Pasadena Public Schools Reopen Monday. Here’s What Parents Should Know

Public schools in Pasadena reopening Monday for the 2018-2019 school year across the city. Here’s what parents ought to know to help their kids off to a great start during the exciting start of the school year.

Schools under the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) have scheduled registration days, barbecues and socials, and some even welcome breakfasts on Monday, to welcome new and returning families. Parents are advised to check with their school for specific dates and activities. A full directory of PUSD schools is available online through this link, which not only has phone numbers and email addresses, but also a list of their school opening events.

Parents are also encouraged to set up their individual Parent Portal account that allows them to communicate with teachers and schools and get up-to-date information on their student’s grades, assignments, attendance and more. Report cards are also posted on the Parent Portal this year, says PUSD. To set up your account, visit www.pusd.us/parentportal.

PUSD’s 2018-2019 Parent/Student Handbook contains important guidelines and annual notifications, and is available online as well. Even parents without internet access are allowed to visit school offices, where computers with guest accounts are available; they may also get printed copies of the handbook and print copies of annual forms they need to fill up during the start of the school year. The handbook and forms are posted at www.gopusd.com/handbook.

To comply with state requirements to have their kids vaccinated against certain diseases, PUSD parents are advised to make sure immunizations are up to date so their kids can be enrolled. To learn more about immunization requirements, visit www.shotsforschool.org. Immunizations, at low or no cost, are available at your doctor’s office and at the City of Pasadena Department of Public Health.

The PUSD Health Clinic is also open from 1 to 3 p.m. to serve students who are uninsured or Medi-Cal recipients. On Monday, the Clinic opens for regular business. For more information, contact the PUSD Health Clinic at (626) 396-3600 ext. 88180.

PUSD schools serve healthy and nutritious meals, including fresh fruit and vegetables, and students may qualify for free/reduced-price meals. Each household should complete and return a meal application each year in August. To apply, visit www.myschoolapps.com, or fill out a paper application at your school.

If your child qualified for meal benefits last year, you must fill out a new application since those benefits expire by September 24. Visit www.gopusd.com/whatsforlunch for menus, nutrition tips, and information on the free and reduced meal program application.

If you pay for your child’s school meals, you can prepay on your student’s meal account in advance through www.myschoolbucks.com. This simple and secure system allows you to create an account, get balance alerts, and make meal payments on the go.

Cash and checks are also accepted at PUSD school cafeterias. This year, meal prices have increased by 25 cents: breakfast is $1.75, Elementary lunch is $2.60, and Middle/High School lunch is $3.10.

As far as attendance goes, parents and guardians have a legal responsibility to get their children to school. Attendance plays a major role in the success of each and every student, and missing school, even excused absences, can directly impact a student’s academic achievement. To learn more about school attendance policies, visit www.gopusd.com/attendtoday.

As for school transportation, PUSD has announced earlier that it has discontinued all general education bus routes that had provided service for students who attend schools other than their school of residence and for other purposes. This does not affect transportation service for students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) stipulate transportation service.

For all others, parents should make plans for their kids to travel to and from school, which should include walking, driving, or public transportation routes. For municipal bus routes, schedules, and fares, check Pasadena Transit at www.cityofpasadena.net/pasadena-transit and Metro at www.metro.net.

High school students are advised to check with their school office to obtain an application for a TAP card.

PUSD schools offer many after-school programs through Pasadena LEARNs. Activities that complement the school day include homework help, leadership, visual and performing arts classes, structured recreation, academic enrichment activities, and literacy development. Pasadena LEARNs is currently offered at 26 school site and operates every regular school day from dismissal until at least 6 p.m. To apply for the program, visit www.gopusd.com/learns. The City of Pasadena also offers afterschool programs at some PUSD schools. For more information, visit www.apm.activecommunities.com/cityofpasadena/Home.

To help kids become more successful in school and in life, parents should encourage them to keep reading at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. Pasadena’s local libraries also offer fun activities and reading programs that your kids and you can take part in. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/library for more information.

“The start of the new school year is an exciting time, filled with promise and fresh opportunities,” PUSD says on its website. “We welcome students with high expectations and look forward to developing their potential and preparing them for the opportunities of tomorrow.”