July 26, 2007

Rowland names new administrators

Janet Dovidio

The Rowland Unified School District has announced its new administrative appointments for the 2007-08 school year.

Robert James Arias is the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. He replaces Donna Patrick, who retired after 13 years of service.

Arias comes from West Covina Unified, where he was Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services. He also previously served in various positions at South Pasadena Unified, Charter Oak Unified and Hacienda La Puente Unified.

Arias earned a doctorate in educational leadership from USC and master's degree in Educational Administration from Cal State Los Angeles.

Patricia Cuesta will be the new principal of Giano Intermediate School. She replaces Steve Hansen, who retired after 14 years as principal of Giano and after 38 years in public education.

Cuesta has more than 20 years of teaching experience and joins us from West Covina Unified. She earned a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne and her master's degree in secondary education from Loyola Marymount.

Christine Ericson is the new Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools. She replaces Anthony Santorufo who retired after 34 years of

Ericson has led the district's K-12 curricular programs since 1989. She began her career as a first grade teacher at Northam Elementary. Ericson earned her degree in education management from the University of La Verne.

WALNUT PRINCIPALS

Walnut Valley Unified School District welcomes four new principals for the 2007-08 school year. They are: Jackie Brown, Castle Rock Elementary; Robert Chang, Collegewood Elementary; Denise Rendon, Westhoff Elementary; and Alysia Shen, Quail Summit Elementary.

Jackie Brown brings 26 years of experience to her new position. For the past five years, she has served as principal at Vine Elementary School in the West Covina Unified School District.

She previously served in many positions in Walnut Valley. Brown holds a master's degree in educational administration from Cal State Fullerton.

Robert Chang was principal for the past two years at Lassalette K-8 school in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. Prior to that he served for a decade in many positions in the district. Chang earned his master's degree in educational management at the University of La Verne.

Denise Rendon has served 22 years in education, all in Walnut Valley. She has served as a classroom teacher and a learning specialist. Rendon holds a master's degree in education from Cal Poly Pomona.

Alysia Shen brings nine years of experience to her new position. She previously served as assistant principal at Newton Middle School in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. Shen earned a master's degree in educational administration and educational leadership from Cal State Los Angeles.

CONCERT IN THE PARK

The next Puente Hills Concert in the Park features The Answer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday July 24. The free concert takes place at Schabarum Park, 17250 Colima Road, Rowland Heights.

Group founders Van Mosley and Jim Searing have known one another since the sixth grade, when they shared a love of singing and playing guitar. The Answer was founded in 1965 and now also includes Ray Garrobo and Dave Slater. All members are Southern California natives, who perform a wide selection of classic rock.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic dinner. Or purchase food from Marie Callender's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant.

Sponsors for this concert are St. Mark's Lutheran School and Puente Ready Mix.

WALNUT CONCERT IN THE PARK

The next presentation in the City of Walnut Summer 2007 Concert Series is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday July 22 at Creekside Park, 780 Creekside Dr., Walnut.

The performers will be Electric Mayhem, who will play an assortment of classic rock and rhythm and blues. A snack bar will be available from the Walnut Lions Club.

KNABE APPOINTMENTS

Supervisor Don Knabe has recently appointed Julie Moore as the new Planning Deputy for the Fourth District.

Moore is a Hacienda Heights native and graduate of Wilson High School. She has more than 17 years of experience in urban and regional planning with the County of Los Angeles.

Moore received her Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley and her Bachelor's Degree in History from UCLA. She currently resides in Glendale with her family.

Supervisor Knabe has also appointed Field Deputy Dickie Simmons as his representative for unincorporated communities to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. His alternate will be long-time community resident and activist Wil Briesemeister, who has recently served as President of the Foothill Transit Board of Directors.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS

The Rowland Heights Library presents Annie Banannie as its next free children's presentation at 2 p.m. Thursday July 26. She is an amazing "balloon lady," whose charming personality and whimsical balloon creations are intertwined with storytelling, music and comedy.

The Rowland Heights Library is located at 1850 Nogales Street. For information, call (626) 912-5348.

The Walnut Library's free children's program takes place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday July 24, with performers Gigi & Mike, who will lead the children in a sing-along and hootenanny. They are both singers and comedians with backgrounds in education.

The Walnut Library is located at 21155 La Puente Road. For information, call (909) 595-0757.

WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIANS

Congratulations to the 2007 Walnut High School valedictorians: Debbie Chang, Diane Lee, Eric Koo, Courtney Wong, Emmiline Wong, Victoria Zhuang, Rapir Dedhia, Kevin Yen, Yuanting Zha and Simon Zhou.

Send your comments, questions, milestone anniversaries and birthdays, or any suggestions to Rowland/Walnut Review, The Highlander, 1210 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790, or contact Janet by e-mail at fetjetjd@aol.com