PUSD UPDATE

Dear PUSD Community,

I hope you had a good weekend. This weekend, PUSD student musicians, dancers, and cheer teams participated in Pasadena’s annual Black History Parade and Festival. PUSD was there in force, with Board of Education members and representatives from the district’s early childhood, student wellness and support, African American Parent Council, and Black Student & Family Task Force, along with information about enrolling in PUSD. It was a wonderful celebration of our community.

This weekend, I also sent you a message about the district’s upcoming budget development. In the coming months, our district will be engaging in a challenging budget process that includes the ending of COVID-19 one-time funding, a decline in enrollment, and the need to allocate our resources responsibly. We are facing the difficult decision of implementing reductions. We will strive to make well-informed decisions that prioritize both the quality education and the well-being of our students, and will keep you informed as the process unfolds.

In other news, PUSD’s 2024 Summer Learning catalog is here! Also, Octavia E. Butler Magnet middle school celebrates its centennial, PUSD high school students are college-bound after the Black College Expo, the PTA celebrates its Founders Day, and LEARNs hosts a cheer and dance competition.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

PUSD has so many options in the 2024 Summer Learning Opportunities Catalog! From athletics to arts classes and everything in between, the catalog describes all of the wonderful summer learning opportunities available to PUSD families along with information on how to apply. Visit www.pusd.us/summer for more information.

Many PUSD students were able to get college acceptances and scholarships on the spot at the Black College Expo held earlier this month at the Los Angeles Convention Center. About 200 PUSD students and chaperones received valuable information about historically Black colleges or universities (HBCU), University of California schools, Cal State universities and private institutions. PUSD’s African American Parent Council (AAPC) and the PTA Council helped coordinate the event. With funding from the Tournament of Roses Foundation, PUSD college hopefuls also received free admission, bus transportation, swag and lunch at the neighboring LA Live complex.

The PUSD community was there in force with student bands, dance performances, booths, and more at the 42nd Annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday. This year’s theme paid tribute to the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson. Check out the highlights.

Reminder: Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet (formerly Washington Middle School) will celebrate 100 Years on the Hill this week. Please join us for this special event on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. The historic celebration will include a commemorative tree planting, school tours to showcase murals from the Lightbringer Project, a beautiful exhibition of memorabilia and more! Please register to attend or call 626-396-5830 ext. 76064.

On Saturday, February 24, Pasadena LEARNs hosts its annual cheer and dance competition, Blast from the Past, that celebrates another generation of talented teams. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. John Muir Early College Magnet High School Gym, 1905 N. Lincoln Ave., Pasadena

Washington Elementary STEM PTA Formation Meeting - January 18, 2024

• Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at pusd.us/board