Wendy's Provides Lunches for Homeless

Wendy's Monrovia provided lunches for Foothill Unity Center's homeless clients last week and Unity Center says, "Thank you ... We are very appreciative!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Changes to Test Dates

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

As we take on our second week of student dismissal, I want to assure you that the well-being of our students, staff, families, and community remain at the forefront of every decision. We are all learning during this time. Whether learning how to navigate the Google Classroom platform or how to avoid cabin fever, we recognize the many and varied challenges surrounding us these days.

To assist with learning, we have added links to additional educational resources that might help at home. These resources may be found on the Distance Learning Platform parent page. We are also creating a weekly newsletter offering helpful tips and ideas for both parents and teachers.

Spring is the time we usually engage in testing. Below are some specific testing updates:

• SAT: All exams, including make ups, have been cancelled through May 2.
• ACT: The ACT has been rescheduled to June 13.
• Advanced Placement: AP exams are still planned, but reformatted as online, 45-minute, free-response exams designed for students to take from home.

Beginning Wednesday, March 25, students have the option of attending free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers across the country. Course-specific information may be found here. There will be two exam dates made available to accommodate students who want to take the test earlier while information learned in school is still fresh. Anyone who has already paid for an exam may cancel for a full refund if they choose to no longer take the exam. Additional information and resources may be found here.

We expect another update regarding AP Exams on April 3.

The California Department of Education also released information regarding statewide testing on March 20:

• California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP): Testing has been suspended for this year.
• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC): The Summative ELPAC test has been suspended for this year. The timeline for the ELPAC assessment has been extended for 45 days after students return to school.
• California High School Proficiency Examination: Test administration for March 21 has been canceled. All students registered for the March test have been reregistered for June or provided information how to request a refund.
• Physical Fitness Test: On hold until our students return to school.

As a reminder, if you have any questions about assignments, please contact your child’s teachers. If you have any questions in general about the school your child attends, please contact the administrator via email or call the school’s main line. While we have altered our hours and locations, we are still “open” and will respond in a timely manner.

We are in this together. Please continue to practice healthy habits.

Sincerely,Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Near But No Instances Reported Yet for Monrovia

Local cities with cases of Coronavirus. None recorded yet for Monrovia.

Alhambra 4
Altadena 5
Arcadia 3
Covina 1
Duarte 1
Glendora 1
La Verne 2
Pasadena 3
South Pasadena 3
Temple City 1

Source: https://is.gd/nSMeBU

- Brad Haugaard

No Reported Coronavirus in Monrovia - But Getting Closer

No recorded instances of coronavirus in Monrovia, but there are some nearby:

Alhambra, 3
Altadena, 2
Arcadia, 2
Covina, 1
Pasadena, 3
South Pasadena, 2

Source: https://is.gd/8qYLtY

- Brad Haugaard

City Again Closes Canyon Park, Wilderness Preserve

From City Manager Dylan Feik: "Beginning today, the City is closing Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve again. The City attempted to leave these recreational areas open to our community. Over this past weekend, far too many people visited the facilities and did not practice safe, social distancing. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and ask all residents, guests and visitors to find alternate means of recreation which you can do in small groups, maintain 6’ of separation and comply with the Safer at Home Health Order."

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's Adds Senior Shopping Hours

There has been some confusion about whether Trader Joe's has senior shopping hours. It does. Now.

Here's what the market says:

At Trader Joe’s we pride ourselves on treating all of our customers equitably.  Over the past few weeks we have heard from our senior customers about the need for assistance in the morning to get in and out of our stores quickly.  We’ve listened, and effective Monday March 23rd we will implement the following:

Store hours will remain 9AM to 7PM.  Every day between 9AM and 10AM, Crew Members will maintain an additional line outside the front door for our senior customers. This will ensure that those customers in need will have an expedited entrance to the store to help make their experience a more positive one.

Our Crew Members in each of our stores remain committed to these ideas and, as always, will be ready to help any customer needing extra assistance for any reason.

