City vs. Property Tax Repeal
Will the City of Monrovia use a court challenge to try to keep a property tax repeal effort off the municipal ballot?http://tinyurl.com/2cofswg- Brad Haugaard
Aztec Stories Tonight
6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Library's Storytime Room. Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month through stories, song, and crafts honoring the Aztec Indians. Free.http://tinyurl.com/2astzax- Brad Haugaard
Mountain Lion Alert
The City of Monrovia reports that "a mountain lion has been sighted during the evening hours in the mountainous area from Gold Hills to Norumbega Avenue. California Fish and Game has been advised and is monitoring the situation. Residents in the area are encouraged to be alert to their surroundings and use appropriate precautions with their children and pets."
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monrovia-CA/City-of-Monrovia/330697204437
- Brad Haugaard
Birthday Party at the Library
Starting October, children 3-10 can hold a birthday party at the Library, which can provide such themes as princesses, pirates, and dinosaurs. Call Youth Services at (626) 256-8274 for fees and details.http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/from-the-city-managers-desk- Brad Haugaard
New Stop Signs
The Monrovia City Council approved the installation of stop signs at Mayflower and Court, and at Canyon and Lemon.http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/from-the-city-managers-desk
SHOP in Monrovia Showcase
Presents SHOP in Monrovia Showcase
On Friday, October 8, 2010 in the 700 block of Myrtle Ave., at the Friday Night Family Festival 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The SHOP in Monrovia Program, a partnership between the City of Monrovia, Old Town Merchants and the Monrovia Chamber premiered at the Neighborhood Conference in April, since that time, the program has kept up momentum encouraging locals to do their shopping in Monrovia to keep the tax dollars local to support local services.
The next step for the SHOP in Monrovia Program is taking to the street to showcase the many fantastic businesses and services available right here in town. Learn more about the program at www.SHOPinMonrovia.com or on facebook www.facebook.com/SHOPinMonrovia and sign up to receive email updates and specials by clicking on "Join my list" at the top of the page.
The entire community is invited to attend.
On Friday, October 8, 2010 in the 700 block of Myrtle Ave., at the Friday Night Family Festival 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- From Karin Crehan, Monrovia Chamber of Commerce
Senior Volunteer Dies
Raymond V. McCarville, former Monrovia Senior Volunteer of the Year, died at age 85.http://tinyurl.com/27b94wx- Brad Haugaard
Sustainability Fair Pix
Some pictures of the Sustainability Fair, including a picture of the planned train station.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
End Monrovia Property Tax?
A petition to end Monrovia's property tax has been filed with the city. The measure will apparently be on next April's municipal ballot.http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_16163636 - Brad Haugaard
Mars Scientists To Monrovia
Wired Magazine reports that hundreds of space scientists will come to Monrovia next week to decide where the next Mars rover should land.http://tinyurl.com/36qwhzo- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Finalist in Community Policing Competition
The International Association of Chiefs of Police has made Monrovia's Community Activist Policing program a finalist for its Community Policing Award.http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_16154361- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Amazing Continuation High School
Continuation high schools don't send their graduates to four-year colleges. Just doesn't happen.
Except that it does - big time - in Monrovia, and maybe only in Monrovia.
Flint Fertig, principal of Monrovia's Canyon Oaks High School (a continuation school, though Fertig prefers calling it "alternative" because of the negative associations of "continuation"), said he was at a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) meeting and heard someone say that he had heard from someone that there was a continuation student somewhere who had been accepted at a four-year school, but then again... he wasn't sure.
So, apparently the percentage of contiunation high school students who go to four-year colleges is essentially zero, except for Monrovia's program, which this year has had an astonishing 32 percent of its 2009-10 grads (27 students total) accepted to four-year schools.
Thirty two percent!?
Yup. Fertig said that for forty years Monrovia's continuation program matched the lousy record of other continuation schools in sending zero grads to four-year schools. None in 40 years! Then, for the 2007-08 school year, one student went to Cal State LA and in 2008-09 two students went to four-year schools, and now, in 2009-10, 27 students were accepted at four-year schools.
Incredible for a continuation school! How does it compare - on average - to regular high schools?
Fertig said, "I don't think anywhere near 32 percent of regular high school students go on to four year schools."
His students have been accepted to such schools as UC Irvine, Cal State LA, and Cal Poly Pomona. "They're not," Fertig admitted, "going to Stanford or Harvard ... yet."
And in case you were wondering, the Monrovia continuation program does not have some unusual set of students. The demographics are like those of any other continuation school. Single parent homes, or zero-parent homes, students in trouble at school and with the law (Fertig guesstimates maybe 60 percent are on probation.) And some of them, administrator/teacher John Russell adds, are from "horrific backgrounds."
Okay, so what I really want to know is: How do you bottle this?
So, with that in mind, let me highlight some principles that seemed to emerge as I listended to Fertig and Russell talk about their school.
Accreditation and State Standards
Fertig said his first goal on joining the Monrovia School District in 2007 (from West Covina High) was to get the district's continuation program accredited by WASC, and to do that meant aligning the school's curriculum with state requirements.
