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.
Monrovia Unified Community to Participate in ‘Chalk the Walk’
Monrovia Unified School District families will participate in ‘Chalk the Walk,’ a community effort that is meant to get students excited for their return to school on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The District’s Parent Teacher Association is asking the community to help mark the non-traditional first day of school by chalking encouraging messages on sidewalks around Monrovia. The community effort will take place Sunday, Aug. 16 through Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Monrovia Unified Develops Instructional Frameworks for 2020-21
Monrovia Unified School District’s elementary and secondary task force groups, in collaboration with District administrators, Monrovia Teachers Association, Parent Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association, developed an instructional schedule that provides structure and support for students and families. The distance learning schedule provides virtual instruction with teachers through Zoom or Google Classroom and also sets aside time for students to focus on enrichment opportunities and social-emotional well-being.
Monrovia Unified Offers Online Summer Intervention Program
Through a variety of online intervention summer programs that include Camp Read-A-Lot, Camp Infinity and Middle School Bridge, Monrovia Unified is helping students meet grade level proficiency and reach greater academic goals. The programs, which conclude on July 31, include reading and math intervention courses for elementary, middle and high school students.
Monrovia Unified Begins School Year with Distance Learning
Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education on July 14 announced that the District would start the school year on Aug. 19 with distance learning. The District will have the option to transition to a hybrid model when health conditions improve. The distance learning model will include daily, live interaction with teachers for instruction, progress monitoring and maintaining school connectedness. The program will also provide academic and socio-emotional support, and additional support for language acquisition, including the District’s dual language programs in Spanish and Mandarin.
Monrovia Unified Webinars Provide Reopening Information
Monrovia Unified School District held a series of webinars for parents and stakeholders regarding the District’s school reopening plan. The webinar discussed the possibility of having students attend school, but not in a traditional manner. Students will have days when distance learning is required with a rotating schedule with two cohorts. Plans for transportation, food services and cleaning schedules are still being finalized. Monrovia Unified’s first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 19.
