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PUSD UPDATE

April 8, 2024

PUSD UPDATE April 8, 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,


Welcome back! I hope you had a great spring break and enjoyed time with friends and family.


In this week’s update, we’re celebrating science and learning with today’s solar eclipse, cheering for our PUSD students, and have important information about programs and resources that inspire the joy of learning.


Have a great week!


Sincerely,


Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

SOLAR ECLIPSE

PUSD students joined millions of people across the country as they safely observed a solar eclipse. CIS Academy hosted a viewing party at the Wilson campus where students from Willard Elementary, Willard Children’s Center, and Pasadena Adult Living Skills (PALS) used eclipse glasses, used Galileoscopes built by the Pasadena High School Astronomy Club, and learned about our solar systems from local astronomers.

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to PHS Sophomore Jocelyn Rodriguez who has been selected as Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. The exemplary student submitted multiple essays and delivered a three-minute speech to a panel of judges who were impressed by her positivity, confidence and her service as a role model to younger members. Miss Rodriguez is a cabinet member in their leadership club. She also competes on the Club’s swim and volleyball teams and has created unique photography and artwork through the Club’s Image Makers and CREATES programs. We are #PUSDproud of her hard work and amazing attitude!

SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY ENDS APRIL 15

We want to know what you think! To gain insight and to continue to provide high-quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners, PUSD invites you to take the annual School Climate Survey. We have partnered with Panorama Education to seek insight from students (grades 3-12), families/caregivers, staff, and community members. The online survey asks questions about social-emotional learning, growth mindset, sense of belonging, safety, and more. It takes only a few minutes. You may complete the survey through April 15, 2024. Students will take the survey at school, and we ask that staff and families/caregivers take the survey too.


Family (English): https://surveys.panoramaed.com/pusd/spring24family

Family (Spanish): https://surveys.panoramaed.com/pusd/spring24family/surveys?language=es

Staff: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/pusd/spring24staff

Teacher: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/pusd/spring24teacher

STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS SWORN IN

Six PUSD students have been elected to serve on PUSD’s very first Student Council. The PUSD Board of Education celebrated the landmark moment on March 28, 2024, when the elected council members were sworn in to represent the student voice on the Board. The Student Council juniors who will serve in 2023-24 are:


  • Matthew (Matteo) Paz (PHS)

  • Emilio Alban (Blair)

  • Kaitlan Sakuma (Marshall)


The elected Student Council sophomores who will serve in 2024-25 are:

  • Jack “JP” Ramirez (PHS)

  • Lesley Chee (Blair)

  • Terra Bondsmith (Muir)


In addition, three high school students have been elected to serve on the Student Assembly alongside the Student Council Members. They are:


  • Lucas Kittle (PHS, 9)

  • Jade Farrise (PHS, 12)

  • Mphatso Johnson (Muir, 12)


The student council elections and structure were created by PUSD’s Student Think Tank, a student collective formed in 2020 to create a safe space for students to connect across campuses.

APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to raise awareness, celebrate each individual’s unique differences, and foster inclusivity and connectedness. It’s a time to renew our commitment to honor the unique perspectives of people living with autism and support children with autism and their families, helping each child reach their full potential. At PUSD, we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. For more resources, visit CDC.gov/Autism. #CelebrateDifferences

COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING

Finding the right fit college or career college is important in terms of earnings and future success. Families can use tools such as the College Navigator to search for colleges that fit students’ learning needs and fit your life. PUSD middle and high school students have resources through their californiacolleges.edu accounts.

RESOURCE FAIR

All PUSD families are invited to a resource fair on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair is particularly designed to support the growth of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Several community partners and service providers will be available to answer questions and to help families discover the various supports available to all students. Families will also find out about social and emotional learning, early childhood options, healthcare, career opportunities and more. The event will take place in the North parking lot of the Ed Center at 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101. Please register in advance.

IT’S TIME FOR A SHOW

If you missed some of PUSD’s spring musicals before the break, there’s still time to catch a show. Don’t miss “Fame, the Musical” at PHS, “Guys & Dolls” at Blair, “The Prom” at Marshall and more! See the complete list below.

PROPOSED NEW LEARNING MATERIALS

PUSD is piloting K-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Spanish Language Arts (SLA) materials for possible implementation in the 2024-2025 school year. Please view the materials virtually Pilot Demo Account Logins 2024 Public Review of ELA/SLA Adoptions_QR codes and provide feedback You may also view the materials in person at the address below:

Where: 351 S. Hudson Ave Room 214, Pasadena, CA 91101

Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Dates: March 1, 2024 - April 30, 2024

“WATER IS LIFE” ART CONTEST

Let your imagination flow in the 2024 “Water is Life Art Contest.” All K-12 students are encouraged to submit artwork portraying a water-wise theme, along with a short message about water conservation. Both digital and hand-drawn/painted artwork are welcome. Download the contest guidelines and required poster information card. All entries must be submitted by May 31, 2024. Visit PWPweb.com/ArtContest for more information.

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

  • Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, April 25, 2024, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at pusd.us/board.
Pasadena Unified School District
Our Children. Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.

351 S. Hudson Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91109