Monrovia School Link ~ Number 180 ~ September 1, 2006
At Wednesday's board meeting there were a few adjustments to the bus stops, and - for better or worse - a bit about Monrovia's Pluto and Dukes of Hazzard connections.
~ brad@sacklunch.net
By Maritza Diaz
After a month of summer fun between meetings, I walked in just as the meeting was starting and noticed two things that were different from the last meeting. First, all the school work that is usually displayed along the walls of the meeting room is gone. I guess with the new school year starting, it was time to make room for genius works yet to be created. Second, board member Bryan Wong was sitting in the president's chair leading the meeting. Other than that, it was a pretty standard meeting. Transportation is an issue yet again, another student achievement report is presented and the recent demotion of Pluto as a planet has a Monrovia connection.
PLUTO ~ No, there wasn't a recall of President Clare Chesley. Wong was leading the meeting because Chesley was in Prague with her family and wasn't part in some of board discussion prior to the meeting. Her husband, was one of the ones who voted to kick our poor little Pluto from the planet club. Chesley made clear that she tried to persuade her husband not to go against Pluto, but alas, it could not be done. Let’s have a moment of silence for Pluto. And try not to think of all the science books that are now wrong.
BUSES ~ The board approved the 2006-07 bus schedule back in June, which took into consideration the decreased enrollment in the elementary schools. Some changed needed to be made and three bus stops were condensed.
Wild Rose: the Duarte and 8th bus stopped changed to Pilgrim Way.
Santa Fe: the Colorado and Mayflower and the Monrovia High School bus stops changed to Alta Vista and Lime.
Concerned parents stopped by to express their concern about the bus stop changes. For many of them the new stops are too far away from their homes and will make it difficult for the kids to get to school. Linda Dempsey, chief financial officer, said that a final word on the bus stop changes would happen on Tuesday and the affected parents will be contacted.
REPORT ~ So how are those kids doing in school? Based on the Annual Measurable Objective percentages, Monrovia schools continue their steady growth. In math and English, all schools exceeded their targets. Monrovia students are doing great, but that’s really nothing new, is it?
CLASSES ~ Overall the first day of school brought in fewer kids than projected. But don't panic! It was only the first day and that's normal. It's still early, folks. The district has plans to accommodate students, if needed, because of enrollment decreases or increases. Be it sending overflow students to other schools or creating combination classes.
PLAY ~ The playgrounds over at Wild Rose and Plymouth are coming along and the kids can expect enjoy the playgrounds in a few months. Hang in there kids, the playgrounds are coming.
SEQUEL ~ The "Accepted Gifts" section of the agenda stated that the district received $1,000 from Rustic Productions Inc. filming company, which is filming "Dukes of Hazzard 2." That's a generous gift and is no doubt appreciated by the district, but what is most disturbing is that they are filming a sequel to that horrible movie. Why?
EXPULSION ~ Two students from Monrovia High and Santa Fe Middle were granted readmission after being expelled..
The board meeting was adjourned in the memory of Mayflower kindergarten teacher Nancy Stewart and Harold Stueve, Monrovia businessman and one of the founders of Alta Dena Dairy.
The bad news is that summer is over. The good news is the kids are back in school. Maybe now you can get a break and feel energized enough to attend a meeting. September 27. Same time, same building.
Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com