PUSD UPDATE

Dear PUSD Community,

From February 26 - March 1, PUSD will join educators, students, and school communities nationwide in celebration of Public Schools Week 2024.

Every day, I see amazing work happening in our schools and in our community. Just last week, Octavia E. Butler celebrated 100 years of public education in our community, the Black Education Expo drew students from across Los Angeles, our students had a great time at the LEARNs cheer and dance competition, students got free dental services through Young & Healthy’s mobile dental clinics, and PTA celebrated its Founders’ Day at Pasadena’s Kidspace.

Our students and valued staff accomplish great things every day in Pasadena public schools. Public Schools Week is a celebration of everything that is possible because of public education, and it highlights the value that free public education brings to our children, our neighborhoods, and our democracy. Public Schools Week is also a reminder that our country and our state must do better when allocating a stable funding source for public education. Our students deserve better.

Please see highlights from the centennial below and more about PUSD public schools in today’s Update.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

PUSD schools are now enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year.

• In case you missed the first lottery of Open Enrollment, the second lottery is March 4-8, 2024.

• If you participated in the first lottery of Open Enrollment, you should have received notifications regarding the results. Please accept school offers by this Friday, March 1, 2024.

School tours continue! Visit pusd.us/tours for more information.

Full-day Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a fun introduction to kindergarten and is available at all neighborhood schools for children who turn 5 years old between September 2 and June 2 for the 2024-2025 school year. Families may also submit an Open Enrollment application to request their preferred schools or a dual language immersion program.

Elementary and middle school students from across PUSD showed off top-notch talent and timing at the LEARNs 2024 Cheer and Dance Competition on Saturday. This year’s show – called Blast from the Past – had moves that will be remembered for ages. Congratulations to all the winners!

Our students’ boundless creativity will be on display at No Boundaries 19. The exhibition, which features TK-12th grade student art from every school in PUSD, opens March 8, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Paseo Colorado in historic downtown Pasadena. No Boundaries’ opening night is also stop on Pasadena’s ArtNight! Artwork on display showcases the diversity of the PUSD student experience, demonstrates the healing power of the arts, and celebrates creativity. The exhibit continues through March 17. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday: 3-6 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.pusd.us/arts.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and PUSD is working with teachers, counselors, families, and community partners to raise awareness about teen dating violence and to help students build safe and healthy relationships. PUSD is partnering with the YWCA and Shepherd’s Door to provide support services such as domestic violence counseling, support and self-care groups, financial literacy workshops, art workshops, legal assistance, and resource referrals.

PUSD seniors: apply now for a ROSE Scholarship! The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation will award eight $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from PUSD. Students are asked to submit a creative piece that reflects their future dreams, goals, and aspirations. Learn more and apply here. Don't wait! Applications close on March 4, 2024.

• Special Meeting of PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at pusd.us/board

• Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at pusd.us/board.