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
“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.
ALL DISTRICT DANCE FESTIVAL
SHOUT OUT FOR OUR CHEERLEADERS!
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.
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
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
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.