School District Warns of Coronavirus Scams

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

As part of our commitment to providing information on matters related to COVID-19, we urge you to be mindful of pandemic-driven cyberthreats that seek to mislead consumers or steal sensitive information. The FBI is warning people to be wary of malicious websites and apps pretending to track COVID-19 cases worldwide. Criminals are using malicious websites and apps to infect and lock devices until payment is received.

Several fraudulent schemes have been reported:

• A malicious Android app that pretends to be a “Coronavirus Tracking App” is actually ransomware that will infect the phone and lock it until payment is received. The malicious app is downloaded at (coronavirusapp[.]site).
• Beware of hackers posing as CDC or WHO representatives in phishing attacks.
• Be cautious of anyone selling products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning regarding seven companies selling fraudulent COVID-19 products. Learn more at: fda.gov.

As our city manager advises, there are several coronavirus tracking and mapping sites that are actually malware websites. Instead of clicking on these links, hover over the link to verify the uniform resource locator (URL) before moving forward. Online hackers may also send emails from fraudulent accounts impersonating official websites and doctors, or offering medical supplies and services.

A recent advisory from Los Angeles County shared safety tips on how to combat these schemes:

• Avoid online advertising offers related to COVID-19
• Decline solicitors claiming fundraising efforts for COVID-19
• Do not click on any email or attachment you do not recognize
• Only visit trusted websites for information
• A trusted source for up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 is the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus information page at coronavirus.jhu.edu. (However, beware of any emails seemingly from Johns Hopkins. A malicious website (corona-virus-map[dot]com) looks similar to a legitimate site from Johns Hopkins showing worldwide COVID-19 cases. The malicious website hosts a map of COVID-19 cases but launches a virus that will steal information, including sensitive data.)

Other safe, informational websites include the following:

• County of Los Angeles: covid19.lacounty.gov
• County of Los Angeles Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov
• California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov

- Brad Haugaard

School District to Distribute Two Days of Meals Thursday

Monrovia Unified will observe Cesar Chavez Day on Friday, March 27, and the District will be closed. Due to this, two days-worth of meals will be distributed tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, at the school nearest you! Meal service will continue daily during spring break.

- Brad Haugaard

Blood Shortage Due to Blood Drive Cancellations

Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik reports the Red Cross is very low on blood "due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations." If you'd like to make a blood donation, click here: https://is.gd/WxaWVX

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police Warn of Virus Scams

Beware of #COVID19 scams:

-DO NOT click on emails/links/attachments you don’t recognize 

-IGNORE fraudulent online offers for COVID-19 cures/treatments 

-BEWARE of fraudulent fundraising campaigns/donation requests for cash, gift cards/credit cards 

-REPORT price gouging

If you have witnessed or experienced a Coronavirus related scam or price gouging, please call the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Hotline at (213) 257-2450.

Source: Monrovia Police

- Brad Haugaard 

Local Water District Again Says: Tap Water is Safe

Apparently some people are still concerned about tap water and Coronavirus, so the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, which serves Monrovia, is trying to reassure people, with messages such as this one:

Wendy's Provides Lunches for Homeless

Wendy's Monrovia provided lunches for Foothill Unity Center's homeless clients last week and Unity Center says, "Thank you ... We are very appreciative!"

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools: Changes to Test Dates

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

As we take on our second week of student dismissal, I want to assure you that the well-being of our students, staff, families, and community remain at the forefront of every decision. We are all learning during this time. Whether learning how to navigate the Google Classroom platform or how to avoid cabin fever, we recognize the many and varied challenges surrounding us these days.

To assist with learning, we have added links to additional educational resources that might help at home. These resources may be found on the Distance Learning Platform parent page. We are also creating a weekly newsletter offering helpful tips and ideas for both parents and teachers.

Spring is the time we usually engage in testing. Below are some specific testing updates:

• SAT: All exams, including make ups, have been cancelled through May 2.
• ACT: The ACT has been rescheduled to June 13.
• Advanced Placement: AP exams are still planned, but reformatted as online, 45-minute, free-response exams designed for students to take from home.

Beginning Wednesday, March 25, students have the option of attending free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers across the country. Course-specific information may be found here. There will be two exam dates made available to accommodate students who want to take the test earlier while information learned in school is still fresh. Anyone who has already paid for an exam may cancel for a full refund if they choose to no longer take the exam. Additional information and resources may be found here.

We expect another update regarding AP Exams on April 3.

The California Department of Education also released information regarding statewide testing on March 20:

• California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP): Testing has been suspended for this year.
• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC): The Summative ELPAC test has been suspended for this year. The timeline for the ELPAC assessment has been extended for 45 days after students return to school.
• California High School Proficiency Examination: Test administration for March 21 has been canceled. All students registered for the March test have been reregistered for June or provided information how to request a refund.
• Physical Fitness Test: On hold until our students return to school.

As a reminder, if you have any questions about assignments, please contact your child’s teachers. If you have any questions in general about the school your child attends, please contact the administrator via email or call the school’s main line. While we have altered our hours and locations, we are still “open” and will respond in a timely manner.

We are in this together. Please continue to practice healthy habits.

Sincerely,Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Near But No Instances Reported Yet for Monrovia

Local cities with cases of Coronavirus. None recorded yet for Monrovia.

