PUSD Today
March 2019
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Families, Staff, and Community,
Our upcoming spring recess is a great time to relax and be with family and friends. It’s also a time of renewal, when we can stop and appreciate all that we have accomplished, and get ready for the activities and events that mark the last months of each school year.
I am grateful for everything that each of you do every day to ensure that our students excel and fulfill their potential. In the last couple of months, there have been incredible achievements and leadership by our students, teachers, and administrators. Evocative student art is on display at No Boundaries 14 at The Paseo, and we remain the only school district in California to curate an annual exhibit of student art. Athletes at every high school are excelling and winning competitions. Hamilton Elementary teacher Nichole Anderson has won the Milken Educator Award, making her the third PUSD teacher to receive the “Oscars of teaching.” PUSD is consistently demonstrating that we are a strong, innovative, and competitive school system that puts the dreams and potential of our students first.
Our fiscal turnaround continues and has led to positive certification of the second interim report that will be delivered to the Los Angeles County this month. Funds from Measure J will be used to bolster our schools so that students continue to achieve, and to prioritize the way in which we support our teachers and staff.
I am honored to serve as your Superintendent and to continue the work of the last eight years when I first joined PUSD as Chief Academic Officer in 2011. With a focus on individual student growth and expanding equitable access to educational opportunities for all students, we have invigorated academic programs. We created a rich mix of educational choices with neighborhood schools, magnets, and themed programs that offer excellent educational opportunities for the children of our district. We expanded the systems that support students when they struggle academically, emotionally, or socially. Thanks to Measure TT, we delivered school facilities such as those at at Blair and Norma Coombs that support 21st century learning. And we have worked hard to partner with local government and community partners so that our goals, services, and resources align to improve the quality of life for our students and their families.
It is my privilege to continue serving and working for the children, families, and staff of this District so that our success is consistent and continuous. I’m committed to continuing to work in collaboration with the Board of Education, our partners, and each of you to meet our shared goals for the students of Pasadena Unified.
Wishing you and your families the best,
Brian McDonald
Superintendent
#PUSDProud
No Boundaries 14
With themes of identity, nature, and culture, “No Boundaries 14,” the annual art exhibition features 300 artworks by students from all 28 district schools, and was curated this year by Rose City High School students. The gallery is open through March 16, 2019. Read more...https://bit.ly/2VDIz9U
Nichole Anderson, Milken Educator Award
Hamilton Elementary teacher Nichole Anderson was awarded the Milken Educator Award, making her the third PUSD teacher to receive the “Oscars of teaching.”
Blair High School Grand Opening
We celebrated the grand opening of Blair High School’s newly renovated 91,000 square-foot building that delivers a 21st century learning environment.
Norma Coombs Elementary Celebrates!
Norma Coombs Elementary School celebrated the grand opening of two new buildings and other campus improvements at a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Marshall Boys Soccer Places!
Marshall Fundamental School’s boys’ soccer team placed second in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division 5 state regional final
Muir Solar Cup Team
Congratulations to the John Muir High School SolarCup Team for a PERFECT score on their Electrical and Solar Technical Report! Students are building a solar-powered boat in preparation for the Solar Cup Race in May. Learn more.
Attendance Competitions
Gaggle
Pasadena Unified is taking steps to ensure the safety of students online through a new partnership with Gaggle, the safety management platform that is part of the G Suite for Education used by all PUSD students and teachers.
Starting in March, Gaggle will help keep Pasadena Unified students safe by identifying inappropriate words and images on district-operated accounts and devices around the clock. Trained professionals then apply consistent, school- or district-approved policies for positive intervention, reporting suspicious activity to school officials as needed. Previously, the district relied on self-reporting and monitored emails using the required filters. To learn more about Gaggle, visit http://www.gaggle.net.
8th Grade Athletic Conference
Are you ready to participate in high school sports? At PUSD’s 8th grade Athletic Conference (March 29, 2019, 11 am - 2pm at the sports facility at Pasadena City College), students and their parents will learn what it takes to become successful high school student athletes. Topics include CIF eligibility, the importance of grades, time management, and more.
Rose Valley Jam
PUSD High Schools students interested in gaming apply now for this FREE weekend of game development and mentorship at Caltech April 12-14. Created by Electronic Arts and Industrial Toys. Bring your skills as artists, designers, programmers, musicians/composers, and game fans. Apply here:https://www.rosevalleyjam.net/ The deadline is March 24 so apply now! Only Pasadena Unified School District high school students will be accepted.
Pasadena LEARNs Summer Enrollment Now Open
Enrollment is underway for Pasadena LEARNs 2019 Summer Of Exploration Program. Program dates are Tuesday, June 4, through Friday, July 12, 2019, from 8:30am-2:30 pm (elementary) and 9:30am-3:30pm (middle school). More
Pasadena Unified Now Enrolling!
Pasadena Unified schools are now enrolling for 2019-2020! To enroll your at your neighborhood school, simply visit the school’s main office and register. How to register. If you have questions or would like to speak to a specialist, please contact the Office of Enrollment at 626-396-3639.
Open Enrollment 2019-2020
From March 25-29, 2019, applications will be accepted for the second lottery (from new applicants only) and Applications of Interest accepted from residents outside of PUSD. More information at openenrollment.info
Aeries Parent Portal
Sign up for an Aeries Portal Account TODAY and get access to your student’s:
Report Cards
Current Class Grades
Attendance
Upcoming & Missing Assignments
Email Your Child’s Teacher
Update Student Information
Save the Date!
April 4, 2019 6:00 p.m. Board of Education President Lawrence Torres delivers the 2019 State of Schools at Sierra Madre Middle School
April 6, 2019 8 am Pasadena Unified Math Field Day competition at Eliot Arts Magnet
Pasadena Unified School District
Email: communications@pusd.us
Website: pusd.us
Location: 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, CA, USA
Phone: 626.396.3606
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @PasadenaUnified