Monrovia Unified High School Students Win Congressional App Challenge
Red Dungeon, a video game app created by Monrovia High School digital studies students, won top honors in the 2020 Congressional App Challenge, a national contest that challenges computer science students to create software programs for original apps. U.S. Rep. Judy Chu recognized the app, designed by the school’s Forge Interactive Team, as a regional winner in California’s 27th Congressional District for excellence in presentation.
Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education Undergoes Transition
Monrovia Unified School District held a special meeting of the Board of Education on Dec. 16, administering the Oath of Office to returning Board member Rob Hammond, and newly elected Board members Traci Gholar and Jennifer Anderson. As part of its yearly reorganization, Board member Maritza Travanti was named president, Board member Selene Lockerbie was named vice president and Gholar was named clerk.
Monrovia High School Parent Donates KN95 Masks to Monrovia Unified
David Berger, a parent from Monrovia High School, donated 22 boxes of KN95 masks to Monrovia Unified School District during a donation event on Dec. 10. Each box contained 1,400 masks, with a total of 30,800 individual masks provided to the District. Board President Rob Hammond, Board Clerk Maritza Travanti and Board Member Selene Lockerbie were on hand to receive the sizeable donation. Photos are available.
Monrovia Unified Receives PPE Donation from Duarte Mayor
Duarte Mayor Samuel Kang on Dec. 2 donated boxes of Personal Protective Equipment to the Monrovia Unified, including N95 masks, hand sanitizer and student health packs. Board President Rob Hammond and Board Clerk Maritza Travanti were on hand to receive the gift, as was Monrovia City Council Member Larry Spicer. Photos are available.
For their longtime support of the District and Monrovia High School (MHS) Athletics, Fred and Diane Bowden were honored during an Oct. 27 dedication ceremony that named MHS’s weight room the ‘Fred and Diane Bowden Weight Room.’ Fred, who passed away in 2018, and Diane, graduated from Monrovia High School in 1959 and 1961, respectively. The two always looked for ways to give back to the District and with Fred’s passing, Diane and the Bowden family made a commitment to continue that support.
Monrovia Superintendent Participates in Bobcat Fire Community Forum
Monrovia Unified School District’s Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian joined state Sen. Susan Rubio, the U.S Forest Service, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross during a Bobcat Fire Virtual Community Forum on Sept. 23. The forum briefed the Monrovia and Arcadia community about the status of the fire, the school district and its response plan, and an overview of evacuation preparedness.
Monrovia Unified Closes School Sites in Response to Bobcat Fire
Monrovia Unified School District closed its schools and dismissed students from online-learning on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 due to growing concerns regarding the Bobcat fire and air quality. The dismissal of students is meant to give families some relief, as the dense smoke has caused disruption even inside homes. During this time, Monrovia Unified had to cancel its food distribution, but its local Flame Broiler stepped up to provide grab-and-go meals to students on Friday. Distance learning is set to resume Monday, Sept. 21.
Monrovia Unified Hosts Virtual 2020-21 State of the Schools Address
Monrovia Unified School District hosted its 2020-21 State of the Schools Address virtually on Facebook and YouTube on Oct. 21. The virtual event, presented by the District’s Board of Education, featured an overview of the District’s successes during the 2019-20 academic year, the transition to a digital environment and distance learning, steps taken to navigate the pandemic, finances and the District’s plans for future instruction.
Monrovia Unified Hosts Series of Virtual Back to School Nights
Monrovia Unified School District is hosting virtual back to school nights this year over webinars and Zoom. Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy will host its back to school night beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Monrovia High School will follow at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. The following week, Monroe Elementary and Clifton Middle School, will launch their events. Back to school night gives parents the opportunity to learn more about their children’s school, get to know administrators and teachers, and ask questions regarding distance learning and the academic year.
Monrovia Unified Welcomes Students for 2020-21 Academic Year
Monrovia Unified School District welcomed students on Aug. 19, launching a new, more rigorous approach to its distance learning platform. The first day of school began with the distribution of technology and instructional materials. Students signed onto their virtual classrooms, hosted on Zoom or Google Classroom, met classmates and received an overview of the instructional schedule and expectations. Click here to watch a video highlighting the District’s first day of distance learning.
