Welcome To Week #38

Dear Brahma Family,

As this school year draws to a close, I want to thank the entire Brahma Family for your partnership, support, and trust, and for helping guide our students to the end of the year. I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing summer.

This is the final newsletter of the 2025-26 school year, but it’s also my final Brahma Briefing as your principal, and my farewell message to many of you. At the end of this school year, I will retire from education.

When I stepped away from DBHS seven years ago to work at College Board, I wasn’t sure what the future held. But, as they had once before, the twists and turns of my life again led me back to DBHS.

When I returned, I rediscovered this remarkable community that welcomed me back for the second time. The connections, reconnections, and memories I made during the past three years have meant more to me than I can fully express, and I will carry them with me always.

As principal, being present to watch our students learn, grow, support one another, and face challenges with resilience and grace has brought me the greatest joy. They remind me every day why I fell in love with teaching 36 years ago (when a few of you parents were my students). The potential of our students is limitless, and I am confident they will continue to be amazing.

Thank you for the memories, the kindness, and the privilege of serving as your principal. Diamond Bar High School, and all of you, will always hold a permanent place in my heart.

With gratitude,

David Hong

Principal

MON 5/25

NO SCHOOL - MEMORIAL DAY

TUE 5/26

⏰📝 FINALS ~ PERIODS 0, 3 AND 6

🎓 Graduation Rehearsal (Mandatory) 8:30am

WED 5/27
⏰📝 FINALS ~ PERIODS 1 AND 2

🎓 Graduation Rehearsal (Mandatory) 8:30am
📸 Senior Panoramic Picture

THU 5/28

🎓 Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremonies 7pm

FRI 5/29

SAT 5/30

🚨 Dress Code Reminder

The temps are rising, Brahmas—but the dress code isn’t going on summer break just yet!

Here is your reminder:

• No hats unless they are DBHS

• No strapless or midriff shirts

Dress code violations earn you an hour in Saturday School and let’s be real—Saturdays are way too valuable for that.

Stay cool, stay stylish, and stay in dress code!

JUNIORS

🚗🎓 Class of 2027: This is a reminder, DO NOT PARK in our parking lot for the remainder of this year. Although spots may be available, they will be used at some point during the day by our current senior class. This includes Finals Week, as seniors will be using the lot for graduation practice and other activities.

If you are found parking in the lot, you will receive consequences, which will likely include losing your privilege to park in the lot next school year. (Burns/Gonzales)

Students who plan to ride an e-bike or e-scooter to or from school must complete the online e-bike and e-scooter safety and policy training. This training ensures students understand traffic laws, safety expectations, and the specific regulations related to e-bike and e-scooter use. The course covers key topics such as traffic laws and local ordinances, safe operation of e-bikes and e-scooters, and licensing and age requirements.

To register for the e-bike and e-scooter safety training, go to https://www.pedalace.com/wvusd and complete the self-enrollment process. You will need to provide your name, student ID number, and student WVUSD email address. After registering, you will receive instructions to begin the online training. When finished, PedalAce will send a completion certificate along with instructions for obtaining the WVUSD sticker for the student’s e-bike or e-scooter.

Students must place the WVUSD sticker on the handlebars of their e-bike or e-scooter and must wear a helmet while riding. E-bikes and e-scooters without the WVUSD completion sticker will not be permitted on campus.

E-Bike and E-Scooter FAQ for Students and Parents

https://bit.ly/dbhsebike

Download Complete Bulletin HERE.

SUMMARY

• FINISH STRONG

- Keep pushing through the end of the year - your effort now builds habits for college, careers, and life
- Cal Grant awards begin releasing in May - check your WebGrants portal regularly
- May 1 = college commitment (SIR) deadline - choose confidently and get excited about your next chapter
- If finances change, contact your college’s Financial Aid Office for possible adjustments

• NEXT STEPS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
- Embrace your college or post-grad plan - commit and celebrate your future
- Let the Guidance Office know your decision + take a photo for the Senior Board
- Check your college email regularly and complete all required steps (housing, placement, financial aid, etc.)
- Final transcripts must be ordered through Parchment starting June 15 (do NOT order early)
- UC deadline for transcripts: July 1 - set a reminder
- Complete the Senior Exit Survey and share your plans

• IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Use your official name when ordering transcripts
- Waitlist offers move quickly - be ready to decide within ~1 week
- Learn basic life skills now (finances, time management, health, daily responsibilities)

• FINANCIAL TIPS
- Federal student loans are typically safer than high-interest credit cards
- Be mindful of how scholarships may impact financial aid packages

• SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Multiple scholarships available (Latino Legislators, MABA, Minerva, Public Service, Cosmetology, etc.)
- Deadlines range from May–June - apply ASAP

• FINAL THOUGHTS

- Be proud, stay humble, and keep growing
- Take time to thank your teachers, friends, and family
- Your next chapter is just beginning - make it count

Honor a Graduate with Their Name in Light
If you would like a “CONGRATS” message on the DBHS marquee for your special Brahma Grad, be sure to fill out an order form (available in the front office or USB office). This message will be $25 cash. It will run from May 24 – May 31. This makes a great photo opportunity! DEADLINE to turn in envelopes will be Thursday, 5/21. (Norys)

Seniors wishing to purchase a Graduation Banner to be displayed at the commencement ceremony they may purchase before May 18th, 2026 on the following website.

https://nsignstore.com/dbhs-senior-grad-banner/ols/products/dbhs-senior-grad-banner

Banners will be hanging on the fencing around the stadium for graduates and their families to pick up after the graduation Ceremony.

In June, graduating seniors will lose access to their school Google account, including Gmail and Drive. Deleted accounts and files cannot be recovered. Save copies to your computer, external drive, or personal cloud storage.

☁️ Transfer to Another Google Account

https://takeout.google.com/transfer

📁 Download Everything with Google Takeout

https://takeout.google.com/

🎥 Tutorial Video

https://youtu.be/1cVdm-fqc78?si=VpXOmHpXCT5xEtrA

David Hong

Email: dhong@wvusd.org
Website: dbhs.org
Location: 21400 Pathfinder Road, Diamond Bar, CA, USA
Phone: (909) 594-1405
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbhsorg/
X: @DiamondBarHS1

Instagram: @dbhsorg