altadenablog

PUSD surges for Measure TT

Pasadena Unified School District is having a push (a "surge"?) over the next month to answer questions about and promote the the passage of Measure TT, the new bond issue to make improvements to district schools.  Monica Hubbard (always on the case) send us this news about upcoming meetings:

       >> Measure TT - An informational forum on the November 4th Bond
Measure. Measure TT is the Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre School
Improvement Bond that would raise $350 million for our school
facilities. Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 7 p.m., Burbank Elementary,
2046 North Allen Avenue, Pasadena.

       >> Meet the New PUSD Executive Team: Alice Petrossian ­ Chief
Academic Officer, Emily Vaughn Henry ­ Chief Technology Officer, Steve
Brinkman - Chief of Staff, Shelly James - Chief Human Resources.
Thursday, October 23, 2008, 7 p.m.. McKinley School, 325 South Oak
Knoll Avenue, Pasadena.

These community forums are sponsored by the Pasadena Educational
Foundation, Altadena NAACP, Pasadena League of Women Voters, APPLE,
PTA Council, El Centro d'Accion Social, and Invest in PUSD Kids.
Spanish translation will be provided. Call 396-3600 x88354 with questions.

Green California "Community College Summit" Oct. 8-9

From the never-downshifting Monica Hubbard comes word that Green California will be holding a Community Colleges Summit at the Pasadena Convention Center next week.  The emphasis is not only on "greening" the campus, but using community college resources to train tomorrow's workforce in the "green economy."  For more information, check out their website here.

School bond issue forum Oct. 15 @ Burbank.

An informational community forum on Measure TT (the $350 million bond measure for improvements to Pasadena Unified schools) will be held at Burbank Elementary School, 2046 N. Allen, Pasadena at 7 PM on Oct. 15.

For more information, call 396-3600 x 88354.

Update on Bright Futures Scholars

Dr. Sandra Thomas updated our earlier article on the Bright Futures Scholars program to say that over 400 scholars have been nominated by their schools to participate in the program.  Pictured are just some of the 2008-09 scholars at a Sept. 20 meeting.

Principal: Sahag-Mesrob is a good neighbor

Despite complaints from nearby residents that began after the school opened this month, the Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School has been "very constructive and very responsive" to neighborhood concerns, says Principal Shahe Garabedian. 

Sahag-Mesrob's campus at 183-205 E. Palm St., which opened Sept. 2, is facing two major hurdles: complaints by neighbors claiming there was no or inadequate notice of the 250-student school opening in the neighborhood; and a notice of violation from the Los Angeles County zoning department, because the school was operating without the required conditional use permit (CUP). The notice requires that the school close this week or face fines.  Continued violation of the notice may also bring criminal charges against the school, county officials said last week.

Garabedian says that the school applied for the CUP in May, 2008, shortly after they acquired the property, and it has been working to expedite the process since then.  County zoning officials told Altadenablog last week that the CUP process usually takes a year to 18 months to complete, and in fact work on the school's CUP was suspended after the violation was written this month.

Garabedian says that representatives of the school have been meeting "almost every week" with the county to expedite the permit, but "we did not hear anything from the county until [we received] the notice."

Closing the school, he said, would cause hardship on the students, who range from nursery school to 5th grade.  "You have 250 students, and you're trying to educate them," he said.  "It's not like you can go to another option."

Garabedian says that the school actually affects the neighborhood less than when it was the former Bienvenidos Children's School, a residential home and school for young abused and at-risk children. 

Bienvenidos was operating "24/7, with foster care and a school," Garabedian said.  "[We] have a ten minute recess and 40 minute lunch break -- 85 percent of the time the kids are in the classroom getting educated," Garabedian said.  "That's only two breaks a day, and after 3:30, it's a ghost town."

Garabedian said that the school is meeting safety requirements, despite not yet having a CUP.  The school has passed a fire inspection, and "last week we had the sheriff observing traffic, and they didn't see anything wrong," Garabedian said.  The school created an "ingress," where up to 28 vehicles can enter the grounds in a loop to pick up and drop off students while minimizing traffic on Palm, Garabedian said.