Alhambra 4
Altadena 5
Arcadia 3
Covina 1
Duarte 1
Glendora 1
La Verne 2
Pasadena 3
South Pasadena 3
Temple City 1

Source: https://is.gd/nSMeBU

- Brad Haugaard

No Reported Coronavirus in Monrovia - But Getting Closer

No recorded instances of coronavirus in Monrovia, but there are some nearby:

Alhambra, 3
Altadena, 2
Arcadia, 2
Covina, 1
Pasadena, 3
South Pasadena, 2

Source: https://is.gd/8qYLtY

- Brad Haugaard

City Again Closes Canyon Park, Wilderness Preserve

From City Manager Dylan Feik: "Beginning today, the City is closing Canyon Park and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve again. The City attempted to leave these recreational areas open to our community. Over this past weekend, far too many people visited the facilities and did not practice safe, social distancing. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and ask all residents, guests and visitors to find alternate means of recreation which you can do in small groups, maintain 6’ of separation and comply with the Safer at Home Health Order."

- Brad Haugaard

Trader Joe's Adds Senior Shopping Hours

There has been some confusion about whether Trader Joe's has senior shopping hours. It does. Now.

Here's what the market says:

At Trader Joe’s we pride ourselves on treating all of our customers equitably.  Over the past few weeks we have heard from our senior customers about the need for assistance in the morning to get in and out of our stores quickly.  We’ve listened, and effective Monday March 23rd we will implement the following:

Store hours will remain 9AM to 7PM.  Every day between 9AM and 10AM, Crew Members will maintain an additional line outside the front door for our senior customers. This will ensure that those customers in need will have an expedited entrance to the store to help make their experience a more positive one.

Our Crew Members in each of our stores remain committed to these ideas and, as always, will be ready to help any customer needing extra assistance for any reason.

Source: Trader Joe's press release https://is.gd/YOegX6

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Online Church Services

This is a partial list of online church services today in Monrovia. There are some I could not find information about or that I just missed. If you know of others, please let me know (Include a link and times of services.)

Calvary Chapel Monrovia, or on Facebook  (1307 S Myrtle) -  10 a.m.

Fellowship Monrovia (Monrovia High) - 9 and 11 a.m.

First Lutheran (1227 S Magnolia) 9 a.m.

First Presbyterian (Foothill and Myrtle) - 10 a.m.

Hope Unlimited Church (1900 Walker Ave) - 10 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m.

IFGF (Palm and Primrose) 10:30 a.m.

Mountainside Communion Church (Colorado and Magnolia) - 10 a.m.

Second Baptist Church, or on Facebook (925 S Shamrock) - 10:45 a.m.

Vineyard (223 S Encinitas Ave) - 10 a.m.

Unity Center Needs Supplies; Take Census Online; Sales Tax Survey

In his latest report (https://goo.gl/aOqX7O) City Manager Dylan Feik reports:

~ Foothill Unity Center could use supplies. Full list here: https://is.gd/yAOBCS

~ It's census year, but the nice thing is you can answer the questions online, here: https://my2020census.gov/

~ What should Monrovia do with the Measure K money (that's the money from the sales tax Monrovia passed). Take a survey here: https://is.gd/rxNzco

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Schools Employees to Telecommute

Monrovia Schools Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian reports that employees began telecommuting Friday. She writes, "Some of our essential personnel, including food services and payroll, will need to continue completing their duties on site in order for our operations to continue."

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Adds Coronavirus Web Page

Citrus College students who want to know what's up with their classes and the school can check out Citrus's Coronavirus page, here: https://is.gd/pJEGt3

- Brad Haugaard

School District to Hold Completely Virtual Board Meeting

Dear Monrovia Community,

Given the County and State orders designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 by enforcing stricter social distancing protocols, the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education has modified the manner in which it will be conducting meetings for the duration of these orders.

The Board will follow safety protocols embedded within Governor Newsom’s executive order suspending a number of Brown Act requirements due to COVID-19. In the order, all requirements regarding the physical presence of board members or the public at regular Board of Education meetings are waived.

In compliance with these orders, Monrovia Unified Board of Education will be conducting its meetings virtually. Public access to the physical meeting will be eliminated; but remote public participation is allowed and encouraged.

The next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, may be viewed through livestream and on KGEM (Spectrum Channel 99 or Giggle Fiber Channel 87-2).

Community members may also submit public comments via email before the beginning of each meeting. Please send all comments to publiccomments@monroviaschools.net. All comments will be read during the public comment portion of the meeting, or at the item’s place on the agenda.

Whether physically present or conducting business remotely, the Monrovia Unified School District remains steadfast in our commitment to the health and well-being of the community we serve.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Thorossian
Superintendent

School District to Buy 'Extreme Training Equipment' for High School; Repair Roofs at Mayflower School

At its next meeting (agenda https://is.gd/HWrgKm) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Buying $29,319 of "Extreme Training Equipment" for the weight room at Monrovia High School. https://is.gd/Ei94UK

~ The repair of drains and roofs at Mayflower School, for $28,269.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Area Partnership Conference Cancelled

The 11th Annual Monrovia Area Partnership Neighborhood Conference, that was to be held April 25, has been cancelled.  MAP is a partnership of staff, residents, businesses and service organizations all working together with the common goal of building a premier community. https://is.gd/Jebb1N

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner From Cafe LuMar

I like to eat dinner out, especially at pleasant little restaurants such as Cafe LuMar, on the south side of Colorado a half block east of Myrtle. But because of the Coronavirus we ordered and took our food home. I got the goulash for $18. Very tasty. 

- Brad Haugaard 

No More Planned SCE Power Outages During March

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that, "On Wednesday, March 18, I directed Public Works staff to suspend Right-of-Way permits for SoCal Edison to perform planned power outages in Monrovia. There were two projects scheduled yesterday. One project was already underway and is now complete.

"All other projects are suspended, as are all other planned outages through March 31."

- Brad Haugaard