Superintendent Thorossian's September Schools Update

Dear Monrovia Unified School District community,

Monrovia Unified is committed to providing our students with opportunities to be successful academically and in their personal pursuits. Through our array of programs, our students are able to grow their skill sets and discover new passions.

Over the last month, our elementary students have been busy learning new coding components, advancing in their Dual-Language Immersion programs, and learning what it means to be part of a bully-free campus.

Our high school athletes have been enjoying their new Wildcat Stadium field and track, renovated this summer and celebrated with a grand re-opening on Aug. 30. We are excited for our students and community to have this new, upgraded field that they can use for 10 to 15 more years!

On Sept. 20, students from Monroe Elementary School participated in a march to express their opposition to bullying. Students marched and pledged to be bully-free and to continue the school’s dynamic of kindness and positive peer relationships. The event was publicized by Telemundo, which celebrated the school’s bullying prevention efforts! I am proud of our students and commend them for helping promote kindness not just at their school, but across the District.

At Monrovia High School, the WorkAbility and Transition Partnership programs have given our students with disabilities a wonderful opportunity! Students are now taking part in the Monrovia High Roasters program, which has allowed them to learn the responsibilities of being employed, all while selling hot beverages to our wonderful faculty and staff.

Lastly, I would like to thank our partner, Monrovia Reads, for continuing to provide our students with the opportunity to foster a love of reading and promoting literacy across our District!

The start of the school year has been productive and busy for our students, teachers, staff, and administrators and these wonderful programs for our students would not be possible without the amazing people who lead them. I look forward to hearing about our students’ success and achievements this year!

Monrovia Unified’s mission is to provide world-class schools for world-class students, and we invite our community to learn more about our extraordinary programs from the Board of Education during our State of the Schools Address on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Monrovia High School’s Performing Arts Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent


Source: Monrovia Schools

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider Contract With Learning Genie

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/nay35z) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider approving a $2,200 contract (through June 2020) with Learning Genie, an online software system that provides a "flexible portfolio and assessment rating tools for child development observation, documentation, and assessment rating." It also lets teachers share what they're teaching with parents. https://is.gd/BHsxAQ

- Brad Haugaard

College Fair at Monrovia High

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Roasters - Jobs for Special Education Students

Monrovia High School students from the MHS Roasters program put on their aprons and stock a coffee cart at 7 a.m. to begin selling cups of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to faculty and staff as part of Monrovia High's WorkAbility and Transition Partnership program for students.

The programs open doors to job opportunities from local business partners in the community. By going into the community and working for local businesses, students in special education classes learn independence and gain experience for life-skill development.

"Monrovia High's MHS Roasters program provides students with a chance to gain critical skills in academics, social interaction, communication, financial management, and job performance," Monrovia High Transition Coordinator Kymberly Hirst said.

Local business partners include Unleashed, Foothill Unity Center, REI, Grocery Outlet, Chuck E. Cheese, Wendy's, Walgreens, and Smart and Final.

"My son is very excited to get up in the morning now, and he shows up to school always ready to start working," said Leslie Hudspeth, mother of Monrovia High student Jason Travers. "This experience is going to give him the confidence he needs to go out to the community and hold his head up high because he will have the skills he needs to do the work."

Similar coffee cart programs are finding success in schools across the states, achieving a high degree of popularity on campuses and offering beneficial work experience, Hirst said. Students work alongside adults for support as they gain the skills they will need to be employed in the community.

"At Monrovia Unified, providing our students with the opportunities and experiences they need to be successful after graduation is one of our priorities," Board of Education President Ed Gililland said. "Our dedicated teachers and counselors at Monrovia High always ensure that our students have the opportunities they need to be successful not only academically, but in their personal goals as well."

Student training started with making hot chocolate for a friend and then providing complimentary drinks for teachers who visited the cart. Students learned how to use a cash register and how to manage a line of customers. Now they crisscross campus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, selling coffee to faculty and staff.

"The growth of the MHS Roasters program follows the same successful trajectory of our other unique programs," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "It begins with a great idea supported by an organization committed to creating opportunities for students. Our goal is to prepare students with the skills necessary to define their own future."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Free Dental Care at Monrovia High

Monrovia High School will be offering free dental care for children to 18-years-old through Big Smiles Dental, "the nation’s largest mobile in-school dental program." https://is.gd/hlpiRa

- Brad Haugaard

KGEM May Broadcast Monrovia High Varsity Games

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/X9nhjq) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ A deal for KGEM to broadcast Monrovia High varsity athletic games. The school will pay Community Media of the Foothills $800 per game to broadcast the games live and archive them. KGEM will offer two to four sponsor announcements per game at $200 each, which it will use to reduce the $800 being charged to the District. https://is.gd/xHonZB

~ A memorandum of understanding to provide students of La Sierra University, of Riverside, teaching, administration, and pupil services (special education, counseling and school psychology). https://is.gd/4BOOXw

~ Hiring Terra Pave, Inc. for $14,600 to remove and replace approximately 1,700 square feet of failed asphalt at the Colorado driveway of Monrovia High. https://is.gd/QUv9Ke

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Celebrates Reopening of Wildcat Stadium

Monrovia High School’s Cat City student section – all sporting green to represent the school – cheered as the Monrovia Unified Board of Education kicked off a grand reopening for Wildcat Stadium on Aug. 30 during the Wildcat varsity football team’s first home game of the year.

