THE GEAR MONTHLY PARENT NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 54

FEBRUARY 2016

2015-2016 BOSCO TECH

ASB/STUDENT COUNCIL

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Bosco Tech Families and Friends,

The Spring semester is fully underway and, with first semester final exams com-

pleted, our students and teachers are moving at a fast pace toward the completion of

another academic year.

Many things of note are happening in the coming weeks. Lent comes early this

year; Ash Wednesday on February 10 ushers in the solemn commemoration, leading

us to the glorious celebration of Easter on March 27. All students will have the op-

portunity to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation during their technology

periods toward the conclusion of Lent.

On February 11, we will host our first mid-week, evening Open House for prospec-

tive students. They will have the opportunity to participate in Explore and Create

workshops, our signature introduction to the Tech’s advanced technology program.

Encourage young friends and family members to attend.

Please ask your son about the progress of his Science Fair project. This year’s fair is February 17 and 18 and

parents are welcome to check out the projects on display in Tech Hall. The month will close with our annual

Engineers Day, a campus-wide recognition and exploration of the diverse professions with the engineering

scope on February 24. Alumni from prestigious companies like Intel, Lockheed Martin, and the Jet Propulsion

Laboratory will return to campus to speak with students, encouraging them in their studies and professional am-

bitions and pursuits. Be sure to ask your son what he learned that day!

Please note in your calendar the dates for registration for the 2016-2017 academic year (March 15-17). We

ask that you attend the evening that corresponds with the first letter of your son’s last name, referenced below

on this page. Before we know it, another academic year will be upon us.

Thank you for your continued support of our work on behalf of all our students and may God richly bless you

and your family. Sincerely,

Xavier Jimenez

President

2016-2017 REGISTRATION DETAILS

Please note these important facts regarding registration for the 2016-2017 academic year: • Registration materials for the upcoming school year (2016-2017) will soon be mailed to every family. If you

do not receive a packet, please contact the Business Office at (626) 940-2018.

• Registration dates are Tuesday-Thursday, March 15-17, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the multi-purpose room (across from the Student Activities Center).

- Tuesday, March 15, 5-8 p.m. Current students, last names A-L - Wednesday, March 16, 5-8 p.m. Current students, last names M-Z

- Thursday, March 17, 5-8 p.m. Current students & incoming freshmen • Tuition for the 2016-2017 school year is $11,250. Contact the Finance Office at 626-940-2018 or Finance@boscotech.edu with any

questions.

WINTER OPEN HOUSE & FRESHMAN PREVIEW DAY IS FEB. 11

Bosco Tech will host its annual Winter Open House & Freshman Preview Day on Thursday, February 11,

from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Prospective freshmen and their families are invited to tour the school’s extensive engineering and applied

science labs and participate in its signature “Explore & Create” workshops—this is a great opportunity for

younger members of your family and the children of friends to learn more about Bosco Tech.

Free technology workshops, offered to boys in grades 6-8, will feature interactive introductions to alternative

energy, circuits and programming, polymers and chemistry, and more. Seating for the 30-minute workshops is

limited and reservations are encouraged.

This year, Bosco Tech is especially proud to highlight the experiences and stories of various student leaders.

Representatives of sports teams, clubs, and honor societies have accomplished much throughout the year and

we are proud of our future Techmen! A special

thank you to our student leaders for their hard work.

To reserve workshop spots for a prospective stu-

dent, visit boscotechopenhouse.eventbrite.com or

contact Director of Admissions Valeria De Luna at

vdeluna@boscotech.edu or 626-940-2009.

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FROM THE SALESIAN DIRECTOR

Dear Bosco Tech Family and Friends:

Easter is early this year, which means that Lent also starts early. What to do for

Lent? Instead of the usual giving up of chocolate and desserts, here is an alterna-

tive. Pope Francis has called for a special year of mercy. How about choosing an

activity or two from the list below to practice during Lent and beyond? These prac-

tices make our faith something lived daily rather than just endured for an hour on

Sunday. More importantly, showing/living mercy directly and positively impacts

everyone we meet. What a great way to change the world (and still enjoy choco-

late)!

