Experience Innovation in Education

Week 1 - Spring Semester 2023/24

Principal's message:

Welcome back Coyotes to what is destined to be an amazing spring semester! If the successes of the first semester are any indication of what the second semester will be...we are in for a great second semester to our school year. We saw so many successes throughout the first semester by athletic teams, performing arts groups, CTE programs, and in the classrooms. Our students have continued to RISE UP and meet new levels of achievement. It's a great time to be a Coyote and you should all be proud. You will read about our current athletic successes in that section of the newsletter, so I'll start here with data from our newest program, BPs Early College Academy!

Our first cohort of Academy students consisted of 114 students who enrolled this past fall in 143 college courses between them. Last month, they complete 133 out of the 143 college courses attempted, a 93% completion rate! Of the 133 courses completed, 128 courses were passed, a 96%+ pass rate! That's a whopping 582 college units earned this past semester alone! We are on pace to have BPHS students earn over 1100 college units in this first year of the program. Without having to pass an AP test. But wait, that's not all. :) We also calculated to see how well they did in the first three pilot courses. They completed their college courses with an incredible 4.29 weighted GPA! It's an incredible statistic, and one that bodes well for the integration of more classes and options for students next year. Once again, BPHS is on the cutting edge of an amazing paradigm shift in education. 

With that being said, start spreading the word for the next generation of Coyotes to be part of our Pack! Buena Park High School has the greatest staff, students, and programs of any high school around, and you have an opportunity to come see what The BP Experience is all about on January 25th. Whether you're a current student/family, or know someone who has a 7th or 8th grader who is searching to build a solid foundation through high school to maximize future success, come on out to see us at Open House.

Today we capped a great first week back with an awesome Winter Assembly. Not only did we recognize all our winter sports, who by the way, all have winning records right now, but we played some new games, had some great cheer and dance performances, and recognized our top student improvements from last year to this past semester with our annual RISE UP growth awards. These 100-ish students demonstrated the biggest GPA improvements from spring semester last year to this current fall semester this year. I am so impressed by their hard work to improve their academic achievement.

Lastly, I wanted to take a quick minute and wish you all a happy upcoming three-day weekend.  Although we all are excited about the long weekends, we should reflect on exactly why we get the day off. 

This Monday we are observing Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday.  His actual birthday is January 15th, but the Federal Holiday, signed into law in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, is always observed on the third Monday of January.  Martin Luther King Jr. was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism during the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.  He was assassinated in 1968.  We honor him for his selfless dedication and service to fighting injustice and opening the eyes of many to what’s good and right. As Coyotes, we should always look for heroes that exemplify our RISE Up Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence.  Dr. King is one of those heroes and models of how we should aspire to be. 



So this Monday, as we’re hopefully relaxing with our families and friends, take a moment to remember this great man, and we’ll see you back and rested next Tuesday.

Have a great three day weekend Coyotes!

Dr. Berg

Suzie Oyama

Right before break we received some great news that senior Suzie Oyama earned a Presidential Scholarship to Chapman University. Check out the email from Chapmans President to Suzie. We're so proud of her. Well deserved!

Coyotes of Character

R.I.S.E. Up Spotlight of the Week

Service Before Self

It's the little things we do that can make a positive impact on others. We don't do good things to be recognized, but people recognize when we do good things.

Great job Coyotes of Character!

The Misadventures of Fernandean

Two weeks off is just about all our dynamic duo can handle, and after taking a hiatus from saving the world, they were hungry! They tried to satisfy their hunger with Snickers bars, but the blend of pure milk chocolate, nougat, and caramel...packed with peanuts...didn't really satisfy their hunger. No denying, they tasted delicious, and felt good in the immediate aftermath, but soon after, they were left with an empty feeling in their soul. No, it was not just that guilty feeling of a massive amount of empty calories that no amount of walking will burn off, and it was not quite Crying Game-esq, where they needed a long shower to wash off the guilt, but more that they needed to fulfil a greater purpose. So they went in search of something better. Still hungry, they wandered to the one place on campus stocked with food, and no better place to satisfy hunger, than at the Coyote Cafeteria. But soon after their arrival, a bell rang and hordes of starving children poured into the food depository, seemingly starving. Simultaneously, our duo knew the mission that lay ahead: to end world hunger. Strapping on their hairnets and gloves, they dedicated the next fifteen minutes to their craft, passing out pizza, burritos, burgers, and a variety of condiments and side dishes. One student, who must have binged Adam Sandler movies over break, came in asking for "30 packets of ketchup," which, as evidenced from the picture below, our duo expertly packaged in a to-go container for his consumption. As the line dwindled, music began playing, and one minute later, that same bell which brought horde into the cafeteria rang again. The children disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Our duo looked at each other, and knew they had accomplished their goal! Satisfied with their accomplishment of curing world hunger, they decided then and there to tackle an even greater mission...world peace! Dean flashed the secret two finger peace sign, while Fernando gave the complimentary thumbs up, which together tilted the earth ever so slightly, causing the temperatures in the northern orange county area to dip ever so slightly, resulting in the current cold spell we are all feeling since returning to school. The chill, designed to slow down any negativity in the immediate area, unbeknownst to them, also plunged the weather at Arrowhead Stadium to -30 below zero wind chill for Saturday's playoff game against the Miami Dolphins. It was our duos way of contributing to the Swifties invisible power, ultimately slowing down Tyreek Hill, and helping her boyfriend's team get through the first round of the playoffs, thus contributing to world peace. Satisfied with their progress, they split one more king size Snickers, and now satisfied, continued planning for world peace.

