AUSD CONNECTION

Dear AUSD Community,

The first day of school is just around the corner and we’re ready to kick off a great school year together. By now, you should have received a welcome letter/message/newsletter from your child’s principal, as well as a welcome back letter from me. (If you missed my letter, or enrolled your child after August 1st, you can download a copy of it below.)

You can do your part to make this an amazing school year, by getting involved on your child’s campus and throughout the community. Here are a few ways you can make a difference this year:

• Join your school’s PTA/PTSA: Our schools love when our parents and family members are actively engaged. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, your involvement matters.

• Volunteer if and when you can: Check with your child’s school for opportunities to assist at a schoolwide event, chaperone a field trip, share your skills with a class, or help with a fundraiser.

• Consider taking a leadership role: In addition to becoming a leader at your child’s school, we have a unique opportunity for a community member to make an impact on the entire district. A seat is currently vacant on the AUSD Board of Education for Trustee Area 2. If you or someone you know is passionate about public education and ready to serve, this is a meaningful way to make a positive impact on AUSD. Please look further down (under the Board of Education section) for more information.

Please stay connected and informed. The "AUSD Connection" newsletter is emailed to all parents, students, and staff members the Friday after each Board Meeting (approximately every three weeks). We share important updates, student highlights, and key information through this newsletter all year long. Please read it thoroughly and click through the links and information. Each of our schools also sends out their own newsletter. If you do not receive either the school or district newsletter, please check the AUSD website (www.ausd.us) or the individual school’s website, which is accessible through the district’s site.

You can also find articles about AUSD in each issue of the "Around Alhambra" and "Monterey Park Cascades." Perhaps one of the best ways to stay in the loop is to follow us on social media. We post daily on Facebook and Instagram (@AlhambraUSD). We are also active on X and YouTube, but do not post as frequently on those platforms. Please follow us for the latest district news.

As we begin this new school year together, we’re excited for what lies ahead. As always, we are also incredibly grateful for your partnership. See you on Tuesday, August 12th!

Warmest Regards,

Denise R. Jaramillo, Ed.D.

Superintendent

It's been a long time coming, but A-Building at Alhambra High School has finally reopened. During winter break of the 2019-2020 school year, a fire broke out in one of the offices. Fortunately, no one was injured, but several offices/classrooms were damaged, and a large portion on the building was not usable. In addition to clean-up and repairs, several planned construction projects were completed during this time.

The school held a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on August 7th, followed by their faculty Welcome Back meeting and first PD of the year in the A-Building's new multi-purpose room. We are excited to finally welcome staff and students back to the A-building for the upcoming school year! (Photos: Ricardo Padillo, AUSD Communications Intern)

Although this slidedeck give you an overview and basic information on this topic, we encourage you to attend our BOARD MEETINGS and listen to the detailed staff reports as they are presented to the Board. Click on the image below to access the PDF of Tuesday's staff report slidedeck.

At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Board Member Ken Tang, announced that he will step down from the AUSD Board, effective August 6th. His resignation was due to his recent election to the California Teachers Association Board of Directors. On August 26th, We will recognize Mr. Tang for his five years of dedicated service to AUSD. The public is welcome to join us for this celebration.

The Board of Education plans to appoint a new Board Member, who will serve until November 2026. You must be a resident of Trustee Area #2 (green section in the map below) in order to be considered for this appointment. More information will be available on our website (www.ausd.us) by the end of the day on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Help ensure the Alhambra Unified School District receives the maximum amount of federal funds for our schools by completing the Alternative Income Form (AIF). The collection of household income information is a necessary step for AUSD to receive thousands of dollars in federal funds for the school your child attends. ALL families should complete the Alternative Income Form (AIF), irrespective of their household income. One AIF is needed for each student.

Scan the QR code on the flyer, click HERE, download the flyer below, or visit www.tinyurl.com/AIFdirections for instructions to access the Family Portal to start completing your form for the 2025-2026 school year.

AUSD invites you to join our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Committee. This committee meets four times per year to review our progress toward educational equity and to provide input on equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts across our schools. If you are interested, please complete the interest form by August 31st.

Click HERE for details and the interest form link (with translations in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese) or go directly to the interest form by clicking HERE.

New & Returning AUSD Parents: Please make sure you have signed up for SMS/Text message alerts through the Parent Portal. The SMS/Text feature of our mass communication system (Blackboard) has significantly improved our communication capabilities, ensuring timely and efficient updates for our staff and families, especially during emergencies, but you have to make sure you have entered a cell number in the Emergency Messaging section for the system to alert. Click HERE to view our SMS/Text Frequently Asked Questions.

Check out the Fall 2025 Class Schedule by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ausd-ECP-classes. Remember to submit the interest form no later than Friday, August 15th at 11:59pm. Classes will begin September 8, 2025.

• All AUSD 9th-12th grade families are invited.

• Learn how CaliforniaColleges.edu helps students plan their academic futures, navigate college & financial aid applications, and access career resources—all in one place.
• Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
• Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm (via Zoom)
• RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/ccfs827 (Zoom link will be sent via email after you RSVP)
• Translation available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, & Vietnamese.

