An event at Altadena Arts Magnet (Photo – altadenacougars)
As the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) marked the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire, students and educators across the district participated in special guest reading events centered on resilience, healing, and the power of community.
By News Desk
In partnership with Teamsters Local Union 986, PUSD welcomed guest readers into classrooms to share Home: A Story of Resilience by author Carrie Barnes. More than 2,000 copies of the book were delivered to PUSD campuses this week as part of the districtwide partnership. The Teamsters organized guest readers and helped bring the literacy events to schools throughout the district.
The featured book explores themes of healing and finding a sense of home after hardship, aligning with the district’s commemoration of the fire’s anniversary.
“Commemorating one year since the Eaton Fire reminds us not only of what our community endured, but of how healing happens together.” said PUSD Board President Tina Fredericks. “Our students see their own strength reflected in stories like Home. We are grateful to our partners for surrounding our schools with compassion, hope, and a shared commitment to our children’s well-being.”
PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco emphasized the importance of reflection and community support. “These moments reflect the heart of Pasadena Unified,” Blanco said. “One year after the Eaton Fire, our students continue to show remarkable strength and compassion. While we remain focused on the future, it is meaningful to pause together, honor our shared experiences, and remind students that they are supported by a caring community that believes in them.”
Guest readers across the district included members of the Justice League appearing in costume at Altadena Arts Magnet; author Carrie Barnes at Sierra Madre Elementary; Chris Holden of LA Fire Justice at Jackson Elementary; and actor Melora Hardin at Don Benito Elementary School. Each visit emphasized hope and encouraged student engagement.
“We are honored to partner with Pasadena Unified to support students through the power of storytelling,” said Teamsters Local 986 Business Representative Michael J. Leon. “Books help young people build empathy and imagine what’s possible. Sharing this story of resilience with students underscores our commitment to standing with this community.”
Barnes also reflected on the experience of reading with students. “It was incredibly moving to share Home with students who understand resilience in such a personal way,” she said. “Reading my book with PUSD students, especially at this moment, was a reminder of the strength and hope young people carry with them every single day.”
Together, the readings reinforced a shared message across PUSD campuses: even after significant challenges, the community continues to rise together, grounded in care, strengthened by partnership, and inspired by the resilience and hope of its students.
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