The Bonsall Bridge

Dear Bonsall Unified Families,

What an incredible start to the 2026–2027 school year! From our districtwide Welcome Back celebration with staff to the excitement of welcoming students and families back to our campuses, there has been a wonderful energy throughout Bonsall Unified. Our classrooms are filled with learning, our activities are underway, and our schools are once again alive with the connections and experiences that make Bonsall Unified such a special community.

Our commitment to Belong, Believe, Achieve remains at the heart of our work. We want every student to know they belong, believe in themselves and what is possible, and have the opportunities and support to achieve meaningful goals for their future.

This year, we are continuing to bring our strategic plan True North 2030 to life through meaningful learning experiences, expanded student opportunities, strong community partnerships, and thoughtful planning for the future of our schools. Throughout this edition of The Bonsall Bridge, you will see just a few examples of that work and ways you can be part of it.

There is much to look forward to this year, and I hope to see you on our campuses and throughout our community as we continue moving Together Toward True North.

Warmly,

Dr. Heather Golly

Superintendent
Bonsall Unified School District

True North 2030 is grounded in a clear vision for what we want for every Bonsall learner: for all students to engage in rigorous and relevant learning experiences that inspire them to be productive community members and future-ready, lifelong learners.

Our Bonsall Learner Profile further defines the skills and qualities we want students to develop along the way: becoming resilient learners, empathetic collaborators, engaged community members, effective communicators, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.

True North 2030 focuses our work on five key outcomes:

• Student-Centered Learning Experiences – meaningful, engaging learning that prepares students for the future
• Community Investment in Student Opportunities – partnerships that expand experiences and opportunities for students
• Transform Assessment Practices – meaningful ways for students to demonstrate what they know and can do
• Optimize Professional Learning – supporting our educators as they learn, collaborate, and strengthen their practice
• Joyful, Safe, and Respectful Climate – schools where students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn

Together, our vision, Learner Profile, and True North 2030 provide a clear direction for Bonsall Unified and keep our work centered on what matters most: the experiences, growth, and success of our students.

We look forward to sharing our progress and continuing to bring this vision to life throughout the year.

One of the important outcomes of True North 2030 is Community Investment in Student Opportunities. In Bonsall Unified, we believe some of the most meaningful opportunities for students are created when our schools and community work together.

Our community supports and enriches our schools in countless ways. Just a few examples include parents and community members joining our elementary schools for Community Reader days; professionals sharing their experiences and career pathways through middle school Career Days and as guest speakers within the BHS Academies; and parents, community members, and partners participating in exhibitions of learning and student portfolio evaluations, providing authentic audiences and meaningful feedback on student work.

Through initiatives such as Hometown Bonsall, local businesses and community partners can also directly support programs including the arts, athletics, student activities, scholarships, and other opportunities across our schools. Community support helps make programs such as the Bonsall Forward Initiative possible, encouraging students to pursue opportunities in science, math, leadership, and other areas as they grow from elementary school through graduation.

These are only some of the ways our community invests in Bonsall students. Whether through partnership, sponsorship, volunteering, mentoring, sharing professional expertise, opening doors to new experiences, or simply showing up for our students, there are many ways to be part of their success. Together, we can create opportunities that no school district could create alone.

One of the best ways to strengthen our community is simply to come together. We hope you will join us for two special events in September: Patriot Bingo on Friday, September 11, benefiting scholarships for BUSD students, and our Bonsall Strong Community Jog-a-Thon & First Responders Appreciation on Saturday, September 12.

Come out, connect with neighbors, support our students, and help us celebrate the community that makes Bonsall special. Details for both events are below.

We know how important reliable before- and after-school care is for our families. In response to significant demand this year, our team worked with classified staff to expand program capacity, allowing us to clear the Extended Care waitlists at all of our sites.

As we look ahead, we will review the registration process, timeline, and family communications to identify improvements that will provide families with clearer and more timely information in future years. We are grateful to the staff members whose flexibility and willingness to take on additional hours made this expansion possible.

The new school year brings an exciting milestone for students at Bonsall High School as they join one of the four BHS Academies: Medical Sciences, Law & Leadership, Computer Science & Engineering, or Arts & Media.

Through their Academy experience, students connect their interests with hands-on learning, college-credit opportunities, industry partnerships, internships, and career-aligned coursework. Along the way, they gain exposure to different professions and possibilities while building skills for college, career, and life beyond high school.

The BHS Academies are an important part of how we are bringing True North 2030 to life by helping students discover their interests and begin building meaningful pathways toward their futures.

We can't wait to see what our students explore, create, and accomplish this year!

BHS Academies Brochure

Looking for a flexible learning option while staying connected to Bonsall Unified? Home Flex Academy offers TK–12 students personalized learning, credentialed teachers, academic support, and opportunities to remain connected to our schools and community.

With flexible scheduling and learning designed around each student, Home Flex Academy gives families another way to experience a Bonsall Unified education: Your Choice. Your Pace. Our Partnership.

Enrollment is now open for the 2026–2027 school year. Learn more and enroll today.

This year, I am excited to launch Coffee & Conversations with the Superintendent, a new series designed to create more opportunities for us to connect, share district updates, celebrate our students and schools, and most importantly, hear from you.

These informal gatherings will take place throughout the year at different locations across our district. I hope you will join me for our first conversation on Wednesday, September 16 at 8:45 a.m. at the Bonsall Community Center. Come for coffee, conversation, questions, or simply to listen and connect.

Everyone is welcome. I hope to see you there!

The 2026–2027 school year is an important planning and preparation year for the future of Bonsall Unified's schools and facilities.

Following the Board's direction last spring, we are moving forward with planning for TK–6 alignment beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, when both Bonsall Elementary and Bonsall West Elementary will serve students in Transitional Kindergarten through sixth grade. This year, our teams will focus on the student experience, programming, staffing and enrollment, facilities, transportation, and the other pieces necessary for a successful transition.

We are also beginning the next phase of our long-range planning by taking a thoughtful look at the future of our secondary programs and facilities. This year will include assessing needs, exploring options, and considering how our facilities can best support strong and distinct middle and high school experiences for students now and into the future.

Throughout the year, we will share updates and create regular opportunities for our families, staff, and community to learn more, ask questions, and provide input as this work progresses.

Ultimately, this work is about more than facilities. It is about ensuring that our schools and programs support the learning experiences, sense of belonging, and opportunities we envision for every student through True North 2030.

Please visit the school websites for bell schedules, instructional calendars, and other important information!

• Bonsall Elementary
• Bonsall West Elementary
• Vivian Banks Charter School
• Sullivan Middle School
• Bonsall High School
• Home Flex Academy

Our Bonsall Unified administration team is committed to communicating consistently with our families and community so that you have the info you need to stay involved and fully partner with us in your children's education.

Look for the weekly newsletters from your schools for lots of great engagement opportunities for your students and for our families!