Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 15, 2010

6

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Mountain Views News Saturday, May 15, 2010

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

Rotarians Honor Local Students, Teachers

Story and Photos By Bill Coburn

Alverno High School

200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Ann M. Gillick 

E-mail address: agillick@alverno-hs.org

Arcadia High School

180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007

Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: David L. Vannasdall

Arroyo Pacific Academy

41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca, 

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil Clarke

E-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org

Barnhart School

240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 446-5588 Head of School: Joanne Testa Cross

Kindergarten - 8th grade

website: www.barnhartschool.com 

Bethany Christian School

93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3527 Principal: James Lugenbuehl

E-mail address: jml@bcslions.org

Carden of the Foothills School

429 Wildrose Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016 626/358-9414 
626/358-5164 fax office@cardenofthefoothills.com

The Gooden School

192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-2410 Head of School: Patty Patano

website: www.goodenschool.org

High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road

Pasadena, Ca. 91107

626-798-8989

website: www.highpointacademy.org

LaSalle High School

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 Principal: Patrick Bonacci

website: www.lasallehs.org

Monrovia High School

325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016 

(626) 471-2000, email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us

Norma Coombs Alternative School

2600 Paloma St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 798-0759 Principal: Dr. Vanessa Watkins 

E-mail address: watkins12@pusd.us

Odyssey Charter School

725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neill

website: www.odysseycharterschool.org

Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 798-8901 Principal: Dr. Derick Evans

website: www.pasadenahigh.org

Pasadena Unified School District

351 S. Hudson Ave. Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 795-6981 website: www.pusd@pusd.us

St. Rita Catholic School

322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-9028 Principal: Joanne Harabedian

website: www.st-rita.org

Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428 Principal: Gayle Bluemel

E-mail address:gbluemel220@pusd.us

Sierra Madre Middle School 

160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 Principal: Gayle Bluemel

Contact person: Garrett Newsom, Asst. Principal

E-mail address: gbluemel220@pusd.us

Weizmann Day School

1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 797-0204

Lisa Feldman: Head of School

Wilson Middle School

300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth Esseln

E-mail address: resseln@pusd.us

Pasadena Unified School District

351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 795-6981

Website: www.pusd@pusd.us

 At its Tuesday morning meeting at Café 
322, Sierra Madre Rotary Club honored two 
students from La Salle High School, and 
teachers from six local schools, presenting 
them with certificates, plaques and checks. 

Receiving checks in the amount of $500 
were students Lauren Schenker and Tracy 
Sullivan. Thanks to AP courses, both 
students have GPAs in excess of 4.0, Miss 
Schenker at 4.464 and Miss Sullivan at 4.2. 
Miss Sullivan, a Sierra Madre Rose Princess, 
is a CA Scholarship Federation member, 
received gold honors in multiple subjects, 
and has volunteered at, among other places, 
Sierra Madre library, Arcadia Methodist, 
and St. Rita’s Elementary School. She was 
recently awarded the 2009 Sierra Madre 
Youth Service Award. Miss Schenker also 
won gold honors in multiple subjects, is also 
a member of the CA Scholarship Federation 
member and the National Honor Society. 
She too has volunteered extensively, 
including at the Pasadena Humane Society, 
and the Arcadia Recreation Society among 
several other places.

 “It’s absolutely our pleasure, as a club, to 
have you here as our guests and to recognize 
the great job that you guys do,” said Rotary 
president Jeff Porter as he opened the 
meeting. “Obviously, this part of Rotary is 
near and dear to my heart, teachers never 
get enough recognition, obviously you know 
they don’t get back one tenth of what they 
deserve as far as an hourly wage for what 
they do, so just the opportunity to say thank 
you is fabulous for me,” added Alverno 
Principal Ann Gillick, who was on both the 
Student Scholarship Committee and the 
Teacher Recognition Committee.

Principal Gillick then presented 
Cynthia Cales to the Rotarians. Ms. 
Gillick praised Cales for her tireless 
enthusiasm and for overseeing two 
theater productions at the school this 
year, noting that “it was the life lessons 
that were learned by Cynthia’s students 
that made all the difference.” 

 Bethany Christian School principal 
Jim Lugenbuehl then introduced Colin 
Johnson. Mr. Lugenuehl spoke about 
the different types of teachers there are, 
the role players and the leaders, and 
lauded Johnson as one of the leaders, 
willing to take on teaching any of 
multiple subjects, and able to not only 
recognize when something is needed, 
but able to fill those needs.

 Patty Patano of Gooden School 
recognized Andrea Haan. Principal 
Patano noted that as principal of an 
elementary school, she walks around 
looking for “the hum” in a classroom, 
because she knows that that’s where 
the best learning is taking place. She 
says that when she walks into Ms. 
Haan’s classroom, she can hear and 
see the hum, as the students are 
collaborating, working together 
and bouncing ideas off each other. 

