AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
As the summer days continue to warm up, I hope this message finds you enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation. The 2023-24 school year concluded just three weeks ago, marking the end of another chapter of growth, learning, and achievement. We had a wonderful time celebrating with our graduates, retirees, and others who marked major milestones and achievements. With deep gratitude, I want to extend my appreciation to everyone who contributed to another outstanding year.
I hope you will find ways to recharge this summer, whether you take a family vacation, enjoy a day in the park, or just sleep in each morning. Moments like this are essential for our emotional and mental well-being.
Although our team will find time to slow down a bit during the summer, many are also hard at work with summer school, construction and facilities projects, enrollment and planning, and professional development sessions. Believe it or not, our team is already focused on the new school year and preparing for a smooth opening on August 13th.
We will keep you updated with important information and reminders as the new school year approaches. In the meantime, enjoy your summer, stay safe, and make the most of these precious summer days.
Warm regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
2024-25 Dual Language Immersion Program
We are still accepting applications for the 2024-25 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.
Access detailed information on the AUSD website HERE and/or watch an informational video HERE.
Educational Technology Resource Site
We are excited to share our updated Support Site for AUSD families. The site is filled with educational technology resources for all grade levels. You will also find information related to our 1:1 student device program. We believe that by empowering our students with the right technological resources and support, we are setting the foundation for a more engaging, effective, and inclusive learning environment.
Permit Applications for the 2024-25 school year
AUSD has moved our permit process to a new online permit system.
Parents who are interested in applying for a 2024-25 permit for their child can click HERE to begin the process.
LIFT (Learning Independence For Transition) Fundraiser
Student Support Services is supporting our LIFT (Learning Independence for Transition) program with a summer tote bag fundraiser. This is one of LIFT's many entrepreneurial ventures as part of their micro-business elective class.
The tote bags are imprinted with the district logo, are reusable, come in a variety of colors (green, light blue, dark blue, or orange), and are only $5 each! Scan the QR code or click HERE to place an order and help support our wonderful LIFT students.
The pick-up location is at the District Office. Please contact Lisa Sanchez or Jacqueline Valle in Student Support Services at (626) 943-3410 if you have any questions. Thank you!
SSS STEAM Resources
AUSD 's Student Support Services division would like to thank everyone who participated in and/or attended our first Family Steam Night. It was huge success, and we are already planning for next year! We can't wait to see you at Family STEAM Night 2025!
Click HERE to access a variety of resources from our participating community partners.
Congratulations to Mark Keppel High School, a 2024 California Distinguished School! This recognition is one of the state’s most prestigious ways to celebrate exceptional schools. On May 3rd, MKHS picked up their award at a special ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel. Principal Jeannie Gutierrez, assistant principal of instruction Amy Wu and teachers Danielle Acuna, Juvaliet Lopez and Kendra Bradford represented MKHS at the awards ceremony.
Congratulations to the 3rd and 5th grade students in the Spanish Dual Language Immersion program at Fremont School for receiving their Biliteracy Program Participation certificates. These recognitions indicate these students, who are learning in both English and Spanish, are well on their way to earning the California Seal of Biliteracy when they graduate from high school. We are so proud of these dedicated and hard-working students, family members, volunteers, and the teachers and staff who support them throughout the year.
Alhambra High School’s Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) seniors and their advisors were celebrated at the 2024 MESA Senior Gala on Wednesday, May 22nd. There were 39 MESA seniors who graduated this year, which was the largest group at the event. Several AHS seniors received special recognition including:
- Eva Lay, Outstanding MESA Student
- Matthew Sarmiento, Outstanding MESA Student
- Andy Taing, Outstanding MESA Student
- Ryan Teck, Outstanding MESA Student
- Raymond Wang, Outstanding MESA Student
- Nicholas Zhou, Outstanding MESA Student
- Nicole Chen, MESA First-Year $1,000 College Stipend Recipient
- Justin Wang, MESA Student of the Year
Each senior was presented with their MESA stole, which they proudly wore at their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24th.
Brightwood School students showcased their acting and singing skills at their April 25th & 26th performances of Into the Woods Jr. musical, which was presented by the Brightwood PTA and Drama Club, where they received a standing ovation for the impressive performance. Thank you to drama teacher Amy Hughson for giving these students this incredible opportunity.
The students of Garfield School performed their version of Disney’s Finding Nemo Kids on May 9th & 10th. Congratulations to Danika Klebe, Jennifer Lankford, and the incredibly talented cast and crew!
