The Willard Weekly

Welcome back, everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful week of enjoying yourselves, working on house projects, or simply resting a little. We are two (2) weeks away from state testing for grades 3-5 and eight (8) weeks away from the end of the school year. We have lots of work, events, and celebrations ahead, so be sure to keep your eye on the calendar.

On Friday, we will have our wildly popular Let's Move Day Annual Fund Fundraiser. Please see the flyers below for details and look for information to come home with your child this week. If you are able to help out with this event, please contact Mrs. Campos.

I have, also, included a lot information from PUSD, including an important message from Dr. Blanco, our Superintendent, upcoming meetings/contests, and summer program information. Please be sure to look it over.

We look forward to welcoming our students back this week and, as always, we look forward to seeing you on campus soon!

Congratulations to Mrs. Penny for advancing to the next round for the Rotary's Teacher of Excellence! She is a wonderful educator who cares deeply for her students. Please join me in wishing her good luck in the next round.

Lea en español

Dear PUSD Community,

As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our students and staff and to keep you informed in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, I want to update you on recent developments.

We learned Friday evening that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducted soil sampling tests in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. Some of these results show elevated levels of lead at locations near some of our schools.

We are working with the Pasadena Public Health Department, which is analyzing the results and developing guidance for schools. We are also urgently seeking similar guidelines from the County for schools outside of Pasadena.

We are proactively taking additional safety measures and contracting with a qualified environmental consultant to conduct soil sampling at campuses potentially affected by windborne ash and debris. PUSD will replicate sampling conducted at residences by the LA County Department of Public Health.

There is no plan to close any schools at this time, and with guidance from public health, we will determine any adjustments to outdoor play and use of fields. Remediation efforts may include further testing, additional cleaning, and implementing temporary measures to protect the health and safety of everyone in our school communities.

As we gather more information, we will keep everyone informed and take immediate steps.

We took proactive steps to make sure our campuses are safe and ready for students and staff. We worked closely with local and state agencies and followed expert recommendations to guide our approach. We are also in communication with public and state health officials to develop plans for soil testing, as part of our ongoing commitment to safety.

These efforts reflect how seriously we take our responsibility to provide a healthy learning environment for all.

We know we’re not alone. School districts across California are navigating similar situations. That’s why we’re encouraging our state and county partners to establish clear, consistent guidelines to help school communities statewide move forward with confidence.

Preliminary findings and accompanying analysis can be found on the Public Health Post-Fire Assessment page under sections titled Outdoor Soil – Yards and Outdoor Soil – Ash/Soot.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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https://secure.smore.com/n/67ez3

Estimada Comunidad del PUSD:

Como parte de nuestro compromiso con la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal, y para mantenerlos informados tras el incendio de Eaton, quiero informarles sobre los últimos acontecimientos.

El viernes por la noche nos enteramos de que el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Los Ángeles realizó análisis de suelo en las áreas de Altadena y Pasadena. Algunos de estos resultados muestran niveles elevados de plomo en lugares cercanos a algunas de nuestras escuelas.

Estamos trabajando con el Departamento de Salud Pública de Pasadena, que está analizando los resultados y elaborando directrices para las escuelas. También estamos solicitando urgentemente directrices similares del Condado para las escuelas fuera de Pasadena.

Estamos implementando medidas de seguridad adicionales de forma proactiva y contratando a un consultor ambiental calificado para tomar muestras de suelo en los campus potencialmente afectados por cenizas y escombros transportados por el viento. El PUSD replicará el muestreo realizado en las residencias por el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Los Ángeles.

No hay planes para cerrar ninguna escuela por el momento, y con la orientación de salud pública, determinaremos cualquier ajuste al juego al aire libre y al uso de los campos. Las medidas de remediación podrían incluir más pruebas, limpieza adicional e implementación de medidas temporales para proteger la salud y la seguridad de todos en nuestras comunidades escolares.

Estamos implementando medidas de seguridad adicionales de forma proactiva y contratando a un consultor ambiental calificado para tomar muestras de suelo en los campus potencialmente afectados por cenizas y escombros transportados por el viento. El PUSD replicará el muestreo realizado en las residencias por el Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Los Ángeles.

A medida que recopilemos más información, mantendremos a todos informados y tomaremos medidas inmediatas. Tomamos medidas proactivas para garantizar que nuestros campus sean seguros y estén listos para estudiantes y personal. Trabajamos en estrecha colaboración con agencias locales y estatales y seguimos las recomendaciones de expertos para guiar nuestro enfoque. También nos comunicamos con funcionarios de salud pública y estatales para desarrollar planes para análisis de suelo, como parte de nuestro compromiso continuo con la seguridad.

