Pasadena Unified Updates Community on District Improvements, Latest Health Protocols Ahead of Back to School on Thursday

The Pasadena Unified School District will welcome parents and students back to school on Thursday, August 11, as campuses re-open for the 2022-2023 school year. 

“There is much to look forward to this year – more amazing academic achievements, more exciting athletic competitions, and more extraordinary student performances,” PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald said in a letter to the PUSD community. “We have added a new Armenian world language program at Webster Elementary, launched Ethnic Studies courses at high schools, and offered opportunities to extend the learning day with before- and after-school programs.”

McDonald said the school district has also expanded transitional kindergarten to 11 locations to bridge the gap between preschool and traditional Kindergarten for children who turn 5 years old between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023.

In preparation for a safe return to school, PUSD is recommending that all incoming students and every employee take a COVID-19 antigen test at home on Aug. 10 or the morning of Aug. 11. Antigen test kits will be available free of charge and may be picked up from the PUSD Education Center at 351 S. Hudson Ave., from Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 8 to 10, between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 

For students and staff who are currently experiencing symptoms, the PUSD Clinic is open for PCR testing Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

PUSD officials said the District believes vaccination is still the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death. The school district will continue to hold vaccination clinics for ages 3 and older – including parents, members of faculty and school employees – at the PUSD Primary Clinic at 351 S. Hudson Ave. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 9 and 10, from 1 to 2:45 p.m. 

Pre-registration is required at MyTurn.CA.gov or, for a limited number of walk-ins, you can register on site. Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available. 

For everyone’s safety, PUSD said, masks are strongly recommended for students and employees in classrooms and indoors. 

Masks are required in larger group activities such as assemblies, and on all PUSD buses, at testing and vaccination clinics, and during field trips when required by the venue. Masks will also be required for 10 days after exposure to COVID-19 and after a “positive” test result. 

Air purifiers are in place in all PUSD classrooms and indoor common areas. Filters were changed over the summer, and all lead custodians were trained on how to change both carbon and HEPA filters, PUSD said. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) masks and hand sanitizers are in stock and available to students and staff.

For more information about PUSD’s COVID-19 policies, visit www.pusd.us/Page/9801. 

PUSD is also participating in a Free Breakfast and Lunch Program, known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), for the school year 2022-2023, known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). All students enrolled at PUSD may participate in the breakfast and lunch program at no charge. Household applications for free and reduced price meals will not be collected. 

The school breakfast and lunch follow U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for healthy school meals. 

To learn more about PUSD’s back-to-school programs, visit www.pusd.us/Page/10106.