Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 27, 2011

8

EDUCATION & YOUTH

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 27, 2011

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

PUSD PREPARES FOR THE START OF THE 2011-2012 ACADEMIC YEAR

First Day of School is Wednesday, August 31 

Pasadena, CA --- In anticipation of the arrival 
of students on Wednesday, August 
31, administrators, teachers, facilities and 
clerical employees of the Pasadena Unified 
School District (PUSD) are readying campuses, 
attendance and data systems, and instructional 
materials for the first day of the 
new school year. An estimated 18,690 students 
are expected to head to PUSD schools 
for the start of the 2011-2012 academic year.

 "I am pleased to welcome students, families 
and employees back to school, and look 
forward to working with them to prepare 
our students for the 21st century," said Superintendent 
Jon R. Gundry, who joined 
PUSD this summer. "In the year ahead, our 
focus will be on working together to raise 
student achievement consistently across the 
district."

 According to the California High School 
Exit Exam (CAHSEE), 82 percent of students 
passed both the English language arts 
and the mathematics portions of the test, up 
from 72 percent in 2007. The district's overall 
student dropout rate plummeted by 50 
percent since 2007, according to the latest 
data from the state.

 PUSD's overall student achievement rose 
at the secondary level and held steady at 
the elementary level, according to results 
of the 2011 STAR test released by the California 
Department of Education earlier this 
month. However, growth was inconsistent 
as some schools registered gains, others 
held steady, and some lost ground. District 
and school officials are now examining 
closely the factors that led to a decline in 
test scores as well as those that contributed 
to an increase in achievement.

 The effects of sustained budget cuts to public 
schools will be more evident this year, as 
another $6.69 million reduction is implemented. 
Some examples:

For the second consecutive year, PUSD's 
school year is shortened by two days 

Students from Burbank and Loma Alta 
Elementary will attend new schools this 
year because the campuses closed due to 
declining enrollment 

Reduced custodian hours will impact daily 
maintenance of classrooms, schools and 
offices 

Administrative support for teachers new 
to the district, school or grade level as a result 
of layoffs and reassignments is cut 

Clerical support at schools and district offices 
is reduced 

Professional development for teachers and 
other staff is reduced 

PUSD's summer school for students struggling 
in core academic areas was cancelled 
once again 

All employees are furloughed again this 
year 

Among the programs and initiatives that 
will continue or are new this year:

The Energy Education program continues 
to decrease utility costs by promoting energy 
conservation in classrooms, schools, 
and offices 

Modifications to the district's food service 
program to improve nutrition and 
promote healthy habits include enhanced 
salad bars at all schools, the elimination 
of chocolate milk from school cafeterias, 
replacement of beef with ground turkey 
once the current inventory is depleted, 
and a revision of the district's wellness 
policy to ensure that on-campus fundraising 
sales of snacks and beverages meet the 
federal HealthierUS Schools Challenge 

College & Career Pathways at high schools 
that connect classroom learning with real-
world, project-based experience continues 
to prepare PUSD students for college and 
careers 

The therapeutic program for older special 
needs student at Focus Point/PALs continues 
to expand 

Attendance, dropout prevention and other 
grant-funded early intervention programs 
that have cut the student dropout rate by 
50 percent continue 

The Response to Intervention (RtI) system 
of early, data-based, and progressively 
intensive interventions for students who 
are at risk of failure is in initial stages in 
PUSD, with training in the behavior component 
of the system underway for school 
teams this year. The system addresses the 
needs of general and special education students 
to reduce suspension and discipline 
referral rates. 

Grant-funded health programs continue 
to offer health services. As part of a city-
wide public health program, PUSD's 
Health Clinic will offer free immunizations, 
including the Tdap or whooping 
cough booster now required for all incoming 
7-12th grade students, on August 
29-30.