 La Salle Principal Bonacci brought 
Jane Osick to the stage, and praised 
the “marvelous job” Osick had 
done this year in helping the school 
through hits accreditation process 
while continuing to teach English 
and foreign language, and chairing 
the English Dept. He noted that 
she had been selected to receive 
the Rotary award because her 
colleagues had selected her as La 
Salle’s Educator of the Year award.

Alison Snow of Sierra Madre 
School was introduced by former 
principal Ty Gaffney and current 
principal Gayle Bluemel. Principal 
emeritus Gaffney thanked Snow for 
her always calm demeanor, noting 
that she seldom raises her voice, 
and the students respond in kind, 
that they love being in her class. He 
added that as a principal he knew 
that he could always count on her 
support and her loyalty. Bluemel 
spoke of the wonderful spirit of 
individualism that is living and 
thriving in Snow, and how she brings that 
spirit to the classroom.

Ryan Hagen was introduced by St. Rita 
Elementary principal Joanne Harabedian, 
herself a winner of Rotary recognition as a 
teacher in 2004. She stated that Hagen is a 
native born Sierra Madrean and a St. Rita 
and La Salle alumnus who has returned to 
teach at the school where he first “began his 
love of learning…in the kindergarten class.” 
She praised him for being the ultimate 
gentleman, a student, interested, and non-
judgmental. 


Lauren Schenker (L) and Tracy Sullivan (R) 
of La Salle High School with their principal 
Patrick Bonacci after receiving scholarships 
from the Rotary Club


Principal emeritus Ty Gaffney and Principal Gayle Bluemel of Sierra Madre 
Elementary (not pictured Alison Snow), La Salle Principal Frank Bonacci (not 
pictured Jane Osick) Gooden School principal Patty Patano and teacher Andrea 
Haan, Bethany principal Jim Lugenbuehl and teacher Colin Johnson, Alverno 
Principal Ann Gillick and teacher Cynthia Cales, St. Rita teacher Ryan Hagen (not 
pictured principal Joanne Harabedian) at Rotary Teacher Recognition meeting. 


Kids Invited to Perform at 
Open Mic Celebration

Calling all kids 16 and under. There will be a microphone 
waiting for you at the Antigua Bread #1 Bakery & Café in 
Los Angeles. 

Local kids are invited to come sing a song, play an 
instrument, or recite a poem in a fun, family friendly and 
supportive environment. The event will be hosted by local 
2nd grade LAUSD teacher and singer/songwriter, Jane Fuller, 

Dedicated to the community, kids and the arts, Ms. Fuller 
organized this event to provide a venue and encourage 
kids to pursue their musical and literary aspirations. The 
afternoon of great music will be co-hosted by another local 
school teacher and musician, Mike Gallegos. 

So, hold open Saturday, May 22, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. 
Sign up for kids will be at 3:30pm and is open to all comers 
aged 16 and under. 

There is no cover charge, but come enjoy the terrific food 
and drinks. You will support not only these budding 
talents, but also local business. Antigua Bread #1 is located 
at 5703 N. Figueroa St., LA, CA 90045. (323) 259 - 9345

Spread a Few Smiles

 This year has been rough for pretty much everyone. With the 
economy down and natural disasters on the rise, it’s difficult for 
American families to cope with living normal, stress-free, happy 
lives. Not that we ever did live such perfect lives, but for me, 
personally, I can remember there being a time when it seemed 
like not everything was going wrong—that was probably around 
the time Clinton was president and music still had a purpose—
but, all in all, I feel like we all need to improve our lives a bit, 
make them a little happier, a little more tolerable. I’ve found some 
easy ways how:

 Smile. I know, smiling doesn’t magically create a happy person, 
but if you can fake it long enough, it may even turn into the real 
thing. Even smiling and thinking how ridiculous the fake smile 
may be can suddenly cause a genuine one to bloom, and, if you’re 
lucky, a couple giggles to accompany it. 

 Compliment someone. You know that shirt looks good on her, 
and you know his eyes look especially bright today. Why not let 
them know? Everyone likes to feel appreciated and recognized. 
You don’t have to technically know them either, because I have 
found that the best compliments come from utter, complete 
strangers. Besides, why wouldn’t you want to make someone’s 
day?

 Visit 1000awesomethings.com. Indulge in reading short pieces 
about all our favorite objects and moments [e.g. #527: The Night 
Before a Really Good Day]. It will keep you smiling all day.

 Eat dinner with your family. Although we all might not lead 
Cosby Show and Brady Bunch lives, our lives aren’t so hectic that 
we can’t sit down for 30 minutes to chow with the family. Turn 
the TV off, take out the good plates, and celebrate the simple fact 
that you all can be together. Love what you have.

TREASURE 

ISLAND

Student Volunteer Orientation at 
Descanso Gardens

 

Students: Got an extra hand to spare? Want to join a 
group of fun people who are devoted to caring for one 
of the area’s natural treasures? Volunteer at Descanso 
Garden where you will learn new skills, make new friends 
and enjoy time spent outdoors.

 

The next student volunteer orientation session takes place 
Saturday, May 22 at 9 a.m. 

