Thursday, April 19, 2012

PUSD Expands Cutting Edge Academic Programs into Northwest Pasadena and Altadena

Pasadena Unified School District

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release April 18, 2012
Contact: Adam Wolfson
(626) 396-3606


Washington Middle to become a STEM Magnet; Spanish Immersion Expands to Jackson Elementary

Pasadena, CA – Making good on the promise of the Pasadena Unified School District’s (PUSD) Strategic Plan promise to deliver academically rigorous and innovative programs to all students, the PUSD Board of Education Tuesday discussed proposals to bring a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) magnet and a successful dual language immersion program to the Northwest neighborhoods of the district. The highly popular Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program will expand to a second campus with the addition of a kindergarten class at Jackson Elementary School in Altadena in 2012-2013 and Washington Middle School in Pasadena will convert to a STEM magnet school of choice in 2013-2014.

“Locating rigorous and innovative programs such as dual language and STEM in the Northwest communities articulates our high expectations of achievement for all students,” said Superintendent Jon R. Gundry. “Both build 21st century skills, help close the achievement gap between groups of students, and put the priorities and values of this district’s strategic plan into action.”

Washington Middle School will convert to a wall-to-wall magnet school in 2013-2014 and offer project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for students in grades six, seven, and eight. The conversion is designed to prepare middle school students with 21st century skills and build their capacity for advanced STEM studies in high school, college, and beyond. The STEM magnet is also intended to develop a pipeline for the College & Career Pathways programs at district high schools. 2012-2013 will be a planning year to develop partnerships that tap into the Pasadena area’s scientific and engineering resources, systems for greater engagement by families, and professional development for faculty and staff. Admission to the STEM academy will be by application, and any student entering grades 6-8 can apply. Parents and students will be asked for a firm commitment to support the schools’ mission.

Chief Academic Officer Brian McDonald, Ed.D., has been meeting with middle school students as part of developing the proposal. “The kids asked for academies that cater to their interests and prepare them to make choices later in their academic careers,” said Dr. McDonald. “Engaging middle school age students and listening to their desires for a meaningful learning experience is key to their academic success.”

Since its inception in 2009, the Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program at San Rafael Elementary has successfully built the bilingual and biliteracy skills of both native English and Spanish speaking students. The program at Jackson Elementary will open in Fall 2012 beginning with a kindergarten class and expand by one grade each year. Families interested in applying can contact Jackson Elementary or the PUSD Welcome Center at 626-396-3600 x88340.

The goal of the program is to develop academic proficiency in both languages beginning in kindergarten. Currently, the instructional model dictates that 90 percent of instruction in kindergarten is in Spanish and 10 percent in English. With each subsequent year, Spanish instruction is reduced and English instruction is increased in equal amounts. By design, equal amounts of native English and Spanish speaking students are enrolled in each class.

English learners in dual language immersion programs have an opportunity to make faster than average progress on grade-level instruction that is not watered down. Native English speakers who are already learning at grade level can exceed the achievement of their monolingually educated peers. Through the cognitive stimulus of schooling in two languages, which leads to enhanced creativity and analytical thinking, native English speakers who are lagging behind academically receive the accelerated instruction necessary to close the achievement gap. Research indicates that there are lower high school drop-out rates for English learners enrolled in dual language programs as well as increased an interest in attending colleges and universities. As students promote to middle school, they will be poised to earn credits toward being awarded the California Seal of Biliteracy on their high school diploma.

Monday, April 16, 2012

What inspires you?

Last Friday, I had the honor of attending the MOSTe (Motivating Our Students Through Experience) 12th Annual Lanterns Award Luncheon at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.  The mission of MOSTe is to empower girls from under served areas of Los Angeles County to become the next generation of college educated women, preparing them for professional careers & positions of leadership within their communities.  Girls participating in the program attend area middle and high schools, including Wilson Middle School and Pasadena High School in the Pasadena Unified School District.

I was inspired to attend from an invitation from my friend Renee Cartaya, an extraordinary MOSTe mentor and leader.  Renee currently mentors two young women and I was curious to learn more about the fabulous organization, meet her girls, and gain a better understanding of what inspires her.  