To celebrate AAPI month, Drum Speak visited Ynez School to perform taiko drums and other instruments for the students. Ynez Eagles were able to learn about the instruments and receive insights into the Japanese heritage. Thank you to performers Isaku Kageyama, Gaku Sasaki and David Wells. The students and staff members thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Park School eighth graders have left their mark on their school in many ways, including this beautiful Panther Pride mural. It was designed and painted by Park's eighth-grade class of 2024. Pictured in the photo are Samantha Ho, Tiffany Wang, Yanli Wu and Ray Pantiyanurak.
The AHS Culinary Arts students had a great time at the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) State meeting. Congratulations to Sarah Thacker who placed First in the State and got Best in Show. Only one person in all of Culinary Arts Display received this high honor. Additional award recipients were:
- Sophia Wissman: 3rd place - Entrepreneurship
- Cynthia Yu & Isabella Chen: 2nd place - Nutrition and Wellness
- Sunny Tang: 2nd place - Child Development
- Tatiana Henriquez: 3rd place - Leadership
Ramona School continues to utilize their annual Open House to exhibit their students' year-long accomplishments of Project Based Learning (PBL). This beautiful community event gives Ramona students an opportunity to showcase their learning through interactive presentations and displays. In PBL, the school collaboratively determines an essential question for the year. This year’s question was: "How do we foster a community of diverse learners who are self-motivated to explore their passion as a path to building their legacy?"
Each spring, Joseph “Peppy” Sciarra sponsors a fundraiser through the Rotary Club and donates the proceeds to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. On May 21st, he handed CHLA a check for $5,000, (overall donations totaling $135,000 throughout the years). Additionally. Brightwood teacher Tina Young presented two pieces of artwork which was made by her class from folded cranes incorporated with the CHLA butterfly logo, to be hung in the hallways of CHLA. Brightwood 7th grader Kaitlyn Hui also made and sold crochet flowers and donated 100% of the proceeds ($1,985) to CHLA.
Northrup School and A Plus Mind Booster (Mandarin Dual Immersion Booster) had a great time at their booth at the 2024 Taiwanese American Heritage Week Festival and Taiwan Boba Tea Festival on Saturday, May 18th at Barnes Park. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and visited Northrup School.
San Gabriel High School sent a team to the 2024 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. SGHS is one of six AUSD schools to receive a Community Schools grant, and the team is excited to implement new resources and services to support their students and families. The SGHS team was comprised of teachers Ann Huynh, Kelsey McNeilly, Noreen Morales, Leah Ruiz, Juliet Wagner and assistant principal Rene Regalado. Staff from AUSD’s Student Support Services division (director Jim Schofield, principal on special assignment Chris Ng and administrative intern Lisa Sanchez) also joined them.
Summer Meals Program
Thank you to Telemundo 52 reporter Sandra Bonilla and cameraman Richard Huerta for coming to San Gabriel High School on June 7th to report on the AUSD Summer Meals Program. Their four live segments helped spread the word that, even though the school year is over, AUSD continues to provide free meals during the summer programs for those 18 and under in our community (even if they do NOT attend our schools or summer programs). We appreciate to the AUSD team members from SGHS, Repetto School, and Food and Nutrition Services who came out bright and early to be part of the segments that aired live between 5:00am and 7:00am.
Scroll further down to view the NBC Telemundo 52 segment on the AUSD Summer Meals program.
Apply today for Summer 2024 Admissions
West San Gabriel Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is in partnership with Claremont Graduate University (CGU) is offering a 12-18 month Joint MA and Teaching Credential Program.
Apply today for the Summer 2024 Admissions. For more information, go to www.CGU/TEACHEREDUCATION or contact Jill Gulick at gulick_jill@ausd.us, (626)427-6206
Claim Your FREE CalKIDS Money!
Many students already have $500 to $1,500 in their CalKIDS account, which can be used to support college or career training. Claiming an account and using the money is quick and easy. Just follow these simple steps:
- Locate the high school senior’s 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier (SSID), which may be found on their school’s portal, report cards, or by asking their school.
- Check eligibility HERE.
- If eligible, claim your account at www.calkids.org.
Once the account is claimed, money can be used to pay for qualified higher education costs, such as tuition, fees, computers, books, and more. The funds can be used at eligible colleges, universities, vocational schools, community colleges, and apprenticeships.
Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF)
Alhambra Latino Association (ALA)
Asian American Association (AAA)
Adopt-A-Camper Program - PLEASE DONATE!
Our sixth graders had an AMAZING time at camp this year...several groups even got to enjoy some snow!
Please help Alhambra Unified School District and the Alhambra Educational Foundation to continue this new tradition by supporting the Adopt-A-Camper program. Use this LINK to donate. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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