Source: Trader Joe's press release https://is.gd/YOegX6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Online Church Services

This is a partial list of online church services today in Monrovia. There are some I could not find information about or that I just missed. If you know of others, please let me know (Include a link and times of services.)

Calvary Chapel Monrovia, or on Facebook  (1307 S Myrtle) -  10 a.m.

Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High) - 9 and 11 a.m.

First Lutheran (1227 S Magnolia) 9 a.m.

First Presbyterian (Foothill and Myrtle) - 10 a.m.

Hope Unlimited Church (1900 Walker Ave) - 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m.

IFGF (Palm and Primrose) 10:30 a.m.

Mountainside Communion Church (Colorado and Magnolia) - 10 a.m.

Second Baptist Church, or on Facebook (925 S Shamrock) - 10:45 a.m.

Vineyard (223 S Encinitas Ave) - 10 a.m.

Unity Center Needs Supplies; Take Census Online; Sales Tax Survey

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

~ Foothill Unity Center could use supplies. Full list here: https://is.gd/yAOBCS

~ It's census year, but the nice thing is you can answer the questions online, here: https://my2020census.gov/

~ What should Monrovia do with the Measure K money (that's the money from the sales tax Monrovia passed). Take a survey here: https://is.gd/rxNzco

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Employees to Telecommute

Monrovia Schools Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian reports that employees began telecommuting Friday. She writes, "Some of our essential personnel, including food services and payroll, will need to continue completing their duties on site in order for our operations to continue."

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Adds Coronavirus Web Page

Citrus College students who want to know what's up with their classes and the school can check out Citrus's Coronavirus page, here: https://is.gd/pJEGt3

- Brad Haugaard

School District to Hold Completely Virtual Board Meeting

Dear Monrovia Community,

Given the County and State orders designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 by enforcing stricter social distancing protocols, the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education has modified the manner in which it will be conducting meetings for the duration of these orders.

The Board will follow safety protocols embedded within Governor Newsom’s executive order suspending a number of Brown Act requirements due to COVID-19. In the order, all requirements regarding the physical presence of board members or the public at regular Board of Education meetings are waived.

In compliance with these orders, Monrovia Unified Board of Education will be conducting its meetings virtually. Public access to the physical meeting will be eliminated; but remote public participation is allowed and encouraged.

The next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, may be viewed through livestream and on KGEM (Spectrum Channel 99 or Giggle Fiber Channel 87-2).

Community members may also submit public comments via email before the beginning of each meeting. Please send all comments to publiccomments@monroviaschools.net. All comments will be read during the public comment portion of the meeting, or at the item’s place on the agenda.

Whether physically present or conducting business remotely, the Monrovia Unified School District remains steadfast in our commitment to the health and well-being of the community we serve.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

School District to Buy 'Extreme Training Equipment' for High School; Repair Roofs at Mayflower School

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

~ Buying $29,319 of "Extreme Training Equipment" for the weight room at Monrovia High School. https://is.gd/Ei94UK

~ The repair of drains and roofs at Mayflower School, for $28,269.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Area Partnership Conference Cancelled

The 11th Annual Monrovia Area Partnership Neighborhood Conference, that was to be held April 25, has been cancelled.  MAP is a partnership of staff, residents, businesses and service organizations all working together with the common goal of building a premier community. https://is.gd/Jebb1N

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner From Cafe LuMar

I like to eat dinner out, especially at pleasant little restaurants such as Cafe LuMar, on the south side of Colorado a half block east of Myrtle. But because of the Coronavirus we ordered and took our food home. I got the goulash for $18. Very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

No More Planned SCE Power Outages During March

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that, "On Wednesday, March 18, I directed Public Works staff to suspend Right-of-Way permits for SoCal Edison to perform planned power outages in Monrovia. There were two projects scheduled yesterday. One project was already underway and is now complete.

"All other projects are suspended, as are all other planned outages through March 31."

