Friday, January 24, 2025

Pasadena Unified Welcomes Back 3,400 Students in Phase One of Post-Fire Campus Reopenings

By EDDIE RIVERA

PUSD teacher Cherie Wood welcomes back her kindergarten students at Willard Elementary.

Following Eaton Fire, three-phase return to school program begins with combined campuses

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) welcomed 3,400 students back to their campuses Thursday after a two-week disruption caused by the devastating Eaton Fire. The fire, which began on January 8, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and scattered numerous families within the PUSD community.

Despite the challenges, the district’s leadership, staff, and families expressed a sense of hope as students returned to their classrooms.

On hand to greet the returning students at Willard Elementary School were PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, PUSD Board President Jennifer Hall Lee, PUSD Board Member Michelle Richardson Bailey, and Willard Principal Maricela Brambila.

PUSD Board President Lee beamed as she stood outside Willard Elementary.

“I’m smiling, and I haven’t been smiling in a long time. It feels wonderful to see children going into school. There’s something so solid and comforting about it—it feels normal again,” she said.

“It’s heartwarming, is the best way to describe it,” said James Fujii, a PUSD parent. “Given everything that has happened over the past two weeks, it’s obviously devastating, but the importance of going back to school reminds you what a key part of this community it is. It’s inspiring. This is just the first sign of rebuilding, and it’s amazing to be here.”

Fujii, who has a fourth grader at Willard Elementary and a sixth grader at Blair School, reflected on the emotional journey of returning to normalcy, saying, “It’s been an unexpected break for them. My kids are fortunate enough to not really feel the impact, but I think going back today will be an interesting experience as they’re with their friends who were impacted.”

The district’s response to the fire has been carefully organized into three phases, as explained by PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco.

“The structures that were completely destroyed will have a new home. Elliot Arts School will move to Allendale, and McKinley School is opening today with Elliot co-locating on its campus later this month,” she said. “We are working with the parents, supporting them with medical, health, and social services, and most importantly, ensuring that education remains our primary goal.”

Blanco also emphasized the importance of providing stability during such times.

“Our children need a sense of normalcy. Our teachers and staff need a sense of normalcy, and they need to be together. They’re going to hold each other up and give each other the strength they need to get through this.”

The district has also taken a phased approach to reopening schools, prioritizing those farthest from the fire zone first.

“The three-tiered system developed by the superintendent and leadership team is amazing,” Lee said. “It has a flow to it, starting with the schools farthest from the zone and then coming closer.”

For Willard Principal Maricela Brambila, the return to school was an opportunity to reconnect with families and provide some reassurance.

Said Brambilia, “We’ve been in contact with our families since the fire started, but having them here in person allows us to give them a hug and tell them we’re here for them. The kids bounce back—they need this routine. They need to see their friends, their teachers, to go to recess. It provides stability and safety.”

Brambila acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that recovery is a long-term process. “We know this isn’t something that will be fixed quickly. The needs of our families will evolve, and we’ll have to adapt to support them. Our job is to stay vigilant, maintain close communication, and ensure we’re meeting the needs of our students as they arise.”

Dr. Blanco said the PUSD community is determined to move forward, as the return to school represents a crucial step toward healing and rebuilding for families impacted by the Eaton Fire.

As the schools combine campuses as necessary, all undamaged campuses will be open on January 30.

The Pasadena Unified School District serves approximately 14,000 students across 24 schools and at five children’s centers and adult education programs.

More information regarding the reopening of campuses is available at  pusd.us/firerelief