The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education yesterday heard a report on dual language immersion programs that cited the academic, cognitive and practical benefits to students and families. PUSD plans to establish dual language classrooms for Spanish and Chinese Mandarin at San Rafael Elementary School in the 2009-2010 school year. Public outreach, recruitment, and curriculum planning will continue over the next several months.

The application period for Open Enrollment 2009-2010 is now closed. Notification letters will be mailed on March 6. For more information, parents may contact the PUSD Office of Student Support Programs, Enrollment and Permits at (626) 396-3600, extension 88470.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today announced that he has selected Dr. John Pappalardo as the District’s Chief Financial Officer. This key executive leadership post is especially critical as the district faces significant reductions in state funding for public education.

"Dr. Pappalardo brings an impressive background in business and financial management in the field of education," said Superintendent Diaz. "His expertise and leadership will be immensely valuable as the district faces tremendous financial pressure and economic uncertainty in the months ahead. I am certain that Dr. Pappalardo will provide the fiscal guidance necessary for the District to maintain a sound financial position."

80 Teachers Kick Off Teaching American History Training at the Huntington Library

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) teachers today launched the second round of professional development on American history during a special event at the Huntington Library. The sessions are funded by a federal $1 million Teaching American History grant shared with teachers from El Rancho Unified School District. The grant is the second secured by the partnering districts. Teachers will focus on California as a representation of the U.S.

"We are building a community of U.S. History scholars among our faculty so that they can, in turn, deepen students’ understanding of our country’s culture and citizens," said Superintendent Edwin Diaz.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz will welcome State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell and Los Angeles county superintendents to a budget town hall on Wednesday, February 4. The town hall will highlight the impact of the state budget impasse and proposed cuts to public schools.

• Date: Wednesday, February 4
• Time: 10:00 a.m.
• Place: McKinley School Library, 325 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena

CAHSEE Pass Rate Has Jumped 12% Since 2006

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz announced the results of the November 2008 California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE), which showed that 84 percent of seniors and 74 percent of juniors have passed the CAHSEE, a four percent increase over the passing rate in November 2007.

John Muir and Rose City High School juniors showed the greatest gains, with eleven percent more passing the CAHSEE in 2008 than in 2007. Blair High showed the biggest gain among seniors, with a seven percent increase compared to 2007. PHS posted the district’s highest passing rate at 92 percent for seniors, while 87% of Marshall’s seniors also passed the exam.

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced the launch of the “PUSD Board Highlights” program on KLRN Instructional Television, a three- to five-minute program which provides a summary of actions taken at the most recent Board of Education meeting. The new segment also offers an overview of key presentations and decisions for members of the public who are unable to attend the Board meetings in person.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control recently announced several food recalls with peanut butter products. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that no government commodities were part of this recent recall.

In addition, we have received confirmation from our school vendors that peanut butter products used in the Pasadena Unified School District breakfast and lunch program are not part of the recall.

Marshall Fundamental will be hosting the eWaste Recycling Program on Saturday, January 24th from 9:00-4:00pm.

Items accepted include televisions, computer monitors, computers, laptops, keyboards, printers, mice, hard drives, fax machines, microwaves, DVD players, VCRs, cables, cords, telephones, radios, shredders, stereo components, power supplies, tape and zip drives, oscilloscopes, lab equipment, loose pcba's, optical drives, cell phones and more.

Please recycle! It's easy, it's free, and it's green!

Happy New Year! I hope the holiday season provided plentiful opportunities for rest, enjoyment and restoration. As we approach the end of the first semester, we are maintaining our focus on accelerating academic achievement, enhancing instructional rigor and relevance, and building organizational capacity. Guided by the Approach to Excellence II, which establishes the priorities for the 2008-09 school year, we are working hard to implement key instructional and organizational initiatives to serve all PUSD students. I would like to update you on our progress in several of these areas.