Good morning, Monrovians,

Mrs. Tyrell (1st) welcomed me to my new school and was my first friend. Mr. Matheson (6th) always had candy in a drawer and I can still recite some of his jokes. Mr. Mecham (5th) would play his banjo every day after recess to get us focus on learning again. Mr. Rock (11th) sat solemnly with me on September 11, 2001. Teachers are among the most important adults in the lives of our youth and we cannot thank them enough. As we begin back-to-school season in Monrovia, I hope we all remember the lessons and moments we gained from our favorite teachers!

The 2026-27 school year begins Wednesday, August 12, so teachers, professional staff, administrators, janitors and volunteers across the Monrovia Unified School District have been getting classrooms ready, refreshing lesson plans, and preparing to welcome students back for another year. A new school year brings new opportunities for our students, not just to learn and grow academically, but also as members of our community. Schools provide students a place to build friendships, discover new interests, and learn who they are and what they want to be. We are so thankful for all those who show up, every day, for our students. Monrovia is fortunate to have educators who care so deeply about the students they serve!

This past year, that dedication was recognized at the highest levels. Dr. Heather Povinelli of Bradoaks Elementary was named MUSD and Los Angeles County's 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. She also went on to be named California's 2026 Teacher of the Year. Alana Elliott, a Monrovia High School graduate and counselor at Monroe Elementary, earned national recognition through the RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) Award, which is considered the gold standard in school counseling program implementation, for her school counseling program. There are countless others who received recognition, awards and praise for their contributions to their professions and to our kids. I can't wait to see what they accomplish this upcoming year.

I wish everyone an exciting and successful start to the school year!

Sincerely,
Dylan 

Email: dfeik@monroviaca.gov

Highlights in this Update

• Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park Wrap Up This Weekend
• Get Your Whole Family Prepared with LISTOS! | ¡Prepare a toda su familia con LISTOS!
• Annual Veterans Forum | Saturday, August 22
• Countertop Compost Bins Available
• MDBAA's Jazz and R&B Festival | Saturday, August 15
• Home Energy Review - Appointments Available
• Take Action Against Mosquitoes
• American Red Cross Calls for Blood Donors
• Pet Food Drive at Sierra Subaru of Monrovia
• Work Around Town
• Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park Wrap Up This Weekend

Monrovia's summer outdoor series closes out this weekend with one more movie night and one more concert under the stars! Bring a blanket or chairs, pack some snacks and enjoy a final evening of free, family-friendly entertainment.

Movies in the Park

Friday, Aug. 8, at dusk, Recreation Park, 620 S. Shamrock Ave. This week's film is "Wicked: For Good."

Concerts in the Park

Sunday, Aug. 9, at Library Park, featuring Bumptown.

Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Monrovia Community Center at (626) 256-8246.

Get Your Whole Family Prepared with LISTOS! | ¡Prepare a toda su familia con LISTOS!

Monrovia Fire & Rescue is offering free emergency preparedness training for families this month. The LISTOS program features two four-hour sessions in English and Spanish, covering hazard identification, evacuation planning, utility interruptions, fire extinguisher use, disaster kit preparation, first aid, home organization, and emotional support. This is an all-ages class with both classroom instruction and hands on practice. Sign up your family for this fun and informative class today!

Dates for both languages are Saturday, 8/22 and 8/29.

Times are English, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Spanish, 1 to 5 p.m.

To register please visit our Eventbrite pages: English | Spanish

El Departamento de Bomberos y Rescate de Monrovia (Monrovia Fire & Rescue) está ofreciendo capacitación gratuita en preparación para emergencias para familias este mes. El programa LISTOS consta de dos sesiones de cuatro horas en inglés y español, que incluyen identificación de peligros, planificación de evacuación, manejo de interrupciones de servicios públicos, uso de extintores de incendios, elaboración de kits de emergencia, primeros auxilios, organización del hogar y apoyo emocional. Es una clase apta para todas las edades que combina instrucción y práctica. Inscriba a su familia en esta clase divertida e informativa.

Las fechas para ambos idiomas son los sábados 22 y 29 de agosto.

Horarios: Inglés, de 8:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. / Español, de 1:00 p.m. a 5:00 p.m.

