Altadena: Our Public Schools

The Altadena Eliot Arts drama department is working on their new musical production, Hairspray! It will be performed in the Eliot auditorium in May! If you loved Alice in Wonderland in 2018, you'll love Hairspray! Eliot has its own costume shop and the costumes are handmade or up cycled. These students are learning the art of costuming. They need our support and they have a handy  gofundme  campaign. Let's click and give!   https://www.gofundme.com/eliotartsdrama Eliot students designing Hairspray costumes As Eliot parent Isabelle Skidmore just mentioned in her facebook post, "Last year we wowed audiences with dazzling costumes in the style of Chagall and the bauhaus. This year our show will be influenced by 1960s Sister Mary Corita Kent, Rosalyn Drexler and Idelle Weber." Go Eliot Arts!   #Eliot4Hairspray Ms. Courtney instructing students on design and sewing. She's also our PTSA President.  Alice costume 2018 Alice...

Life reveals contrasts and if you're lucky enough to see them you can tell an important story. Last night I attended a wonderful event at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy. It was a gallery exhibit of the Alice in Wonderland costumes. The principal and the teachers were there with PUSD administrators and school board members. It was happy, joyful and teeming with good will. I discussed the school, the community, and the purpose of public school with many people. It was democracy in action. The students were proud of their work and I was happy to be an Eliot parent. After the event I got in my car and and checked my email. A post had gone up on a local neighborhood forum and it was filled with negativity (and untruths) about PUSD in general. The overall student body was mentioned in a negative light. I responded immediately and spoke of the event I had just attended. The sentiments expressed in the post are indicative of opinions that were rooted in our community a long time ag...