AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
As we hurtle through this hectic month of December, we have a semester full of successes to savor and cheer. Our successes throughout the district are possible because of the collective efforts of our remarkable students, families, and district team of dedicated, supportive educators and staff. Here is a small sampling of the ways the district community is helping our students flourish:
Baldwin School was named a National Blue Ribbon School, one of only 33 California schools to win the U. S. Department of Education highest honor. Brightwood, Repetto, and Monterey Highlands were recognized by the California PBIS System for their implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and our three high schools were ranked among the best by U. S. News & World Report.
Over a thousand students and parents attended our annual College Fair. Student Support Services invited 900 second graders to get their first library card on National Library Card Day. Two eloquent AUSD students were featured in the PBS NewsHour story on “Teens. Sleep, and Mental Health.”
Our elementary schools offered a feast of celebrations this fall for their communities to learn from and enjoy — memorable Dia de los Muertos festivals at Fremont and many other schools, Northrup’s Family Math Night, Ynez’s Family Literacy Night, and Garfield’s Family Art Night. Park School celebrated its first 100 years with an October birthday bash.
The district is becoming a hub for international exchange programs as we expand the AHS / South Korean exchanges to MKHS and host educators from Taiwan to begin conversations about an exchange.
On New Year’s Day, watch MKHS junior Aidan Gomez, our district’s first Herald Trumpet lead the Rose Parade by heralding the Rose Queen float. Look for Ramona seventh grader Shannon Tan aboard the city of Alhambra’s float whose design she inspired with her winning drawing, “Dragon Music.”
We have much to look forward to in 2024, including the Adopt-A-Camper program to send every sixth grader to science camp in March, Marguerita’s January 19th Rededication Celebration, Alhambra Latino Association’s “Celebrating Our Cultures” Festival on February 3rd, and the Asian American Association of Alhambra’s Lunar New Year Banquet on February 23rd.
Until then, I send you and your family warmest wishes for a lovely winter break and forever thanks for being a generous participant in our manifold efforts to launch our students into their best futures.
Happy Holidays,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Board Reorganization
On Tuesday, December 12th, Mrs. Kaysa Moreno "passed the gavel" to Mr. Bob Gin, who will serve as board president for the next year. The Board of Education reorganized its officers as follows:
Robert L. Gin, President
Fred L. Chang, Vice President
Kenneth Tang, Clerk
Dr. Marcia Wilson, Member
Kaysa Moreno, Member
Justin Wang, Student Member
LCAP Survey - Please complete TODAY!
The annual Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) survey is now open. Your feedback is valued and very important to the Alhambra Unified School District! We want to know how to improve programs and systems. We encourage everyone to please participate in this important feedback opportunity by the end of TODAY. Please be candid in your responses. All information you provide will be maintained on a confidential basis by Hanover Research. No personalized information is shared with AUSD and reported responses are not linked to personal identifying information. Open-ended responses are, however, included verbatim to AUSD. So, please do not include personal information in open-ended responses. This survey will only take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Click HERE to access the LCAP Survey.
LCAP Presentation
In order to assist you as you complete the LCAP Survey, we have included last month's LCAP Updates & Assessment Data overview presentation again so you can review it before responding to the survey. Click HERE or on the image to access the the slidedeck from our November 6th Parent Advisory Council meeting.
24-25 Dual Language Immersion Program
We are now accepting applications for TK-8th grade Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language Immersion programs. This is your opportunity to give your child the gift of bilingualism and give them an advantage in the world. Click HERE or watch the video below for more information.
Lightspeed Parent Portal - STILL TIME TO SIGN UP!
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. Read more about this in the November issues of the Around Alhambra & the Monterey Park Cascades.
Step 1: Opt in to receive the usage reports (Click HERE for Instructions in English/Spanish/Chinese)
Step 2: Review the Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide (Click HERE for the guide in 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.
Temporary Change to Permit Application Process
We are temporarily reverting back to paper applications for the permit process. Parents who are interested in applying for a permit for their child should click HERE to go to the Permits page of the AUSD website to download a fillable PDF application and/or to get more information. Once the application is complete, parents will need to email it (along with the required documentation) to transferpermit@ausd.us. Thank you for your patience as we change over to a new online permit system.
Caregiver Education Webinar Series 2: "Clearing the Air"
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 second webinar is: Clearing the Air and it will take place next Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. via zoom and cover content related to 6th-8th grade. To register, click HERE. For more information, visit: www.ausd.us/gateway. We hope to see you there!
Medi-Cal Redetermination
Hazel Health Telehealth Mental Health Services
The Ynez School family came together in November for their second annual Literacy Night, "Celebrating Us," to embrace the diversity of their multicultural school community. The evening featured performances by AHS’s Folklorico Dancers, special activities, and delicious food. Thank you to community groups and individuals who came to read and share the love of literacy with the students. A special thank you to the Ynez School PTA for the hard work and partnership to make Literacy Night such a success.
Thank you to all the students and families who participated in Northrup School’s Family Math Night on November 16th. We appreciate the many Northrup teachers who hosted such a fun night of learning through games.