Estos esfuerzos reflejan la seriedad con la que asumimos nuestra responsabilidad de brindar un entorno de aprendizaje saludable para todos.

Sabemos que no estamos solos. Otros distritos escolares en California están atravesando situaciones similares. Por eso, alentamos a nuestros socios estatales y del condado a establecer pautas claras y consistentes para ayudar a las comunidades escolares de todo el estado a avanzar con confianza.

Los hallazgos preliminares y el análisis correspondiente se pueden encontrar en la página de Evaluación de Salud Pública Post-Incendio, en las secciones tituladas Suelo Exterior - Patios y Suelo Exterior - Ceniza/Hollín.

Gracias por su continuo compromiso y apoyo. La seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal sigue siendo nuestra principal prioridad.

Atentamente,

Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D.

Superintendente

Please see the flyers below for some helpful resources if you, or a family you know, needs help finding housing. Thank you.

On Saturday, April 26th, our PTA will host our Annual Fun Day. Come join us for games, activities, and fun with friends. Food will be available for purchase. (See flyer below.) We hope you can join us.

It's not too early to begin planning for summer. Please see below for a series of programs available for the summer through PUSD:

• Summer LEARNs
• Summer Extended Care (12:30-5:30pm) - After morning LEARNs program.
• Summer Sports Camps

Please see the flyer below for information on PUSD's Immersive Storytelling Academy - open to 5th grade students.

On Monday, we will host our last school tour of the year. Please help us spread the word to friends and neighbors interested in learning more about Willard. Thank you!

On Monday, we will have our monthly Fire Drill. The school will be closed and staff will be unavailable until 12:25pm. We apologize for the inconvenience.

LEARNs soccer team registration has opened and the season will begin on April 14th. Please see below to register your student.

On Wednesday, our 2nd grade students will begin their theater lessons with Mr. Peter from the Music Center. Be sure to ask your student all about it.

On Wednesday, our PTA will host its monthly restaurant night. Stay tuned for details.

On Thursday, our 1sy grade students will continue their theater lessons with Mr. Peter from the Music Center. Be sure to ask your student all about it.

El jueves, organizaremos nuestra reunión mensual de ELAC en el salón 103 a las 8:15 am. Esta reunión se llevará a cabo en español.

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On Thursday, we will host our monthly ELAC meeting in room 103 at 8:15am. This meeting will take place in Spanish.

On Thursday, we will host our monthly School Site Council meeting. Agenda will be posted soon.

Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/fwf-eeyh-muc

Check out the flyer below for our first Friday, Free Dress Day. A $1 dollar donation is always appreciated, but not required. Also, don't forget that the Kona Ice Truck will be here after school.

On Friday, the Willard Annual Fund will host its last and largest fundraiser of the year - Let's Move Day! This event is always a great hit with all of our students and this year, we are able to use our field. Check out the flyer below for details and the great prizes!

The Annual Fund raises funds for our science lab, science supplies, Mystery Science (supplemental curriculum), and for IB Unit/science related field trips such as the LA Zoo & Underwood Farms.

To our families who celebrate, we would like to wish you a Happy Easter!

Black History Living Museum (BHLM) is BACK! Get ready for an unforgettable experience as PUSD’s 3rd-5th grade students bring Black history to life through powerful storytelling, creativity, and performance!

Join us for this interactive, student-led celebration on Tuesday, May 13th at the Robinson Recreation Center (1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, 91103).

All are welcome - family, friends, and community members - to witness our young scholars honor the past and inspire the future.

Completing the project is as easy as 1,2,3

1. Students will select a notable Black figure who inspires them, past or present, and dive into learning all about their life and legacy.

2. Using their research, students will design a vibrant trifold presentation board that showcases their chosen figure’s impact and story.

3. Students will write, practice, and perform a 90-second monologue in character—bringing their historical figure to life for museum visitors during the live event!

Need Help with Supplies?

We’ve got you covered! Thanks to our partnership with PUSD, Jefferson Children’s Library, and John Muir High School’s student-run Mustang Design Lab, we are offering supplies and resources to support interested participants in completing their projects. Supplies are limited, so be sure to sign up early to secure yours!