The principal also said that the school has been pro-active in notifying neighbors from the beginning. Shortly after closing on the property in April, the school distributed 350 flyers around the neighborhood and invited residents to a barbecue luncheon on the school grounds, which attracted about 60 to 70 residents.

Garabedian said that he is keeping the school parents informed of the developments through meetings and emails.

The school is also exploring its options with the county, including obtaining a "clean hands waiver" to continue operations.   "Closure is truly going to create a hardship," Garabedian said.

Having a school teaching moral, Christian values, is more positive for the neighborhood than some other uses for the property, such as housing a rehab facility, Garabedian said.  

The school continues to operate its grade 6-12 campus on Maiden Lane just below St. Mark's School, where it has been for several years.  "We have been in Altadena for 25  years -- we thought having a location in Altadena [for the new campus] was for us," Garabedian said. " ... our position has always been, for the past 25 years, to have a positive relationship with the community."

Oak Knoll to move into Edison school site

The old Edison Elementary School on Glenrose already hosts the Nia charter school, and up until last spring, the failed Rhythms of the Village charter school.  A new tenant will be moving into the Rhythms portion, and writerdeb @ Altadena Above It All relays a message from Elliott Gold about Oak Knoll, the new school planned for that portion.

County: Sahag-Mesrob has no permit, must close or be fined

Pictured: cars line up to pick up students at Sahag-Mesrob's Palm St. campus Tuesday afternoon.

 Los Angeles County zoning authorities have told Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School that it is violating county zoning ordinances and will have to close next week, or start paying fines.

Bruce Durbin of Los Angeles County zoning enforcement said that the school -- which opened its Palm St. location on Sept. 2, to the surprise and consternation of the neighbors -- failed to get a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate in the largely-residential area. Durbin said it takes about a year to 18 months to complete the CUP process, and Sahag-Mesrob applied for the permit in May 2008, shortly after its $7 million purchase of the former Bienvenidos Children’s Center property.

The purchase of the property and plans for the school haven’t been secret -- announcements have appeared in the local Armenian press, real estate press releases, and there was a presentation at the Altadena Town Council in April.  Still, residents around the property, at 183-205 E. Palm St., were surprised to see a fully-functioning school and a line of cars dropping off over 200 students the day after Labor Day.

Sahag-Mesrob controversy heats up

This flyer  (pdf document) is making the rounds of the Palm St. neighborhood where the Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian school has moved its operations.  According to the flyer, the school opened without receiving a conditional use permit for the location (which includes an environmental impact study on noise and traffic).  In addition, the flyer claims that zoning enforcement issued a notice of violation to the school and Supervisor Antonovich's office has advised them to cease operation. 

We're going to try and track down neighbors and get comment from them and the school as we are able.  A 200 to 800-student school dropped into a neighborhood  -- and then perhaps shutting down as suddenly -- promises to leave a lot of disturbed neighbors and school parents. Keep watchin'!

Bright Futures Scholars welcomes 300 students

Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, President/CEO of the Quality of Life Center, Inc. and staff are welcoming over 300 PUSD students into the Bright Futures Scholars Support Program. This gathering is to take place at the Altadena Community Center and is the kick off to a program that has been successful for meeting the needs and providing youth an opportunity to prove to them-selves that dedication, perseverance, honesty and hard work will improve their lives.
 
The Bright Futures Scholars Support Program, one of the programs offered through the Quality of Life Center, Inc., focuses on academic high-achieving students, many with extreme economic challenges. Dr. Thomas, as many in the community have come to know, has continuously been servicing hundreds of families, most with limited knowledge of the recourses available to improve their quality of life.
 
“Many of our young people are dropping out of school, depressed, have little sense of self worth and are turning to the streets for attention and understanding,” Thomas stated, “Some are brilliant scholars, with extremely high GPA’s, who are simply trapped in unfortunate situations and feel as if they have no chance to follow their dream. One out of every three low-income minority students attending high school will drop out before earning a diploma, and many will not be encouraged to return to school, nor offered pre-training to become marketable in corporate America. The Quality of Life Center, Inc. remains extremely optimistic and will continue to assist youth, young adults and families in low-income, at risk communities by providing services that improve the quality of life for all.”
 
