Monrovia Now: News and Comment about Monrovia, California

How Monrovia Schools Will Grade Students Attending Virtual Classes

Since students were dismissed in March, Monrovia School District has been figuring out how to assign grades in the new virtual environment.

Here are the guidelines it has come up with together with the Monrovia Teachers Association:

Elementary Grading Practices
Grades are to be assigned and feedback given for work completed. Since elementary report cards are standards-based, as teachers develop and teach standards-based lessons, feedback is to be given and data collected on gains made toward standards mastery. As work is assessed and feedback given, a student may improve his/her grade.

For the final report cards, grades TK-3 will be provided specific comments that communicate the success on the standards learned. For grades 4 and 5, teachers will give comments and assign standards-based scores on the most essential standard areas. Where applicable, teachers may use the comment “standard not taught or assessed.”

Secondary Grading Practices
Students will be assigned work aligned to the state standards during this quarter, focusing on projects and work that can be completed online. As work is assessed and feedback given, a student may improve his/her grade for a final semester grade.

Third quarter grades should be used as a baseline. No student’s final grade will be lower than the grade assigned at the third quarter. This is an opportunity for our students to improve.
The assigned and graded work from March 17 to June 3 will be used to maintain and improve the student’s status from the third quarter.
Students may opt for a credit/no credit grading option until May 15. After that date, a student may submit an appeal letter to the instructor, who will submit the letter with his/her recommendation to the school principal.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Police: Three Domestic Violence Incidents; Shopper Arrested for Spitting; Mountainbiker Steals Roll of Aluminum; Etc.

[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 16-22. - Brad Haugaard]

During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 286 service events, resulting in 27 investigations.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 16 at 6:26 p.m., a family disturbance was reported in the 1100 block of E. Lemon. Officers responded to the residence and spoke with the subjects involved. A husband and wife were involved in an argument that escalated into a physical altercation. The female subject had marks and bruises on her face. The husband was found to be the aggressor and was arrested for domestic violence.

Grand Theft Auto
April 17 at 11:48 a.m., the owner of a travel trailer reported he had just discovered it had been stolen from its storage location in the 1900 block of Walker. The trailer was entered into the law enforcement stolen vehicle system. This investigation is continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
April 17 at 11:59 a.m., a hit and run collision was reported in the 2000 block of S. Myrtle. The victim parked her vehicle on the street and a motorist drove by and sideswiped her car, then fled the scene. Officers responded and searched the area for the suspect vehicle, but could not locate it. This investigation is continuing.

Battery – Suspect Arrested
April 17 at 2:04 p.m., security at a hardware store in the 1600 block of S. Mountain confronted a customer outside the store who they believed had stolen merchandise. It turned out the subject had not taken any merchandise, but she was offended by the security officer and she spit on him. He desired prosecution and placed her under private persons arrest for battery. The subject arrested and issued a citation.

Driving Under the Influence – Suspect Arrested
April 17 at 8:45 p.m., an officer was patrolling the area of Peck and Live Oak when he observed a motorist make a wide right turn from Camino Real onto Myrtle. The turn was so wide that the vehicle ended up in the opposing left hand turn lane. He continued on Myrtle in the number one lane at approximately 50 miles per hour. The subject was unable to maintain a direct path of travel and repeatedly swerved into the center median. A traffic stop was initiated and a DUI investigation was conducted. It was determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was arrested for DUI.

Burglary
April 18 at 5:47 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of S. Fifth called police to report a burglary. An adult female came onto his property and stole two bicycles and a telescope from his secured porch. He chased the female and was able to recover the two bicycles. The suspect left behind a bag containing bolt cutters. The suspect was not located. This investigation is continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 19 at 3:11 p.m., a female subject asked if officers could check on the safety of her children, who were at their father's home in the 800 block of W. Colorado. After questioning her more, it was discovered the father of her children had battered her a few days prior, leaving visible injuries. An investigation was conducted and the suspect was located and arrested for domestic violence.

Vandalism
April 20 at 10:28 p.m., a resident in the 1600 block of S. Fifth called police to report a vandalism incident. An officer responded and contacted the resident. An unknown suspect smashed the window on the victim’s vehicle, but nothing was taken from inside. The investigation is continuing.

Vandalism
April 21 at 10:45 a.m., a vandalism incident was reported in the 400 block of S. Myrtle. An employee of a business reported that someone wrote graffiti in permanent marker on the back of his business vehicle, causing damage. Investigation continuing.

Hit & Run Traffic Collision
April 21 at 10:59 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of S. Myrtle called police to report a hit and run traffic collision. His vehicle had been parked at the location for several days. When he returned to his vehicle, he found collision damage. Surveillance footage revealed it happened on Sunday at approximately 7:30 p.m. Investigation continuing.

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested
April 21 at 4:57 p.m., a caller reported a family disturbance in the 300 block of W. Duarte. Officers arrived and spoke with the residents. The investigation revealed there was an argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend that escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in visible injuries to the boyfriend. The female subject was arrested for domestic violence.

Petty Theft
April 21 at 10:54 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of S. Fifth called police to report someone entered his unlocked vehicle and took his cell phone and a black backpack containing work tools. The vehicle was parked on the street. Investigation continuing.

Attempt Petty Theft
April 22 at 2:28 a.m., a resident in the 200 block of Poppy called police to report an attempted theft. A male subject wearing all black and riding a mountain bike with oversized tires attempted to take a roll of sheet aluminum from the bed of his truck. The suspect was last seen riding north on Poppy. Officers arrived and conducted a search for the suspect, but he was not located. The investigation is continuing.