• All AUSD 9th-12th grade families are invited to attend
• Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
• Location: San Gabriel High School
• Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Have you noticed any new neighbors? If they have children, please make sure they know the new school year starts on August 12th. They need to make sure their child is enrolled so they can begin on the first day of school. Many of our schools are also still accepting permits from families who live outside the AUSD attendance area. Visit the www.ausd.us/enroll for more information.

We have put together many resources to support our immigrant families. Please click on the image or "button" below to visit our website and access these resources.

The Board of Education of the Alhambra Unified School District is seeking qualified, interested individuals to fill two (2) vacancies on its independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (“COC”) for the District’s Measure HS and Measure AE school facilities bond programs.

Vacant Positions:

1) One member active in a bona fide taxpayers association

2) One member active in a business organization located in the district

Interested community members who live within the AUSD boundaries are encouraged to apply. Click HERE to review the committee bylaws and complete the application. Completed applications should be sent to the Alhambra Unified School District Office of the Superintendent.

Committee Responsibilities:

In accordance with Education Code Section 15278(b), the Citizens’ Oversight Committee shall:

• Inform the public concerning the District's expenditure of bond proceeds of Measure HS

and Measure AE.

• Review expenditure reports produced by the District to ensure that Measure HS and

Measure AE bond proceeds were expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure HS

and Measure AE, respectively; and

• Present to the Board in public session, an annual written report outlining their activities and

conclusions regarding the expenditure of bond proceeds of Measure HS and Measure AE.

If you have any questions, please call (626) 943-3330.

Following asbestos abatement procedures, the floors in Granada's cafetorium, kitchen, and serving line areas were upgraded. The cafetorium now boasts luxury vinyl tile in the school colors. Additionally, epoxy coating was installed across the kitchen floors, serving line, and hallways.

Northrup School's Marquee has been completed and is fully operational.

Mark Keppel High School Auto Tech Building Update

Scanlon Early Education Center Updates

Ramona Food Services Building Update

LITTLE BITS OF GOOD NEWS & INFORMATION FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT

(Visit our social media platforms to see additional photos of many of these events/activities.)

We are once again inviting our students, families, and staff members to be part of our annual #AUSDFirstDay social media campaign and be part of a districtwide tradition that celebrates the excitement, emotions, and small moments that make the first day of school so special each year.

To participate, simply upload your first day of school photos at: https://tinyurl.com/AUSDFirstDay2025. Families and staff may submit up to five photos. (NOTE: If others appear in your pictures, please get their permission before sharing.) The form will be open August 11th through August 18th.

Make sure to follow AUSD on Facebook and Instagram (@AlhambraUSD) to see all the Back-to-School shout-outs during the first few weeks of school year.

Please join us on Tuesday, August 26th as Keiko Rakin (Student Board Member) and Angelina Yip (Student Board Member Alternate) take their Oath of Office for the 2025-2026 school year. We will also be introducing the community to the 2025-2026 AUSD Student Advisory Council (SAC). A reception will follow the swearing-in ceremony.

AUSD had a second education delegation who traveled to South Korea this summer to immerse themselves in the Korean culture and connect with students and educators. At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, they presented highlights of their experience as a Communications item. The presentation included a video highlighting their adventure together, which you can watch below. You can also view a PDF of their entire presentation slidedeck HERE.

Food and Nutrition Services' INTERACTIVE ONLINE MENUS are available for all AUSD schools.

Click HERE to access the online menu and check out the many great features, including nutritional information, calorie/carb/fat trackers, allergen alerts, and much more!

The regulation for a milk substitution has changed. Parents may now complete THIS FORM to request a milk substitution (soy milk) with your child's school meals. This form is for a milk substitution ONLY and does NOT require a medical professional's signature.

All other food substitutions still require the Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations Form, which is available HERE.

ALL AUSD students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. We are able to provide this under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

Parents/guardians no longer have to complete a meal application, but we do ask that you fill out the Alternative Income Form instead. (See information in the "Educational Services" section.)

Click HERE for non-district sponsored activities from our local cities and community organizations.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is inviting high school students to apply for the 2025–26 Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. LACOE's council was created to ensure that student voices are included in critical conversations and decisions about public education. They are seeking a diverse group of students from across Los Angeles County who are ready to share their experiences, represent a range of achievement levels, and help shape the future of education.

Students in grades 9-12 and enrolled in an LA County public high school are eligible to apply.

The deadline is Friday, August 29th at 5:00pm. Access the application and more information by clicking on the image or HERE.

For the second year, female residents of Alhambra are eligible to apply to be on the Rose Court. Serving on the Rose Court is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to grow as a leader and receive a $7,500 educational scholarship. Last year, AHS' Isabella Jackson made it all the way to the finalist round. We hope to see even more AUSD students from Alhambra apply to be on the 2026 Rose Court. Eligibility requirements and applications are available on the Tournament of Roses WEBSITE.

