PUSD UPDATE

March 4, 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dear PUSD Community,

The entire month of March is dedicated to reading, in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss on March 2 which also kicked of Read Across America week.

Last week, the Board of Education unanimously approved putting two ballot measures on the ballot of the November 2024 election: a school facilities bond and a parcel tax. If approved by voters, the parcel tax would generate $5.5 million each year to retain our valued employees and provide services to our students. The school facilities bond is meant to continue the ongoing work to make upgrades to PUSD campuses.

On Friday evening please join us in a celebration of arts education in PUSD! The opening of "No Boundaries 19", the student art exhibit of TK-12 student visual arts, on March 8, 2024. In an homage to the quality of arts education in PUSD, "No Boundaries 19" is a stop on ArtNight Pasadena, when the city’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions offer free admission for the evening.

In this week’s Update, we’re congratulating one of our outstanding middle schools as well as a PUSD leader for earning well-deserved recognition. Please take a few minutes to catch up on the latest PUSD news. Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Blanco, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

SIERRA MADRE NAMED CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL

Congratulations to Sierra Madre Middle School which has just been named a 2024 California Distinguished School! It is among 293 exceptional middle and high schools to receive the award. Sierra Madre Middle School fosters academic excellence and creative thinking in partnership with families and the community. It is home to PUSD’s middle school Mandarin Dual Immersion program, accelerated Math Academy, and offers a robust visual and performing arts.

a photo of the front of Sierra Madre Middle School

“NO BOUNDARIES 19” STUDENT ART EXHIBIT

The limitless creativity of PUSD students will be on display at "No Boundaries 19". The exhibition features TK-12th grade student art from every school in PUSD and it opens this Friday, March 8, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Paseo Colorado in historic downtown Pasadena. "No Boundaries 19" showcases the diversity of the PUSD student experience, demonstrates the healing power of the arts, and celebrates creativity. No Boundaries coincides with ArtNight Pasadena and the exhibit continues through March 17. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday: 3-6 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.pusd.us/arts.

collage of photos from previous No Boundaries with students standing next to their artwork

ALL DISTRICT DANCE FESTIVAL

About 225 PUSD students from across the district danced in the aisles and high kicked on stage at the All District Dance Festival on Thursday. Some 800 people turned out for the performance which was presented by PUSD Arts in collaboration with Lineage Dance Company. Thank you to all of the talented dancers for countless hours of practice, many sore muscles and for their undeniable dedication to the art of dancing.

Photo of a student dressed up like a pirate dancing at the festival

SHOUT OUT FOR OUR CHEERLEADERS!

The LEARNs 2024 Cheer and Dance Competition last weekend was called Blast from the Past. The crowd clearly had a blast as elementary and middle school students from across PUSD put on a show to remember. Congratulations to the Madison LEARNs Cheer team for winning first place! Thank you to all participants for their hard work and dedication.

photo of Madison Cheer Team with posing with their trophy

A student dance team performs wearing matching bucket hats and track suits

EXCELLENT EDUCATORS

Congratulations to Dr. Lawton Gray III, John Muir High School principal, who has been selected for a prestigious award from the NAACP Pasadena. Dr. Gray will be honored at the 35th annual NAACP Ruby McKnight Williams Awards Dinner on March 21, 2024. Ms. Williams served her community for decades and worked as branch president for several years. The award in her honor is given to those who demonstrate excellence in community service. #PUSDproud!

JOIN US!

Students, parents, guardians, and community members are cordially invited to a Black Student and Family Task Force Town Hall meeting on Saturday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. at Pasadena High School. Your presence and participation are crucial in advocating for positive change. This will be the last event before recommendations are presented to the PUSD Board of Education on April 25, 2024.

Graphic flyer for the Black Student and Family Task Force Town Hall Meeting

SCIENCE IN PUSD

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

PasadenaLEARNs will host the 2024 Science Olympiad Competition on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Blair High School. Hundreds of 2nd-8th grade students from across PUSD will compete in 14 fast-paced, hands-on events that test their knowledge, creativity, innovation, and collaboration! Awards ceremonies begin at 1:00 pm in the high school gym. Come out and cheer for our students as they showcase their science and engineering skills!

SCIENCE FEST

That same day, all are invited to the PUSD 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 FICTION FEST

You’re invited to celebrate time machines, fantasy fiction, and all things sci-fi at the Octavia E. Butler Library Science Fiction Festival on Friday, March 22 from 3 - 6 p.m. Winners of the essay and art contests will be announced. The annual event will also feature writers, scientists, and creators from many local organizations, sci-fi demos, book giveaways, and more. The community can register to attend at: gopusd.com/oebfest2024.

HOORAY FOR OUR HOOPSTERS!

Congratulations to the elementary and middle schools winners of the PasadenaLEARNs Sports 2024 Basketball Championship!

Elementary Champions: Webster Elementary
Middle School JV Champions: Eliot Middle School
Middle School Varsity Champions: McKinley School

Photo of Webster Elementary basketball team wearing their championship medals

Photo of Middle School JV Champions Eliot Middle School with their medals

photo of Middle School Varsity Champions McKinley School basketball team with their medals

SPRING BREAK

PUSD has big plans for spring and summer breaks. PasadenaLEARNs is offering fun programs for PUSD students in TK-8th grade from Monday, April 1, through Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Field, Jackson, and McKinley schools. Our 2024 Spring Break Flyer contains a QR code with the link to apply. Spaces are limited, so apply now. The application period closes Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Also, the Summer Spark Program Application Deadline is Friday, March 29, 2024. For more information, call (626) 396-3614 or visit https://www.pusd.us/learns https://forms.gle/esKPbJNEuAhm9qMW9

graphic flyer for PasadenaLEARNs Summer Spark program

NOW ENROLLING

PUSD schools are now enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year. In case you missed the first lottery of Open Enrollment, the second lottery starts today, March 4, and closes March 8.

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

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY IN TK

Full-day Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a fun introduction to kindergarten and is available at all neighborhood schools for children who turn 5 years old between September 2 and June 2 for the 2024-2025 school year. Families may also submit an Open Enrollment application to request their preferred schools or a dual language immersion program.

PRESCHOOL

Full and half-day preschool programs for children ages 3 and 4 and include activities such as language development, science, technology, engineering, art, and math - all in a fun and nurturing environment that’s just right for our youngest learners. Dual language immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin are also available. Register for PUSD’s Early Childhood Education at pusd.us/ECE.

UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Regular meeting of the PUSD Board of Education – Thursday, March 28, 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

March 4, 2024

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

SIERRA MADRE NAMED CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL SIERRA MADRE NAMED CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL

“NO BOUNDARIES 19” STUDENT ART EXHIBIT “NO BOUNDARIES 19” STUDENT ART EXHIBIT

ALL DISTRICT DANCE FESTIVAL ALL DISTRICT DANCE FESTIVAL

SHOUT OUT FOR OUR CHEERLEADERS! SHOUT OUT FOR OUR CHEERLEADERS!

EXCELLENT EDUCATORS EXCELLENT EDUCATORS

JOIN US! JOIN US!

SCIENCE IN PUSD SCIENCE IN PUSD