Don Bosco Technical Institute

This article is about the school in Rosemead, California. For The Italian saint, see John Bosco. For other uses, see Don Bosco Technical Institute (disambiguation).

For schools of a similar name, see Don Bosco School.

Don Bosco Technical Institute
Address
1151 San Gabriel Boulevard Rosemead, California, (Los Angeles County), 91770  United States
Coordinates	34°2′30″N 118°5′13″W / 34.04167°N 118.08694°W / 34.04167; -118.08694Coordinates: 34°2′30″N 118°5′13″W / 34.04167°N 118.08694°W / 34.04167; -118.08694
Information
Type	Private secondary, All-Male
Motto	"Preparing the youth of today, for the technology of tomorrow"
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic Salesian
Patron saint(s)	John Bosco
Established	1955
President	Alberto Pimentel
Principal	Xavier Jimenez
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	440  (Fall 2011)
Color(s)	Black and Gold
Athletics conference	Camino Real League & Del Rey League[1]
Mascot	Tiger
Accreditation(s)	Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)[2] & National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)[3]
Tuition	$9,900 (2011-2012 school year)[4]
T.V. Station	BTN (Bosco Television Network)
Dean of Academics	Robert Currie
Dean of Technologies	Jeffrey Krynen
Admissions Director	Rudy Herrera
Athletic Director	Chris Shockely
Website	boscotech.edu

Don Bosco Technical Institute (commonly called "Bosco Tech") is an all-male high school in Rosemead, California, combining college-preparatory academic courses and technological education (technology programs are listed below). The academic curriculum allows students to meet or go beyond the admission requirements of the Universities of California, the California State Universities and most other four-year colleges and universities throughout the country. In addition to the academic program, all students are required to participate in the school's pre-engineering/technology program and declare a major in one of five technology fields:

• Architecture and Construction Engineering
• Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
• Integrated Design, Engineering and Art
• Materials Science, Engineering and Technology
• Media Arts and Technology

^[5]

General information

Bosco Tech offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities as well as sports. The school is based on Catholic values. Students of any faith or religious persuasion may attend.^[6]

The school is located in the San Gabriel Valley, 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Los Angeles, just north of the Pomona Freeway (SR 60) in the city of Rosemead, California. It occupies approximately thirty acres.

Administration Building

Mission statement

Guided by the Salesian educational system of St. John Bosco, Bosco Tech is a Catholic high school that offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum—uniquely integrating academics and technology—to qualified young men of all religious, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. As a Christian faith community, the school prepares and equips students to be life-long learners who are dedicated men of faith and integrity, committed to leading successful lives of distinguished service and social justice.

^[7]

History and Overview

Don Bosco Technical Institute (Bosco Tech) was established as a high school in 1954 through the cooperative efforts of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Salesian Society, as well as industrial and business leaders of the Greater Los Angeles Area.^[8]

Today, Bosco Tech is the only all-male Catholic high school in the state that uniquely integrates a college preparatory curriculum with a comprehensive, four-year, project based science and technology program. The goal of the school is to produce students who are prepared and motivated to pursue advanced study and, ultimately, careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The Bosco Tech Board of Trustees recently articulated its expectations that the school embrace and promote the highest academic standards, achieve Blue Ribbon status and, more importantly, receive recognition as one of the country’s leading high schools for STEM education. This is a natural evolution of the original mission of the school however, it has been appropriately realigned with the needs of 21st century America.

