AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Message from the Superintendent
Dear AUSD Community,
As we start winding down our summer programs, I hope this message finds you enjoying a wonderful and restful summer. Before we know it, our focus will turn to the 2024-25 school year and to welcoming our students and staff members back to a warm and enriching learning environment.
But for now, in the spirit of encouraging rest and reflection, I will keep this message short, and simply wish for you to continue appreciating the joys of summer. These precious few weeks offer an ideal time to relax, explore, connect, and create lasting memories. I hope you, your families, and friends are doing just that as you explore new places, enjoy fun activities, and embark on exciting adventures!
Next week, we will celebrate the Fourth of July. As you enjoy the fireworks, food, and festivities, I hope will join me in reflecting on the values and freedoms we all cherish. As always, I thank you for your partnership and for being an integral part of the Alhambra Unified School District Family.
Warm regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Please Note:
The Around Alhambra and Monterey Park Cascades do not publish issues in August. As we get closer to the school year, please make sure to check your emails regularly for messages from the school(s) or district. Back-to-School information will be shared primarily through emails, as well as through school/AUSD websites, social media platforms, and this digital newsletter. Please ensure your contact information is up-to-date, so you don’t miss out on any important information!In This Issue...
- OPENING FEATURED EVENT: Student Leadership Training
- June 25th Board Meeting
- Staff Report: Athletics Program Update
- Staff Report: Career Technical Education & Dual Enrollment Program Update
- Staff Report: Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Committee Update
- Introduction of 2024-25 Student Board Member & Alternate
- AUSD Educators Delegation to South Korea
- Educational Services
- CAASPP Parent Information
- Alternative Income Form
- Early College Program Informational Session & Fall 2024 Class Schedule
- Technology Updates
- Updated Educational Technology Resource Site
- Student Support Services
- School Safety Virtual Town Hall
- TUPE PSAs
- Online Permit Applications for the 2024-25 school year
- LIFT (Learning Independence For Transition) Fundraiser
- Facilities and Construction
- SMALL SPOTLIGHTS (Little Bits of Good News & Information from Around the District)
- Food & Nutrition Services:
- Cafeteria Menus
- Parent Resources: Community Offerings & News
- Scholarship Opportunities
- CalKIDS
- Non-Profit Partner Organizations (AEF, ALA, AAA)
- News from AEF (AEF Voted San Gabriel Valley's BEST Non-Profit Organization, AEF Citadel Shopping Extravaganza and Adopt-A-Camper)
- Human Resources
- Employment Opportunities
- AUSD Calendar
- Upcoming Events and Important Dates
- Student Calendar 2024 -2025
- High School Athletics Calendars
- CLOSING FEATURED EVENT: ATA Pride Parade & Festival
- AUSD in the Media
- Publicity Requests
- AUSD is on YouTube - Alhambra USD CTE Program
AUSD Website & Social Media - Stay Connected with AUSD!
"AUSD Connection" Archive
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Throughout the newsletter, please CLICK ON IMAGES AND HEADLINES to access additional information, embedded links, and larger versions of the photographs/graphics.
Featured Event: Student Leadership Training
Thirty-eight AUSD high school students participated in an intensive two-day leadership and team-building program on May 30th and 31st, where they were guided by Mr. John Losey (from Into Wisdom Group) about “Finding the Leader in Each of Us.” The students were members of the district’s Student Advisory Council or were identified as potential student leaders by their principal. The students, who represented all three AUSD high schools, engaged in a variety of innovative activities designed to develop essential leadership skills. Key topics included effective communication, building trust within groups, working collaboratively to achieve goals, and managing relationship conflicts and behaviors. We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact these young leaders will have on their campuses and the community.
Staff Report Presentation Slides
Although these slide decks give you an overview and basic information on these topics, we encourage you to attend our BOARD MEETINGS and listen to the detailed staff reports as they are presented to the Board. Click on the images below to access PDFs of Tuesday's presentation slide decks.
Introduction of 2024-25 Student Board Member & Alternate
KEIKO RAKIN
MADISON KANG
Student Board Member Alternate
Student Advisory Council Vice-Chairperson
Mark Keppel High School Senior
AUSD Educators Delegation to South Korea
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Parent Information
Be a partner in your child's success. Your child’s score reports are tools to help you better understand whether your child is on track for success in English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, or English language development. Use the student score reports along with the Starting Smarter websites to make a plan for supporting your child’s learning. To learn more about your child’s California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test scores, visit the Starting Smarter parent website for CAASPP assessments at https://ca.startingsmarter.org/.
Alternative Income Form
Beginning August 1, 2024 you will be prompted in the Parent Portal to update the Alternative Income Form for the new school year. Help ensure that Alhambra Unified School District receives the maximum amount of federal funds for our schools. The collection of household income is a necessary step to receive millions of dollars in federal funds for the school that your child attends.
Click Here to update your Alternative Income Form
Early College Program Informational Session (Zoom)
Alhambra USD, in partnership with East Los Angeles College, offers College Credit Courses to AUSD high school students. At the July 31st informational session, we will provide an overview of the “New GE Pathway” and other different pathways. Don't miss out!
