PUSD UPDATE

November 27, 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,

Welcome back to school! I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful Thanksgiving break.

A special thanks to all the students, families, and staff members who participated in the 6th annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning that benefits PUSD high school athletics.

The next few weeks before the winter break are going to be busy! Our students have musical performances and celebrations and high school seniors are completing their college applications.

Neighborhood school registration for the 2024-2025 school year starts December 4, 2023, and the first lottery of PUSD’s school choice program is in January 2024.

Please take a few minutes to enjoy the latest PUSD news and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

TURKEY TROT

What a terrific Turkey Trot! Thank you to all of those who skipped, walked or ran the 5K Rose Bowl Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning! We even had some walking, talking turkeys! We raised more than $5K for high school sports! You can still donate at https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/CA/Pasadena/RoseBowlTurkeyTrot

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People at the Turkey Trot in turkey and vegetable costumes

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COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

A shout out to PUSD 12th graders for completing college applications this fall! A special thank you all counselors for all their hard work in helping PUSD high school seniors finish applications and meet deadlines.

PUSD high school counselor at graduation

CHECKS FOR PUSD SCHOOLS

Two PUSD schools have been awarded generous grants from the Vons Foundation. Blair High School and Octavia E. Butler Middle School each received a check for $2,500 at the grand reopening of Vons Market on California Blvd. in Pasadena. The funds will support programs at the schools such as Blair’s environmental “green” initiative project.

Photo of Octavia E. Butler principal receiving $2,500 check at the grand reopening of Vons Market on California Blvd.

ENROLL IN PUSD FOR 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!

Cover of the PUSD School Guide with an elementary aged boy in a green t-shirt

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Neighborhood School Registration Begins December 4 (Ongoing)

Families may register children to attend their neighborhood school beginning December 4, 2023 if the child is a new to PUSD K-12 student who prefers their neighborhood school or if they are just entering transitional kindergarten (TK). Find your school at www.pusd.us/findmyschool and register on or after December 4, 2023.

Open Enrollment School Choice Lotteries

New and continuing TK-12 students who live in Pasadena, Altadena, or Sierra Madre may apply for schools other than their assigned neighborhood school for PUSD signature programs through two lotteries. Children of full-time PUSD and City of Pasadena employees are also eligible. Apply online: pusd.schoolmint.com

1st Lottery Application Period: January 9, 2024 at 9 a.m. through January 26, 2024 at 4 p.m.
2nd Lottery: March 4, 2024, 9 a.m. - March 8, 2024, 4 p.m.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is expanding for the 2024-25 school year to include children who turn five by June 2, 2025. TK will be available at all PUSD schools, and Spanish immersion TK will expand to two sites (Longfellow and Jackson). Space is limited, so please see the application dates above and apply as soon as you are eligible.

Preschool is now enrolling! PUSD’s Early Childhood Education programs are a launchpad for your child’s bright future. Our programs nurture each child’s physical, social, emotional, creative, linguistic, and cognitive growth. www.pusd.us/ece

NAVIGATING OPEN ENROLLMENT

The Pasadena Education Network (PEN) is offering a detailed overview of PUSD’s open enrollment process with a virtual program on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Please register here: https://www.penfamilies.org/calendar/2023/12/5/nav-oe

Sign up to get the Zoom link at https://tinyurl.com/NavOE2023

HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY

The California Healthy Kids Survey has been extended to December 1, 2023 for PUSD families and staff and for students in grades 6, 7, 9, and 11. The survey gathers feedback on elements that affect learning, such as health risks, school connectedness, school climate, and school violence. It is anonymous, confidential, and voluntary but highly encouraged because your voice is valuable! Each school will send families, staff, and participating students a link specifically for their school.

WINTER TOY DRIVE

Please help spread holiday joy for PUSD Families in Transition with donations if you can. Thank you!

Winter Gift Guide from PUSD's Families in Transition

THIS WEEK: SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH FORUMS

The PUSD Board of Education is asking for your help in selecting the next superintendent. To ensure this is a collaborative and inclusive process, the Board invites students, staff, parents, and community members to provide their input at our upcoming community forums.

Superintendent Search Community Forums

November 29, 2023 - 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

John Muir High School

1905 N. Lincoln Ave., Pasadena

Rooms: Auditorium, A132, A136

November 30, 2023 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena

Rooms: Auditorium, Cafeteria, Library

Superintendent Search Community Forums flyer

NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

November is National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness and take action to prevent diabetes health problems. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It affects about 37 million Americans, including adults and youth.

To prevent and treat diabetes and other chronic diseases, PUSD’s Health Programs department offers nutrition and cooking classes and monthly produce distribution. For more information, please contact healthprograms@pusd.us

For information on preventing diabetes, visit the California Department of of Public Health at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/CDCB/Pages/DiabetesPrevention.aspx

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, Dec. 14, at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at www.pusd.us/Page/639

PUSD UPDATE

November 27, 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

TURKEY TROT TURKEY TROT

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

CHECKS FOR PUSD SCHOOLS CHECKS FOR PUSD SCHOOLS

ENROLL IN PUSD FOR 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR! ENROLL IN PUSD FOR 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!

Neighborhood School Registration Begins December 4 (Ongoing)

Open Enrollment School Choice Lotteries

NAVIGATING OPEN ENROLLMENT NAVIGATING OPEN ENROLLMENT

HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY

WINTER TOY DRIVE WINTER TOY DRIVE

THIS WEEK: SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH FORUMS THIS WEEK: SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH FORUMS

Superintendent Search Community Forums

NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

TURKEY TROT

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

CHECKS FOR PUSD SCHOOLS

ENROLL IN PUSD FOR 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!

NAVIGATING OPEN ENROLLMENT

HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY

WINTER TOY DRIVE

THIS WEEK: SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH FORUMS

NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING