Latest news with #PUSD
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Think Together Expands Arts Enrichment Accelerator with Orange County School of the Arts to Paramount Unified School District
Think Together and Orange County School of the Arts reach more students than ever with high-quality arts programs in Los Angeles County and Orange County. SANTA ANA, Calif., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Think Together, California's leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, has expanded its Arts Enrichment Accelerator programs in Paramount Unified School District (PUSD) in partnership with Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) to further widen student access to visual and performing arts curriculum and exploration. Through the expanded partnership, TK-8 students across Paramount Unified School District now have access to enriching arts experiences taught by professional OCSA teaching artists during its afterschool programs, spring break and summer non-instructional day programs. Think Together students are getting hands-on learning opportunities in ballet folklorico and mariachi music. "This new development of our Arts Accelerator allows us to expand our reach with Orange County School of the Arts and further enrich our students' learning with world-class arts education," said Jaclyn Aviles, Innovations Lab Senior Strategist for Think Together. "These experiences empower students to discover their passions and build confidence that carries far beyond the academic space." During Think Together's afterschool and expanded learning programs with PUSD, students can enroll in interactive class sessions that immerse them in cultural dance styles like ballet folklorico and stylistic music lessons such as mariachi. Students don't just master how to dance or play music; they learn the origin of the dances and the meaning behind the music. In addition to visual and performing arts at PUSD, Paularino Elementary School students in Newport-Mesa Unified School District also took part in a pilot OCSA culinary arts program implemented during the afterschool time this spring. Students learned the value of nutrition, recipes, and how to combine ingredients. Launched in 2023 in collaboration with Orange County School of the Arts, the Arts Enrichment Accelerator has served over 3,000 students across Southern California in Orange Unified School District, Chino Valley Unified School District, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, and Paramount Unified School District. This extended partnership aims to bring dynamic arts education to a range of students where they are not only able to express themselves creatively but also be exposed to potential career opportunities. "It's important to have community be a factor in helping address the arts challenges that face not only our Southern California community, but also California in general," said Brian Stevens, Director of Community Engagement of Orange County School of the Arts. "You can effectively and strategically serve many more students with partners like Think Together that have the capacity to scale. Think Together is tremendously ingrained and intentional about bringing community together and OCSA shares the same vision." Towards the end of the arts accelerator classes, students' friends and families are invited to a "step into the classroom" culminating event. The most recent such event was at Howard Tanner Elementary School on Wednesday, June 4, and showcased newfound skills and techniques students learned in the art of ballet folklorico and mariachi. "At Think Together, our vision is that all students in California, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, graduate with all life options available," said Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. "So, Think Together's partnership with Orange County School of the Arts is doing just that; ensuring students explore the limitless possibilities for their bright futures ahead." Think Together and OCSA will carry on their Arts Enrichment Accelerator initiative through the summer and continue to bring elevated arts curriculum to Think Together's school partner sites in Paramount Unified School District. On the horizon for the upcoming fall, Lynwood Unified School District will also take part in Think Together's Arts Enrichment Accelerator with OCSA. About Think TogetherFor over 25 years Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements, and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students each year. Think Together's program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit About Orange County School of the Arts The nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) provides unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging and nurturing environment to a diverse student body with a passion for the arts. Founded in 1987, OCSA currently serves approximately 2,300 gifted students in grades seven through 12 from more than 100 cities throughout California. In addition to a college-preparatory academic program, OCSA offers pre-professional arts training in 17 conservatories within the Schools of Applied Arts, Dance, Fine & Media Arts, Music and Theatre. The nonprofit public charter school relies solely on private donations, totaling $10 million annually, to fund the arts training programs. Currently led by president and CEO Teren Shaffer, OCSA has received recognitions for its programs locally, regionally and nationally. For additional information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Think Together Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poway Unified votes to eliminate 100 positions to help close budget deficit
