History and Traditions


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    In the early 1960’s, there was a 12 acre estate on Mountain Ave. in La Crescenta, which had stood for nearly 50 years. The owners of the estate, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, lived there without any children, but freely allowed neighborhood children to use their swimming pool which was a luxury then. During that time period, there was tremendous growth in La Crescenta and a need for a new school arose. A school bond was proposed to build new schools in GUSD and passed in 1964. The centrally located Bishop Estate appeared to be the best suited site for the construction of the school, and through the process of eminent domain and a settlement, the site was purchased for $187,429.60. Construction began in 1966 with completion of the project in August 1967. Construction costs for the school were $822,013.00.


    On September 11, 1967, the school opened with an enrollment of 606 students. Sidewalks were not yet completed on that first day of school. Today, our school serves 550 students.

     
    History has proved that no matter what path a child takes after leaving this school, when they look back they see a school made up of caring teachers, staff, and parents who have come together to instill in them the love of learning, respect, confidence and fun. All who have gone through these doors have been fortunate to be a part of something special for more than fifty-five years.
     
    Traditions

    PTA Howdy Coffee
    Friday Flag Ceremonies
    Halloween / Fall-o-ween Carnival
    Chorus Performances
    Instrumental Music Performances
    PTA Founders Day Program
    Beautification Days
    M.A.C.K. Night Out
    MACK Move-a-thon 
    Volunteer Recognition Day
    PTA Field Day
    PTA Culture Night
    6th Grade Culminating Overnight Fieldtrip 
    Sixth Grade Wax Museum
    Kindergarten & 5th Grade Buddies
    Book Fair
    Spirit Days
    Korean Parent Group Annual Luncheon
    Family Back to School Picnic
    3rd Grade International Lunches
    Art Lessons for all Students
    Music Enrichment
    Science Club
    Math Club
    Lego Robotics Team and Club
     
    Mountain Avenue Principals
    Jaclyn Scott (2015 to present) 
    Dr. Rebeca Andrade (2007 to 2015)
    Dr. Gracella Gibbs (2000 to 2007)
    Joel Shapiro (1997 to 2000)
    Kathleen McClure (1994 to 1997)
    Mabel Morse (1975 to 1994)
    Gordon Morse (1972 to 1975)
    Don Fiske (1967 to 1972)






     
     
     
     
    Historic Moments

    1967—The first Mountain Avenue PTA was formed
    1970—The Ecology Program began (Paper Drive!)
    1971—Mountain Avenue gets a library
    1978—Grass on the upper field
    1983—The first computers were purchased by
         Mountain Ave. Computers for Kids.
    1985—The computer lab opened
    1985—Parents raise money for new
         playground equipment on all fields
    1987—Mountain Avenue is recognized as a
         California Distinguished School
    1987—The school mascot “Bears” and the colors of
         blue and gold are adopted
    1989—The first 6th-grade class went to Washington
         D.C.
    1989—The courtyard USA map was painted
    1992—MACK was established by a
         parent group to assist in fundraising
    1992—Mountain Avenue’s first Field Day
    1994—First 4th grade class goes to science camp
    1995—Campus Beautification begins
    1995—The First Family Picnic
    1995—Kids CAN Recycle Program
    2000—MACK donates primary field
         play structure
    2002—MACK donates upper field shade structure &
         equipment
    2003—Mountain Avenue is again recognized as a
         CA Distinguished School
    2004—Mountantain Avenue modernization begins
    2005—Mountain Avenue is recognized as a
         National Blue Ribbon School
    2007-Tile mural installed in lunch shelter
    2007-PTA & MACK donate LCD players to classrooms
    2008-MACK installs synthetic grass on the kinder
         yard
    2009-MACK donates IMAC’s & audio visual
         equipment to the computer lab
    2009 MACK donates ELMO’s to the sixth, first and
         second grade classrooms
    2010-MACK donates ELMO's to the second through
         fourth grades
    2011-MACK donates ELMO's to fifth grade
    2011-MACK donates Mobies to fourth through sixth
         grade
    2012-MACK donates a microscope, computer, and
         other equipment for the new Science Lab
    2012-Mountain Avenue is recognized as a
         CA Distinguished School
    2012-Mountain Avenue turns 45 years old
    2013-MACK celebrates its 20th Anniversary
    2013-MACK funds STEAM Programs
    2014-GUSD Installed a new play structure on the
         primary field
    2015-MACK updates the Computer Lab with 40 new
         computers
    2015-Measure S funds the new security system
    2016-California Gold Ribbon Award 
    2018-Campaign for Businesses and Educational Excellence Scholar School
    2019-MACK begins 1:1 Chromebook to Student Initiative 
    2019-MACK funds Music Enrichment for Tk - 6 grade students
    2020-National Blue Ribbon School 
    2021-School achieves 1:1 Chromebook to Student 
    2021-Mountain Receives ELO Grant
             Funds Coding, Art, Elementary PE, and Counselors
    2021-Garden Club Revived by staff and funded by PTA and MACK 
    2022-California Pivotal Practice Award 
    2022-MACK Funds Art Teacher 
    2022-Anonymous Donor provides funds for the Gardens 
    2023-California Distinguished School Award
    2023 -Anonymous Donor provides additional funds for the Gardens