School District Holds Third Annual Community Gathering for Excellence

The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) held its 3rd Annual Community Gathering for Excellence event Friday, Nov. 14. Over 1,000 parents, staff, and concerned community members gathered at the Orange Show Pavilion for this year’s event. “We wanted to include all district workers,” Secretary to the Director Nettie Kaseno said. “The Community Gathering for Excellence event is to include the entire community about the direction we’re going in. It’s so we can share work of the strategic plan, to get the community’s input, and therefore it should represent the goals and ideas that the community has for the school district.” Kaseno explained that this process has worked in steps throughout the year. It wasn't until the third year, this year, that the school district incorporated ideas into the event to ensure community feedback. For example, an interactive game called “Stratopoly” was put into play for attendees, designed to be an engaging activity resulting in community responses. Loma Linda University President Dr. Richard Hart was a keynote speaker for the event. “He was very powerful and inspiring," said Kaseno. Prior to Dr. Hart’s speech, the event started out with Director of Communications/Community Relations Linda Bardere welcoming everyone to the event. The San Gorgonio High School’s California Cadet Corps 308th Battalion performed the Presentation of Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, the musical numbers began with Amanda Cuevas, Simmy Grewal, Amanda Martinez, Madelyn Porras, and Puaseisei Tanielu singing the National Anthem. San Bernardino High School junior Deanna Tapia performed the song “Hallelujah” following the performance of “Peace, Love, and Harmony” by the Highland-Pacific Elementary Peace Choir. As the greetings and welcoming came to an end, the speeches and talk about the future for the school district began. SBCUSD Superintendent Dale Marsden took the podium to share the purpose of the event, and what the school district hopes to get out of it in regards to the school’s future. Dr. Hart then took the stage to highlight the message for the school district’s future. As the strategic plan was talked about, Dr. Hart as well as the other speakers informed the community about their plan regarding future success. Post speeches, attendees were given the opportunity offer their input and ideas for the school district. The “Stratopoly” game was played after all the speeches. Everyone was then welcome to stay for lunch.