The luncheon has been designed as a fundraising event honoring women role models and I was inspired by one of the honorees Dr. Kathy Magliato.

Here are Kathy's words of wisdom to the girls attending the luncheon:

Failure - Do not quit.  Be persistent.  Let failure motivate you.
Roots & Wings - Give your children roots - teaching them kindness, empowerment, care.  Give your children wings - encourage them giving them big beautiful wings to fly. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? 
Drink from the hose - Devour information, embrace it, go out and get overwhelmed and learn at an accelerated pace.
Dwell in the house of YES!  - Find people who will say yes to your ideas and to you.  Find others that will support you.
Motivation - Time is a precious gift.  Your life is measured in breaths so spend your time wisely.

It was an honor to have the opportunity to attend the luncheon. MOSTe is doing important work in our community with our young women and their reach goes farther than they know. If you are involved with a local non-profit working with our youth, please share your experience.  It may inspire one of our readers...and that would be a good thing.

Cynthia

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Truth about Pasadena Real Estate Market

Wondering what is going on with the Pasadena real estate market? There are some interesting trends surfacing and opportunities are plentiful.

At the beginning of every month, we make a point to analyze the closed and pending sales data. We like to compare it to the month previous and also compare the entire quarter to the same quarter the year before. While we are deep in the trenches daily (yes, you know that our job requires our attention almost 24/7), we like to compare how we feel things are going in the real estate market to the historical data. This allows us to uncover trends and communicate these trends, truths, and opportunities to our clients, friends, and preferred business partners.

So, where is the market now that we just closed out the first quarter of 2012? One of the trends that we are experiencing right now is a lack of inventory. In fact, March 2012 single family home inventory in Pasadena is down 40% compared to the same time last year. This significant decrease, coupled with an increase in pending sales (Feb 2012 to March 2012) of over 47%, is leaving many potential buyers frustrated with the condition of the market. Buyers know that right now is the window to purchase a home, and with historically low interest rates, reasonable sellers, and lower home prices, they want to act now.

Thankfully, we are seeing the expected increase month-over-month (since the slow holiday season) in pending sales and in sold single family homes. In fact, the pending home sales for March 2012 is the highest it has been (104 homes) since January 2011. So, sales are going in the right direction - exactly where we expect it go.

Although the median price is down 12% first quarter of 2012 compared to the same time last year, there are some bright spots when you are looking at actually pricing. The segment of 3 bedroom homes is the only segment that has seen an increase in average price. Though this group of homes experienced fewer sales, these homes are flying off the market - perhaps contributing to the price increase. Additionally, the only group over homes which grew in number of sales first quarter of 2012 compared to the same time last year is the 5+ bedroom segment. And guess what? This segment of homes had an over $400,000 decrease in average sales price, perhaps due to the jumbo loan market and growing number of financially stretched homeowners.  But whatever the reason, there are currently some terrific deals in the luxury home market right now.

The fact of the matter is that homes with integrity, that have been loved, are located in desirable neighborhoods and that meet many of the buyers demanding desires, are still garnering great prices. So you see, to sum up the market right now, we know it is an excellent time to sell (low inventory, large buyer pool, cheap money) AND a great time to buy (great mortgage rates, lower homes prices, phenomenal area values).

QUICK STATS for March 2012 Pasadena single family sales: 
  • 231 homes for sale 
  • 104 pending homes 
  • 69 closed sales 
  • $358.00 average price per square foot 
  • $790,000 average sales price
  • $527,500 median sales price 
  • 82 average days on market 
  • 3.3 months of inventory 
  • 94% original to final sales price 
We invite you to call us or send us your questions or feedback. It is important that we all stay informed, since for many of us our home is not only our largest asset, but the place where we put down roots and create memories for our families. If you have dreamt about another home, but thought that you would wade this market out, you will be missing a terrific opportunity. There is a sale going on right now, a home sale, and who better to take advantage of it than you?

Cynthia

Sales data courtesy of TrendVision.