Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 30, 2013

10

EDUCATION & YOUTH

 Mountain Views News Saturday, March 30, 2013 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

The Real Life Of Pi..............local schools get the meaning!

BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL’S Pi A THON

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

 
Do you like pie? How about pi? 
These questions greeted all who entered 
Bethany Christian School’s campus for 
the month leading up to a special Pi Day. 
Students were invited to explore the world 
of science on 3-14 (March 14th), and 
Albert Einstein’s birthday. Students at 
Bethany Christian School learned about the 
wonderful ubiquitous number that has been 
woven throughout nature and also bears the 
same name as a tasty dessert.

 Earlier this month, Bethany 
Christion School preschoolers through 
8th graders participated in a morning full 
of science and math. BCS parents who 
make their careers in the mathematics 
and science realms were on-hand to help 
students discover the wonder of science that 
is all around us. Among the station leaders 
participating were biologists, chemists, 
physicians, and computer programmers. 
All were excited to instruct and encourage 
students for their common passion and love 
of science and math.

 Principal James Lugenbuel and 
Academic Dean Melody Heal birthed the 
idea of a math and science curriculum 
enhancement day as a way to connect 
students and professionals within the BCS 
community who have careers in STEM 
(science, technology, engineering, math) 
related fields. “Encouarging student 
enthusiasm and interest in these fields is 
important for us as a school and nation,” Mr. 
Lugenbuel said. “Having fun while learning 
about STEM related careers is a great way to 
motivate students.”

 Teachers and students alike 
marveled at the chemist igniting balloons 
filled with varying ratios of hydrogen 
and oxygen, viewing a replica from JPL 
of the Mars Space Laboratory brought by 
a JPL engineer, and calculating Pi using 
a Monte Carlo Simulation by throwing 
celery and carrots on a grid during a Cal 
Tech computer programmer’s take on 
Veggie Wars. Students had the opportunity 
to learn about Black Holes on Mars, the 
amount of sugar in a soda, and what 
happens chemically when baking soda and 
vinegar are combined. Many of the stations 
were hands-on demonstrations, making it 
especially fun for BCS preschoolers. 

 Students, parents, and teachers 
alike all certainly got into the spirit of the 
Pi Day theme. They were encouraged to 
dress up as scientists or wear math related 
clothing. “It was awesome to learn about 
science and math for an entire morning 
at BCS,” remarked one student. The BCS 
community also ate pie together and had a 
school-wide picture in the form of the first 
few digits of Pi. Combining Pie eating and 
Pi learning...what’s more awesome than 
that!

To learn more about Bethany Christian 
School please visit our website: www.
bcslions.org and sign up for a campus tour 
via our website or call 626-355-3527.

La Salle High School’s fourth annual Cardboard Regatta took place on March 14th, at the Sierra Madre Aquatic Center 

 It was a 
beautiful, warm 
day to set sail. 
This year, we 
held the regatta 
on Pi day (3-14). 
Thirty-four teams 
of physics and 
honors geometry 
students proudly 
brought their 
cardboard 
creations to the 
Sierra Madre 
Aquatic Center. 
We decided to 
play up the fact 
that the event 
happened to be 
scheduled on Pi 
day this year. The 
students had the 
opportunity to 
create a theme 
around Pi. We 
had several “Life 
of Pi”, as well as 
“Pi-rates”, and 
“American Pi” 
boats. “Monty 
Pi-thon”, “John 
3:14”, “Pi-o-
neers” (Pioneers), 
and “Pi-neapple” 
(Pineapple) boats were all great themes as well. 

 Equipped with only standard or appliance grade cardboard and clear packaging tape, the teams were charged to design seaworthy 
boats that would hold three of their team members and then paddle the length of the Sierra Madre pool and back. 

 This year we are so excited that the robotics team wanted to join in the fun and created two robot-powered cardboard boats of 
their own. The teachers involved were quite proud of their students who were able to apply the physics and geometry that they learned 
in class to a real life situation.

AT LASALLE Pi DAY IS ALL WET!


Ashton Holmes ‘14, Abby Marich ‘16 an Joe Acapente ‘14 fight the waves Photo and story by John Blackstock

SKILLZ SUMMER 
SCHOOL VALIDATES 
THE POWER OF 
RELATIONSHIPS!

“Love + support + high expectations 
+ credits = a winning formula 
for teen success” is the recipe 
the SKILLZ Summer School planning 
partners believed in when 
developing a free, innovative summer 
school program in Pasadena 
three years ago to assist teens most 
at-risk of dropping out of school. 
By completing a mix of life skills 
workshops and academic classes, 
the students can earn up to ten 
school credits toward graduation. 
In addition to improving school 
success, SKILLZ helps increase the 
students’ confidence, motivation 
and social skills. Spearheaded by 
Flintridge Center, in collaboration 
with Day One, Lake Avenue 
Community Foundation and the 
Pasadena Unified School District 
(PUSD), the five-week program 
has served more than 300 students 
to date.

