Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 22, 2012

8

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 22, 2012 

DAY ONE’S CHERISHING CHILDREN 
EVENT BRINGS SMILES TO HUNDREDS OF 
LOCAL YOUTH! 

On Friday, December 14th the sounds of children giddy with laughter as they threw 
snow balls, waved their arms up and down to form snow angels and line up to receive a 
gift from the man in red himself filled the air during Day One’s third annual “Cherishing 
Children” Holiday Celebration. 

“We know that times continue to be difficult for many families,” shared Christy Zamani, 
Day One Executive Director. “Cherishing Children is our effort to do what we can to 
make sure that ALL of our children experience the holiday spirit.” 

With the help of Toys for Tots, Kaiser Permanente, Armory Center for the Arts, and 
countless community members and partners Day One was able to bring smiles to over 
500 faces. This event has grown into a Day One tradition that we hope to celebrate for 
years to come. See more at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3641514491576.120297.1685740280&type=1 

If you would like to make a tax deductible product or monetary donation, please mail to 
or drop off at Day One, 175 North Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101. Online donations 
are also available at www.dayonepasadena.org/donate

 Day One is a 24-year old nonprofit community based organization whose mission is 
to provide an organizational structure by which Pasadena and Altadena will reduce the 
problems associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Day One convenes, develops, 
coordinates, and provides prevention services.

PUSD WEEKLY NEWSFLASH 

The schools of the Pasadena Unified School District 
(PUSD) will be closed for the annual winter break 
from December 24 through January 4, 2013. Classes 
resume Monday, January 7, 2013. Many central offices 
will be closed as well. 

PUSD’s Families in Transition has collected food, toys 
and clothing for homeless students and their families 
this holiday season. Donation drives were held 
at PUSD schools. Volunteers from John Muir High 
School and other campuses helped collect and deliver 
donations to the Families in Transition office for distribution 
to families. 

Miracle-Gro and the Tournament of Roses are replacing 
an edible garden designed to help special needs 
students at Pasadena High School to learn about science, 
nutrition and the environment. The student-
designed garden includes vegetables and herbs, as 
well as special features to accommodate the students’ 
needs such as raised beds. The joint project supported 
by Miracle-Gro and its partner, the Tournament of 
Roses, is not only beautiful, but also a living, functional 
learning laboratory. Pasadena High School, 
which sits at the end of the Rose Parade route, will be 
the first of the gardens Miracle-Gro and its partners 
will create across the area to encourage neighborhood 
participation in edible gardening. 

Looking for a last minute holiday gift or year-end donation? 
Give a gift to a teacher for PUSD classrooms! Donors 
Choose, a nonprofit website that allows teachers 
to post needs for individual classrooms, is a great way 
to support PUSD schools. For a limited time Horace 
Mann Investors will match any gift up to $100 by entering 
the code horacemann12 at checkout. Horace 
Mann is donating $250,000 through its “Imagine a 
Better Classroom” campaign, increasing its total contributions 
to DonorsChoose.org to more than $1.5 
million since February 2011. 

After watching news on local television stations, students 
in special education teacher Stephanie Cosey’s 
class collected donations to benefit ABC7’s annual 
Spark of Love toy drive and delivered the donations 
to the Altadena Sheriff’s Station on December 18. 
Cosey’s students are ages 18-22 with moderate to 
severe disabilities in PUSD’s Pasadena Adult Living 
Skills (PALS) program. “So often, students with disabilities 
go through life with many things done for 
them,” said Cosey. “Our students are learning how 
to give, which gives them purpose --- something that 
everyone strives to achieve.” 

PUSD Facilities Supervisor Shirly Barrett was honored 
by the California Urban Water Conservation Council 
on December 12 for her leadership role in the expansion 
of the Muir Ranch at John Muir High School. 
The water-wise and edible expansion of the 5,000 
square foot ranch, including turf removal, soil preparation, 
irrigation systems and raised plant beds, was 
funded in part by Pasadena Water & Power. Using a 
project-based learning approach under the direction 
of certified master gardener Mud Baron, students 
grow and harvest vegetables on the campus farm 
and sell the produce through subscriptions and local 
farmers’ markets. 

The application period for 2013-2014 Open Enrollment 
begins January 23, 2012. Open Enrollment is PUSD’s 
school of choice program. Applications will be accepted 
for admission in popular specialized programs 
such as: 

• Dual Language Immersion - Spanish (now offered 
on two campuses) 

• Dual Language Immersion - Mandarin Chinese 

• Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math 
(STEAM) middle school magnet 

• International Baccalaureate schools 

• College & Career Pathways in themed academies 
such as the new App Academy and existing academies 
such as Engineering & Environmental Science, 
Culinary and Hospitality and Business & 
Entrepreneurship. 

Please visit www.openenrollment.info to learn more 
about the open enrollment process. 

Starting in January, college-bound seniors and their 
families can begin submitting the Free Application 
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for state and federal 
grants, loans and work-study funds. For more information, 
go to www.calgrants.org. The filing period 
begins in January and ends March 2, 2013. 

December 24, 2012 - January 4, 2013 

PUSD schools closed for winter break. Many district 
offices will also be closed. 

December 26-30 

It’s going to be a winter wonderland at Kidspace 
Children Museum in Pasadena as 60 tons of snow 
is trucked in for the 5th Annual Snow Days winter 
celebration. Snow Days at Kidspace takes place from 
Wednesday, December 26 through Sunday, December 
30 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. 480 North Arroyo 
Blvd., Pasadena (Adjacent to the Rose Bowl). 

