Piedmont Pulse

June 1, 2026

Dear PUSD Families & Staff:

Today's Piedmont Pulse newsletter will be the final edition for this school year, with the Fall edition returning August 3rd.

I want to close out by sharing my profound gratitude for our community. This weekend, I was thinking about the many individuals and groups I have come to lean on and have appreciation for. First, Parent Club Presidents, you are rockstars! Thank you for your commitment to our schools, including your creative ideas, fundraising expertise, and overall joyful attitude. Next, a group that does not get enough cheerleading (and never requests it) is our administrative team. Principals, APs, and Administrators, thank you for the flexibility and wisdom you bring to work every day. We truly have such a "pro" team! Also, CSEA...thank you for your dedication to excellence. Our schools are clean and in great shape; our students are well-fed; our students are cared for...and it is undoubtedly because you are the foundation on which we build a great educational system. Also, Teachers (and all of our support staff), you are exceptional! I have no doubt our students are experiencing the finest education possible because of our teachers. I would be remiss if I did not thank our Board of Education who help to make it all happen. And, to our students and families, you are a pleasure to serve, and seeing our Havens students with this year's graduates who attended Havens is a wonderful reminder of the joy in our work together. Thank you for a great year!

In Community,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Again, I want to invite you to participate in this year's quick Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey...just one question and an opportunity to provide additional feedback if you choose. I have invited staff and families to participate in this survey for the last three years, and it is a quick "pulse check" on how our community feels about our schools. Last year, we had considerable feedback about parents' interest in more rigor in our schools. As a result, we added additional programs, coursework, and workshops/communication to enhance the rigor in our schools. In short, we listen to your feedback. I would be grateful for your participation.

NPS Survey Link

On a related note, a few weeks ago, I invited staff and families to join me in a year-end wrap up discussion of programs and initiatives we have approved this year. You can find this presentation below:

• Superintendent's Advisory Council - Year-End Report 2025-26

And, if you want a deeper dive into our recent accomplishments and program initiatives, please check out our State of the District report, linked HERE.

Dear Piedmont Students, Staff, & Parents,

PUSD has partnered with Hanover Research to conduct a short survey to gather your input about how instructional technology is used for learning experiences in our district. This survey will explore how digital tools are used for instruction, how they support learning and engagement, and, ultimately, will help us better understand any challenges or concerns related to technology use. Please know your feedback will help inform future decisions made by school and district leaders.

Hanover Research is an independent research firm based in Washington, D.C., and is in no way affiliated with any other entity or organization. Your responses are anonymous and will be kept confidential, so please be as open and honest as possible. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Please use the following link to take the survey: LINK

We appreciate your participation. Please click the link to begin the survey.

Piedmonters for Inclusive Education Awards Over $7,500 in Grants to Support Special Education Students in Piedmont Schools

Piedmont, CA — Piedmonters for Inclusive Education (PIE), a volunteer-run community of

parents dedicated to supporting students with disabilities, has awarded $7,530 in grants to

educators across the Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD), funding critical tools, resources,

and programs that promote inclusive learning environments.

Through its annual grants program, PIE invites special education staff from across the

district—from preschool through high school and adult transition—to apply for funding to meet

the evolving needs of their students. Nearly 100% of funds raised by PIE go directly toward

these teacher-driven grants, ensuring meaningful, immediate impact in classrooms.

This year’s grants, awarded in partnership with Jean Fagin, Director of Special Education,

funded a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Specialized Literacy & Curriculum: Orton-Gillingham materials, decodable books, and adapted materials for Earth Sciences, Civics and Economics classes
• Staff Resources & Technology: Subscriptions to The Informed SLP and Padlet, giving specialists access to the latest evidence-based tools
• Sensory & Emotional Regulation: tactile tools, weighted supports, trampolines, and balance equipment
• Community Integration & Life Skills: off-campus experiences and transition program supplies
• Creative Expression & Inclusive Play: toys, games, and art materials to foster engagement and inclusion

“These grants are a direct reflection of our community’s generosity,” said Meredith Lamont,

Vice President of PIE and Chair of the Grants Committee. “Our donors trust us to put their contributions to work where they matter most. By funding the specific, on-the-ground needs identified by our district’s dedicated special education staff, we’re helping ensure that students with disabilities have the support and resources they need to truly thrive.”