Our academic curriculum allows students to meet university admission requirements while completing extensive integrated coursework in one of five technology and engineering-related fields: Architecture and Construction Engineering; Computer Science and Electrical Engineering; Integrated Design, Engineering and Art; Materials Science, Engineering and Technology; and Media Arts and Technology. The school’s technology program is distinct and serves as a model for demonstrating the application and integration of science and math concepts in a manner that allows students to gain command of current and emerging technologies. As a complement, the school’s rigorous college preparatory academic program offers honors and Advanced Placement courses, while using a project-based, technology-driven learning model that provides lab exposure that is simply not available in traditional high schools. Bosco Tech currently serves approximately 500 boys residing in communities throughout Los Angeles County.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Curriculum

In realigning itself with the needs of 21st century America, Bosco Tech has developed and implemented a focused approach toward integrating academic and technology programs, making Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) the key organizing concept of the school and its programs. The ultimate goal is for Bosco Tech to achieve sustainable academic excellence in the STEM fields and to become recognized as one of the nation's premier high schools. This is a natural evolution of the original mission of the school.

Academics

Academically, the school sees other local schools (Loyola, Harvard-Westlake, La Salle, Crespi, St. Francis, Bishop Amat, Serra, Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary, and Cathedral) as peers, though none have the technology education offered by the Tech.

Don Bosco Tech is also close in proximity to two other Salesian-based high schools, Salesian in Boyle Heights and St. John Bosco in Bellflower. Its students hail from all over the Greater Los Angeles area, with some students traveling more than an hour's commute each day to the school.

Don Bosco Tech offers a multitude of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes from freshman to senior year.^[9]

Advanced Placement courses at Don Bosco Tech include:

Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Comparative Politics and Government Computer Science AB English Literature & Composition European History Human Geography Macroeconomics

Microeconomics Physics C: Mechanics Spanish Language Spanish Literature Statistics U.S. Government & Politics U.S. History

Honors courses at Don Bosco Tech include:

Algebra 1, 2 Advanced Algebra II w/Trigonometry Biology English 1, 2

English 3, 4 English 5, 6 (w/ half AP credit) Geometry Pre-Calculus World History 1, 2

Technology^[9]

In addition to the academic program, all students are required to participate in the school's pre-engineering/technology program and declare a major in one of five technology fields:

• Architecture and Construction Engineering
• Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
• Integrated Design, Engineering and Art
• Materials Science, Engineering and Technology
• Media Arts and Technology

All entering freshmen are required to attend a mandatory summer program prior to their ninth-grade year. This program includes a five-week Principles of Engineering class and an intensive math and study skills seminar. The seminar is similar to the summer bridge program offered at most universities and prepares students for the rigors of Bosco's math and science curriculum.

In the fall semester, the freshmen enroll in three six-week introductory technology courses chosen from the school's five technology departments. After their first semester of study, freshman students will select a technology major. They will remain in that major for the duration of their ninth-grade year and for the proceeding three years. It is important to note, the sequential nature of the technology coursework makes it difficulty to accept transfer students after the tenth grade.

Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs)^[7]

• A Don Bosco Tech graduate practices Salesian spirit.
• A Don Bosco Tech graduate is academically proficient.
• A Don Bosco Tech graduate is technologically competent.
• A Don Bosco Tech graduate is an effective communicator.
• A Don Bosco Tech graduate is a leader.
• A Don Bosco Tech graduate is a responsible citizen.

Athletics

The athletic teams participate in the Camino Real League and the Del Rey League. The school's rival is Salesian High School of Los Angeles, California.^[1]

Don Bosco Tech's state and section championship wins:

• CIF State Championships:
• Cross Country: 1997, 1999
• CIF State Finalist:
• Cross Country: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009
• CIF Southern Section Championships:
• Cross Country: 1997, 1998
• Soccer: 1995

The Athletic Program at Don Bosco Tech consists of:

• Tennis
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Track & Field
• Volleyball

Alma mater

'"Where the rolling hills of San Gabriel,
Crown the old Camino Real.
Golden dreams and hopes abounding
Guide our way with kindly light.
Bosco Tech, today we hail thee,
E'er thy memories treasured shall be."

Student life

Then and now

Since the opening of the school, it has offered a variety of diverse student organizations and clubs.

