Nearly 430 graduates from Monrovia Unified School District cheered as they walked across the graduation stage to receive their diplomas during in-person and drive-thru commencement ceremonies, held June 8 and 9. Canyon Oaks High School and Mountain Park School celebrated the success of 45 graduates on June 8 during a drive-thru ceremony, where administrators and teachers delivered emotional speeches that detailed each student’s hardships and successes that led to graduation day. On June 9, Wildcat Stadium roared as administrators, teachers, and families celebrated 378 seniors who persevered during an unprecedented school year. Monrovia Unified School District implemented health guidelines as outlined by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, such as the use of face coverings and social distancing throughout both events, to ensure the safety of its students, families, and entire school community.
Longtime Monrovia Unified educator Susan Hirsch dedicated her career to championing student wellness and equipping students with the skills and support for success. Hirsch, who died in December 2020, worked in Monrovia Unified for more than 30 years, building a legacy of compassion and connection. On June 3, the Board of Education dedicated Monrovia High School’s Wellness Center – of which Hirsch was the architect – in her memory, renaming it the Susan Hirsch Wellness Center.
The Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education has selected Dr. Ryan Smith as the District’s new Superintendent, bringing nearly 25 years of education experience to the District. Smith is scheduled to begin his position on July 1. The Board unanimously approved a contract with Smith during its May 25 meeting, where he was formally introduced to the school community via livestream. Smith comes to Monrovia Unified after five years in the Paramount Unified School District, where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Educational Services and oversaw the entire Educational Services division. The District will host a Superintendent Roadshow throughout July, which will serve as a meet-and-greet opportunity for stakeholders.
Monrovia High School senior Charlie Heatherly, who has helped build the school’s prestigious game development team Forge Interactive, will take his talents to the next level as he attends USC – home to the top game design program in the country. Forge Interactive works to develop team members that specialize in all aspects of the game design process, with a goal to graduate students who are knowledgeable about the game industry. Heatherly developed his first game, Gossip Inc., as a junior, then brought a team together to design Forge’s first digital game, Red Dungeon.
Monrovia Unified Partners with Nonprofit for NASA Nutrition Program
Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy is participating in NASA’s “Plant the Moon” challenge, through a partnership with the nonprofit Food ED. Bradoaks students will assist Food ED associates in an experiment to grow vegetables in artificial moon dust. The experiment aims to help NASA scientists learn the best lunar conditions for growing crops. The challenge, sparked by NASA’s new initiative to return to the moon, will explore ways to feed those who will one day visit the moon.
Monrovia Unified Secondary Students to Return for In-Person Instruction
Monrovia Unified School District secondary students will return to campus for in-person instruction on Monday, April 19, using a Secondary Hybrid Instructional Model approved by the Board of Education in March. The approved schedule will divide students into three separate cohorts, with Cohort A and B attending school Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday and Friday, respectively. Cohort C will continue with 100% distance learning.
Monrovia Unified Board of Education Approves Secondary Hybrid Model
Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education approved the District’s Secondary Hybrid Instructional Model during a board meeting on March 24. The approved schedule will divide students into Cohort A, B and C, with Cohort A and B attending school Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday and Friday, respectively. Cohort C will continue with 100% distance learning. Monrovia Unified secondary students will have a staggered return to school beginning the week of April 19.
Monrovia Unified Community Webinar Details Hybrid Instruction Model
Monrovia Unified School District will present its finalized Hybrid Instructional Model for grades TK-5, 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25. The presentation will include an in-depth overview of the schedule, as well as a discussion on the next steps moving forward in the reopening of elementary schools.
Monrovia Unified Elementary PTAs Develop Interactive Scavenger Hunt
Monrovia Unified elementary school PTAs have joined forces, creating an interactive scavenger hunt that encourages students and families to learn more about Monrovia by searching for hidden gems within the city and celebrate them by sharing photographs with the community. Completed activities include locating signs of diversity in the city and discovering notable paintings and sculptures. Upcoming activities include hunting for sidewalk poetry, and exploring historical points of interest during a city tour on Feb. 19.
Pioneering Animator to Talk to Monrovia Unified Students
For the eighth consecutive year, Monrovia Unified will partner with the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association to provide Black History Month activities to the community. Highlighting the virtual activities is a master class with animation industry pioneer Ronald Husband, who is the first African American animator for Walt Disney. Students will also listen to folk tales, learn about their family history, and participate in the annual elementary school art festival.
