Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 24, 2015

EDUCATION & YOUTH

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 24, 2015 


SCHOOL DIRECTORY

ARCADIA UNIFIED RECEIVES 
STATEWIDE HONOR FOR 
COMMUNICATION

The California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), a statewide 
organization that promotes better public understanding, commitment, and 
support of public education, announced that the Arcadia Unified School 
District received an Award of Merit in its Excellence in Communication 
Awards Program. Arcadia Unified was honored in the writing category for 
a story that was written by its Public Information Officer Ryan Foran.

 “It is a pleasure to award Arcadia Unified and Ryan Foran with this 
deserving award,” said CalSPRA President Stephen Nichols. “Effective 
communication connects our communities to our classrooms and builds 
support for quality learning environments.”

 CalSPRA’s Excellence in Communication Awards Program recognizes 
the successful efforts of education agencies and their communications 
professionals in producing materials and services that meet the information 
needs of our communities. Each entry is evaluated by communication 
professionals on the overall excellence of the entry as well as its performance 
against other entries received in the category.

 The story that was honored is titled “New State Testing Goes Smoothly 
for Arcadia Unified.” The article details the process of the Smarter Balanced 
Assessment Field Test that approximately 5,000 Arcadia Unified students 
took for the first time at the end of the 20132014 
school year. Awards 
were presented at CalSPRA’s Annual Conference and Awards Banquet on 
January 17, 2015 in San Francisco.

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

Frostig School

971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107

(626) 791-1255

Head of School: Chris Schnieders, PhD

Email: Jackykn@frostig.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

CalSPRA President Stephen Nichols (left) AUSD Public Information Officer Ryan 
Foran (right)

GOODEN STUDENT ETHAN STEIN WINS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ESSAY CONTEST

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think 
critically. 

Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. 

~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 

 The Gooden School is proud to announce that eighth-grade student 
Ethan Stein was selected by the Martin Luther King Community Coalition 
as the Middle School winner in the Martin Luther King Community 
Coalition Essay Contest, held annually in Pasadena since 1983. 

 This year’s contest theme challenge was: “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
dreamed of a better America for all people. What is your dream for the 
country?” 

 “I have a dream, I have a dream that one day in this country, that I love 
so much, one will not be judged by their beliefs or by the color of their 
skin. Sadly, it is only still a dream right now… This isn’t just an opinion. 
I’ve experienced prejudice personally. I know I have been judged for being 
Jewish.” Ethan wrote. “Everyday, we have the opportunity to meet people 
from different walks of life. With every opportunity we can choose to 
judge them on the basis of who they are.” 

 “We are so very proud of Ethan,” said Patty Patano, Head of School. 
“Ethan’s words and actions embody The Gooden School motto: ‘Respect 
for self, respect for others and respect for the world.” Ethan’s essay also 
reflects values inherent in all areas of education at Gooden, an Independent 
Episcopal school in Sierra Madre. 

 This is the second consecutive year that a student from The Gooden 
School has won the essay contest in the Middle School category. Natalie 
Brown, a current 7th grade student was last year’s winner. 

 Ethan received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition by 
Congressional Representative Judy Chu, stating: 

 In recognition of your high standards of excellence and outstanding 
achievements: Your essay is a true reflection of Dr. Martin Luther King 
Jr.’s inspiring vision. Heartfelt congratulations on being the Middle 
School winner of this year’s Martin Luther King Essay Contest and best 
wishes in your future endeavors! 

 For more than 16 years, Gooden students have participated in the essay 
contest, as an assignment in English class. Student essays are judged on 
creativity, organization and development of the theme. 

 Winners were announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 
when the City of Pasadena, Congressional Representative Judy Chu’s office 
and other area organizations hosted a celebration of Dr. King’s birthday at 
Robinson Park in Pasadena. 

 

The Gooden School is an independent Episcopal school, kindergarten 
through eighth grade, in Sierra Madre, where academics and the arts come 
together. Graduates are accepted by many of the finest high schools and 
universities. www.goodenschool.org.

ST. RITA CELEBRATES CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Sierra Madre, CA – Students at St. Rita School will celebrate National 
Catholic Schools Week, January 25-31, 2015, with a daily line-up of fun 
activities on campus and community outreach projects designed to honor 
the Sierra Madre organizations that make our town so unique and special.

 The week kicks off with students and their families “packing the church” 
at the 10 o’clock Mass on Sunday, January 25, followed by a school-wide 
open house from 11:00 am-1:00 pm in which current and prospective 
families can tour the classrooms, view student artwork on display and have 
coffee and donuts while marveling at exhibits in the students’ Science Fair. 

 In the school week following, students will enjoy a kickball tournament, 
barbeque lunch for the school’s “Buddy” program, the 4th Grade wax 
museum presentation, Pastries with Parents and the Scripps National 
Spelling Bee. Classes also compete in a “Penny Crusade” to raise funds for 
the thousands of homeless men, women and children in the San Gabriel 
Valley served by Catholic Charities. 

 The Transitional Kindergarten through 8th Grade classrooms will 
work on a community “thank-you” project to recognize those at the Fire 
Department, Library, Post Office, Parks and Recreation Department, 
CLIMB, the Chamber, Women’s Club, Senior Center and City Hall. For 
example, the 4th Grade class will make oversized Valentine’s posters with 
raised symbols and greetings for CLIMB, and the 7th Grade will make 
inspirational posters to thank the City’s seniors for all they’ve done for the 
community through the years. 