POWAY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Poway Unified School District is considering eliminating up to 100 positions to help close a $13 million budget deficit over the next two school years. The district's plan is to shrink the budget gap by $10 million in the 2025-26 year and then another $3 million in 2026-27. At Thursday night's meeting, trustees noted budget cuts are necessary due to declining enrollment and the end of one-time COVID-19 funds. It was standing room only as the school board voted unanimously to initiate the process of eliminating positions, making PUSD the third district in the county this week to discuss staff layoffs as they face budget shortfalls. Of the 100 positions on the chopping block, ten are management at the district, but most are classified staff holding support roles in schools, which includes Instructional Assistants and Student Services Assistants. 'The district committed to working with us to look at unnecessary expenses all year prior to considering classified cuts and they've gone straight to classified cuts. It wasn't collaborative. It wasn't transparent, and it's certainly not best for kids,' said Courtney Martin, Poway School Employees Association President. The union represents over 3,000 classified employees within PUSD. Martin said the impact of these roles is immense, especially with younger students, which middle school student Amanda Gasia explained she can relate to. 'Last year when I was in fifth grade I had a really tough thing with my friend,' said Gasia, who credits a Student Services Assistant for helping her through a tough time. She added, 'they don't deserve to be kicked out like this, and the schools really need them because it helps the kids a lot.' Trustees acknowledged making staffing cuts would be difficult. Meanwhile, a staff report shows the district would be operating with $49 million in reserves in the next school year. After Thursday night's meeting, the district will look into other ways to reduce spending, such as cutting services and subscriptions. Employees whose positions are at risk of getting cut will receive preliminary notifications by March 15. The exact number of people actually laid off won't be clear until June when the school board adopts a final budget. A spokesperson for the district noted some positions are currently unfilled, and some personnel may resign or retire before the budget is finalized. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
28-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pasadena Unified School District board approves layoffs of teachers, staff positions
The Pasadena Unified School District board voted Thursday night to approve the layoffs of over 150 teacher and staff positions. The school board approved the layoffs in a 6-1 vote. The decision comes after several district employees lost their homes in the deadly Eaton Fire that erupted on Jan. 7. "The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education made the difficult decision to reduce approximately 151 full-time-equivalent positions to address our financial challenges and ensure the district's stability," said Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco in a statement. Blanco said the decision was forced by declining enrollment, rising costs and the expiration of Covid relief funds. She explained that to minimize the disruptions in classrooms, the cuts will be focused on the central office, and the district will find ways to help those impacted. "I don't want you to think that we're completely giving up but right now we have to take the necessary steps to have the district's fiscal health for the future," Blanco said after the district's vote. A spokesperson for the PUSD said preliminary notices will go out March 15, the statutory deadline. The preliminary notices will be confirmed sometime in May but will not go into effect until June 30. "We really don't think that the best way to save on a budget is to cut your staff that supports all of the work on the ground floor at every school," said Beverly Rodriguez, an employee of the PUSD.
Los Angeles Times
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
How Pasadena Playhouse is helping kids affected by the L.A. fires: L.A. arts and culture this week
On the first day Pasadena Unified School District reopened campuses after a two-week closure caused by the Eaton fire, I brought my daughter to her elementary school in a mask. I was not alone. Many parents were tracking reports that toxic chemicals from the fire's ashes could be drifting in the wind, even when the sky looked clear and blue. But none of us were prepared for how it felt to arrive at a school masked-up. Painful echoes of the pandemic abounded and parents glanced anxiously at one another during dropoff. It was obvious that many of us were thinking the same thing: Our kids had been through so much — too much — in their short lives. Only now, instead of masking up inside, they were doing it outside. How to even explain that to an 8-year-old? When PUSD shut down on Jan. 8, we parents never imagined it would be for two weeks (and longer for the kids attending schools closer to the fires). Some schools aren't reopening until the end of the month. Five can't reopen because they burned to the ground. Those kids, many of whom also lost their homes, will have to be reassigned to new schools. After the pandemic shutdowns, this felt especially heartbreaking. Which is why it meant so much that the Pasadena Playhouse's Education Department offered free day camp to participating kids who had been affected by the wildfires and school closures. That first week, the Playhouse welcomed 50 anxious kiddos into its black-box theater from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There they thrived in an artistic environment, learning about puppetry, stage-fighting techniques, and making a movie titled 'The Legend of Colleen's Portal,' which is totally charming and hilarious. Playhouse artistic director Danny Feldman even made a cameo in the eight-minute film, telling a group of kids to scram when he caught them on the theater's main stage. That these kids, who had been through so much disruption and trauma, were provided with this respite, was incredibly meaningful to their parents (including me) — many of whom were struggling through their own smoke-and-fire-related ordeals. The next week, the education department again offered free day camp to fire-affected kids who are part of its education programming. The situation is fluid, so it's not been announced if they'll do it again this week. In addition, the Playhouse is bringing thousands of students from Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale and L.A. public schools to free student performances of the kids' show 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical' at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. A 'pay it forward' ticket initiative allows people to buy tickets to be given free to families impacted by the fires. 'In times of crisis, and always, our role as a nonprofit arts organization is to support our community,' Feldman wrote in an email. 