Vol. 52, No.34
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
September 03, 2014
Special Section
Local Events
Entertainment
Sports
Summer Travels
Temple City, San Gabriel, & ROSEMEAD PAGE 5
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Remembering Labor Day by Jo Anne Disney National
I hope you all had a safe and restful Labor Day. What do you know about Labor Day? Each year on the first Monday of September we honor those who work by giving them the day off. This holiday is called Labor Day. But there is much more to remember about this holiday than just getting the day off. History tells us that the first Labor Day was observed on September 5, 1882 mainly due to the efforts of Peter J. McGuire, founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
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America, an important labor union. He was also a member of the Knights of labor. Who was Peter J. McGuire? According to John Shepler, McGuire started his work life at the age of 11 to support his mother and 6 sisters while his father fought in the Civil War. During that time he marched in the streets with 100,000 of his fellow workers demanding better working conditions. It seems that “in the 1880’s and 1890’s relations between workers and managers were often bitter.” Why? They were angry because “workers toiled 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week, in dirty, unsafe buildings. Many children had to go to work at the age of 11 or 12.” Labor unions in this country remain very important because, since their inception, they have helped millions of workers gain not only fair wages, but safe and satisfactory working condiLabor Day Parade NYC 1909, Courtesy photo tions. Remember the term “sweat shops?” In addition, McGuire was the main who suggested to the “Central
Labor Union of New York City” that there should be a day honoring America’s workforce. So there was a huge Labor Day Parade and celebration in New York. Records indicate that over 10,000 workers participated. “The General Assembly of the Knights of Labor passed a resolution in 1884 declaring the first Monday Labor Day continued on page 10
Mountain View School District Welcomes Students Back to School by Michele Earle El Monte
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The 2014-15 school year kicked off on August 25th for students in the Mountain View School District as the District’s 12 schools, Magnolia Learning Center and Children’s Center/Head Start Preschool campuses welcomed students for a year of dynamic instruction and engaging learning. “Our entire team is excited about the opportunities the new school year brings for our students,” said Lillian Maldonado French, superintendent. “We have high expectations for our students and know they will achieve great things this year as our dedicated staff and families partner together to create a collaborative school environment focused on student success.” The 2014-15 school year ushers in the new Common Core State Standards
in English language arts and mathematics, and MVSD has spent the past year gearing up for its implementation. “We have been working hard over this last year creating a transition plan for the implementation of the new nationwide assessment program,” said Dr. Margarita Gonzalez-Amador, Director of Learning Support. “Our teachers have participated in professional development focusing on aligning teacher practice with the demands of the new Common Core Content Standards which require a higher order of thinking and project based learning for our students.” Students at Maxson Elementary School were happy to be back in school and reunited with friends. “Summer is fun but I’m glad school is starting,” said
Courtesy photos, Maxson Elementary students show their enthusiasm for the 2014-15 school year.
Kaylee, a 4th grader in Mr. Yamamoto’s class. “I like my new teacher and I’m looking forward to learning new things this year.” The playground, a favorite place for many students, was full of energy at recess as students ran, climbed, slid and played games after a morning of getting acclimat-
ed to their new classrooms. “I love to play outside,” said Allison, a kindergartner in Mrs. Cortes’ class, as she raced to the swing set. “I like school a lot and I love coloring. I hope we get to do lots of coloring in class,” she said. Maxson principal, Dr. Aileen La Corte is looking
Back to School continued on page 4