From Cool to Hot

Heat advisory from National Weather Service for San Gabriel Valley from 11 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday. Temperatures up to 93 degrees are expected Friday and Saturday. https://is.gd/yx7pvK

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Count: 26

The county reports that the number of Monrovia Coronavirus cases has jumped to 26, from 20 two days ago. https://is.gd/FVFMUp

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus Donates Respirator Masks to Local Hospitals

Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, recently donated more than 600 N95 respirator masks to area hospitals.

Yesterday, April 21, college personnel delivered masks to Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora, San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona and City of Hope in Duarte. The masks, which were part of the college's emergency supplies inventory, were donated in response to the critical shortage of personal protective equipment affecting those on the front line of this global pandemic.

- Brad Haugaard

You Can Contribute Video to This Year's Online Monrovia Days Celebration

Monrovia Days, like so many things this year, will be virtual, an online video made up of clips shot by members of the community.

The compilation will be aired at special Facebook Watch Party on May 16.

To participate, send in a short video with Happy Birthday Monrovia wishes from you and your family. Maybe video of your own parade in your backyard or living room or how your family does a pie eating contest – however you celebrate.

Submission details here: https://is.gd/71AlfN

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Sets Graduation for Dec. 5

Because of the coronavirus, Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has re-set its graduation date to December 5. Details: https://is.gd/gJXnL5

Thanks to Gayle Montgomery for the tip. :-)

- Brad Haugaard

Plymouth Teachers Send a 'Miss You' Card to Their Students

The teachers at Plymouth School miss their students, as you can see from this collage they made.

- Brad Haugaard

Bruno the Big Sweetie; All Adoption Fees Being Waved

Three-year-old Bruno is a big sweetie! He has a great energy level and loves to be chased and really wants everyone just to rub his belly. His go-to move is to squirm onto his back for easier belly rubbing access. He’s a beautiful dog (people regularly tell him this when he's out on walks), and one of the sweetest boys ever.

Currently, all adoption fees are waived, made possible by the Spence Family and Capital Group. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Dinosaur Nervous About Virus

Even this dinosaur near the top of Grand Avenue is a bit nervous about the Coronavirus.

- Brad Haugaard

Coronavirus Count: 20

Twenty Coronavirus cases in Monrovia now, up two from yesterday, according to the county. https://is.gd/wsmpOa

- Brad Haugaard

Citrus College Wins Award for Its Instagram Page

The winning team.

Citrus College’s Instagram account (instagram.com/citrus.college) was recently awarded second place in a nationwide contest hosted by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

According to NCMPR’s website, the Paragon Awards are “the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and PR professionals at two‐year colleges.” Awards are presented to those who made outstanding achievements in design, communication and social media. At the 2020 Paragon Awards, there were nearly 2,000 entries in 53 categories.

The college’s Instagram account, managed by the Citrus College Communications and External Relations Office, won silver in a social media category for its clean aesthetic and eye‐catching imagery.

Source: Citrus College press release

- Brad Haugaard

18 COVID-19 Cases in Monrovia

Eighteen Coronavirus cases in Monrovia now. https://is.gd/wsmpOa

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Church Services

This is a 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) - 8, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m.

Calvary Road Baptist Church (319 West Olive Ave) 10:45 a.m., 6 p.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) - 9 and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish)

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.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Still Needs to Buy Water; Tax on New Development

At its next meeting, Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. (online only) the Monrovia City Council will consider ...
~ Buying 1,000 acre feet of water (an acre-foot is an acre covered a foot deep in water) from Azusa for $789,360. Monrovia's allotment of groundwater from the Upper San Gabriel Municipal Water District is 5,740.8 acre feet per year, but we use 1,209.2 acre feet more than that, so we're buying extra from a city that isn't using its full allotment. https://is.gd/PBk4qg

~ Imposing a special tax on the planned 436-unit Alexan Foothills Project, that will be located just west of the City's Station Square Transit Village. The tax is to cover the additional need for city services the project will generate. https://is.gd/az05PL

The Council meeting will be online. You can follow it here: www.foothillsmedia.org/monrovia

- Brad Haugaard

Fifteenth Coronavirus Case in Monrovia

Fifteen Coronavirus cases now in Monrovia. https://is.gd/vSita9

- Brad Haugaard

School District to Honor Education Professionals

Where the next School Board Meeting won't be held. It'll be online.

At its next virtual meeting (agenda: https://is.gd/LVD51B), 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, the Monrovia Board of Education, will consider ...

~ Recognizing April 20-24 as Administrative Professionals (Secretaries) Day.

~ Declaring May 4-8, as School Health Services Appreciation Week and that May 6, as "National School Nurse Day.

~ Declaring May 5, as "National Day of the Teacher," and May 4-8, as National Teacher Appreciation Week

You can watch the meeting at www.foothillsmedia.org/MUSD

- Brad Haugaard

List of Monrovia Restaurants That Would Probably Appreciate Your Patronage

Lunch From LeRoy’s

Lunch yesterday from LeRoy’s, on the north side of Huntington just west of Mayflower. Called in (357-5076) and got the Pastrami Melt with coleslaw for $8.69. Picked it up 10 minutes later. Lots of pastrami and very tasty.

- Brad Haugaard

Sidewalk Creativity

Some Monrovians have been making their neighbor’s lives a bit nicer with their chalk-on-sidewalk creativity. Here’s hopscotch and frog jump, on East Graystone.

- Brad Haugaard