Back to School in Altadena: A Message to PUSD Parents

By Ashley Ludwig (Patch Staff)

Students in the Pasadena Unified School District headed back to school Monday, and parents and students alike are working to get back into the swing of things. Here's a primer on what you need to know for a seamless back to school week.

Special Needs Students

Specialized counselors will be assigned to "high-needs" high schools, while college and career counselors will be working with students at "struggling" middle schools. The district is also planning to provide additional resources to help English-learners -- a group that represents almost one-third of the district's students.

Immunization Woes

Parents, meanwhile, will have to ensure that their children are fully immunized before they're allowed to attend classes. A state law that took effect in January eliminated the so-called personal-belief exemption to the vaccination requirement, so LAUSD students will have to show proof of immunizations against such diseases as polio, measles, chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

What to Send For Back to School Lunch

Parents, when kids are finicky, filling those lunch boxes can be a royal pain. Here are five no-fail tips on how to prepare lunch boxes this year. Read these Back to School: 5 No-Fail Lunchbox Tips.

Remember, Pull Forward at School Drop offs

It is resonating across the internet, thanks to a popular mom-blogger, but the message is clear. Be careful when you are dropping off your children, and don't let concern over being tardy cause you to cause an accident.

Read: Back to School: Remember your Proper School Drop-off Etiquette

Police will be Watching

The start of school also means more children on city streets in the mornings and afternoons, and Los Angeles police issued a warning to drivers to be extra cautious. The LAPD will be conducting a "traffic education and enforcement task force" at various campuses to drive home the point.

Police reminded motorists to:

• slow down, particularly in school zones
• be alert for small children who sometimes cannot be easily seen from behind the wheel
• come to a full stop when a school bus has its flashing red lights and signal arm activated as it loads or unloads passengers.

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