Board Vice President Rob Hammond, Board Clerk Bryan Wong, and Board Members Maritza Travanti and Selene Lockerbie were joined by Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams, Councilmembers Becky Shevlin and Gloria Crudgington, Monrovia High Principal Kirk McGinnis, and students from the school’s band and football, track, cheer and soccer teams.

“It is an honor to be here today in front of all of you as we celebrate the grand reopening of Wildcat Stadium,” Board Vice President Rob Hammond said. “This is an effort that began a few years ago, and it has been exciting for us all to see it finally happen. It will benefit our athletes and scholars for many years to come.”

Field upgrades completed over summer included changing out an aging rubber pellet infill for a cool-fill product that decreases turf temperature and relocating communication boxes to outer parts of the field to ensure the continued safety of students.

“This is a great way to celebrate Monrovia High School’s 126 years of service to our families and community,” McGinnis said. “Thank you to our Board of Education for their support in making this new field become a reality for all Monrovia High Wildcats.”

Following the grand reopening, Monrovia’s community roared as the Wildcats made their way to the field to face Alta Loma High School and secure their first home victory, 34-7.

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Wins Big Over Alta Loma at First Home Game

Monrovia football debuted its refurbished field at its first home game of the season with a decisive 34-7 win over Alta Loma High School of Rancho Cucamonga. https://shrtm.nu/S6Wm

- Brad Haugaard 

Superintendent Thorossian's August Update

At Monrovia Unified, the success of our scholars is at the heart of everything we do. We are underway to a promising 2019-20 school year and are excited to see what accomplishments our students will achieve this academic year.

This month, our elementary schools held TK/K Meet and Greets, with parents and students visiting classrooms and preparing for the new school year.

On the first day of school, parents joined our elementary students in classrooms as they got acclimated and greeted their friends and teachers. At the middle schools and high school, orientations took place for each school’s incoming class, and students got to know their new campus during tours.

We also launched our Back to School nights. It has been exciting to visit our schools and hear about the new activities that will occur throughout the school year.

Our Spanish Dual-Language Immersion TK/K students at Wild Rose School of Creative Arts are fully engaged in the new curriculum, excitedly immersing themselves in the new language.

Finally, Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education is celebrating Monrovia High School’s Wildcat Stadium Grand Reopening with an event at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, right before the Wildcats’ first home football game of the year!

Monrovia Unified’s mission is to provide world-class schools for world-class students, and we invite our community to learn more about our extraordinary programs from the Board of Education during our State of the Schools Address on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Monrovia High School’s Performing Arts Center, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia.

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Over West Covina

Monrovia won over West Covina Friday night, 28-14. https://is.gd/IBILxc

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Wildcat Stadium Reopening

- Brad Haugaard

Fundraiser for Santa Fe Science Magnet School

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia School Board to Consider Dual Enrollment Program with Citrus

At its next meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/2sSJrh) the Monrovia Board of Education will ...

~ Consider a College and Career Access Pathways partnership agreement with Citrus College. The idea is to offer or expand "dual enrollment opportunities for high school students who may not already be college bound or who are underrepresented in higher education, with the goal of developing seamless pathways from high school to community college for career technical education or preparation for transfer, improving high school graduation rates, or helping high school pupils achieve college and career readiness." https://is.gd/mw3ExW

~ Get a summary of the 2019-20 Annual Statements: https://is.gd/jKpZiB


- Brad Haugaard

'We Will Rock You' at Monrovia High Wildcat Theater in October, November

The play, "We Will Rock You," is coming to the the Monrovia High Wildcat Theater October 25 and 26, and November 1 and 2, 7-9 p.m. The play features more than 20 hit Queen songs including "Another One Bites the Dust," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," "We Are the Champions." The story follows two revolutionaries as they try to save rock 'n' roll in a post-apocalyptic world. A fist-pumping, foot-stomping, musical anthem to freedom.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Orientation Day

Monrovia Unified School District students bid farewell to summer and hello to a new school year today (Aug. 14), as they participated in orientations, toured campuses, and picked up class schedules, and committed to a successful 2019-20 academic year.

At the elementary level, parents accompanied students as they got acclimatized to their classrooms and greeted friends and teachers. Students took photos with teachers, principals, and friends before kicking off the first day of school.

Monrovia's Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School and Clifton Middle School held orientations for incoming sixth-graders, who toured their new campus and picked up class schedules. Students learned about school culture and discussed the new responsibilities that come with being a middle school student.