For the second year in a row, the Alhambra Educational Foundation was voted San Gabriel Valleys' BEST Non-Profit Organization in the recent Southern California News Group's Readers Choice Awards!

Shop the deepest discounts of the year and support the Alhambra Educational Foundation all in one day!

Plan to join us on Saturday, September 20th 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Tickets are on sale now! Click HERE to view more details on the flyer.

The 12th annual Pumpkin Run is scheduled for Sunday, October 26th. Proceeds from this fun community event will benefit the Alhambra Educational Foundation. Register by August 31st to qualify for early bird registration prices.

For more information or to register, please visit: https://alhambrapumpkinrun.com.

For the second year in a row, AUSD was voted as San Gabriel Valley's Favorite Work Place!

Come be a part of 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.org/alhambrausd. Make sure to check back often.

Several of our administrators changed positions or locations during the summer. In case you missed this information in the last issue, please click on the image below (or THIS LINK) to see the new and returning administrators at our high schools and elementary schools. Congratulations to everyone who was promoted and/or who will be going to a new site!

https://www.ausd.us/apps/events/

• August 11: All AUSD Offices Open Late at 10:00am (due to AUSD All-Staff Meeting)
• August 11: Back-To-School Nights (Brightwood TK & K, Fremont TK & K, Marguerita TK & K, Northrup TK & K, Repetto TK & K, & Ynez TK & K; See LIST of dates and times)
• August 11-18: #AUSDFirstDay Campaign (Submission LINK)
• August 12: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - Welcome Back!
• August 20: Back-To-School Night (Emery Park 1st-8th; See LIST of dates and times)
• August 26: Board of Education Meeting (Agendas & Minutes) & Reception for Ken Tang, Keiko Rakin, and Angelina Yip.
• August 27: Back-To-School Nights (Baldwin 1st-8th, Brightwood 1st-5th, Fremont 1st-8th, Monterey Highlands 1st-8th, Northrup 1st-8th, Park 1st-8th, Repetto 1st-5th, & Ynez 1st-8th; See LIST of dates and times)
• August 27: College & Career Family Series: CaliforniaColleges.edu ZOOM 7:00pm-8:00pm (Flyer, RSVP)
• August 28: Back-To-School Nights (Garfield TK-8th, Granada TK-8th, Marguerita 1st-8th, Repetto 6th-8th, AHS, MKHS & SGHS; See LIST of dates and times)
• August 29: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter emailed to Parents, Students, and Staff Members
• September 1: Labor Day Holiday (All AUSD schools/offices will be closed)
• September 3: Back-To-School Nights (Brightwood 6th-8th & Ramona 1st-8th; See LIST of dates and times)
• September 4: Back-To-School Night (Moor Field Preschool; See LIST of date and time)
• September 9: Special Board of Education Meeting (Agendas & Minutes)
• September 11: Back-To-School Night (LIFT Adult Transition; See LIST of date and time)
• September 16: Board of Education Meeting (Agendas & Minutes)
• September 17: AUSD 18th Annual College Fair 6:00pm-8:00pm (Flyer)
• September 19: "AUSD Connection" Newsletter emailed to Parents, Students, and Staff Members
• September 20: Citadel Shopping Extravaganza (Supports AEF) 9:00am-9:00pm (Flyer, Tickets)

Here is the LIST of dates and times for the 2025 Back-To-School Nights. Please check with your child's school (or the school website) for more information.

The 2025-2026 school year is here! If you have not already done so, please mark these important dates (including the revisions from May) on your family calendar.

Click on the high school logo to access their current athletic calendars.

Thank you to the many volunteers, staff members, and community partners who helped make our August 6th Back-to-School Giveaway a reality. We were happy to be able to serve hundreds of AUSD families. But the need was far greater than we anticipated, and we apologize that we could not accommodate everyone. We hope families who were in line when we realized we would not be able to provide for everyone stayed long enough to receive the QR code to fill out the contact form.

⭐ For those who filled out the form, a backpack will be delivered for your child. (They will be contacted through the student’s school office.) Families will also be invited to an upcoming invitation-only distribution event as soon as our food pantry shelves have been replenished. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you are able to donate to the Food Pantry, please contact the Alhambra Teachers Association at 626-289-1933.

Click on the masthead images below to view digital versions of the current issues. AUSD students, staff members, and programs are heavily featured in both papers. NOTE: Each month, look for AUSD Communications Interns' (ACI) photographs and/or writing featured in both community publications.)

Alhambra Unified School District is often featured in local media (print and television news). Click below to access some of our favorite stories, featuring AUSD students, staff members, schools and programs!

Do you have something newsworthy to share? Click on the Publicity Request button so we can spread the word!

Please visit us on social media (@AlhambraUSD) to keep up with the latest AUSD news. We are especially active on Facebook and Instagram. If you want our notifications/reminders to show up on your timeline, make sure to follow/like us!

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

Alumni, retirees, family members (who are not the primary contact in PowerSchool), and local community members can receive future issues of this newsletter. Share this newsletter with them and have them click the "SUBSCRIBE" button below.

It's a great way to stay connected with AUSD! 💖