AUSD CONNECTION
NEWS FROM ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear AUSD Community,
As the summer days begin to come to a close and we approach the start of another exciting school year, I hope this letter finds you and your family well and enjoying a restful break. With the first day of school just around the corner, we are eager to welcome our students back on campus on Tuesday, August 13th.
In preparation for the 2024-25 school year, I encourage all families and staff members to keep an eye on their email inboxes for important information from your respective school principal. These communications will contain crucial details about the opening of school, including how to access class assignments and any changes to this year’s bell schedules. Much of this information will also be available on each school’s website.
We often say that education is our mission, but safety is our priority. In keeping with that phrase, I would like to strongly encourage you to join us for our School Safety Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, August 8th at 6:00pm. (See more details in the Student Support Services section below.) We are thankful for our partnership with our local law enforcement agencies and all they do to keep our schools and community safe. Together with the Alhambra Police Department and the Monterey Park Police Department, we will be sharing an overview of our partnership and protocols.
Our dedicated AUSD team of educators and support staff members have been working tirelessly during the summer months to ensure a smooth and successful start to the school year. We are committed to providing a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for all our students.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead and to seeing our school community come together once again.
Warm regards,
Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Student Score Reports for CAASPP and ELPAC have been redesigned!
Starting with the 2023–24 summative tests, students and families will receive redesigned Student Score Reports (SSRs) for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). These redesigns were guided by feedback from students, parents, and educators.
Sample CAASPP SSRs can be found on the CAASPP Starting Smarter website at https://ca.startingsmarter.org/ and sample ELPAC SSRs can be found on the ELPAC Starting smarter website at https://elpac.startingsmarter.org/. Redesigned SSRs for the Initial ELPAC and the Initial Alternate ELPAC will be available beginning with the 2024–25 school year.
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Parent Information
Be a partner in your child's success. Your child’s score reports are tools to help you better understand whether your child is on track for success in English language arts/literacy (ELA), mathematics, or English language development. Use the student score reports along with the Starting Smarter websites to make a plan for supporting your child’s learning. To learn more about your child’s California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test scores, visit the Starting Smarter parent website for CAASPP assessments at https://ca.startingsmarter.org/.
The California State Seal of Biliteracy
The State Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for graduating high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The State Seal of Biliteracy is marked by a gold seal affixed to the diploma or transcript. More information about the State Seal of Biliteracy is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) State Seal of Biliteracy web page at
Alternative Income Form
Beginning August 1, 2024 you will be prompted in the Parent Portal to update the Alternative Income Form for the new school year. Help ensure that Alhambra Unified School District receives the maximum amount of federal funds for our schools. The collection of household income is a necessary step to receive millions of dollars in federal funds for the school that your child attends.
Click Here to update your Alternative Income Form
Early College Program Informational Session (Zoom)
Alhambra USD, in partnership with East Los Angeles College, offers College Credit Courses to AUSD high school students. At the informational session, we will provide an overview of the “New GE Pathway” and other different pathways. Don't miss out!
Translations will be provided in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
RSVP Link: https://tinyurl.com/ECP73124
Zoom link will be sent via email after you RSVP.
Early College Program Fall 2024 Class Schedule
Early College Program - East Los Angeles College Enrollment Fair
For 9th -12th Grade Students & Families
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Location: East Los Angeles College Campus (E3/E7 Quad; 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez)
Event Time: 9AM-1PM
Alhambra USD Staff will be on site from 9:30AM to 11:45AM to support AUSD students with registration for Fall 2024 Early College Program classes.
RSVP Link: bit.ly/EnrollmentFair2024
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.
New! Damaged/Lost/Stolen Device Informational Video for Families
📢 NEW FEATURE: Mass Communication System SMS/Text Messages
We are excited to inform you that the SMS / Text feature in our mass communication system, Connect (aka Blackboard) will be officially enabled on August 1st, 2024. This enhancement will significantly improve our communication capabilities, ensuring timely and efficient updates for our staff and families, especially during emergencies. (More information to follow.)
