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PUSD UPDATE

July 31, 2023

PUSD UPDATE July 31, 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Portrait of Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco, Interim Superintendent
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Dear PUSD Community,


The new school year begins in two weeks and we’re excited to welcome students and colleagues back to school.


I feel privileged to assume the role of Interim Superintendent and I am deeply moved by the remarkable students, dedicated employees, supportive families/caregivers, esteemed board members, and the entire community of Pasadena Unified School District who have embraced me in this new capacity. In this new role, I am filled with a sense of purpose and commitment to ensuring the best possible education and opportunities for our students.

This summer, I have visited programs in our schools, walked with students and District leaders in a 4th of July Parade, attended professional development sessions with teachers and administrators, and have been part of the central offices where hardworking employees are getting campuses, services, and programs ready for the start of the new school year.


With every visit, I have felt the energy and excitement of students expanding their learning this summer and the enthusiasm and deep commitment with which employees are preparing classrooms, cafeterias, and curricula for the arrival of students on the first day of school.

My 100-Day Entry Plan will serve as the foundation for the first days of my tenure as Interim Superintendent. Organizational success will be measured as we actualize the promises made to our students, staff, and community. A progress report will be shared at the conclusion of the 100 days with the Board of Education, PUSD leaders, staff, and education partners. Read the 100-Day Plan at www.pusd.us/superintendent


Please enjoy this week’s PUSD Update. We are featuring students who have had a global impact this summer at athletic competitions and musical performances around the world.


Sincerely,


Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco

Interim Superintendent

BACK TO SCHOOL 2023-2024

The first day of school for PUSD students is Monday, August 14, 2023. Our schools are getting ready to welcome students and employees back for the start of the new school year. We can’t wait to see you!

METRO TAP CARDS

All TK-12 students in the district are now eligible to ride the Metro for free, thanks to a new program called the LA Metro Fareless System Initiative. The pilot program is geared towards helping students ride transit without the worry of paying fare. Students will have access to unlimited rides until June 30, 2024 on buses and trains run by LA Metro and other participating transit systems, at no cost to families. In order to start riding for free, families will have to pick up a special GoPass TAP card and new eligibility code from your school and then, register it online or via phone to activate.
taptogo.net/gopass QR Code
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Register your new GoPass TAP card using one of the options below. Your card will not work until it is registered.

To register, choose one of these steps:

  • Online at taptogo.net/gopass

  • Call TAP at 866.TAPTOGO (M-F, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

  • Use your smartphone camera on the QR code to activate online

For additional assistance, parents can send an email (in English or Spanish) to Sandra Vaca with PUSD Transportation: vaca.sandra@pusd.us.

GETTING SCHOOLS READY

PUSD’s Facilities and Maintenance & Operations teams have been working hard all summer to prepare schools for the start of the new school year. Here are just a few of the projects: new paint colors, murals and garden upgrades at Washington Elementary STEM Magnet; new handrail, ramp and swings at San Rafael Elementary; and pool repairs at Blair High School.

Sandra V. Rizzo, who has served for 13 years as Assistant Principal at Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, has been named Interim Principal at San Rafael Elementary. Ms. Rizzo has been with PUSD for 24 years and began her career at Marshall as a Spanish language and literature teacher. She has professional experience in Special Education, athletics, facilities, school programs, testing, counseling, and curriculum. She was critical in the development of the native speakers program and the AP Spanish literature course. She served as Foreign Language Department Chair, worked as Dance Coach for five years, and has been a great mentor to many students. In 2000, she founded Club Unidos, designed to empower Latino students. Club Unidos grew from 10 members to almost 300 in 2020. She served the club for 20 years and many club alumni still return to the school and the community to offer their services.


In 2007, Ms. Rizzo received the Pasadena Rotary Teacher of Excellence Award, and, in 2014, received the Assistant Principal of the Year Award from the Association of Pasadena School Administrators (APSA). Ms. Rizzo is a product of PUSD schools and attended Hamilton, Jefferson, Wilson, and Marshall Fundamental schools. Ms. Rizzo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Language from California State University Northridge. She also attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she earned a credential and a Master’s Degree in School Administration.

