AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
As we finish up the end of the first grading period (today for high schools and the end of the month for elementary schools), I want to take a moment to commend our students for their hard work and dedication to their studies. Despite the added pressures our students face these days, their commitment to their education is truly admirable.
As we move into the second quarter/trimester, I encourage our students to strive for academic growth AND to also find balance with fun, friends, family, and rest. Remember that every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow…and with a fresh start, comes endless possibilities. In school, these opportunities also come with resources and assistance. For those students who found the first term to be a challenging one, please know there are dedicated staff members and programs to support and guide you through each step.
It’s no secret that school can be a demanding place, with both students and staff members often feeling pulled in a million different directions. However, it’s important to remember that taking time to have fun and relax is as important as excelling in school and work. For all of us, finding balance can be a challenge, but it is achievable. We can all be a little better at prioritizing tasks and setting manageable goals, but we also need to find purposeful ways to reduce stress and make time for socializing and leisure activities. Taking a short walk, meditating, listening to music, talking with friends, or just taking some deep breaths can all help to relax and improve our overall well-being.
Ultimately, finding balance and making time for fun and relaxation is crucial for both students and staff members. Prioritizing self-care and taking time to recharge can help us all better handle the pressures of school, work, and family commitments. I encourage us all to give ourselves and each other a little grace and patience as we face daily pressures, and to keep a watchful eye on friends and colleagues who may need help or an encouraging word.
Warmest Regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
AUSD College & Career Workshops
All 9th - 12th grade families are invited to attend! Next presentation: UC, CSU & Common Apps. Attend to learn about the different types of college applications. Wednesday, 10/25/23 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Click here to register.
Alternative Income Form
Reminder: Lightspeed Parent Portal
The Lightspeed Parent Portal is available for guardians. This tool allows guardians to monitor their child's most recent web browsing activities. Guardians will be able to opt into receiving weekly reports of their student’s internet usage and analytics. They will also have the ability to create a Lightspeed Parent Portal account, which will allow them to view their child’s browsing history for the last 7 days.
Step 1: Opt in to receive the usage reports (Click here for Instructions - English/Spanish/Chinese)
Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide (Click here for the guide - English/Spanish/Chinese)
Parent Portal Update: Student Device Asset Information Screen
We're excited to introduce the AUSD Device Asset information screen in the Powerschool Parent Portal. This new feature provides detailed information about the devices assigned to students. To access this information, simply log in to the parent portal and click on the 'assets' link in the left panel. You'll find a list of devices issued to your student, displaying relevant device details. If you have any questions about the device(s) listed, please contact your child's school site.
District technology devices are assigned to each student within Powerschool. All lost or damaged devices are the student's responsibility and are to be paid for at the time of loss or damage. Failure to pay for lost or damaged devices may result in withholding school privileges and report cards. (BP 3515.4, BP 5131.5, EC 48904).
Chromebook Replacement Cost: $350.00
PC Laptop Replacement Cost: $1,000.00
Affordable Connectivity Program
Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) is working collaboratively with the County of Los Angeles encouraging families that are eligible sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP helps ensure that income-eligible households can afford home internet services that are essential for school, work, healthcare services, and more by providing a discount of up to $30 a month. Click HERE to apply online or print out a mail-in application.
Caregiver Education Webinar Series 1: "Be Kind To Your Mind"
The Community Empowerment Team from AUSD’s Student Support Services Division would like to invite you to our first webinar of the Caregiver Education Webinar Series. Our first webinar is: Be Kind to Your Mind and it will take place next Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. via zoom and cover content related to TK-5th grade. To register, click HERE. For more information, visit: www.ausd.us/gateway. We hope to see you there!
Hazel Health Telehealth Mental Health Services
Medi-Cal Redetermination
Congratulations to the AHS Team for a successful WASC Accreditation, which culminated in the official visitation September 10th-13th. Thank you to everyone who came out on a Saturday afternoon to welcome the WASC Committee and to start the visit on such a positive note and to the ASB Student Leaders who led the campus tour for the visiting committee and shared their views of what makes Alhambra High School special.
The first Administrators Induction Seminar of the year was held on Thursday, September 21st. We are so lucky to have our retired administrators to guide our current class of administrators and to share their wealth of knowledge. Thank you to retirees, Lis Hanacek and Marcia Gilbert, who presented while the AUSD induction coaches facilitated Table Talks.
AUSD was honored to join AHS senior Nicolas Kiet Quach as he gave the opening address at the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year Luncheon. Nicolas, who serves on the LACOE Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, praised his teachers who helped him along his journey from his family's humble beginnings to finding his passion for public service. He thanked them for serving as role models and helping students navigate the ever-changing world around them.
On Wednesday, September 27th, the families of Park School came together for an evening of fun games and yummy food at their Latino Festival 2023! A special thank you to ASB, staff and the PTA for making Park’s first event of the school year amazing! Way to go Panthers.
Congratulations to Kaitlyn Cao, who was just named to the Los Angeles County Office of Education's (LACOE) Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Kaitlyn is currently AUSD's Student Board Member Alternate and vice-chair of AUSD's Student Advisory Council. We are excited that Kaitlyn will continue to represent student voices on a larger scale as she works with LACOE superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo.
Congratulations Park School principal, Carin Gasca! At Wednesday's principals meeting, Ms. Gasca was honored as AUSD's second "Excellence in Leadership" award recipient. This is a rotating recognition for a principal who has gone above and beyond in his/her role. Ms. Gasca will display the award in her office until the next principals meeting, where she will then present the award to the next AUSD principal honoree.
On “National Coffee with a Cop Day,” the Alhambra Police Department spent the morning at Baldwin School, where they greeted families as they arrived, distributed information and giveaways, and chatted with parents to get to know them and to hear the concerns of the community. Thank you to our local law enforcement agencies for all you do for AUSD and for keeping our students, staff and families safe.
Friday, October 13 -- AHS Theater Boosters & Thespians are reviving their haunted house after four years. The are presenting Haunted House - Circus of Nightmares which will feature nine terrifying rooms. The haunted house is open to the public, but might not be appropriate for small children. Tickets will be available at the door or click HERE.
Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) play a vital role in fostering a caring and successful school environment. We encourage all staff members, parents/guardians, and other family members to get involved in your site PTA. AUSD currently has 14 schools with active PTAs. It's not too late to join your local PTA...please visit: https://jointotem.com and select the school you would like to support.
The National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections Art Program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. This years theme is "I am Hopeful Because...". Student entries are due in early October. The schools that are participating this year are: Baldwin, Brightwood, Emery Park, Garfield, Marguerita, Monterey Highlands, Northrup, Ynez, AHS, MKHS & SGHS.
IEP Training for Parents
The West San Gabriel Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is offering a training for parents who are new to the special education world. Sessions are being offered on October 25th at either 1:00pm (in person) or 6:30pm (virtual). To access the flyer (with registration information), please click HERE.
Alhambra Educational Foundation
Alhambra Latino Association
Asian American Association
News from AEF
Nominations for the next AUSD Game Changers are open. Want to reward an extra-special AUSD employee?
Nominate a deserving certificated or classified to be a Game Changer HERE.
CONTACT US:
Website: www.ausd.us
Address: 1515 West Mission Road, Alhambra, CA, USA
Email: AlhambraUSD@ausd.us
Phone: (626) 943-3000
Facebook: @AlhambraUSD
Instagram: @AlhambraUSD
Twitter/X: @AlhambraUSD
YouTube: @AlhambraUSD
