PUSD Schools Scheduled to Reopen Thursday Morning

Students across the Pasadena Unified School District were scheduled to return to in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year on Thursday.

“We’re excited to start the school year with an emphasis on safety, acceleration of learning, and the social-emotional wellbeing of our students and staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald in a prepared statement.

The school year starts after nearly a year and a half of distance learning and a surging virus that some fear could lead to outbreaks in the schools.

Schools closed in March 2020 after state officials declared the pandemic.

Students and teachers will be required to wear masks and Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday that teachers will be required to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly tests.

Newsom’s announcement came as some teachers and elected officials called on the district to institute a vaccination policy, but the district opted not to take action on the matter.

“The health and welfare of our students are foremost on our minds and we are checking and double-checking our safety plans,” said McDonald in a released statement last week.

According to the district, about 96% of PUSD employees vaccinated for COVID-19, including 1,320 vaccinated through PUSD-operated clinics, and an estimated 800 through Huntington Hospital, thanks to a PUSD/Pasadena Public Health partnership, the district said.

Student-athletes will get tested, with parent/guardian consent.

The Delta variant has led to the hospitalization of some school-age children being hospitalized.

In an early adoption of new state law, PUSD middle and high schools will start the school day later. Middle schools will start at 8:15 a.m. and high schools at 8:30 a.m. Elementary schools will return to pre-pandemic schedules of 7:50 or 8:45 a.m.

Altadena, Jackson, Longfellow, Madison, San Rafael, Sierra Madre Elementary, Washington Elementary, Webster and Willard will start at 7:50 a.m. and Don Benito, Field, Hamilton, McKinley, and Norma Coombs will start school at 8:45 am.

Middle schools will start at 8:15 a.m. and high schools will begin at 8:30 a.m.

“We’re excited to welcome students back to school,” McDonald said in a prepared statement on Wednesday. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We have implemented multiple layers of safety strategies at schools, including masks, ventilation, and handwashing/hand sanitizer.”

McDonald said the State’s new public health order applies immediately to all PUSD employees and PUSD-contracted employees — anyone who works directly with students.

Employees have two options: show proof of full vaccination or be tested every week. Procedures for showing proof was to be sent to employees by Human Resources.

The district strongly encourages students ages 12 and older to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

“As the Superintendent of Schools and the father of three children who attend PUSD schools, I am confident that our students and my own children will have a healthy and successful year,” McDonald said.