PUSD Superintendent Issues Community Update Sunday, Ahead of Today’s Closures

Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Brian McDonald updated the community on Sunday. The district’s schools will be closed in response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic starting Monday.

Pasadena Now is running the update unedited for informational purposes.

Dear Families,

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we respond to rapid changes related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It’s a stressful time for everyone and I want to encourage you to take care of yourself, your families, and each other during these unprecedented times. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our students, families, staff, and community staff by limiting contact and helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We have more details following Friday’s announcement. Not every question will be answered here, but we will continue providing additional information in the following days as key points are worked out. Information will be sent to you via email, phone and/or text and will be posted on our website and social media. You may also call our hotline at 626.396.3680.

Starting Monday, March 16, all Pasadena Unified schools and programs will be dismissed, with no students on campus, through Friday, April 3. Classes will resume on Monday, April 6.

On Monday, March 16, teachers, administrators, and all other staff are reporting to their assigned work location to prepare for remote learning and to continue to support our students and their families.

Family needs

School Meals: The Pasadena Unified School District Food and Nutrition Department will be providing an opportunity for families to drive through and pick up free pre-packed breakfast and lunch for students 18 and younger who need them during the school closure. The meals will be at seven campuses starting March 17 – March 27, 2020 (9 – 11 a.m. Monday-Friday). Details here

Field Elementary
Madison Elementary
Norma Coombs Elementary
Eliot Middle School
Wilson Middle School
McKinley TK-8 School
John Muir High School

• Drive-through pick-up will be in the parking lot or student drop-off lanes at each school.

Special Education Services: If you have a child who receives any type of special education services, students will have access to the reinforcement of learning remotely. Materials can be accessed at gopusd.com/remote. To the greatest extent possible, the District will be providing some teletherapy services. There will be more information to come from the Special Education Department.

Addressing Worries About Coronavirus: Children and teens may be feeling scared, confused, or anxious as they hear adults talk about the coronavirus. It’s important during these turbulent times to support their wellness. PUSD’s School Support Services has prepared the Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Childcare: we are actively exploring ways to partner with other agencies and provide childcare and supervision for PUSD families during this time. We will let you know as soon as something is final.

REINFORCEMENT OF LEARNING

In keeping with our core value of equity in learning, PUSD will provide reinforcement of learning remotely for all students, including students with disabilities. They will have access to materials at gopusd.com/remote by Monday, March 16. Detailed parent letter here.

Stage 1 March 16-27

General Content for K-12 on PowerSchool at gopusd.com/remote. Site goes live March 16. Login using your child(ren)’s protected PUSD student account.
K-12 students went home with Chromebooks and chargers on Friday.
K-5 students who need Chromebooks or chargers can pick them up from their elementary schools on Monday.
A limited number of printed packets will be available at school sites on Monday.
March 30 – April 3 Spring Recess

Stage 2 If necessary beyond April 3
Teacher-provided Content intended for ongoing use via PowerSchool

Stage 3 Distance Learning may become necessary in the event of prolonged remote learning. Details will be provided as the situation evolves.

Technology Resources
We want to advise our families that:

• Charter Communications will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Details
• AT&T is offering low-cost wireline home Internet service. Details

Cleaning & Preparing

During this time, we are conducting a deep cleaning of schools so that everyone will have a safe environment when classes resume for students.

School and district staff will be working to support the delivery of remote reinforcement of learning and students and their families. We will also be preparing for students to return to school.

I fully understand that you are experiencing a major disruption in your lives, and I want you to know that we are here to support you in any way we can. The Pasadena Unified community is remarkable for its strength and resilience, and I know that acting together with compassion and understanding, we will get through this.

HOW TO HELP
We are heartened by the many offers of help from our exceptional Pasadena area community. Organizations and individuals are coming forward with offers of donations, supplies, and support for our most vulnerable students. We sincerely thank you and want you to know that we’re setting up systems so that we can provide avenues for your incredible generosity to make the best use of donations. We will share information with you soon.

Sincerely,

Brian McDonald
Superintendent