Here’re some photos and a few videos for you to enjoy:

Fagin and his Gang performing “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two!”

It’s a Fine Life (Reprisal)

“Reviewing the Situation” with Fagin and Specialty Dancers

“I Shall Scream” with Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney

Oliver was directed by Janet Jackson and choreographed by Jackie Kopcsak. The kids put on an awesome show!

Oliver! was the first musical adaptation of a Charles Dickens’ work to become a hit on stage. Based on “Oliver Twist,” musician Lionel Bart wrote the book, music and lyrics for the original London production. The show launched the careers of
Davy Jones, Phil Collins and Steve Marriott. Oliver! became the first British musical to transfer successfully to Broadway and is still popular today.

Thank you to all the parents and supporters without whom, this show would never take place.

If you live in San Marino or within the boundaries of San Marino Unified School District, you might be getting a phone call asking you to support Measure E. Here are some facts about this measure so that you can make an informed decision when you receive the ballot in the mail.

State budget cuts pose an immediate threat to San Marino’s schools.

Due to a $42 billion deficit, Sacramento has drastically cut school funding. For San Marino schools, this will mean a minimum $5 million budget shortfall. The budget cuts needed to address this shortfall will devastate much of the legacy of excellence our community has built in the local schools over the last 50 years.

One out of every three teachers will be lost.

Without Measure E funds, our schools will be forced to eliminate the jobs of 50 to 60 teachers – 1 out of every 3 teachers in the school district. Without these teachers, class sizes will increase dramatically — by 40% to 50% — doubling the number of students in some classes across all grade levels.

Cuts will impact every classroom and every child.

Without Measure E funds, schools will be forced to reduce the number of core academic classes available to students. Many advanced placement and honors classes will disappear. Foreign language opportunities will vanish. Academic and counseling services to students will be cut in half. Comprehensive K-12 visual and performing arts programs will be greatly reduced or eliminated as will the schools’ physical education and athletic programs.

Measure E is a local solution.

Measure E is a local parcel tax. These funds can only be used to support San Marino schools. It will raise stable, reliable funds for the schools for the next 6 years. It will make the schools less dependent on fluctuating and unpredictable state funding. The state cannot take them away.

This is a Mail Ballot election.

Measure E has been placed on the ballot as a mail ballot election. Every registered voter who lives within the school district, including those in the unincorporated county areas of the district, will receive a ballot beginning in early April. All ballots must be mailed and received at the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder’s office in Norwalk no later than May 5. The postmark on the ballot does not count. You will need to make sure to mail your ballot on or before April 28.

It will cost approximately $2 a day.

Approval of Measure E will create an annual cost of $795 per parcel – about $2.17 per day to preserve and protect the outstanding quality education provided to the children of the school district. This measure lasts for six years and then voters in the San Marino Unified School District can decide if it is still needed. The entire cost is deductible on state and federal taxes.

There is strict accountability.

Strict accountability is mandatory. Measure E requires that the school district be accountable to the voters of the community and that the funds are spent properly. All funds must be placed in a separate account and an annual report must be made public every year.

There is a senior exemption.

Any individual 65 or older who owns and occupies a single family home in the district is eligible for a full exemption from the cost of Measure E.

Measure E benefits everyone.

San Marino’s excellent schools have built, maintained and strengthened our property values. San Marino is the #1 unified school district in California. According to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, the value of homes in the San Marino school district continues to increase at a rate of 7% annually despite the economic downturn and current housing crisis. Home values in nearby communities have declined 30% or more in the last year alone.

Learn more by visiting www.AboutMeasureE.org.

If you live in San Marino, how do you feel about this measure? What kind of questions do you have or would like addressed?

The Hills are Alive!

THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be performed by Huntington Middle School students on February 26, 27, 28 and March 1 in the Kenneth F. White Auditorium.

Directed by Janet Jackson, this production has a cast and crew of over 60 talented HMS students.

This classic tale of Captain Von Traap and his seven children meeting Governess Maria from the Abbey is a heartwarming family and love story. Set in the conflict of Vienna as Hitler’s Nazi’s are taking over Austria, it is a story of choices, passion and country that is universal.

You’ll recognize the Rodgers and Hammerstein songs! Don’t miss seeing your friends perform.

It is a truly great show that is sure to be another sell out – a treat for children and adults alike!

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets are $15 and seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Three evening performances are on Thursday, February 26, Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 at 7 pm. One matinee performance will be at 2 pm on Sunday, March 1.

Students: There’s a $5 Student Ticket Special on Thursday night only (February 26th)!

Huntington Middle School is at 1700 Huntinton Drive in San Marino next to Crowell Public Library.

Don’t miss this performance!

And, for a little fun, take a look at this fun video of a train station in Belgium and the Sound of Music! Enjoy!!!

Last Friday, some of the lucky Huntington Middle School 7th graders had an opportunity to visit Fowler Museum in UCLA as part of their History education.

What made it even more fun is that a San Marino graduate currently attending UCLA and her friend gave a personal tour of UCLA’s highlights.

The kids had an opportunity to learn about the Bruin Bear -a statue of a bear that has to be touched for good luck before the finals. They learned more about the rivalry between UCLA and USC and the history of the inverted fountain built built by a UCLA dropout, but USC graduate rumoured to resemble a toilet when viewed from a certain angle – the ultimate revenge!

The 6th step that has to be skipped over because the ashes of one of the Janns step builders are buried under it. Major bad luck!

The bomb shelter and tunnels underneath UCLA that are strictly forbidden for students to go into.

Let’s not forget the Royce Hall with its imperfections and amazing stature. The kids were totally awed!

And, of course the wonderful food court with all the goodies including Panda Express, Jamba Juice, 31 Flavors and more.

By the time, the kids hit the Fowler Museum, they were full of energy and enthusiasm to learn more. They were not disappointed! San Marino kids were given a special tour of the Intersections Exhibit which explores the roles that art plays in creating meaning and defining purpose for people across the globe. They even had a chance to sketch an artifact during private activity time.

All in all, the San Marino trip to UCLA was a major success!

More photos for your viewing pleasure:

Ms. Thayer did a fantastic job, not only from the creative perspective, but rallying over 70 kids of whom most have not performed.  The parent co-chairs – Pegine Grayson and Jo Beth Cohen had all the tasks planned out to the minute detail.  Congrats!

Please click on the attached link to see some candids and performance photos - http://flickr.com/photos/pasadenaviews/sets/72157604003756117/   Hope to see you at the performances tonight, tomorrow or Saturday at 7 pm or Sunday at 2 pm.

You just have to see it!