First Avenue Middle School program "Exploratory Wheel" allows students to rotate through four electives--art, drama, industrial technology and home economics--to discover their interests and strengths, in 6th grade.
First Avenue Middle School celebrated the 26th birthday and life of teacher Jennifer Castillo with a ceremony and the release of over 900 balloons. She taught 6th grade Algebra and introductory Spanish. She died February 8 of heart failure.
Arcadia Unified School District fights for fair funding in Sacramento at the 2018 California State Parent Teacher Association (CA PTA) Legislation Conference.
Arcadia Unified teachers share what learning looks like in a pandemic. Karalee Nakatsuka, 8th grade history teacher at First Avenue Middle School, discusses remote learning during COVID-19.
Arcadia’s First Avenue Middle School student-actors are out of this world. The school’s Production class of 2019 has been preparing the entire fall semester for its upcoming play “Out of This World,” to be performed December 6 and 7 in the First Avenue auditorium. The theater teacher is Susi Reck. The theater program at First Avenue has four different levels.
Arcadia Unified School District's First Avenue Middle School music teacher Michael Danielson is one of only 16 teachers to be recognized as a 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year.
First Avenue PTA honored three volunteers for their commitment and support of children at First Avenue Middle School and their community. The three were Elizabeth Renfrew, Pat Medina, and Teri Deimel.
Highland Oaks PTSA gives service awards and installs its Executive Board on May 28, 2003. Yoshiko Hayashi and Dick Grumm received "Very Special Friend" awards. Teacher Teresa Sarrail received the Honorary Service Award. Volunteers Cindy Forillo and Stephanie McNutt also received the Honorary Service Award. Lisa Lucas was installed for a second term as PTSA president.
Arcadia Unified School District continues decades-long advocacy for fair funding from the state. A dozen delegates from Arcadia went to Sacramento for the California State Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Legislation Conference, where they discussed key issues in public education, such as funding for mental health resources and arts programs, continued budget cuts and more. Arcadia High School student delegates Isaac Offstein, Joya Sarkar and Chloe Wong, met with State Senator Susan Rubio (D-49), State Senator Anthony Portantio (D-25) and Assemblyman Mike Fong (AD-49).
Arcadia Unified School District revives middle school athletics. In 1995, the middle school sports program was dismantled when the district transitioned junior high to the middle school model (6th-8th grades), then the focus veered heavily toward academics. On December 3, 2015, First Avenue Middle School faced off with Dana Middle School for the first time in two decades.
The Arcadia Board of Education held its third student and staff recognition program, honoring members of the Arcadia Constitution Team, led by teacher Kevin Fox. Also honored were community volunteers Gary Kovacic, Bart Kimball, Bob Green, and Bob Garrett, the Science Olympiad Team, Allen Cheung for competing on the National Chemistry Olympiad Team, the Arcadia Science Bowl Team, Mathematics League, ROP, State Speech Association team, and Destination Imagination students.
Arcadia's General Municipal Election slated for April 10, 2018 for these officers: 3 members of City Council for Districts 2, 3, and 5 (full term of 4 years). This will be the first time Arcadia has district-based elections.
Arcadia Unified School District celebrates its 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year, Janice Dickson. She is a 4th grade teacher at Longley Way Elementary School.
Arcadia Board of Education selected Genna Helmberger as Arcadia Teacher of the Year for 2003-2004. She is an 8th grade science teacher at Dana Middle School (picture).