For Pasadena Unified, It’s Back to School and Down to Business Today

To some, August 15 seems like the middle of summer, but to the Pasadena Unified School District and its thousands of students today it’s time for “back to school” and to get “down to business.”

“We are excited to welcome students and families to the new school year, which promises to ignite creativity by engaging children and youth in a rich area of learning opportunities,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald.

The District has about 17,000 students enrolled in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre at the district’s 28 schools.

“PUSD teachers and staff are ready to receive students and prepare them not only to graduate and be successful, but to first be authentic learners, readers, and critical thinkers,” McDonald said.

PUSD is focusing on strengthening elementary school-level literacy and writing, with classrooms getting more than 230,000 new books this year as the district deploys its Balanced Literacy initiative.

Balanced Literacy trains teachers to help students think critically and be prepared for the future. The approach features engaging and balanced instruction in reading and writing in a variety of settings within the elementary classroom, including reading and writing workshops, reading aloud, phonics, and small group instruction.

To prepare for Balanced Literacy, teachers participated in Writing Institutes to study the teaching of writing, grow as writers themselves, and experience the process their students go through as writers.

Pasadena Unified has expanded options for young children this year with a new preschool at Altadena Elementary School, a new Spanish Dual Language Immersion preschool at Jefferson Elementary, and a new Mandarin Dual Immersion preschool at the district’s Burbank campus in Altadena.

School meals have also gotten a boost, with school lunches and breakfasts featuring exciting menu options, fresh local produce, antibiotic-free chicken, and whole grains. Menus and online pay options are available at gopusd.com/nutrition. Free or reduced-price meals are available for those who qualify. Applications are available in the 2016-2017 Parent/Student Handbook and online at gopusd.com/nutrition

Pasadena LEARNs offers brandnew afterschool programs such as coding, Spanish Immersion, and tennis.

This year, LEARNs expands services to Don Benito Elementary, Sierra Madre Elementary, and Sierra Madre Middle School. To register for afterschool programs, go to gopusd.com/learns

The redesigned Parent/Student Handbook has useful information to help students and their families make the school year a success. The Handbook includes a directory of schools and offices, school calendars, college fair event information, expectations for behavior and attendance, graduation requirements, and more. Get the Handbook at gopusd.com/families

The Pasadena Unified School District is headquartered at 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena. For further information call (626) 396-3606 or visit www.pusd.us.