Stay tuned for future adventures of Fernandean...

Stay updated on all things BP by following me on Twitter and Instagram

We also have a new TikTok @bphscoyotes, so make sure you follow us and check out the first couple post!

It's inappropriate to make a "dad joke" if you're not a dad.

It's a faux pa.

HEY COYOTES! This is your ASB executive president Joshua Labrador! Don't forget to follow our ASB Instagram and TikTok @buenapark_asb for all the updates, spirit days, events, and info you need on everything going on! Hope you guys all had a fun winter break, happy holidays, and happy new year!

This Tuesday our boys and girls basketball played Sonora and girls won! The student section theme was Y2K so thanks to everyone who participated and showed up to show their support!

Today was our winter assembly and pajama day! Thank you to all our winter sports for coming out, our dance company and cheer for performing, our vocal ensemble, our AFJROTC, ASB and anyone else who made today’s assembly amazing! And congratulations to anyone who received an award. Hope everyone else had fun watching all the performances and games we had!

BATTLE OF THE CITIES is about to start! This is our annual basketball rivalry with Fullerton High School and will take place on 1/19 and 2/1 and whichever school wins, gets to win the key! The first rivalry game will be next Friday January 19th away at Fullerton with girls at 5:30 boys at 7, make sure to show up in ALL GREEN to show our support and coyote pride and let’s get that key! Be on the lookout on our ASB instagram @buenapark_asb for some more exciting news coming up about some basketball games, another school dance, and more info on our battle of the cities rivalry vs Fullerton HS!

Girls Basketball

Girls basketball started off league play with a 70-38 win vs La Habra during the break. They followed up that performance with a 57-36 blowout vs Sonora, making them 2-0 in league. They hope to keep the forward momentum going as they play at Troy high school tonight at 5:30pm. Not only are they one of the top ranked teams in their division, they are also one of a handful of teams on the Open Division watch list. Keep it up and good luck ladies!

Girls Water Polo

Girls Water Polo came back from winter break and haven't skipped a step. They Won the Western Tournament last weekend as well as defeated Sonora and Troy. They have won their last 10 games. They are now 13-2 and 3-0 in league.They will compete in a very tough warrior tournament this weekend playing in the open division. They play Mater Dei at 3:30 and then Agoura at 7:30 both games are at Buena Park High School

Boys Basketball

Boys basketball went 4-1 over the break, taking home the consolation bracket tournament championship, then going out to Catalina for a game against our island neighbors, beating them by almost 20. They're a 11-9 so far this season and have almost doubled their win total from last year!

Boys Soccer

Boys soccer had a streak of three wins in three straight days, extending their record to 9-2-3.

Girls Soccer

Girls soccer finished preseason 8-2-5. The girls ultimately fell short to Troy and Sunny Hills in league this week. They’re looking to bounce back next week against Fullerton. 

Happy New Year Coyotes!

As we step into a new year, it's natural to feel a mix of excitement and perhaps a bit of anxiety about what lies ahead. The beginning of a new year often comes with a sense of anticipation, goal-setting, and resolutions.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge any feelings of apprehension or stress that the new year might bring. Change, even when positive, can be challenging, and it's okay to experience a range of emotions as we navigate through this transition.

Remember that setting realistic and achievable goals is a great way to channel your energy and enthusiasm. Whether it's professional, health and wellness, or personal enrichment, setting small, attainable milestones can make a significant difference. It's not about making drastic changes overnight but rather about creating sustainable habits that contribute to your overall well-being. Please remember to always take care of yourself and thrive! If wellness is part of your plan I have attached a clickable link to CHOC's resources for healthy mental wellness.

I hope this email finds you well. As we approach the final stretch of the semester, I wanted to bring attention to the crucial aspect of self-care for our students, especially during the demanding period of finals.

The pressures associated with exams and deadlines can often lead to heightened stress levels among students. It is important for us, as educators, to emphasize the significance of self-care practices in supporting their overall well-being. When students prioritize self-care, they are better equipped to manage stress, enhance focus, and maintain a healthy balance between academic and personal responsibilities. I have included a fun activity that you can post in your Google Classroom or as a handout to practice some wellness activities. As always I am available for any students that may need additional support. Thank you!