AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
As we gather in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am profoundly grateful for our incredible students, dedicated staff members, and supportive families. The amazing commitment to continual learning, growth, support, and equity defines our district and community.
This is a time to reflect on the many blessings that bind us together. In addition to friends, family, safety and health, I am personally grateful for the opportunity to be part of a district that nurtures the minds of our students – fostering a love and pursuit of excellence and equity. Our staff members, whose passion and dedication is endless, inspire and shape the future leaders within our campuses. The diversity that enriches our district is a source of strength and vitality. We embrace varied perspectives and cultural backgrounds as we work to create an environment that thrives on inclusivity and understanding. Together, we celebrate the rich tapestry of our community, recognizing that each thread contributes to the vibrant mosaic of AUSD.
In the spirit of giving back, I encourage our community to spread joy by participating in the fire department’s annual Spark of Love toy drive. Look for donation boxes at your child’s school and the district office. Your generous donations of toys, games, and sporting equipment will make a significant impact on local students and families, brightening their holidays and creating cherished memories. Drop off your donations by Friday, December 8th and help ensure every AUSD child experiences the warmth and joy of the holiday season.
As we pause to give thanks, I extend my deepest appreciation to everyone who contributes to the success and unity of our district. Our collective efforts shape the future and I am truly grateful to be part of such an exceptional community.
I wish you and your loved ones a restful break, and a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, gratitude, and the joy of giving.
Warmest Regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
LCAP Presentation / Survey
Click HERE or on the image to access the LCAP Updates & Assessment Data overview presentation from our November 6th Parent Advisory Council meeting.
The annual Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) survey is coming! Your feedback is valued and very important to the Alhambra Unified School District. We want to know how to improve programs and systems. A link and QR code will be sent out to the AUSD community in December. Please make sure to respond to the survey!
Alternative Income Form
REMINDER: ALL PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO THE ALTERNATE INCOME FORM (AIF) survey in order to gain access to other pages of Parent Portal. Click HERE for AUSD AIF Directions.
Lightspeed Parent Portal - SIGN UP NOW!
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. Read more about this in the November issues of the Around Alhambra & the Monterey Park Cascades.
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)
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. 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
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.
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.
Hazel Health Telehealth Mental Health Services
Medi-Cal Redetermination
Congratulations to SGHS football coach MARCUS GALAN who has been named one of the TOP 20 candidates for the Los Angeles Rams High School Coach of the Year (which includes a monetary award for the SGHS football team)!
Voting ends TONIGHT! We need your help to get Coach Galan into the TOP 10. Voting for the first phase ends tonight (Friday, November 17th) at 11:59pm. Use this LINK (http://bit.ly/40yGKh8)
to VOTE FOR COACH GALAN and spread the word to others!
At one of their final varsity football games of the season, Mark Keppel High School, designated the evening as Military Appreciation Night to thank those who have dedicated themselves to service to our country. It was an early Veterans Day celebration to remind the community to honor and appreciate those who have served and continue to serve.
AUSD continues to partner with the Alhambra Fire Department and other community organizations to support local families through the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive 2023. Spark of Love collection boxes have been delivered to every AUSD school site and the district office. Please help fill them with toys, games, sports equipment, and stuffed animals. Donations received through December 8th will directly benefit AUSD families who need assistance. Thank you in advance for helping to make someone's holiday season a little brighter.
Each year, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) recognizes students from California schools for overcoming the odds and achieving success. This year's honoree from AUSD is Alhambra High School sophomore Felicity Sierra Rojas (center). Sierra earned a $350 scholarship and was recognized at the ACSA Every Student Succeeding Awards luncheon yesterday. She was accompanied by Director of Student Support Services Jim Schofield, her father Mauricio Rojas, and AHS assistant principal Kevin Trapp (not pictured).
Thank you to everyone who came out to volunteer, run, and cheer at the City of Alhambra's and Downtown Alhambra's 10th Annual Pumpkin Run. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Run benefited the Alhambra Educational Foundation, which in turn supports the children of Alhambra Unified School District.
At Garfield Elementary's annual Family Art Night on November 15th, students and their families learned about weaving, one of the oldest art forms in human history. The families created their own textile by creating a loom out of paper and then weaving strips under and over. These textiles remind us of how our lives are all entwined and make something beautiful when we come together through the arts. Thank you to everyone who came out to support!
Congratulations to MKHS junior Kailia Garfield, who was recently selected as a semi-finalist for the position of 2024-25 Student Board Member for the California State Board of Education. Kailia made it into the Top-12 and was invited to attend the Student Advisory Board of Education (SABE) conference in Sacramento earlier this month. Although Kailia was not the final selection for California's student board member, there's no doubt we will see her in other leadership roles in the near future!
Our latest honoree for the AUSD Excellence in Leadership Award is Dr. Stephanie Richardson, principal at Garfield Elementary School. Dr. Richardson is an accomplished leader and was also the AUSD Manager of the Year in 2022.
AHS accounting students attended USC's "Accounting for All" Conference on November 3rd. The students were greeted by the CalCPA president and the Dean of the Leventhal School of Accounting at USC. They participated in a panel discussion with current USC accounting students, who shared their high school and post-secondary journey. They then broke into small mentor groups for Q&A sessions with a USC accounting student. After lunch, they were treated to a guided tour of USC.
Emery Park School's PTA was thrilled to bring back a school tradition with a Family Movie Night last month. Students, families, and staff members gathered together on the field to enjoy the animated feature, "The Addams Family," with snacks and beverages for sale from PTA and the Kona Ice Truck. It was a wonderful fundraiser for Emery Park’s PTA, but more importantly, it was an evening of fun and friendship for the Emery Park Viking Family.
To celebrate the end of Marguerita School’s construction and modernization project, the school will host a rededication ceremony on January 19th. Please spread the word to former Marguerita students and staff members. All are welcome to join us. If you have photos from your time at Marguerita, please share them with Principal Tom Kohout via email: kohout_h_thomas@ausd.us.
Although most Parent-Teacher Associations have finished their membership drives, you can still join them! 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 join and get involved. AUSD currently has 14 schools with active PTAs. It's not too late to join your local PTA...please visit: https://jointotem.com and select the school you would like to support.
Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF)
Alhambra Latino Association (AAA)
Asian American Association (AAA)
Apply for AAA Scholarship by December 23rd
ATTENTION SENIORS: Applications are now being accepted for the Asian American Association's 2024 scholarships. Recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship (increased from $800 in previous years) and will be honored at AAA's annual Lunar New Year banquet. Apply HERE by Saturday, December 23rd at 11:59pm.
🐲 Celebrate the Year of the Dragon 🐉
RSVP today for AAA's 34th annual Lunar New Year Banquet. All proceeds go towards student scholarships! RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/AAA24RSVP. To be eligible for Early Bird Discount & Early Bird Door Prizes, be sure to submit your reservation & payment by 12/18/2023.
For those interested in Corporate Sponsorship, please visit www.tinyurl.com/AAACorporate24 for more info.
Game Changers
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
