Parents demand schools reopen but is it safe during the pandemic? Teacher vaccinations are important but not a prerequisite for reopening, CDC says--at least in elementary schools.
All Arcadia Unified School District's elementary schools earn historic acclaim in California's coveted 2023 Distinguished Schools Program. The award winning Arcadia elementary schools are Hugo Reid Elementary, Camino Grove Elementary, Highland Oaks Elementary, alternative learning program Rancho Learning Center, Baldwin Stocker Elementary, Holly Avenue Elementary and Longley Way Elementary School.
Pacific League high schools still waiting for the go-ahead from Los Angeles County Public Health for school districts to resume athletic activity on school campuses. The Pacific League includes Arcadia, Burbank, John Burroughs, Crescenta Valley, Glendale, Muir and Pasadena high schools.
26 local schools earn high honors, the 2023 California Distinguished Schools award, including Hugo Reid Elementary, Camino Grove Elementary, Highland Oaks Elementary, Rancho Learning Center, Baldwin Stocker Elementary, Holly Avenue Elementary and Longley Way Elementary School from the Arcadia Unified School District.
L.A. COUNTY - 4 schools granted waivers to reopen - Classes are allowed for the youngest students at private campuses. Four private schools in Los Angeles County can start welcoming students in transitional kindergarten through the second grade back to campus.
The list, made public Wednesday, marks the first time area schools have been given the go-ahead to reopen for their youngest students under a waiver program the county approved late last month.
The schools that have been granted the waivers are Holy Angels School in Arcadia, Kadima Day School in West Hills, Los Encinos School in Encino and Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Ann in Los Angeles.
The county is only granting up to 30 waivers per week, with priority given to schools that serve more low-income students. The waivers are to be distributed equally between the five districts in the county.
Nearly 800 schools compete in the Arcadia Invitational, the 56th annual high school meet of stars of track and field, from the state and throughout the country. It is a 2-day competition at Arcadia High School. Photo of South Pasadena High School's Mia Holden.
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.
Arcadia Unified School District named the Best School District in Los Angeles, 4th best in the state, according to Niche.com's newly released 2024 rankings. Niche is a prominent school and neighborhood review website. See hard copy in VF Schools-History-2021-2030
Arcadia Unified School District earns California Pivotal Practice (CAPP) award from the state. It recognizes a school and/or school district for taking an innovative, proactive approach to reimagining teaching, learning, and important school services during the pandemic, where California schools saw State-mandated distance learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Arcadia Unified School District and Holly Avenue Elementary received CAPP honors.
California offers schools $2 billion incentive to resume in-person learning. Parents of Arcadia Unified School District students plan a peaceful rally for Thursday, March 4 at noon at Arcadia County Park to address Arcadia's reopening plan.
Officials urge students to seek out new program that addresses mental health crisis in Los Angeles County schools. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn urges students to take advantage of the county's School Threat Assessment Response Team (START) program, which helps assess and respond to potential school threats. The campaign's tagline, "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't" was developed through focus groups at Saugus and Arcadia High Schools. People can access START by telephone at 213-739-5565 or email: START@dmh.lacounty.gov to connect with a mental health professional.
Los Angeles County will lift mask rule on K-12 schools and child care sites. Set for March 12, change coincides with state's, in response to falling coronavirus numbers.
Coverage of the 55th Arcadia Invitational, considered one of the top high school track and field meets in the nation. It brings together the stars of track and field from the state and throughout the country for a 2-day competition at Arcadia High School. Arcadia event coordinator Rich Gonzalez says a record 690 schools are participating from 36 different states. Spotlight on Kayla McBride from Ayala High School. See also spotlight on South Pasadena High School's Mia Holden, at Pasadena Star News, p. B2, April 8, 2023.
Arcadia Invitational attracts the best. Two-day meet to represent more than 600 schools in track and field from California and nearly 30 other states. The meet is today and tomorrow at Arcadia High School. See also Pasadena Star News, p. B2, April 7, 2022--Pushing himself, Covina's Kerry Smith hoping for big weekend at Arcadia.
Arcadia High School young television newscasters beat virus shutdown. Student journalists work from home to fill void for classmates. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced schools to close but journalism students worked from home to put together an informative, inspiring newscast called The Quarantine, for their more than 3000 classmates who are home during the crisis.
San Gabriel Valley All-Star softball game dominated by pitching. There were 37 talented players from 25 area schools. Tiana Smith, of Arcadia, received an award as defensive player of the game for the Blue Team.
Half Day After School Camp Offered at Two Arcadia Elementary Schools.
As the 2020-2021 school year begins, Arcadia Recreation and Community Services Department will be offering a half day after school camp that will follow approved modifications by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. These guidelines are subject to change, based on the local protocols related to COVID-19 and will be sent out to parents at registration.
The half day after school camp will be offered at Baldwin Stocker Elementary School and Camino Grove Elementary School from 1-5 p.m. beginning Aug. 24. Registration is $92 per week and will open on a monthly basis. Camp will still offer a variety of organized recreational activities for ages 5-12, led by trained activity leaders. Registration is now open for camp taking place Aug. 24 – Oct. 2 online at ArcadiaCA.gov/recreation.
Decades-long debate over Arcadia High School's use of Apache imagery resurfaces. The controversy began in 1997. In the late 1990s, Native American activists threatened to sue Arcadia High School over the use of the Apache mascot. "Apache Joe" mascot is no longer used. In 2020, a year of massive protests and change in the United States, perhaps another look at the logo and name may be in order. Arcadia schools Superintendent David Vannasdall responded, in part, with why Arcadia High School continues to use the Apache name, citing the strong partnership between Arcadia High School and the White Mountain Apache Tribe, who granted the use of their name to the school. He said, regardless of the school's mascot name, he will continue to honor the relationship he and Arcadia High School have with the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is fortunate to call them friends. He believes revisiting this issue on a regular basis is wise.
Arcadia Unified School District to reconsider Apaches as mascot amid online petition drive, officials say it is on agenda. It is a revival of a 20-year-old controversy to remove Apaches name and imagery amid a nationwide movement to erase offensive emblems. Shayan Farooq, a 2013 graduate of Arcadia High School, felt the issue needed to be addressed. Farooq started a petition at Change.org. AUSD spokesperson Ryan Foran said the issue will be addressed in its list of priorities after reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic and recent sexual assault allegations involving current and former students who were video recorded, without consent, having sex. Controversy surrounding the Apaches mascot dates back two decades when Native American activists protested the Apache Joe mascot at Arcadia school board meetings in 1999. Then Principal Martin Plourde sought the White Mountain Apache Tribe's blessing to use the imagery and tribal leaders approved, but many students at Alchesay High School (Arcadia High School's sister school on Apache reservation) found the mascot offensive and urged Plourde to change it. 2018 Arcadia High School graduate Yumei Lin is leading a Facebook group to change the emblem.