Seven Corporal Works of Mercy: Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy:

- Feed the hungry - Instruct the ignorant (share knowledge)

- Give drink to the thirsty - Counsel the doubtful (give advice)

- Clothe the naked - Admonish the sinner (give correction)

- Shelter the homeless - Bear wrongs patiently (be patient with others)

- Care for the sick - Forgive offenses willingly (forgive others)

- Visit the imprisoned - Comfort the afflicted (comfort the suffering)

- Bury the dead - Pray for the living and the dead

For practical examples of works of mercy, visit www.seekmercy.org

Happy Lent,

Fr. Steven Way, SDB

Salesian Director

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INTERNATIONAL CLUB NEWS —BY MRS. CATHERINE DIAZ, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ACADEMIC PROGRAM

In December, parent volunteers, International Club

members, Parent Liaison Paul Garcia (who also runs

Bosco’s Bingo program), and I had the honor of deliv-

ering Christmas toys to every student at Our Lady of

Talpa School in East Los Angeles, one of the smallest

and most economically disadvantaged schools in the

city. Incredibly, every class was excitedly waiting for

our arrival.

It was a daunting task collecting and organizing the

toys, but had you been a fly on the wall your heart

would have been so full, and your eyes filled with

tears. We began distributing gifts with the youngest

students, the pre-K class. Mr. Garcia, a volunteer, and

student ‘elf’ delivered toys each a class. Talpa’s vice

principal rang a bell at the class next door, and as we

walked in, the kids were sitting quietly with such excitement in their eyes! We followed this pattern all the way

up to the eighth grade. It was an unbelievable experience.

To let you know how grateful these students were, the younger student spontaneoulsy hugged our Bosco stu-

dents, the volunteers, and Mr. Garcia. The fifth grade was ready with thank you notes from each child! In the

sixth grade class, the vice principal asked the students to extend their hands toward me, praying and showering

me with gratitude and blessings. Yes, I was overcome with emotion! I introduced Mr. Garcia to the classes to let

them know that he, his volunteers, and our own student elves worked to fill their Christmas wishes. As someone

passed out the gifts, we watched the students nervously anticipating their name being called. Talk about the Sale-

sian Spirit and believing Christmas is in the giving. What we experienced—something as small as giving a toy to

each child in a school—taught us to be more humble and grateful. This act of kindness became our very own

Christmas gift!

Our Bosco students represented us beautifully. The International Club students donated over 70 toys. Gavin

Yam, Sheng Wei Hong, Nguyen Vu, and Leslie Giovanny, and several others responded in writing to the letters

the students had sent us. A special thanks to those students in the International Club who worked tirelessly and

unselfishly to make this Santa drive a success, most especially Nguyen Vu. Before the school visit, he counted

every class bag to make sure no student was left out. He even pulled out an In’n’Out gift card from his own wal-

let for one student who went ballistic when he saw the gift! There was no shortage of generosity during this cam-

paign. International students Mohammadjavad, Rill, Edward, Raymond, and Triet, stayed late prior to the big

day, helping match each gift to a student’s letter. They were crucial in helping to get these orders filled. Ming

Zhang, Jairo Chen, freshman Miguel Nunez, and several other students were remarkable in their work to organ-

ize gifts.

Many thanks to Mr. Garcia and his generous Bingo players for collaborating with us. They were able to collect

about 150 toys! He and I worked together matching toys to students. Four parent volunteers helped us with the

finishing touches on letters and packing gifts. They also helped deliver and distribute the toys to each class. One

senior mother, Mrs. Moreno, said she would never forget this experience in all of her life! Thank you to each

person for their generosity and Christmas spirit.

May St. John Bosco pray for all the children who live below the poverty line, yet have a smile on their faces as

they received a toy this Christmas—a toy from our Bosco students, families and our Bingo players!

