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PUSD UPDATE

February 12, 2024

PUSD UPDATE February 12, 2024
PUSD UPDATE February 12, 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,


I want to reiterate how grateful I am to our teachers, administrators, staff and maintenance employees for their rapid response to the record-breaking rain storms last week. They ensured our children were safe and that classes could continue as normal throughout the week.


I hope that you are enjoying the holiday today in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. On the subject of education, President Lincoln wrote, “... I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in." We wholeheartedly agree!


In this week’s Update, we are recognizing outstanding PUSD Black educators and celebrating Black History Month. We are also asking for your feedback in an important survey by the end of the week. Please take a few minutes to catch up on the latest PUSD news and have a great week!


Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

EXCELLENT EDUCATORS EXCELLENT EDUCATORS

Five phenomenal PUSD Black educators are being recognized as we continue to celebrate Black History Month throughout February. At last week’s meeting of the African American Parent Council entitled “Black Educators Matter,” several amazing educators were singled out for their contributions to PUSD.. They represent teachers, advisors, security officers, counselors, coaches, and administrators who uplift our students and are themselves a part of our living history. Congratulations to these outstanding educators!


  • Catherine Charles, Marshall Fundamental
  • Raymond Cross, Norma Coombs Elementary
  • Dana Moore, John Muir Early College Magnet High School
  • Dr. Nadirah Nayo, Curriculum, Instruction & Professional Development
  • Melodee Ulmer, Pasadena High School
  • Keisha Wallace, Sierra Madre Middle School

Dr. Raymond Cross with Dr. Elizabeth Blanco

INQUIRING YOUNG MINDS INQUIRING YOUNG MINDS

Willard Elementary’s “Inquiry Night” last week not only explored scientific inquiry but also expanded to other subjects such as art, math, and English. Inquiry Night featured a cardboard challenge to create anything students could imagine, a computer science maze, a zipline challenge and Barbie bungee jumping. Barbie really can do it all. To learn about all of the fun, educational activities offered at this International Baccalaureate school, visit pusd.us/Willard.
Girl with a Barbie and Mother preparing to do the Barbie bungee drop
Boy jams at a keyboard during Willard Inquiry night
Boy in glasses prepared to test gravity

LCAP FAMILY & COMMUNITY SURVEY LCAP FAMILY & COMMUNITY SURVEY

Take the LCAP Survey! PUSD has begun developing the 2024-2027 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP is built using the feedback from students, their families/caregivers, teachers and other employees and members of the PUSD community who may not have children attending our schools. Complete the survey today! Survey ends February 16, 2024. pusd.us/survey

LCAP Family & Community Survey
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Take the survey!

BLACK HISTORY PARADE PREP BLACK HISTORY PARADE PREP

Pasadena LEARNs Cheer participants are working hard to get ready for Pasadena’s 2024 Black History Parade on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Each year, Pasadena LEARNs represents PUSD with an all-district elementary and middle school cheer exhibition. Please come “cheer on” our cheerleaders – about 150 students are slated to perform.

LEARNs cheerleaders

PASADENA’S 42ND ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY PARADE AND FESTIVAL PASADENA’S 42ND ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY PARADE AND FESTIVAL

Reminder: Southern California’s largest and longest-running Black history parade is this Saturday, February 17, 2024. The parade begins at Fair Oaks Ave. and Mountain View St. at 10 a.m. and ends with a festival at Robinson Park. This year’s theme is Past-Present-Future, Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson. The festival will feature live bands, dance performances, community booths, Tournament of Roses princesses, food, and family fun! Be sure to stop by the PUSD booths!

Black History Parade flyer for Saturday, February 17, 2024
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CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA FESTS CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA FESTS

Hundreds of talented PUSD student musicians performed on two separate nights last week in the All District Orchestra Festival and All District Choir Festival presented in collaboration with the Pasadena Chorale. We are #PUSDproud of our many accomplished singers and instrumentalists who worked so hard to create such beautiful music.
Monica Benson with some of her choir students
PUSD All District Middle School Choir
Two orchestra girls with violins show the heart symbol with their hands
Conductor with orchestra students

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Celebrating 100 Years on the Hill - OEB Magnet, formerly Washington Middle School sepia photo
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Octavia E. Butler (OEB) Magnet (formerly Washington Middle School) will celebrate 100 Years on the Hill next week. Please join us for a special event on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. The historic celebration will include a commemorative tree planting, school tours to showcase murals from the Lightbringer Project, a beautiful exhibition of memorabilia and more! Please register to attend or call 626-396-5830 ext. 76064.
Register to Attend
100 Years on the Hill celebration flyer. Date reads February 21, 2024
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Event Information

100 Years on the Hill Celebration

When?

Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024, 10:30 AM

Where?

Octavia E Butler Magnet DL STEAM Middle School, North Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA, USA

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SCIENCE FEST SCIENCE FEST

The countdown is on for the launch of PUSD’s Science Fest on Saturday, March 16, from noon to 5 p.m. at John Muir High School Early College Magnet. Join us at the annual celebration where PUSD students, educators, and industry leaders come together to share their knowledge, ideas, and passion for science. The PUSD ScienceFest is free and open to all pre-K-12 students, families, and community members. No tickets needed.
Science Fest flyer for March 16, 2024 from 12-5pm at John Muir Early College Magnet
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Event Information

PUSD Sciencefest 2024

When?

Saturday, Mar 16, 2024, 12:00 PM

Where?

John Muir High School Early College Magnet, Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, CA, USA

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NOW ENROLLING NOW ENROLLING

PUSD schools are now enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year. 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 the district, you may apply to a PUSD school via the PUSD’s Open Enrollment process.

  • Results of the first lottery application period will be available online by February 16, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

  • Please accept school offers by March 1, 2024.

  • In case you missed the first lottery, the second lottery is March 4-8, 2024.


School tours continue! Visit pusd.us/tours for more information.
School Tours graphic with a link to the webiste
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PHISHING SCAM PHISHING SCAM

Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals impersonate legitimate organizations via email, text message, advertisement or other means in order to steal your information. A phishing scam email was sent to students last week offering them paid internships. Please DO NOT click on the link in the email and delete it immediately.

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

  • Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236), 351 S. Hudson Ave, Pasadena. Agenda at pusd.us/board
Pasadena Unified School District
Our Children. Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.

351 S. Hudson Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91109

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