Arts Magnet Weekly News
Week 21 for Families and Community January 17-21, 2022
Remembering Dr. King!
Remembering Dr. King!
Dear Altadena Arts Magnet Families,
Monday school is closed in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to the civil rights movement. Here's an interesting website, if you'd like to talk with your child about Dr. King: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr
Please join us on Thursday at 6pm for our ELAC meeting on Google Meet:
http://meet.google.com/erb-niaa-kyd
Jungle Book Auditions are coming February 2-4, 2022!
Please view the information video to learn more! https://youtu.be/sC_RGZ1vw0U
Audition materials are available for pick up in the main office.
If you'd like to view the PUSD Covid Dashboard, you may do so at the following link:
As a reminder the mask policy is:
- Students must wear a surgical or N95 mask all day, every day, except when eating
- There is no eating indoors, including classrooms (unless it is raining)
- School staff provides surgical masks which can be worn under cloth masks, however some students are asking for up to 5 masks per day. Please talk with your child about not being wasteful with the masks.
Students who are reminded multiple times throughout the day or who choose to just remove the mask entirely, will receive a phone call home. If your student continues to disregard the policy, we will recommend they go on Independent Study for several days. Masking can be uncomfortable and we want our students to learn from home, if it is too difficult for them to keep a mask on.
If your child tests positive, please call the main office to let staff know OR email myself and Ms. Felicia Lee at lee.felicia@pusd.us
- If a student tests positive they are sent home to quarantine as usual.
- If a student is deemed to be a close contact of a positive case, but are fully vaccinated AND feeling well, they do not need to quarantine but do need to be notified by health office staff that they were exposed. Student must be tested on Day 5.
- If a student or staff member is showing any signs/symptoms of illness they must stay home, regardless of being exposed or not.
- If a close contact is not fully vaccinated they must quarantine. They are required to test on day 5 after exposure.
- We will soon be requiring boosters for 12-15 year olds but we have a grace period on that requirement for the time being.
Should you have any questions on what to do, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are happy to assist.
Dress Code:
Students must follow our PUSD dress code. We do not allow pajamas at school, unless it is part of a spirit week activity. Students who come to school out of dress code will receive a phone call home and parents will be asked to come to school with appropriate clothes for their student. We are working on purchasing some clothes to have at school, so we can offer students a change of clothes if parents are unable to come in.
Electronic Devices including Cell Phones:
Please remember we have a NO personal electronics policy on campus, including cell phones. This is to keep our campus safe from bullying, inappropriate images/videos, having your student's image taken without permission, and many other inappropriate behaviors.
If students have cellphones taken during our "Zero Tolerance" sweep, parents will be notified and reminded about our policies. If your child has a cell phone, it must be turned off and put away all day long while on campus. Parents refrain from texting and calling your child during the school day. If you need to reach your child for any reason, please follow protocol and call the main office.
Speaking of Bullying:
We now have an anonymous bullying reporting form available for students and community members to let us know of any incidents they may witness or personally experience. To access this form on our website, please visit https://www.pusd.us/domain/2975
I wish you a wonderful, restful weekend.
Yours in Service,
Dr. Scheckel, Principal
COVID UPDATES FROM PUSD
We are going back to a five day testing schedule and the schedule below is also what is reflected on the PUSD website. Finally, we will be testing all high schools (Muir, Blair, PHS & CIS, Marshall) on Friday, January 21, 2022 because the district is closed on Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday.
- Mondays, 7:45-3:30: Marshall Fundamental, Pasadena High School & CIS, John Muir High School, Blair School
- 8 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Drive-thru testing at PUSD Education Center (excluding school holidays)
- Tuesdays, 7:45-3:30: Altadena Arts Magnet, Field Elementary, Washington Elementary STEM Magnet, Norma Coombs Elementary, Eliot Arts Magnet, Focus Point Academy
- Wednesdays, 7:45-3:30: Longfellow Elementary, Don Benito Elementary, Washington STEAM. Willard Elementary & Pasadena Adult Living Skills (PALS) & Coordinated Independent Study, Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet, McKinley Elementary School
- Thursdays, 7:45 - 3:30: Webster Elementary, Sierra Madre Elementary, Madison Elementary, San Rafael Elementary, McKinley Middle School
- Friday: 7:45-3:30: Sierra Madre Middle School, Hamilton Elementary, Cleveland Early Childhood Education, Rose City High School
MASKS
Universal masking is still required indoors and for all outdoor activities where physical distancing is not feasible, except while eating or drinking.
