5th grade students graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. Essay winners Alanna Mori and Kelsey Tallon read their essays during the program.
A 5-year effort to put $1.5 million worth of computers, laser disc players, videocassette recorders and other high-tech teaching tools into Arcadia classrooms was kicked off by the Arcadia Educational Foundation, an independent fundraising group.
The ad (open letter to the Arcadia community) that was paid for by the three members of the Arcadia Unified School District Board of Education who are targeted for recall--Cung Nguyen, lori Phillipi, and Kay Kinsler--was printed in the Pasadena Star News August 11, 2013. Fired Arcadia High School cross country coach James O'Brien and his supporters say the letter was a public relations bid to derail the recall effort. See hard copy of the letter in VF "Arcadia High School." See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1 and 27, August 15, 2013.
After 21 years with the Arcadia Unified School District, superintendent Mimi Hennessy, 63, is retiring. Her last day will be July 1, 2008, and Joel Shawn will take her place.
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.
An Associated Press investigation found more than 2500 educators whose credentials were revoked, denied, surrendered or sanctioned from 2001 through 2005, following allegations of sexual misconduct. Phillip Sutliff, an offender and teacher at Arcadia High School, is shown.
The Arcadia Board of Education adopted a policy to prohibit the use of anabolic steroids and other controlled substances. It goes further to hold coaches responsible for educating students and parents about the dangers of using uncontrolled substances and diet supplements.
The Arcadia Board of Education approved a Local Agency Education plan to bring the district into compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind program, which requires that students meet state proficiency standards by 2013-2014. For California, the standard is 100% graduation with all requirements for University of California admission met.
The Arcadia Board of Education has adopted a $63.9 million General Fund budget for the coming year. The budget contains reductions across the board, with 10% cuts at schools, a reduction in categorical programs and no cost of living increase from the state.
The Arcadia Board of Education has adopted a resolution opposing SB 1419, which would limit the authority of school boards to contract out for services. The bill is on the governor's desk for signature or veto. The bill would restrict districts from using personal services contracts if the duties can be performed by district employees.
The Arcadia Board of Education promised parents and supporters of former teacher Sandra Ragusa a statement on why she was not allowed to withdraw her resignation.
The Arcadia Board of Education voted to eliminate nearly nine teaching positions from next year's budget. The jobs cut are in 9th grade math and English, and in English language support in elementary schools.
The Arcadia Board of Education will vote on a policy change regarding the release of students' personal information to military recruiters, colleges or prospective employers. In the past, Arcadia has had an "opt-in" policy, in which parents must specifically request information be made available, particularly to military recruiters. This policy is no longer allowed under federal guidelines, so the district will adopt an "opt-out" policy, putting the burden on parents to decide when information will be withheld.
Arcadia City Council has accepted a federal grant of $125,000 to place a uniformed police officer on the campuses of the city's three middle schools. The program is called Youth and Educational Support (YES).
1. Preserve our schools. Arcadia Educational Foundation (support group formed to financially assist schools) brochure, 1981. 2. "New trustees are named to foundation." Arcadia Highlander, December 17, 1986. 3. Letter from Arcadia Educational Foundation president, Charles E. Gilb. October 1, 19…