Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 24, 2011

8

EDUCATION & YOUTH

Mountain Views News Saturday, September 24, 2011

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

OH DO WE ROCK!

PUSD Board President Renatta Cooper Delivers a Factual and Inspiring State of the Schools Address

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

“Strong public schools create a more 
stable community. They minimize the 
differences between the public system and 
children who are being educated in the 
private sector. They enhance and increase 
the value of housing. 

The greater Pasadena Community has 
been consistently supportive of its public 
schools for a long time. In recent years two 
construction bonds, Measure Y (1997) and 
Measure TT (2008) have been passed to 
upgrade school facilities. Even in the narrow 
defeat of Measure CC (2010), school district 
supporters garnered a majority of the votes 
cast, while missing the super- majority 
which would have insured passage. Close, 
but not close enough.

Meaningful collaborations and 
partnerships

The City of Pasadena and the Pasadena 
Unified School district partner to maximize 
access to resources that benefit students, 
families and residents of Pasadena. Joint 
priorities include truancy reduction and 
improved attendance, campus security, 
student internships and joint use of facilities 
to improve the quality of life for students 
and residents. I would like to thank Mayor 
Bogaard members of the city council, with 
special thanks to PHS alums Chris Holden 
and Victor Gordo, and John Muir alum 
Jacque Robinson, city manager Michael 
Beck special Assistant Lisa Fowler and child 
Care Coordinator and PHS alum, Peggy 
Sission for their dedication and support in 
strengthening this important collaboration.

The joint Attendance Improvement and 
Truancy Reduction Program improves 
attendance and helps reduce the dropout 
rate. PUSD officials, with the assistance of 
the City Prosecutor and District Attorney, 
reinstated SARB (Student Attendance 
Review Board) to track and counsel chronic 
truants while providing them and their 
families with support to reduce the dropout 
rate. 

PUSD high school students participate 
as paid summer internships at city 
departments as part of the City/School 
District/PCC collaborations on College and 
Career Pathways.

The City of Pasadena provides crossing 
guards at 16 elementary school sites during 
peak school start and ending hours where 
significant numbers of elementary school-
aged children walk independently.

Pasadena Police Department’s Safe 
Schools Team provides policing services 
to all the PUSD school sites located within 
Pasadena. The goal is for the Safe Schools 
Team members to develop a positive 
rapport with students to ensure attendance 
and safety. The Safe Schools Team is fully 
funded by the City of Pasadena including, 
salaries, equipment, vehicles and supplies 
which free up PUSD funds for core 
educational purposes.

Joint use of Facilities offer campus’ 
unused outdoor play space to provide 
essential neighborhood recreational 
opportunities, particularly in densely 
populated neighborhoods, by making them 
available during daytime, weekend and 
in some cases, after school hours. Added 
improvements include purchasing and 
installing play equipment and landscape 
improvements.

Resource sharing: PUSD provides 
physicals for new City employees; the City 
donates surplus furniture and equipment 
to PUSD schools. Last year PUSD provided 
printing services to the city to save costs. 
With our expanded capacity at PHS, our 
ability to do this should increase as our 
students learn to operate and manage a 
printing business.

Construction of the McKinley and 
Washington Middle School gymnasiums 
is partially funded by the City of Pasadena 
to provide joint use by students and the 
community.

PUSD is the lead agency in developing 
a strategic plan around the Washington 
Complex, an exciting opportunity for North 
West Pasadena.

PUSD students participate in the city 
– wide afterschool programs that offer 
recreational activities on 12 campuses.

These partnerships are a positive addition 
to the quality of life to the many Pasadena 
residents, whether they currently have 
children attending PUSD schools or not. 

Schools as the heart of their communities, 
this is a model we are engaging in a 
community schools project for the 
Washington School Complex. We will be 
discussing truly innovative educational 
practices around this proposed complex; 
a place that could be open 12 -14 hours 
a day 6-7 days a week. A complex where 
programs are offered for children, parents 
and serve as a vital hub for the community. 

 Academics

Over the past three years, student 
achievement in the PUSD has raised its 
Academic performance Index (API) score 
by 52 points, surpassing State and County 
growth rates. 

More PUSD students are testing 
advanced and proficient every year. Are 
we where we want to be in relationship to 
student proficiency? No, however we are 
progressing and that is note worthy.

Ten schools scored 800 or higher on the 
API, meeting or exceeding the State’s goal 
for academic achievement: Sierra Madre 
School became the first school in PUSD to 
score above 900 on the API, posting a score 
of 908.

PUSD has cut the percentage of students 
who drop out by more than half in two 
years, outpacing the State and the County.

All of this in spite of the crippling, 23 
million dollars in cuts that we have endured 
of over the past three years. These cuts have 
challenged our district greatly. Forcing the 
layoffs of many excellent teachers some who 
had received special training as part of the 
John Muir reorganization. We have also 
been forced to increase class size. 

It is ironic that in an era when we have 
so much research and data on what is good 
for children educationally, in the state of 
California, we are unable to fund those 
best practices. All over the country school 
districts are shortening school calendars, as 
budget realities dictate teacher furloughs as 
a budget strategy. In the U. S. we have had 
at 180 days, the shortest school year in the 
western industrialized world. We need a 
longer school day and a longer school year 
and should be experimenting with models 
to get us away from an educational model 
based on the agrarian life style of the 19th 
century. 