Para inscribirse, visite nuestras páginas de Eventbrite: Ingles | Español

Annual Veterans Forum | Saturday, August 22

Congressman Gil Cisneros and Congresswoman Judy Chu are hosting their Annual Veterans Forum on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Covina American Legion Post 790, 330 N. Azusa Ave., West Covina.

The event is a resource fair for veterans of the 31st and 28th Congressional Districts, with representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, California Department of Motor Vehicles and other regional agencies and nonprofits on hand to help with benefits, services and resources.

Countertop Compost Bins Available

We are happy to announce that thanks to funding through the CalRecycle SB1383 Grant, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) procured these composting bins for distribution to San Gabriel Valley residents. The City of Monrovia has received a limited number to distribute to its residents. They are perfect for collecting food scraps in your kitchen, making it easy to transfer that waste into your organic (green) cart for curbside pickup or turning them into nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

To request a compost bin or any of our other Environmental Resource please visit the City website and complete the form.

MDBAA's Jazz and R&B Festival

If your perfect Saturday includes live jazz, smooth R&B, great food, and even better company, this is where you need to be! The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association is excited to present the 2026 Jazz and R&B Festival, at Station Square Park, (1629 S. Myrtle Ave.), on Saturday, August 15, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a 21‑and‑over event.

Home Energy Review - Appointments Available

Trying to stay cool during this summer heat without significantly increasing your utility bills? The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' (SGVCOG) Efficient San Gabriel Valley (eSGV) program can help!

The eSGV program offers free home energy evaluations to help residents identify ways to save both energy and money. The appointments include a 30 to 45 minute discussion with SGVCOG staff, who use a "whole house approach" to identify improvements and determine eligibility for potential rebates. The information is then used to create a free, personalized report.

Book online now for free in-person or online evaluations.

Take Action Against Mosquitoes

Every year, the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health confirms numerous West Nile virus cases, including deaths. This month, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed its first detection of West Nile Virus in the city of Monrovia this year.

Free your home and repel mosquitoes by doing the following:

Tip 'n Toss, Show them who's boss! - Mosquitoes can turn from egg to adult in about a week. So eliminate stagnant water weekly in and around the home, and keep your pool clean and maintained!

Repel, Don't Swell - Apply repellent to exposed skin to stop mosquito bites. Use Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, which is EPA-registered and CDC-recommended. Other effective repellents are Picaridin, DEET, and IR3535.

Learn more from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

American Red Cross Calls for Blood Donors

The American Red Cross is calling on the community to help address a nationwide blood shortage after supplies dropped by nearly 25% over the past month. Eligible donors can support this urgent need by scheduling an appointment to donate, hosting a blood drive, or spreading the word to help replenish hospital shelves.

Pet Food Drive at Sierra Subaru of Monrovia

Sierra Subaru of Monrovia, in partnership with Starts With One Today, is helping provide comfort, care, and hope to the animals of Skid Row and they need your help! Make a difference by donating wet pet food, harnesses, or leashes at the Sales and Service Desk. This is an ongoing pet food drive, and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Work Around Town

The City of Monrovia's Projects and Traffic Updates Page provides timely updates on City construction projects, local traffic impacts, and utilities maintenance and emergency repairs. Visit the page today: City of Monrovia Project and Traffic Updates.

Job Opportunities with the City of Monrovia

 The City of Monrovia offers interested individuals a chance to keep themselves notified on our job openings through the job interest card. This card will help interested individuals receive notifications about positions that open within the City without having to log on to view our employment opportunities page continuously.

The City of Monrovia is now recruiting for the following positions: 

• Police Cadet (Part-Time) 
• Police Officer (Recruit/Entry-level)
• Police Officer (Lateral)

Neighborhood Watch Report

This report lists the total number of calls for service received over the last seven-day period.

Key Dates, Programs & Virtual Events

• View the Monrovia Today | Summer Edition
• Simply Divine Academy 6th Annual Back to School Drive | August 8 & August 15
• Make an Appointment for Passport Services at Monrovia Community Center 
• Monrovia Street Fair & Market | Fridays | 5 p.m.
• E-Waste Drop Off at Monrovia Public Works Yard | Mon - Thu | 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Subscribe to e-Notifications for Meeting Agendas
• Request a Bulky Item Pick-Up
• Traffic Safety Request Application
• Report an Issue for Public Works
• Shop the City of Monrovia Official Store