Translations will be provided in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECP73124. Zoom link will be sent via email after you RSVP.
Early College Program Fall 2024 Class Schedule
Remember to submit the interest form by Friday, August 16th at 11:59pm. Classes will start start Monday, September 9th.
Educational Technology Resource Site
We are excited to share our updated Support Site for AUSD families. The site is filled with educational technology resources for all grade levels. You will also find information related to our 1:1 student device program. We believe that by empowering our students with the right technological resources and support, we are setting the foundation for a more engaging, effective, and inclusive learning environment.
School Safety Virtual Town Hall
Please join us at the School Safety Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, August 8th at 6:00pm. The topic of discussion is "Keeping Children Safe is our Community's Top Priority", featuring guest speakers from the Alhambra Unified School District, Alhambra Police Department and Monterey Park Police Department.
- Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94541118591
- Submit questions by August 1st at NOON: https://tinyurl.com/QuestionsSafetyTH2024
TUPE PSAs
Congratulations to the students who won the TUPE (Tobacco Use Prevention Education) PSA Video Contest. They were recognized by the Board of Education on June 11th. Click on the image below to see the presentation slides announcing the winners, and click on the website below that to learn more about our TUPE program.
Permit Applications for the 2024-25 school year
AUSD has moved our permit process to a new online permit system.
Parents who are interested in applying for a 2024-25 permit for their child can click HERE to begin the process.
LIFT (Learning Independence For Transition) Fundraiser
Student Support Services is supporting our LIFT (Learning Independence for Transition) program with a summer tote bag fundraiser. This is one of LIFT's many entrepreneurial ventures as part of their micro-business elective class.
The tote bags are imprinted with the district logo, are reusable, come in a variety of colors (green, light blue, dark blue, or orange), and are only $5 each! Scan the QR code or click HERE to place an order and help support our wonderful LIFT students.
The pick-up location is at the District Office. Please contact Lisa Sanchez or Jacqueline Valle in Student Support Services at (626) 943-3410 if you have any questions. Thank you!
Park Elementary School
Building "F" roof project - WeatherWeld seamless encapsulation system has been completed.
Existing roof being removed
Installation of WeatherWeld and coating system
All Air Condition ductwork and entire roof is now fully encapsulated with WeatherWeld System
San Gabriel High School High School
Building "E" - 1st floor Restroom Restoration has been completed
Readers Choice Awards for AUSD, Every AUSD School, and AEF
Thank you to the community and the readers of the Southern California News Group (Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and Whittier Daily News) for voting in the recent Readers Choice Awards. We are happy to announce that AUSD, AEF, and every school in our District was an award recipient. Highlights included:
- Best School District: Alhambra Unified School District
- Best Public High School: Alhambra High School
- Best Public Elementary School: Ramona School
- EVERY other AUSD School was voted as a Favorite in their category
- Favorite Work Place: Alhambra Unified School District
- Best Non-Profit Organization: Alhambra Educational Foundation
We appreciate the support of our community and the close connections that each vote represented. Congratulations to all!
Page Phillips: Top 25 in LA County
#AUSDFirstDay Photos
The first day of school will be here before you know it. Capture and share those special moments by sending us your First Day Photos! Use THIS FORM to submit photos, which will be shared on our social media platforms, this digital newsletter, and in issues of Around Alhambra and Monterey Park Cascades. (#AUSDFirstDay photos will be accepted August 12th-19th.)
Joshua Thai, a 2022 AHS graduate and a junior at UC Berkeley, competed last week for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Diving Team. Unfortunately, he did not make the team to represent the United States in Paris this summer. But remember his name...this impressive platform diver is already part of the 2023 NCAA Championship Team and has more to accomplish before his diving career concludes. We will be watching for Joshua and rooting for him to make the team in 2028, when the Olympics will be held in Los Angeles!
Assemblymember Mike Fong recognized Outstanding Educators of the Year from throughout the San Gabriel Valley. AUSD is proud to have five amazing educators where recognized this year. Congratulations to Kimberly Valentine, Moor Field Preschool, Dottie Burkhart, MKHS, Kevin Tong, AHS, Jose Sanchez, AHS, and Amy Ngo, AHS (not pictured)!
AUSD is so proud of Student Advisory Council members Angelina Yip, MKHS sophomore and Keiko Rakin, AHS junior. At the beginning of June, they were part of an AAPI panel at the CTA Pacific Asian American Caucus (PAAC). Both students reported back that they had an amazing experience hearing from peers, discussion personal topics and truly speaking from the heart to the teachers of California.
Congratulations to MKHS and SGHS, who were the recipients of 2024-2025 City of Hope Grant. SGHS received a $5,000 Healthy Living Grant, to address the Mental Health Needs of the community. MKHS also received a $5,000 Healthy Equity Grant for Aztec Amigos Community. Thank you to Denise Garcia and Stephanie Hardy, who wrote and accepted the grants on behalf of their schools.
