Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 13, 2018

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EDUCATION & YOUTH 

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 13, 2018 

ARCADIA UNIFIED ACCEPTED INTO NATIONAL 
NETWORK OF INNOVATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Arcadia Unified joins Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, will partner with 
other leading educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the country

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

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 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010

(626) 301-9809

Principal: Nancy Lopez

www.foothilloaksacademy.org

office@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, Carl Parke 

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: Lindsay Lewis

E-mail address: lewis.lindsay@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

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

Arcadia Christian School

1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006

Preschool - and TK - 8th Grade

626-574-8229/626-574-0805

Email: inquiry@acslions.com

Principal: Cindy Harmon

website: www.acslions.com

ARCADIA-- Arcadia Unified School District was 
accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a 
national coalition of forward-thinking school districts 
organized by Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization 
with the mission to accelerate innovation in education 
and improve the opportunity to learn for all through 
technology and research. 

Arcadia Unified was selected from a competitive national 
pool of applicants based on its leadership, evidence of 
results, innovative vision for learning, and commitment 
to collaboration.

“It’s an honor and testament to our innovative teachers 
and staff that we are able to join such a distinguished 
group of schools and districts across the country,” said 
Arcadia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. 
David Vannasdall. “We have long believed in sharing 
best practices and collaborating with others to benefit 
not only our students in Arcadia but students across the 
globe. It’s the reason we started the Arcadia Innovation 
Summit four years ago and why we encourage 
our teachers to be on Twitter and social media.” 
The League of Innovative Schools, launched in late 
2011, accepts new members through an open application 
process once per year. With the new members, the 
League now includes 102 school districts in 33 states. 
The full list of members can be found at digitalpromise.
org/districts. 

“My teachers, counselors, and staff have been utilizing 
innovative practices for years and continue to push the 
envelope to ensure they are connecting with students 
and that the students are connecting to their learning,” 
said Arcadia High School Principal Dr. Brent Forsee 
whose high school was just ranked in the top 1% of 
public high schools in the country by Niche.com. 

“We have teachers utilizing flexible seating, project-
based learning, blended learning courses in several 
content areas, utilizing restorative practices, and they 
have created an environment where learning takes place 
all throughout the campus not just inside the classroom. 
This type of teaching takes place at every school in our 
district, and I’m always so inspired by all of the creative 
educators throughout Arcadia Unified,” added Dr. 
Forsee. 

“As we expand our efforts to identify, build, and scale 
the innovative work of our League districts, I am excited 
to welcome a new cohort of districts who deepen the 
diversity, populations, and contexts of the network and 
move us further in advancing equity and excellence for 
every learner,” said Kimberly Smith, Executive Director 
of the League of Innovative Schools. 

The League will officially welcome new members at its 
fall 2018 meeting on October 10 in Park City, Utah. For 
more information on the Digital Promise League of 
Innovative Schools, visit: digitalpromise.org/league. 

23 ARCADIA HIGH STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL 
MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS

ARCADIA-- Arcadia High School has had another 
impressive showing in the National Merit Scholarship 
program, with 23 Arcadia High seniors distinguished as 2019 
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Joining a group of 
students that represents less than one percent of high school 
seniors across the country, these academically adept students 
have an opportunity to compete for nearly 7,500 National 
Merit Scholarships that will be awarded next spring and are 
collectively worth more than $31 million. 

 Over 1.6 million juniors from 22,000 high schools vied for 
entrance into the 2019 National Merit Scholarship program, 
with close to 16,000 students chosen as semifinalists. Each 
year, the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship 
Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) serves an initial screen of 
program applicants. 

 “I took a popular prep course for the regular SAT the 
summer before my junior year, but I believe that it was my 
Arcadia High School studies that helped immensely,” shared 
Arcadia High School senior and National Merit Semifinalist 
Estelle Hooper. “Really, my achievement is attributed to my 
hardworking classmates and teachers,” said Hooper, who 
explained that she decided to register for the PSAT only after 
the encouragement she received from her peers.

 Some high schools have less than a handful of seniors 
accepted into this program each school year. In the past 
25 years, Arcadia High has had over 600 students named 
as National Merit Semifinalists, with an average of over 20 
students accepted into the program each year. 

 “Our consistent representation in this program is a 
testament to the incredible teaching strategies implemented 
in classrooms throughout our district,” said Arcadia Unified 
School District Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall. 
“Our teachers truly help students imagine, inquire, 
and inspire, sparking students to have a relationship 
with learning that not only prepares them for success 
in high school but will serve them for years to come.” 
The nationwide pool of semifinalists includes entrants 
who score highest on the PSAT in each state, with the number 
of semifinalists in a state proportional to the state’s percentage 
of the national total of graduating seniors. Approximately 
15,000 students in the program will advance as finalists and 
will be notified of this designation in February 2019. On 
average, over 95% of Arcadia High semifinalists make it the 
finalist phase of this program. 

 Arcadia High School was recently ranked in the top 
1% of public high schools in the nation by Niche.com. 
Its Class of 2018 saw a 100% graduation rate. The home 
of the Apaches has also been distinguished a U.S. News 
and World Report Gold Medal School three times, an 
honor bestowed on less than 3 percent of the more than 
19,000 schools in the country. Similarly, Newsweek 
named Arcadia High on its Top Public High Schools in 
America list. Arcadia High graduates are represented 
in Ivy League schools and top universities across 
the country. Likewise, for two consecutive years, the 
Arcadia Unified School District has been named on the 
College Board’s Annual AP® District Honor Roll.

