PUSD To Host Early Education Extravaganza

Families can register prospective kindergarten students and learn how to get ready for the first day of school at the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Early Education Extravaganza on Wednesday, March 25. Parents and incoming students can meet PUSD kindergarten teachers, discover summer “kinder prep” options and learn about district preschool options. The Early Education Extravaganza will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the McKinley School Library, 325 S. Oak Knoll Avenue in Pasadena (see attached flyer).

“We welcome all families who are interested in any of PUSD’s early childhood options to come to the Early Education Enrollment Extravaganza on March 25,” said PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald, Ed.D. “The district’s high quality early education programs provide children with the solid foundation needed to grow and progress in school and life.”

To be eligible for kindergarten next school year, a child must turn 5 by September 1, 2015. Families can register for kindergarten by visiting the Early Education Extravaganza or their school of residence which can be determined by visiting gopusd.com/locator. To register for kindergarten, families need to provide the following:

• The child’s birth certificate or certified copy
• Their most recent immunization & vaccination record
• Two proofs of residency in the form of a recent gas, electric or water bill in the parent/guardian’s name and a copy of a deed, rental or lease agreement, mortgage receipt or property tax bill

There are also limited spaces available at some elementary schools across the district via the second round of PUSD’s Open Enrollment which began Monday and continues through Friday, March 27 exclusively at www.openenrollment.info. Students currently residing within PUSD boundaries that did not register during a previous phase of 2015-16 Open Enrollment are eligible to apply for seats offered in the second lottery. School placement is by random lottery and is not based on when an application is submitted.

PUSD offers transitional kindergarten, a two-year program for children with fall birthdays that uses a modified curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for younger students, for children turning 5 between September 2, 2015 and December 2, 2015. Transitional kindergarten is offered at seven campuses in 2015-2016: Jefferson Elementary School, Longfellow Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, McKinley School, Norma Coombs Alternative Elementary School, Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School, and Willard Elementary School. Enrollment for transitional kindergarten also takes place at the school of residence.

For children turning 3 by September 1, PUSD Early Childhood Education Programs offer high quality full and part day preschool and are also accepting applications. Families of all income levels can apply and those families eligible for state funding may receive services for free or for a low monthly fee. Before and after school care is also available for school age children at Jefferson and Longfellow Elementary. Please call (626) 396-5762, extension 10070 for more information.

Those with enrollment or registration questions should contact the PUSD Office of Enrollment, Permits and Student Records at (626) 396-3600, ext. 88340.