Last year’s SKILLZ program 
served over sixty 9th and 10th 
graders. From participating students, 
41% reported having a GPA 
of less than 1.5 in the last semester. 
At the end of SKILLZ, 40% 
reported trying much harder than 
during the regular school year 
because they felt “cared for.” 67% 
of students reported that quality 
of teaching in SKILLZ academic 
classes (Math and English) were 
very effective due to smaller classrooms 
and specialized attention. 
A student from Room 201 stated, 
“SKILLZ staff doesn’t like us – they 
love us and believe in us!” As a result, 
one third of students reported 
realizing their potential and ability 
to do well in school if they tried. 

“SKILLZ is a great example of how 
love, high expectations, and genuine 
relationships with students can 
make a difference. Each and every 
student goes through an interview 
process that allows us to better 
understand why they didn’t pass 
the first time and how we can support 
their success. Students shared 
openly and honestly. The answers 
ranged from not having insurance 
to cover eye glasses, to not having 
time to do homework due to being 
responsible for younger siblings 
at home. It’s amazing how just 
taking 5 minutes to understand 
what the kids were going through 
empowered us to better support 
their needs and agree on working 
as a team towards their success.” 
shared Day One Executive Director, 
Christy Zamani.

Currently, SKILLZ 2013 is in the 
works! To find out more information 
about ways to get involved, 
starting date and offered classes, 
please visit Day One’s website at 
www.dayonepasadena.org.

ELECTION UPDATE: SCHOOL BOARD 
DISTRICT 3 RUN OFF SET APRIL 16

PASADENA, Calif.—On April 16, eligible voters will participate 
in a run-off election to select a representative for Pasadena Unified 
School District, (PUSD) Board of Education, District 3, Pasadena 
City Clerk Mark Jomsky announced today.

 Ruben Hueso and Tyron Hampton are the two candidates that 
received the highest number of votes in the March 5, 2013 Primary 
Election without reaching the necessary 50 percent, plus one, 
majority needed to be declared elected.

Eligible voters within Board of Education District 3 will have an 
opportunity to cast a ballot at the April 16, 2013 General Municipal 
(run-off) Election and decide their Board of Education representative. 
Detailed election information is available at http://ww2.
cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk/election, or call (626) 744-4124.

 For the recent City Council elections, voters re-elected Councilmembers 
Victor Gordo and Terry Tornek and elected candidate 
John J. Kennedy to his first term, filling the seat vacated by former 
long-time Councilmember Chris Holden, now a member of the 
California State Assembly.

 The Council at its March 18 meeting certified the City Council 
results as presented by City Clerk Jomsky, including: Council 
District 3, Kennedy, 674 votes, 55.8 percent; Council District 5, 
Gordo, 910 votes, 89.1 percent; Council District 7, Tornek, 1,322 
votes, 100 percent.

 The City Clerk is scheduled to administer the Oath of Office to 
the Councilmembers on May 6 in the Council Chamber at City 
Hall as part of the annual City Council Organizational Meeting.

 For PUSD, voters selected representatives for Board District 1, 
Kimberly Keene, 1,110 votes, 71.8 percent; District 5, Elizabeth 
Pomeroy, 1,154 votes, 68.8 percent; and District 7, Scott Phelps, 
2,100 votes, 60.9 percent.

For more information about the City of Pasadena, go online to 
www.cityofpasadena.net.

THE REEL DEAL: by Ben Show

Movie Reviews Especially for Teens & ‘Tweens

THE CROODS

 After seeing the first 
preview, I knew this would 
be a good movie. However, 
as more of ‘The Croods’ 
was revealed, I doubted its 
quality. I saw cheesy jokes 
and bad voice acting, like a 
lot of animated movies, but 
all of my doubts were blown 
out of the water when I saw 
it.

 The Croods have 
survived by following Grug’s 
(Nicolas Cage) one rule: 
never leave the cave at night 
and never go alone. But one 
night, after the sun has gone 
down, Eep (Emma Stone) 
sees a mysterious light. After 
exploring she discovers another human, Guy (Ryan Reynolds) 
and that, if they wanted to survive, they would have to team up 
and go on a perilous journey to a far off mountain.

 With such a simple story, there were a lot of opportunities 
to create a new world, which director Chris Sanders did 
beautifully. The environment and creatures found in ‘The Croods’ 
are ones to rival James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ and I believe that this 
will become a classic.