AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
I’d like to offer you a heartfelt greeting to welcome you back from winter break. I hope this message finds you well and that you enjoyed a rejuvenating holiday season filled with warmth and joy. January is going by quickly, and I’m excited to see all the amazing things that await us the rest of this school year and throughout 2024.
The enthusiasm our students bring back after each break energizes us for the coming months, and I can't wait to see the incredible accomplishments that will unfold. It’s hard to believe we are more than halfway through this school year. I am excited for the upcoming events and activities that await our school community between now and the end of May.
Our dedicated teachers and staff continue to plan enriching learning experiences to help our students thrive academically and socially. From captivating lessons to engaging extracurricular activities, our schools offer a wealth of opportunities for student growth and exploration. You will soon be able to see evidence of this year’s learning through our schools’ annual showcase of Open Houses, starting with San Gabriel High School on February 8th and continuing through the next couple of months. Click HERE for a list of each school’s Open House date and time.
Sadly, this time of year now brings a poignant reminder of the lives lost a year ago when our community faced a mass shooting on January 21, 2023. It was a difficult time for our schools and families. I mourn for the 11 victims and for all whose lives were touched by this tragedy. But I am also proud of the resiliency demonstrated by the city of Monterey Park and the entire San Gabriel Valley. I invite you to join the community for a candlelight vigil this Sunday, January 21st at 6:00pm in front of the Monterey Park City Hall as we stand in unity against violence and support each other as we honor and remember the victims and heroes of this tragic event.
As we navigate the months ahead, I want to express my gratitude to our supportive families who play a crucial role in the success of our schools. Your involvement, encouragement, and partnership are invaluable as we work hand-in-hand to create a nurturing environment at our schools and throughout the District. Together, we will make the remainder of this school year and 2024 a period of growth, achievement, and joy.
Warmest Regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
LCAP PAC Meeting - January 22, 2024
We invite you to attend our Local Control Accountability Plan Parent Advisory Committee (LCAP PAC) meeting on Monday, January 22nd, starting at 6:45pm. At this meeting, we will be providing an LCAP Mid-Year update. We hope you will join us! Click on the image to download a PDF of the flyer with information in multiple languages or click HERE to join the Zoom meeting.
2024-25 Dual Language Immersion Program
We are now accepting applications for TK-8th grade Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language Immersion programs. This is your opportunity to give your child the gift of bilingualism and give them an advantage in the world. Access detailed information on the AUSD website HERE and/or watch an informational video HERE.
Financial Aid Night
All AUSD seniors and their families to encouraged to attend our Financial Aid Night at Alhambra High School on Wednesday, January 24th, starting at 5:00pm. The presentation will be provided by our expert guests from the California Student Aid Commission, with an optional workshop offered for hands-on support to complete the financial aid application (limited spaces available). Thank you to our AHS, MKHS, and SGHS Counseling Teams for hosting this event.
Click HERE or use the form below to register.
STEM News
Each month the AUSD STEM teachers for the primary grades put out a monthly newsletter highlighting each school's STEM projects. Click the flyer to view our November Newsletter.
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.
Lightspeed Parent Portal - SIGN UP to monitor your child's web browsing activities!
The Lightspeed Parent Portal is available for guardians. This tool allows 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 in English/Spanish/Chinese)
Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide (Click HERE for the guide in English/Spanish/Chinese)
PACES - Parent and Caregiver Empowerment Summit
SAVE THE DATE! Please join the SSS division for this special day of workshops that aim to empower parents and caregivers as they support the overall well-being of our children. Saturday, May 4th from 8:30am-12:00pm at San Gabriel High School 801 S. Ramona St., San Gabriel. For more information or to register, please visit: http://ausdpaces.my.canva.site
1st Annual Family STEAM Night
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, March 6th from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Marguerita School
Please join AUSD's Student Support Service Division at the 1st Annual Family STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Night. For students in grades 3-5 at Community Schools ONLY (Granada, Marguerita, Northrup, Ramona and Ynez Schools).
Click HERE to RSVP.
Temporary Change to Permit Application Process
We are temporarily reverting back to paper applications for the permit process. Parents who are interested in applying for a permit for their child should click HERE to go to the Permits page of the AUSD website to download a fillable PDF application and/or to get more information. Once the application is complete, parents will need to email it (along with the required documentation) to transferpermit@ausd.us. Thank you for your patience as we change over to a new online permit system.
Medi-Cal Redetermination
Hazel Health Telehealth Mental Health Services
Brightwood Elementary School
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units have been installed at Brightwood Elementary School as part of the modernization project.
