Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 26, 2015

8

EDUCATION & YOUTH

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 26, 2015 

TEACHING KIDS TO 
TRUST THEIR OWN 
INSTINCTS

(StatePoint) During the course of their 
day, kids hear the word “No” all the 
time. And while some of those “Nos” are 
a necessary part of keeping kids safe, the 
overall message can be one that stifles 
courage, creativity and trust in one’s 
own instincts -- effects that can last well 
into adulthood.

There are many ways that parents, 
teachers and caretakers can help kids 
overcome fears and achieve their 
dreams, while making good decisions on 
their own. And sometimes the world of 
children’s books can be the best place to 
help deliver the message.

“Everyone, young and old, is blessed 
with unopened gifts, and of the most 
important is one's instincts” says 
Christopher Conroy author of the new 
young adult novel “Anzard,” which 
explores this theme. “Children can be 
nurtured in a way that helps them find 
that inner voice. This story contains 
more than just Harry Potter-type magic, 
it is a tool to nurture the inner voice.”

In the magical story of “Anzard,” Conroy 
tells the story of a seemingly ordinary 10 
year old boy named Justin who is visited 
by an enchanting fairy-like pixie named 
Poofy from galaxies far away, who helps 
him call on his own instincts and inner 
gifts to not only find missing parents 
back on Earth, but to change his world 
forever.

Conroy, who wrote this children's book 
because of his own beliefs about the 
power of one's own inner strength and 
resourcefulness, is offering some insights 
to parents as a tool to empower the life's 
journey of their own precious children:

• Don’t ignore your instincts: “I knew I 
shouldn’t have done that,” you hear those 
words of regret all the time. From peer 
pressure to second guesses, there are 
many things that prevent people from 
acting on their instincts. Talk to your 
children about listening to that inner 
voice. Sometimes, that moment when 
someone makes the decision to listen 
to it, is the moment his or her courage 
and confidence has a chance to blossom. 
Learning to rely on one’s instincts can 
also be a useful skill where creativity is 
concerned.

• Listen and engage: Many households 
and classrooms still operate on the 
antiquated “children should be seen, 
not heard,” basis. But this can be a 
destructive mentality. While children 
have a lot to learn, they also have a lot of 
wisdom to impart. If their thoughts are 
invalidated consistently, they will learn 
not to recognize the value of their own 
minds. Listen when children speak.

• Offer encouragement: “Encouragement 
and praise to a child are like sunshine 
and water to a flower,” says Conroy. 
“It’s amazing what can grow out of that 
cultivation.”

If your children show an interest in art, 
music, science or any other topic, foster 
that curiosity. Applaud their efforts. 
Acknowledge their growth.

More information about “Anzard,” 
which has been lauded by critics for its 
writing and reader-friendliness, can be 
found at www.anzard.com.

With the right encouragement, all kids 
have it in them to be their best selves.

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: Dr. William Walner

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: Jenny Janetzke

Email: jenny@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) 396-5880 Principal: Gilbert Barraza

website: http://phs.pusd.us

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@pusd.us

rcadia 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

 
Saturday, Feb 20th 8pm 
Saturday, Jun 4th 8pm 
Saturday, May 14th 8pm 
Saturday, Jan 9th 8pm 
Coming to Arcadia in 2016 
PASADENA UNIFIED’S 
2016-2017 OPEN 
ENROLLMENT 

Don’t Miss the Next Information 
Session on January 9th

 The Pasadena Unified School District’s 
(PUSD) annual Open Enrollment for 
the 2016-2017 academic year begins 
Jan. 12, 2016 with the general online 
application process. To assist families 
in making decisions and navigating 
the Open Enrollment process, PUSD 
has scheduled informational sessions 
Friday, December 11, 2015 and Saturday, 
January 9, 2016.

 The annual Open Enrollment process 
offers families an opportunity to apply 
for award-winning schools and signature 
programs throughout the district. 
While every child living within PUSD 
boundaries is guaranteed placement 
in their neighborhood school, through 
Open Enrollment children can attend a 
different campus that offers specialized 
programs such as dual language 
immersion in Spanish and Mandarin, 
International Baccalureate, STEM, 
visual and performing arts, high school 
college and career academies, and much 
more.

 The online application period for the 
first lottery of the 2016-2017 Open 
Enrollment is Jan. 12 through Feb. 2, 
2016. Notifications will be made by 
March, with registration occurring 
shortly thereafter. A second lottery and 
registration for any remaining spots will 
take place in April.

 For a schedule of school tours, 
information about PUSD schools and 
2016-2017 Open Enrollment go to www.
openenrollment.info.

 The Next Open Enrollment Information 
Session, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, 9 a.m. 
Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. 
Villa St., Pasadena

 For information on enrollment, contact 
the PUSD Office of Enrollment, Permits 
& Student Records at 626-396-3600, ext. 
88340.

THE REEL DEAL: 

by Ben Show

STAR WARS EPISODE VII: 

THE FORCE AWAKENS REVIEW


Rarely are there movies that I wait in line to get seats for. ‘Star Wars’ 
is one of these movies. I preordered my tickets the day they were available, 
arrived at the theater at noon for a four o’clock showing, and sat 
on the floor for an hour and a half before we were let into the IMAX 
theater, which completely filled up. People of all ages love the ‘Star 
Wars’ franchise and that is because of the amount of work the filmmakers 
put into the film. Does ‘The Force Awakens’ fit in with the pantheon 
of other ‘Star Wars’ films?

 The First Order, headed by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the mysterious 
Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) are looking to finish what 
the Galactic Empire started: wiping out the Jedi. Luke Skywalker (Mark 
Hamill), the last known Jedi, has gone into hiding, leaving a broken 
map to his whereabouts behind. Rey (Daisy Ridley), a scavenger from 
Jakku, and Finn (John Boyega), an ex-Stormtrooper must deliver the 
map back to the Resistance so that they can find Luke and can crush the 
First Order.

 ‘The Force Awakens’ draws many, if not most, of its story elements 
from the first two ‘Star Wars’ movies. That being said, the film is still 
very unique and does not feel like a rehash of the two movies. That 
is due to excellent characters and perfect casting choices, beautiful set 
pieces, and a spectacular score from John Williams. Everyone, ‘Star 
Wars’ fan or not, should see this film, as it is not only a fantastic piece 
of storytelling, as well as a perfect continuation of the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, 
but also one of the year’s best films.