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MUSIC NEWS

—BY BAND BOOSTER MR. JUN REYES

The DBTI Music Program ended

a successful 2015 with their An-

nual Winter Concert. Concert go-

ers were treated to wonderful holi-

day music performed by the Bosco

Music Appreciation Class and

the DBTI Concert Band. Thanks to

all the teachers and family volun-

teers that made the night so memo-

rable.

Kudos—Congratulations to Elias

Hosseini, our DBTI Royal Tech Marching Band

Drum Major, for being selected to participate in the

2016 Rose Parade Honor Band. Good job Eli! You

make your Tech family proud.

Congratulations to Angelo Domingo (Sax-Alto),

Elias Hosseini (Trumpet), Zea Fang (Trumpet),

Dan Hosseini (French Horn), Ming Zheng (Tuba)

and Devin Cornair (Percussion) for being accepted

to the 2016 California State University LA High

School Honor Band. This program provides the op-

portunity for outstanding musicians from high

schools across Southern California to come together

for a weekend of music. Participants will receive

instruction from Cal State LA faculty, rehearse with their fellow musicians, and

perform a final concert for friends and family. The program is scheduled for the

weekend of January 29.

Philharmonic Opportunity—The Bosco Tech Music Program applied for and

received a 2016 grant from the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Symphonies for

School program. We were awarded 75 tickets to see the Philharmonic at the

Walt Disney Concert Hall in February. Additionally, Mr. Almanza, our music

director, will be attending workshops with Los Angeles artists to implement a

curriculum around the concert our students will attend. This is a great opportu-

nity for them to learn beyond the classroom walls. Our students will connect the

theory and history found in their books and hear it modeled by some of the best

musicians in the world. Thank you to the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Education

Department for helping fulfill our mission of ensuring that the students of Bosco

Tech and the youth of the San Gabriel Valley develop a lifelong appreciation for

the arts through music education and other meaningful learning experiences.

(continued on the next page)

(Elias Hosseini with Mr. Almanza

at Rose Parade Honor Band

practice.)

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TECH STUDENTS LEAD YOUTH THROUGH PROJECT NEO

More than 20 Bosco Tech students are providing leadership and tutoring to

middle school boys and girls at Monterey Parks' Repetto Elementary School

through that city’s Project NEO tutoring/mentoring program.

“In addition to helping the youngsters in their study skills and through peer

mentoring, our students are getting a sense of giving back, of accomplish-

ment,” said Mr. Rudy Herrera, Bosco Tech’s Director of Campus Ministry,

who oversees the Tech’s involvement with the respected non-profit commu-

nity program. “They see their work with the younger kids as important. In fact,

two of our dedicated students even serve on Project NEO’s youth board.”

Kudos to each student volunteer who is giving so much of themselves!

Upcoming Performances—The DBTI Royal Tech

Marching Band will perform on the school’s second Open

House of the school year on February 11. All families are

welcome! In addition, the Concert Band is gearing up for

the next Heritage Festival. This year, the band will be

competing in Seattle April 7-10. Information regarding an

opportunity to help the band raise funds for their trip will

be coming soon. We appreciate all the support!

“There, in the chords and melodies, is

everything I want to say. The words just jolly it

along. It’s always been my way of expressing what for me is inexpressible by any other

means.” —David Bowie

MUSIC NEWS (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

COLLEGE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR YOUR SON’S COLLEGE TUITION?

Save the date and don’t miss the next Parents Associa-

tion quarterly workshop, “Paying for College,” on

Wednesday, March 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the multi-

purpose room.

The helpful and informative session will cover the

college admissions process, scholarship opportunities,

financial aid, information about FAFSA and other

resources for college money.

An electronic mailing soon will be coming your way.

RSVP through that mailing to save your spot for this

event.

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DONATIONS FOR GALA EARN TRIPLE SERVICE HOURS!

