Our Visit to San Rafael School

Mayor Bill Bogaard and I spoke to fourth, fifth and sixth graders at San Rafael Elementary School on Wednesday. We showed them a video that was played at the State of the City event and talked about our respective roles with the City of Pasadena.


Mayor Bogaard answered questions from several individual students. They asked great questions, such as how old does one have to be to run for mayor, where did you go to elementary school, and how much time do you get to spend with your family. That's San Rafael Principal Alyson Beecher on the left.


We ended the program by asking some questions of our own, which I'll ask you now.

1. In what year did Pasadena begin operating as a city?

2. How many people live in Pasadena?

3. How many students attend public schools in Pasadena?

4. How many city libraries are in Pasadena?

5. Characters from what famous story are carved into the fireplace in the Children’s Room at Pasadena Central Library?

6. How many city parks are in Pasadena?

7. How much money does your city government spend every year?

8. In what nations does Pasadena have sister cities?

9. What do you like most about Pasadena?

10. What is your favorite place to go in Pasadena?

The person with the most correct answers submitted the soonest via comment on this blog will win a fabulous prize!

Mystery History will return on Tuesday of next week.

Our Popular After-school Programs

Got kids? The experts say: Let them play!

Our after-school program, provided by the Human Services and Recreation Department in partnership with Pasadena Unified School District, lets children choose from scads of activities.


The goal is to provide safe and healthy settings that are fun for children ages 5 to 14, including a weekly schedule of art and crafts, organized as well as spontaneous games and sports, a health and wellness program, homework assistance, free snacks at most sites, special events, walking field trips and more.

After-school programs are at PUSD playgrounds throughout Pasadena and operate from the time the school dismissal bell rings until 6 p.m. daily. Programs are closed on school holidays and pupil-free days.

Enrollment fees per school semester are just $25 per child and $22.50 for each additional sibling, and cover program materials and supplies, wristband, photo identification card, secondary insurance in case of emergency and some special events and activities.

Enrollment is limited, but there's still room at many sites. You can register online here.


For more information contact Stephanie Carter at (626) 744-7532 or scarter@cityofpasadena.net; or Elizabeth Luna at (626) 744-7302 or eluna@cityofpasadena.net. They work in the HS&R Department.

By the way, summer's coming! We'll need seasonal staff for our summer recreation programs. Apply here no later than Thursday, Feb. 26.

City/PUSD Partnerships Online

The City of Pasadena and Pasadena Unified School District are working together in ways that have been unprecedented...

...such as the city's Safe Schools Team that provides policing services to all PUSD schools in Pasadena...

...after-school programs that are provided at parks, schools and other facilities throughout the community...
...and much more.

The relationship with department directors at the city and their counterparts at PUSD have been strengthened over the past couple of years, which has led to discussions about shared issues and services such as transportation, facilities, fields and security.

The City Council and Board of Education have met jointly several times over the past couple of years to set priorities and policies, and the city manager, superintendent of schools and employees from the city and PUSD are carrying out that vision.

And now there is a joint website that explains many of these partnerships. Click here to learn more!