So, I ask, You mean continuation schools are generally NOT accredited and their curriculums are generally NOT aligned with state requirements?
Fertig and Russell said they frequently are not.
Sigh.
Russell said that in aligning with the state requirements the teaching staff "stripped out the minutia" and focused on the core elements of each state requirement and so impressed the accreditation team that the school got a three-year initial accreditation instead of the standard one-year initial accreditation.
Accreditation, by the way, means coursework counts for colleges. If you take a math class from an accredited school then the college agrees that you have really taken the math class. Also, students from accredited schools can get financial aid, which is a pretty big deal.
A Good Environment
Fertig and Russell describe a school environment that is loving (I get the feeling that staff almost consider themselves surrogate parents) and strict. And this seems to have instilled a sense of school pride among the students.
Fertig - who looks like he could handle himself if push came, literally, to shove - tells of starting his job by facing off tough guys and checking students as they arrived at school to make sure they were dressed according to the school's code. If not, he called a parent to pick up the student or bring a change of clothes. "We have a dress code and rules, and we're very, very strict. The kids hated me for a while," he said, "but hugged me on the graduation podium."
"The kids are so proud of this school," he said. "It's spotless! And these were taggers! In other schools," he said, reaching around to a computer keyboard in the library, "the keys have been pulled out of the keyboards. But here they sense that the teachers care about them."
I had to agree. The library was beautiful and the grounds were in good repair and untagged. The janitor there has it easy.
Fertig said it is a safe place for students who have had it rough. "We almost never have fights," he said. "We've had two fights in four years."
The students, he said, even took it upon themselves - and without the knowledge of the staff - to have a "Nerd Day," in which the whole school dressed up as nerds. Fertig said that in a regular high school you might have 10 percent participation, but here, he said, virtually the whole school participated.
Superstar Teachers
Key to the school's success are the teachers, and both Fertig and Russell call them "superstars."
They try to be a bit delicate about it, but clearly neither Fertig or Russell (who was about to quit when Fertig arrived) were thrilled about the situation when Fertig first came to the school.
"A good principal," Fertig said, "can change the teachers, who in turn can change the test scores."
He said it takes a unique person to teach at Canyon Oaks, and you "help the others find something else." Some teachers, he said, decided that "this is not the place for me to work."
Since he had built a following at Covina High School, he brought some teachers from there as openings occurred. He said it is rare for a tenured teacher to leave, so when they do, "you have to replace them with superstars."
And by "superstars," they mean teachers who have taught AP and honors students. Russell adds that they should be flexible. And Fertig says, "I look for passion."
Fertig is flexible himself. Russell said Fertig steps in and teaches, taking the most difficult students off the hands of the teaching staff, actually making the students open their books and do work. He's not babysitting.
Persistence also seems to be important. Russell said that "some kids are hard to reach for a long time, but if you keep working with them then something eventurally flips."
But how do you attract superstar teachers - who could presumably be teaching in La Canada or San Marino to advanced students - to a continuation school in Monrovia?
"There is always some hesitance," Fertig said. "They need to know the school is well run, safe, and has the resources. We've created that environment. The best and brightest want to be here."
Data-Driven Innovation
Another key to success is using data to modify teaching techniques.
Russell said the teachers examine the test scores to see what they have done that works and what they have done that didn't work, then adjust their teaching.
And, because the same technique may not work with each student, they can select the best technique for different students.
For example, if a student is disruptive, maybe he will be assigned to do his work alone at a computer. And because Fertig is in charge of all the district's alternative programs, he is well positioned to find a program or technique that fits the student.
Other Factors
Another big factor for success is money. Much of it - in these days of limited educational budgets - comes from grants. And, of course, support from the district office is critical. Fertig said the district has been very supportive of their "crazy" efforts.
So, with all its success, you'd think the educational establishment would be beating a path to Canyon Oaks' door to find out how to emulate its success, and, well, Fertig says maybe the establishment would beat a path to the door if its success was better known. "Education would be turned on its ear if they walked in here," he said.
I walk away sort of wishing I'd gone to Canyon Oaks High School, even though as a kid I didn't get in much trouble ... although there was that incident of the - oh, never mind. Anyway, if you know students who might benefit from it, Fertig says the school can even accept students from other districts.
- Brad Haugaard
Shoo Big Kitty! ... and Other Police Activities
[From Monrovia Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for Sept. 16-22. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 549 service events, resulting in 116 investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:
Residential BurglarySeptember 17 at 1:39 p.m., an officer went to a residence in the 400 block of Park Rose regarding a burglary. The victim told the officer he had filing boxes with old checks, receipts and documents from an old business that no longer exits. The boxes were kept near his front door, which is kept open a lot. Someone apparently entered the residence and took the boxes. Nothing else was taken.
Residential BurglarySeptember 17 at 3:10 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of West Foothill reported she had just returned home from work and someone had broken into her home. An officer responded and cleared the location. Entry was made through a side door. Some jewelry and old checks were taken, but the victim was unsure if anything else was taken. Investigation continuing.
