Following Ralphs grocery store rising complaints, on Sept. 7, Jamba Juice and Starbucks reached out to the Bonita Vista High (BVH) and Bonita Vista Middle (BVM) administration regarding recurring loitering and disturbances from students near their facilities. BVH and BVM students go to Bonita Point Plaza before and after school on a daily basis whether it is to buy food or wait for parents pick-up or drop-off.
“They have asked for our cooperation as far as [saying] ‘can you put out messages to the community that we appreciate if students are not picked up or dropped off at the shopping center? We have had a host of issues.’ Both schools agreed to work with our local businesses, address our families and share,” BVM Principal Alex Salazar said.
After the Bonita Point Plaza property managers reached out, both Salazar and BVH Principal Lee Romero sent out emails to their communities. In Romero’s email, he asks students to do the right thing and otherwise choosing not to follow the directive will lead to students being disciplined accordingly. On the other hand, Salazar informed parents that he cannot instruct parents, but rather inform them of the fact that students do not have supervision from BVM staff at Bonita Point for drop off or pick up.
“Lesly, the store manager from Starbucks [contacted me saying] students are causing disruption in front of Starbucks [which consists of] vaping, smoking and drinking alcohol. I called her right away [and] she explained what happened. It is horrible, so I asked her to send us pictures.” Romero said.
Romero received four photos of a group of students nearby Starbucks and Jamba Juice; he then worked with his Assistant Principals (AP) and Physical Education (PE) coaches to identify BVH students in the photos. BVH administration recognized a pattern of younger students creating the majority of the issues at Bonita Point Plaza, most of which are middle school students.
“I have half of the freshmen in my class. I see them all in PE and the ones that were in the [photo], I had never seen. If they were all high schoolers, I would have been able to identify [more], which makes me strongly think there was a big mix of middle school kids.” PE coach Heidi Arciaga said.
Athletic Director, PE coach and temporary AP, Tyler Arciaga, has also been helping alongside H. Arciaga and Romero. T. Arciaga mentions how despite the limited quality of photos, there are potential BVH students in the photos and are not certain in identifying who they are. Romero asks parents and students for help to anonymously email photos of these students. As an administrator, he is unable to go over to the Plaza following education codes. Moreover, Romero has suspended one of the students identified so far.
“I am going to warn him that if he still stays out there, I [will] move him to another school. It is important for students to represent our school, and if they are representing our school in that way, I do not want them to have any part of this BVH name,” Romero said. “If those kids are allowed to act like fools outside of campus, it paints a bad picture of the school. That does not sit well with me at all as a principal.”
Romero expresses his emotions to be “frustrated” and “embarrassed” as the majority of BVH students behave well and only a small number of students act inappropriately. He plans to further suspend students if they continue this behavior in the future.
“[Suspending students] is setting the tone for the rest of the school to know that as a principal, I am not going to tolerate that kind of behavior. They are going to quickly find that they are not welcome to our school if they continue,” Romero said.
Being in high school, students are expected to develop a higher maturity level compared to middle school students. Salazar has a different plan for his students by focusing on dialogue rather than discipline.
“This semester, I am working with the district and our teachers on campus to set up a principal’s advisory council. Similar to [when] BVH did it last year,” Salazar said. “It is where the principal sits down with a number of students on a regular basis to discuss any issues and concerns that are coming up.”
Directing the attention to speaking with students early on is what Salazar and his administration intend to focus on. At BVM, they work with students to help correct their behavior and learn from their mistakes. Salazar emphasizes the necessity for students to make wise choices.
“I am a big believer in conversation. It has to happen with the students, not just with parents [and] local business owners. Students need to be a part of conversations,” Salazar said. “As students continue with the maturation process [and] evolving as individuals, they learn ‘I do have to compose myself in the best possible way when I am out in public. I am not just representing myself, but my family, community and school.’”
