Have Lois Klein, assistant BUSD superintendent; Kris Boneman, Educational Technology Department; and Dori Nasmyth, Computer Information Services Department; got a showcase and health fair planned for you on June 15!

If La Verne and San Dimas students thought they were going to play hooky from learning this summer, forget about it.

On June 15, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lone Hill Middle School, the Bonita Unified School District is inviting the entire community to attend a huge Community Tech Showcase and Costco Health Care Fair to keep learning alive all summer long.

Parents and their young learners will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations, take challenging quizzes (unlike those exams in the regular school) and stay connected in new, fun ways to the wonderful and increasingly high-tech world of learning.

“The showcase and fair are designed to keep kids reading and thinking all summer long,” said Dori Nasmyth,  Computer Information Systems Department.

The first-time event has attracted an overwhelming response from the community. Participants include Barnes & Noble, Brain Pop, the BUSD PTAs, Costco, Foothill Federal Credit Union, Hewlett Packard, Insight Technology Solutions, the La Verne and San Dimas libraries and recreation departments, Mrs. Nelson’s Toy & Book Shop, Shmoop, Sprint, Ticket to Read, T-Mobile, the University of La Verne and Verizon.

“It’s a venue where we are bringing everybody together to showcase all of the learning avenues and opportunities that are available this summer right here in our community,” said Lois Klein, BUSD assistant superintendent.

Besides being able to fiddle with iPods, laptops, desktops, Nooks and other gadgets, kids can sign up for a free summer subscription to the popular Ticket to Read program, a fun online environment where kids can practice reading skills and use their brain power to compete with students from around the world!

While their children are participating in some of the demonstrations, parents can sneak off to get their blood pressure taken and undergo other basic health care checks at the concurrent Costco-sponsored health fair.

“Children at home for three or four days could drive up their parents’ blood pressure,” Klein, said, jokingly.

While the Showcase will feature the latest computers and software programs, it also invites parents to discard their obsolete computer monitors, PCs, TVs, printers, scanners, laptops, cell phones, batteries and computer cables at the free electronic waste disposal station that will also be open on site from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Some lucky Showcase attendees will also win some great door prizes, including a Dell Laptop from Insight Technology Solutions, gift baskets from Vistar Foods, Barnes & Noble and Foothill Credit Union and a $50 gift certificate from Pop Champagne & Dessert Bar.

Summer school for elementary and middle school students may not be available this summer, but that’s not a problem because now the Bonita Unified School District is turning the tables and bringing the classroom to students.

What a smart idea!

Lone Hill Middle School is located at 700 S. Lone Hill Blvd. in San Dimas. For more information, please reach out to Dori Nasmyth at (909) 971-8377, ext 5271 or nasmyth@bonita.k12.ca.us.

One way to pay for a new computer or smart phone is to cash in your old unwanted gold and silver jewelry at Rodeo Jewelers located in the new Vons shopping center at 1560 Foothill Blvd. (909) 593-7537.