Don Bosco Tech Student Activities/Organizations/Clubs^[10]:

• Airsoft Club
• A.S.M. (American Society of Materials) / A.S.N.T. (American Society for Nondestructive Testing) Student Chapter
• Ambassadors
• Art Club
• Associated Student Body (ASB) & Student Council
• Beginning Freshman Band
• Boscoteers
• Big Brothers Program
• California Scholarship Federation
• Combo Jazz Band
• Cooking Club
• E-Sports
• Film Club
• Guitar Club
• International Card Collecting Club (IC3)
• International Trips Club
• Inter-club Council
• Jazz 1 Band
• Jazz 2 Band
• KEY (Kiwanis Educates Youth) Club
• Letterman Society
• Medical Club
• Mixed Chamber Choir
• National Hispanic Honor Society
• National Honor Society
• Robotics Club
• Royal Techmen Marching Band
• Science Club
• Spanish Club
• Speech and Debate Club
• Tech Radio
• Techman Yearbook
• Tiger M.A.C. (Martial Arts Club)
• Youth Ministry and Youth Ministry Core Team

The school has been recognized for its renowned debate team, which has competed and placed successfully in local and national debate tournaments, even though mainly composed of underclassmen. For the first time in the school's history, it sent a Public Forum Debate Team to the National Championships held in June 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This team was composed of junior classmen Evan Godfrey and Aris Govjian. The debate team is coached by David Medina.^[11]

The school also has a special relationship with its "sister schools": Ramona Convent in Alhambra; San Gabriel Mission High School in San Gabriel; and Alverno in Sierra Madre; The school participates with its sister schools in several activities and organizations:

• The Don Bosco Mixed Chamber Choir
• The Don Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band
• Colorguard & Pageantry (effective by 2009)
• The Don Bosco Tech Yell, Cheer, Pep flags and Mascot program
• The yearly March for Hunger, by walking 26 miles (42 km) from Salazar Park in Los Angeles to Santa Monica Beach while raising money for the Los Angeles Catholic Worker's Hospitality Kitchen with Ramona Convent, Damien High School in La Verne, California and St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California
• K.E.Y. Club
• Campus Ministry
• ASB & Student Council, and in other school-related activities

Music program

A 90-member Don Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band and Pageantry in a 1970s Arcadia Band Review. Photo courtesy of Al Galaviz, Class of 1973.

The music program at Don Bosco Tech consists of:

• Marching Band
• Drumline
• Beginning Freshman Band
• Concert/Symphonic Band
• Advanced Jazz (Jazz 1) and Beginning Jazz (Jazz 2) Bands
• Jazz Combo Band

Music education was emphasized as one of the main focuses of Don Bosco's educational approach. Therefore, since the school's birth in 1955, the "Don Bosco Tech Royal Techmen Marching Band" became the school's first and oldest extracurricular activity. Its most famous band director was Brother Eugene Burns, who directed the band from 1957-1978. In the 1970-1971 season, the auxiliary units were formed by San Gabriel Mission High School only until 1991, when girls from Ramona Convent Secondary School joined the units. The band had marched 70+ members in the 1970s, but, in recent years, band membership has averaged 35–40 members. Despite its relatively small size, the marching band and the auxiliary units have scored high points in their division and have even received sweepstakes.

The marching band is known throughout the state as "the band with the cannon". Its trademark cannon, made on the school premises, was fired and pulled by two students in front of the band during band reviews and parades in various Southern California cities, such as Arcadia, Temple City, Long Beach, Montebello, Azusa and San Francisco. The band has also appeared in the Los Angeles County Fair, a University of Southern California football game, the California 500 Speedway in Ontario, Disneyland's "America on Parade", Dodger Stadium, San Francisco's Columbus Day Parade, the Hawaii Invitational Music Festival, the Kennedy Space Center, Sea World in San Diego and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

In more recent times, the band has taken a step down from its competitive years, and currently serves the Rosemead/Montebello community through several concerts and community events annually and supports Bosco Tech at school football games and other school functions.