Bosco Tech’s fifth annual Black and Gold Gala is April 9, 2016. The Parents’ Association has been working

extremely hard to make this the most successful fundraiser to date, with the proceeds benefitting students

receiving financial assistance. We need your help!

If you own a business, will you please consider donating goods or services? We need printed materials, floral

centerpieces, music, decorations, etc. We also need items for the silent and live auctions. Donated items may

include:

- Gift cards - Store certificates - Gift baskets

- Movie or theme park passes - Sporting tickets or equipment - Travel certificates or time shares

Bonus Service Hours: As you may know, donations qualify as part of the

required parent service hours (excluding bingo hours). Usually product dona-

tions equal to $35 qualify for one service hour. However, if you return your

donations to Bosco Tech before Open House on Thursday, February 11, you

will receive TRIPLE the parent hours. That’s three hours for $35 worth of

product!

Thank you in advance for your help in making this a successful fundraising

event for our students. Please contact Parent Liaison Paul Garcia at 626-940-

2147 or pgarcia@boscotech.edu if you have questions.

EXCITING SUMMER EXCURSION

BOSCO TECH STUDENTS TO STUDY

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING & HISTORY IN GREECE

Don’t miss the upcoming informational meet-

ings on Thursday, Feb. 25, and Tuesday, March

22, to learn more about Bosco Tech’s exciting

summer excursion to Greece.

Participating students will have the opportunity

to take a unique and exciting architectural and

engineering study tour of famous locations and

historical sites. Hosted by ACE Chair Mr. Chris

Barnett, the tour will include lessons in history as

well as structural construction and is open to

students in all technologies.

The group will tour Ancient Greece with loca-

tion stops at Acropolis, Olympia, Epidaurus,

Mycenae and the Temple of Poseidon. The site explorations will be lead by local guides and a full-time tour

director.

The group leaves June 19 and returns June 28, 2016. For more information, please attend the meetings. Contact

Mr. Barnett (cbarnett@boscotech.edu or 626-940-2064) for details.

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SOCCER SEASON STARTS —BY VARSITY HEAD COACH DIEGO BACK & MR. BRAD STOLZ

The Bosco Tech soccer team has been working hard during

conditioning and pre-season play. Unfortunately, some of the non-

league games resulted in a number of injuries to some key players, so

our team was slowed down. On January 11, we lost a tough season

opener at Serra 1-0. The Tech team dominated for 75 minutes.

However, the ball hit the post three times in a place where the ball

wouldn’t go in. Captains Alex Honegger, Chris Martinez, and Rene

Vega worked hard throughout the game, but we just were unlucky not

to score. The teams we are playing against in our league, Camino

Real, are quite evenly matched, so winning this league is going to be tough. The winner will be the team that

wants it the most. Bosco Tech is trying to be that team and to improve in league and come out on top!

BASKETBALL UPDATE

—BY HEAD JV COACH MICHAEL ROMO

Varsity basketball improved to a 12-4 record with a win

over St. Pius Matthias Academy. The varsity boys team have

been lead by junior Jason Reyes and his incredible 20 points

per game average. The varsity team has played in three tour-

naments in which they made it to either the semifinals or

finals.

Their recent win against St. Pius was their first league

game. Home games are at 7 p.m.—come on out and cheer on

the team!

TRACK & FIELD SEASON STARTS FEB. 1

—BY ASSISTANT TRACK & FIELD COACH BRAD STOLZ

Throughout the month of January, the track and field team has been

doing pre-season conditioning: there are daily warm-up and stretch-

ing exercises, frequent sprint exercises, exercises for building up

body core strength, agility, runs, ladder workouts (not the type you

climb on) and cone workouts (not ice cream cones). Twice a week

we use the weight room for building up strength. Starting in Febru-

ary, we will begin practice for the many events that comprise track

and field. We will also have our first invitational meets this month.

