Youth Programs in 2009

PMH is committed to providing affordable, quality educational experiences to local students of all ages. In most cases, affordable means free. Today’s schools, especially public schools, are facing increasingly tight budgets, and literally every penny counts. With more than two-thirds of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) students eligible for free or reduced lunches (the typical barometer of school poverty levels), our free programs make Pasadena’s history and culture available to all local students, regardless of economic background. In 2009 PMH staff continued to maintain and expand working relationships with both PUSD and local private school teachers, administrators, and other staff, in an effort to ensure that PMH’s student programs continue to best meet the educational needs of our local youth.

PMH’s oldest student program, Junior Docents, has been recognized nationally and locally as a model for programs of its kind. During each year-long program, middle school students undertake a rigorous training program to prepare to lead tours of the historic Fenyes Mansion as Junior Docents for local third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms. They learn about local history and culture, as well as gain valuable experience in public speaking and leadership. Younger students benefit greatly from learning about local history and culture from the Junior Docents; the Junior Docents serve as older role models who vividly demonstrate that learning and history can be “cool.” The Junior Docent program continues to be the cornerstone of PMH’s educational outreach efforts, and given the ongoing positive reviews we continue to receive from parents, educators, and students themselves, we look forward to continuing to nurture competent and confident young men and women who have a love of learning, an understanding of history and art, and an awareness of and appreciation for our larger shared community. In 2009 our Junior Docents led tours for 819 local elementary students and 170 accompanying adults. Congratulations to the Junior Docent Class of 2009, on a job well done!

Developed in collaboration with PUSD and other area cultural and arts organizations, the My Masterpieces program is PMH’s newest student program. The free program is interdisciplinary in nature, and is aligned with California state standards. My Masterpieces was designed to introduce every local student to Pasadena’s rich cultural heritage, with the ultimate goal to reach all PUSD fourth graders. As of fall 2009 eight PUSD schools were participating in the program.

Another popular PMH program, A Child’s Life, served more than 260 local students, while the Peek at Family History summer children’s program met the education needs of younger children and their caregivers. In total, nearly 9,300 children participated in PMH youth programs, not including the hundreds attending free family-oriented events such as Museums of the Arroyo Day or Family Free Days.

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