Commercial Burglary - Suspects ArrestedSeptember 17 at 3:51 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a male and a female in custody for shoplifting. The officer determined the subjects had committed burglary; both were arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect ArrestedSeptember 18 at 1:08 a.m., an officer noticed a vehicle traveling south on Myrtle that was following another vehicle too closely. He noticed the driver was also swerving on the roadway. He stopped the driver and during the investigation, determined the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested.
Domestic Violence / Battery on a Peace OfficerSeptember 19 at 2:28 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 00 block of Hidden Valley regarding a domestic violence incident in progress. When they arrived, the husband was attempting to restrain his wife, who was intoxicated and violent. As an officer entered the location, he was pushed by the wife. The officers were able to restrain the wife and she was taken into custody without further incident. The husband was bleeding and had sustained visible injuries. He did not desire medical treatment. The wife was not injured.
Recovered Stolen Vehicle - Suspects ArrestedSeptember 19 at 7:20 p.m., an officer on patrol located a stolen vehicle in the area of California, near Duarte. He followed the vehicle into a parking lot in Duarte. Additional Monrovia officers were requested to assist in a high-risk traffic stop. Two suspects were arrested and later interviewed. After investigation, the female driver was charged with grand theft auto and receiving stolen property. The male passenger was released, pending further investigation.
Mountain Lion SightingSeptember 20 at 10:20 p.m., police received the report of a mountain lion sighted in a backyard in the 700 block of Oakglade. Officers were able to direct it back into the hills.
Residential BurglarySeptember 17 at 1:39 p.m., an officer went to a residence in the 400 block of Park Rose regarding a burglary. The victim told the officer he had filing boxes with old checks, receipts and documents from an old business that no longer exits. The boxes were kept near his front door, which is kept open a lot. Someone apparently entered the residence and took the boxes. Nothing else was taken.
Residential BurglarySeptember 17 at 3:10 p.m., a resident in the 500 block of West Foothill reported she had just returned home from work and someone had broken into her home. An officer responded and cleared the location. Entry was made through a side door. Some jewelry and old checks were taken, but the victim was unsure if anything else was taken. Investigation continuing.
Commercial Burglary - Suspects ArrestedSeptember 17 at 3:51 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 500 block of West Huntington regarding a male and a female in custody for shoplifting. The officer determined the subjects had committed burglary; both were arrested and taken into custody.
Driving Under the Influence - Suspect ArrestedSeptember 18 at 1:08 a.m., an officer noticed a vehicle traveling south on Myrtle that was following another vehicle too closely. He noticed the driver was also swerving on the roadway. He stopped the driver and during the investigation, determined the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested.
Domestic Violence / Battery on a Peace OfficerSeptember 19 at 2:28 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 00 block of Hidden Valley regarding a domestic violence incident in progress. When they arrived, the husband was attempting to restrain his wife, who was intoxicated and violent. As an officer entered the location, he was pushed by the wife. The officers were able to restrain the wife and she was taken into custody without further incident. The husband was bleeding and had sustained visible injuries. He did not desire medical treatment. The wife was not injured.
Recovered Stolen Vehicle - Suspects ArrestedSeptember 19 at 7:20 p.m., an officer on patrol located a stolen vehicle in the area of California, near Duarte. He followed the vehicle into a parking lot in Duarte. Additional Monrovia officers were requested to assist in a high-risk traffic stop. Two suspects were arrested and later interviewed. After investigation, the female driver was charged with grand theft auto and receiving stolen property. The male passenger was released, pending further investigation.
Mountain Lion SightingSeptember 20 at 10:20 p.m., police received the report of a mountain lion sighted in a backyard in the 700 block of Oakglade. Officers were able to direct it back into the hills.
Airport Plaque
Councilman Tom Adams said there is a plaque on the front of Albertsons about the old Monrovia Airport. Yup. That I didn't know that shows I don't do much shopping for my family I guess.
- Brad Haugaard
Three Non-Fiction Books for Three Dollars
You can get three hardback or trade-paperback non-fiction books for $3 at the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library bookstore through September 25 (i.e. Saturday). To get to the bookstore, walk in first set of doors at Monrovia Public Library. It is immediately on the left.
- Brad HaugaardLutz is Citizen of the Year
Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz will be honored by the Luck Baldwin District Boy Scouts as "2010 Citizen of the Year."
http://tinyurl.com/25c6dow- Brad Haugaard
City Beat News
City Beat, a joint City, KGEM and Chamber of Commerce video production, is now airing on cable stations 3 (Time Warner) and 6 (Champion). This month's topics:
* The Sustainability Expo, featuring an interview with Heather Maloney of the City's Environmental Services Staff
* The Formative Years Program with Police Lt. Jaime Alfaro
* Business Development, featuring the newest corporate residents on Huntington Drive - Living Spaces, Henry's Market and Kohl's Department Store.
- Brad Haugaard
Where in Monrovia?
Another one of my Monrovia paintings. The location of this one shouldn't be hard to guess.
- Brad Haugaard
Students Designing Super Fuel-Efficient Car
Monrovia High students are designing a super fuel-efficient car to enter the Shell Eco-Marathon in Texas next year. Last year MHS came in 18th out of 34 vehicles. Details here:
http://tinyurl.com/2walh66
http://tinyurl.com/2walh66
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