Culture

• One of the school's original cheers saluted the inherent "geek" status of the students at a technical high school.

Secant, tangent, cosine, sine

Three point one four, one five nine

Slide rule, slide rule, sis boom bah

Bosco Tech, beat them raw!

• In 1975 Bosco Tech paid $200 to the then "garage-band" Van Halen to perform at a campus music show.^{[citation needed]}

• The current mascot, the Tiger, was adopted after a student vote in 1986. The school did not have an official mascot before this, and the school's students were referred to as the "Techmen."

• The school has one of the oldest high school Kairos retreat programs in Southern California.^{[citation needed]}

Every year in the spring, the students enjoy the Marian Day games. In these games the techs compete against each other in different games. Each year is given a game to play: Volleyball(Freshman), Soccer(Sophomores), Basketball(Juniors), Football(Seniors).

Notable alumni

• Michael Brennan^{[disambiguation needed ]} - Former nationally ranked professional motorcycle drag racer, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), National Championship Top Alcohol Funny Car(TA/FC) crew chief [Pontiac Motorsports], World Championship Formula One racing team mechanic, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)[Honda/McLaren], Personal Watercraft(PWC)Western Division Champion, International Jet Ski Boating Association (IJSBA), National Race Director, Microsoft's Xbox Cup/NOPI Racing Series
• Wayne Englestad^[12] - former NBA Basketball player, Denver Nuggets^[13]
• Nick Spano- Actor
• Mark Batres - Semi-Professional runner, for Reebok sponsored Pacer's Distance Running Project. Winner of the 2006 San Francisco Half Marathon.^[14] Placed 15th at the 2009 L.A. Marathon and was the 3rd American to finish.
• Michael Trevino- Actor
• Ken Gushi-Professional drift car racer. (Attended, but did not graduate.)
• Alex Meruelo- Owner of the Atlanta Hawks

See also

• Category:Salesian schools

External links

• Don Bosco Technical Institute Website
• Don Bosco Technical Institute Cross Country
• Don Bosco Technical Institute Basketball
• Don Bosco Technical Institute Band Program
• Don Bosco Technical Institute Debate
• Don Bosco Technical Institute Aerial View (Pre-construction)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "DBTI Website - Athletics". Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20080515211034/http://boscotech.org/athletics.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
2. ^ WASC-ACS. "WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools". http://www.acswasc.org/directory_search.cfm. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 
3. ^ "DBTI Website - Accreditation". http://www.boscotech.org/about_accred.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ "DBTI Website - Tuition and Fees". http://boscotech.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=154. Retrieved 2010-11-04. 
5. ^ "DBTI Website". http://www.boscotech.org. Retrieved 2008-11-04. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "DBTI Website - FAQs". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20080513113611/http://www.boscotech.edu/about_faq.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "DBTI Website - ESLRs and Mission Statement" (PDF). http://www.boscotech.edu/docs/ESLRsMission.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-04. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ "DBTI Website - History". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20080513113621/http://www.boscotech.edu/about_history.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "DBTI Website - Academic and Technology Programs". Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20080515211055/http://boscotech.org/programs.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
10. ^ "DBTI Website - Clubs". Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20080515211152/http://boscotech.org/students_clubs.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
11. ^ "DBTI Website - News". http://www.boscotech.org/news.shtml. Retrieved 2008-11-04. ^{[dead link]}
12. ^ Spelled "Engelstad" in DBTI and UCI athletic records, but "Englestad" in some sources referring to his later professional career.
13. ^ "Wayne Englestad NBA history". http://www.nba.com/historical/playerfile/index.html?player=wayne_englestad. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
14. ^ Winitz, Mark (2006-07-31). "Cook, Stamps Win Titles at The San Francisco Marathon". Cool Running. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_6/cook-stamps-win-titles-at.shtml. Retrieved 2009-02-20.