After hearing that students at La Cañada High School are getting more sleep this school year, Governing Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend that the school bring back its “late start” bell schedule next fall.
For 2017-18, La Cañada Unified School District became one of the first districts in the state to start the school day at its high school at 8:30 a.m. (later than the previous 7:45 a.m. start). The initiative was inspired by the Challenge Success program, which is focused on improving students’ overall well-being.
A series of surveys were conducted and an oversight committee composed of students, parents, faculty and administrators met four times to evaluate the later start, said Jim Cartnal, executive director of pupil and personnel programs and services. Continue reading “School Board Likes Late Start in 2018-19”
PCY Principal Promoted to District Role
Paradise Canyon Elementary School will have to share Debra Cradduck with the rest of La Cañada Unified School District after the school year ends.
The current PCY principal was appointed Tuesday to serve as the district’s executive director of personnel services, following the Governing Board’s unanimous approval.
“It’s pretty amazing, I’ve been here for eight years, so I’m definitely ready for a new challenge,” said Cradduck, a La Cañada High School graduate. “But I’m going to miss PCY.”
Cradduck’s new duties will include recruitment; coordinating assignments, promotions, leaves, transfers and retirements; managing evaluation programs; serving on the district’s negotiating team and much more. She’s scheduled to step into the new role at the close of the current school year, Superintendent Wendy Sinnette said. Continue reading “PCY Principal Promoted to District Role”
Local Investors Can Consider LCUSD Bonds
Representatives for Stifel Financial Corp. have been spending time recently in La Cañada Flintridge — where 71% of voters supported La Cañada Unified School District’s Measure LCF general obligation bond on the ballot last November — informing community members that the bond offering is expected to be available in the first half of May.
Their message to local constituents has been: “Basically, as voters, you approved this measure, the first part of which is coming onto the market, so we wanted to reach out and make sure to keep you in the loop,” said Hovick Babajanian, an associate vice president for Stifel Nicolaus & Co.
Babajanian grew up nearby in La Crescenta and spoke of frequent visits to See’s Candies and Sport Chalet. Continue reading “Local Investors Can Consider LCUSD Bonds”
‘Data Queen’ of LCUSD to Retire
Lindi Dreibelbis will retire from La Cañada Unified School District on June 29.
As titles go, Lindi Dreibelbis’ is substantial: She is (deep breath) La Cañada Unified School District’s Chief Director of Assessment, Research, Consolidated Programs and CALPADS.
Her duties put her in charge of state-mandated assessments and have her making reports to the state and federal government, as well as monitoring the state accountability system for school and district progress. She’s charged with pursuing grants, overseeing daily attendance practices and providing leadership for the English Language Development Program. She’s also tasked with maintaining individual-level data on student demographics, courses, discipline, assessments and staff assignments.
In essence, she’s the district’s “data queen.”
And on June 29, after 20 years with the district and 38 in the field of education, Dreibelbis plans to retire. Continue reading “‘Data Queen’ of LCUSD to Retire”
YMCA Opens Registration for Fiesta Days Run
The YMCA of the Foothills will host the 43rd annual Fiesta Days Run, presented by USC Verdugo Hills Hospital on Memorial Day, May 28. This event is part of Fiesta Days, the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce’s Memorial Day Celebration.
Participants can choose from a beautiful 1-mile family fun run/walk, 5K and 10K held at Descanso Gardens. All proceeds benefit the Y’s Healthy Aging Inititave, empowering seniors through balance and strength programs. One in three seniors experiences a serious fall so this life-saving initiative helps keep seniors on their feet.
Sign ups and more information is available on the website at ymcafoothills.org/fiesta-days. Registration fees include race entry, chip timing, goody bag, YMCA Fiesta Days Run T-shirt, refreshments and awards and raffle prizes from local businesses.
Early bird discounts are available until April 30. Team discounts are available for teams of four or more. There will be a grand prize awarded to the school with the most participants. (Check the registration page for your school’s name when registering.)
