Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 14, 2015

EDUCATION & YOUTH

7

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 14, 2015 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY


DR. TERRY NICHOLS TO RETIRE AS 
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DUARTE 
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

(Duarte, CA) – Dr. Terry Nichols announced his decision to retire from the 
Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) effective July 2015 after 14 years of 
distinguished service to the district that included five years as Superintendent. 
Dr. Nichols got his start in the field of education as a teacher and coach in his 
home state of Arkansas 37 years ago. He first became a member of DUSD in 
1998 as the Principal of Northview Intermediate School. Dr. Nichols then 
went on to serve as the Principal of Duarte High School from 2001-2005, 
Director of Curriculum and Instruction from 2005-2007 and Assistant 
Superintendent of Instructional Services from 2007- 2009. After a brief term 
as Superintendent of Schools at Claremont Unified, Dr. Nichols returned to 
DUSD and has remained at the helm of the district ever since 2011.

 “I am very proud that my time as Superintendent will be included within 
the incredible story of the Duarte Unified School District, and I firmly 
believe there will continue to be no better place to educate a child because 
this community values education. I have had the privilege of working with 
many wonderful people including administrators, teachers, support staff, 
parents, volunteers, community leaders, business owners and board of 
education members who dedicated much of their time and talent. Together 
we worked as a team so that as soon as Duarte students earn their high school 
diplomas, they are prepared to work, lead, and make positive contributions 
to our global community,” said Dr. Nichols. “Nothing pleases me more than 
knowing our children have hope for a bright future.”

 Under his leadership, DUSD committed to equipping students with the 
21st Century skills all high school graduates need in order to flourish in 
an exceedingly competitive world. Dr. Nichols led the charge for the active 
recruitment of Duarte Unified students by universities and employers 
offering immediate career opportunities, which is why DUSD is now known 
as the proud home of the Shoulder Tapped Graduates.

 Over the past five years the district has increased student achievement 
test scores across the board, narrowed the achievement gap and transitioned 
to the Common Core State Standards. Throughout some of the worst fiscal 
times in recent California history, DUSD has remained financially solvent and 
maintained high credit ratings. Dr. Nichols has been a leader in advocating for 
more adequate state funding and was able to bring in substantial competitive 
grant resources. In addition, Dr. Nichols was instrumental in ushering in 
the age-of- technology in Duarte Unified. Now all schools are connected to 
the district’s Wide Area Network to provide the entire DUSD community 
immediate access to web based programs and educational online resources to 
improve teaching, learning and communication. The district also partnered 
with the non-profit organization One Million NIU, to achieve the goal of 
every student having a computer in their homes with affordable access to the 
internet.

 During his tenure as Superintendent, Dr. Nichols oversaw the 
implementation of several landmark initiatives that included:

- Implementation of an unparalleled K-12 STEM program in partnership 
with the City of Hope through the attainment of a multi-million dollar grant 
from the National Institutes of Health

- Establishment of the only Early College program offered in the area with 
partner site Citrus College

- Launch of The T.E.A.C.H. Project, the first P-Tech Model High School in 
California with City of Hope and Citrus College

- Placement of SMART Boards in every classroom throughout the district

- Successful roll out of laptops issued by the district to every 2nd – 12th 
grade student

- Support for Maxwell Elementary as an IB Candidate School for the 
Primary Years Programme

- Revitalization of instrumental and choral music education programs 
within all elementary schools and expansion of music education at the 
secondary level

- Introduction of the M.I.N.D. Institute programs to teach advanced math 
concepts and keyboarding

- Creation of the S.T.E.P. Mentor program that matches high school students 
with community leaders

- Formation of the Creativity & Innovation Team to empower DUSD 
teachers to develop strategies, cultivate new ideas and implement cutting-
edge practices to strengthen teaching and learning in our district.

 In addition to these achievements, Dr. Nichols supervised the largest 
facilities modernization program in the history of DUSD. Utilizing funds 
provided by Bond Measure E that passed with overwhelming community 
support, major building and renovation projects took place at all school sites. 
These projects included the new construction of the Northview cafeteria 
complex, Maxwell library & collaborative room, Duarte High School biotech 
lab, culinary arts, woodshop and team/weight rooms and state-of-the art 
stadium.

