PUSD to Reopen Two In-Person Learning Programs

The Pasadena Unified School District will reopen two in-person learning programs that were previously closed to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

According to the Pasadena Board of Education President Scott Phelps, city Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh has allowed the district to reopen the Blair High School Viking Scholars and the Rose City High School Phoenix Flyers.

“Our assistant superintendent, Dr. Julie Renoso, was talking with Dr. Goh about the nature of these pods,” Phelps told Pasadena Now. 

On Jan. 15, PUSD announced the suspension of a small group of in-person learning programs through the end of the month, including Learns K-8 programs, Blair Viking Scholars, and the Phoenix Flyers program at Rose City High School.

“Dr. Goh has said it’s OK,” Phelps said. “And that’s the expert.”

According to city Management Analyst Kellee O’Rourke, the Pasadena Public Health Department’s current K-12 protocols were never amended to prohibit limited in-person instruction for the month of January. 

The protocols allow for stable cohorts of students with specific needs to receive in-person services while meeting requirements that include limiting group sizes to 12 or less, including physical distancing and masking. The protocols were last updated in October.