The 45th Reunion

12 July 2008 7:00pm

Dinner & dancing at the home of
John & Linda McGrain
(address and map will be in the mailed invitation)
Those who have rsvp'd

RSVPs are important because of security. If you are not on the list, you won't get in.
John & Linda want to be considerate towards their neighbors and this is the only way to enforce security. The music will stop at midnight for the same reason.
But their home will be open later so everyone can enjoy their friends.

There is no charge for this event
Complimentary valet parking

The Reunion committee has proposed a fundraiser to purchase a new sound system for the Muir auditorium. Bring or mail your donation so we can meet our minimum goal of $20,000. Please read the letter below for exciting changes on campus.

See mailed invitation for address to mail your tax deductible donation, making your check to John Muir Alumni Association, 501c3.

____________________Please respond by June 20_________________________

RENEWING HOPE AT MUIR

Considering how many times the Pasadena Unified School District, its own administration, some teachers, and certainly some parents and students have given up on John Muir High School, it is amazing to find that time and again the world just won’t give up on Muir. People of goodwill not only won’t give up- they are determined to help John Muir return to its glory days.

Recently, new Pasadena Unified Superintendent Edwin Diaz announced plans for revitalizing the school. He has proposed an entirely new, academy-based curriculum for Muir. These academies will be called Arts, Media and Entertainment, Business and Entrepreneurship, Engineer and Environmental Science, and Law and Public Service.

The fact is that Muir has barely avoided being shut down by the state. Low standardized test scores, declining enrollment, and plunging graduation rates attracted the attention of the state department of education, which then threatened to take over the school unless things changed for the better within two years.

Spurred by the possibility of a state take over, the Pasadena education community is working to restore John Muir to its past level of prominence. Recognizing that the school needed additional resources to carry out a transformation, the Pasadena Education Foundation granted Muir $450,000 for teacher training. Teachers will participate in three weeks of staff development on effective instructional practices prior to the opening of the fall 2008 semester. The grant represents a new era of collaboration between the school and community.

Many years of neglect have left Muir students and faculty skeptical of promised improvements. Slowly, a feeling of hope seems to be growing on campus. There are strong indications in recent weeks that not only the district, but the entire community is on board for the last ditch effort to restore the school to greatness.

The Class of 1963 is in a unique position to offer encouragement and support to the school. We know of the glory days of Muir. We were fortunate to have attended the school during a period of academic, athletic, and social excellence. We desire the same conditions for future classes of students at John Muir High School.

Please keep all of the above in mind when you plan your donation for our class gift. We can help Muir when they need it most.

Reunion committee
Will Abram
David & Kathryn Bassett
Richard Castellano
Gale Barsamian Caswell
Wendy Tyler Cobleigh
Maureen Pearl Eastvedt
Darlene Bilotti Garofalo
Mike Gibson
Camille Gordon Hayes
Sallie Higginbotham
Jack Hopper
Cal Levredge
Gwen Jackson Lisboa
Joe Love
Ron Marconi
Hurlan Langford Mounday
John McGrain
Joellyn Capp Murphy
Susan Alexander Peralta
Lewis Peters
Eddie Prudhomme
Charlene Hudkins Baldwin
Betty Turner