Cloth face coverings alone do not provide the same level of personal protection as a proper surgical mask or higher level PPE. Better options include a double mask (cloth mask worn over a surgical mask), a fitted medical mask (surgical mask). The best protection is offered by N95, KN95, or KF94 masks which are not recommended for small children. The new masking options are not required but strongly recommended for our students at this time.
We’ve made 3-ply surgical masks with nose wires available at every school to meet the new mask guidance for students and employees.
Please refer to the LA County update for more details. Masking Updates for Students
PUSD IN-PERSON PARENT MEETINGS NOW VIRTUAL
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and in consultation with local public health, PUSD has opted to move all in-person parent meetings to virtual until further notice.
QUARANTINE/ ISOLATION
We are reminding parents and guardians to keep students home if they are experiencing any symptoms. Until further notice, our schools are following the PUSD isolation and quarantine procedures that have been in place for several months and are stricter than the newest local, LA County and State guidelines. We are working with Pasadena Public Health officials to determine the best way to implement the recently released local, LA county and state guidelines. We will work together to create a plan that can be implemented safely and we will communicate the changes as soon as they are made available. We are continuing to follow our guidelines as these guidelines reduce the risk of transmission.
As a reminder, here are PUSD’s current quarantine and isolation protocols:
- ISOLATION - Any student with COVID-19 may not return to school until they have met criteria to discontinue home isolation, including at least 24 hours with no fever and no use of fever-reducing medication, other symptoms have improved and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. For persons who never developed symptoms, isolation can be discontinued 10 days after the date of testing positive.
- QUARANTINE - Any student who is not fully vaccinated and boosted if eligible and has been exposed to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 may return to school after 10 days, if they do not test. However, if your child takes a laboratory-confirmed FDA authorized viral COVID-19 test on or after the 5th day post exposure and receives a negative result AND they have no symptoms, they can return after the 7th day past exposure. Test results must be verified by school personnel. These tests are offered at our District Health Clinic everyday M-F 8:00 am-3:30 pm, no appointment necessary.
Students sent home for isolation or quarantine may be engaged in short-term independent study. They can access their class content and assignments through the Canvas platform. Please contact your child’s teacher and school site for specific information, if needed. We need to keep instruction at the forefront and continue to support students in every way possible.
ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
PUSD’s Office of Student Wellness and Support Services works to ensure that students have the necessary resources to access learning
These resources include:
Student Wellness and Support Services: Access PUSD’s School Support Referral form to help children get the support and services. For Mental Health services, please contact Lara Choulakian, Manager of Mental Health, for further information at x 88233 or choulakian.lara@pusd.us.
PUSD Families in Transition (FIT) is PUSD’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program for student and family support addressing socioeconomic barriers to student success like housing and food insecurities, lack of access to health and mental health care, recent immigration, and other educational challenges. For assistance or an appointment, please call 626.396.5782 or text the FIT cell at 626.720.2476.
TESTING AND VACCINE CLINICS
Since the beginning of the school year, PUSD has conducted thousands of tests each week through our robust PUSD COVID-19 Testing Program, which includes weekly tests at mobile testing clinics at each school. We have also held weekly drive-through testing/vaccination clinics at the PUSD Education Center since August. Weekly Mobile Testing Clinic
In addition to the testing clinic held January 3, PUSD Health Programs staff held three testing clinics between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We also held successful vaccine clinics at Willard Elementary and at Madison Elementary this week.
Students and staff can get tested at regularly scheduled weekly mobile testing at their campuses. If you cannot attend one of our District or mobile testing clinics, there are several local options for testing and vaccinations.
https://www.albertsons.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html
https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
https://www.riteaid.com/covid-19
https://www.vons.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html
Appointments are available through myturn.ca.gov.
