Pasadena, CA — Pasadena Unified School District students are benefitting from innovative technology, made possible through Measure O funds, that enhances their learning, fosters classroom engagement, and equips them for success in an ever-evolving world.

In 2021, Pasadena Unified implemented a Districtwide technology upgrade, providing every student with a Google Chromebook. This initiative ensured students had the essential tools to excel both in the classroom and at home.

“Bringing our schools into the 21st century is essential because our students are already there,” Eliot Arts Magnet Academy principal Lanisha McKenzie said. “These students have grown up in a digital world and are fluent with these devices. By integrating updated technology into instruction, we can meet students where they are and connect with them in ways they understand.”

This year, a few classrooms across the District were chosen to test-run new Promethean Boards. These interactive boards offer innovative features, including touchscreens, timers, annotation tools, and screen-sharing capabilities, transforming how teachers present lessons.

“We started using Promethean Boards at the beginning of this school year, and they’ve been game-changers,” said Dawnley Raices, Eliot Arts Magnet sixth-grade history and English teacher. “I can pull up maps, highlight key points during note-taking, and give students the chance to interact directly with the material. It makes such a difference when students can see, touch, and engage with what they’re learning.”

These technology upgrades have not only improved classroom instruction but also enhanced professional development and District meetings. The boards are now used to present information at staff meetings, trainings, and board meetings, enriching communication at every level. All Pasadena Unified teachers will have Promethean Boards in their classrooms by the end of the fall semester.

“The Promethean Boards help me learn because they are so easy to see and interact with,” sixth-grade student Sage Miller said. “And since I don’t always like handwriting things, my Chromebook makes everything so much easier!”

In addition to technology upgrades, Measure O has funded significant improvements to campus facilities. Eliot Arts Magnet Academy recently completed restroom renovations, upgraded its field, and resurfaced its tennis courts, benefiting both students and the surrounding community.
“When students see that the District is investing in their environment, it builds a sense of pride,” McKenzie said. “They take ownership of their spaces and are more motivated to maintain them.”

Measure O, passed by voters in November 2020, is a $516.3 million bond allowing Pasadena Unified to enhance and modernize school facilities. This funding ensures schools across the District are properly equipped to provide students with safe, updated, and more dynamic learning spaces.

“Through Measure O, we are not only upgrading our technology and modernizing our facilities but investing in the future of our students,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco said. “These projects provide the tools and environments they need to learn and succeed today and lead tomorrow.”

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PUSD_TECHNOLOGY: Eliot Arts Magnet Academy students interact with their classroom’s Promethean Board, which provides innovative features, including touchscreens, timers, annotation tools, and screen-sharing capabilities, transforming how teachers present lessons. Pasadena Unified School District schools received Promethean Boards using funds from Measure O.