Congratulations to the AUSD cohort that just finished their NISL (National Institute of School Leadership) program on June 21st. Over the past year, the group studied educational structures of other countries, strategic thinking, how people learn, developing instructional leadership teams, leading for effective teaching, ethical leadership for equity, and driving and sustaining transformation. During the graduation ceremony, several AUSD leaders (Alex Perez, Jennifer Wright, Isaac Alvarado, Harry Wong and Myriame Steep) shared what they learned during the year, how they will use their learning to become better leaders, and their appreciation to the district for providing the opportunity to experience NISL with their colleagues.
Congratulations to Sue Lemaire, SGHS Class of 1966 graduate, who was just inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame! Read about her induction (and watch the announcement video) HERE. She was a nationally-rated volleyball official, who has officiated at all levels, including at many Women's collegiate Final Four Championships. Sue was the first woman in the world to become certified by the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) as an International Volleyball Indoor referee. Sue was also certified as an International Beach Volleyball referee and was the FIRST woman to ever officiate an Olympic beach volleyball (Atlanta and Sydney Olympics). AUSD is very proud of this pioneering SGHS Alumna!
Claim Your FREE CalKIDS Money!
Many students already have $500 to $1,500 in their CalKIDS account, which can be used to support college or career training. Claiming an account and using the money is quick and easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Locate the high school senior’s 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), which may be found on their school’s portal, report cards, or by asking their school.
- Check eligibility HERE.
- If eligible, claim your account at www.calkids.org.
Once the account is claimed, money can be used to pay for qualified higher education costs, such as tuition, fees, computers, books, and more. The funds can be used at eligible colleges, universities, vocational schools, community colleges, and apprenticeships.
Non-Profit Partner Organizations
Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF)
Alhambra Latino Association (ALA)
Asian American Association (AAA)
News from AEF
AEF Voted San Gabriel Valley's BEST Non-Profit Organization!
Congratulations to the Alhambra Educational Foundation! They recently received multiple Southern California News Group's Readers Choice Awards, including recognition as San Gabriel Valley's BEST Non-Profit Organization! This is such a well-deserved honor! Please continue to support the important work AEF does for our students, schools, staff members, and families.
AEF Citadel Shopping Extravaganza
Adopt-A-Camper Program - PLEASE DONATE!
Our sixth graders had an AMAZING time at camp this year...several groups even got to enjoy some snow!
Please help Alhambra Unified School District and the Alhambra Educational Foundation to continue this new tradition by supporting the Adopt-A-Camper program. Use this LINK to donate. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Alhambra USD Employment Opportunities
Join the AUSD Team! Please click HERE for full-and part-time positions. We have competitive salaries and excellent benefits! AUSD posts all job opportunities at EdJoin.com/alhambrausd. Make sure to check back often.
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Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- June 28: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter Emailed to Parents, Students, and Staff Members
- July 4: Independence Day Holiday (AUSD Schools/Offices will be closed)
- July 12: AEF Summer K-8 Academy/High School Summer School Ends (Flyer)
- July 23: Board of Education Meeting (Agendas & Minutes)
- July 26: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter Emailed to Parents, Students, and Staff Members
- July 31: Early College Program Informational Session 7:00pm-8:00pm via ZOOM (Flyer)
- August 6: Board of Education Meeting (Agendas & Minutes)
- August 8: AUSD Safety Town Hall 6:00pm - 8:00pm (Flyer, Zoom)
- August 9: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter Emailed to Parents, Students, and Staff Members
- August 13: First Day of School
- August 27: Board of Education Meeting (Agendas & Minutes)
- August 30: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter Emailed to Parents, Students, and Staff Members
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 13th!
Student Calendar 2024 - 2025
Please make sure to mark your calendar with these important dates for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
High School Athletics Calendars
Featured Event: ATA Pride Parade & Festival
Congratulations to the Alhambra Teachers Association for putting together another outstanding Pride Parade & Festival (in partnership with the City of Monterey Park and the West San Gabriel Valley Boys & Girls Club). What a fun and inclusive family-friendly event! Special congratulations to Ms. Jennifer Lankford (teacher at Garfield School) for coordinating the event & to Mrs. Tammy Scorcia (teacher at Ynez School), who was surprised with the first-ever Trailblazer Award for launching this event four years ago.
AUSD in the Media
Read about AUSD in these Local Community Papers
📰 FEATURED on the AUSD website (www.ausd.us): Press Coverage
Alhambra Unified School District is often featured in local media (print and television news). Click below to access some of our favorite stories, featuring AUSD students, staff members, schools and programs!
Do you have something newsworthy to share? Click on the Publicity Request button so we can spread the word!
AUSD is on YouTube
Congratulations to our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. We shared this introductory CTE video with the community when it was first produced last year, but we wanted to share it again because the video was just recognized by the National School Public Relations Association as a Publications and Digital Media Excellence Award Winner! Congratulations to all our students and staff members who participated in this award-winning short video. If you are interested in learning more about AUSD's CTE programs, please visit www.ausd.us/cte.
Please visit us on social media to keep up with the latest AUSD news. If you want our notifications/reminders to show up on your timeline, make sure to follow/like us!
About Alhambra Unified School District
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
Look for the next issue of "AUSD Connection" on July 26th!
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