Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, July 4, 2020

9

EDUCATION AND YOUTH

Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 4, 2020 

WELCOME TO ST. RITA SCHOOL, MRS. ADELA SOLIS!

St. Rita School in Sierra Madre is welcoming a veteran 
educator as its new principal. On July 1, Adela Solis takes 
the reigns of a top-performing school known for its strong 
community, and its academic and athletic achievements.

After spending nine years as a principal in Santa Ana with 
the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, her hiring at an 
Archdiocese of Los Angeles school is a homecoming of 
sorts. Solis is a proud product of Catholic education in LA, 
attending schools as a child and working 25 years previously 
as a teacher and principal at various schools across the LA 
diocese.

“When I was a principal with the Archdiocese of L.A, St. 
Rita was known as ‘the school.’ I had always heard great 
things about St. Rita. When I saw the position listed, it 
just called out to me,” Solis said. “I put everything in God’s 
hands. This was His plan for me.” 

“Father Tom (Baker) and I share the same vision for St. 
Rita. We will work together in uniting the parish and school 
as one Catholic community.”

Working with the Department of Catholic Schools, Father Tom Baker met with a principal search 
committee of faculty, school parents and parishioners and ultimately decided on Solis.

 “Mrs. Solis comes with a great resume of teaching and leadership experience, all in Catholic Schools,” 
said Father Tom Baker, Pastor of St. Rita Church since 2018. “She will be a great addition to our 
parish community. She is committed to Catholic education and her strong faith will greatly bless our 
community.”

Solis will lead the St. Rita School community as it enters its 99th year. Accredited by the Western 
Catholic Educational Association and WASC, St. Rita students consistently deliver top Math scores 
across the diocese. The school is home to several CYO championships in various sports and has the 
highest ranking for a single grade school.

Solis hopes to build upon the school’s success by collaborating with school families and faculty. 
Following diocese and local health guidelines, Solis will work this summer to prepare for a September 
1 reopening.

Solis and her two siblings were the first members of their family to earn a high school diploma and 
all three pursued careers in education. She has a B.A. in English from San Francisco State University 
and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Mount St. Mary’s College. Solis is married to Mike, her 
husband of 36 years, and they have two sons, Nicholas and Michael. Both also attended Catholic 
schools. While principal at St. Madeleine School in Pomona, Solis helped the archdiocese establish 
and implement a new model for Catholic education in the Pomona Valley.

“As a Catholic school administrator, I have come to realize that there is nothing more rewarding than 
to see students grow and flourish in their relationship with Jesus,” Solis added. “I am very excited to 
start the new school year and work with the teachers, staff, and students as well as in partnership with 
the parents.”

“To me, it is a true blessing to be at St. Rita.”

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: Adela Solis (626) 355-6114 

solis@st-ritaschool.org

Website: www.st-ritaschool.org

Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428 Principal: Lindsay LUIS

E-mail address: LUIS.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


CITRUS COLLEGE BOND REFINANCING TO SAVE 
COMMUNITY MILLIONS IN FUTURE TAXES 

Glendora, Calif. Local 
taxpayers are estimated 
to save over 
$7.7 million after the 
Citrus Community 
College District Board 
of Trustees recently 
approved a plan to refinance 
outstanding 
voter.approved general 
obligation bonds. 

Earlier this month, 
board members voted 
to take advantage of 
the nation’s current 
low interest rate environment 
by refinancing 
portions of the 
district’s Measure G 
bonds. These bonds, which were originally issued when interest rates were higher, will 
now be refinanced at current market rates. As a result, the remaining repayment period of 
the refinanced bonds will now be reduced by five years and property tax assessments will 
be lower over the long term. 

“When voters approved Measure G in 2004, it was a pivotal moment for Citrus College. 
We want to assure community members that their investment has been a wise one, and 
that the district has taken great care to prudently manage resources,” said Dr. Geraldine 
M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. “While the bond refinancing does 
not directly impact the college’s own finances, it will be beneficial to those residents who 
have continuously supported our mission of providing quality educational experiences 
that lead to college completion and student success.” 

This will be the third time that Citrus College has refinanced Measure G bonds, with 
previous refinancing taking place in 2013 and 2015. As a result, the cumulative combined 
estimated savings to taxpayers is nearly $15 million. 

“With interest rates currently near an all.time low, this is a great opportunity to save 
money for our taxpayers,” explained Claudette Dain, vice president of finance and administrative 
services at Citrus College. “We always strive to be good stewards of district and 
community resources.” 

Nearly 16 years ago, local residents invested in the future of Citrus College students when 
they voted to support the $121 million Measure G general obligation bond. Since that 
time, many capital improvements have been made on the Citrus College campus. Completed 
construction projects include the Campus Safety Building, Mathematics/Sciences 
Building, Center for Innovation, Technician Development Center, Student Services Building 
and Visual Arts Building. The remaining Measure G funds are earmarked for the Educational 
Development Center modernization project. 

“As the college prepares to begin work on the final Measure G project, the board of trustees 
and the college community continue to be grateful to our partners and neighbors who 
supported this bond, thus allowing Citrus College to complete a number of capital improvement 
projects,” said Dr. Patricia A. Rasmussen, president of the Citrus Community 
College District Board of Trustees. “I am happy that this refinancing enables us to give 
back to our community.” 

ABOUT CITRUS COLLEGE 

Proudly serving the San Gabriel Valley for over 100 years, Citrus College educates approximately 
20,000 students annually. The college offers associate degrees, associate degrees for 
transfer (ADTs) and career/technical certificates in more than 125 programs of study; prepares 
students for transfer to four.year colleges and universities; and provides workforce 
training. Located in Glendora, California, Citrus College is the oldest community college in 
Los Angeles County. Its 104.acre campus includes eight outdoor athletic facilities. A leader 
in higher education, Citrus College has received numerous accolades, including being 
named a Champion of Higher Education for awarding a high number of ADTs by the Campaign 
for College Opportunity. The college was also voted the San Gabriel Valley’s best community 
college by the audiences of Beacon Media News and the Southern California News 
Group. Citrus College is designated a Military Friendly® school. For more information, visit 
www.citruscollege.edu and follow the college on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 


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