PUSD UPDATE

Dear PUSD Community,

Happy Halloween! For those who will celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) this week, may it be a time to share fond memories and celebrate the lives of lost loved ones.

Pasadena Unified is also looking forward to the future. Our strategic planning is underway with opportunities for you to engage with us to create a roadmap for the future.

At PUSD, we’re big believers in preparing children of all ages to thrive, now and in their adult years. We’re nurturing life skills as much as academic excellence.

In this week’s Update, you’ll see how our high school students are planning for college and careers with experienced advisors and understanding counselors to help them along the way.

Please enjoy Halloween safely and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Brian McDonald, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Come be a part of this hands-on, interactive, and FUN workshop designed for students, parents/caregivers, community partners, businesses, PUSD staff, and anyone invested in PUSD schools. Attend a morning or afternoon session to fit your schedule. Childcare is provided for ages 3 and up. If you are a PUSD student, you can earn credit for five service hours. Breakfast and snacks will be provided for the AM session and lunch and snacks provided for the PM session. Translation provided. Sign up for either a morning (8:30 am-12 pm) or afternoon session (12:30-4 pm) https://bit.ly/PUSD_Community at Jackie Robinson Park & Recreation Center (1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena).

PUSD is developing a district-wide Facilities Master Plan. Help define and prioritize the district's facilities needs for the next 10 years. Students, parents/caregivers, employees, and community members, take the short survey today! (available in multiple languages).

Survey ends December 15, 2022.

https://dlrgroup.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VSaRkFSDMwWAIe

College planning just became easier for PUSD students, thanks to the Annual College Fair held at the Pasadena Convention Center on September 26. Nearly 100 colleges near and far – from Pasadena City College to the UK’s Falmouth University – sent representatives to answer questions and provide students with first-hand information.

Pasadena High School (PHS) senior Isaac Dugan wanted to check out some of the University of California schools in person because he says online sources can be tough to navigate. He says the PHS Law and Public Service (LPS) pathway helped propel him to major in Environmental Science and he hopes to become an attorney someday.

“This is something I definitely want to do in life and I definitely want to make a difference in not only America but in the world… so I’m setting my goals high,” he said.

Mr. Dugan also said the LPS pathway can be difficult but it’s so worthwhile because the teachers, the sense of community you feel, and the end result are “amazing.”

Pasadena High School Senior Isaac Dugan

“Many students are not sure what they want to do or where they want to attend college. The annual fair is the perfect opportunity to take a peek at several different schools in one place at the same time,” said College & Career Coordinator Dr. Kristina Turley. “We also offered informative workshops on scholarships, financial aid, and writing a college essay.”

For some, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. PUSD mom Elisa Parhad attended the fair with her children: a Sierra Madre fourth grader and a Marshall seventh grader who is already interested in possibly studying chemistry or investigative journalism in college.

“It’s such a big process and there is so much that I don’t know that has changed since I went to school,” Ms. Parhad said.

PUSD mom, Elisa Parhad, with son, Caveh Parhad

If you would like to learn more about the college planning process, please contact your site counselor.

What a triumphant return for the Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl! The Pasadena High School Bulldogs and the John Muir Early College Mustangs demonstrated great sportsmanship on and off the gridiron. Congratulations to PHS for taking home the Victory Bell this year! Great camaraderie and spirit were a victory for all of us. For those who couldn’t get there in person, PUSD’s very own KLRN-TV live streamed game to thousands of viewers. Watch the recording on KLRN Pasadena’s YouTube here here It already has 13,900+ views!

The California Healthy Kids Survey is November 4-18, 2022 for PUSD students in grades 6, 7, 9, and 11. The survey gathers student voices on elements that affect learning, such as youth health risks and behaviors, school connectedness, school climate, and school violence. It is anonymous, confidential, voluntary, and highly encouraged because students’ voices are valuable! Students receive the survey directly from their school.

Even though it is not an official holiday, Halloween is an incredibly special day for both children and adults. We know students and families engage in fun activities and we would like to share safety tips, courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Always accompany children on their neighborhood rounds. Stay in a group and communicate where you will be going.

• Avoid poorly-lit areas and always use the sidewalk.

• Take extra precautions when you are driving.

• Consider offering non-edible goodies to trick-or-treaters visiting your home.

• Wait until you are home to help your children sort and check treats.

Additionally, law enforcement officials advise parents/caregives to discard open candy packages or any other treat that looks suspicious.

8th grade Halloween performance at Sierra Madre Middle School

Thank you so much to all the Pasadena Unified students who submitted entries to the Tournament of Roses third annual Día de los Muertos art competition. The winning entries were selected on Saturday at the Tournament of Roses House. The Pasadena High School “Pride of Pasadena” Orchestra, led by Dr. Anne Rardin, entertained everyone with beautiful music.

Congratulations to the following finalists whose artwork was selected from more than 500 entries!

Leonard Ung, Field Elementary School

Santiago Morales, Field Elementary School

Brisa Barreto, San Rafael Elementary School

Ruby Flores, San Rafael Elementary School