Dear AUSD Parents,

Believe it or not, we are about to enter our third month of the 2022-23 school year! It feels like the year is flying by – in just a blink, the holidays will be here!

It’s wonderful to feel a sense of normalcy as I visit the various AUSD campuses and see our staff and students hard at work, but also interacting and having fun…and yet, I know there is still so much that needs to be done to help us all transition to our “new normal.”

One hope I had for this school year is for us to get out of the “public health business” and get back to focusing on student learning and yet, we cannot ignore the latest public health crisis that is hitting youth so hard around our country. It’s heartbreaking when we hear about young people dying from Fentanyl-laced pills and scary when we hear about Rainbow Fentanyl and how easily it can get into the hands of even our youngest children. I strongly urge all parents to become informed and to join us at our upcoming Fentanyl Town Hall (see information and resources below).

Rainbow Fentanyl is purposely designed to look like candy. Because of this, we are restricting the distribution of Halloween candy at school this year. We encourage students who want to share something with their classmates to bring stickers, small toys/trinkets, or other non-edible gifts instead of candy. We recognize that several schools/PTAs already have “Trunk or Treat” or other Halloween-themed activities planned. We do not want to discourage these fun school activities, but we are going to restrict the eating of candy on campus. We ask parents to carefully check their child’s candy before allowing them to consume anything. If any items look suspicious or tampered with, please dispose of them and do not take any chances.

In the midst of all the stressors that we face this year, I am lifted up by the many positive things happening at each school site and at the district office. We are in a people-business, and our students, families, and staff members are at the heart of all we do.

I hope you are enjoying these issues of AUSD Connection. I am happy to have this additional tool to keep the community informed and to share the positive stories happening around the District. Make sure you also visit your child’s school website and watch for those Blackboard messages to keep you up-to-date with site-specific news.

As a reminder, as you read through this latest issue, please make sure to CLICK ON THE IMAGES AND HEADLINES to access additional information and embedded links. To view the previous issue of AUSD Connection, please visit the AUSD WEBSITE.

Sincerely,

Denise R. Jaramillo, Superintendent

• Event Highlight: Teachers Celebrated at The Kelly Clarkson Show
  
• September 27th & October 4th Board Meeting Staff Reports
  

• Fentanyl Information/Resources & Special AUSD Parent Webinar: "FENTANYL - A Town Hall Meeting"
  
• Community Conversations Sign-Ups
  
• GATE Advisory Committee Meeting Parent Q & A
• College & Career Information
• Small Spotlights
  
• AUSD Featured in Local Papers
• Parent Resources: Community Offerings
  
• Partner Non-Profit Organizations (AEF, ALA, and AAA)
  
• AEF Pumpkin Run Special Incentives
  
• PTA / PTA Reflections
• AUSD Employment Opportunities
• WSGV SELPA Teacher Residency
• Food & Nutrition Services News & Info
  
• October Cafeteria Menus
• Event Highlight: Dodgers Playdate with Playworks
• High School Athletics Calendars
• Upcoming Events and Important Dates
• Featured Event: LCAP PAC Meeting
  
• Featured Video: The Fentanyl Crisis "One Pill Call Kill"
  
• Follow AUSD on Social Media

Eighteen AUSD teachers were among those invited by The Kelly Clarkson Show to be celebrated on World Teachers Day (October 5th). The teachers selected for this amazing opportunity were: Victor Frias (AHS), Ann Hu (Baldwin), Melody Hou (Brightwood), Judy Wong (Emery Park), Maria Ramirez (Fremont), Catherine Livadary (Garfield), Sara Diaz (Granada), Juliet Wagner (IHS), Rebecca Chavez-Duarte (Marguerita), Justin Lee (MKHS), Karla Stephens (Mty. Highlands), Katey Huynh (Moor Field), Janette Davis (Northrup), Marie Ibsen (Park), Krystal Tran (Ramona), Fifi Chu (Repetto), Jessica Wilkerson (SGHS), and Terrie Lum (Ynez). Teachers were able to meet special VIP guests First Lady (and fellow teacher) Dr. Jill Biden and actor-director-host LeVar Burton. At the end of the show, Kelly generously gifted each teacher with a $1,000 Visa gift card and a subscription to Adobe Express Premium software.

AUSD is aware and concerned about the recent Fentanyl-related incidents, overdoses, and deaths that have occurred in Los Angeles County and around the country. Fentanyl has serious, dangerous, and life-threatening effects. AUSD is working with the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH) and LA County Office of Education to train staff and parents about the dangers of Fentanyl and how to administer Naloxone/Narcan in the event of an overdose.

