For the first time in two years, the Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) Summer School Program for 2022 will happen in person for all grade levels. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer school had to be conducted virtually during the summers of 2020 and 2021. As for health and safety, summer school has been adapted in accordance with the health guidelines and regulations that Arcadia Unified School District follows.
Mardi Gras raises $140,000 for new technologies at Methodist Hospital. It was the Methodist Hospital Foundation's 27th annual Mardi Gras Food Fest celebration, held in person, at Sirona's Restaurant in Santa Anita Park. Dr. Elias Tarakji, M.D. was crowned King of Mardi Gras. Event co-chairs Dino Clarizio, his wife Hope and daughter Jenna were recognized for their hard work. Dr. Tarakji has served on the Hospital Board since 2016, was Chief of Staff in 2016, among other leadership roles.
11 Arcadia High students named National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalis
Arcadia High School continues its 28-year streak of seeing a double-digit number of students represented in the renowned National Merit Scholarship Program. This year, 11 Arcadia High students are counted among less than 1% of high school seniors across the nation that have been named 2022 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, who now have the opportunity to vie for one of nearly 7,500 scholarships that collectively total close to $30 million.
Arcadia's Jason Lee donates $10,000 to Arcadia Police Foundation. He presented the check to Mary E. Hansen, the founding board member and Vice President of the Arcadia Police Foundation.
Arcadia firefighters raise funds to help fight pediatric cancer. Arcadia firefighters have been involved with Saint Baldrick's Foundation for over 15 years, said Arcadia Fire Chief Chen Suen. Arcadia firefighters are shown in photo.
Arcadia High School receives several local donations after hosting 27th annual Orchestra Benefit Dinner, a rundraising event for Arcadia Music Club. Jason Lee is pictured. He is an Arcadia City Council candidate.
An honored tradition: 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses unveils Royal Court. The seven members receive $7500 in educational scholarships. They are Salia Baligh, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Bella Ballard, Zoe Denoncourt, Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Uma Wittenberg, and Adrian Crick. Sahanna Rajinikanthan is an Arcadia resident and a senior at Arcadia High School.
Arcadia Unified Launches Mental Health Mondays. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the Arcadia Unified School Districts (AUSD) has decided to launch Mental Health Mondays. Each Monday, for the remainder of the school year, AUSD will provide mental health resources to help support everyone navigating the coronavirus pandemic and school closures simultaneously. In addition to helping support students, these resources are also available to AUSD parents, staff, and community.
Arcadia High School students see continued success in National Merit Scholarship Program. Twenty Arcadia High School students have earned a spot in the 2021 competition. Over the past 25 years, Arcadia High School has had more than 600 National Merit Scholar semifinalists.
Arcadia police report military equipment use, seek drone in the 2024-2025 budget. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are instrumental in enhancing response times to calls, aiding in the investigation of criminal activities, and providing aerial perspectives that can assist in protecting life and property, the report states.
On April 28, Arcadia Police Department hosts first in-person Coffee-with-a-Cop event since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, at the Bowlero in the Westfield Santa Anita mall. Prior to the pandemic, coffee was held once every 3 months. Arcadia Police Chief Roy Nakamura, five lieutenants, several sergeants, and volunteer police attended, along with some city council members.
Arcadia High School offers unique courses to provide further collegiate opportunity. For over 50 years, Arcadia High School has offered a variety of Career Technical Education (CTE) courses, allowing students to gain hands-on experience, such as in graphic design, engineering, computer science, dance, stagecraft, video production, and sports medicine.
Facing COVID-19 fines, some restaurants say the punishment does not fit the crime, as restaurant owners have found it hard to keep track of the county and state mandate changes. Closures, new protocols, and restrictions in the face of COVID-19 have caused the restaurant industry to suffer. The cities of Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena and Sierra Madre have stepped up to help the ailing restaurant businesses by either waiving fees or offering outdoor dining expansion opportunities, such as using parking lots as dining areas.
Arcadia Unified School District hosting community conversations regarding district's improvement needs. Community input is critical because it helps the school district plan how to use resources to educate and support all students. This is the seventh year of conducting this annual community conversation, via survey, through February 25 at 11:59 PM.
City of Arcadia receives over $1.5 million in annual revenue from Santa Anita Park, according to a report from Keyser Marston Associates, which was commissioned for the city's Economic Development Division. Over the next five years, the racetrack is estimated to generate $7.5 million in sales tax, pari-mutuel revenue and property tax. According to the report submitted in the fourth quarter of 2019, Santa Anita Park is responsible for 1,160 jobs annually.
Arcadia's Gilb Museum celebrates 20th anniversary with a new exhibit and guided tour with a behind-the-scenes look at the museum's collections. The Museum Education Center will offer demonstrations of current and upcoming educational programs. Includes a history of the Museum. See hard copy in VF "Museums-Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage."
Parents protest Arcadia Unified School District's alleged lack of pandemic precautions for a safe return to class. Thus far, there have been no coronavirus-COVID-19 transmissions in Arcadia schools. The parents have outlined a 9 point list of guidelines they hope the district might consider, including online learning and instruction, enhanced testing and cleaning, social distancing for elementary schools.
City of Arcadia will reopen City Hall and other facilities to the public as part of the Safer At Work and in the Community Order issued by Los Angeles County. Beginning June 15, open facilities now include City Hall, Arcadia Fire Department, Public Works, and city parks and open spaces. The Arcadia Police Department, Community Center, Arcadia Public Library and Museum remain closed. Arcadia City Council meetings will still be conducted virtually in June.
Santa Anita Canyon Road, Chantry Flats closed in the ongoing effort to keep the public from breaking social distancing rules. It will remain closed until further notice.