At this point, we have about 70 team members. It is not too late to

join the team; just show up for one of our practices or see Coach

Stolz to receive the necessary paperwork. All is not work, however; on February 21, 20 of the team members and

coaches will be attending a TV show, “America’s Funniest Videos,” and be part of the on-screen audience. We

do not know the broadcast date, probably sometime in February or March. Watch closely and you may see the

Bosco track and field team, not only on the field, but in your own living room (that’s scary, I know).

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BOSCO TECH SPONSORS Bosco Tech would like to thank the following businesses for their support.

We are grateful to our generous sponsors!

TINY TOTS STUDENTS COACH BASKETBALL TEAMS

Youngsters in the City of Rosemead’s Tiny Tots

sports program are learning basketball from the best!

Among this season’s coaches are Bosco Tech’s own:

(left to right) Vincent Maldonado, Daniel Rojas,

Jaime Uy, Alex Magallon, Ian McConnell, Diego

Espinosa, Matthew Salazar, Joshua Duenas and

Gabriel Gonzalez. Not pictured are Justin Atienza

and Marcos Chavez.

Keep up the great work, gentlemen!

BLOOD DRIVE SAVES LIVES

More than 30 students and their teachers chose to give the

gift of life at the American Red Cross’ recent campus blood

drive. These young individuals understand the value of each

donation.

Did you know that:

• One in seven people entering a hospital needs blood.

• More than 40,000 pints of blood are transfused daily in

the U.S. and Canada.

• As little as one pint of blood can save a life.

(Statistics are from americasblood.org)

Thank you to each donor for making a difference!

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NEW FAMILY BREAKFAST WELCOMES CLASS OF 2020

The Office of Admissions’ New Family Breakfast on January 9 officially recognized and celebrated the most

recent members of our school community, the Class of 2020! Among the many enthusiastic young people there

were the children of alumni and the younger siblings of current students and recent graduates.

Special thanks to our student Ambassadors and members of Bosco Tech’s Alumni Association who helped

create a welcoming environment to the class of future Techmen.

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FEBRUARY 2016 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 2/2 Japanese classes field trip to Storrier Steams

Japanese Garden

Thursday 2/4 Vocation Day

Friday 2/5 Winter Sports assembly

Saturday 2/6 ACT

Bosco Tech Math Competition for 5th-8th graders

Monday 2/8 Lunar New Year

Standardized test results meetings (grade 9 at 6 p.m., grades 10 & 11 at 7 p.m.)

Wednesday 2/10 Ash Wednesday

FAFSA workshop for senior parents at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 2/11 Winter Open House & Freshman Preview Night from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Friday 2/12 Open House Holiday (no school)

Saturday 2/13 Yurak Run/Walk

Sunday 2/14 Valentine’s Day

Monday 2/15 Presidents’ Day (no school)

Tuesday 2/16 Oki Gakuen School visit to campus (Japanese sister school)

Football Booster Club meeting in YAC at 6:30 p.m.

Wed.-Thurs. 2/17-2/18 Science Fair

Wednesday 2/24 Engineers Day

Thursday 2/25 Youth Day at L.A. Religious Education Congress

Excursion in Ancient Greece trip meeting in ACE at 6 p.m.

Fri.-Sun. 2/26-2/28 L.A. Religious Education Congress

Friday 2/26 Professional development day for faculty (no school for students)

Mon.-Thurs. 2/29-3/3 College Week

Monday 2/29 Report cards mailed

Happy Leap Year!

SAVE

THE

DATE

• 5th-8th Grade Math Competition Saturday, Feb. 6

• Yurak Memorial 5K Run/Walk Saturday, Feb. 13

• Tiger Football Spring Cleaning Sale Saturday, March 19

• Easter Break Thurs.-Sun., Mar. 24-April 3

• Black & Gold Gala Saturday, April 9

• Father-Son Mass & Breakfast Sunday, April 17

• Mother-Son Dance Friday, May 6

So Many Great Things Are Happening at Bosco Tech…