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Enrollment at Monrovia Schools Continues to Decline

Enrollment continues to decline for the Monrovia schools. The district released a report (here: https://v.gd/Ofegma) showing the numbers:

  • In 2018-19 enrollment decreased by 121 students, or 2.18%
  • In 2019-20 enrollment decreased by 38 students, or 0.70%
  • In 2020-21 enrollment decreased by 157 students, or 2.91%
  • This year, enrollment decreased by 113 students, or 2.15%, compared to last year

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Carlos Hernandez Named 'Athlete of the Week'

The Pasadena Star-News has named Monrovia High football star, Carlos Hernandez, as its "San Gabriel Valley Boys Athlete of the Week." https://tny.im/F1a2g

- Brad Haugaard

No Reservations Needed for Weekday Visits to Canyon Park

Reservations are no longer required to visit Monrovia Canyon Park on the weekdays. For weekends, however, you still need reservations, which you can get here:  www.cityofmonrovia.org/CPreservation.

The park is open 6:30 a.m. to  6 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, when it is closed to vehicles for maintenance, but it is still open for those walking or biking in. It will also be closed if it is raining.

- Brad Haugaard

Library Park Ready for Veterans Day


The flags along Myrtle at Library Park are to celebrate Veterans Day, coming up November 11. 

- Brad Haugaard 

Sweet and Affectionate Mars Loves Attention


Four-year-old Mars is such a friendly cat! This beautiful fluffy kitty greets new people with head bumps and loud purrs. He especially loves having his face petted. When you finish petting him, he’ll meow at you for more attention! Mars is so sweet and affectionate, and would love to be your shadow. 

The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

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.

View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Early Homes Along Charlotte (Now Canyon) Avenue

Postcard of homes on 400 block of Charlotte Avenue (renamed Canyon) with Mt. Wilson in background.. See full details here. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection.

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

Community Prayer Breakfast Nov. 19

Community Prayer Breakfast Nov. 19 at Courtyard by Marriott, 700 W. Huntington Drive. 7:45 a.m. check-In, 8 a.m. start and breakfast. $30 per person. Speaker Pastor Christopher Bourne of Second Baptist Church.  For information contact Monrovia Chamber of Commerce at 358-1159. Register here: https://tny.im/NDGOV

- Brad Haugaard 

Halloween Celebrations


There was a huge crowd at Library Park (top) to celebrate Halloween and lots of activities at Calvary Chapel Monrovia’s Harvest event (bottom). 

- Brad Haugaard

Watch for Trick-or-Treaters!

Be especially careful driving on Halloween night. Arcadia Police Department has these tips:
 
Drivers
  • Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
  • Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways.
  • Never drive distracted or impaired.
Parents and trick-or-treaters
  • Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
  • Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
  • Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
  • Walk on sidewalks, when available.
  • Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
  • Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant or house party and plan to drink, bring a designated sober driver with you, use a ride-hailing service, or stay the night.

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Alternative at Calvary Chapel Tomorrow - Petting Zoo, Candy, Etc.


Tomorrow, Calvary Chapel Monrovia will hold a free Harvest event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with candy, a petting zoo, games, food and a variety of music. The church is at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Cherry.

- Brad Haugaard 

Monroe Principal Slides Through Chocolate; Commended Students; Santa Fe Green Space in News


~ Monrovia High had three seniors recognized as Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program: Matthew Hui, Andrew Smithwick, and Kristoffer Kaufmann. https://tny.im/kxcyj 

~ Superintendent Ryan Smith reports that because Monroe Elementary School raised $25,000 in its annual fundraiser, more than the $20,000 goal, that Principal Amanda Noriega slid through a slip-n-slide covered with chocolate sauce and whipped cream to celebrate her students' work. https://tny.im/kxcyj 

~ Spectrum News 1 came to Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School to showcase the school's green outdoor spaces. Here's the report: https://tny.im/l27UA

- Brad Haugaard

Burlington Stores Donates $5,000 to Wild Rose School


Monrovia Unified School District has received a $5,000 donation from Burlington Stores through its partnership with the national non-profit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org. The donation will go toward school supplies to MUSD Wild Rose School of Creative Arts in celebration of the new Burlington store now open at 660 Huntington Dr.

Wild Rose Principal Paige Ramos said the money will be used to purchase musical sound makers and instruments for each classroom. 

"We are delighted to receive this grant from AdoptAClassroom.org in partnership with Burlington," Ramos said. "A donation like this gives us the opportunity to purchase additional supplies that we were not anticipating having this school year."

Each time Burlington opens a new store, the company celebrates by adopting and funding a local elementary school in the store's community.

- Brad Haugaard

Kiwanis Cornhole Competition Nov. 6 to Raise Funds for Student Scholarships

Kiwanis Club of Monrovia will hold a Cornhole Competition on November 6, 2 - 8 p.m. Enter as teams of two to win cash prizes, or come and just have fun. First, second, and third place teams will have a chance to win $250, $150, or $100. Event is 21+ only. All proceeds go towards scholarships for local youth. https://tny.im/oYEFj

- Brad Haugaard

Virtual Meeting to Focus on Homelessness in Monrovia

Speakers will address community and housing resources for the homeless at a Monrovia Area Partnership meeting which will be held virtually on Saturday, November 20, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  For questions contact the MAP team at map@ci.monrovia.ca.us. Click here to register: https://tny.im/FJu20

- Brad Haugaard

ChangeMakers and Latino Heritage Society Sponsor Open Meeting Nov. 17

- Brad Haugaard

Toxic Waste Collection Tomorrow at Public Works Yard

- Brad Haugaard

Halloween Activities in Library Park

- Brad Haugaard

City Council to Consider Honoring Educator Who Desegregated Monrovia School

Proposed art honoring Romney.

At its next meeting (agenda: https://tny.im/8UCrG) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...

~  Spending up to $15,500 in Art in Public Places funds for a Neighborhood Treasure landmark post and art piece commemorating Almera Romney. The staff report (here: https://tny.im/47rdW) says:

"Over her 17-year tenure at Huntington Elementary School as a teacher and then principal, she fought her supervisor (who was also the school superintendent), her church, and the local newspaper to draw resources and attention to give Huntington Elementary Students a good education.

"Huntington Elementary was the segregated school that children of color in Monrovia were forced to attend. From 1946 to 1963, Ms. Romney was the driving force that transformed Huntington Elementary School from an under-resourced and physically unsafe school to a place where students thrived academically and socially. She ensured students not only felt safe and valued, but no longer had castoff books and unhealthy lunches."

~ Assisting the non-profit organization, Grow Monrovia, by purchasing 48 trees at $350 per tree for the organization to plant along Foothill Boulevard. https://tny.im/XvFii

~ Modifying its cell phone tower regulations to reflect changes in technology. https://tny.im/Tica9

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Football Wins Over South Pasadena

Monrovia football triumphs over South Pasadena 56-7. Monrovia's reccord is now 10-0. https://tny.im/Km6

- Brad Haugaard

Weekly Monrovia Coronavirus Count: 33 More Cases, No More Deaths

Coronavirus cases from LA Department of Public Health as of 8 p.m., 10/27/2021. Changes since 10/20/2021.

City of Monrovia: 4,036 cases (up 33), 83 deaths (unchanged)
Unincorporated Monrovia: 447 cases (up 1), 1 death (unchanged)

- Brad Haugaard