PASADENA NEWS:
IN MEMORIAM:
Thanksgiving 2015 Holiday Closures
sports:
Family Says Goodbye to Marybell Sneed
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Pasadena Puts End to Historic Sports Drought
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pasadenaindependent.com
Thursday, November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015
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WWII B17 Bomber Pilot Jack McEwan Shares His Story With Arcadia Elementary Students
COMPLIMENTARY COPY Volume 19, No. 46
By terry miller On Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of veterans were honored at ceremonies around the United States. Observances, both large and small, recognized the vital role these men and women play in keeping our nation and world safe. The “Greatest Generation” - those who served during WWII - is at a crossroads in their lives. Many have passed on but some remain strong, even at 95 years old, like a former Arcadia dentist, Dr. Jack McEwan. McEwan is a distinguished B17 bomber pilot who flew scores of missions in the South Pacific during WWII. On Tuesday Jack McEwan visited the children at Baldwin Stocker Elementary School in Arcadia to discuss his illustrious career and service during one of the longest wars in world history. Prior to his brief talk, McEwan was overcome with emotion as students read
Joanna Fuchs’ poem, entitled “They Did Their Share”: “On Veteran’s Day we honor Soldiers who protect our nation. For their service as our warriors, They deserve our admiration. Some of them were drafted; Some were volunteers; For some it was just yesterday; For some it’s been many years; In the jungle or the desert, On land or on the sea, They did whatever was assigned To produce a victory. Some came back; some didn’t. They defended us everywhere. Some saw combat; some rode a desk; All of them did their share. No matter what the duty, For low pay and little glory, These soldiers gave
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Jayden Lau, 4th grade, wrote Jack McEwan a letter stating he would walk to Washington D.C. to meet the WWII veteran.
Acclaimed Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns Is 2016 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal
Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, who has directed and produced some of the most admired documentaries about the history of the United States, was announced today as the 2016 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal. Throughout his almost 40-year career making documentary films, Burns, age 62, has been honored with countless awards, including 14 Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations. Burns will ride in the 127th Rose Parade presented by Honda, themed “Find Your Adventure” on Jan. 1, 2016. Tournament of Roses
President, Mike Matthiessen, made the announcement at a public event at Tournament House in Pasadena, during which the 2016 Grand Marshal was revealed through a celebratory documentary video created by Burns -- http://youtu.be/ eUoebRg5_p8. “Ken Burns is a legendary figure and a great fit for this year’s Rose Parade theme, ‘Find Your Adventure,’” Matthiessen said. “We’re so honored to have someone like Ken, who has devoted his life to telling the story of America, lead SEE PG. 17
Acclaimed filmaker Ken Burns will serve as 2016 Grand Marshal. - Courtesy Photo
– Photo by Terry Miller
Nine Madison Elementary School Teachers Request Transfer By terry miller Nearly half of PUSD Madison Elementary School’s 20 teachers have left the school since the appointment of a new principal this summer, according to the Pasadena Unified School District. The mass departure follows Superintendent Brian McDonald’s contentious judgment to move Principal Juan Ruelas from Roosevelt Elementary School to Madison. His placement sparked protests and criticism from some teachers and parents who said Ruelas is excessively strict and rude. Teachers have com-
plained that he reduced their access to classrooms, hired aides to report on them, and instituted rules that hurt children. The complaints have filled the public comment at school board meetings for months yet Superintendent McDonald is holding tight his decision. Hilda Ramirez Horvath, from PUSD sent us the following email in a request for comment: “Families come to Pasadena and to Madison Elementary School seeking opportunities for their children. That’s why PUSD has made a significant investment in Madison Elemen-
tary School in the last three months in order to ignite the academic achievement of its students, build the capacity of its staff and families to partner for student success, and move the school toward fulfilling its potential. “Although nine teachers have requested voluntary transfers from Madison School during this time, PUSD is now finalizing replacements for the vacancies. Principal Ruelas has engaged the school community, including students and parents, to participate in the interviews. Almost
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