunday Locker cleanout (all) Alumni Association board meeting at 6 p.m.

Easter break (no school) Campus closed (no office hours) Easter Sunday School office hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Campus is closed (no office hours) Regular classes resume AP Exam prep event black out (no schedule-interrupting events) Black & Gold Gala at Millennium Biltmore Hotel

So Many Great Things Are Happening at Bosco Tech…

SAVE

•

THE DATE

•

• • • •

Spring Cleaning Sale Yurak Run Father-Son Mass & Breakfast Black & Gold Gala Mother-Son Dance Bosco Tech Golf Classic

Saturday, March 25 Saturday, April 1 Sunday, April 2 Sunday, April 30 Friday, May 19 Friday, June 30