 

Orientation is for students ages 14 and older. For more 
information and to RSVP, call Tali Arnold at (818) 
949-7978.


This May Long John Silver is recruiting kids of all ages to join 
his treacherous pirate gang as June Chandler’s Fairy Tale Theatre 
offers up “Treasure Island,” a participative play written by Steve 
and Kathy Hotchner.

 Audience members will be led through an exciting and terrible 
storm at sea, a mosquito infested jungle, and into a treasure cave 
filled with eerie ghosts. The cast includes many favorites from 
previous productions. Donna Ieraci, our Dorothy in the Wizard 
of Oz, plays the adventurous Jamie, whose discovery of a treasure 
map lures her into this adventure. Trevor Clark plays her uncle, 
Captain Smollet. Barry Schwam, loved for his portrayal of 
Scrooge in Sierra Madre’s Christmas show, plays the notorious 
swashbuckling pirate Long John Silver. Andy Kovac is his colorful 
sidekick. And Shirley McConnell, known to many as Glenda the 
Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz production, does a character 
turn portraying Bertha Ben Bulba who returns for revenge on 
Long John Silver.

 Kids from the audience participate, playing the crew on the ship. 
And everyone meets the cast for autographs after the show. 

 This Robert Louis Stevenson masterpiece is the 3rd in a series 
of 4 participative children’s plays produced for the Sierra Madre 
Playhouse Fairy Tale Theatre. Our next play will be the musical 
“The Frog Prince” Opening June 26th. All four plays will then go 
into repertory and run every Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm through 
September 25th.

 There will only be 4 performances of “Treasure Island.” Saturday, 
May 15th at 2 pm and the following Saturdays May 22, 29, and 
June 5 also at 2 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $12 for children 
under 12.

www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Phone: (626) 355-4318

The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre 
Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA, 91024 Photo by John Gibson

PUSD SCHOOLS COMPARE FAVORABLY WITH SIMILAR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Base API, Growth Targets and Ranks Released by the State

Pasadena, CA – Pasadena 
Unified School District (PUSD) 
schools compare well to similar 
public schools in California, 
according to the 2009 Base 
Academic Performance Index 
(API) report released today, 
which marks the beginning 
of the state’s annual reporting 
cycle of academic growth 
and achievement. The 2009 
Base API Report summarizes 
results from the spring 2009 
testing season and becomes 
the baseline against which to 
compare the 2010 Growth API, 
which will be released in early 
September. 

"I am pleased that more PUSD 
schools exceeded the 800 API 
benchmark than ever before, 
and that more of our schools are 
well within reach of scoring 800 
this year,” said Superintendent 
Edwin Diaz. “I am especially 
proud of the progress that 
our schools have made in not 
only meeting, but exceeding 
improvement goals set by the 
state. This is a momentum that 
we will fight to sustain.” 

Nine of PUSD’s 29 schools 
scored 800 or above on the API 
in 2009. Although not required 
by the state, PUSD has urged 
these campuses to continue 
setting higher targets. Sierra 
Madre School, which serves 
K-8 students, scored 885 on the 
2009 Base API, and hopes to 
reach 900 points in 2010.

“Setting continuously higher 
expectations for our schools 
sends a strong message that 
PUSD is not satisfied with 
merely meeting standards, but 
is actively pursuing greater 
levels of excellence,” said 
Superintendent Diaz.

More PUSD schools are 
expected to meet or surpass the 
800 API benchmark this year, 
as students take the California 
Standards Test this week. 

In 2009, thirteen schools scored 
in the 700’s, with some well 
within reach of meeting or 
exceeding 800 points in 2010. 
Roosevelt Elementary School, 
which scored a 796 API in 2009, 
must improve by four points 
this year. Cleveland Elementary 
School grew 29 points last year 
to score 787, and must meet a 
5-point growth target this year. 

In the similar schools rank, 
which compares schools with 
similar student and teacher 
characteristics, Pasadena High 
School and John Muir High 
School compared favorably 
with other California public 
schools. PHS was ranked an 
8 on the similar schools scale, 
while John Muir earned a 7. 

“How a school is faring in 
comparison to all schools in the 
state or to those similar in nature 
is of vital importance to parents, 
teachers, education advocates, 
and the business community 
who are all interested in 
student performance,” said 
State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction Jack O'Connell . 

Along with the release of 
the school ranks, the state 
accountability reporting cycle 
begins each year with the release 
of a Base API for each school. 
The Base API is calculated 
using the test results of the 
previous year. The Growth 
API, which is calculated using 
the test results of the current 
year, is compared against 
the Base API. The 2009 Base 
API report includes growth 
targets that each school and 
each numerically significant 
subgroup of students at each 
school, must meet. This year, the 
way subgroup growth targets 
are calculated has changed to 
help close achievement gaps 
between students. Growth 
targets for lower achieving 
student subgroups are greater 
than for each school as a whole. 

The 2009 Base API reports, 
including school rankings and 
growth targets, are posted on 
the CDE Accountability Web 
page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/
ta/ac/ap/index.asp.

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com