PUSD UPDATE

Dear PUSD Community,

Our schools returned to normal operations today after Tropical Storm Hilary. It was great to see students back on campus continuing to learn.

I want to thank you for all that you did to keep our students and employees safe during the past few days. You prepared, stayed informed, and followed the advice of authorities to stay home and off the roads during the storm. Your care and concern during this time demonstrate why PUSD is such a great place to be.

I particularly want to thank PUSD employees who worked so hard before, during, and after the storm. The District’s Facilities and Maintenance & Operations teams worked tirelessly over the weekend to protect our schools from the effects of the storm. Yesterday, ten crews fanned out across the district to fix leaks, clear debris, and make other repairs. Food services employees and administrators prepared and distributed more than 1,000 meal kits at two sites yesterday. I am so proud of our teachers for making sure that students could still access their learning at home.

We have a busy week ahead. I encourage parents/caregivers to attend Back to School nights that are scheduled in the next few weeks across the district. It’s a great way to connect with teachers and other families.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

Every year, schools open their doors to families, educational partners, and community members to participate in back-to-school nights. It's an opportunity to meet teachers and other school staff members, visit classrooms, and get updated on the school’s committees, events, and policies. It’s also a time to meet and connect with other parents/caregivers. Back-to-school events start this week. See the full schedule here www.pusd.us/backtoschool

Attending school every day improves students’ chances of graduation, completing college, and succeeding in life. September is National Attendance Awareness Month and PUSD is already embarking on an attendance awareness campaign with the theme: “Showing Up Matters for R.E.A.L.” It’s designed to build Relationships, increase Engagement and Access to resources, and support Learning. Missing 10 percent (just two days each month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success. By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. For more resources, please visit pusd.us/attendance and stay tuned for activities organized by the PUSD Child Welfare and Attendance Office.

PUSD is bringing restorative practices to schools to help students learn to resolve conflict, strengthen relationships, deal with stress, and connect with their communities. Students in grades TK through 12 will get lessons in restorative practices and mediation, thanks to a new partnership between PUSD and the Pasadena-based Western Justice Center (WJC). Students will be given several tools to help them work on conflict management and mediation, such as: de-escalation techniques, empathetic listening, collaborative problem-solving, and nonviolent communication. The ultimate goal is to help teens and children feel safe, cared for, and connected. The partnership with the Western Justice Center includes parallel training for principals and other educators to support positive learning environments.

Photo (courtesy of the Western Justice Center): PUSD principals and other educators participated in a multi-day Western Justice Center workshop on restorative practices this summer.

The importance of mental health and wellness cannot be understated, especially during the busy back-to-school season. PUSD has a vast team of professionals working together to support any student in need. For more information, visit pusd.us/wellness.

Additional Resources:

• Crisis Line - Text Home to 741741

• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)

• Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQ+ Intervention) (866) 488-7386

• Spanish Language Lifeline (888) 628-9454

Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet is celebrating 100 Years on the Hill! The school building opened on February 21, 1924, and the OEB community will be celebrating the centennial throughout the school year with a special event on February 21, 2024. If you have memories to share about your time at Washington Junior High/ Washington Middle School/ OEB Magnet in Pasadena, call 626-790-8192 to record a memory. Please visit gopusd.com/100onthehill to learn how to share memorabilia, pictures, videos, and written memories.

• The regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education is Thursday, August 24, at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639