Due to the extensive research that has 
been conducted over the past 10 years, we 
know we as a nation are moving in the 
wrong direction potentially sacrificing our 
future for current financial problems. It is 
short sighted and not in the best interest of 
our children or our future in the competitive 
global economy. Some call this educational 
mal-practice; it is not educators who are 
allocating the funds that lead to these 
decisions. I will just say we are making the 
best decisions under the worst conditions. 

And still our students manage to shine 
and make us proud.

Student and School Awards

Blair High School is a 2011 California 
Distinguished School - the first high school 
in PUSD to win this award. Blair was also 
awarded a 6 year accreditation by WASC 
which is about as good as it gets.

 
Cooper and Gundry Photo courtesy of Pasadena Now

Let The Pigskin Fly! 


According to reports, LaSalle’s 2011 Football Season “started 
with a new attitude, a new look, and a new mentality”. Although 
the season is beginning with a tough start,

9/2/2011 L 21-26 2:30PM Home 

Village Christian High School 

9/9/2011 L 3-20 2:30PM Home 

Maranatha High School 

9/16/2011 L 0-24 1:45PM Away 

San Marino High School

With three consecutive losses to Village Christian, Maranatha 
and San Marino HS, the team has ‘enormous potential’ and has 
faith that the tides will soon turn. They move forward with new 
Athletic Director Anthony Harris’ words in mind, “quitting is not 
an option” Go Lancers! 

Due to the high demand for her tutoring and education services, bookstore 
owner, Sally Morrison, is opening a new learning center here in Sierra Madre. 
Mindspring Education Center will cater to students (children and adults) 
interested in furthering their reading, writing, math, spelling, and 
comprehension skills. In addition, Sally offers assistance in study skills, 
homework, and test preparation. She also specializes in helping students 
with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Those interested in summer 
sessions should contact Mindspring soon because space is limited.
As a result of this business expansion, Sally Morrison and Jeffrey Ingwalson, 
owners of Sierra Madre Books, will be closing the bookstore in June 2011. 
“We appreciate all the support we’ve received from our customers over the 
past few years, but are excited about our new venture. We look forward to 
continuing to be part of this community.”
For questions about Mindspring Education Center, please call (626) 355-1972.
For questions about Sierra Madre Books, please call (626) 836-3200.
Announcing:
The Opening of...
Mindspring Education CenterOne-to-One Instruction for All Ages37 Auburn Ave., Suite 7ASierra Madre, CA 91024(626) 355-1972www.mindspringEDC.com
CHANDLER SCHOOL TO DEDICATE 
NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM 

BUILDING ON FOUNDERS DAY

PASADENA—Chandler School co-founder Katie Chandler and 
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard will join Chandler students, faculty 
and staff to dedicate Chandler’s new Middle School classroom 
building as a part of Founders Day on Friday, Sept. 30 at 8:15 a.m. 
on Chandler’s South Campus.

The new building opened at the start of the 2011-2012 school 
year. The three-story Craftsman-style building more doubles the 
teaching and learning space previously available and features a 
multipurpose auditorium, a library and media center, a music 
room, three science labs and 12 classrooms in addition to offices, 
meeting spaces and lush courtyards.

The expanded South Campus has allowed Chandler to increase 
enrollment to 450 students, the largest student body in school 
history.

The new building and renovations to Chandler’s gym and field are 
the first phase of the South Campus building project, with a price 
tag of $15 million. Chandler continues to actively raise funds to 
finish paying for the project. Phase two of construction, slated to 
begin in 2013, will add a music and art wing, a new entrance to 
the school and a two-level parking structure on Seco Street.

For more information on Chandler School please visit 
chandlerschool.org.

Looking Into The Life Of A Teenager

 By Meaghan Allen

Rite of Passage

 I walked up to the judges and stood there nervously. Making 
sure my back was straight, my shoulders were calm, and I looked 
confident I smiled, looked them in the eyes, and began my speech. 
“Hello, I am number 915 and…” Only one of them smiled while 
the rest looked at me intently and nodded their heads or scribbled 
some notes down. My fifteen seconds passed not as quickly as I 
would have thought, but quickly enough. I walked away, making 
sure my gait was not haughty or stiff but natural and proper. I was 
escorted into the house and met up with my friends, relaxing with 
some water and breathing now that it was over.

This past Thursday a Rose Court representative came to our 
school at lunch and briefed us on what the Rose Court is, what it 
stands for, and how to try out. We watched a little video and had 
our questions answered. After the meeting we discussed whether 
or not we were going to try out, what we would wear, if we would 
go on Saturday or Monday, etc. At first I was hesitant to audition, 
but then I realized that I almost had to. Growing up in Pasadena, 
I have watched the Rose Court since I was three. I have helped 
make floats, been offered to be on floats, I have even been inside 
the Wrigley Mansion to see where everything is decided. Being a 
girl in Pasadena, trying out for the Rose Court is almost a rite of 
passage into graduation and college; it’s just something that all 
Pasadenan girls should do. And to be honest, I had a great time 
dressing up in 1940’s attire, fixing my hair in victory rolls, and 
trying something different, regardless to whether or not I get 
selected to advance to the next stage.

Do you have to many books at home? Wondering 
what to do with them? Come to The Book Rack and 
trade them in for a book you have not read.
We have 1000's used and New books for 
your reading pleasure.
204 S. First AveArcadiawebsite: bookrackarcadia.comPhone 626-446-2525
We’d like to hear from you! 

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