 Board of Education members commended Dr. Nichols for his visionary 
leadership and ability to build a strong culture of collaboration focused on 
shared goals both within the district and between the district, the city of 
Duarte and the community.

 “When Dr. Nichols returned to Duarte, the District was ready for leadership 
and innovation that would build upon the contributions previously made by 
its staff and Duarte residents. Today, the District is focused on developing 
“Shoulder Tapped Graduates.” It has community partners who have joined 
with the District to achieve its goals and funding to make them happen. Dr. 
Nichols has given his time, talent and energy to make a difference in the 
lives of students and all of us in this community have benefited from his 
contribution. I wish Dr. Nichols Godspeed in his future work and heartfelt 
gratitude for the legacy he leaves for others to build upon,” said Board of 
Education President, Reverend Doug Edwards.

 Board Member Ken Bell joined the board president in thanking Dr. 
Nichols for his contributions to the district. “Though leadership may be hard 
to define, the one characteristic common to all leaders is the ability to make 
things happen. That is who Terry Nichols is and has been for DUSD.”

 Dr. Nichols is looking forward to spending more time with his family during 
his retirement, but plans on staying active in the Duarte community and will 
always continue to be involved in furthering educational opportunities for all 
children. Details of the search process to select a new superintendent will be 
provided following the Board of Education meeting to be held February 12, 
2015.

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

LA SALLE LANCERS 

SIGN NATIONAL 

LETTERS OF INTENT

Pasadena, CA – Evan Rambo, a 6’4” senior, signed a National 
Letter of Intent to attend the University of California, Berkeley, on 
an athletic scholarship. In addition to Cal, Evan, a defensive back 
and wide receiver for the Lancers, was also recruited by UCLA, 
San Diego State and Washington State. Evan plans on majoring in 
Bioengineering. 

 Isiah Spencer-Lopez, a Lancer wide receiver signed a National 
Letter of Intent and earned an athletic scholarship from Sacramento 
State. The 6’ 6” 200 pounder was also recruited by Arizona State, 
Louisville, Washington and Washington State. At Sacramento State, 
Isiah plans to major in Computer Science. 

 Marcus Tappen, a 2013 La Salle graduate, who did not sign with 
a university after graduation, but did red-shirt at the University 
of Cincinnati last season. Marcus returned to California where he 
signed a letter of Intent to play at Montana State University this 
fall.

 Of particular note, senior Nate Chandler committed to play 
football for the University of Chicago, a Division III School. The 6’, 
210 pound linebacker and team captain, takes his 4.6 GPA to Illinois 
this fall. Nate, not only earned second team All League honors 
in the rigorous Angles League, but also received the prestigious 
National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award. As a recipient 
of this award, his, name will be inscribed on the wall at the College 
Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio.


MUSIC / 
ACADEMIC 
SCHOLARSHIP 
APPLICATIONS 
AVAILABLE

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

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

JUPITER ASCENDING REVIEW


SEE OUR 
ISSUES 

ONLINE ON 
YOUR MOBILE 
DEVICE!

The Wachowskis have made some very interesting choices after their 
success with ‘The Matrix’; however, most of them have not been 
commercially successful. In the trailers, ‘Jupiter Ascending’ appeared to 
be their comeback, their return to sci-fi movie mastery.

Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) works as a maid with her mother and her aunt. 
With rough life that she has no hope of ever getting out of, her life is 
unexpectedly uprooted one day when she is saved by Caine (Channing 
Tatum) and is introduced to a world of intergalactic politics, a secret 
family industry that runs the galaxy, and the three heirs who rule it.

 What could have been an interesting sci-fi action-adventure film 
turned out to be a predictable, even laughable farce. ‘Jupiter Ascending’ 
presents some very interesting ideas but for every good one, there are even 
more ridiculous, unbelievable twists and turns that they ask the viewers 
to believe. While the film itself is beautiful, and has very well shot action 
sequences, it is an overall flop and plays very much like a cheesy B-movie 
from the 80s.

 at http://issuu.
com/

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