Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 5, 2015

EDUCATION & YOUTH

9

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 5, 2015 

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

ST. RITA BEGINS A BRIGHT NEW SCHOOL YEAR


SIERRA MADRE, CA -- The school bell 
on Monday morning signaled the start 
of an exciting new academic year at St. 
Rita School! New and returning students 
filed into squeaky-clean classrooms while 
parents attended the back-to-school 
orientations in O’Malley Hall to hear 
about new faculty members, innovative 
curriculum enhancements and the many 
improvements made to the campus over 
the Summer.

“It’s always a thrill to welcome students 
and their families back to our ‘little slice of 
heaven’,” said Principal Joanne Harabedian. 
“We’re all very proud of the positive energy 
here on campus and of our dedication to 
nurturing the individual accomplishments 
of each and every student. It’s going to be a 
great year!”

St. Rita’s teachers spent much of their time 
over the past months attending conferences 
and planning for another productive school 
year. They are joined this year by new 3rd 
Grade teacher Janice DeMarco, Landie 
Lopez teaching Transitional Kindergarten and Sally Seymour, the 
new art teacher. In addition, Brittany Clone, who was one of the 
Raider Camp counselors, will assist with 
Kindergarten.

The introduction of engaging new curricula 
at St. Rita’s, aligned with Common Core 
State Standards, in the areas of writing, 
grammar, reading and math, will enhance 
programs already in place. Coupled with 
the integrated technology at every grade 
level, the enriched curriculum will support 
the school’s ongoing commitment to 
academic excellence. The iPad-to-student 
ratio among middle school students is 
now 1:1, TK-5th grade will continue to use 
their class sets, and their state-of-the-art 
computer lab now boasts a 3-D modeling 
printer.

Lastly, new carpeting throughout the 
school and offices, new fencing, resealed 
and striped playgrounds and a new roof 
on the East campus school buildings are 
among the many upgrades that will prove 
to make the 2015-2016 school year the best 
yet!

For more information about St. Rita 
School, located at 322 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre, please call 
(626) 355-6114 or visit www.st-ritaschool.org.

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

GOODEN LAUNCHES 40TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR 

WITH DEDICATION SEPTEMBER 13 CELEBRATION

Sierra Madre, CA – The Gooden School is pleased to announce the 
launch of its 40th anniversary year with the dedication of newly 
refurbished classrooms – kindergarten through third-grade – and 
Kelly’s Reading Garden. The public is invited. 

 The kick-off celebration will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on 
Sunday, September 13, 2015. Kelly’s Reading Garden, a beautiful 
outdoor reading area with hand-painted benches will be dedicated 
in memory of a beloved mother of two Gooden students. Other 
festivities include tours of the new innovative classrooms, music by a 
group of Gooden students, refreshments and play areas for children. 
Los Angeles County Deputy Supervisor Kathryn Barger will attend, 
and special blessings will be given by Father Michael Cooper, 
Episcopal School Chaplain, and The Very Reverend Canon Michael 
Bamberger, Episcopal Church of the Ascension. 

 The school’s namesake, the Rev. Robert Burton Gooden (1874-
1976), was a lifelong proponent of education. Throughout the year, 
Gooden’s legacy will be honored in a variety of ways. 

 “We are delighted to be celebrating Gooden’s 40th anniversary this 
year. It’s an wonderful opportunity to honor our past and celebrate 
our future,” said Merrily Dunlap, Interim Head of School. As the 
newly appointed Interim Head of School, Dunlap brings a wealth 
of experience as a lifelong educator. She is a former school head, 
Gooden board member, executive director for the Commission on 
Schools for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, and co-owner/
director of Stepping Stones and co-founder/director of Integrated 
Learning Solutions. 

 “The newly renovated classrooms include state-of-the-art teaching 
tools and create a safe, welcoming and attractive environment, which 
brings value to the school, the church and the community,” said 
Dunlap. She added that “The Gooden School deeply values its forty-
year partnership with the Church of the Ascension as well as the 
community of Sierra Madre.” 

 As an investment in these partnerships, the Trustees of the 
Gooden School authorized the renovation of the classrooms on the 
Church of the Ascension property, across from the school’s main 
campus in Sierra Madre. The rehabilitation and modernization of 
the classrooms is an investment on Gooden’s part in the school, 
the church and the community. This major improvement has 
been made possible through the school’s careful investment 
policies over the years, the dedication of the Board of Trustees 
and the participation of the faculty and staff as well as Courtney 
Construction, which completed the project ahead of schedule over 
the summer. 

 The K – 3 classrooms are leased to the school on a long-term basis 
and have been a part of the Gooden School teaching environment 
since the school’s inception. “This work would not have been 
possible were it not for the generous support of our building partner, 
Courtney Construction, a longtime friend of the Gooden School and 
of the local community,” said Michael Belter, Chairman, Board of 
Trustees. Tom and MaryRose Courtney are parents of The Gooden 
School’s alumni Hannah, Jacob and, Claire Courtney. 