Thursday, December 27 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Celebrate the joyous and festive occasion 
of Kwanzaa with music, stories, refreshments 
prepared by the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Delta 
Sigma Theta Sorority and a special appearance by 
Queen Vanessa Manjarrez and the 2013 Tournament 
of Roses Royal Court. La Pintoresca Branch Library, 
1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. For more information, 
contact Diane Walker at (626) 744-7268 or dianewalker@
cityofpasadena.net. 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

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: Brent Forsee

bforsee@ausd.net

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: Ethan Williamson

Kindergarten - 8th grade

website: www.barnhartschool.org

Bethany Christian School

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

(626) 355-3527 Principal: James Lugenbuehl

E-mail address: jml@bcslions.org

website: www. bcslions.org

Clairbourn School

8400 Huntington Drive

San Gabriel, CA 91775

Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172

FAX: 626-286-1528

E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org

Foothill Oaks Academy

822 Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010

(626) 301-9809 

Co-Principals Nancy Lopez and Diane Kieffaber

info@foothilloaksacademy.org 

preschool@foothilloaksacademy.org

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 

Headmaster John Higgins

626-798-8989

website: www.highpointacademy.org

LaSalle High School

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org

Principal Bro. Christopher Brady, FSC

Monrovia High School

325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016 

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin Jackson

Email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.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: Gilbert Barraza

website: www.pasadenahigh.org

St. Rita Catholic School

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

Principal Joan Harabedian

(626) 355-9028 website: www.st-rita.org

Sierra Madre Elementary School

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

(626) 355-1428 Principal: Esther Salinas

E-mail address: salinas.esther@pusd.us

Sierra Madre Middle School 

160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett Newsom

E-mail address: newsom.garrett@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

ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net

MONROVIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016

(626) 471-2000 Website: www.monroviaschools.net

DUARTE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010

(626)599-5000 Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us


ALVERNO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RAISE 
OVER $1,000 FOR GIRLS EDUCATION

Students held sold over 1,000 cupcakes to provide a year of education 
for a girl in India

Sierra Madre, CA Alverno students were recently given an incredible task— raise $1,000 
to help educate a girl in India through She’s the First. The method? Selling cupcakes for 
$1 a piece on campus, to friends and family, and around the community. 

 In August, Alverno was introduced to She’s the First, a nonprofit organization that 
sponsors girls’ education in the developing world, helping them be the first in their 
families to graduate. In the process, She’s the First fosters leadership and global awareness 
in young Americans, by inspiring them to lead creative fundraisers and correspond with 
sponsored students. 

 Prior to the launch of the “Cupcake Craze,” Alverno’s Campus Ministry had chosen 
a school named Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project in Baliganapalli, Tamil Nadu, India 
who would receive the proceeds from the cupcake sales on campus. Shanti Bhavan is a 
home and exceptional school located in rural Tamil Nadu, India, for the region’s most 
socially and economically disadvantaged children. Admitting students at the age of four, 
Shanti Bhavan provides a holistic, high quality education until the age of 17 free of cost, 
and subsequently funds college education for its students. The total cost of a student 
receiving an education at Shanti Bhavan is $1,600, which includes education, room and 
board, medical costs, clothing, and recreational expenses. 

 In order to help raise the funds to sponsor a girl to attend Shanti Bhavan, Alverno 
students started baking, creating dozens and dozens of cupcakes to be sold. More than 
30 students entered a cupcake bake-off for $5. Five faculty and staff members generously 
volunteered their palettes as judges and tasted over two dozen cupcakes before declaring 
three winners who each received a special prize. The flavors of the winning cupcakes 
were dulce de leche, maple and bacon, and pumpkin spice, respectively. After a week of 
selling and baking, Alverno students were not only able to meet but exceeded their goal 
by raising $1,100 for a student at Shanti Bhavan. 

 “At Alverno, we teach our students about the importance of social justice and the 
difference that one person can make in the world,” said Ann Gillick, Head of School. 
“I am proud to see them take the lesson and put it into action by helping a school like 
Shanti Bhavan. We share a very special and important mission with them of empowering 
each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.” 

 

About Alverno High School

Alverno High School is a Catholic, private, college preparatory school for young women dedicated to 
preparing them to function in a society as informed, knowledgeable persons, who have the requisite 
skills to make and implement mature decisions about complex problems. Enlivened by the spirit of 
its Immaculate Heart Community sponsors, and mindful of the Franciscan roots of its founders, 
Alverno’s program—academic, spiritual, aesthetic, social, and physical—is shaped by the staff, 
trustees, and students in light of the world for which the students are being educated. Alverno’s 
mission is to empower each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be and since 1960, 
Alverno has empowered more than 4,100 women to meet that goal. For more information about 
Alverno High School, please call 626-355-3463 or visit www.alverno-hs.org. 


THE REEL DEAL: by Ben Show

Movie Reviews Especially for Teens & ‘Tweens

THE HOBBIT - An Unexpected Journey

 The next 
chapter of the 
‘Lord of the Rings’ 
movie franchise 
has started off 
strong. After 
reading the book, 
and hearing that 
‘The Hobbit’ would 
be made into three 
movies, I was 
skeptical at first, 
but when I saw the 
first preview, all of 
my doubt faded.

 A long time ago, before Frodo and Sam embarked upon 
their quest to destroy evil, there lived a mild mannered hobbit 
named Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman). He lived a normal life, 
until the day that the great wandering wizard Gandalf the Grey 
(Ian McKellen) and a band of dwarves invite him to go on a 
quest with them to take back their home from an evil dragon.

 While the beginning is slow and very dreary, the movie 
takes off and soars once the quest starts. With stellar directing 
(Peter Jackson), screenwriters who worked on the original ‘Lord 
of the Rings’ trilogy (Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens), and 3D that 
kicks butt, ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is a great start 
to a new trilogy that will equal its predecessors in greatness.