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PUSD UPDATE

September 11, 2023

PUSD UPDATE September 11, 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,


Today, on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, we commemorate the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001 and honor the courage of first responders and others who rushed in to help. Our schools and classrooms held activities and classroom lessons - at one middle school, students checked out all the books on 9/11 after learning about it in their advisory period.

I have been visiting schools to talk with faculty and staff to continue creating a culture of “with” as we move through the school year. As a longtime classroom teacher, I know that teaching is joyful and challenging. At McKinley School last week, the Superintendent’s Leadership Team saw first-hand the great work of teachers both in and out of the classroom, and the care and deliberation with which the faculty and staff approach each child’s learning.

PUSD’s first-ever Arts Conservatory has opened at Eliot Arts Magnet middle school! With a choice of more than 20 courses in visual art, dance, theater, and music, students can take an Artist's Seminar during 7th period and then move into the after-school hours until 6:00 p.m.

Whether you’re new to PUSD or just want to see our amazing programs in action, I invite you to take a school tour and see how we’re preparing students to be ready for the world.


Have a great week!


Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

Mariachi Band, Costume Design, Ceramics Studio, Stop Motion Animation and Hollywood Makeup Design are just a few of the course offerings at PUSD’s first-ever Arts Conservatory at Eliot Arts Magnet middle school. Eliot’s conservatory program currently affords all students in grades 6-8 the opportunity to select from over 20 courses in the four major arts categories: Visual Art, Dance, Theatre and Music. Conservatory classes begin in 7th period with an Artist's Seminar and then move into the after-school hours until 6:00 p.m. daily. Two-thirds of the entire Eliot student body is already participating in classes which are taught by professional teaching artists and certificated arts staff. The Conservatory is funded by the Magnet Schools of America federal arts magnet grant and the LEARNs Expanded Learning Opportunities grant. For more information, visit www.pusd.us/eliot

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. 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.

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15 and PUSD is recognizing and celebrating the contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latinx community. Join PUSD schools and bands at Pasadena’s Latino Heritage Parade & Festival on Saturday, September 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ¡Nos vemos allí!

https://www.pasadenalatinoheritageparade.org/

ATTENDANCE AWARDS

Congratulations to several Rose City High School students who received restaurant gift certificates for having 100% attendance thus far. During National Attendance Awareness Month, PUSD would like to remind students that attending school every day improves their chances of graduation, completing college, and succeeding in life. “Showing Up Matters for R.E.A.L.” because it helps to build Relationships, increase Engagement and Access to resources, and it helps support Learning. Missing 10 percent (just two days each month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success. For more resources, please visit pusd.us/attendance.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME SURVEY

Please take a moment to complete this household income survey to ensure that your child’s school receives appropriate state and federal funding. All students in Pasadena Unified receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Data from this survey may help students and schools qualify for additional state and federal funding to offer services such as free wireless hotspots, after-school programs, and SAT/ACT fee waivers. Please complete the survey at https://www.pusd.us/incomeform by October 31, 2023. If you need help, please contact your school’s Community Assistant.

STUDENTS BUILDING CHARACTER

Congratulations to the many Madison Elementary students who have modeled being SAFE, RESPECTFUL, and RESPONSIBLE! When students demonstrate these characteristics, they are given a blue or green ticket and an opportunity to receive a prize from the treasure box. Nicely done, Madison students!

MEANINGFUL MUSIC INSTRUCTION

A new music program recently put in place in all 38 PUSD Prek and TK classrooms is something to sing about. PUSD is working with the non-profit Bloom Arts Foundation to bring early childhood arts education to all PreK and TK students. The program helps children learn to hold a steady beat, sing on pitch, articulate words while singing and identify different tempos. Early music instruction is instrumental to build skills such as listening comprehension, patience, cooperation, and sharing. Program coordinators say Bloom also holds the key to lifelong benefits such as academic achievement, social emotional growth, and college/career readiness.
PUSD-Bloom Arts Partnership: Providing Early Childhood Arts Education for ALL PUSD PreK and TK Students!

WELCOME TO THE PUSD TEAM!

Please help us welcome David Marquez to the PUSD team as a new Assistant Director of Maintenance, Operations, Transportation and Facilities. Mr. Marquez has over 20 years of experience in operations and management, most recently serving as Assistant Director of the Contracted School Solutions Division at Caring 4 America, LLC. Mr. Marquez earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in social work from Cal State University of Los Angeles. He also has two Associate’s degrees in liberal arts from Glendale Community College.

2024 PUSD SCIENCE FEST

Planning for the 2024 PUSD Science Fest is underway and we need your help! If you'd like to volunteer and help plan for this incredible event, please fill out the Science Fest Committee Interest Form.

The 2024 PUSD Science Fest is expected to return to John Muir High School in Spring 2024. A kickoff planning meeting will be held this month. Send any questions to Warren Skidmore, Parent Lead of the Science Fest Organizing Committee at spo-wskidmore@pusd.us.

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS

  • A special meeting of the PUSD Board of Education is Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639

  • A regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education is 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
Pasadena Unified School District
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351 S. Hudson Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91109