PUSD Superintendent Commends Student Resilience as School Year Ends Thursday

The Pasadena Unified School District will conclude the 2024-2025 academic year on Thursday, and Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco is praising students for their resilience following a school year marked by disruption, recovery, and perseverance.

In a year-end message issued Monday, Blanco acknowledged the difficulties faced by the district, including the impact of a campus fire earlier this school year.

“Challenging doesn’t begin to define what this year has been for us,” she wrote. “Our students are showing us something extraordinary: the fire may have happened to them, but they are not defined by it. They are defined by how they stand up, move forward, and continue to shine.”

The final week of classes includes graduation ceremonies for the high school Class of 2025 as well as promotion events for eighth- and fifth-grade students.

Blanco congratulated families across the district for reaching these milestones.

PUSD will launch its summer academic programming next week, along with district-wide meal service for children and youth 18 years and younger. Free meals will be available at designated school sites throughout the summer.

In addition to student support programs, the district plans to continue bond-funded campus upgrades and to monitor and remediate soil conditions where required, according to Blanco.

“This year has been unforgettable,” she stated. “I want to thank you for standing with us as our district community recovers from the fire. With our combined strengths, we’re empowering our students to be stronger, more connected, and better prepared for whatever life brings.”

The new school year is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 18.

For more information on summer services, including learning opportunities and meal locations, visit www.pusd.us.