Barstow Junior High principal highlights staff ‘spirit stick’; district posts list of back-to-school events and board meeting

Dr. Amy McDonald, principal of Barstow Junior High School, said her staff earned a "Barstow Unified School District spirit stick" at a back-to-school mingle and that the award reminded her of the staff’s energy and teamwork. "This is a spirit stick that I am proud to say my staff earned at our back to school mingle," she said, adding that the stick is kept in the front office as a reminder.

The district bulletin, introduced by a host who earlier identified herself as "Deanna Swearingen, superintendent for Horseshoe High School District," listed several upcoming events and meeting information. The Barstow Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the district office, 551 Avenue H; a livestream link will be posted on the district website the day of the meeting.

Other items announced included Forrester Fine Arts Academy Title I meetings on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The bulletin described Title I as a TK–12 program that provides additional academic support and learning opportunities for students at schools with high percentages of socioeconomically disadvantaged children to help them meet state academic standards.

School activities listed in the bulletin include Cameron Elementary’s family game night on Aug. 27 at 4:30 p.m.; Barstow High School back-to-school night Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.; the girls tennis first home match Thursday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m. at Barstow College; a Barstow Junior High cross country meet Thursday at the sports park beginning at 4 p.m.; the Barstow High Aztecs football game vs. Serrano Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (military appreciation theme); Cameron Elementary ASB lunchtime games Friday; and a Lady Aztecs volleyball match vs. Serrano Friday at 5:15 p.m. in the Don Billsborough Gym.

The transcript contains an inconsistent self-identification by the bulletin host: early in the recording the host says "I'm Deanna Swearingen, superintendent for Horseshoe High School District," and at the close the same voice says "I'm Diana Sarangen." That discrepancy appears in the recording and is noted here rather than being resolved without further record clarification.

The bulletin closed with sign-offs and well wishes for the week.