AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
It seems like every day I open my email to another piece of good news for our district!
I’d like to share just a few of the wonderful notices I have recently received:
All three of our high schools were ranked among the best public high schools by U.S. News & World Report.
Board member Ken Tang was featured in New York Times best-selling author Bruce Feiler’s latest book, The Search.
The College Board has recognized four AUSD seniors as National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists, and 11 seniors have received National Hispanic Recognition Awards.
We honored our first two Game Changers of the year: Nathan Sapalicio from Baldwin/Ramona Schools and Sergio Escobedo from Marguerita School.
Three of our elementary schools were honored by the California PBIS Recognition system for outstanding implementation of PBIS – two gold awards and one silver award.
MKHS teacher Kendra Bradford was honored by the Alhambra Educational Foundation and celebrated at their recent Service to Education gala.
Ynez teacher Tammy Scorcia was recognized as an “Extra Yard” teacher and was awarded $3,500 to use to support her school.
Park School PTA received the Legacy Award from the California State PTA for supporting the students of Park School for 100 years!
AHS senior Nicolas Quach was the featured student speaker at the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year luncheon today.
And finally, we received some truly remarkable news on Wednesday…Baldwin School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School – one of only 33 schools in all of California. This is one of the highest honors a school can receive!
(You can read more about many of these recognitions below in the Spotlights section below and on our social media platforms.)
I’m sure there will many, many more accolades to come this year. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of these schools and individuals. These honors and recognitions serve as a reminder that together, we can achieve greatness. They reaffirm our commitment to providing the best possible education for every child, in every school, in our district. As we celebrate each accomplishment, let us focus on the next milestones in our ongoing journey of learning and growth.
Warmest regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Alternative Income Form
Now Available: Lightspeed Parent Portal
The Lightspeed Parent Portal is now available for guardians. This new tool will allow guardians to monitor their child's most recent web browsing activities. Guardians will be able to opt into receiving weekly reports of their student’s internet usage and analytics. They will also have the ability to create a Lightspeed Parent Portal account, which will allow them to view their child’s browsing history for the last 7 days.
Step 1: Opt in to receive the usage reports (Click here for Instructions - English/Spanish/Chinese)
Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide (Click here for the guide - English/Spanish/Chinese)
Parent Portal Update: Student Device Asset Information Screen
We're excited to introduce the AUSD Device Asset information screen in the Powerschool Parent Portal. This new feature provides detailed information about the devices assigned to students. To access this information, simply log in to the parent portal and click on the 'assets' link in the left panel. You'll find a list of devices issued to your student, displaying relevant device details. If you have any questions about the device(s) listed, please contact your child's school site.
District technology devices are assigned to each student within Powerschool. All lost or damaged devices are the student's responsibility and are to be paid for at the time of loss or damage. Payments are made in the school office. Failure to pay for lost or damaged devices may result in withholding school privileges and report cards. (BP 3515.4, BP 5131.5, EC 48904).
Chromebook Replacement Cost: $350.00
PC Laptop Replacement Cost: $1,000.00
Update: Chromebooks for TK Students
Beginning this school year, we will no longer be assigning Chromebook to TK students. Each TK class will receive a set of 5 Chromebooks to utilize throughout the year. Click here to access the updated 1:1 Device Plan
Student Internet Safety
Affordable Connectivity Program
Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) is working collaboratively with the County of Los Angeles encouraging families that are eligible sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP helps ensure that income-eligible households can afford home internet services that are essential for school, work, healthcare services, and more by providing a discount of up to $30 a month. Click HERE to apply online or print out a mail-in application.
SSS Community Conversations at Marguerita School
The Community Empowerment Team from AUSD’s Student Support Services Division would like to invite you to a 2023-24 SSS Community Conversations Event. Join us for an hour of powerful conversation surrounding student health and wellness and the impact they have on your child’s achievement. This event will take place at Marguerita School on Friday, September 29th from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. Click Here to register. We hope to see you there.
Hazel Health Telehealth Mental Health Services
Medi-Cal Redetermination
At the September 15th Varsity football game, Mark Keppel High School held Educators Appreciation Night. The football players invited their favorite current or former teachers/staff members to come to the game, wear their jerseys, and be recognized before and during the game. What a beautiful tribute from the players to the educators who have positively impacted their lives!
Monterey Highlands and Brightwood Schools had a friendly competition to see who could get a higher percentage of PTA memberships. The "losing" principal had to wear the spirit shirt of the other school and pose for photos with the "rival" mascot. After several weeks, Monterey Highlands came out the winner. But both schools deserve congratulations because they BOTH increased their PTA membership percentage!
Congratulations to Ynez School's Tammy Scorcia who was recognized by UCLA, the Pac-12 Conference, and the College Football Playoff Foundation for going the Extra Yard for her students and community. The "Extra Yard for Teachers" program recognizes extraordinary teachers who go the extra yard to create a better experience for their schools and community. Mrs. Scorcia attended UCLA's game at the Rose Bowl last weekend, where she was invited onto the field at half-time to be honored and presented with a check for $3,500.
Friday, October 13 -- AHS Theater Boosters & Thespians are reviving their haunted house after four years. The are presenting Haunted House - Circus of Nightmares which will feature nine terrifying rooms. The haunted house is open to the public, but might not be appropriate for small children. Tickets will be available at the door or click HERE.
Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) play a vital role in fostering a caring and successful school environment. We encourage all staff members, parents/guardians, and other family members to get involved in your site PTA. AUSD currently has 14 schools with active PTAs. To join one, please visit: https://jointotem.com and select the school you would like to support.
The National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections Art Program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. This years theme is "I am Hopeful Because...". Student entries are due in early October. The schools that are participating this year are: Baldwin, Brightwood, Emery Park, Garfield, Marguerita, Monterey Highlands, Northrup, Ynez, AHS, MKHS & SGHS.
Alhambra Educational Foundation
Alhambra Latino Association
Asian American Association
Join AEF on Sunday, October 29th for the 10th Annual Alhambra Pumpkin Run and Halloween Fest in Downtown Alhambra! Proceeds will benefit the Alhambra Educational Foundation! The Pumpkin Run's mission is to provide a fun, family environment to promote physical fitness, health, and fun through a community-based event with costumes, music, and entertainment! For more information visit the AEF website: www.aef4kids.com.
Nominations for the next AUSD Game Changers are open. Want to reward an extra-special AUSD employee?
Nominate a deserving certificated or classified to be a Game Changer HERE.
CONTACT US:
Website: www.ausd.us
Address: 1515 West Mission Road, Alhambra, CA, USA
Email: AlhambraUSD@ausd.us
Phone: (626) 943-3000
Facebook: @AlhambraUSD
Instagram: @AlhambraUSD
Twitter/X: @AlhambraUSD
YouTube: @AlhambraUSD