 The week wraps up with the St. Rita Drama Club production of “Peter 
Pan” in O’Malley Hall on Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, at 
7:00 pm and on Sunday, February 1, at 2:00 pm. Admission is free and open 
to the community. 

 St. Rita is a top-ranked Catholic parish school, located at 322 N. Baldwin 
Ave. in Sierra Madre, which focuses on faith, stewardship and academic 
excellence. 

 

 Visit www.stritaschool.org for more information.

BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATE FORUM

League of Women Voters to Moderate Forum on January 26

READ, DISCOVER, CONNECT ART & ESSAY 
CONTEST AT THE SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY

 Students in grades K – 8 are 
invited to enter the Library 
Art and Essay contest, starting 
February 2, 2015. This year’s 
theme is: Read, Discover, 
Connect @ Sierra Madre Public 
Library and entries should reflect 
the theme as closely as possible. 
Entry forms are available at the 
Public Library, on the library 
website, and at schools in Sierra 
Madre beginning January 31, 
2015.

 Children in grades K – 2 will 
create a drawing showing how 
they Read, Discover, Connect @ 
the Sierra Madre Public Library. 
Students in grades 3-8 will write 
a one-page essay of (250 words or 
less) on why or how they Read, 
Discover, Connect @ Sierra 
Madre Public Library. 

 Entries are due by February 28 
to the Library and the winning 
entries will be presented on 
March 24. Winning work will 
be displayed in the Library and 
winners will receive a certificate 
and cash prize at a ceremony in 
their honor.

 Local organizations supporting 
the Sierra Madre Public Library 
Art & Essay Contest by funding 
the cash prizes are: Sierra 
Madre Rotary Club, the Spero 
Foundation, Sierra Madre 
Kiwanis, Friends of the Library, 
the Sierra Madre Community 
Foundation, and the Sierra 
Madre Civic Club.

Read, Discover, Connect @ 
Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 
W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024, (626) 355-
7186, www.cityofsierramadre.
com/departments/library

 The Pasadena Education Network 
(PEN), the PTA Council of Pasadena 
Unified School District, and the 
Pasadena Educational Foundation 
(PEF) host a PUSD Board of 
Education candidate forum on 
Monday, January 26 at McKinley 
Library, 325 South Oak Knoll 
Avenue, Pasadena at 7:15 p.m.

 Moderated by the League of Women 
Voters, candidates will have an 
opportunity to introduce themselves 
and respond to written questions 
from the audience. 

Candidates vying for Seat 2 are 
Roy Boulghourjian and Marcela 
Rojas; Seat 4 are Pat Cahalan and 
Sheryl Turner; and Seat 6 are Sandra 
Siraganian and Larry Torres.

 “Whether voters have children in 
the Pasadena Unified School District 
or not, this election impacts all of 
us,” said Larry O’Brien, Chair of 
PEN’s Board of Directors. “We all 
have a civic responsibility to ensure 
that every child reaches their full 
potential. Our school district, today 
and in the future, has a direct impact 
on our children, our future work 
force, and our community as a 
whole.”

 The Pasadena Education Network is 
a network of more than 1,000 parents 
who support and send their children 
to PUSD schools. PEN provides 
services to help parents discover, 
explore, and evaluate their public 
school options as well as become 
actively involved in their schools and 
the district. 

 The Pasadena Educational 
Foundation is a nonprofit 
organization that advocates for 
public education, engages the 
community, and develops resources 
to support excellent education for 
every PUSD student. 

 The PTA Council of PUSD is a 6,000 
member organization comprised 
of 24 unit Parent Teacher Student 
Associations throughout the PUSD. 

MUSIC / ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Sierra Madre Woman’s Club offers MUSIC and ACADEMIC Scholarships to grade 12 area students. 

MUSIC Performance Scholarships are available for Instrumental or Vocal, Classical or Pop. Email name, high school, music teacher’s name 
and phone number to Mrs. Thomas. Applications due January 22, 2014. 

ACADEMIC Scholarship inquiries requested immediately. Completed Applications are due April 1, 2015. Contact Mrs. Thomas via email 
with name, high school, counselor’s name and phone number. Applications due April 1, 2015


Mrs. Thomas, SMWC Scholarships Chair. Contact: sierramadrewomansclub@gmail.com


THE REEL DEAL: by Ben Show

AMERICAN SNIPER REVIEW


I only saw one trailer for this film and that was all it took for me to want to 
see 'American Sniper'. I had no idea what the plot was, when and where it 
took place, or even that it was based on a true story. All I did know was that 
it was another war film and I was hoping that it would be as good as the 
trailer promised it would be. 

 Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) started serving as a SEAL after he felt 
compelled to fight back against terrorism. Over his four tours in the Middle 
East, he would grow as a soldier, but slowly loose pieces of his humanity 
with each bullet fired. While he attempts to build a family before he leaves, 
he finds that life after the war on terror may be even harder than the war 
itself. 

 This movie does everything perfectly (casting, screenwriting, directing, 
editing) however the most commendable aspect of the film is its pacing. 
There were many times in the movie where it could have felt long and 
monotonous but it breaks away from those moments at the perfect time. 
'American Sniper' is another great Clint Eastwood film and provides and 
interesting and engaging view of the war in the Middle East.