PUSD UPDATE

January 8, 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,

Happy New Year! We’re off to a great start to 2024 and the second semester in PUSD.

Our community is on the world stage every New Year’s day with the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl game, and PUSD students and employees were front and center.

PUSD Staff and Students honored on the Jumbotron during the 2024 Rose Bowl Game

PUSD's Student Think Tank (pictured above and below) and employees were honored on the field during the college football playoff at the Rose Bowl stadium, two PUSD students were members of the Royal Court and rode in the parade, and Pasadena High School was the site of the annual Floatfest, the 2-mile showcase of Rose Parade floats following their appearance along the parade route.

Dr. Blanco with Think Tank students in the VIP Tent before the Rose Bowl Game

With recent surges in respiratory illnesses, we want to encourage you to stay healthy as classes resume. We want our students to be in class, learning, and growing!

In our first PUSD Update of 2024, we have important information about staying healthy, enrolling in PUSD in 2024-2025, student wellness, and more. Please take a few minutes to catch up on the latest district news and welcome back!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

NOW ENROLLING

PUSD schools are now enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year and the first Open Enrollment Lottery begins January 9, 2024!

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FIRST OPEN ENROLLMENT LOTTERY IS JANUARY 9-26, 2024

PUSD is a district of choice, which means that if the program you are interested in is not at your neighborhood school or if you live outside of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre, you may apply to a PUSD school via the district’s Open Enrollment process.

The first lottery application period is January 9-26, 2024, for PUSD families, PUSD employees and Pasadena City employees; the second lottery is March 4-8, 2024
Families can request any PUSD school that interests them, regardless of their home address. Learn more about Open Enrollment
Beginning March 25, 2024, families who reside outside the boundaries of PUSD may apply for Interdistrict Permits

School tours continue! Visit pusd.us/tours for more information.

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PUSD HONORED AT ROSE BOWL

At the Rose Bowl game on January 1, PUSD employees and students were honored during a ceremony on the field. Honorees included: Principal of the Year Charlene Tucker, Ed.D., (Field Elementary); Classified Employee of the Year Rogelio Macias (John Muir High School); Teacher of the Year Marion Yamada (Hamilton Elementary); and Community Service Award recipients from the PUSD Student Think Tank.

Image of Principal of the Year Charlene Tucker, Ed.D., (Field Elementary); Classified Employee of the Year Rogelio Macias (John Muir High School); Teacher of the Year Marion Yamada (Hamilton Elementary); and Community Service Award recipients from the PUSD Student Think Tank.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR

PUSD is working to help reduce the rising number of COVID-19 cases and respiratory viruses right now. Here are few reminders to help you stay healthy:

Test if you have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19. (Free test kits are available at every school and at the PUSD Education Center.)
Individuals who test positive are required to isolate for five days from the onset of symptoms or the positive test result and then may leave isolation if symptoms have improved.
Wash your hands often.
Wear masks in high-risk situations.
Get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Avoiding illness and attending school every day improves students’ chances of graduation, completing college, and succeeding in life. Missing 10 percent (just two days each month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success. For more resources, please visit pusd.us/attendance.

WELLNESS ROOMS

PUSD schools are continuing to use existing spaces to create dedicated wellness areas that can address students’ needs in a safe, almost spa-like space. Some rooms include aromatherapy, soothing sounds, calm lighting, kinetic sand, fidget toys, lemon water, bean bag chairs and murals. All are staffed by an experienced Response to Intervention (RTI) teacher or behavior specialist.

Sierra Madre Elementary School Principal in the Wellness Room pointing to a mural

Wellness rooms are welcoming spaces where students can express their emotions, share experiences, and learn coping strategies. For more on PUSD student wellness and support services, visit pusd.us/wellness.

INNOVATION EXPO

PUSD's annual Innovation Exposition will be held on February 2, 2024 at the McKinley Middle School Gymnasium. Students can sign up now through January 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Visit the Innovation Exposition website for more information.

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APPLY NOW FOR PUSD STUDENT ASSEMBLY

The deadline to apply for PUSD’s first student assembly has been extended to January 11, 2024. The PUSD Student Think Tank came up with the proposal to create a council, composed of six students (one junior from each high school) and an assembly, composed of 24 peer-elected students. The PUSD Board of Education (BOE) will allow the student council member to cast a predetermined preferential vote on behalf of all students on six campuses. Juniors on the student council will rotate attendance at PUSD’s monthly BOE meetings.

PUSD Student Assembly Organizational Chart

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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet, formerly Washington Middle School, is trying to reach alumni and staff throughout the decades to help gather memories and memorabilia for their centennial celebration 100 Years on the Hill on Feb. 21, 2024! They are hoping you will share a memory about your time at Washington or OEB by leaving a voicemail at 626-790-8192. Please share pictures and memorabilia at gopusd.com/100onthehill.

Celebrating 100 Years on the Hill - OEB Magnet, formerly Washington Middle School sepia photo

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GIFTS FOR WASHINGTON STUDENTS

Every student at Washington Elementary STEM Magnet and its Children’s Center – more than 400 students – received a holiday gift to enjoy over the break, thanks to the Arman Jerejian Young Legend Foundation. Principal Karrone Meeks was thrilled to see such big smiles and so much joy on her students’ faces.

Washington Elementary STEM Magnet students pose with their gifts and Santa

MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC

Please register now for free dental care through Young & Healthy Pasadena.

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UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at pusd.us/board

PUSD UPDATE

January 8, 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

NOW ENROLLING NOW ENROLLING

FIRST OPEN ENROLLMENT LOTTERY IS JANUARY 9-26, 2024

PUSD HONORED AT ROSE BOWL PUSD HONORED AT ROSE BOWL

HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR

WELLNESS ROOMS WELLNESS ROOMS

INNOVATION EXPO INNOVATION EXPO

APPLY NOW FOR PUSD STUDENT ASSEMBLY APPLY NOW FOR PUSD STUDENT ASSEMBLY

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

GIFTS FOR WASHINGTON STUDENTS GIFTS FOR WASHINGTON STUDENTS

MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

NOW ENROLLING

PUSD HONORED AT ROSE BOWL

HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR

WELLNESS ROOMS

INNOVATION EXPO

APPLY NOW FOR PUSD STUDENT ASSEMBLY

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

GIFTS FOR WASHINGTON STUDENTS

MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING