La Cañada Unified School District Superintendent Wendy Sinnette has expressed doubt that a petition to transfer the Sagebrush territory — located in La Cañada Flintridge’s western-most corner — into the school district will be granted, and said the long-running controversy surrounding the matter is likely to continue, even if the effort succeeds. Continue reading “School District Leader Foresees Further Sagebrush Turmoil”
LCUSD Listens to Parents’ Concerns on Devil’s Gate Project
The La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board on Tuesday took time to hear from concerned parents over the initial process of sediment removal from Hahamongna Watershed Park behind the Devil’s Gate Dam to increase flood protection and to restore habitat within the Arroyo Seco Watershed.
During the discussion, board members said that they were writing down questions and suggestions of attendees and that they plan to measure the air quality surrounding the schools during the sediment removal project, known as the “Big Dig,” with an air-quality monitor. Continue reading “LCUSD Listens to Parents’ Concerns on Devil’s Gate Project”
LCHS Challenge Success Set to Confront Student Pressure
Trying to get through school under the pressure of teenage social norms, good grades, high test scores and multiple extracurricular activities, all with the aim of gaining acceptance to a top-tier college, can feel a little like Sisyphus rolling a boulder uphill for La Cañada Unified School District students.
“LCHS is a very competitive school,” said Nicole Johnson, a 17-year-old senior. “We take pride in our grades and all of that. But it gets to the point where we’re like enemies. It’s not a very healthy environment. That’s why I really like Challenge Success. Because I want to create that community environment where we’re all trying to help each other and we can get there together.” Continue reading “LCHS Challenge Success Set to Confront Student Pressure”
Student Wellness, Safety Upgrades Figure in LCUSD Goals
Ensuring students’ mental and emotional health as part of their overall safety, allocating money from bond measures and retaining accreditation for La Cañada High School were key goals that gained the approval of the La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board on Tuesday night.
Superintendent Wendy Sinnette, who presented the goals for the academic year, said she and the board had worked on them since July, adding that they incorporated ideas that came from subcommittees.
Such subcommittees tackle issues including campus security, parking and traffic; whether to open or close the LCHS campus during lunch; and how to communicate with the community. Continue reading “Student Wellness, Safety Upgrades Figure in LCUSD Goals”
LCUSD Scores Big in California Student Assessment
La Cañada Unified School District has outdone itself once again, continuing its upswing in academic performance and outpacing other high-achieving local school districts to top the statewide charts in English and finish second in math, according to test scores released this week by the California Department of Education.
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress System mean scale score results show that LCUSD scored in first, second or third place in the state in all grade levels in the testing for English language arts. The district improved its overall English score from 2017 by 1.89 percentage points. Continue reading “LCUSD Scores Big in California Student Assessment”
May 7/8 Athletes Skip P.E.? LCUSD Studies Issue
Whether LCHS 7/8 students in competitive sports should be granted their request to be excused from physical education because of injuries or other health concerns was an issue taken up by the La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board this week.
How to offer an independent study education course to support such student athletes — if that’s even possible — was a related question at the board’s meeting on Tuesday night.
The amount of time the athlete trains, the athlete’s objective (to reach the Olympics, play in college, etc.) and participation in three sports all figured into questions asked at the meeting.
“We can at least start a conversation,” said board President Kaitzer Puglia.
There is no alternative to a physical education class and excusing students from P.E. does not comply with the California Education Code, according to the meeting’s agenda report.
Continue reading “May 7/8 Athletes Skip P.E.? LCUSD Studies Issue”
LCUSD Elementary Schools Star in Ranking of County’s Schools
The La Cañada Unified School District long has enjoyed a solid reputation for academics, and now a review website has ranked the system’s elementary schools among the best in Los Angeles County.
Palm Crest Elementary School ranked No. 2, La Cañada Elementary School was No. 3 and Paradise Canyon Elementary landed at No. 4 among public schools in the county, according to Niche.com.
No. 1 was Carver Elementary School in San Marino.
Last year, Palm Crest ranked No. 4, with La Cañada at No. 5 and Paradise Canyon finishing at No. 9.
Continue reading “LCUSD Elementary Schools Star in Ranking of County’s Schools”
STEAM Night Seeks to Power Interest in Science
James Cartnal, executive director of Pupil and Personnel Programs and Services, shows youths how to work with tools at the STEAM night on Monday.
The educational concept known as STEAM is, in large part, about giving students the tools to excel in science and technology. So it seemed appropriate that hand drills, saws and other implements figured prominently in the La Cañada Unified School District’s first system-wide STEAM night of the academic year.
Continue reading “STEAM Night Seeks to Power Interest in Science”
Legislature Passes Portantino’s Bill on School Start Time
California lawmakers have approved Senate Bill 328, the school start-time proposal authored by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), with the legislation passing the state Assembly and Senate late Friday.
The bill now waits to be signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, who has until Sept. 30 to make his decision.
The legislation would require all public middle and high schools in California to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., a policy that the La Cañada Unified School District implemented in 2017-18. Research has shown that the later start helps teens get more sleep, do better in school and have improved mental health.
Continue reading “Legislature Passes Portantino’s Bill on School Start Time”
La Cañada Valley Beautiful Busy With Re-Landscaping
This sketch shows La Cañada Valley Beautiful landscaping plans around the deodar tree at the headquarters of LCUSD.
La Cañada Valley Beautiful has taken on the project of re-landscaping the grounds of Lanterman Auditorium and the La Cañada Unified School District’s headquarters using a low-water, low-maintenance approach.
“We are not using any new water, just amending the current irrigation system,” said Carolyn Hanna, project manager for La Cañada Valley Beautiful, the nonprofit organization that has been encouraging a beautiful, clean community since 1964. Continue reading “La Cañada Valley Beautiful Busy With Re-Landscaping”