The entire Quality of Life Center, Inc. staff is ecstatic about its 2008-2009 Bright Futures Scholars Support Program commencement. This program has been successful not only from the love and support that Dr. Thomas has put into its consistent development, but also due to the many dedicated mentors, which includes Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Jack Scott, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Past Assemblymember Carol Liu, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck, Pasadena Council Member Chris Holden, PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz, Pasadena Juvenile Court Judge Phillip Soto, Pasadena Chief of Police Bernard Melekian, Altadena Chief of Police Roosevelt Blow, Altadena Town Council member Ken Balder, Pasadena Water & Power General Manager Phyllis E. Currie, and many others who have devoted time to our future leaders of America.
 
If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with the President/CEO of the Quality of Life Center, Inc., Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, call Vanessa Michelle at (626) 798-5433, or e-mail at vanessa@qualityoflifecenterinc.com

Pictured: some of the 2007-2008 scholars with Pasadena mayor Bill Bogard.

"State of PUSD" speech

This is a couple of days old and got lost in the shuffle:  PSN's Caroline An gives the scoop on PUSD Board President Tom Selinske's "State of the school district" address Tuesday night at Eliot Middle School.  Of particular interest are the improvements at Muir, middle school reforms, and the Measure TT bond issue.

Emerging story: Sahag-Mesrob vs. the neighbors

It's been known since spring that the Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School was moving from its Maiden Lane location to a new location at 183 E. Palm (see our stories here and here).  But it's apparently come as a surprise to the neighbors since school began, now that 200-some students and their parent's cars have appeared in the neighborhood.  We've received a couple of emails on the subject, and it was brought up at last night's Town Council meeting, and there's some question about whether there was proper notification and permitting.  We're keeping an eye on this one.

"State of the Schools" event at Eliot Sept. 16

This from PUSD:

“Promise, Preparation & Progress”

Please join the Board of Education of the Pasadena Unified School District at the annual State of the Schools event where Board President Tom Selinske will address the progress and future of public schools in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.

Date:Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Time:5:30 p.m. Reception
Location:Eliot Middle School Auditorium
2184 North Lake Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001

Contact Binti Harvey at 626-568-4550 for additional information.

Mercury News: let's give support to chancellor

San Jose Mercury News is running an editorial about giving more support to California's community college system and starting the new chancellor on the right foot.  That chancellor, of course, will be State Sen. Jack Scott of Altadena.  It's worth reading.

Muir, Altadena Elementary boost API scores

After four embarassing years, the API scores for Muir HIgh School have been released, and they've gone up considerably, says this PSN story:

Muir also met federal and state educational growth targets this year and was the only high school in the Pasadena Unified School District to do it. If the school posts another gain next year, Muir will be removed from state-monitoring status.

Story by PSN's educational reporter Carolin An.

UPDATE 10 AM: Pasadena Now reports that Altadena Elementary posted a 49 point gain in API this year.

Jack Scott honored

State Sen. Jack Scott of Altadena will be honored Oct. 28 at the inaugural "Building the Spirit of a Vibrant Community" Award Luncheon  at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena.  Says PSN:

The award is designed to honor an individual, organization, or business that has made an exceptional contribution and commitment to the advancement of the community. Honorees will have made a significant contribution to areas served by the Pasadena Area Community College District.

Full details here.

Library holds meet & greet for homeschooling families Sept. 10

All local homeschooling families are invited to the Altadena Library on Wed., Sept. 10 at 2 PM in the library’s community room for a focus group meeting with the Children’s Services staff and other home schooling families. This meeting is designed to gather information about how well the Altadena Library is serving the needs of local homeschooling families and what we could do to improve our services. Light refreshment will be served and activities for the children will be provided.

The award winning Main Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa Street.  The address of the Bob Lucas Memorial Branch Library is 2659 North Lincoln Avenue. The libraries offer many services including programs for children, teens and adults, a book club, teen advisory board, literacy classes, online tutoring, internet tutoring, passports, public computers and wireless access.  To find out more call 626-798-0833 for the main, 626-798-8338 for the branch, or visit the library’s website at http://altadenalibrary.org.

Supt. Diaz on PUSD's new direction

Supt. Edwin Diaz of Pasadena Unified has an article in this week's Pasadena Weekly on the improvements on board at the school district.  Diaz touches on Muir's four academies, middle school reforms, and the new Office of Child Welfare, Attendance and Safety, among other topics.  Details right here.

