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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:

Dr. Elena Rojas (present)

Jaclyn Scott (2015 to 2024) 

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