 

To prepare students for the start of school, 
PUSD officials urge families to:

Update student immunizations with the 
student's regular medical provider. PUSD's 
Health Clinic, located at the Ed Center, will 
offer free immunizations on August 29 and 
30. Read the school immunization requirements 
here. 

By state law, all incoming 7-12th grade students 
must now show proof of having received 
the Tdap or whooping cough booster 
within 30 days of the start of school. Learn 
more about the Tdap requirement. Complete 
free and reduced price meal applications 
in advance. Contact PUSD's Food 
Services Department at (626) 396-5850 or 
click on the Parent Resources tab at www.
pusd.us Sign up for after school programs 
that offer academic support, enrichment 
and fun activities. Contact schools or the 
District's LEARNs office at (626) 396-3614 
for more information. 

Plan safe driving or walking routes to 
school. Check school drop off and pick-up 
rules. 

Prepare comfortable school-appropriate 
clothing, including closed-toe shoes for 
play yard safety. Check with schools about 
uniforms since these can be a cost-effective 
option. 

For more information about PUSD and its 
schools, visit www.pusd.us.

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


With the exception of Christmas, 
no season compels people to do 
quite as much shopping and 
planning as Back-to-School. By 
mid-August, most experienced 
parents have compared the sales 
at all the office and convenience 
stores and stocked up on folders, 
number 2 pencils and…is it wide 
ruled or college ruled notebook 
paper? Come the first day of 
school, there’s a rush for the 
leftovers as all the newest school-
aged parents are handed the 
classroom supply list from the 
teachers, which much to their 
surprise, includes facial tissue, 
copy paper, and antibacterial 
wipes. 

Parents have so many things to 
think about at Back-to-School 
time: not only securing the 
school supplies but also filling out 
all the paper work for the school 
including Emergency forms, 
Release and Authorization to Use 
Student Image forms, and PTA 
Membership forms, to name a 
few. Why should sending a child 
to school be so complicated?

What if schools could streamline 
all of these lists and paperwork 
and could even offer a user-
friendly website where forms 
could be filled out and submitted 
on-line? Some tech-savvy 
schools already have such a 
dreamy process in place, but if 
yours isn’t one of them, you need 
an action plan so you can have 
some sense of order.

Elementary School Action Plan

If you are new to this stage in life 
and don’t yet know your school’s 
system, try to think of the Back-
to-School season as “Back-to-
Basics:” a backpack, a lunch 
box, a folder for homework, a 
wide-ruled notebook, one with 
perforated pages would be a 
plus, and a pencil pouch with 
pencils, eraser, and an erasable 
pen, should get you through the 
first few days. 

Once you’ve got the student 
gear, you need to get the school 
communication organized. 
Start with the school calendar, 
transferring all of the important 
dates such as Open House, 
Conference Days, and “no 
school” days to your family 
or personal calendar. Have 
all school related phone 
numbers and emails handy 
in case of an emergency. Join 
the PTA and attend at least a 
few of the meetings. This is 
not only important for you to 
be connected, it’s important 
for the school to have a high 
PTA membership rate, as this 
affects the school’s rating in 
the district. Finally, meet with 
the teacher early in the year to 
establish a healthy collaborative 
relationship.

When you meet with the 
teacher, share about your 
family’s routine, activities or 
commitments, and any health 
or learning issues previously 
identified. Next, if there are any 
unanswered questions regarding 
the grade level expectations or 
assignments, this is the time to 
ask for clarity. Also, if the topic of 
school-to-home communication 
hasn’t already been discussed, 
find out if you need to sign up 
to receive emails or automated 
phone calls so you will not miss 
any news of upcoming events 
or deadlines. The conference 
shouldn’t take more than 15 
minutes but will establish a 
strong collaboration between 
you and the teacher.