 With Gooden’s strong reputation for academics and the arts, 
community service and character building, graduates are accepted 
by the finest high schools and universities. Established in 1975, the 
independent Episcopal School is located at 192 N. Baldwin Avenue, 
in Sierra Madre. Open House events will be held on November 7 
and January 9. Visit www.goodenschool.org or call (626) 355-2410 
for more information.

THE PASADENA EDUCATION NETWORK ANNOUNCES FREE FALL 
PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS

Programs Connect Parents with Each Other & Pasadena Unified Public School Options

Selecting a school is one of the most important decisions a parent will 
make, yet myth and misperception often cloud conversations about 
public schools. The Pasadena Education Network (PEN), a network 
of more than 1,000 parents who send their children and support the 
Pasadena Unified School District, presents a series of free programs 
to help parents understand their public school options in Pasadena, 
Altadena, and Sierra Madre. 

 PEN’s fall parent programs kick-off with “Choosing the Right 
Elementary School” on Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. at All 
Saints Church, Sweetland Hall, 132 No. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena. 
Dr. Mikala Rahn, the president of Public Works, a non-profit 
organization that evaluates schools throughout the state, provides 
parents of pre-school aged children with valuable information about 
what to look for when evaluating an elementary school for their 
children. Parents whose children attend schools throughout PUSD 
will be available during a reception following the presentation.

 PEN’s other grade transition programs include “Myth vs. Reality: 
Middle School Parent Panel” on October 14, “High School Options,” 
on November 4, and “Navigating Open Enrollment in the Pasadena 
Unified School District” on December 2. Complete program 
information, school information, and school tour schedules are 
available at www.penfamilies.org. 

 All programs are free. Spanish translation is available upon 
request. Please contact info@penfamilies.org.

 The Pasadena Education Network (PEN) is an independent, 
grassroots nonprofit organization that promotes family participation 
in public education to ensure a quality education for all students in 
Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre. PEN provides services to help 
parents explore, evaluate, and engage with our community’s public 
schools. For more information visit www.penfamilies.org 

PASADENA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (PUSD) NEWS

Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena 
Unified School District 
(PUSD) Board of Education 
selected educator Eddie 
Newman, Ed.D., as its 
representative on the district’s 
Personnel Commission at 
the Board meeting Aug. 27, 
2015. Dr. Newman replaces 
Commissioner Ernestine 
Moore, who announced her 
resignation in August after 
serving as the Board appointee 
since 2009. A public hearing to 
provide the public, employees 
and employee organizations 
the opportunity to express their 
views on the qualifications of the 
person nominated is scheduled 
Oct. 8, 2015 during the Board 
of Education meeting.

 The Personnel Commission 
is an independent body 
responsible for recruiting, 
selecting and promoting 
classified or nonteaching staff 
in the district according to 
merit system provisions of 
the Education Code. Three 
commissioners serve staggered 
three-year terms.

 Dr. Newman has a long 
history of service with PUSD, 
first as a teacher at McKinley 
Junior High (1972-74) then as 
counselor (1974-78), Assistant 
Principal (1989-1993) and 
Principal at John Muir High 
School (1995-2003). She was 
also the district’s director 
of Regional Occupational 
Programs, partnership 
academies and adult education 
until her retirement in 2008. She 
helped open Learning Works 
Charter school in Pasadena in 
2008 and remained there as 
administrator until 2010. Dr. 
Newman began her teaching 
career at Rio Linda High School 
in Sacramento in 1971.

 A graduate of John Muir 
High School, Dr. Newman 
attended Pasadena City College, 
earned a Bachelor of Arts from 
California State University, Los 
Angeles, a Master’s of Science 
from CSU Sacramento and an 
Ed.D. in school leadership from 
Nova Southeastern University 
in Florida.

 Ernestine Moore served two 
terms as the Board’s appointee 
on the Personnel Commission.


THE REEL DEAL: 

by Ben Show

NO ESCAPE REVIEW

 
Movies with political disagreements at the center of them are especially volatile 
when they are released; depending on how they depict these situations, some 
people may be happy with it, while others will find the depiction disrespectful 
and or racist. With no background in current political problems in countries 
like Malaysia or Thailand, I cannot say whether ‘No Escape’ is politically correct 
or incorrect; however, I can say whether or not it is entertaining and matches 
what my idea of countries such as Malaysia and Thailand is.

 Jack (Owen Wilson) and Annie Dwyer (Lake Bell), as well as their two 
daughters, are moving to Asia to hopefully find better luck with Jack’s new 
job for a water company. While the country is somewhat rough to get used to, 
the family does its best to get used to the country. Not long after they arrive, 
however, local militia begins a violent attack on the local government in attempt 
to overthrow it and, for an unknown reason, Jack finds himself being one of the 
targets of the militia. He must get his family safely out of the deadly situation. 

 As a film, ‘No Escape’ is an expertly crafted thriller, perfectly balancing 
tense moments with slower, but still as tense, characters building scenes. The 
characters become people who you genuinely care about and fear for, not 
knowing whether they will survive or not. As far as being politically correct, 
the Asian country in the film is unspecified and its depiction seemed accurate 
to some Southern Asian countries that I have seen. ‘No Escape’ is a rare gem for 
the end of the summer movie season.

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