Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 26, 2019

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 26, 2019 

MONROVIA UNIFIED INAUGURAL STATE OF THE SCHOOLS 

ADDRESS REVEALS PLAN FOR STUDENT SUPPORT, SUCCESS 

MONROVIA – Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education gave an in-depth overview of 
the District’s mission, teacher and staff support, nurturing at the elementary level, middle school instruction, 
and preparation of students for college and careers to an audience of nearly 200 community 
members at its 2019-20 State of the Schools Address on Oct. 16. 

Joining Board President Ed Gililland, Board Vice President Rob Hammond, Board Clerk Bryan Wong, 
and Board Members Maritza Travanti and Selene Lockerbie were Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams, Mayor 
Pro Tem Larry J. Spicer, Treasurer Steve Baker, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu representative Lauren Jacobs, state 
Sen. Anthony Portantino representative Kristi Lopez, Assemblyman Chris Holden field representative 
Hector Rodriguez, Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio field representative Taylor Valmores, Los Angeles 
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger Assistant Field Deputy Vicky Paul, and Citrus College Trustee 
Joanne Montgomery. 

Additionally, students representing each school kicked off the event by leading the audience in the 
Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem. 

The District’s mission – to provide world-class schools for world-class students – was emphasized 
throughout the event while Board of Education members highlighted the many community partnerships, 
programs, and enrichment opportunities that support student academic success. 

Such programs include Dual-Language Immersion in Spanish and Mandarin, a strong coding and robotics 
curriculum, music, vocal instruction, dance, and career technical education courses. 

“Monrovia Unified supports its students as they journey along their paths to the future,” Board President 
Ed Gililland said. “We strive to provide a world-class education at all levels of instruction and 
ensure our young Monrovians are eminently prepared for life after graduation.” 

During the event, 2019 Teacher of the Year Jennifer Maljian spoke about how fortunate she feels to 
work in a District where she is continually supported by her colleagues and challenged to grow in her 
craft.

“Teaching is not just a job, but a special gift,” Maljian said. “It is a gift I am given each year to work with 
students and have my life changed for the better while helping children change theirs.” 

Emphasizing student success, two outstanding graduates who exemplify Monrovia Unified’s mission 
were recognized. 

Class of 2017 graduate Jenna Seright began special education inclusion events at Monrovia High and 
founded Jenna’s Pies, a venture raising funds for Monrovia High scholarships. Seright studies behavioral 
psychology at Azusa Pacific University. 

Class of 2018 graduate Rebecca De La O has started an educational presentation to assist seniors in 
their transition to college. Her presentation, “What to expect your first year of college,” includes friends 
from her graduating class who join her in presenting to Monrovia High seniors. De La O studies business 
economics at UCLA. 

Ending the State of the Schools Address, Monrovia Unified premiered a District showcase video, which 
gave an in-depth look to student academic success and culture across the District. 

“Our team of educators serves as mentors, passing to the next generation a wealth of knowledge from 
which our students will craft their future with opportunities and obstacles we can only imagine,” Superintendent 
Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “I am grateful to the extraordinary members of the MUSD 
team who not only contributed to the evening’s program, but work tirelessly every day on behalf of the 
children of Monrovia. It is their expertise and commitment that fuel our programs and inspire our 
students.” 

Monrovia Unified Board of 
Education members show their 
school pride while celebrating 
during the 2019-20 State of the 
Schools Address at Monrovia 
High School’s Performing Arts 
Center on Oct. 16. 

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, Jo-Anne Woolner

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 College Preparatory

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


Open House 2019We invite you totour the campus,
meet teachers,
coaches, andcurrent students.
Watch and enjoypresentations,
performances, anddemonstrationsfrom our manystudent programs!
Sunday, November 17, 201912:00 - 2:30 p.m.
3880 East Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107Visit www.lasallehs.org 
for more information!
LEARN • SERVE • LEAD@lasallepas • www.LaSalleHS.org • 626.351.8951
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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