(Hat tip to the unstoppable Monica)

PUSD to hold master plan meetings

The Pasadena Unified School District is holding a series of community meetings in September to talk about the PUSD Facilities Master Plan, i.e. what are the needs at EVERY school in the district and how these needs were determined and categorized. If you have a child in the district, it's important to attend the meeting involving your child's school.

A flier (in English and Spanish) to find out which meeting you should attend is at this link.

And here is the district's announcement:

Attend a community meeting near you to hear about proposed improvements at your school and throughout PUSD!

Meeting schedule:
Monday, September 8, 2008 - 6:30 p.m.
Wilson Middle School Library
300 S. Madre Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91106

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 6:30 p.m.
Altadena Elementary School Library
743 E. Calaveras St.
Altadena, CA 91001

Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
Pasadena High School Library
2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107

To determine which meeting you should attend, please go to

www.pusd.us/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=2341

Contact Binti Harvey at 626-568-4550 for additional information.

"Please, Gov. Schwarzenegger ..."

From Pasadena Weekly's Kevin Uhrich, the kids at Loma Alta Elementary School put in a video plea to the governor to not cut funding for their afterschool programs.

The video was  produced by Sha'ron Pennix-Cathern, coordinator of the afterschool LEARNS program at Loma Alta, and videographer Patricia Cunliffe of Joie de Vivre Productions.

Portantino hosts education meeting Aug. 8

State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino is announcing this meeting on the budget and public education:

Speaking of the budget, I'm very pleased to invite all advocates for public education to a discussion that I'll be hosting at the Rose Bowl Press Box from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8th. We'll be discussing the state of education in the current budget proposal as well as providing an opportunity for stakeholders from across the 44th Assembly District to share your previous efforts and identify possible future collaborations. I cannot say it often enough - public education is an investment that we must make, for our children and future generations as well as for the well-being of our state's economy and future workforce. Please let me know if you will be able to join us by contacting my district office at (626) 577-9944 or via email at julianne.hines@asm.ca.gov as space is limited.

Altadena NAACP offers scholarships to 2008 grads

Via this link to Pasadena Now, the Altadena NAACP is offering two scholarships of $1,000 each to 2008 grads who are planning to enter or already enrolled in college, community college, or trade school in the fall.  For an application, call 794-7999 or obtain it at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Application deadline is Fri., Aug. 15,

PUSD attempts another bond issue

Pasadena Unified School District intends to put up a bond issue in November, asking for $350 million, paid for by a parcel tax on properties in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.  The PWeekly story by Andre Coleman  says that, despite the passage of Measure Y in 1997 to improve school infrastructure, much remains to be done and in fact some of the schools that received improvements closed down (oops).

PWeekly editor Kevin Uhrich editorializes on same in this week's issue.

Caroline An of PSN front-pages her story.

Webster Foundation gives $1.2M to PUSD middle schools

The Helen and Will Webster Foundation has awarded PUSD a $1.2 million, two-year grant to help pay for middle school improvements, including more teachers and instruction time, PSN reports.  The foundation has been generous in funding other school district programs, including a salary for district chief of staff in the $200K range. Check PSN for the details.

The Game ain't got game

Our local high school -- the one under the state thumb for record-breaking underachievement -- brought in a tattooed, gunshot-wounded, foulmouthed gangster rapper to be a positive role model.  Who thought this was a good idea?

Go get 'em, Frank.

PUSD middle school forum at Eliot tonight, 6 PM

Just got a reminder from Monica Hubbard about tonight's meeting:

District Seeks Community Feedback on Proposals to Improve 6-8th Grade Student Achievement

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will convene three community forums on June 5, 7 and 11 to obtain feedback on proposals to improve middle school student achievement. The forums will bring parents, students, community members and staff together to discuss ways to improve the quality of instruction and enrichment for all PUSD middle school students.

PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz and the District’s Excellent Middle Schools Team will present a research-based and developmentally appropriate framework to build high quality, equitable instructional and enrichment programs for middle school students. The District will also present a proposal to restructure school facilities to promote middle school academic excellence and equity. Forum participants can provide feedback before the proposals are presented for action by the Board of Education in late June.

