Poly Families Enjoy All-School Picnic and First-Ever Bike Rodeo
On Sunday, August 24, 2025, Poly kicked off the school year with a brand-new tradition: a K–8 Bike Rodeo during the beloved All-School Family Picnic on Arden Lawn. Together, the two events celebrated Panther pride, providing families with an opportunity to connect at the start of the year.
The inaugural Bike Rodeo took place in Garland Lot, where students practiced bicycle safety skills, navigated an obstacle course, and gained confidence on two wheels. The event was inspired by Julia Zapata, a second-grade teacher at Poly and avid cyclist, who drew from her volunteer work with ActiveSGV and Pasadena Complete Streets. “Parents were excited about biking to school but worried about safety,” Zapata explained. “I thought Poly hosting a Rodeo would help bolster students' confidence on their bikes in their efforts to commute more sustainably.”
Manager of Environmental Sustainability Laura Fleming, who helped organize the event through Poly’s Drive Less Initiative, agreed. “A significant source of carbon emissions for the school is transportation—how the majority of the community commutes to Poly. When families commit to car-free commuting to school, it helps the school reduce its carbon footprint while also meeting city traffic restrictions.” Families were enthusiastic, with many asking for the Bike Rodeo to become an annual tradition.
Families gathered on Arden Lawn for the All-School Picnic, which this year doubled as a celebration of the lawn’s recent restoration. The redesigned space provided the perfect setting for an evening filled with music, food, and community connection. Poly’s Upper School students performed jazz and rock music, setting the soundtrack as families picnicked on blankets, enjoyed games, and explored student clubs.
The picnic also highlighted the incredible breadth of Poly’s programs, including the vast array of volunteer opportunities through Poly’s Parent Organizations (PO), to the student-built Solar Car, Perihelion, which stood as a symbol of innovation and collaboration. “The Picnic was a living snapshot of Poly at its best—community, creativity, and connection woven together in a joyful afternoon,” said Moe Arora P ’31, ’38, All-School Picnic co-chair and incoming chair.
Upper School PO Chair Jeanette Zamora P ’26, ’29 reflected, “It feels so great kicking off the year as a community. It was inspiring to see so many people sharing their talents—students performing, parents supporting, and programs showcasing all they do. What better way to start the year than building connections together?”
For Ideth Hernandez P ’26, All-School Picnic Chair, the day was also a reminder of Poly’s spirit. “The All-School Picnic brings together the threads of the tapestry that make Poly a vibrant community. Families engaged, students performed, programs shone—it was a celebration of joy on a summer day.”
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The inaugural Bike Rodeo took place in Garland Lot, where students practiced bicycle safety skills, navigated an obstacle course, and gained confidence on two wheels. The event was inspired by Julia Zapata, a second-grade teacher at Poly and avid cyclist, who drew from her volunteer work with ActiveSGV and Pasadena Complete Streets. “Parents were excited about biking to school but worried about safety,” Zapata explained. “I thought Poly hosting a Rodeo would help bolster students' confidence on their bikes in their efforts to commute more sustainably.”
Manager of Environmental Sustainability Laura Fleming, who helped organize the event through Poly’s Drive Less Initiative, agreed. “A significant source of carbon emissions for the school is transportation—how the majority of the community commutes to Poly. When families commit to car-free commuting to school, it helps the school reduce its carbon footprint while also meeting city traffic restrictions.” Families were enthusiastic, with many asking for the Bike Rodeo to become an annual tradition.
Families gathered on Arden Lawn for the All-School Picnic, which this year doubled as a celebration of the lawn’s recent restoration. The redesigned space provided the perfect setting for an evening filled with music, food, and community connection. Poly’s Upper School students performed jazz and rock music, setting the soundtrack as families picnicked on blankets, enjoyed games, and explored student clubs.
The picnic also highlighted the incredible breadth of Poly’s programs, including the vast array of volunteer opportunities through Poly’s Parent Organizations (PO), to the student-built Solar Car, Perihelion, which stood as a symbol of innovation and collaboration. “The Picnic was a living snapshot of Poly at its best—community, creativity, and connection woven together in a joyful afternoon,” said Moe Arora P ’31, ’38, All-School Picnic co-chair and incoming chair.
Upper School PO Chair Jeanette Zamora P ’26, ’29 reflected, “It feels so great kicking off the year as a community. It was inspiring to see so many people sharing their talents—students performing, parents supporting, and programs showcasing all they do. What better way to start the year than building connections together?”
For Ideth Hernandez P ’26, All-School Picnic Chair, the day was also a reminder of Poly’s spirit. “The All-School Picnic brings together the threads of the tapestry that make Poly a vibrant community. Families engaged, students performed, programs shone—it was a celebration of joy on a summer day.”
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