- Brad Haugaard

No Shared Lyft Rides Through April

GoMonrovia's Lyft program is no longer offering shared rides (social distancing) but  the classic ride option is still available for $3. The non-shared-ride policy will remain in effect until April 30.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Girlfriend Arrested for Attacking Boyfriend; Shoplifting; Vehicles Stolen

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for March 12-18. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 311 service events, resulting in 40 investigations.

Driving Under the Influence / Traffic Collision – Suspect Arrested
March 13 at 3:55 p.m., a traffic collision was reported in the 1100 block of E. Royal Oaks. A motorist was attempting to park along the curb, but misjudged her speed and collided into two parked vehicles. Officers responded and spoke with the driver. A DUI investigation was conducted and the driver was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and held for a sobering period.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 13 at 5:37 p.m., two motorists were involved in an injury traffic collision near the intersection of Maple and Ivy. One vehicle was heading south on Ivy and the other was heading east in an alley off of Maple and failed to yield when entering the intersection. Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Warrant – Suspect Arrested
March 13 at 10:18 p.m., an officer was patrolling the 900 block of E. Huntington when he saw a motorist commit a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was informed of why he was pulled over. A computer check of the driver revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The driver was issued a citation in the field for the warrant and released.

Battery
March 13 at 11:58 p.m., an employee from a business in the 900 block of W. Foothill called police to report subjects were fighting at the location. When officers arrived, one of the vehicles had left the location with two subjects in it. An officer spotted the vehicle and stopped it. It was occupied by two females, who had admitted to being at the business. Another female stayed at the business and had visible injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 14 at 12:56 p.m., two motorists were involved in a traffic collision in the 3000 block of S. Peck. A motorist pulled out of a driveway, failing to yield to oncoming traffic, and struck a motorist traveling south on Peck.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
March 14 at 6:57 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of W. Palm called to report his girlfriend had hit him in the face. Officers arrived and spoke to both parties. The couple was involved in an argument that escalated and the female subject struck the male subject in the face several times, scratched his upper body, and kicked him. She also had bruising on her arms due to him trying to restrain her. Both parties said she was the aggressor. The female subject was arrested for domestic violence and taken into custody.

Shoplifting
March 14 at 8:10 p.m., an employee from a business in the 500 block of W. Huntington called to report a female subject was stopped outside the store with stolen items hidden in a duffel bag. The female gave the duffel bag with the stolen items back to the store employee, but refused to come back inside to wait for police. She left prior to the police arriving. This investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision
March 15 at 4:18 p.m., a caller reported a motorist had collided into a pedestrian and then into another vehicle while backing in the parking lot of a retail store in the 700 block of E. Huntington. Officers responded along with Monrovia Paramedics. The pedestrian had minor injuries and did not want to be transported to a hospital.

Residential Burglary
March 16 at 5:16 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of W. Foothill arrived home from work and discovered someone had burglarized his home. Officers arrived and found no suspects were in the house or the area. The house had been ransacked and the loss was unknown at the time. This investigation is continuing.

Residential Burglary
March 17 at 4:58 p.m., a resident in the 100 block of Poppy arrived home and discovered his attached garage had been burglarized. The garage was locked and the locking lever had been broken to gain access. Several items were stolen. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
March 17 at 6:09 p.m., a caller reported her pickup truck was stolen from a parking lot in the 1600 block of S. Mountain. Officers responded and conducted an investigation. This investigation is continuing.

Grand Theft Auto
March 18 at 4:06 p.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 3000 block of Peck Road. The victim reported his van was stolen thirty minutes prior. Officers responded and the investigation is continuing.

School Meals - Details

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Adds Distance Learning to Website

Monrovia Schools has added a "Distance Learning Platform" section to its website, with sections for Parents & Guardians, Students, and Educators. In both English and Spanish. Here it is: https://is.gd/kVIilh

- Brad Haugaard

Assistance for Small Businesses Hit By Coronavirus

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Monrovia, suggests small businesses check out these sources of assistance:

US Small Business Administration

LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs

- Brad Haugaard