Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, June 24, 2017

7

EDUCATION & YOUTH

Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 24, 2017 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY CELEBRATES OPENING OF 
LEARNING TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The new LTC opens after 11 months of construction


ALVERNO HEIGHTS ACADEMY

200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3463 Head of School: Julia V. Fanara

E-mail address: jfanara@alvernoheights.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 

Preschool-TK-8th Grade

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 

Interim Head of School, Merrily Dunlap 

website: www.goodenschool.org

High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road Pasadena, Ca. 91107 

Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989

website: www.highpointacademy.org

La Salle High School

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org

Principal Mrs. Courtney Kassakhian

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: Roberto Hernandez

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

When Alverno Heights Academy Head of School, Julia V. Fanara 
P’01, P’03, P’05, first approached the school’s Board of Trustees about 
updating the school library, she was hoping for new carpet, a fresh 
coat of paint, and maybe some new furniture—just the basics. What 
the school ended up with was far more than what Ms. Fanara, or even 
the Board of Trustees for that matter, could ever envision. 

 “After discussing the matter as a Board and considering all of the 
available options, we came to the conclusion that the Library needed 
more than just some paint and carpet but instead needed a complete 
redesign,” said Ken Farfsing P’00, Chair of the Board of Trustees. 
“The original building was completed in the early 1970s and while we 
wanted to maintain the architectural integrity of it, we also wanted to 
do what we could to bring it into the 21st century.” 

 From there a plan was set in motion to completely remodel the 
school’s Library while maintaining the original structure of the 
building. Architects Gonzalez and Goodale and Kaplan Construction 
were hired to create a design that would bridge the divide between the 
past and the future by transforming the early 1970s library into a 21st 
century Learning Technology Center, which would seek to support 
Alverno’s ever growing STEM and academic curriculum. 

 “The Library was one of our primary meeting spots on campus not 
just for our students but for our faculty and staff as well,” said Head 
of School, Julia V. Fanara P’01, P’03, and P’05. “We use it for classes, 
independent study, faculty meetings, AP exams, and host admissions 
events because of its central location on the campus, it really is a 
focal point of campus life. When the Board of Trustees approved the 
redesign, it opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for not just 
the space but our school community as well.” 

 With a beautiful mid-century modern design created by Gonzalez 
and Goodale, Alverno began the process of preparing the Library for 
construction in June 2016. The old furniture was donated, books were 
placed in storage, the KATV room was dismantled, and offices packed 
up for what was expected to be a brief respite. 

 By mid-September, construction was well on its way with decades 
of carpet being stripped away and a dropped ceiling removed. 
Suddenly, original windows long hidden by dry wall were exposed 
and old glass removed to make room for new. Then the Librarian, 
Counseling Service, and College Counseling Offices were gutted and 
space reassessed for a new layout. The old KATV room was raised to 
be on one level and new walls began to take shape. 

 As construction goes, things always take longer than planned; 
however, as the new Learning Technology Center began to take shape 
it was clear that this was a building truly worth waiting for. 

As final touches of carpets, lights, and furniture went in, the excitement 
and anticipation among the campus community was clearly palpable. 
When construction fencing came down, the entire school clamored 
for a look as they waited for a final anticipated delivery of lights that 
took longer than expected. 

 By the end of April, just in time for Advanced Placement Exams, 
the Learning Technology Center was finally open to the student body. 
To say the students were excited would be an understatement but 
there is no doubt that Ms. Fanara and the Board of Trustees were even 
more excited to see the project completed. 

 “Although it took longer than 
expected, I know we would all agree 
that it was well worth the wait,” said 
Ken Farfsing P’00, Chair of the Board 
of Trustees. “The final project matches 
the rendering almost exactly and this 
new space will provide incredible 
opportunities for the students at 
Alverno.” 

 With all the details in place and all the lights finally delivered, 
Alverno hosted an official Ribbon Cutting and Dedication for the 
Learning Technology Center on Thursday, June 15. Members of the 
community including the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, parents, 
alumnae, donors, and friends of Alverno were on hand to celebrate 
the most significant renovation in Alverno’s nearly 60-year history. 

 As the building was blessed, by past parent Deacon Manuel 
Valencia, and the ribbon cut away, there was nothing but excitement, 
anticipation, and surprise as many of the guests caught their first 
glimpse of this new state-of-the-art facility. Each took their turn 
wandering around the building, sitting on the new furniture, and 
imagining a day in the life of a scholarly Alverno girl in the LTC. 
With individual meeting rooms/classrooms, modular furniture, new 
offices, and enough electrical access for over 60 devices the building is 
certainly prepared for the 21st century learner. 

 “I am so incredibly grateful to the Board of Trustees, donors, 
and friends of Alverno Heights Academy who helped to make this 
project a reality,” said Julia V. Fanara P’01, P’03, & P’05, Head of 
School. “Without their commitment and investment in the future of 
this campus, this project would not have been realized. I also want 
to thank our students, faculty, and staff who went without a prime 
campus location for nearly a year and waited in anticipation as we 
experienced delays. This new facility is the beginning of a new era for 
Alverno Heights Academy and we are just getting started. We look 
forward to a bright future continuing our mission of empowering 
each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.” 

About Alverno Heights Academy 

 Alverno Heights Academy is an all-girls, independent, progressive 
Catholic, college preparatory school dedicated to its mission of 
empowering each young woman to be exactly the person she wants 
to be. Located on the property of the former Barlow Estate in Sierra 
Madre, California, Alverno Heights Academy was founded in 1960 
by the Sisters of St. Francis who sought to create an environment in 
the San Gabriel Valley where young women could become informed 
and knowledgeable persons. Later renamed Alverno High School 
and sponsored by the Immaculate Heart Community, Alverno’s 
program—academic, spiritual, aesthetic, social, and physical—has 
been shaped by the staff, trustees, and students. As Alverno Heights 
Academy once again, the school remains committed to its mission by 
encouraging each of their young women to be who they imagine. For 
more information about Alverno Heights Academy, please visit www.
alvernoheightsacademy.org. 

CAUTION: KNOW THE RULES WHEN IT COMES TO FIREWORKS!

 
Fireworks, while entertaining when 
handled by professional are dangerous 
and can cause fires, great bodily harm 
and even death. In Los Angeles County 
most cities ban fireworks completely, 
however there are several that allow 
"safe-and-sane" fireworks, according to 
the county fire department. Safe and 
Sane fireworks refer to those that DO 
NOT EXPLODE OR FLY. 
The state fire marshal 
determines which fireworks are 
considered "safe-and-sane," and they 
are labeled with a state seal.

In our immediate area, 
"SAFE AND SANE" are allowed in: 
Alhambra, Azusa, Duarte, El Monte, 
Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, 
Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, 
South Gate and Temple City. 


NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED IN: 
All unincorporated communities, 
Arcadia, Bradbury, Burbank, Glendale, 
Glendora, Los Angeles, Monrovia, 
Pasadena, San Dimas, San Marino, 
Sierra Madre, South Pasadena.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com