Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today issued the following statement regarding the District’s response to concerns about reported cases of the swine flu:

"Keeping our students and staff healthy and safe is our highest priority. Although we have received no reports of swine flu cases in Pasadena, we have been working closely with the City of Pasadena Public Health Department to assist in preparing for any local cases. We are fortunate to be one of only three cities statewide to have a public health department here in our own backyard, and we appreciate their partnership."

Pasadena Public Health Department Press Release Regarding Swine Flu

Attention Students: Are you interested in civic leadership opportunities? Do you want to play an active role in your community? If so, the City of Pasadena is recruiting for seats on the Pasadena Youth Council. Application deadline is Friday, May 8 at 5:00 PM. For more information and to apply, visit the Youth Council website or contact Valerie Babinski-Manlic at 626.744.6937.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced today that Marshall High School senior Vivian Xue was selected to receive the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship for undergraduate study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This four-year scholarship, valued at over $140,000, provides an annual stipend to cover full tuition, housing, meals, books, supplies, travel and more. Ms. Xue is the fourth Marshall student to win the esteemed award since 2002.

"I congratulate Ms. Xue for earning this prestigious honor,” said Superintendent Edwin Diaz. “The Morehead-Cain Scholarship is one of the nation’s most coveted academic awards, and I applaud the Marshall administration and staff for providing a high-quality, rigorous academic program that supports such tremendous achievement.”

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) students are “reducing, recycling and reusing” this week in celebration of Earth Day 2009.

“Learning to use our natural resources responsibly helps our children connect science and social studies lessons with current global issues,” said Superintendent of Schools Edwin Diaz. “Earth Day activities help our students learn how to be leaders, responsible citizens and creative problem solvers.”

PUSD is now accepting applications for Preschool

at Hodges Center
136 W. Peoria St.
Pasadena, CA 91103

Classrooms are at the following elementary schools:

Altadena, Burbank, Cleveland, Field, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Longfellow, Loma Alta, Sierra Madre, Madison, San Rafael, Webster, Washington, Willard

Roosevelt School is holding a rummage sale on Saturday, April 25 from 8 am to 12 pm. Donations are currently being accepted. More information is available in the sale flyer (PDF) [espanol].

On April 25, 2009 Norma Coombs Alternative School will host its first annual Jazz Jam at the track and field of Pasadena High School. This event includes Pasadena Unified School District students K-12, parents, teachers, school administration and the community. This event is to fund the arts and music department of Norma Coombs Alternative School. The event is from 11:00AM – 5:00PM. The PUSD and the performers are giving back to the community and more importantly, the children of Norma Coombs Alternative School.

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa,Inc. Gamma Lambda Chapter will be offering a grant for special education teachers in honor of Jean Shehee, retired special education teacher in PUSD. The Jean Shehee Grant was established by the Gamma Lambda Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. in 2009 in memory of Jean Shehee, retired Pasadena Unified School District Special Education Teacher. Jean was dedicated to her students and constantly sought resources that would enhance the classroom and learning experiences for this very special student population. This grant will be awarded annually to a PUSD Special Education teacher to provide additional classroom activities and experiences that enhance the learning, social development and general support of the PUSD students. There is a proposal application form that is required to be submitted.

The Joint Meeting of PUSD Board of Education and Pasadena City College held at the Pasadena Senior Center on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 will be rebroadcast throughout the remainder of the week on KLRN Television, Charter Cable channel 64.

Read on for airtimes...

The Board of Education approved a proposal to expand the Dual Language Immersion program to a second campus to accommodate overwhelming demand from parents interested in participating. Originally, the program planned to offer four Spanish and Mandarin classes for kindergarten and first graders at San Rafael Elementary. However, PUSD received 145 student applications for the program, exceeding the available capacity by more than 50 percent. The Dual Immersion Program will now expand the number of Spanish classes at San Rafael, and offer the Mandarin program at Burbank Elementary.