PUSD UPDATE

June 2, 2023, 11:00 a.m.

CIS

June 2, 2023, 11:00 a.m.

For the full schedule of PUSD school promotion ceremonies, click here

In the picture with the grade in parentheses:
Starting with Back Row (L-R) then coming forward:

Samuel Munoz (10), Hendrick Knapp (10), Dr. Zachary Schiffer (Caltech Mentor)

Chloe Davalos (10), Rafael Heredia (10), Annelise Errico (10), Ricardo Ornelas (9)

Flyson Lin (10)

Kitty Cahalan (Caltech Outreach Coordinator), Steven Cole (Blair Chemistry Teacher)

Not Pictured: Valentina Bray-Ali (9), Julia Hughes (10), Antonet Saiki (10), Polina Khapikova (Caltech Mentor)

Four Pasadena High School (PHS) App Academy students are now finalists in the national Games for Change (G4C) Student Challenge after creating a game called “Buddy System” in the Positive Play category. With the guidance of App Academy Lead Teacher Deborah Orret, the following students worked all semester to develop the award-winning game:

• Finneas Moser ’26 (Developer/Designer)

• Eden Bashan ’25 (Developer/Researcher)

• Alexander Soultanian ’25 (Designer)

• Warren Kwok ’25 (Project Manager)

As finalists, they are now in the running for up to a $10,000 scholarship award. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on June 13.

Muhammad Ali, Josephine Baker, Reginald F. Lewis and several other Black heroes came to life through the eyes of 3rd-5th grade PUSD students at the Black History Living Museum hosted last week by the PUSD African American Parent Council (AAPC). The BHLM Project is a celebration of black excellence, where PUSD students create a display about a Black person of cultural or historical significance and share how that person inspires them. Congratulations to all the students for their excellent presentations!

• Grand Winner – Naila Walker - (Josephine Baker) - Hamilton Elementary School - 5th Grade
• 1st Alani Hatcher ( Kamala Harris), Willard Elementary School - 5th Grade
• 2nd Lee Harrison (Muhammad Ali), McKinley School - 5th Grade

Tied for 3rd -

• 3rd Paloma Santos (Ellen Craft), Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet Academy - 4th Grade

• 3rd Gabrielle Joo (Shirley Chisholm), Hamilton Elementary School - 4th Grade

PUSD Board President Michelle Richardson Bailey delivered the 2022-2023 State of Schools address on May 18 at John Muir Early College Magnet. The annual event highlighted the talent and artistry of PUSD students and included the presentation of flags by Blair High School’s JROTC and performances by Muir’s Jazz Band and Vocal Rhapsody choir, and two soloists from the district’s All-Star Musical Into the Woods.

Ms. Bailey highlighted several accomplishments to celebrate this year, including:

• Sierra Madre Elementary was named a California Distinguished School

• Altadena Arts Magnet was named a National Magnet Model School

• 5 PUSD seniors were named Posse Scholars this year

• PUSD student-athletes are competing at a high level, John Muir’s football, boys’ water polo, and Blair’s boys’ basketball teams won CIF division championships

• The cross-district Student Think Tank is now in its third year of promoting social justice throughout Southern California

• The district’s strategic plan for the next five years is currently being finalized

• The single largest salary increase for district teachers in PUSD history

Watch the complete 2023 State of Schools address here.

Congratulations to Trinity De La Cruz, a junior at Marshall Fundamental, and Zoe Lopez, a 7th grader at Blair Middle School, for competing in the Southern California Vocal Association's Vocal Solo Competition. Zoe won 1st place in the middle school commercial music division and Trinity won 2nd place in the high school classical voice division. Congratulations to these wonderful musicians on making it to finals, beating out hundreds of other applicants, and more importantly, striving for their best every day! #PUSDproud

We need your input before finalizing the new five-year Strategic Plan: Imagine PUSD 2028. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and all PUSD community members are invited to visit www.pusd.us/strategicplan and

1. Review the Strategic Plan document and/or watch a recording of the Board of Education’s Town Hall held May 11, and

2. Take a short survey. The survey will remain live until Friday, May 26 at 5 p.m. PDT.

Questions about the PUSD Strategic Plan may also be sent to strategicplan@pusd.us.

If you want your children to have some fun in the sun this summer, please check out the PasadenaLEARNs Summer of Discovery Program, which is now enrolling students. Programs operate June 6 - July 14, 2023, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. From accelerated learning to exciting field trips, LEARNs has wonderful experiences for PUSD students in grades TK-8. Download the catalog at www.pusd.us/summer.

This summer, free breakfast and lunch are available at schools, parks, and other sites throughout Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre for children and youth 18 years old and younger. For more information, visit https://www.pusd.us/Page/10485

PUSD already has big plans for next year. Pasadena LEARNs is now accepting applications for our 2023-24 afterschool programs. Priority enrollment began last week for students eligible for Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) including: English language learners, those residing in foster care, those experiencing homelessness, and/or receiving free/reduced price meals based on income.

Starting today, all other students can apply at www.pusd.us/learns, or in the main office at your child's school, or in the LEARNs office. For questions, contact the LEARNs site coordinator at your child's school, call (626) 396-3614, or email us at pasadenalearns@pusd.us Enrollment is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Enroll in your neighborhood school ASAP! Enrollment continues for:

• TK-12 students who live within PUSD and are entering their school of residence for the first time.

• New to PUSD students entering Transitional Kindergarten. TK students must turn 5 years old between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024.

• Current PUSD students who are advancing to 6th or 9th grades and plan to attend their neighborhood school

Please note: registration is not required for TK-12th grade students to continue at the same school. For example, if a child is moving on from 2nd to 3rd grade at their current neighborhood school, parents are not required to re-register. Please visit www.pusd.us/enroll for more information.

• PUSD Board of Education Workshop/ Brown Act Training is May 25, 2023, 2:00 p.m. (Open Session) Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639

• Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education is Thursday, May 25, 2023, 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639