Spanish translation, child care and light refreshments will be provided at each meeting.

• Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 6-8 PM
• Eliot Middle School, 2184 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena, CA 9100

The meeting will be held in the school gym.

Caribbean rhythms on irrigation pipe

Something fun for the weekend: Michael Greiner, a music teacher at Aveson Charter School, has his class construct musical instruments out of various materials.  Here is a marimba band (made out of PVC pipe with flip-flops as mallets) performing at Norma Coombs School.

PUSD to hold middle school community forums June 5-7

From PUSD:

Pasadena, CA - The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will convene three community forums on June 5, 7 and 11 to obtain feedback on proposals to improve middle school student achievement.  The forums will bring parents, students, community members and staff together to discuss ways to improve the quality of instruction and enrichment for all PUSD middle school students.

PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz and the District’s Excellent Middle Schools Team will present a research-based and developmentally appropriate framework to build high quality, equitable instructional and enrichment programs for middle school students. The District will also present a proposal to restructure school facilities to promote middle school academic excellence and equity.  Forum participants can provide feedback before the proposals are presented for action by the Board of Education in late June.

Spanish translation, child care and light refreshments will be provided at each meeting.

Aveson Charter School holds June Jubilee Sat., June 7

Aveson Charter School, 1919 Pinecrest Ave. (site of the old Noyes school) invites your family to its first annual June Jubilee next Sat., June 7, 10 AM-4 PM.

Events include a rummage sale (early birds get in at 8-9:30 AM for $10, free after 10 AM), games for the whole family, food and fun.  Entertainment is provided by local bands including Roadhouse Ron, Faithanne & Friends, Thelonius Dub, Horses on Astroturf, and Burning Brides. 

Admission is free. All proceeds benefit Aveson School. 

Altadena and Muir bottom out in API

This PSN story starts off with the nut:

John Muir High School and Altadena Elementary School received the lowest possible ranking on the Academic Performance Index, according to results released Wednesday for the state's main method of measuring how individual schools are performing.

Both Muir and Altadena Elementary received a ranking of 1 on the API, which scores school achievement on a scale of 1 to 10.

Muir actually dropped from 601 in 2006 to 569 in 2007.  Eliot Middle School scored among the bottom third in the state.  Read the whole sad story.

PUSD: Rhythms owes $15K

Rhythms of the Village, the charter school that closed its doors last month, leaving students in a lurch and staff unpaid, also left behind bills of $15,000 to the PUSD, PSN reports.  The district is looking for student records as well to determine credits earned and grade placement for the former students.  Muir, Blair, and Pasadena High Independent Study have accepted some of the students.  As for the bills, a PUSD official is mumbling about writing it off as bad debt.

What, me gifted?

LA Times profiles Dalton Sargent, 15, who attends Blair, in a story about gifted kids who get overlooked by the system.  The story is a bit undisciplined itself -- it would be nice if they defined "gifted," for example, considering the percentage of these students who've dropped out or who have sub-par school skills, or show how they're different from a typical teenager.  It's a puzzling story.

PUSD Supt to meet with Education committee

From another Altadenan who knows everything that goes on, Monica Hubbard:

The Education Committee of the Altadena Town Council meets this Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Altadena Community Center. Superintendent Diaz, PUSD communications director (and Altadena resident) Binti Harvey, and School Board member Bob Harrison (also an Altadenan) will be present to give the committee an update and answer questions.
 

Sierra Madre schools closed Monday

The city of Sierra Madre website reports that the city council has declared a state of emergency.  They are requesting that everyone keep off the streets to keep them clear for fire  and police vehicles.  All public and private schools are closed tomorrow due to the fire.  About 1,000 people in Sierra Madre have had to leave their homes.  (This totally throws Altadenablog's day, since both his younger children attend S.M. Elementary.)  It's Sunday -- keep up  your prayers for the residents and first responders.  Looks like it may be Wednesday before containment.

Some photos of the staging area at a blog new to us, East of Allen.

Check out 90214, who is blogging just blocks from the fire.

Admission Matters at Eliot April 30

The Pasadena Educational Foundation invites parents and high school students to "Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting Into College" on Wed., April 30, at Eliot Middle School Auditoriu, 2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena.

