Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 12, 2011

8

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Mountain Views News Saturday, March 12, 2011 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

PUSD CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER ALICE PETROSSIAN RETIRES

 
Pasadena Unified School District 
(PUSD) announced that Alice 
Petrossian, who has served as Chief 
Academic Officer for the past three years, 
will retire at the end of the current school 
year and serve as the incoming president 
for the Association of California School 
Administrators (ACSA) in 2012. 

“PUSD is fortunate to have benefitted 
from the more than three decades of 
experience as an educator, administrator 
and passionate advocate for public 
education Dr. Petrossian has brought to our students and staff,” 
said Superintendent Edwin Diaz. “During her tenure, she has 
consistently focused on high-quality instruction, professional 
development and a standards-based curriculum, and as a result, 
academic achievement has soared. Her integrity and dedication to 
students are unmatched, and her departure is a great loss to students, 
employees and the community.”

While with PUSD, Dr. Petrossian was the instructional leader for 
30 campuses, directed elementary, secondary, special education and 
alternative educational programs, and participated as the member of 
the executive leadership team responsible for setting and achieving 
goals for student success and instructional improvement. 

Over the course of her career as an educator, reformer and advocate, 
Dr. Petrossian has shepherded school improvement, created a model 
continuation high school program and secured “triple-crown” status 
for a middle school - recognition as a Title I Achieving School, 
California Distinguished School and National Blue Ribbon School. 
Since 2008, PUSD’s Academic Performance Index score climbed 
53 points district-wide, the district was awarded its first National 
Blue Ribbon at Hamilton Elementary, and several schools received 
California Distinguished School and Title I Achievement Awards. 

“It has been an honor to serve Mr. Diaz along with outstanding 
colleagues as part of the leadership team for PUSD the last three 
years. We have been successful with numerous academic challenges 
including improving dropout rates, increasing student achievement, 
and addressing the needs of special needs students, whether they are 
Special Education, English language learners or gifted students,” said 
Dr. Petrossian. “I have enjoyed working with our parent groups and 
our community organizations, who have become such tremendous 
partners in the work we do for our students. Last, but not least, my 
greatest joy has been working for and with our students. They are 
the focal point for all that we do.”

Dr. Petrossian has received numerous local, state and national 
recognitions for her achievements in school reform, including 
the Outstanding Administrator Award from the Association of 
California School Administrators (ACSA) and the Legislative 
Woman of the Year award from Assembly Member Paul Krekorian.

“The decision to retire is one of the most difficult decisions I have 
had to make. Pasadena has provided me great insight into the 
day-to-day realities of an urban school district and I have honestly 
loved every minute of my work during these three years. At this 
time there is an opportunity for me to take what I have learned and 
make a difference at the state level as the incoming president for the 
Association for California School Administrators.”

Prior to joining PUSD, Dr. Petrossian served as Assistant 
Superintendent of Educational Services for Glendale Unified School 
District, where she was previously appointed Director of Special 
Projects and Intercultural Education and a teacher of English as a 
Second Language. She began her career in Hayward, California, as 
a teacher of elementary gifted programs and middle school English, 
math, and physical education.

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 

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 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

Walden School

74 S San Gabriel Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166 

www.waldenschool.net

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


Local Students Make the 

Grade at Azusa Pacific

AZUSA, CA - The following students made the academic Deans’ 
List at Azusa Pacific University. They join more than 1,700 APU 
students honored for a fall semester 2010 academic standing of a 
3.5 or better grade-point average.

Altadena Calif. resident Jae Seung Lim, a Finance Major

Altadena Calif. resident Brigina D. O’Bryan, a Music and Worship 
Major

Altadena Calif. resident Jordan A. Ruffin, an English Major

Altadena Calif. resident Kyle M. Simkovich, a Nursing Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Tiffany T. Chang, a Liberal Studies Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Yi No Chen, a Biology Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Lauryn D. Elffers, a Nursing Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Kathryn E. Krag, a Liberal Studies Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Melinda R. Morrison, a Liberal Studies 
Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Steven A. Morrison, a Graphic Design 
Major