On October 11th at 6:00 p.m., AUSD, in partnership with DPH, will host a Fentanyl Town Hall for parents, staff, and the community. Please register HERE for this very important Town Hall Webinar.

Click HERE view the parent notification in multiple languages.

Little Bits of Information & Good News from Around the District

• Every AUSD student who registers under their school as a Social Team will be entered into a drawing for $100 gift cards to Target.
• The AUSD school with the highest percentage of Pumpkin Run registrations under the school's Social Team will win a variety of gift cards for their PBIS store.

You can earn your credential and Master's Degree in one year...and receive a stipend! (The stipend amount surpasses the cost of tuition.) The West San Gabriel Valley SELPA (AUSD is a part of this SELPA) has partnered with Alder Graduate School of Education to offer a Teacher Residency Program. Join an upcoming virtual information session to learn more about this program. Information meetings will be held October 20th, November 3rd, and November 17th at 3:00pm. Attend via Zoom by clicking HERE. Learn more about the West San Gabriel Valley SELPA on their website.

September 30th was Dodger Day at Northrup School, as they welcomed Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, outfielder Chris Taylor, and relief pitcher Evan Phillips (along with their wives/fiancée Cara Smith, Mary Keller, and Liz Phillips) and legendary team photographer Jon SooHoo.

Thanks to Playworks, which emphasizes the important benefits of play, Northrup students enjoyed an all-school Dodger Rally, followed by playtime for the 4th and 5th grade students. We are grateful to the Dodgers for taking time out of their busy schedules to hang out with our students and staff members, and for the many people who worked behind-the-scenes to make this event possible. (Special thanks for the financial sponsorship of Playworks programs by the LA Dodgers Foundation, the Will & Cara Smith Catching Hope Foundation, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians).

• October 9: AUSD Booth at Alhambra Farmers Market 9:00am
  
• October 9-15: Week of the School Administrator
• October 10-14: National School Lunch Week
• October 11: GATE Advisory Committee Q & A Session 6:00pm (Zoom Link)
  
• October 11: Parent Webinar: "FENTANYL - A Town Hall" 6:00pm (Flyer)
  
• October 13: CDE Parent Webinar: "Suicide 101 for Parents: Recognizing Signs and What to Do - SPANISH (Flyer)
• October 13: CDE Parent Webinar: "Suicide 101 for Parents: Recognizing Signs and What to Do - ENGLISH (Flyer)
  
• October 14: Game Changer Nominations Due
• October 14: Free Community Vision Fair Event (Website)
  
• October 16: AUSD Booth at Alhambra Farmers Market 9:00am
• October 17-21: Digital Citizens Week & National School Bus Safety Week
• October 18: Special Board Meeting - Closed Session Only 3:00pm
• October 19: Community Event: Bystander Training Webinar 6:00pm (Zoom Link)
  
• October 20: AUSD District College Fair, SGHS 6:00pm (Flyer)
• October 20: Parent Community Conversation 6:30pm (Sign Up Here)
  
• October 21: AHS Production: "War of the Worlds" 6:30pm, (Flyer)
• October 22: Community Event: WINGS Women Inspiring the Next Generation of Sisterhood for grades 7 and above (Flyer)
  
• October 23: AUSD Booth at Farmers Market 9:00am
• October 25: Regular Board Meeting 6:00pm (Board Meeting Agendas & Minutes)
• October 26: College & Career Workshop: UC, CSU, Common Applications, 6:30pm (Registration Link)
  
• October 28: Elementary End of 1st Trimester (Gr. TK-8)
  
• October 28: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter Emailed to Parents
• October 30: AUSD Booth at Farmers Market 9:00am
• October 30: Alhambra Pumpkin Run (Proceeds benefit AEF)
  
• October 31: Districtwide Pupil-Free Day (Gr. TK-12)
• November 1: Elementary Pupil Free Day (Gr. TK-8)
• November 1: AUSD Food & Wellness Fair (Informational Flyer)
• November 3: Student Community Conversation for Gr. 6-8 6:30pm (Sign Up Here)
  
• November 7: LCAP Parent Advisory Committee Meeting 6:45pm (Flyer below)
  

Email: AlhambraUSD@ausd.us
Website: www.ausd.us
Location: 1515 West Mission Road, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626) 943-3000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alhambrausd
Twitter: @alhambrausd