Registration starts at 6:30, and program begins at 6:45.  Workshops include completing college applications, financial aid, SAT/ACT testing, and "Navigating the College Board Web Site."  For more infomation, contact PEF at 626-795-6981 ext. 595.

Students pulled from class to do county public works' job

There are two ways of looking at this Earth Day puff piece from PSN: Alta Loma students spend the morning putting in native plants at Las Flores debris basin to celebrate Earth Day, or their classroom education was canceled so they could become a pressed labor gang for the LA County Public Works.  (No word on if any child was offered the choice of remaining in class).  We're all for offering creative and interesting ways to educate children, but when PUSD's academic achievement is so low, spending a morning doing a public works job hardly seems like it's going to help.

Muir "reinvention" meeting at Loma Alta Park Thurs.

Pasadena Now reports that PUSD will be holding a second community meeting on the "reinvention" of John Muir High School on Thurs., April 23, 6:30-8 PM.

The event will be held at Loma Alta Park, 3330 Lincoln.  The topic will involve developing "a healthy school climate on the redesigned campus."  It will cover a range of issues, including safety and security, discipline, dress code, and community building.

Details here.

The end of the Rhythms

PSN front-pages the closure of Rhythms of the Village Charter School. Rhythms closed last Wednesday, two months before the end of the PUSD semester, and the 60-some ninth and tenth graders are being sent to other schools to close out the year. 

The closure comes after enrollment never meeting expectations, the withdrawal of a Gates Foundation program assistance, and pressure from the Pasadena Unified School District to meet enrollment and financial expectations.  In recent weeks, teachers have gone unpaid and Rhythms officials said they would move from their location at the former Edison School.

Says Principal Marilyn Chukwurah:

"When it is not fitting right, it is best to try on another shoe."

Unless the shoe has dropped.

Another blow to Rhythms

Caroline An of PSN has a front page story on the latest blow to Rhythms of the Village Charter School: they have ceased paying their staff.  School will resume after spring break this week, but what will happen after that is anybody's guess.

New direction for Muir

LA Times has a piece this morning on the travails of Muir and the hope of its new restructuring plan -- seems a balanced take on a sensitive topic.

Meanwhile, PSN's front page is about a "return to normalcy" at Blair after the Feb. 29 lockdown.

Muir reorganization forum Wed. 6:30-8 PM

A forum to discuss the smaller learning communities setting at John Muir High School will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wed. at John Muir High School, 1905 N. Lincoln Ave.  Supt. Edwin Diaz, Muir interim Principal Sheryl Orange and other PUSD staff will discuss the restructuring and answer questions.

This will be the first in a series of community forums being held to address Muir's reorganization.   For more information, call (626) 795-6981.

 

(Altadenablog's suggestion that the small learning communities be named Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor are still on the table ....)

Rhythms interrupted

Not online yet, but PSN's front page today talked about Rhythms of the Village charter school withdrawing its request for an extension on its lease at the old Edison School.  Executive director Onochie Chukwurah said that the school will continue next year, bu t likely at another location.  The charter's request for an extension was to be considered at tomorrow's PUSD board meeting.

In addition, Diploma Plus, a program funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is ending its partnership with the school, citing low enrollment, among other issues.

Note: it's online now.

Altadena dominates local news!

... or at least it does the PSN's local section today:

• A photo feature of Jeopardy champ Ken Jennings' visit to the Altadena Library yesterday by the departing Molly K. Okeon
• Robert S. Hong goes into more detail on the Town Council's support of Rhythms of the Village (yeah, Altadenablog thought trash collection was the big story, what ya gonna do?)

And in the Riverside Press-Telegram, Joe Olivarez of Altadena is found guilty of first degree murder for being the gunman in a murder-for-hire scheme.  Details here.

Busy day for Altadenablog today, and will be out of pocket for awhile.

Rene Amy's List turns 7

Pasadena Now has an article about the anniversary of PUSD firebrand activist Rene Amy's email list.  Little known fact: the list was created in a schism from  Altadena activist/town councilman Steve Lamb.  Not a great story, but it will probably get some more sign-ups for the list.

