MUSD Board of Education Meeting Highlights for September 2022

Monrovia Unified School District

Board of Education Meeting Highlights

September 2022

Recognitions

The Monrovia Unified Board of Education invited students from Clifton Middle School and Monrovia High School’s AP program to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at its September meetings. Sophia Sketeris and Makayla Hernandez, as well as the MHS AP students Julia and Jack Heatherly, did a fantastic job starting our Board meetings.

The Board swore in the two student board representatives during the September meetings. Emma Nahapetian from MHS and Sarah Tripp from Mountain Park School will join the MUSD Board of Education for the 2022-23 school year. Both students are fantastic additions to the Board, and we look forward to watching them represent their sites at future meetings.

The Board of Education & the Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the following employees on being named Monrovia Unified School District's "Employees of the Month" for September:

Beatriz Ramirez, Preschool Teacher
Maria Beller, Preschool Developmental Aide
Tim Rodriguez, After School Activity Leader
Alena Ohrt, Senior Account Clerk (not pictured)
Nick Melendez, Skilled Maintenance Plumber (not pictured)

More than a dozen Monrovia High School students were celebrated for their excellent Advanced Placement(AP) test grades. The Board of Education congratulated the following students for being recognized as AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, & AP Scholars with Distinction by the National College Board. (Some students were unable to attend.)

AP Scholars:

Sophia R. Adkins	Francisco G. Alcala	Megan P. Barrett
Shaylen S. Berry	Erin A. Byrnes	Zoey C. Caputi
Kendra M. Christian	Evan M. Clements	Hunter S. Craig
Brooklyn C. Cumes	Jacob E. Cupp	Cedric Donohue
Alyssa D. Escarcega	Luke C. Grebel	Kendra L. Harbert
Kristoffer J. Kaufmann	Carlos Martinez	Layla E. Mihal
Christian Morales	Jacqueline H. Munoz	Deanna D. Pham
Elie C. Raad	America N. Ramos	Brendan Q. Reyes
Matthew A. Rocha	Chloe E. Thomas	Ryan D. Thrailkill

AP Scholar With Honors:

Valery A. Almeida	Lukas C. Barkume	Silas D. Brusseau
Michael A. Camacho	Jonathan Camargo	Robert C. DeBetta
Finn Espinoza	Julia G. Heatherly	Ian M. Hughes
Sophia G. Lee	Elizabeth Liu	Alexandra A. Lo
Susann Martinez	Matthew Nguyen	Jordan T. Smith

AP Scholar With Distinction:

Antoinette Body	Kento H. Bushey	Lucas Corsi
Edward L. Feldman	Angelina A. Hamilton	Jack W. Heatherly
Matthew P. Hui	Elizabeth A. Hutson	Marcel K. Kortylewski
Alexander L. Lenz	Anais I. Montes	Natalie E. Nash
Jane L. Neuman	Kaylena D. Pham	Andrew Y. Smithwick
Megan T. Ta	Ashlynn Vales

Actions Taken by the Board of Education

The Board approved several Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for programs at our Monrovia Community Adult School (MCAS). The Board approved MOUs for the following:

Television production training - Lifton Institute of Media Arts & Sciences
Early college program to use facilities at MCAS - Pacific College
Security Officer Educational Program - Security Education Institute, LLC
Life and financial literacy skills education workshops - My Next Chapter
Professional quality, short-term medical training - The Phlebotomy School
Truck driver educational program - San Gabriel Valley Trucking Academy, LLC

The Board of Education approved a two-year agreement with Hatching Results for professional development for MUSD counselors and administrators. Hatching Results is the premier organization for designing and delivering high-quality, evidence-based professional learning for school counselors and administrators in the school counselors’ role. They have the experience to train staff, conduct counseling program assessments districtwide, and provide executive coaching needed to assist in hiring, project planning, and strategic planning for long-term sustainability.

The Board of Education approved the purchase of the following Navigate360 components for the term of October 15, 2022, through October 14, 2025:

ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Instructor Certification and Training
Visitor Management/Emergency Management Subscription
Behavioral Threat and Suicide Case Management Subscription Bundle

By securing the Navigate360 services and subscriptions, the district will be able to enhance the security and safety of the students, faculty, and staff at all district school sites. Navigate 360 provides the tools to strengthen student support while improving MUSD’s response to suicidal ideation, behavioral threats, and other emergencies. Monrovia Unified will pilot its visitor management system at the middle school level to better understand how it can create a more secure environment at our sites.

Board Members approved purchasing additional classroom materials and supplies for the Femineer Student Program to support student learning.

The MUSD Board approved quotes from CDW-G and HDTV Supply to purchase 21st-century classroom technology and computer equipment for Canyon Oaks High School to support improved schoolwide instruction and curriculum.

The MUSD Board approved an architectural services agreement with West Group Designs, Inc. to perform design, construction project management, and supplier coordination of a new shade structure for the Canyon Early Learning Center (CELC) toddler play surface and amphitheater area.

The Board approved a production contract with Music Theatre International for the fall production of Willy Wonka Jr. at Wild Rose School of Creative Arts.

Board members approved the job descriptions for the following positions within MUSD:

Monrovia Unified School District Board of Educational approved a resolution proclaiming September 15, 2022, through October 15, 2022, as “Hispanic Heritage Month,” and encourages schools, staff, and students to honor the historic contribution of Hispanics/Latinos through research, classroom lesson plans, guest speakers, displays, lectures, practical activities, and cultural celebrations.

The Board of Education approved a resolution recognizing the month of September 2022 as "Suicide Prevention Awareness Month." Board members commit to providing mental health support to those who need it and urge all citizens to recognize and participate in its observance.

Board members approved a resolution proclaiming October 10 -14, 2022, as National School Lunch Week and supporting its schools in the work they do to provide students with high-quality nutritional breakfasts and lunches along with nutritional education and information.

Staff Presentations to the Board of Education

Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) - Dr. Greg Gero, Director of Elementary Education Services

CGI, is based upon 30 years of research in education. It is a framework that helps teachers to understand how children's mathematical ideas develop and provides an opportunity to build on the child's own thinking and understanding. Dr. Gero breaks down CGI and the shifting focus in math teaching & learning.