Community School Kick-Off To Celebrate Harvesting Connections

The Pasadena Unified School District will host its Community School Kick-Off at Madison Elementary on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event underscores the district’s commitment to building community hubs that support student success through coordinated services and partnerships.

With the theme “Harvesting Connections,” the Kick-Off draws attention to the district’s work in removing barriers to learning by connecting families with local resources and wraparound services.

Pasadena Unified School District’s eight community schools include Madison Elementary, McKinley School, Longfellow, Washington Elementary STEM Magnet, Eliot Arts Magnet, McKinley School (covering elementary and middle), Octavia E. Butler Magnet, John Muir High School Early College Magnet, Pasadena High School and Rose City High School. Blair Middle High School will join soon.

Madison Elementary features partnerships like the Los Angeles Regional Food Banks BackPack Program, Young Healthy Mobile Dental Clinic with USC, and The Laundry Truck LA. The campus also houses Families in Transition for homeless support and offers free English and Zumba classes for parents.

A Center for Student and Family Services consolidates case management, emergency assistance, health referrals, parent education and crisis intervention.

Four pillars—integrated student supports, enriched learning time, engagement, and collaborative leadership—define community schools across the district.

The city of Pasadena’s Youth Ambassador Program will provide setup and participant support, with food available to everyone. The event is open to all families in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre.

During the 2024–25 school year, the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s initiative facilitated 436 referrals, hosted 582 events and distributed over 10,000 supply kits across more than 468 schools.

“Our approach recognizes student success depends not just on classroom instruction but on addressing the whole child and supporting entire families through coordinated community partnerships.” The Kick-Off celebrates the district’s ongoing commitment to connect and support local families.

Pasadena Unified School District. 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena. Phone (626) 396-3600, email pusd@pusd.us. Website: https://www.pusd.us