From the
VOL. 8 ISSUE 1
July 2015
SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK
San Bernardino City Unified School District
BOARD OF EDUCATION’S INITIATIVE CLOSES
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR SAN BERNARDINO
FAMILIES
More than 5,000 children in our city will start classes next month equipped with one more tool to help them succeed in
school.
Thanks to a Board of Education initiative to improve computer access, 5,000 families in the San Bernardino City
Unified School District are receiving new Chromebooks in July. Along with the loaned laptops, the Board of Education is
also providing selected families with monthly T-Mobile Internet service.
The Family Chromebook Initiative is the brainchild of Board member Danny Tillman and was made possible in part
through a partnership with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). CETF provided $100,000 in funding, as well
as its School2Home curriculum, in support of the initiative.
Studies show the digital divide that is prevalent in low-income communities can have a long-term, detrimental impact
on student learning. That’s why the steps taken by the Board of Education are critical to improving computer access for
families, said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden.
“This goes to show that great leadership has a significant impact on entire families,” Marsden said. “We live in a
technology era, and giving students access to laptops and Internet at home is going to better prepare them for their posthigh school future.”
The Board of Education felt the program would only be successful if it included a training component for students and
parents. As part of the initiative, one adult and one student from each family must attend the School2Home training
program this month. The initial training focuses on basic computer literacy skills and helps participants set up a free email
account and connect to Internet-based educational services, such as the SBCUSD Parent Portal. Additional, optional
School2Home computer training will be offered throughout the school year to help parents and students develop their
computer skills and build a closer connection to the school community.
Making Hope Happen Foundation Sends Student
on Life-Changing Trip
Arroyo Valley High School senior Austin Montoya is spending part of his summer mapping out his bright future.
Austin, 17, spent two weeks in June visiting the United States Naval Academy in Maryland and the United States Air
Force Academy in Colorado. His trips were made possible by the Making Hope Happen Foundation, the District’s new
educational non-profit.
For Austin, visiting the service academies gave him a glimpse into the life of cadets, who must be nominated for
admission to one of the country’s four elite academies by a member of Congress or the Senate. Admission to the service
academies carries with it a financial benefit. Every student gets the equivalent of a full scholarship, including room and
board. The U.S. Air Force Academy estimates the cost of graduating each cadet in the Class of 2014 at more than
$487,000. A nomination alone doesn’t guarantee admission. Candidates must also meet rigorous academic standards
and pass medical and physical fitness tests.
Austin, who is enrolled in Arroyo Valley’s International Baccalaureate program, dreams of attending the Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs as a way to pay homage to his family’s long military history.
“This is the first step toward my future,” said Austin, who wants to be an Air Force pilot. “To be accepted into the
academy would mean so much for me but also for my community.”
Austin is grateful to have been among the first students to receive assistance from the Making Hope Happen
Foundation, which held its inaugural fundraising gala in May. The foundation is headed by President Dr. Samuel Gibbs
and has as its main goal to make it possible for 100 District students to attend college.
TWO CAJON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS GATES MILLENNIUM
SCHOLARSHIPS
At 14 years old, Marisol Zarate made a promise to her dying mother: one day, she would make her proud.
“Before she passed away, I went into her hospital room and I promised her that I would try my hardest to excel at
everything, no matter what,” Marisol said.
Four years later, the Cajon High School graduate is poised to attend Stanford University this fall, where she will study
biomechanical engineering on a coveted, full-ride scholarship. As a Gates Millennium Scholar, Marisol’s tuition is fully
covered for the four years it will take her to earn an undergraduate degree and an additional seven years if she pursues
advanced degrees.
Marisol is in good company.
The Gates Millennium Scholarship is only awarded to the best and brightest high school seniors from around the
nation who otherwise may not be able to attend college due to financial obstacles. This year, Marisol is joined by fellow
Cajon High graduate Alejandra Avila, whose scholarship will pay for her to study English and sociology at Williams
College in Massachusetts. They’re among 14 high school seniors to receive Gates Millennium Scholarships in Riverside
and San Bernardino Counties.
Marisol and Alejandra, both Cajon High valedictorians, share more than a spot at the top of their graduating class.
The close friends both overcame obstacles they credit with shaping who they are today.
The odds were stacked against Marisol even before she was born.
Doctors warned her mother, Maria, that giving birth to Marisol would put her own life at risk. When Marisol was born
prematurely, doctors cautioned her parents that she wouldn’t live past three months. The premature birth damaged
Marisol’s hearing and left her with permanent, partial paralysis in her face.
Alejandra emigrated to the U.S. from Peru, driven by her mother’s desire to give her a better future. She spoke no
English when she enrolled in first grade at Kendall Elementary School halfway through the school year. The youngest of
three children, her two older siblings live in Peru and Argentina.
Ana Avila, Alejandra’s mother, sobbed the day she found out about her daughter’s scholarship. Without the Gates
Millennium Scholarship, Alejandra didn’t know how she’d pay for college, especially at a private, out-of-state university.
Avila, who was a teacher in her native Peru and now works as an educational assistant at San Gorgonio High School,
always reminded Alejandra that her good grades could ease the financial burden on the family.
Alejandra didn’t let financial obstacles deter her.
“In San Bernardino, we tend to get labeled as not being good enough,” Alejandra said. “But, I overcame that by
building a strong support system of people who believe in me.”
Alejandra has set her sights on becoming the superintendent of a large school district or a lawyer, both professions
that would allow her to give back to the community that supported her.
For Marisol, her desire to go into biomechanical engineering was shaped by the sorrow she witnessed every time her
ailing mother was hospitalized. While she doesn’t plan to pursue medicine, she hopes to develop cutting-edge prosthetic
limbs, and one day, even internal organs.
Yes, Marisol believes man-made organs are possible within her lifetime. After all, she’s proof that hard work and
perseverance can make dreams come true.
“I’m going to the school of my dreams,” Marisol said. “I still wish I could hear my mom tell me how proud she is of me.”
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER KEEPS YOU
INFORMED
The summer edition of the newsletter Celebrating Excellence will feature a variety of stories about efforts now
underway to improve our community.
Starting with this next issue, the quarterly newsletter will be more reflective of the work that various District partners
are doing to address vital issues in our community. From a story about extra police patrols to keep San Bernardino
residents safe during the summer months, to a story about Cal State San Bernardino’s efforts to address college
readiness, Celebrating Excellence will keep residents up to date on our collective work to make hope happen in our
region!
Board of Education
Mr. Michael J. Gallo, President
Dr. Barbara Flores
Mrs. Margaret Hill 
Mrs. Abigail Medina
Mrs. Lynda K. Savage
Mr. Danny Tillman
Superintendent’s Cabinet
Harold J. Vollkommer, Ed.D. Deputy Superintendent
Linda R. Bardere, APR, Director Communications/Community Relations
Jayne Christakos, Chief Business Officer Business Services
Janet King, Director Fiscal Services
Kennon Mitchell, Ph.D. Assistant Superintendent Student Services
Joseph Paulino, Chief District Police
John Peukert Assistant Superintendent Facilities/Operations Division
Perry Wiseman, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Human Resources Division
Matilde “Matty” Zamora, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Educational Services Division
Carla Cross Assistant to the Superintendent
This monthly newsletter is produced by the
Communications/Community Relations Department
Linda R. Bardere, APR, Director
Maria Garcia, Communications Officer
Richard Carlos, Printing Services Supervisor
Bill Campi, Graphic Design
Corina Borsuk, Writer/Photographer
David Chavez, Photographer