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.
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.
Highland Oaks Elementary School's Club program connects students with interests and friends. Baton Twirling Club, Coding Club, Food Crafts Club, and Hawks Nest Community Building Club, are just a sample of the over 20 clubs offered there. Patricia Mattera, now in her 7th year as Highland Oaks Principal, first gained inspiration for the student clubs from her previous work experience.
Ashley Reagan Dunster is the new principal at Holy Angels School in Arcadia. She is the youngest granddaughter of President Ronald Reagan. By columnist Anissa Rivera.
Outstanding Educator Awards honor 17 area teachers, presented by Assemblymember Mike Fong. Grace Shahinian from Camino Grove Elementary (Arcadia Unified School District) was among those honored.
Profile on centenarian Margaret Nahgy Davis of Azusa. In 1955, her husband Warren was hired to lead a new Church of God in Arcadia. During their first week in Arcadia, their third child Debbie had meningitis. After Warren died, Margaret remarried Ed Davis.
Representative Judy Chu (District 28) makes special speaking appearance at Arcadia High School on February 3, 2023. She spoke about monumental issues and legislation on topics like gun control, abortion, and more, hosted by Arcadia Young Democrats. The event called "What's New with Representative Chu," was the first of its kind at Arcadia High School. Chu, the first Chinese- American woman ever elected to Congress, has had a 22-year career in politics.
Pasadena parents speak on tirade of San Rafael Elementary School (in Pasadena) Principal Rudy Ramirez, an Arcadia resident. Pasadena Unified School District trustees meet in closed session but take no action; rant over janitor's arrest by Pasadena police videotaped. See also "Mayor Gordo defends critical letter," Pasadena Star News, p. A1, A6, August 20, 2022.
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.
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.
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 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.
Arcadia High School pilots electronic student ID. The school's App Development Team began its pilot program for mobile student IDs utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) scanners in the school library. It has the potential to streamline student identification processes throughout the school district.
Eileen Wang: a strong voice for Arcadia City Council, running for District 3. Her passion is education. She wants to bring more financial responsibility and transparency to the City budget. Election is Tuesday, November 8. Photo.
Obituary or death notice. Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui died among terrorist victims in a two bomb attack outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. He attended Holly Avenue Elementary School and then First Avenue Middle School in Arcadia. He left this district in 7th grade in 2014. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A6, August 30, 2021.
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.
Santa Anita Park ready to open 84th winter-spring meet with new turf course. The new turf chute will accommodate sprints up to 6 1/2 furlongs. Nate Newby is the new General Manager, who began as an intern in 2002. COVID-19 repercussions make it difficult to run the track but there have been no fatalities over Santa Anita's main track during afternoon racing in 2020, following a disastrous 2019, when 37 horses had to be euthanized.
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 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.