Arcadia Calif. resident Douglas E. Roberts III, an Accounting 
Major

Monrovia Calif. resident Yasmine S. Baker, a Nursing Major

Monrovia Calif. resident Lynsey R. Ruangchan, a Music Major 

Pasadena Calif. resident Elizabeth Aaron, a Nursing Major

Pasadena Calif. resident Kristen N. Demeester, a Nursing Major

Pasadena Calif. resident Ellen Jorgensen, a Liberal Studies Major

Sierra Madre Calif. resident Nicole A. Moriguchi, a Psychology 
Major

Sierra Madre Calif. resident Amanda K. Mowrey, a Liberal Studies 
Major

Sierra Madre Calif. resident Sarah R. Robison, a Nursing Major

Sierra Madre Calif. resident Caitlin A. Carlson, a Nursing Major

Sierra Madre Calif. resident Ryan D. Chin, a Biblical Studies Major

Sierra Madre Calif. resident Dalia A. Copti, a Nursing Major

Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical, Christian university 
committed to God First and excellence in higher education. With 
53 undergraduate majors, 37 master’s degrees, 21 credentials, 7 
doctoral programs, and 5 certificates, the university offers its more 
than 9,200 students a quality education on campus, online, and at 
seven regional centers throughout Southern California. 

www.apu.edu


Looking Into The Life Of A Teenager

 By Meaghan Allen

PUSD REOPENS ENROLLMENT 

PERIOD FOR 2011 – 2012 SIGNATURE 
PROGRAMS 

Applications Accepted February 28-March 4 for Limited Spots 
in College & Career Pathways and Spanish/Mandarin Chinese 
Dual Language Immersion Programs 

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced that it 
will accept student applications for its Signature Programs that 
offer themed or specialized instruction for elementary and high 
school students during a second priority open enrollment application 
period from February 28-March 4, 2011. 

A limited number of spots remain available for students who 
wish to attend one of the District’s Signature Programs but do 
not reside in the attendance area for that school. The two Signature 
Programs are:

• College & Career Pathways at PUSD high schools that 
offer a college preparatory curriculum with specialized course 
study in the following areas: 

o Health Careers 

o Creative Arts, Media & Design 

o Information & Technology 

o Engineering and Environmental Science 

o Business and Entrepreneurship 

o Arts, Entertainment and Media

• Dual Language Immersion, starting in Kindergarten, 
where students learn core academic subjects in English and another 
language: 

o Spanish at San Rafael Elementary 

o Mandarin Chinese at Field Elementary

The 2011-2012 Open Enrollment second priority application period 
for PUSD Signature Programs begins Monday, February 28 
and will end Friday, March 4, 2011 at 5 p.m. Applications are 
accepted online at www.openenrollment.info. 

Families who need internet access or help completing the online 
application can visit PUSD’s District’s Welcome Center, located 
in Room 121, 351 South Hudson, Pasadena. Computers and assistance 
are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
To contact the Welcome Center-Office of Permits, call 626-396-
3600, extension 88340.

Students must reside within the areas served by PUSD: Altadena, 
Pasadena and Sierra Madre. Students applying for Pathways 
must be current 8th graders or current 9th graders who do not 
reside in the attendance area of the Pathway they are choosing. 
Students applying for Dual Language Immersion Programs must 
enter Kindergarten in Fall 2011 and be 5 years old on or before 
December 2, 2011. Students accepted into a signature program 
are granted a permit which will not be renewed if the student 
declines to remain in the program.

The Beast

Every high school student has to take it, despite how much we 
wish we didn’t. The SAT. This weekend, I am going to attempt to 
tackle the beast and get a decent score. Colleges say that the score 
isn’t everything, that students are more than their numbers. Well, 
students are 75% numbers and 25% character – the test and its 
scores are a big deal. 

Some kids will say it is easy, others will say it is impossible. I 
say it’s tough and I wish that I didn’t have to take it. But in order 
to get into that dream college, I have to. I have taken the courses, 
prepared my mind for the four and a half hour strain that it will 
receive; I can only hope that it will be enough. A month ago I 
took the test’s sibling, the ACT, and did well, but not great. To 
go where I dream of going, Brown University, I need that above-
average score to feel confident enough in myself, to feel that I even 
have a chance. People have dreams because they need something 
to aspire to – I hope that one day my dream will become a reality. 

In my room I have all my supplies together, ready for the task 
ahead: extra batteries for my calculator, about five number two 
pencils, eraser, and an angel that has been blessed by the Pope. 
I hope that all my studying and preparation for this test pay off. 
Wish me luck!


Cafe 322 will be supporting our Instrumental Music 
Performance by sponsoring two performances and 
making a donation back to our program.

Sunday, March 12 - 1:00 - 3:00 The cast and band 
from the Spring Musical, Grease, will be previewing 
excerpts from the upcoming musical. A PHS Jazz 
Combo will also be entertaining. 

Monday Evening, March 13 (I think 6:00) - The PHS 
Jazz Ensemble will be entertaining.

Entrance to each event is $10 and includes a 
delicious buffet and top notch entertainment.

Hope to see you there! Tell your friends and family!

Cafe 322 is located at 

322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd in Sierra Madre

Thanks for supporting the PHS Instrumental Music 
Program.

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