THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS URGES YOU TO VOTE YES ON 50 

 
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025

VOLUME 19 NO. 45VOLUME 19 NO. 45


SIERRA MADRE 
SCHOOLS' PUSD 
REPORT CARD

Despite Challenges, PUSD Programs 
and Students Still Thrive

By Kevin McGuire

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has undoubtedly 
had its fair share of challenges in recent years, from 
a $71 million deficit looming to cutting over 90 certified 
positions to declining enrollment. However, they still 
manage to win awards, rank above average in California 
in some areas, and produce stellar students, both academically 
and athletically. 

Sierra Madre City Council had a chance to take in many 
of the accomplishments of PUSD Schools and hear some 
of the success stories of their students, which are often 
overshadowed by struggles and bad press the District has 
endured. 

SIERRA MADRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The principal of Sierra Madre Elementary School (SME), 
Dr. Jodi Marchesso, began the presentation to the City 
Council during their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 
28, 2025. Dr. Marchesso has been in the principal’s 
role since 2022. 

According to Marchesso, SME is doubling its Transitional 
Kindergarten (TK) offerings, expanding the program to 
two classrooms this year. The TK program is a stepping 
stone for children who are not old enough for the traditional 
kindergarten program. The school now serves students 
from pre-K through 5th grade, with approximately 
650 enrolled. 

SME will also continue its partnership with the Western 
Justice Center, whose mission is to empower people 
to strengthen their communities by building the conflict-
resolution skills and capacity of youth, educators, 
schools, and community partners, according to its website. 
This will be the 2nd year SME students will be able to 
participate in the Peer Mediation and Restorative Justice 
programs. 

The Peer Mediation Invitational is a “summit that brings 
together students from across the region in the common 
pursuit of equity and justice.” Restorative Justice is an 
interactive circle program that teaches the importance 
of communication, equality, and conflict resolution. Dr. 
Marchesso stated that these offerings by the Western Justice 
Center were instrumental in helping students cope 
with “the trauma that the community experienced in 
January” as a result of the losses experienced from the 
Eaton fire. 

SME met the highest state standards for Math and English 
Language Arts (ELA), earning the highest rating of 
BLUE on the California School’s Dashboard. It indicates 
a school's excellent performance on state measures like 
academic achievement, chronic absenteeism, and college/
career readiness. The color is part of a five-color 
performance system ranging from blue (highest) to red 
(lowest), according to the California School’s Dashboard 
website. As a result of its achievements, SME was recognized 
by the California Department of Education as a 
“Distinguished School” in 2025, an honor) SME also received 
in 2023. 

(continued on Page 2)

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