PUSD budget meeting March 20

From PUSD:

Meeting: March 20th: 7:00pm @ McKinley School Auditorium

What will the state budget crisis mean for our schools?

Find out about what you can do at a school forum titled *What Will the
State Budget Crisis Mean to PUSD?* on *March 20, 2008 at 7 pm at the
McKinley School Auditorium* located at 325 South Oak Knoll, Pasadena

Speakers will include: State Senator Jack Scott, Superintendent Edwin
Diaz, and Carol Liu.

This event is free, open to the general public, and sponsored by the
Pasadena Educational Foundation, PTA Council, League of Woman Voters,
Invest in PUSD Kids, UTP and Pasadena YMCA, and Partnerships for Youth
and Children.

Child care and translation will be provided.

Altadena Drive closed E. of Lake on March 17

Just got this note that's circulating to the parents of St. Mark's School, on Altadena Dr. just east of Lake:  The county will be closing down that portion of the street on Mon., March 17, for repaving, starting sometime in the morning until 3 p.m.   Fun will ensue, but at least that section will be done.  Drive carefully!  Text of the note is after the jump

(hat tip: that other TR)

Rhythms not beat yet

The PUSD school board approved facilities applications from three Altadena-based charter schools (Nia, Aveson, and Odyssey), and put off a final decision about Rhythms of the Village until March 25.  Rhythms has had trouble making it's 80-student minimum, among other difficulties. PSN's Carolyn An has the deets.

Charter school may be on chopping block tonight

PSN's Carolyn An has a story today about tonight's PUSD board meeting.  The board will review the facilities requests of four Altadena-based charter schools:  Aveson (1919 E. Pinecrest, former Noyes), Odyssey (725 W. Altadena Dr., former Audobon Elementary and LInda Vista relocation site), Nia Educational and Rhythms of the Village (both at 119 W. Palm, former Edison School).

Rhythms in particular is facing a hard time because of its finances and lack of enrollment.  The PUSD board's staff report is recommending that the board reject Rhythm's request for space. 

Time to worry about next school year already!

If you have a new student in Pasadena Unified, it's time to prepare!  This from PUSD:

From March 17 through March 28, the Pasadena Unified School District will hold new student registration and the annual Kindergarten Roundup for students wishing to enroll in PUSD for Fall 2008. Parents with children who will be five years of age by December 2, 2008, and are residents of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre should register their children directly at their neighborhood school.

Kindergarteners who register by March 28 will receive a special “Kinder Readiness Prep Package” that will help them prepare for kindergarten. Because many PUSD schools are seeing increased test scores, families are encouraged to register early to be guaranteed a space in their neighborhood school. Proof of residency, age and a current immunization record are required. Families participating in the Open Enrollment process will also register during the same time period. After March 28, if spaces are available at schools, families will be accepted from the Open Enrollment wait lists. After May 9, wait lists will not be maintained and students will have the opportunity to register only at their neighborhood school.

Families are encouraged to use the School Locator found on the PUSD website at www.pusd.us to locate their neighborhood school.

PUSD fails Rhythms' methods

Rhythms of the Village charter school got a five page letter from Pasadena Unified School District, scolding them for underenrollment, lack of textbooks, and holding naptime during classtime.  The school must also provide financial records and a financial recover plan.  Rhythms exec director Onochie Chukwurah says he can refute the letter point-by-point and will provide all the documents by next week. Rhythms of the Vilage shares a campus at the old Edison school with another troubled charter school, Nia Educational Charter School.  PSN has everthing.

Help wanted for Muir cleanup day Jan. 13

The Pasadena-Altadena Block-by-Block Coalition is looking for volunteers to help out Sun., Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help clean up the area around Muir High.  San Gabriel Valley Tribune  says:

With city officials' help, group members plan to dispose of trash and other debris that lines the Lincoln Avenue sidewalks from the freeway to Wyoming Street. They might also place mulch in the dirt beds of trees lining the walkways.

And this word from Altadena Town Councilman Bobby Thompson, whose district is just north of Muir:

"It's like a gateway to Altadena from the freeway," he said of Lincoln Avenue. "Hopefully as people leave the freeway they can see a progression of cleanliness."

For information on volunteering for this great community event, call (626) 794-3953, or just show up at Muir.