Thank you to the many AUSD staff members and families who submitted photos as part of the #AUSDFirstDay campaign. We received well over 200 submissions this year! This collage features just a handful of the joyful photos submitted.
Our campuses were full of excitement and anticipation as over 14,000 Alhambra Unified School District students returned to school on August 13 to begin the 2024-2025 school year. They were greeted by music, balloons, decorations, and of course, smiling staff members and volunteers. The day marked the beginning of another academic year, but also the start of new adventures, friendships, and opportunities for growth.
Despite an unexpected earthquake the day before school resumed, our facilities were in great shape, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the district’s facilities, custodial, and maintenance crew. Additionally, our teachers, administrators, and support staff worked tirelessly to ensure classrooms were ready, schedules were set, and every detail was in place to welcome students back for a successful start to the school year.
We are excited to have three schools with new principals at the helm: Mr. Isaac Alvarado at Garfield School, Mrs. Alejandra “Alex” Perez at Mark Keppel High School, and Ms. Jocelyn Castro at San Gabriel High School. Another exciting addition for this school year is the expansion of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classes to all 13 elementary schools, including TK classes for both the Spanish and Mandarin Dual Immersion programs. Early learning experiences like TK provide important foundational academic and social skills, and the addition of these young learners brings added joy to each campus.
AUSD continued its tradition of encouraging members of the AUSD family to capture a special moment on the first day of school and to submit it for showcasing on the various AUSD platforms. For several weeks, the @AlhambraUSD Facebook and Instagram pages were filled with happy faces, proud poses, and cheerful waves.
“As I visited schools on the first day, I was impressed with a sense of both excitement and calmness at each campus,” explained AUSD Superintendent Dr. Denise Jaramillo. “I loved seeing our staff welcoming our students and families back to school, and I look forward to a fantastic school year ahead, filled with learning, laughter, and endless possibilities.”
