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What’s better than a sunny afternoon, cheerful students, and a visit from the Kona Ice truck? Not much! This week, we had the sweetest celebration for our students who achieved perfect attendance — and it was truly a treat!

Students who showed up every day, on time, and ready to learn (with the exception of excused absences like doctor’s appointments or sports games) were rewarded with a visit from Kona Shaved Ice! The truck rolled right onto campus, instantly crafting smiles all around to help us celebrate the hard work and commitment to showing up every day.

Our teachers were first in line to enjoy a refreshing shaved ice treat — because who can resist a little icy sweetness? Then, it was time for our perfect attendance superstars to enjoy their well-earned reward. Each student got to pick their favorite flavor combination and cool off with a delicious Kona Ice, courtesy of the school.

Meanwhile, our elementary students also joined in on the fun by purchasing their own shaved ice using their Dozer Dollars — special tokens they earn each day for being present and on time. It was wonderful to see our students proudly using the Dozer Dollars they’ve been saving, learning that consistency and responsibility pay off (and sometimes, taste pretty great too!).

The laughter, bright colors, and sticky fingers made for a perfect afternoon of celebration. It was a joy to see so many smiling faces and to honor the importance of showing up — because every day counts!

A big thank you to our amazing teachers, staff, and the Kona Ice team for making this event such a hit. We had a fantastic turnout and can’t wait to keep encouraging and celebrating our students for their dedication and growth.

Here’s to more learning, more laughter, and more reasons to celebrate — one school day at a time!

Sitting down to write this article has felt a bit weird, if I’m being honest—something about talking up community service projects has always felt a bit strange to me, but we're just so excited about what our kids are working on that I can’t help but share a little. Our students are already proving that making a difference doesn’t always have to be a big production—even small, consistent actions can create a powerful ripple effect.

A Glorious Start: “Cans of Glory” Food Drive

Take, for example, our ASB’s first high school-wide community service project of the year: “Cans of Glory.” One of our student videographers recently interviewed ASB Community Service Project Coordinator, Yuna Bae, who spoke about the heart behind this initiative.

The project encourages each Family Group to collect food to help those in need in our local community. “For Cans of Glory, each Family Group is encouraged to collect as many cans as possible, and all the food will be shared with people in need in our community,” Yuna explained. “We planned this as our September and early October project, collecting until the first week of October, after which our ASB officers will deliver the food.”
The goal, she described, is simple and profound: to not only serve our local community but also to show students that service doesn’t have to be big or intimidating. “Something as simple as buying and donating food together can make a real difference,” Yuna relayed. “The goal is to help everyone experience the joy of working together for a good cause and get the food to people in our community.”

This food drive is addressing a known need, as 11% of residents in San Bernardino County experience low food security (according to San Bernardino County Community Indicators), and one in six children face hunger. While the statistics can be hard to visualize—even with powerful art installations, like the one that hung in the Zapara School of Business lobby last year, that are designed to make the numbers concrete—the need is clear. It’s wonderful seeing the students make a direct difference in our local community, knowing that even a few cans can help.

On top of that, they’re building teamwork in their Family Groups and having a little fun! The Family Group that collects the most food celebrates with a pizza party. It’s a fantastic way to unite our entire high school around a simple yet incredibly impactful cause.

More than a Checkmark: Project IMPACT

Yuna Bae and Ms. Mazo, the administrator in charge of overseeing community service projects, are already “bouncing around other ideas” for future service opportunities. The focus is on giving and serving consistently throughout the year, moving beyond only giving at “big giving” times or simply checking a box (we see you, service hours requirement!).

This quest aligns perfectly with a new initiative from the National Honor Society (NHS) called Project IMPACT. In this new program, students divide into groups and choose a service project that they will dedicate time and effort to for the entire school year. With the support of NHS sponsor, Mrs. Iwasa, it’s been incredible watching their creativity unfold. We’ve been positively surprised more than once by the thoughtful and unique projects they’ve chosen! At the end of the year, we’ll hear even more when they present their experience and the results of their projects.

It is truly wonderful seeing these student-led and staff-supported service projects take shape and gain momentum. We’re not only looking forward to seeing the positive impact on the community, but also watching our students realize the power their actions can hold. They are not too young or too small to make a marked difference.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of "more than me" discovery this year. We can’t wait to share what else we have in store, including Unity Day (coming up October 22, 2025), where we spend time uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and against bullying (you can join in by wearing your best orange attire), and our school-wide Community Service Day later in the year.
 

What a day at the Dozer Store! On September 19th, our students not only shopped up a storm but also showed some incredible skills that go far beyond just buying a new squishy toy. The store brought in a fantastic 366 Dozer Dollars—a testament to all the hard work everyone is putting in.

First, a quick rundown on how our Dozer system works. Elementary students who are on time and have good attendance receive a "Dozer Dollar" for their punctuality. They can then choose to spend these dollars at the Dozer Store, which opens every other Friday, or they can save them up for a bigger prize that usually comes at the end of each quarter. The store is stocked with popular items like pencil packs, stickers, fidget toys, notebooks, erasers, and squishy toys.

With so much on offer, it was inspiring to see how our students handled the shopping experience. Even with the store limit of five students at a time, there were no signs of frustration. Instead, those waiting their turn showed amazing patience and self-regulation. We saw them expressing enthusiasm and support for their friends, excited for them to find something they love. This cooperative spirit continued inside the store, where many students displayed remarkable kindness. They were often seen sharing new discoveries, offering suggestions, and encouraging one another, which truly fostered a collaborative and respectful environment.

Beyond the fun of shopping, our Dozer Store is a real-world classroom for financial literacy. It's been great to watch students think about their purchases. Many are already grasping the concept of saving, choosing to hold onto their Dozer Dollars to make a bigger purchase later. This kind of thoughtful decision-making is a huge step in understanding the value of money and planning for the future.

The lessons don't stop when they leave the store. We've heard many students talk about how they plan to keep their new items safe in their backpacks. This pride in their new belongings shows they're learning the importance of ownership and responsibility. They're not just buying things; they're learning to care for them.

The Dozer Store isn't just a place to spend Dozer Dollars—it's a place where our students are growing, learning, and showing some truly admirable qualities. It's a joy to watch them navigate these new experiences with such kindness and maturity.