Monrovia Schools Selects Paula Hart Rodas As New Superintendent

Monrovia School District selects Paula Hart Rodas as new superintendent. Here is the announcement letter from the district:

Dear Monrovia Unified families, staff, and community,

Last night, during our board meeting, the Board of Education had the pleasure of announcing the appointment of our new superintendent, Dr. Paula Hart Rodas. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hart Rodas in her new role, and we believe her extensive experience and dedication will significantly benefit our community.

Dr. Paula Hart Rodas brings 28 years of exemplary service to Southern California public schools. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering environments that prioritize open communication, continuous improvement, and holistic student growth. 

In her current role as Director of Secondary Educational Services for Monrovia Unified School District, Dr. Hart Rodas has already made significant contributions to our educational community since 2022. Before this, she held various leadership positions, including Principal of Lawndale High School and Vice Principal of several esteemed institutions.

Dr. Hart Rodas's involvement with CIF has been instrumental in shaping athletic opportunities for students statewide. Beginning in July 2024, she will serve the California Interscholastic Federation—Southern Section (CIF-SS) as President of the CIF-SS Executive Committee and the California Interscholastic Federation’s State Federated Council as President-Elect of the State Executive Committee. She was recently named Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Commission for Women for her work advancing athletics opportunities for girls in California.

Dr. Hart Rodas's educational journey is as impressive as her professional achievements. She holds degrees from renowned institutions such as California State University (CSU), Long Beach, CSU Dominguez Hills, and Pepperdine University, where she earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Hart Rodas finds support and joy in her loving family, which includes her husband, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and the family cats!

As we embark on this new chapter together, Flint Fertig will continue to serve as the interim superintendent until Dr. Hart Rodas assumes the full responsibilities of her role on July 1st.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Hart Rodas, the new superintendent of Monrovia Schools!

Block Party to Celebrate Monrovia Area Partnership's 18th Anniversary

Monrovia Area Partnership (MAP) will celebrate it's 18th anniversary with a block party at Julian Fisher Park on Saturday, Jun 22, starting at 5 p.m. Music, food, and games. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Tree Crushes House, Van

Although there is no wind or rain today, a large tree fell down and crushed a house and a van on the west side of mountain just south of foothill.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Copper Still Grill

Dinner at Copper Still Grill, on the east side of Myrtle just south of Colorado. Got Grandma‘s Meatloaf for $15, substituting the mashed potatoes with sautéed vegetables, and a beer for $4.95. Lots of food. Had to take half of it home. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia High and Clifton Awarded Grants for Music Programs

Monrovia High School and Clifton Middle School have been awarded grants by the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, facilitated by the schools' Band Boosters. MHS received $10,000 to enhance coaching and educational opportunities for its music ensembles, while Clifton got $5,000 for new uniforms. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Rayne - An Affectionate Bundle of Energy and Love

Rayne is a delightful two-year-old Pit Bull mix with a heart as big as her affectionate nature. Rayne is a bundle of energy and love, ready to shower her forever family with endless kisses and tail wags.

Rayne is more than just a pretty face; she's a smart cookie too! Her eagerness to learn and please makes her a joy to train, whether it's mastering basic commands or picking up new tricks.

With a bit of patience and positive reinforcement, Rayne will quickly become your four-legged star pupil, eager to show off her skills at every opportunity.

Rayne is a soft-hearted sweetheart who thrives on love and attention. She adores snuggling up on the couch for movie nights or joining you on outdoor adventures, soaking up every moment spent with her beloved humans. Rayne may want to be the only dog in the household, but her big personality will make it seem like she’s ten dogs!

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

School Board Member Wants State to Allow District Voters Option to Choose At-Large Elections

Monrovia School Board Member Maritza Travanti just posted on X (formerly Twitter) that: “I’m asking our CA legislators to take another look at CVRA [California Voting Rights Act] & consider an amendment to allow for  communities to vote whether they want at-large or district voting. The bill should not be one size fits all.”

To comply with California state law, the Monrovia School District is planning to have district elections for school board members, with each district selecting one member for the Board of Education. This would begin with the next election in November.

- Brad Haugaard 

A Moment in Monrovia History: Construction of Dam Above Monrovia

The dam above Monrovia's Canyon Park under construction around 1928. From the Kim Anderson collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Tabletop Game Night for Adults, Friday at Library

Tabletop Game Night for adults at Monrovia Public Library this Friday, May 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Play new and social games, meet new people, and have fun. Details. 

- Brad Haugaard

Create a Nature Journal at Library Park

Create a nature journal in Library Park, tomorrow, May 7, 6-7 p.m. Supplies provided while the last, but bring your own materials for a personal touch. This is an outdoor event, so bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket for comfortable seating on the grass. Register here. For more information email jmushisky@ci.monrovia.ca.us or call 256-8264. 

- Brad Haugaard

School Board to Consider How to Divide District for School Board Elections

At a Monday, May 6, meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia School Board will hold a public hearing about how to geographically divide up the school district into sections, each of which will vote for one board member. Details. It will also will adopt a resolution indicating its criteria for dividing up the district. More details.

Then, at its Wednesday, May 8, meeting (agenda here), it will declare May 7 as National Day of the Teacher, and May 6-10, as National Teacher Appreciation Week. Details.  Also, May 8, as National School Nurse Day, and May 19 - 25, as Classified School Employee Week. 

- Brad Haugaard

Council to Consider Norumbega House, Homelessness, Etc.

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia City Council will ...

~ Consider approving a plan to add a 3,758 square foot, two-story, single-family residence with an attached 1,348 square foot four-car garage on a a 1.295-acre lot 545 Norumbega Drive. Details. 

~ Hold a study session to discuss the county's Pathway Home “Interim Housing” Project, which is designed to help transition from  homelessness to permanent housing, and  discuss program goals for historic preservation. Details.

~ Proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 

- Brad Haugaard

Firefighters Pancake Breakfast May 11

Monrovia Fire and Rescue will host its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, May 13, from 7 to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 101 (141 E. Lemon Avenue). The event features pancakes, a Jr. Firefighter challenge, raffles, displays, and live demonstrations. Tickets are $5 at the event, with proceeds benefiting local charities. For questions, call (626) 256-8181.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monrovia Offers Mental Health Assistance

Monrovians can now access Care Solace for free assistance in finding local mental health and substance treatment services, without using 911. This 24/7 service, funded by the city, offers a concierge to help navigate care options, handle insurance, and book appointments. Support for more than 200 languages.

Here's how it works:

• Call (888) 515-7881 or visit the Care Solace website
• Complete a brief screening
• Get matched and book an appointment

- Brad Haugaard 

Brush Clearance Inspections Start July 14

Monrovia's Fire and Rescue team will begin conducting brush clearance inspections on July 15. The city has partnered with Athens Services to provide roll-off bins to make clearing out brush easier. You can start making arrangements for brush disposal as early as May 1. Click here for more information.

- Brad Haugaard