PUSD Enrollment (Photo – PUSD)
PASADENA – ColoradoBoulevard.net:
The Enrollment Committee kicked off a series of Think Tank Meetings to look for new strategies to increase student enrollment.
By News Desk
PUSD Superintendent of Schools, Brian McDonald, Ed.D., announced a new initiative to address the challenges of declining student enrollment in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.
California Public School student enrollment dropped to the lowest levels in two decades. Many school districts in California are experiencing declines due to reduced fertility rates, domestic out-migration, lack of affordable housing, federal policies restricting immigration, and other pandemic-related matters. PUSD is not alone in looking at new strategies to increase student enrollment.
The good news is that PUSD has a pathway forward through the formation of the Superintendent’s Enrollment Committee. A twenty-three-member task force of citizens launched a series of meetings on June 8, to review and analyze enrollment statistics, demographics, and socio-economic data and brainstorm strategies to increase enrollment.
The enrollment committee includes the Pasadena Education Network, Pasadena Education Foundation, Principals, Teachers, Administration, Parents, Students, Union Leaders, Consultants, and PUSD Board Member, Jennifer Hall Lee.
With PUSD’s signature programs, quality curriculum, awarding-winning teachers, and an abundance of high school students accepted into colleges and universities across the country, the enrollment committee is extremely optimistic that a strategy can be developed and implemented. PUSD is currently actively enrolling students for schools in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre for the upcoming school year. To register your child in PUSD, visit pusd.us/enrollment.
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I also applaud PUSD for creating this enrollment think tank. However, many issues are political, as mentioned in my past post, and I hope they tackle these issues, otherwise the future is abysmal for public schools.
I agree with Jennifer. Many opportunities for learning in PUSD. We love San Rafael ES!!
However, if many are honest a lot of what has and will happen is going to be due to politicians and lawmakers trying to pass unnecessary laws related to Covid that will further distract our kids from the learning that is so crucial. PUSD and other CA districts need to stand up and be heard so this does not happen. Saying, “we don’t have control of this,” is not an excuse. Covid is endemic, kids need to stay in school. Otherwise, a mass exodus from public schools into private schools or moving to other states will continue. Plain and simple.
Provide smaller classes. Enforce discipline. Supply teachers and students with books and supplies. Enforce a no bullying policy. Ensure safety of students and staff. Increase graduation rate. Provide education in trades for students who do not want college. Get back to basics. Investigate the curriculum of local private schools.
We do all of this. In fact we have robust career pathways academies for students that include engineering, health, APPs, Math ( nationally recognized) PCC dual enrollment. We also have a Model A Ford club at PHS where students build the car from scratch.
I have looked at private school curriculum and I am so happy my child is a PUSD student.
We offer more than the private schools, in fact a student un-enrolled from a prominent private local school because she wasn’t challengedenough and chose the Blair High School IB program. She graduated with a Gates scholarship and got a free ride to a Vanderbilt.
This years graduates are going to Harvard, UCLA, USC, Bucknell, Yale and more. They were covered in The Outlook last week.
My child is 100% prepared to work in a globally connected world and to be a valuable citizen in her local community.
Our dual language immersion programs are unique in our area- Mandarin, French Armenian, and Spanish.
In the 21st century the basics are academics,yes, and in addition we all must have an understanding of a diverse world and be capable of working with people who are from all over the world-which is the student body of the PUSD.
I am PUSDProud!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/ap-calculus-eighth-graders/2021/07/30/2e2bfd5c-effb-11eb-bf80-e3877d9c5f06_story.html
https://www.coloradoboulevard.net/meet-john-muir-valedictorian-kennedy-hackett/amp/
https://www.pusd.us/Page/711
As a parent who is a product of a private school and has sent her 4 children to private schools… your tuition goes in large part to making their pool sparkle and their flowers bloom. Now that I have my son at Blair IB World School… I’m over the top thrilled with the education, the experience and the advantage he is receiving by not being isolated in a delusional “greatness” bubble.
How about we get parents to stop thinking privates are the gateway to heaven and realize that our teachers give fine instruction at the PUSD.. that our administrative staff is one that works AND listens… and the value of being with children from diverse backgrounds is an advantage unlike no other. Let’s start with changing the mentality of parents…. Then the money for books, supplies and perhaps sparkly pools will also come.