WOULD-BE FUTURE EDUCATORS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS

PUSD is cultivating its own homegrown crop of teachers, fueled by a new Educational Careers Pathway and fortified by college scholarships.


The first nine graduates of the recently created Educational Careers Pathway at John Muir High School Early College Magnet are now scholarship recipients, thanks to support from the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF).


The following recent graduates took an introductory course in education throughout the 2022-23 school year and have each received a $1000 scholarship to further their education: Kafshi Bennett, Jalen Birdsong, Javonnie Davis, Nathan Gonzalez, April Gonzalez Garcia, Maria Gonzalez, Richard Green, Samantha Orozco, and William Ross


The Educational Careers Pathway is a collaborative effort between PUSD, PEF, California State Los Angeles, Pasadena City College, Tournament of Roses, and the CFP Foundation which leads a “Go Teach” project.

Pictured (far left) Muir Principal Lawton Gray, Ed.D. and Muir social science teacher, Dr. Manuel Rustin (far right) with scholarship recipients:

Back row: (L to R) Richard Green, William Ross, Jalen Birdsong, Nathan D. Gonzalez

Front row: (L to R) Maria Gonzalez, April Gonzalez Garcia, Javonnie Davis

Not pictured: Kafshi Bennett and Samantha Orozco

FIFA WORLD CUP COMPETITOR KAIYA JOTA

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Congratulations to Marshall Fundamental rising senior (Goalie #18) Kaiya Jota, who is a member of the Philippine National Team currently competing in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup! Kaiya was named to the Mission Valley League First Team for three consecutive years and, in 2022, she was named to the CIF All-League. Kaiya is committed to attending Stanford University in 2024 and plans to play with the Stanford Cardinal Women’s Soccer Team. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 which is jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand continues through Sunday, August 20, and we couldn’t be more #PUSDproud of Kaiya!

STUDENTS MAKE GREAT STRIDES AT TRACK AND FIELD JUNIOR OLYMPICS

Congratulations to four elite student-athletes from three different PUSD high schools who qualified and competed in the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships at the University of Oregon’s world-class Hayward Field in Eugene in July.


The PUSD athletes are:

Destiny Rayburn, Blair – 17/18 year-old age group, qualified for long jump and 4×100 meter relay
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  • Destiny Rayburn, Blair – 17/18 year-old age group, qualified for long jump and 4×100 meter relay

Justin Guerriero, Blair – 15/16 year-old age group, qualified for triple jump, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay
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  • Justin Guerriero, Blair – 15/16 year-old age group, qualified for triple jump, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay

Joshua Ezieme, Marshall – 17/18 year-old age group, qualified for 400 meters, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay
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  • Joshua Ezieme, Marshall – 17/18 year-old age group, qualified for 400 meters, 4×100 meter relay, and 4×400 meter relay

Mekhi Corner, Muir – 17/18 year-old age group, qualified for triple jump and 110 meter hurdles
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  • Mekhi Corner, Muir – 17/18 year-old age group, qualified for triple jump and 110 meter hurdles

The USATF Junior Olympic Championship is extremely competitive – athletes must rank in the top eight in their event for their region to qualify for this meet and there are 16 regions in the United States involved in the competition.

STUDENT SINGERS IN SPAIN

PUSD student singers took their talent to Spain this summer. Seven students who are members of the Los Angeles Children's Chorus Concert Choir, its Chamber Singers, and Young Men's Ensemble recently took a tour of Spain where they performed in cathedrals in Bilbao, Burgos, León, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, and Madrid. Students include Zion Berry from Pasadena High School, Isabella Leyva from John Muir High School, Maya Day, Trinity Dela Cruz, and Noah Rios from Marshall Fundamental High School, and Aurora Patlan & Preethi Syverson from Blair High School. Congratulations, spectacular singers!

PUSD student singers after their seventh and final concert at Real Colegiata de San Isidro de Madrid in Spain

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

  • The regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education is Thursday, August 3, 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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Pasadena, CA 91109