Middle and High School Action 
Plan

By now you have mastered the 
elementary school system, but 
even experienced parents can 
have that deer in the headlights 
look once they enter the world of 
middle school and high school 
complete with class periods, 
color coded gym clothes, and 
the switch to college-ruled 
notebooks. The basic supply list 
is a bit more elaborate than the 
before: backpack, lunch bag, gym 
clothes, locker shelf, notebooks, 
pencil pouch with pencils, 
erasers, pens, a highlighter, and 
probably a calculator. Binders 
can be tricky. Some teachers 
allow one binder with dividers 
to separate the subjects while 
others want a separate binder 
for each class. Best to check the 
official supply list before you 
make that purchase. Be sure 
to be choosy about the style of 
backpack. Make it one that will 
hold whatever your child will be 
carrying on a regular basis, such 
as a computer, band music, art 
supplies, or athletic gear-which 
most likely will require its own 
duffle bag.

Communication is still essential, 
even though the student is 
becoming more responsible 
for meeting his or her own 
requirements. Instead of having 
a conference with all six of 
your student’s teachers set up a 
meeting with their counselor at 
least once a year. Ask questions 
about graduation requirements, 
scholarship opportunities, and 
advice on programs offered by 
the school or district that may 
be a good match for your child. 
Attend Back-to-School Night in 
order to meet the teachers and 
hear about their class’s structure 
and requirements. Ask if the 
school has homework, grades, 
attendance information, and 
textbooks available on-line. 
Inquire about the school-to-
home communication. It will 
probably be a daily email or 
a weekly-automated phone 
message that you will need to 
sign up for. And join the PTA, 
especially in these older grades. 
There are fewer bake sale and 
classroom grading or filing 
opportunities, but the schools 
need parent involvement in so 
many ways from fund raising to 
supporting clubs and athletics. 

 As New Years is a time of 
resolutions, Back-to-School is 
also a season of new beginnings, 
goals, and experiences. With a 
little planning and organization, 
it can be, as that classic Staples 
ad says, “The Most Wonderful 
Time of the Year,” or at least 
accomplished without too many 
tears or “stomach aches.”

BACKPACKS AND HOMEWORK AND FAIRLY 
TRADED LUNCHES By Jan Gratton Wright

Looking Into The Life Of A Teenager

 By Meaghan Allen

Come Sail Away

Being a senior is strange. Walking down the halls surrounded 
by mobs of freshman, I expect to see seniors from last year around 
every corner, talking to a teacher about college applications or 
graduation. But they are no longer there. I am the senior now, 
it is my turn to question teachers about essays and applications 
and graduation. It still hasn’t hit me. Even as I see continuous 
Facebook postings about seniors going to college, pictures of 
their dorms, and new addresses I still feel like they are supposed 
to be here and complain to me. But weirdest of all is saying 
goodbye to friends for possibly the last time. Ever. 

It happens. People come in and out of our lives daily, but 
saying goodbye to people because they are off to college is almost 
surreal. They have been here for so long, there for all types of 
memories and experiences, and then they leave and explore new 
horizons without you. I am happy for them, and I cannot wait 
until I will be leaving next year, but I feel like I should almost be 
going with them or them with me because we have been together 
for so long. But they have gone through their four years of high 
school and survived the entire headache that is the application 
process; the stress and nausea of choosing where to go and how, 
they deserve it. 

So to all the teens heading off to college I wish you good luck 
and happy adventures, enjoy the time you have there, and keep 
this year’s seniors in your prayers, for hopefully next year we will 
come and sail away with you.

This material was made possible by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Los 
Angeles County Department of Public Health. 
Drifting Secondhand 
Smoke Affects 
Everyone!
The poisonous chemicals in secondhand tobacco smoke 
affect any and everything it comes in contact with, 
including your children and pets. You and your loved 
ones deserve a clean air environment, with protection 
from unwanted secondhand tobacco smoke in your home 
and community.
Join the Coalition for Clean Air Residential 
Environments (C.A.R.E.) of Sierra Madre. For a 
cleaner, safer, and healthier community.
For more information, contact:
caresierramadre@gmail.com(626) 229-9750