Academic Division Updates
Week of May 25, 2020
A Message from our Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco
Dear Leaders and Staff,
Thank you for your dedication, strength, resourcefulness and innovation during these trying times. As we arrive at the end of this challenging and historically unique school year, please be assured the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) will continue to work on a comprehensive plan for opening schools in August. The ELT has identified the following areas: Safety, Education Options, Staffing, Facilities, Budgeting and Communications to be explored for the opening of the next school year. Each Chief has assigned facilitators to convene committees that will report their work and findings to the ELT and the Emergency Operations Command Center. The Academics Team consists of cross-functional leaders and they have been working on multiple scenarios for educational options that include structures and content.
The leaders of all committees have given careful consideration to the current projected Budget shortfalls. They are also awaiting updates from the Federal government regarding Federal relief Heroes Act, this may alleviate some strain in the Budget. Recommendations of these committees will be shared with you and presented to the Board of Education in June.
Please see the information below in regards to the parent/caregiver survey. The Superintendent is requesting our help in encouraging PUSD families to respond to this survey as their voices will drive the decisions we make for the future of PUSD.
Family Survey for 2020-2021
To prepare plans for the new school year, we need your help. We ask that each family complete a 3-question survey about your preferences for the new school year given the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to provide you with the very best options for your children in the new school year. Survey in English Encuesta en Espanol.
The new school year begins on August 17, 2020 and we plan to offer in-person, virtual learning, and a blend of the two. Once we get your feedback, we will present a plan to the Board of Education in mid-June. From the beginning, this has been a rapidly changing situation.
I am very proud to be part of the PUSD family and I am sure that no matter what challenges we face next school year, we will overcome them together.
Dr. Blanco
#PUSD Strong
Arts and Enrichment
GATE: Looking to get recertified or begin the certification process?
Check out these amazing low cost summer institutes from USC and the California Association for the Gifted
CAG is providing webinars, that are now available on their youtube channel. Subscribe, watch, and learn! You may also register for a live webinar on June 9 with Dr. Bill McComas
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is offering a webinar on June 3, and their past webinars are available on their youtube channel.
If you attend a webinar or PD, please fill out this form to receive credit towards your certification hours. An additional hour will be given for reflection with the form.
PUSD specific PD will be offered in the summer asynchronously via Canvas
Check out this new amazing resource for current events, actv-news.com. It includes lessons and options for independent study.
ARTS:
Please visit our virtual No Boundaries 15 exhibit.
K-5 Teachers and Principals: please remind parents and students of the amazing options for learning on our Visual and Performing Arts PSL page. It will be active until June 30, and then will be transitioned to Canvas. New content has been added this week! My Masterpieces virtual tours are also live! gopusd.com/remote
Creative Wellbeing Teacher Space continues this week and next!
College and Career
PUSD's Senior Defense story has been highlighted on the Linked Learning blog. Linked Learning, along with other policy makers, have been watching how PUSD has handled the Senior Defense during this unique time. The Senior Defense has been a true celebration of student learning!
Please use this Link to access blog.
As summer approaches all Academies are planning bridge opportunities for incoming freshmen. This opportunity will give new academy students an opportunity to get to know their their teachers and upper clansmen before they start their first day of high school. Further details to come as dates are solidified.
Curriculum, Instruction & PD
- The publication of the PUSD Curriculum 2020-21 has been delayed this year due to adjustments - these are to account for our emergency remote learning situation and unfinished learning. We aim to have the updated Curriculum ready for you by June 15.
- Summer 2020 Workshop registration has opened. The workshops focus on set-up of online classrooms to support learning in 2020-21 via Canvas Learning Management System. If you are unable to attend during the designated times, please know that there are other opportunities to learn about Canvas, as their training options will be available year-round in their Training Services Portal.
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Programs Summer Program for Preschoolers and School age children.
Pasadena Early Childhood Education Summer Preschool Program: The Department of Early Childhood Education will not offer its traditional Summer Care program in person but through online learning. Beginning Monday, June 1, 2020, through Friday, August 8, 2020, currently enrolled students will be provided with a weekly online curriculum. Enriching activities with easy-to-follow instructions will be provided to ensure that students are still learning while at home due to stay home orders. Provide all enrolled families will be provided with developmentally appropriate activities that can be done at home. There will be an activity plan for each child that can be incorporated into the daily activities and assists with creating a predictable routine in the family’s home. These activities are similar to those activities conducted in the program and promote the developmental progress of social emotional skills, language and literacy skills, problem solving skills, math and science skills, and physical health.
Pasadena Early Childhood Education Summer Program for School Age:
In addition, students enrolled in our School-Age programs will also continue to explore and learn about topics selected by their teacher. Activities planned will be CHILD DIRECTED using HANDS-ON APPROACHES, FUN, EXCITING, ENGAGING, and ENTERTAINING FOR ALL CHILDREN. Children currently enrolled in the program will be provided with weekly themes and virtual field trips. Activities planned will provide students with the opportunity to explore and connect with real-life experiences from home and in their communities. Students will not only have a better understanding of their environment but will also be encouraged to be curious and expand their interest in learning. Additional information regarding themes will be provided by the children's teacher.
Instructional Services
A THANK YOU to all PUSD employees for an outstanding 2019-20 School year. Two words that sum up the year, eventful and historic. Although we have endured many shifts in PUSD"s history, there is no doubt that our students and families have remained a priority. We hope you have a wonderful summer break and look forward to a new 2020-21 year.
LADD
Recently the U.S. Department of Education has given instructions and guidance on providing services to ELs during the Covid-19 outbreak. We attempted to summarize their "Fact Sheet" but it is quite lengthy and has a lot of information, which we felt would be best to have you make reference to directly; we have bolded, underlined, and highlighted important points from each of the 6 subjects addressed: (1) The Annual ELP Assessment; (2) Entrance Requirements; (3) Providing Services to ELs; (4) Use of Title III Funds; (5) Exit Procedures from the EL program; and, (6) Parents of ELs. LADD will make reference to the guidance given and use these instructions in our decision making process moving forward, we will provide further detailed information as it presents itself.
Special Education
The Special Education Department has created Resource Guide 1.5 (pages 19 and 20). Resource Guide 1.5 addresses student files, protocols and testing kits, SEIS updates, and reminders for the Remote Learning Service Logs. As we close out the 2019-20 school year, the Special Education Department wants to express deep gratitude for your service and dedication to Pasadena Unified School District's students, families, communities, staff, and schools. Have a great summer!!
State and Federal Programs
Time monitoring timesheets and services/activities files are due next week. Take this week to connect with each of your Federally multi-funded site employees to coordinate and assist with any monitoring requirements. Contact David Rennie if you have any needs or questions.
This information shared by DANN Division at LACOE may be of interest to you.