 Arcadia High School National Merit Scholarship 
Semifinalists: (Alphabetical order by last name) 

Ailin Atasoy, Geoffrey L. Basinger, Margaret Chang, 
Jessie J. Chen, Lucia S. Cheng, Dean A. Frame, Estelle 
H. Hooper, Michael Huang, Victor W. Huang, Jason Ke, 
Michelle A. Liang, Isabella B. Liu, Ivan Y. Luu, Kelvin 
L. Maung, Grace N. Mohandoss, Jennifer Qi, William 
Shue, Anusha Silla, John M. Song, Kevin Tan, Ryan 
Wang, Sean Ye, and Gabriela Z. Yu.

THE GOOD LIFE

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO MANAGE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME


Dear Savvy Senior,

What can you tell me about restless leg syndrome? I’m 
58 years old, and frequently have jerky, uncontrollable 
urges to move my legs, accompanied by a tingling 
sensation, and it keeps me awake at night. 

Jumpy John

Dear John,

If an irresistible urge to move your legs has you 
kicking in your sleep, then chances are pretty good 
you have restless leg syndrome (RLS), a condition that 
affects 7 to 10 percent of Americans. Here’s what you 
should know. 

 RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a 
nervous system problem that causes uncomfortable 
sensations (often described as a creepy-crawly feeling, 
tingling, itching, throbbing, pulling or aching) and an 
irresistible urge to move one or both legs while you’re 
sitting or lying down, and the symptoms usually get 
worse with age. It typically happens in the evenings 
or nights while resting. Moving eases the unpleasant 
feeling temporarily.

 While RLS is not a life-threatening condition, the 
main problem, other than it being uncomfortable 
and annoying, is that it disrupts sleep, leading to 
daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and even 
depression.

 What exactly causes RLS is not known, but 
researchers suspect it could be linked to several things 
including iron deficiency, an imbalance of the brain 
chemical dopamine, and genetics – about 60 percent 
of people with RLS have a family member with the 
condition.

Treatment Options

 While there’s no cure for RLS, there are things 
you can do to alleviate the symptoms. Depending on 
the severity of your case, some people turn to RLS 
medications like gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), 
an anticonvulsant, and dopamine agonists ropinirole 
(Requip), rotigotine (Neupro) and pramipexole 
(Mirapex). But be aware that these drugs have side 
effects including nausea, lightheadedness, fatigue and 
insomnia. And, while these medications can provide 
short-term relief, they can also make symptoms worse 
in many people who use them long term.

 So before turning to medication, you should 
consider some of the following natural RLS treatments 
first, which are very effective for most people.

 Check your iron levels. Iron deficiency is believed 
to be one of the major contributors to RLS, so make an 
appointment with your doctor and get a blood test to 
check for this. If you test positive for iron deficiency, 
your doctor may recommend iron supplements.

 Exercise: Getting moderate, regular exercise like 
walking, cycling, water aerobics and yoga can relieve 
symptoms, but overdoing it or exercising late in the 
day may intensify them. Daily leg stretches – include 
calf, hamstring, quadriceps and hip flexor stretches – 
are also helpful.

 Check your medications: Certain drugs including 
antinausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, some 
antidepressants, and cold and allergy medications 
containing sedating antihistamines can make RLS 
worse. If you take any of these, ask your doctor if 
something else can be prescribed.

 Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 
5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. 
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and 
author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….October Birthdays

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Cathleen Cremins, Alma Mays, 
Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva 
Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda 
Boehm and Angela Stella.

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not 
required but you must be over 60.

 

HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 
Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House (Senior Center) 
222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula.

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome 
to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary.

Brain Games: Thursday, October 18th 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking 
game by naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps 
you stacking and balancing your tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great 
way to strengthen your mind and make new friends... Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, October 17th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and 
Injury. Please call Hart Park House for an appointment, 626-355-7394.

Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include

Yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! * Voluntary Donations 
of $5.00 per week per participant are suggested but not required.

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday 
cake provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker 
game.

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic 
class utilizes light weights, low impact resistance training and body conditioning. Class equipment 
is provided.


SENIOR EXCURSION

Getty Villa 

Thursday, October 25, 2018 

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Cost: $15 (Lunch Not Included) 

Discover the museum’s historic collection and the Getty Villa’s architecture and gardens by participating in a rich selection of 
engaging talks and tours that bring the Getty Villa’s unique setting and the visual art to life! 

 And there are several gardens, fountains an d landscaping for public enjoyment. Choose elegant dining, lovely afternoon 
tea (reservations are recommended by calling 800-369-3059), or a casual meal, coffee and snacks at the café or coffee 
kiosk. Walking Level: HIGH 

Sierra Madre Resident registration open now through October 8th and non-resident starts online or in-person on Tuesday, 
October 9th 2018. 

SENIOR MOVIE: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays Monthly 1:00 p.m.

October 17th Murder on the Orient Express

Rated - G 1hr 54 min 

When a murder occurs on the train he’s traveling 
on, this celebrated detective Hercule Poirot is 

recruited to solve the case.


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