PUSD Making Two Plans for School Year

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is moving forward with plans for the new school year, which for students begins August 17, as modifications are being made to the current state Safer At Home orders, PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald said Sunday.

“Although we cannot determine what the public health conditions will be at that time, we are planning along two paths: the resumption of in-person instruction with protocols for physical distancing and safety, and the possibility of a resumption in distance learning with a continuum of learning alternatives for families,” McDonald said. “As plans develop, we are committed to making this a collaborative process. Our decisions will continue to be guided by the local health situation and made in conjunction with local public health authorities.”

During the past weekend, PUSD’s high school seniors picked up their caps and gowns and took photographs in preparation for virtual graduations to celebrate the Class of 2020. Graduation ceremonies will be streamed online on June 24 to 26, PUSD announced.

In a message to the PUSD community Sunday, McDonald said the school district will be closely monitoring Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement this week for the May revision of the state’s education budget.

Earlier reports said public schools are projected to lose more than $18 billion in Proposition 98 state funding. McDonald said this means PUSD could lose more than $35 million in state funding for the 2020-2021 fiscal year alone. He said the school district will be required to implement severe cuts in funding unless mitigation steps are implemented, or changes are made quickly to the way that California public schools are funded.

For the 2020-2021 school year, PUSD has opened the online registration process for TK-12 grade. Details can be accessed through www.pusd.us/Page/8213.

To register kids for preschool, parents are advised to contact the Early Childhood Education Program through www.pusd.us/Page/7449 or by email earlychildeducation@pusd.us for more information.

During the physical closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PUSD’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) continues to provide free breakfast and lunch for children 18 and younger at seven Grab & Go food centers weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The City of Pasadena is providing lunch for students and their families on weekends. For more information, visit www.pusd.us/domain/2663.

Children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits as the COVID-19 emergency continues. These food benefits, called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits, help families in California buy food when schools are closed because of the coronavirus emergency. Families will get up to $365 per eligible child on their P-EBT card to use on food and groceries. Families with children who get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply.

Most families will get their P-EBT card from the State of California in the mail during the month of May. Families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and who do not get their P-EBT card in the mail must apply online before June 30. The online application will launch around May 22, PUSD said.

McDonald also announced PUSD is adopting new History/Social Studies instructional materials, including textbooks, technology-based materials, and other educational materials for use by kindergarten through fifth eight (K–5) students. Parents/guardians and members of the public are encouraged to review and provide input on the instructional material now being considered for adoption and use in PUSD’s K-5 History/Social Studies. A public comment form is available in English and Spanish through www.gopusd.com/historyreview.

For more information about PUSD’s response to COVID-19, visit www.pusd.us/covid19 or call the PUSD Family Hotline at (626) 396-3680.