'The work we do goes beyond what you see on our historic stage. Our connection to this community has deep roots that span decades; we continue to reaffirm this commitment to them today and as we move toward recovery.' I'm arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt, marveling at how the greatest kindness blooms from the darkest ashes. Ashley Lee and I have this week's rundown of arts and culture news. The Decade Party'I want to do opera in which the form of opera is so different that it allows for the possibility of transformation,' Yuval Sharon, founder and former artistic director of the Industry, told The Times last year. 'I don't want to just regurgitate what our contemporary perspective is. I want the whole apparatus of opera to help us imagine alternatives.' The experimental opera company is celebrating Sharon's 10-plus years of visionary work and marking his legacy with a new fund to support the next generation of art and opera. The fundraising event will include a cocktail reception and hors d'oeuvres, keynote toasts by longtime friends and collaborators, and a one-time-only performance of highlights from landmark works including 2013's 'Invisible Cities' and 2015's 'Hopscotch' — the presentation of which marks a return to its original location at the Bradbury Building. Thursday, 7 p.m. Bradbury Building, 304 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. 'FU@K OFF'The Walter Maciel Gallery exhibition features works by 23 contemporary artists whose practices portray personal experiences and concerns likely to be attacked or neglected during President Trump's second term. Curated by Monica Lundy and Walter Maciel, the show gives a platform to artists who fight for human rights, equality and inclusion, as well as artists concerned about environmental issues such as climate change, unhoused communities and women's rights to privacy and health. The exhibition, which opened last weekend, is on view through March 1. Walter Maciel Gallery, 2642 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City. 'Memoryhouse'The Los Angeles Ballet's full-evening work is composed of vignettes honoring those who died during the Holocaust. Created by LAB artistic director Melissa Barak, the abstract piece is set to Max Richter's 2002 album of the same name, in its entirety and in the order it was meant to be heard. These four performances, taking place Thursday through Saturday, mark the beginning of a new partnership between the Wallis and LAB. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. — Ashley Lee MONDAYInception Christopher Nolan's mind-bending 2010 science-fiction thriller, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Caine, screens in 4K. 7:30 p.m. Academy Museum, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. How I Learned What I Learned Actor Lance E. Nichols performs August Wilson's theatrical memoir.7 p.m. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. TUESDAYEmanuel Ax & Anthony McGill The pianist and clarinetist team up for an eclectic program featuring works by classical and contemporary composers.8 p.m. Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Elements and Energy With John Adams The composer conducts the L.A. Phil New Music Group in solo etudes, including works by Donnacha Dennehy, Missy Mazzoli, Noah Jenkins.8 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. WEDNESDAYDance Camera West The 25th anniversary edition of the movement-inspired film festival opens with 'Dance Map,' a documentary film inspired by La Ville Dansée and narrated by Benjamin Sunday. Barnsdall Gallery Theater, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd. Fake It Until You Make It Playwright Larissa FastHorse's new comedy about rival Native American nonprofits unravels the absurdities of ambition and March 9. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Noises Off Anna D. Shapiro directs Michael Frayn's influential backstage farce in a co-production with Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre March 2. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. THURSDAYBarb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar The L.A. Film Critics Assn. presents the 2021 comedy starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, plus a Q&A with director Josh Greenbaum, Mumolo and production designer Steve Saklad, moderated by Katie Walsh and Jen Yamato.7:30 p.m. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and playwright Jules Feiffer died Jan. 17 in Richfield Springs, N.Y. of congestive heart failure. He was 95. In an obituary, former Times staff writer Elaine Woo writes that Feiffer was 'one of the most widely read satirists in America,' casting a cynical eye on the personal and political anxieties, hypocrisies and disappointments of upper-middle-class urbanites.' He is survived by daughters Kate, Julie and Halley, who is also a playwright. Times features columnist Todd Martens visited Chromasonic Field, an art installation staged in a downtown L.A. warehouse where guests wander through colorful spaces with light synchronized to sound frequencies. 'For here, everything was slightly abstracted — a sonic hum gave way to hazy mixture of lights as I glanced at various ideas and impressions,' Martens writes. 'I've felt peace like this before — a trip to Sequoia National Park comes to mind — but what I liked about Chromasonic was that any sense of place felt distorted.' The Broad museum and its former chief operating officer have been hit with a second lawsuit in less than a week. This one, filed by its former director of facilities, alleges age and race discrimination, as well as retaliation and defamation. A portrait of tech billionaire Elon Musk — the self-appointed first buddy to President Trump — was removed from the astronautics gallery at the Deutsches Museum of Science and Technology after controversy surrounding a gesture he made at Trump's inauguration ceremony that many believed to be a Nazi salute (Musk has denied that it was.) Why is the new $TRUMP meme coin called an 'artwork' on its website? ARTnews attempts to break it down for you. 'In a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, Georg Bak, a digital art advisor and co-founder of the Digital Art Mile art fair, noted the disclaimer and declared that Trump had issued 'the most expensive artwork ever created in the world.' The meme coin, he went on, is valued far higher than Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi — the generally accepted highest-valued artwork, which sold for $450 million in 2017,' the article notes. 'Because $TRUMP was classified as art by the issuer, Bak continued, it is therefore an 'artwork co-owned by thousands of coin holders and can be regarded as a tokenized artwork.'' Frigid temperatures can't stop people in Minnesota from enjoying an art exhibit on a frozen lake.