Monrovia High School held a special orientation for its incoming freshman class. Students were greeted with a high-five line of administrators, teachers, and staff. The Class of 2023 participated in orientation and pledged to their success in 2023 by signing gowns that will hang in the foyer for the entire academic year - a reminder every time students walk by.

Monrovia Unified offers a slate of innovative instructional and enrichment programs, including coding, dual-language immersion, robotics, music, theater and arts - giving all students an opportunity to explore new interests and develop new skills.

"Our entire team of dedicated professionals in the Monrovia Unified School District looks forward to working with our students and exploring new tools for their continued success," Superintendent Katherine Thorossian said. "While I know that this school year will be replete with rigorous instruction and personal support, I am equally confident it will be a time to create memories."

Source: Monrovia Schools press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Football Schedule

Here's the Monrovia varsity football schedule. First up is an away game at Northview, in Covina, on August 16 at 7 p.m.

Schedule: https://is.gd/2tC7rp

- Brad Haugaard

A/C Work at Clifton, Plymouth; Repave Parking Lot Next to Monrovia High

At its next meeting (https://is.gd/lRcWhz) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Having work done on the air conditioning systems at Clifton and Plymouth schools (and gas lines at Plymouth) for about $71,000.

~ Repave the parking lot on 124 S. Madison Avenue, next to Monrovia High for $104,900.

- Brad Haugaard

More Camphor Trees Around Monrovia High Coming Down; City Manager Transition Plans; Leadership Training; Wine of Month Club; Wall-E

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~  Not only have the camphor trees along Colorado in front of Monrovia High been removed, but also the city is also planning to remove the camphor trees located on Madison, between Colorado Boulevard to the south and the high school tennis courts to the north. Why? Because they are an "invasive, inappropriate parkway tree option that damages sidewalk infrastructure, but further, the ones located on Magnolia Avenue are diseased."

~ The City Council will meet in closed session tonight, Aug. 6, to discuss city manager transition plans, as City Manager Oliver Chi has accepted a position as city manager in Huntington Beach. Chi writes: "I just don't have words to describe how much being part of Monrovia has meant to me, and while I am excited about the new opportunity, I've been struggling with the thought of not being part of the Monrovia organization. Many thanks to everyone for supporting the city's efforts to make our community as premier as it can be."

~  Monrovia Area Partnership will hold youth and adult leadership academies this fall. MAP hosts events to train and connect community members to improve Monrovia. Adult Leadership Academy trains residents to recognize and utilize city resources; provide leadership skills; and encourages adults to become engaged in the community. It meets Thursdays, Sept. 12 - Oct. 24, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Library Community Room. Sign up here: https://is.gd/zLVnVr. Youth Leadership Academy is similar but designed for middle and high school aged youth. It meets Wednesdays, Sept. 11 - Oct. 23, 3-5 p.m., in the Library Community Room. Sign up here: https://is.gd/VTMV8w

~  Monrovia-based Wine of the Month Club is ranked second in an online vote being coordinated by USA Today. If you'd like to help vote it up to first place, you can vote here: https://is.gd/9YlAsD

~  Last outdoor movie of the summer, Wall-E, on Aug. 10 at dusk in Library Park. Bring lawn chair, blankets, and snacks.

- Brad Haugaard

Trees Removed in Front of Monrovia High; $25 Off Water Bill for Low Water Landscaping, Etc.

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Oliver Chi reports:

~ As you may have noticed, a lot of trees (20 to be exact) were removed on Colorado in front of Monrovia High. Chi said the city considered trimming the roots, but it would have killed the trees; and moving the new sidewalk further from the trees, but the city doesn't have right-of-way to do that. Also, the camphor is considered an invasive tree species. The city will "construct a wider and safer sidewalk that will allow for easier student drop-off and pick-up," and will replace the 20 camphor with 40 new trees.

~ The Monrovia Historic Preservation Group will conduct a walking tour in Downtown Monrovia on Saturday, August 3, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per person, and the tour will last about two hours.  Meet at the southeast corner of Myrtle and Palm.

~ If you have low-water landscaping and want a one-time $25 break on your water bill, go here - https://is.gd/0YMSua - to submit an application for the city's sustainable landscaping program. Your drought-tolerant area should be in the front yard, visible from the street; no more than 50% of your landscape should be turf; and no more than 30% of your landscape should be non-permeable, such as concrete.

~ The Library will have an on-site Veterans Service Officer at its Veterans Resource Center on Mondays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. to provide assistance to veterans and their families. Call 256-8294 for an appointment.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Track and Field Upgraded

Monrovia High School's stadium was upgraded this summer. A total renovation of the track and field at Monrovia High School included smoothing out the field to eliminate uneven areas, a complete turf replacement, and an upgrade of the rubber pellet infill to a cool-fill product, which decreases the temperature of the turf. Communication boxes were also relocated to outer parts of the field, ensuring the continued safety of students.

- Brad Haugaard