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PUSD Update

January 11, 2022

PUSD UpdateJanuary 11, 2022

Message from the Superintendent

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Dear PUSD Community,

As we begin the new week, I want to take a moment to thank the PUSD community for all your work and support for our students and schools during this time of rapid change. With the guidance of teachers and staff, our students continue to learn and have transitioned back to in-person learning. Our priority is to continue in-person learning safely.

COVID REMINDERS

With news about the Omicron variant and a significant spike in case numbers, it’s as important as ever to follow guidelines from health experts. Now is the time to get your vaccination and/or booster shot. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. Appointments are available through myturn.ca.gov.


PUSD COVID-19 Testing Program includes weekly tests at mobile testing clinics at each school, in addition to weekly testing clinics at the PUSD Education Center since August. Weekly Mobile Testing Clinic Schedule


If you cannot attend one of our District clinics, there are several local options for vaccinations and testing.


https://www.albertsons.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html

https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

https://www.riteaid.com/covid-19

https://www.vons.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html


OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2022-2023

PUSD's annual Open Enrollment process begins today. It offers families an opportunity to apply to attend a school other than their assigned neighborhood school. The first lottery runs January 10 - 28, 2022 and it is for:

  • New and continuing K-12 students residing in PUSD applying for schools other than the student’s school of residence or for a dual language immersion program

  • Children of full-time, monthly PUSD employees and full-time, monthly employees of the City of Pasadena (verification required)

  • Families who missed the sibling/priority application period

  • First lottery participants not offered their first choice must select "Continue to Next Round" to be included in the second lottery


Please be aware of all of the academy choices at our wonderful high schools. If you missed our “Right Fit High School'' presentation before the break, you can view it here: Right Fit High School


You can also see the exciting things high school academies have to offer here: Academies


Applications will be online at schoolchoicepusd.com and for more information, please see our website www.pusd.us/enroll.


REDISTRICTING PUBLIC FORUM

PUSD would like your opinion on updating the district boundary maps, a requirement every 10 years based on census data. The Redistricting Task Force must ensure the proper balance of populations in each of its Board of Education areas. Three virtual public forums designed to gather input on the plans will be held virtually via Zoom as follows:

  • Wednesday, January 12, at 6 pm visit pusd.us/redistricting for the links

  • Saturday, January 15, at 10 am

  • Tuesday, January 18, at 6 pm


Redistricting does not affect attendance boundaries. Each area must be made as equal in population as possible to ensure balanced political representation. Community input is critical to creating a map that provides fair and effective representation for all citizens of the District. pusd.us/redistricting

HOUSING SURVEY

Under a new California state law, all Local Education Agencies (LEA), such as PUSD, must ensure that each of their schools is able to identify all children who are experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied youth. In order to ensure that our students who are impacted by housing instability receive appropriate services to support their learning needs, Pasadena Unified is conducting an annual housing survey. The purpose is to ensure our students and families are well-served and able to gain access to all available state and local resources.


We ask that all families complete the confidential survey by January 30:

  • www.pusd.us/housingsurvey, or

  • If you require a paper survey or alternative accommodations, please contact your school site or Pasadena Unified Families in Transition Office at 750 N. Los Robles Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 (626) 396-5782

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PUSD IN THE ROSE PARADE

I am filled with pride and gratitude for the students, staff members, and organizers who made it possible for Pasadena Unified to participate in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade. Pasadena Unified was represented by two Rose Princesses, Abigail Griffith (Pasadena High School) and Jeannine Briggs (Marshall), a vintage school bus with district officials, PUSD Teacher, Principal, and Classified Employee of the year, and the PUSD All-Star Band.

The PUSD All Star band sounded great in the Tournament of Roses Parade! The group of 45 band members, 4 color guard, and 12 dancers from four different PUSD schools didn’t miss a beat under the expert direction of Dan Adams and Music Specialist Karen Klages. This was a history-making moment for the Pasadena Unified community! It was not only a celebration of the Parade’s 150-year history but also a celebration of public education in our community. Thank you to everyone who put in hundreds of hours practicing and preparing -- you made us proud!


Have a great week.


Sincerely,


Brian McDonald, Ed.D.

Superintendent

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#VaccinatePasadena

Getting the vaccine will help protect our students and employees. COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone ages 5 and over. Get the COVID-19 vaccine to keep our community safe! www.pusd.us/vaccine

#VaccinatePasadena #PUSDproud @CityOfPasadena