Community forum takes place Thursday, Oct. 23 at McKinley School

PASADENA, CA --The Pasadena community is invited to meet the new Executive Leadership Team of the Pasadena Unified School District, and to hear the Team’s plans to support student achievement. The free public forum takes place Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at McKinley School.

John Muir High School students, parents, teachers and staff will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the transformation of the campus into four small academies designed to accelerate student achievement. Muir’s Mustangs will be joined by Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz, community representatives and members of the Muir Reinvention team who participated in the redesign of the high school.

The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. and is part of Muir’s annual Back-to-School night.

Students, families and staff at five Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) campuses are taking steps to stay healthy during the District’s Nutrition, Health and Walk to School Week. Students and families are encouraged to walk or bicycle to school as a way of promoting healthy habits, concern for the environment and raising community awareness of safe pedestrian routes to schools. Informational fairs featuring community partners are planned at each school. After arriving at school, students and school staff will gather for assemblies that will feature guest speakers.

Every year Pasadena Sister Cities invites its exchange students to report about their summer experiences in Pasadena's international sister cities. This year's students stayed with local families in Ludwigshafen, Germany, Mishima, Japan, and Jarvenpaa, Finland. Learn about their experiences and discover opportunities with the Summer Exchange Program on Thursday, October 16th, 7:00pm, at the Pasadena City Hall - City Council Chambers (2nd Floor, SE Corner). [Download Flyer]

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today announced that he has named new principals at Washington Middle School and Marshall Fundamental Secondary School. Superintendent Diaz promoted Keith Derrick as principal of Marshall, which serves 1,700 students in grades six through 12. Merian Stewart has been named principal of Washington Middle School, which serves 550 students in grades six, seven and eight. Both had previously served as assistant principals at their respective schools.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today announced that he has named Joyce Yeh as Director of Budgets. Ms. Yeh will be responsible for the development and supervision of the district’s budgeting functions.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today announced that he has named Anita Weems as Director of Accounting and Payroll. Mrs. Weems will be responsible for ensuring that the district’s financial obligations are met in an accurate and timely manner.

Federal Grant Connects 18 District Schools with Pasadena's Armory Center for the Arts

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Edwin Diaz today announced that the District, in partnership with Pasadena’s Armory Center for the Arts, has been awarded a $327,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to fund a three-year artist/teacher professional development collaborative in 18 district schools. PUSD’s grant is one of only 24 federal Professional Development for Arts Educators (PDAE) grants awarded across the country this year. School districts must partner with local non-profit agencies to qualify.

"Access to high quality arts education will help us accelerate achievement for all Pasadena Unified students," said Superintendent Edwin Diaz. "I am pleased to partner with the Armory Center for the Arts in developing this project that more closely connects our schools, teachers and students with the nationally recognized arts resources of Pasadena."

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) campuses have scheduled annual Back to School Nights starting Wednesday, September 24. These annual Fall events provide an opportunity for PUSD families to learn about their children’s classroom, meet teachers and administrators, and become active participants in the school community.