Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 29, 2015

EDUCATION & YOUTH

8

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 29, 2015 

5 WAYS TO GET KIDS EXCITED TO LEARN

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

(StatePoint) Many kids love the prospect 
of learning, while others may need a bit 
of motivation. But parents can get kids 
on board with a little encouragement and 
creativity to make learning fun. Here are 
some ideas to get kids excited to learn.

Library Visits

By making a run-of-the-mill trip to the 
library seem like a true adventure, kids 
will associate books with intrigue at an 
impressionable age. The librarian can point 
out the best titles for inspiring learning and 
fun.

Time visits to occur during your local 
branch’s storytelling hour or other early 
childhood programming. Also, be sure to 
sign your child up for a personal library 
card, which will be a source of pride at the 
circulation desk and put them on the path 
of reading enrichment. 

Learning Tablets

To give kids an extra edge in learning, 
consider a fun yet educational tablet, such 
as the InnoTab MAX. Durable enough for 
kids, this device has a 7-inch multi-touch 
screen, and features progressive learning 
content that adapts to a child’s age.

Web access and communication apps, 
which kids can use to exchange messages 
with friends and family, are limited to 
protect children, and parents are free to 
manage these controls. The tablet comes 
with Movie Maker and Art Studio, amongst 
other apps, and additional content can be 
found at the Learning Lodge app store.

“The tablet has proven to be a welcome way 
for kids to interact with digital media,” 
says Dr. Eric Klopfer, Platform Learning 
Expert and member of the Expert Panel at 
VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate 
and developmental stage-based electronic 
learning products for children. “Touch 
interfaces and well-crafted content have 
meant an easy-on ramp for many children 
who learn through this technology.”

Board Game Night

After dinner, gather round the table a 
second time. From classic word games that 
challenge one to stretch the limits of his 
or her vocabulary, to trivia games testing 
science and world history knowledge, board 
games have the potential to bring the family 
together and also to educate. Be sure to 
check the box for age-appropriate guidance.

Wearable Tech

Wearable technology can inspire kids 
to learn and be creative while staying 
active. For example, the VTech Kidizoom 
Smartwatch DX offers motion-activated 
games, a stopwatch, calendar, 3D clock face 
and calculator so kids can work out simple 
math problems. It also includes a time-
telling app featuring a friendly owl that helps 
kids learn to tell time, and additional apps 
are available for download on the Learning 
Lodge. The internal memory offers ample 
storage for budding photographers and 
videographers documenting the world 
around them. 

Sweeten the Deal

Consider creating a rewards chart where 
children can track their progress as they 
meet learning goals. It can be an effective 
way to motivate kids to try new ways of 
learning and work hard to reach a goal. You 
can find many free downloadable charts 
online.

More ideas can be found at www.vtechkids.
com/parenting.

To make learning a priority in your home, 
get kids on board. They’ll be inspired when 
they see that learning can be fun. 

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


THE REEL DEAL: 

by Ben Show

HITMAN AGENT 47 REVIEW

Most movies based off video games that were made in the past generally left 
a bad taste in people’s mouths (the Mario Bros. movie is one of the biggest 
examples of this). However, in upcoming years, there will be more video 
game-based movies coming out, such as Assassin’s Creed and Warcraft. With 
filmmakers deciding to revisit this franchise, which was previously made into 
an unsuccessful film, can the people behind this film do the franchise justice 
while actually making a good movie?

 Katie (Hannah Ware) is searching for a man who she does not know, yet 
feels is extremely important to who she is. While searching, she is discovered 
by the mysterious John Smith (Zachary Quinto) and the even more 
mysterious, and dangerous, Agent 47 (Rupert Friend), who are both after the 
secrets in Katia’s head. Their motives are unknown to Katia, and she must find 
out which side she should fight for before the world is conquered by an army 
of super-powered Agents.

 ‘Agent 47’ works as a film. The story is coherent enough that it flows 
from scene to scene without the viewer getting confused and the acting 
is good enough that what happens on screen is believable and enjoyable to 
watch. The standout aspect of the movie, however, is the cinematography, 
which spectacularly captures the beautiful fight choreography and terrific 
landscapes depicted throughout the film. ‘Agent 47’ is a good end-of-summer 
blockbuster, and gives video game franchises being turned into movies hope 
for the future. 

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