SGHS Principal Debbie Stone was among one of 18 educators who was invited to participate in a five-day whirlwind tour of Taiwan as part of a possible future exchange program. During the short visit, she visited nine schools and the Mandarin Training Center (where educators are trained to teach Mandarin as a second language). Principal Stone called the trip a life-changing, phenomenal experience!
In November, Northrup School’s Mandarin Dual Immersion 1st - 7th students participated in the Southern California Councils of Chinese Schools’ (SCCCS) Fall 2023 Academic Competition. The students had a great time participating in Chinese Poster Making, Chinese Brush Calligraphy, Hard Pencil, or Picture Essay.
On Friday, December 8th, the Mark Keppel High School Band and Orchestra showcased their talents at an outstanding Winter Concert. Thank you to MKHS junior Grant Sapcharoenlert for sharing these amazing photos highlighting the evening’s events. Click HERE to view photos by Grant's.
Alhambra PTA presents their Winter Wonderland on December 16th (TOMORROW) from 12:00pm-4:00pm, located in the AHS Quad. Get in the holiday spirit and ride the Merry Moors' Train. Entry is FREE and all are welcome! Please come and support AHS while getting some Christmas shopping done. There will be food, drinks, music, arts & crafts, vendors and more. This event is open to the public!
To celebrate the end of Marguerita School’s construction and modernization project, the school will host a Rededication Ceremony on January 19th. Please spread the word to former Marguerita students and staff members. All are welcome to join us. If you have photos from your time at Marguerita, please share them with Principal Tom Kohout via email: kohout_h_thomas@ausd.us. PLEASE NOTE: The start time has changed to 3:00pm (instead of 4:00pm)!
Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Tests are available in the school office for AUSD students and staff members to use at home during Winter break (while supplies last). We recommend that students and staff members take a COVID-19 test before returning to school/work on Monday, January 8th. (The Blackboard message mistakenly mentioned December -- instead of JANUARY -- 8th as the return date from winter break. Sorry for any confusion.) Results do NOT need to be submitted to the school/district. However, students who test positive should stay home on January 8th and contact the school to report the absence and receive additional information. (Staff members who test positive should also stay home and report their absence to their supervisor).
Smoothie Bike Kick-Off
On November 28th, Baldwin School's Nutritional Advisory Council (NAC) led the Smoothie Bike Kick-Off activity with the K-3 students. NAC shared a presentation to the students about the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition. They also taught them about the many farms in California where we get fresh produce. After leading each class through some warm-up activities, the students cheered on special staff members or NAC members as they pedaled the smoothie bike to power the specially-attached blender. The best part was sampling the yummy and nutritious smoothies afterwards.
Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF)
Alhambra Latino Association (AAA)
Asian American Association (AAA)
Apply for AAA Scholarship by December 23rd
ATTENTION SENIORS: The deadline for Asian American Association of Alhambra's 2024 scholarships is coming soon! Recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship (increased from $800 in previous years) and will be honored at AAA's annual Lunar New Year banquet. Apply HERE by Saturday, December 23rd at 11:59pm.
🐲 Celebrate the Year of the Dragon 🐉
RSVP today for AAA's 34th annual Lunar New Year Banquet. All proceeds go towards student scholarships! Table seating will be assigned based on when paid RSVPs are received.
RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/AAA24RSVP.
You still have a few days to get to be eligible for an Early Bird Discount & Early Bird Door Prizes. Make sure to submit your reservation & payment by Monday, December 18th. You can win a Apple Airpods or 12th row orchestra seats to the opening night of The Wiz.
For those interested in Corporate Sponsorship, please visit www.tinyurl.com/AAACorporate24 for more info.
Adopt-A-Camper Program
Alhambra Unified School District is partnering with AEF to launch the Adopt-A-Camper program. The goal is to send every AUSD sixth grader to science camp in the spring of 2024. AEF has set up a link where can go to donate.
Click HERE to donate. Thank you in advance for your generosity. More information is available from Superintendent Dr. Jaramillo's letter from last month (see below).
ALA Scholarship
The Alhambra Latino Association (ALA) 2024 Scholarship Applications are now available!
AUSD seniors will have from December through March 15, 2024 to submit their application packets. Click HERE to apply
Celebrating our Cultures
Save the Date: On Saturday, February 3, 2024, ALA will host "Celebrating Our Cultures" at San Gabriel High School from 11:00am until 1:00pm. More info. to follow.
Featured Video: Brightwood Students are Repeat Finalists for Congressional App Challenge
Two Brightwood eighth graders, Drexel Ngo and Alina Ramos, are once again FINALISTS in the Congressional App Challenge (Judy Chu, CA-28th Congressional District). This is the second year they were one of the top groups. Last year, they (along with two additional classmates) ended up in Second Place and were the only middle school team to be among the Top-5.
Their impressive app is well-designed, and was created in response to the the devastating Monterey Park shooting on January 21, 2023. We are so proud of these young coders' outstanding skills and how the channeled their efforts to create something positive and useful out of a tragedy. Watch their introductory video to learn about their Red-11 app.
All finalists will be honored at a special ceremony at Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Lab on Tuesday, December 19th, where they will find out their official standing. Drexel and Alina will also be recognized by the Monterey Park City Council at their meeting on Wednesday, December 20th.
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
