PUSD UPDATE

Dear PUSD Community,

This month, we are celebrating significant historic events as well as our own achievements in math, science, and sports throughout PUSD. The Blair boys basketball team reached new heights this season. Our students’ artistic achievements will be on full display with the annual No Boundaries exhibit, a highly-anticipated event for the entire community.

Please take a moment to catch up on what we’ve accomplished, what we’re working on right now, and what’s coming up in this week’s Update.

Sincerely,

Brian McDonald, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Our students’ unlimited creativity will be on display at No Boundaries 18, the district-wide art show opens Friday, March 10. PUSD’s annual exhibit of student art kicks off with a grand opening reception on ArtNight Pasadena, March 10, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Paseo Colorado in historic downtown Pasadena. The event showcases hundreds of works by students from all district schools and is free to the public. The exhibit continues through March 19. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday: 3-6 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 1-4 p.m. For more information, go to www.pusd.us/arts

The second lottery of Open Enrollment starts today! If you missed the first lottery in January, you can apply from March 6 - March 10, 2023. It’s open for:

• New and continuing TK-12 students residing in PUSD who missed the first lottery and would like to apply for schools other than the student’s neighborhood school or for a dual language immersion program.

• Second lottery participants not offered their first choice may remain on wait lists for any higher preference schools until one week before school begins.

Apply online: pusd.schoolmint.com and get more information at www.pusd.us/enroll

Please note: Lottery applications are required for all dual language programs. Families who live outside of PUSD may request an interdistrict permit starting March 27, 2023.

Congratulations to a PUSD teacher who is being recognized for using tiny bugs to help his students in a big way. Ravi Dev Anandhan (Mr. Dev) of Sierra Madre Middle School is the first PUSD teacher to receive the Public Health Teacher of the Year Award 2022 from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District. Mr. Dev’s award stems from helping children study specimens found in their own backyards to learn about mosquito-borne diseases. The program also introduces students to potential career paths and allows them to use the same equipment and observational techniques as professional ecologists. Mr. Dev has been teaching for 21 years at PUSD and we are incredibly proud of his exceptional work.

Congratulations to the Blair High boys basketball team for a great season! The team won the CIF-Southern Section Division 5A championship and made it to the second round of the State regional playoffs. “While it didn't end the way we hoped what our players did was historic. For the rest of their lives, they get to call themselves champions!!!!” The team brought home the Vikings’ first Division Championship title.

March is Women’s History Month and classes throughout PUSD will include lessons recognizing their vast contributions in America and across the globe. Women of every race, class, sexual orientation, religion, and ethnic background have fought for equal rights under the law, including the right to vote, the right to comparable education, access to competitive athletics, and much more. PUSD students will also compete in essay and art contests at the Sixth Annual Women’s History Celebration from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at Marshall Fundamental. See flyer for more details.

You’re invited to celebrate science fiction at the Octavia E. Butler Science Fiction Festival on March 23, 2023 from 3-5:30 p.m. Winners of the essay and art contests will be announced. The annual event will also feature scientists and creators from many local organizations, sci-fi demos, book giveaways, and more. The community can register to attend at this link: gopusd.com/oebfest23

Math Field Day always equals fun, so Mathletes, please remember these numbers: 03-25-2023. The annual district-wide event will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at McKinley School!

From cooking to coding, summer fun is a click away at PUSD. The 2023 Summer Learning Opportunities Catalog is out now and lists more than 15 programs for students of all ages. Some programs do not require residence in the district or attendance at a PUSD school. Space is limited, so apply now at www.pusd.us/summer.

The next regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education will take place on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. in the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639