Monrovia School Link

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 44 ~ August 14, 2002

Wow. I think that goes down in my book as the shortest school board meeting I've attended. In session at 7:40 and adjourned at 8:10. Nice, but what do I write about? Anybody got any good jokes? Bad ones?
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)

SQUIRRELS ~ Superintendent Louise Taylor said that if you drive by Monrovia's schools, you'll see that they're either nicely fixed up or are "squirrels of activity." Squirrels? Oh sorry, I mis-heard. That's "swirls" of activity.

SAT TESTS ~ The Star-News reports that Pasadena's middle and upper grades did pretty badly on the SAT-9 tests, either slipping or not meeting improvement goals, though the elementary schools did okay. The article says most districts will not release their results until August 29. The next Monrovia School Board meeting is on August 28, so I don't know if there'll be anything on the Monrovia results at that meeting or not.

SEMI GONE ~ The board sort-of suspended an unnamed (they're always unnamed) middle school student. He or she was given a "suspended expulsion" and is being sent to - I believe the phrase was - an "appropriate educational facility." But violate section whatever-it-was, paragraph something-or-other of the California whatchamacalit code again, and you're outa here! At least that's what I heard.

CLOWNS ~ Two cannibals were eating a clown. One says to the other: Does this taste funny to you? Whaddaya mean you've already heard it? So why didn't you stop me?

WELCOME ~ to Traci Gholar and Arlene (or is it Patricia) Flores, new assistant principals at Monrovia High. Traci has a Master's Degree from Point Loma college, started her career at Lawrence Junior High in Los Angeles and has been an English teacher at Monrovia High since 1992. Arlene (or Patricia, according to the board report) Flores has also been named an assistant principal at MHS. She's a Cal State LA grad and comes to Monrovia from Covina High School, where she was dean of students.

3,000 ~ Superintendent Taylor said at the last meeting (I swiped this from the minutes) that there were about 3,000 students attending summer school.

PULL OVER ~ A cop sees an old lady driving erratically. He comes alongside and is astonished to see her knitting as she's driving. "Pull over!" he yells. "No," she yells back, "It's a scarf." (I know this doesn't have anything to do with the topic of this newsletter, but it helps bulk it up.)

TIME FLIES ~ Since I'm desperate for something to write about, I'll tell you a totally unrelated-to-education story. I was in a meeting at work, when, without any provocation, a friend reached over and started pressing buttons on my watch. Fouled it all up. But he felt badly and fixed it. About 6:45 p.m. I decided to go home. Sure is staying light out longer, I thought as I left. When I got home my wife said, "My, you're home early." "Waddaya mean?" I said, "It's almost 7 o'clock." "No it isn't," she replied, "It's a few minutes after five."

WHOOPS! ~ My apologies. I completely forgot about the last school board meeting (probably a Freudian slip), and blithely sat home reading a book or watching TV or something. But I hear there's a silly little newsletter that always lists the next board meeting. Maybe that would help me remember. Does anybody know how I can subscribe?

NEXT BOARD MEETING ~ The next regular board meeting is on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at the administration office at 325 E. Huntington Drive.