Participating Students

• Will expand their knowledge of the contributions of Black Americans

• Will strengthen their research, writing, and public speaking skills in a creative way

• Will shine in the spotlight as they are celebrated by the PUSD community and dignitaries from the City of Pasadena

• Will receive recognitions for their hard work and participation

• Will have an unforgettable experience

Interested? Please Click Here to Register for BHLM. Registration closes on April 21st.

The BHLM committee is available to support you every step of the way. Registered students will receive an information packet that will guide you through the process.

Questions? Reach out to our BHLM Committee by emailing Info@AAPCPUSD.com.

All are welcome to attend PUSD's LCAP Town Hall in room 151 from 6:00-7:30pm.

On Monday, at lunchtime, Mrs. Marineh will host a Mental Health Awareness activity for our students. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please contact Mrs. Campos.

Wednesday is Administrative Professional's Day. Please join me in thank Mrs. Desiree, Mrs. Carlos, and Mrs. Campos for all they do to keep Willard running smoothly!

Our Panorama Parent Survey is now open and closes on April 24th. Please help us by providing valuable feedback to make our school more welcoming and safe. Families can access the survey here:

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/pusd/spring25family/surveys

Please see flyer below.

Please see below for the City of Pasadena's annual Water Wise Art Contest. (Click on flyer to visit website and see details.)

See all the things going on in our LEARNs program in their NEWSLETTER.

Also, please see this INFORMATION if you are interested in the summer program.

Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Sanchez, if you have any questions. Thank you!

We are thrilled to hear that some of our families are beginning to find their way into permanent homes. Let's help them make their space welcoming. (Families, if you have an Amazon Wish List, please send it to me, so that we could help circulate it for you.):

• Amazon Wish List 2

• Amazon Wish List 1

As your families need's change, our Willard community would like to continue supporting you in the best way possible. If your family has been displaced, or settling into a new home, and you could use donations for SPECIFIC items, please reach out to Mrs. Campos at campos.alejandra@pusd.us, our PTA Instagram DM, or me by email. We will put out a request to our community (while maintaining your family's privacy) to help fill the need.

You are also welcome to send you Amazon Wishlist (or equivalent) and we are happy to circulate it for you.

We would like to remind our families that there is no Drop Off or Parking in the Staff Parking Lot. We have many staff members arriving in the morning looking to get to their classrooms and offices on time. (Families with a handicap placard are exempt.) Please help us be ready for your students by following this policy. Thank you!

APRIL

• 4/14 School Tour @ 8:30am
• 4/16 PTA Restaurant Night
• 4/16 TK Bloom Music
• 4/17 Theatre Residency - Mr. Peter
• 4/17 ELAC Meeting @ 8:15am
• 4/17 School Site Council @ 3:00pm
• 4/18 Freeze Dress Day
• 4/18 Let's Move Day - Willard Annual Fund Event/Fundraiser
• 4/19 Passover (Day 7)
• 4/20 Easter Sunday
• 4/21 Mental Health Awareness Activity @ Lunch
• 4/22 Theatre Residency - Mr. Peter
• 4/22 Earth Day
• 4/23 Administrative Professionals' Appreciation Day - Mrs. Desiree, Mrs. Campos & Mrs. Carlos
• 4/23 TK Bloom Music
• 4/26 Family Fun Day
• 4/28 SBAC Testing Begins
• 4/29 Theatre Residency - Mr. Peter
• 4/30 TK Bloom Music

MAY

• 5/1 Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Begins

The Willard Annual Fund is a key source of funding for programs at our school. In the past, the WAF has paid for science lab, language classes, and our library coordinator.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Annual Fund. Any amount helps. Thank you!

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Willard

Please select the link to join. Your membership supports all of our students. Thank you!

https://sites.google.com/willardmagnetpta.org/home/

Follow our new Instagram account at:

https://www.instagram.com/willard_elementary_pasadena/

You can also follow our PTA Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/willardelementarypta/

Both are a great ways to keep up with school events!

Follow Us on Facebook!

Willard Facebook Page

Please make sure to sign-up for your Parent Portal account. Instructions and details can be found HERE. The Parent Portal is an easy way to keep your contact information up-to-date and monitor your child's attendance and records. You need to verify your data yearly, but only need to register your account one time, while your child is in a PUSD school. Please contact Mrs. Campos for help or your Verification Code. Thank you!

French Toast is partnering with our school for uniform sales. (A portion of sales goes toward supporting our school and students.)

Sizing Guide - English

Tabla de Medidas

Don't forget to see Willard's Family Handbook for the most comprehensive information.

Please see below for the April 2025 Menus:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Supper