Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, April 13, 2019

8

EDUCATION & YOUTH 

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 9, 2019 

CITRUS COLLEGE CONTINUES TO MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS 
THROUGH CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION

By Dr. Edward C. Ortell

Citrus College Governing Board Member

This spring, representatives from school districts throughout the region will visit Citrus College for the 
annual K-14 Education Forum. During the event, local board of education members, superintendents 
and school administrators will join the college’s administrators, deans and faculty for an informative 
morning of collaboration and discussion. The focus of this year’s forum will be the career technical 
education (CTE) programs offered at Citrus College.

The forum’s theme is relevant and timely. With employers struggling to find skilled workers to fill job 
openings, responding to labor market demands has become a state priority. In 2016, the California 
Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office introduced its Strong Workforce program, which addresses 
the workforce crisis by providing funding for community colleges to improve and expand their career 
education programs. As a Strong Workforce partner, Citrus College has committed to supporting the 
program’s objective of lifting low-wage workers into living-wage jobs.

Of course, preparing students to enter the workforce has long been the goal of Citrus College’s CTE 
programs. Citrus College offers 18 CTE associate degrees, four CTE transfer degrees, and is currently 
awaiting the approval of an additional CTE transfer degree that has been sent to the Chancellor’s 
Office. It also offers 38 certificates of achievement and more than 10 skill awards. The wide range of 
CTE programs includes automotive technology, biotechnology, nursing, water technology and more.

Each of these programs is designed to provide students with the education and skills needed to succeed 
in the workplace. Before a new program is introduced or curriculum is established, faculty and staff 
research industry demands and study the regional economy. Among other things, they determine 
which occupations are predicted to have growth, which have a shortage of workers and which pay a 
livable wage. Working closely with business and industry professionals, they identify the knowledge 
needed to secure and sustain employment.

This detailed and thoughtful approach led to the creation of Citrus College’s newest CTE associate 
degree program, construction management. Debuting during the 2019-2020 academic year, this 
program will prepare students to hold entry-level construction management positions, work with 
public agencies or private construction firms or become employed with construction contractors. 
Program graduates will understand the fundamental systems and processes employed in building and 
heavy construction. They will also be prepared with specialized skills and certificates in construction 
inspection and quality control.

Another new CTE option is stationary power generation service, diagnosis and repair. This program, 
which will be the only one of its kind in Southern California, will allow students to complete courses 
in the maintenance of diesel-powered stationary power generators and associated equipment. After 
earning their technical certificate, graduates will be prepared to pursue careers as electrical and 
electronics repairers, power distributors and dispatchers, stationary engineers, and mobile heavy 
equipment mechanics.

I am confident that these new programs will be beneficial to the region. According to the Centers of 
Excellence for Labor Market Research, available data has determined that the programs will fulfill 
unmet workforce needs. In addition, the entry-level earnings of program graduates will exceed a living 
wage.

As the Duarte area’s representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am 
proud that the college equips students with highly marketable, specialized skills, and I am certain that 
it will continue to play a critical role in addressing labor market demands for years to come.

Automotive technology is one of the many career technical education programs offered at Citrus 
College.

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


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges


CONSIDERING EASTER AND WHAT IT MEANS

[Nyerges is the author of numerous books such as “Extreme Simplicity,” 
“How to Survive Anywhere,” and others. He can be reached 
at www.Schoolof Self-Reliance.com or Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 
90041]

It is a time that millions of people the world over look forward to – the 
first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. What day is 
that, you ask? Easter, the day (and season) that Christians worldwide commemorate 
the trial, death, and resurrection from the dead of Jesus. 

 I grew up in a Catholic family, going to a Catholic school, and know well 
the Easter motif, beginning with the “giving something up” for Lent, and 
then Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (in fulfillment 
of scriptures). When Jesus turned over the tables of the vendors, he sealed his fate because 
he attacked the god of most eras, money. Though Jesus had been welcome to speak in the Temple, 
he was still regarded by those priests as an upstart, someone who seemed to know “the Truth” 
in a way that they had forgotten, a man who didn’t have the Temple training and no 
formal training to become a Rabbi. Yet, there he was, in all his innocence, attracting 
crowds, purporting to heal, seeming to organically know the answers to life’s deepest 
questions. His trial and death were almost predictable, as most societies do not like 
the rabble-rousers among them. 

 

Every Easter I have enjoyed the inspiring messages that movie-makers have given us 
in their efforts to interpret the practical meaning of the Jesus message. I have particularly 
liked the six hour-plus presentation of “Jesus of Nazareth” produced by Franco 
Zeffirelli, starring Robert Powell as Jesus. It is a rare presentation that brings the story 
alive, and takes it out of the pages of dry church reading. You cannot help but cry, and 
laugh, when viewing this unique presentation. I have kept a Bible (Lamsa translation) 
handy when viewing this to see how well Zeffirelli brought alive these ancient writings. 
You will likely agree that he did a great job. Actor Robert Powell said once in an 
interview that this role “changed my life.” Indeed.

 

Though too many of us have gotten lost in the pre-Christian “Easter” symbolisms of 
eggs, bunnies, chocolate, pastel spring clothing, etc., it is still worth fighting to realize 
that there is still a real story here, about someone who worked hard, was ridiculed, 
laughed at, even killed, in order to help us to save ourselves. I have chosen to see the 
Easter story as a pattern that each of us should find and follow in our own lives.

 

And are there other stories out there which show this pattern in the so-called secular 
world? Movie-makers have given us many such stories, but we don’t always see 
them for what they are. If we consider the themes of the Easter story – humble birth, 
hard work, trying to rise above mundanity, showing The Way to others, some sort of 
“death,” and rising up again – then there are some excellent movies that give us this 
tale.

 

For example, you can’t go wrong with the classic “Whale Rider”. If you’ve not seen it, 
get it immediately. The grandfather of the traditional village is hoping for a grandson 
to carry on the ways. A girl is born, and grandpa figures he’ll have to wait some more. 
But the girl is “the one.” She persists in her path of learning the traditional ways. And 
when a test is given to the boys to see which one will become the new spiritual leader, 
the girl nearly dies, but passes the test. She is the one. You have to see it, and feel it, 
and experience that Saviorness can occur at any time, anywhere. Of course, there are 
certain requirements, but chief among them is the willingness and desire to do the 
work required, and then doing that work.

 

“Powder” is another excellent movie that somewhat depicts the elements of the Easter 
theme, though not precisely. It has been described as a secular story of a Savior, and 
his departure. It’s also worth watching to see how most of us treat our fellow man.

 

Yes, some of you will read your Encyclopedia and learn about the pre-Christian roots 
of Easter. There is no denying that the Holy Day, as practiced generally today, has 
so-called “pagan” roots, because the Catholic Church chose to overlay their new traditions 
over older prevailing pagan traditions. This may bother you, or it may not. 
Either way, you can still observe this day and find the way to use the major themes for 
your personal upliftment, and for the upliftment of those around you.


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