School Safety Virtual Town Hall
Please join us at the School Safety Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, August 8th at 6:00pm. The topic of discussion is "Keeping Children Safe is our Community's Top Priority", featuring guest speakers from the Alhambra Unified School District, Alhambra Police Department and Monterey Park Police Department.
- Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94541118591
- Submit questions by August 1st at NOON: https://tinyurl.com/QuestionsSafetyTH2024
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!
On July 15th, the AUSD South Korea Inaugural Delegation, along with Superintendent Denise Jaramillo, Board President Bob Gin, Board Clerk Ken Tang, and teacher chaperones from AHS (Caroline Botros, Mark Trulson and Eric Bergstrom) and MKHS (Amy Wu) had an opportunity to have a reunion dinner with Jaden Choi of EduPeoples. Jaden played a vital role in coordinating the teams' time in South Korea and provided an amazing experience for everyone. During the evening, there was lots of laughter and sharing as the AUSD team and high school chaperones shared stories and reminisced about their time in South Korea.
Congratulations to two of our AHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing graduating seniors who won academic scholarships this summer. The scholarships were generously sponsored by SCADA (Southern California Asian Deaf Association):
- Michael Liang - First place winner and recipient of a $500 scholarship
- Clarissa Tran - Third place winner and recipient of a $125 scholarship
During the summer, AUSD’s incoming Student Board Member, Keiko Rakin, was one of 18 rising juniors and seniors selected to be part of Assemblymember Mike Fong’s Young Leaders Program. For two weeks this summer, student leaders from across Assembly District 49 gathered together to learn about state government and issues affecting their local community. Thank you to AUSD Board Member Ken Tang and AHS teacher Jose Sanchez (in his role as Monterey Park City Councilmember) for being at the June 29th culmination ceremony to support and cheer on these incredible young leaders.
Congratulations to SGHS theatre students Alan Flores, Elijah Luna and Lily Hindman, who is spending their summer at the Latino Theater Company’s 2024 Summer Youth Conservatory. They are among the 43 students participating in this five-week summer program, that works with theater professionals to train in a university-style setting as they enhance their skills in acting, playwriting, dance, voice/speech, theater analysis, and movement. The program runs through July 27th and will culminate with a student showcase.
During the summer, Northrup teacher Sonia Tovar, was invited on a teaching trip to Indonesia by Charis National Academy. She trained staff during their teacher orientation week immediately before the start of their school year, led a main session that included staff from Charis Indonesia and nearby schools. It was also livestreamed to small schools on remote islands too far for teachers to travel. She also gave workshops for teachers on the topics of SEL, Interactive Read Aloud, and grading practices and had the privilege of training a group of student teachers who will eventually be sent out to start a school in a village that is currently without one!
ATA Food Pantry - DONATIONS NEEDED
ATA (Alhambra Teachers Association) is partnering with Alhambra Unified School District, the City of Alhambra, SGVCOG (San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments) and the City of Monterey Park. to support our students and families with food insecurities. But we need the community's help to fill the new pantry by August 6th. Please contact ATA (626-289-1933) between 8:00am and 1:00pm to schedule a time to drop off your food donations. No donation is too small!
Alhambra Educational Foundation (AEF)
Alhambra Latino Association (ALA)
Asian American Association (AAA)
AEF Voted San Gabriel Valley's BEST Non-Profit Organization!
Congratulations to the Alhambra Educational Foundation. They recently won multiple Southern California News Group's Readers Choice Awards, including being voted as the San Gabriel Valley's BEST Non-Profit Organization! This is such a well-deserved honor! Please continue to support the important work AEF does for our students, schools, staff members, and families.
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.
Alhambra USD Employment Opportunities
Join the AUSD Team! Please click HERE for full-and part-time positions. We have competitive salaries and excellent benefits! AUSD posts all job opportunities at EdJoin.com/alhambrausd. Make sure to check back often.
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