Message from the Superintendent
April 6, 2022
Message from the Superintendent
Dear PUSD Community,
I hope you are able to relax and spend some time with friends and family during Spring Break. I am grateful for our staff, especially Health Services, who will continue working to keep us all healthy. I am proud of so many student accomplishments. (I’ll only mention a few so I can keep this message brief and you can get back to your break.) I am looking forward to hearing from you in an important upcoming survey. I’m confident that together we can make these last few weeks before the end of the school year extremely successful.
COVID REMINDERS
Here are a few reminders to help you stay healthy during the break.
At-Home Test Kits: PUSD has sent test kits home with every student. We are asking every student and employee to take an at-home test on April 10 or 11 before returning to school.
PUSD testing: PUSD is also offering walk-up PCR testing for those who may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms on April 7 and 8, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the PUSD Education Center, 351 S. Hudson Ave.
Vaccines
Monday, April 4, through Friday, April 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m and 1:30 - 7 p.m. at:
Vons Pharmacy - 155 California Blvd, Pasadena, CA. To register: https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/1647374098853
Vons Pharmacy - 2355 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA. To register: https://kordinator.mhealthcoach.net/vcl/1637334363252
Thursday, April 7 (Moderna and Pfizer), 8:30-12 p.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.
- PUSD Primary Clinic - 351 South Hudson Ave., Pasadena, CA 91109 - South Parking Lot. To register: https://myturn.ca.gov/appointment-select?config=9f620fa5-0f5d-4a28-aa9b-1d84a761c743
Tests and vaccinations are offered at the Ed Center every Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
DISTRICT SPELLING BEE
Students from schools across PUSD spelled out “immobilize,” “nasturtium,” and “stabilize” at the annual District Spelling Bee held on March 30 at Webster Elementary. The winning word was “stabilize”. Congratulations to all the Spelling Bee contestants and to students who won the top three spots:
1st place - Seth Christian de Castro, grade 6, Eliot Arts Magnet
2nd place - Nicole Craft, grade 5, Hamilton Elementary
3rd place - Raquel Boer, grade 5, Norma Coombs Elementary
PUSD Spelling Bee winners from left: Seth Christian de Castro, grade 6, Eliot Arts Magnet, Nicole Craft, grade 5, Hamilton Elementary, and Raquel Boer, grade 5, Norma Coombs Elementary.
The 2022 Summer Learning Catalog is here! The catalog provides information on programs available for PUSD families this summer. Program spaces are limited, so please encourage your families to enroll in their selected programs as soon as possible. For more information, go to pusd.us/learns; you can find the pdf version here: PUSD Summer Learning Catalog 2022.
PANORAMA SURVEY COMING!
Between April 13 - 29, the Pasadena Unified School District will administer the Panorama Social-Emotional Learning and School Climate survey to students in grades 3-12. To see a sample of the survey, visit www.pusd.us/survey
Students in grades 3-12 will take the survey during class between April 13 - 29.
The survey data are used to promote better health and well-being for our youth and to improve the school learning environment.
Students may skip any questions they are uncomfortable answering or may stop taking the survey at any time. Participation is strongly encouraged; however, parents may opt-out if they would prefer their students not to take the survey. If you do not wish to have your child complete the survey, you must notify us by completing this opt-out form by April 10.
PERSEVERANCE AWARD
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races - one after the other.” – Walter Elliot
That’s the idea behind the Perseverance Award to be presented to several Pasadena Unified students this month. Recipients must demonstrate exceptional persistence working toward their highest potential in light of their age and/or life circumstances. Special education teachers collaborated with District leaders to develop award criteria and winners must demonstrate:
Perseverance: By overcoming obstacles as they work to the best of their ability and they demonstrate sustained effort.
Positive Social-Emotional/Behavior Skills: By maintaining positive school behaviors and respectfully participating with peers and staff.
Proactive: By asking for help, demonstrating curiosity, and a drive to learn, as well as seeking information about topics of interest
Progress: making progress toward their goals (academic skills and behavior)
Students will receive the awards during on-campus presentations. They will also receive special recognition at the April 28, 2022 School Board meeting and their accomplishments will be showcased in a slideshow. The number of awards per school will be based on the number of students with disabilities (SWD) served at each school site.
As part of our continued effort to support our students’ health and well-being, Hazel Health is our new partner for providing high-quality physical and mental health care services. Access to care with Hazel Health is now live. Students can now access a virtual doctor or therapist visit from home across the district or at select school health office sites (Longfellow Elementary, Madison Elementary, Washington Elementary, Eliot Middle, Washington Middle, John Muir High, and Rose City High).
Some common reasons for a Hazel visit include asthma, headaches, lice, allergies, nausea, fever, medication administration, and more. Parents do not need to leave work for students to access a Hazel provider. More information about this exciting partnership will be coming soon along with materials to share with students and families.
For more info:
Be well and have a great week!
Sincerely,
Brian McDonald, Ed.D.
Superintendent