Get your tickets today!
Our goal is to sell 300 tickets and to raise $100,000.00!!!
All proceeds will go to Eliot Arts for the enhancement of our arts and continuation of the French program at Eliot. You may purchase tickets at:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E10123&id=90
If you'd like to donate time or auction items, please reach out to Felicia Lee, our AF Chair and she will point you in the right direction. Thank you to all who have already purchased tickets!!
Annual Fund Gala Needs YOU!
i-Ready Diagnostics for Math and English this week!
Students will be taking the i-Ready Diagnostic in their math and english classes starting this week. Teachers will communicate exact dates as to when they will be taking the test in their class. It is important that you discuss the importance of this test with your student so we can get the best picture of their strengths and areas for growth.
i-Ready allows your teacher(s) to meet your student exactly where they are and provides data to increase your student’s learning gains. i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your student’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions.
i-Ready Personalized Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so your student can learn at a pace that is just right for them. These lessons are fun and interactive to keep your student engaged as they learn.
If you have specific questions you can contact your student's teacher. If your student is out, they will complete this when they return to school.
Gospel Choir!!!
HELLO!!! And Thank You for being a part of The Rhythm and Moves Children’s Youth Choir’s performance in the 2022 Celebrate Gospel at Disneyland. We’re excited to have you join us. Please see below for Information, Rules and Guidelines for the Event….
Event Info
• 2022 Celebrate Gospel at Disney, Saturday FEB 26, 2022 Time TBD • Transportation to Event Chartered Bus
• The first set of Rehearsals will be January 18 – 21, 2:30 – 4:15 at Altadena Arts. Other rehearsals dates TBD
• Event Attire White Shirt/Blouse (w/collar) Navy Blue Pants/Skirts, Black Shoes/Socks • Parent/Guardian will provide their child’s Uniform
• Parent/Guardian will be required to sign a Media Release Form from Disney • Choir Members will receive Free Admission. Family/Friends must purchase tickets (discounted price)
Guidelines/Rules
• You must attend ALL rehearsals
• If you must miss a rehearsal please notify the Directors in advance
• Please follow the Directors instructions and stay focused at all times
• We want you to have fun but please no excessive talking during rehearsals
• Discipline is important. Any one not following the guidelines risk being released and not attending the event.
Please sign below to confirm your child’s participation
Parent/Guardian____________________________________________________________ Date______________ Email___________________________________________________________ Phone____________________________ Child____________________________________________________ School _________________________________
Thanks so much
Choir Directors - Frat, Kaya, Frit
THE GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE!
Mask Mandate Policy
We have a strict mask mandate on both our campuses to keep all students, staff and families safe from infection with COVID-19. We understand the masks can be uncomfortable for students to wear all day long, but they are necessary. We will follow the process below for students who do not/can not wear a mask over their nose, mouth and chin:
- First time, Verbal warning to wear their mask
- Second time, Phone call home
- Third time, Recommendation for PUSD Independent Study for 3 days
Student will be placed on our regular independent study program for 3 days. This program keeps the student enrolled at their present school with work delivered on Canvas. After 3 days the student returns to their home school and the process starts all over. Each time we get to step three, we add an additional day of independent study until we reach the maximum which is 15 days. After that, student will be referred to our district's CIS program for the rest of the school year.
If you have any questions about this policy, please reach out to principal Scheckel.
COVID TESTING ON Tuesdays
Participants or their parents/guardians can register one of two ways:
- Using their own device
- Email registration links to students (and parent/guardians) and staff so they can register at home before testing.
- Turn registrations links into QR codes to print and post at the collection site. To create a QR code, head to qrcode-monkey.com, enter your URL, click “Generate QR Code”, then “Download PNG”
- With assistance
- For participants or parent/guardians without access to technology or who need additional assistance, set up a device on site on testing days.
Here's the registration links for Altadena Arts:
Here's the registration links for Eliot Arts:
Questions?
- Walk through the site setup process at www.color.com/cdph-site-setup
- Join Zoom office hours Wednesday and Friday at 10:00am PT
- Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to reach Support