PUSD UPDATE

Dear PUSD Community,

Teachers, administrators, and employees from all schools and sites kicked off the 2023-2024 school year at our annual PUSD employee Welcome Back event yesterday. This year, we were able to meet in person for the first time since 2019, before the pandemic began.

It was a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends. We enjoyed performances from the PHS drumline and cheer team, Blair High School student singers, and the presentation of flags by Blair High School’s JROTC. We also honored individuals who go above and beyond to benefit our students. Look for the recipients of this year’s PUSD awards in the upcoming special edition of the PUSD Update.

At PUSD, we are driven by the vision, mission, core beliefs, and the Strategic Plan recently adopted by the Board that empowers students to succeed in a rapidly changing world. We’re also building a "culture of with" that elevates the voices of our students, employees, and families to make our District more responsive. More than anything, I want every student and teacher, every classified employee and administrator, and every parent and caregiver to feel supported, included, and cared for.

District employees are honing their skills at professional development sessions this week. After the Welcome Back event yesterday, teachers, counselors, and others attended workshops on topics such as reading, math, history, science, art, and special education. A full session brought together teachers, instructional aides, and other certificated staff who work with children with disabilities. The session included a moving address by Board of Education member Jennifer Hall Lee on her family's involvement with and impact on special education.

We’re looking forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday, August 14, 2023.

Please take a moment to catch up on the latest PUSD news. Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

Schools across the district have been hosting registration events, like these at Blair, Marshall, and PHS last week. Students are picking up spirit wear and signing up for sports or clubs, and parents are getting information about participating in parent groups. Check with your school for events such as ice cream socials or “popsicles with the principal” this week. If you have questions about registration, please contact the registrar at your school or visit pusd.us/registration. You may also contact the PUSD Office of Enrollment for help at (626) 396-3639.

The school year starts next Monday, August 14, 2023 and we’re excited to see students on our school campuses again! We want you to start the school year on the right foot, so here are some quick tips:

• Get to school on time, every day

• Plan your route to school, whether you’re walking, driving, or taking public transportation. LA Metro offers bus passes for students for public transportation

• Get a great start by having breakfast before school. You can eat at home or for free at school. See our story on “School Meals” below

• Sign up for after school programs

School meals including breakfast, lunch, and supper begin on the first day of school, August 14, 2023.

There is no charge for meals and there is no meal application from the Food & Nutrition Services Department that needs to be filled out. However, please do fill out the alternative income form that is available during registration at schools.

We want to make school meals more appealing for students, and in September, PUSD’s Food and Nutrition Services department will conduct a survey that asks from students and families what they would like to see on our menus.

This year, a registered dietitian will be working closely with PUSD’s Health Programs staff to ensure we plan for students with special dietary needs such as allergies, or insulin dependency.

All TK-12 students in the district are now eligible to ride the Metro for free, thanks to a new program called the LA Metro Fareless System Initiative. The pilot program is geared towards helping students ride transit without the worry of paying fare. Students will have access to unlimited rides until June 30, 2024, on buses and trains run by LA Metro and other participating transit systems, at no cost to families.

In order to start riding for free, families will have to pick up a special GoPass TAP card and new eligibility code from your school and then register it online or via phone to activate.

Register your new GoPass TAP card using one of the options below. Your card will not work until it is registered.

To register, choose one of these steps:

• Online at taptogo.net/gopass

• Call TAP at 866.TAPTOGO (M-F, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

• Use your smartphone camera on the QR code below to activate online

For additional assistance, parents can send an email (in English or Spanish) to Sandra Vaca with PUSD Transportation at vaca.sandra@pusd.us.

The sound of Marshall musicians will soon be heard up to sturdy new rafters in the school’s renovated band room this year. Over the summer, PUSD’s facilities team replaced 11 broken roof rafters, upgraded the fire sprinkler system, installed a new acoustic drop ceiling with new LED lighting and painted the interior. Prior to demolition, the team worked over several months to collect bids, secure architects and contractors, and plan for the much-needed repairs. Principal Lori Touloumian said the entire team did an excellent job completing the project which was paid for by remaining Measure TT Bond Initiative funds. Check out the before and after photos.