Big Bear, CA, August 1, 2011, 11:30am – After a little more than six weeks of summer vacation, today is the first day of school for students enrolled through the Bear Valley Unified School District. Last Friday was “Freshman Friday” at Big Bear High School giving incoming freshmen, and their parents, an opportunity to obtain class schedules, tour the facility and purchase PE clothing and ASB cards. It was a full house at “Our House”, a motto used by Principal, Mike Ghelber, in reference to Big Bear High. Mr. Ghelber introduced several student representatives and staff members and some of the school rules were covered during the orientation. As a follow-up to a story previously announced, Mr. Ghelber tells Kbear that the large carved bear statue that had been vandalized on June 14th of this year, has been restored to it’s original condition. The carved bear, located in the quad of Big Bear High, had been spray painted with blue paint and is believed to have been committed by Big Bear High students. According to Mr. Ghelber, as part of the restoration process, the wooden bear had to sand blasted using baking soda. In a charitable act by former Big Bear High School graduate, Art Herrera, the bear was then re-varnished. Additionally, to show his commitment and support of the high school and the Big Bear community, Mr. Herrera has offered to varnish the bear whenever needed. The vandalism case is still under investigation.
