Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 5, 2014

9

EDUCATION & YOUTH

Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 5, 2014 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY


ELISE NAVARRO has something she wants you to do!

By Susan Henderson and Elise Navarro

More often than not, we hear of stories about our youth and their trials and tribulations. We don’t hear enough 
about the many good things that are done by young people to help others. Such is the story of Sierra Madre resident 
Elise Navarro. She is committed to making a difference 
in the lives of others and after reading what she has to 
say, perhaps you will do the same or be inspired to help 
someone in another manner.

Her story was brought to my attention not only because 
of the goodness of her heart through her actions in this 
instance, but also because her generosity began when 
she was just seven years old. It is best for you to hear 
of her journey in her own words:

 
“Many boys and 
girls alike have been 
donating their hair to 
victims of hair loss, 
whether it is due to 
cancer, accidents, or 
other hair loss diseases. 
Donors come from all 
over the world giving 
their hair to those 
that have lost their 
hair. Some Donors are 
survivors giving their 
hair to people they have 
a special connection 
with through their 
own hair loss. My aunt 
Esther Schroeder is 
now a two-time cancer survivor and she donated her hair once she was free 
of cancer the first time. She donated to a non-profit organization called 
Locks of Love. Then in 2007 when I, Elise Navarro age 7 also donated to 
Locks of Love. 

After 17 years my Aunt 
Esther’s breast cancer 
had returned and now 
spread to her bones. 
Along with this she 
has developed a mild 
case of Alopecia. Now 
my aunt is on a strong 
road to recovery, and I 
am ready to donate my 
hair for a second time 
to a new organization 
called Children with 
Hair Loss. This organization donates to all children who have medically related hair 
loss not just cancer patients. CWHL also only requires 8 inches of hair which is less 
than other organizations. 

There is another nonprofit organization for hair loss called Beautiful Lengths 
partnered with Pantene. They also accept gray and colored hair in good condition to 
be donated to a company that makes “Hair-Mats” to soak up oil spills. The purpose 
of this article is not to bring myself glory, but to raise awareness of alternative 
donation organizations and the option of donating your hair in the first place. The 
reason an alternative donation option is needed is that some organizations have a 
sliding scale based on financial needs, while others have free of charge and others 
also help the environment. 

Being a Donor, I would like my hair to go to any child in need free of charge so they 
can regain their self esteem because of my donation, no matter what their financial 
standings are. Please donate! 

Clockwise from top: Elise and her parents at Salon Nia in Pasadena waiting 
for her turn in the ‘chair’. After Elise and her stylist decide on exactly how much hair is to be cut, the process begins. Photos by S. 
Hendeson/MVNews 

After the haircut is complete, Elise poses by a tree, holding her ‘locks’ which are ready to be donated. On the far right you see a 
young Elise, age7, displaying the pigtail that she is going to donate for help others. Photos courtesy of Navarro family.

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) 396-5880 Principal: Gilbert Barraza

barraza.gilbert@pusd.us

website: www.phs.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) 396-3600 Website: www.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


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PASADENA UNIFIED BOARD OF 
EDUCATION APPOINTS BRIAN 
MCDONALD, ED.D., INTERIM 
SUPERINTENDENT

Pasadena, CA – At a special closed session meeting 
June 26, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) 
Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint 
Deputy Superintendent Brian McDonald, Ed.D., as 
Interim Superintendent until further notice. The 
appointment will take effect when Superintendent Jon 
Gundry’s impending resignation is effective.

 “Dr. McDonald’s experience and leadership will be 
crucial in maintaining consistency and continuity 
during this time of transition,” said Board of 
Education President Scott Phelps. “His proven track 
record in closing the achievement gap, along with his 
collaborative leadership skills, will help usher PUSD 
into its next phase of growth.”

 Since joining PUSD as Chief Academic Officer in 
October 2011, McDonald spearheaded the district’s 
magnet school program, expanded the district’s 
popular dual language immersion programs, led the 
early implementation of the new Common Core State 
Standards and placed a strong emphasis on research-
based professional development for all employees.

 "It is an honor to serve the Pasadena Unified 
community in the position of interim Superintendent,” 
said McDonald. “I look forward to the opportunity 
to work together with the School Board for the 
achievement of all students in our schools.” 

 McDonald joined PUSD from the Houston (Texas) 
Independent School District, where he last served as 
School Improvement Officer. Prior to that, he was an 
elementary and middle school principal in the same 
district. As principal of William S. Holland Middle 
School from 2005-2011, McDonald successfully 
increased reading, math, social studies, science and 
writing scores, and raised the number of students 
taking Algebra I by 100 percent.

 Dr. McDonald has a Bachelor of Science degree 
in Accounting from the University of Houston-
Downtown, Texas, and a Master’s in Education 
Administration from Texas Southern University. 
He earned a certification in principalship from 
Harvard Graduate School in 2002, and a Doctorate 
in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State 
University in 2010. A Phi Delta Kappa, he is a fluent 
Spanish speaker. 

THE REEL DEAL: by Ben Show

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

 
With every teen and tween 
girl freaking out about the book 
and, therefore, the movie, it was 
hard not to get annoyed towards 
the film. I was going to read the 
book before I saw it but never 
got around to it. And I have to 
say, the film does not make me 
want to read the book any more 
now.

 Hazel (Shailene Woodley) 
has cancer. She gets treatment, 
special things called ‘cancer 
perks’, and is forced to go to a 
support group. One day, a mysterious 
boy named Augustus 
Waters (Ansel Elgort) appears 
in the group and the two instantly 
fall in love.

 This movie brags to not be 
the cliché romantic chick flick, 
with a more realistic view on 
love. While that may be somewhat true, it is a love story. It is 
going to be cliché no matter what. If you are into teen angst, romantic 
movies with a cancer twist, then go ahead and see ‘Fault 
in Our Stars’. If not, it really is not anything special, and can be 
avoided. Unless you have a teenage daughter or girlfriend who 
drags you to it.