Congratulations and thank you to Monterey Highlands students, Matthew Trinh (5th grade) and Addison Trinh (7th grade) & their parents. The Trinh Family submitted an entry for the 2023 Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest last fall, and in December they were named one of the 20 winners. Their photo won the award for Best Use of Theme ("Be Kind to Your Mind") and $1,000 for Monterey Highlands School. This is the second time the Trinh Family has won an award and the second time they have earned additional funding for their school. The funds will be used for anti-vaping program support and for future Red Ribbon Week activities.
Ynez School held its first ever Fun Run hosted by Ynez PTA on December 13th. All funds raised will go towards field trips, school events, and enrichment activities. Students had so much fun running, walking, jogging and dancing to music and bubbles. It was a great event to promote school spirit while getting in some exercise at the same time. The goal was to raise $20,000, donations are still being tabulated. Thank you to everyone who donated to the Fun Run!
The week before winter break, Ramona School students and staff members held several winter celebrations, including Santa Hat Day, Holiday Sweater Day, Adventures After School Performance, and singers from Ms. Eva Wong’s 8th grade class.
Alhambra High School’s Academy of Health Sciences students visited the Huntington Library in San Marino on January 10th. The visit gave the students a chance to take a closer look at the different herbs used to make eastern medicines. Prior to the field trip, the students did a collaboration project between their core classes and their academy class on eastern medicine treatments for diseases that affect the integumentary system found during WWI. The students were also able to explore all the other different gardens, admire the statues and buildings.
In partnership with AUSD's Food and Nutrition Services, Repetto School's TK- 3rd grade students celebrated National Milk Day with a fun-filled day of dairy themed activities and delightful treats. The entire school also enjoyed an assembly by the Dairy Council of California’s Mobile Dairy Classroom. The highlight of the assembly was Bailey the cow.
Monterey Highlands celebrated the holiday season with a wonderful Winter Spirit Week. On December 19th, they welcomed parents to see the 5th Gr Band, 6-8th Orchestra, 4th Gr, 5th Gr and 7th Gr students perform. This was the first time instrumental music was featured in the Winter Program in over 10 years. On December 20th, they hosted the primary grades parents to see TK - 3rd gr students perform. It was a full house at all four performances.
Fremont School showcased their students at their Winter Wonderland Performance. Students from grades 1st, 3rd, 6th/7th and 8th performed on December 20th. Grades TK, Kindergarten, 2nd and performed on December 21st. It was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season as a school!
Mrs. Christina Kwon Loose’s 7th grade class at Baldwin School learned to crochet as a class project. In doing so, they taught themselves about being patient, working through frustrations, correcting mistakes, and finding positive ways to deal with stress. They also learned about the joy of giving, as their crocheted penguins and homemade scarves were given to needy families in our community at the Alhambra Rotary's "Adopt-A-Family" pick-up and the Spark of Love toy distribution.
Save the Date!
Please make plans to join the Alhambra Council PTA at the Annual PTA Founders Day Awards Dinner and Silent Auction. This year's Founders Day Awards Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on March 8, 2024 at the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hotel. Contact your school's PTA to purchase your tickets to this event.
AMA Scholarship
The Alhambra Management Association (AMA) will be awarding three $800 scholarships (one from each AUSD high school) to current AUSD 12th graders who have demonstrated leadership and who plan to continue their education beyond high school to pursue careers in teaching or public service. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2024 by 11:59pm. For more information or to apply, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/AMAscholarship24
Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library Card Design Contest
Help the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library design their new library cards. Children ages 6-12 are invited to design a card just kids, and teens age 13 and older for the adult card. Share your best design. Entries will be accepted from January 16th - 31st. Winners will be announced on April 7th, in celebration of National Library Week. See flyer for contest guidelines.
Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF)
Alhambra Latino Association (AAA)
Asian American Association (AAA)
Adopt-A-Camper Program
Alhambra Unified School District is partnering with AEF to launch the Adopt-A-Camper program. The goal is to send every AUSD sixth grader to science camp in the spring of 2024. AEF has set up a link where can go to donate.
Click HERE to donate. Thank you in advance for your generosity. More information is available from Superintendent Dr. Jaramillo's letter from last month (see below).
AEF Donates $60,000 to AUSD
Thank you to AEF for their generous donation of $50,000 to go towards the Adopt-A-Camper program. It's a wonderful start, but we still need to collect another $200,000 to be able to send every sixth grader to camp this spring. At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, AEF presented their check, but also surprised the Board by announcing an additional donation of $10,000 that will go towards musical instruments. This additional donation was made possible through a recent grant through the Pasadena Showcase House of Design.
ALA Scholarship
The Alhambra Latino Association (ALA) 2024 Scholarship Applications are now available!
AUSD seniors will have from December through March 15, 2024 to submit their application packets. Click HERE to apply
Celebrating our Cultures
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, ALA will be hosting "Celebrating Our Cultures" at San Gabriel High School from 11:00am until 1:00pm. We hope you that you can join in on this fun festival filled with student performances, music and art displays!
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