LCHS Robotics Team Recognized at World Championship
La Cañada High School’s FIRST Robotics team representatives who traveled to Houston for the World Championship last week included (front row, from left) Harold Aguirre, Cameron Berard, Anelisa Jongeling, Aletta Hill and Melissa Le. Middle row: Lita Oh, Connor Hall, Donald Localio, Alex Konakov, Max Weinberger, Matthew Sulistijowadi, Eric Jeong, Corwin Hill, Cassie Park, Troy Psaltis, Lloyd Kwan, Brian Mendoza, Cory Hill and team advisor Steve Zimmerman. Back: Tony Ayad, Brian Chung, Justin Huang, Manuel Tarula-Villarreal, Gregory Pan, Dennis Barnes, Bryan Bielawa, Erik Hagegard and Max Bhatti.
La Cañada High School’s FIRST Robotics Team 2429 was recognized last week with the Entrepreneurship Award at the FIRST World Championship in Houston.
These members of LCHS’s Engineering Club also were honored earlier this month with the Engineering Inspiration Award at Aerospace Lancaster Regional, at which they advanced to the world championship.
The team spent six weeks building a robot and completing various related projects.
FIRST — or “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” — encourages students from kindergarten through 12th grade to explore the innovation process and build STEM and digital-literacy skills.
Spring Home Tour Benefits LCHS
Committee members of the La Cañada Spring Home Tour, who are gearing up for the April 27 fundraiser, include (front row, from left) Sharon Grey, Karyn Perez, Cathy Steward, Leanne Forshager, Gillan Frame, Suzanne Jensen, Maral Chatoyan, Mindy DiPaolo, Apala Parikh, Tamar Tujian and Lisa Dick. Back: Jill Chapman, Jennifer Ferry, Sue Auther, Frances Delgatty, Lee Chumo, Christine Chant, Laura Buchanan, Pam Heiberg and Jill Weinlein. Not pictured: Jennifer Fox, Jennifer Jewell, Heather Scherbert, Donna Burdick, Laila Stroben, Stephanie Wiley, Lori Beagle, Hayley Dziak, Betsy Asher Hall, Nicole York Bogen, Heather Ehrhart, Christina Conwell and Stuart McKinney.
The La Cañada Flintridge community has an opportunity to tour a variety of beautifully appointed homes during the upcoming La Cañada Spring Home Tour on Friday, April 27. Tours of four homes are from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Continue reading “Spring Home Tour Benefits LCHS”
LCUSD Injury Lawsuit Settled Before Trial
The lawsuit by the family of a La Cañada High School student injured as a result of a fall from the La Cañada High School bleachers during a 2016 assembly was settled April 11, according to documents filed with the Superior Court of California.
The trial, which was continued three times, had been scheduled to begin April 17. Instead, La Cañada School District and attorneys representing student Ethan Kalnins reached a settlement. Continue reading “LCUSD Injury Lawsuit Settled Before Trial”
LCUSD’s Mathematics Battle Rages On
La Cañada Unified School District 4th- through 6th-grade students are diligently preparing for the fifth annual Mathzilla competition from 4:45-7:30 p.m on Thursday, May 3, at Palm Crest Elementary School.
About 200 students will vie for medals in the individual competition, which consists of a speed round and a problem-solving test.
After the individual competition, teams from each of the district’s three elementary schools will compete in the always exciting team relay competition. Palm Crest Elementary hopes to defend its title and the coveted Mathzilla team trophy on its home turf.
Continue reading “LCUSD’s Mathematics Battle Rages On”
LCHS Announces Franey as Girls’ Basketball Coach
Jordan Franey
La Cañada High School has officially found the coach to take over its varsity girls’ basketball program after the La Cañada Unified School District approved the hiring of Jordan Franey on Tuesday.
Franey succeeds Sarah Beattie, who resigned as varsity girls’ basketball coach last month after three successful seasons.
Dean of Athletics Kristina Kalb said Franey’s knowledge of the school and community gave her an edge over the other candidates.
“It amazes me what people don’t know going into an interview,” Kalb said. “She was smart and had seen us in tournaments. She knew who we were and what makes us special and different. That’s important because not all schools are the same. What she shared with us matches our own vision of where we see the program going.”
Continue reading “LCHS Announces Franey as Girls’ Basketball Coach”