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PUSD UPDATE

September 18, 2023

PUSD UPDATE September 18, 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,


On Saturday, I walked with hundreds of PUSD students, colleagues, and families to represent our District in Pasadena’s 25th annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival. The parade ended at the Festival, held this year in front of City Hall. Seeing PUSD high and middle school marching bands, elementary school students, and cheerleaders from our LEARNs program walk proudly was truly inspirational.


Latino Heritage month continues through October 15. PUSD schools and classrooms are engaging in lessons and activities that highlight the contributions and impact of Latino/x communities.


Earlier this month, PUSD celebrated nearly 200 11th graders from our high school college and career academies who completed internships this summer. Thanks to 100 business, health, arts, and community partners in the Pasadena area, our students got hands-on experience that builds their skills and knowledge.


Please take a moment to catch up on the latest news from across PUSD. Have a great week!


Sincerely,


Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

LATINO HERITAGE PARADE & FESTIVAL

PUSD represented at Pasadena’s 25th annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival on September 16 at City Hall. Check out some of the highlights!

TIME TO TAKE A TOUR

PUSD elementary, middle and high schools are hosting tours right now. See for yourself how PUSD equips your child to thrive. Sign up to tour today! pusd.us/tours.

ENROLL FOR 2024-2025

Whether you’re looking at preschool, kindergarten, middle or high school for your children next year, it’s time to look at all the choices that PUSD offers. Every child living within PUSD boundaries is assured placement in their neighborhood school Find My School. Through PUSD’s annual Open Enrollment, families can apply for their children to attend one of the district’s signature programs or schools. Some key 2023-2024 Enrollment Calendar Dates:


October 24, 2023 – November 13, 2023 Applications accepted for:

  • Siblings of an enrolled PUSD student who lives at the same address and will attend the same school/program at the same time.

  • Priority – current PUSD students who are advancing to 6th or 9th grades and continuing in the same program at the next school in 2024 (IB, STEM/Arts magnets, dual language, Math Academy).


December 4, 2023 and ongoing Neighborhood school registrations begin for:

  • New to PUSD TK-12 students who prefer their neighborhood school.

  • Current PUSD students who are advancing to 6th or 9th grades and prefer to attend their neighborhood school. PUSD school locator

Preschool programs, including full and half-day, and dual language immersion are offered at select locations: pusd.us/ece.


For more information, visit pusd.us/enroll.


The Pasadena Education Network (PEN) is hosting the popular Choosing an Elementary School program this Tuesday, Sept. 19, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Eliot Arts Magnet library. Registration strongly encouraged.


See the 2024-2025 enrollment dates at Enroll / 2023-24 Enrollment Dates. To get updates and reminders about open enrollment lotteries please sign up for our newsletter.

SUMMER INTERNS

PUSD students from College and Career Academies at Blair, Marshall, Muir, and Pasadena High schools were recognized recently for their outstanding on-the-job achievements at a celebration at Brookside Golf Club. Whether they are getting a behind-the-scenes peek at PUSD’s KLRN studios or working on a future career at Caltech, nearly 200 PUSD juniors gained valuable experience during internships this summer. They completed internships at more than 100 locations including the City of Pasadena Health Department, Huntington Hospital, and A Noise Within Theatre. Students were expected to complete at least 60 hours with their host sites, adding value to their community while building their job readiness skills. Congratulations on your hard work and a job well done! Find out more about our Academies here.
2023 Summer Internship Celebration

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS KICKOFF

Come learn about Community Schools where parents, educators, students and families work together to help students and families thrive. Join us at the family-friendly kickoff event at Madison on Sunday, October 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Madison Elementary, 515 Ashtabula St., Pasadena, CA 91101.

COLLEGE NIGHT 2023

Save the date for PUSD’s annual college fair on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. PUSD will host over 100 colleges and universities at the Pasadena Civic Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, from 4-8 p.m. PUSD College Night 2023 is a free event and all ages are welcome.

WELCOME TO THE PUSD TEAM!

Please help us welcome Jose Cruz to the PUSD team as a new Assistant Director of Maintenance & Operations. Mr. Cruz has over 18 years of experience in this field, most recently as Civil Engineer/Facilities Manager at Edwards Air Force Base. Mr. Cruz was also Interim Director of Maintenance & Operations at Barstow Community College and was a facilities manager or supervisor at several previous locations. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from California State University, Northridge. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Biology from Los Angeles Valley College.

McKINLEY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Last month, we mentioned that Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet Dual-Language STEAM middle school is celebrating “100 years on the Hill” and turning one century old on February 21, 2024. OEB isn’t the only centenarian in the PUSD family! Check out this photo of McKinley School which celebrated its centennial in 2022!

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

  • Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education - Thursday, Sept. 28 at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639
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351 S. Hudson Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91109