PIE partners with families, educators, and PUSD to ensure that students with disabilities and

neurodivergences, including those with IEPs and 504 plans, receive the support and resources

they need to thrive and belong. Their Vision is a Piedmont community where every student feels

a deep sense of belonging, inclusion, and support — academically, socially, and emotionally —

and where differences are understood, respected, and celebrated. For more information about PIE or to support future grants, visit: https://www.piedmontie.org/

Contact:

Meredith Lamont

Vice President, Piedmonters for Inclusive Education

meredithlamont@gmail.com

415-867-3697

At the May 6th Board Meeting, the Board gave staff direction to revise the current Board Policy 5131.8 Mobile Device to restrict mobile devices K-12 on campus for the full school day. This revision will provide the following exception: High school students may access a “feature” or “dumbphone” that has talk and text only (no apps or camera) during non-instructional/classroom times throughout the school day. Please also note that there are exceptions in the law for medical and other circumstances that the policy will include. The revised Board Policy will come to the Board for a 1st reading this week on June 3rd and go into effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Thank you to Stephanie Griffin, our AI panel experts, and our tech team who participated on a panel to discuss how PUSD is "Exploring the AI Horizon," (presentation deck linked HERE). The discussion was a provocative mix of how we can approach AI with curiosity alongside the concerns related to privacy, security, and more. The discussion also highlighted questions about how PUSD will prepare students for an AI-infused workforce.

We see this discussion as the first of many to follow next year, including a screening of the film The AI Doc or How I Became an Apocaloptimist in August. If you wish to be notified of this screening and other AI-related events, please let us know HERE.

Summer Adventures 2026 – Now Enrolling!

With summer just around the corner, there is still space available in Summer Adventures 2026!

Piedmont Unified School District invites families to join this fun and engaging program led by PUSD teachers. With small class sizes and a supportive environment, it’s the perfect blend of summer camp and learning—where students can build skills, make friends, and stay curious all summer long.

Programs are available for:

• Welcome to Kindergarten (for incoming TK/K students)
• 1st–5th Grade Enrichment
• Welcome to 6th Grade (held at Piedmont Middle School)

Session Dates:

• Session 1: June 8–June 18 (no program June 19)
• Session 2: June 22–July 2

Join us for a summer of creativity, connection, and hands-on learning in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Register using this link:PUSD Homeroom. Adventures 2026
For questions, contact Erin Rivera at erivera@piedmont.k12.ca.us

LGBTQ+ Pride Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. To our LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families, we celebrate you now and ALWAYS!

Highlander Robotics Summer camps registration now open!

FLL Champs Academy for FLL-C rising 5th-7th grade

Dates: June 8-12, 2026, M-F 9:00am-12:00pm - Cost $575. REGISTER HERE

Highlander Robotics Summer aCADemy for rising 7th to 9th graders,

Dates: June 8-12, 2026, M-F 1:00-4:00 pm - Registration is $500. REGISTER HERE

More info or to contact us: FRC8033.com

Resident Enrollment Now: Residents with children not currently enrolled in Piedmont schools - new kindergarteners or a student switching to Piedmont schools - are invited to start the enrollment process now. Individuals who are not residents may apply for an interdistrict transfer; however, we are at capacity at every grade level for the 2026-27 school year.

Green Space Volunteer/Sponsorship Opportunities - For groups who wish to sponsor or volunteer to cultivate green spaces, please review our this green space report, and contact Pete Palmer at ppalmer@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

Independent Study at PHS/MHS: Is your child a professional athlete? In the entertainment industry? Or, in need of an online independent study program? More information is linked HERE. For additional questions, please contact Principal Irma Muñoz Daniels at imunozdaniels@piedmont.k12.ca.us. Please note that MHS is at capacity for the 2026-27 school year, but there is still space in Independent Study.

Piedmont Portal - For all of the latest school and community events, please visit the Piedmont Portal linked HERE

State of the District Report 2025-26: State of the District reports are linked HERE.

Piedmont Alumni Network:

The second issue of the Piedmont Alumni Newsletter, linked HERE. The Alumni Newsletter highlights the many events and ways our alumni can stay connected to the Piedmont community. If you are a graduate of PHS or MHS, please connect with us HERE.

Follow PUSD - Please read our school newsletters sent out weekly for update to date information. The District Facebook (@piedmontunified) and Instagram (@piedmontusd)

Email: communication@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Website: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us
Location: 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA, USA
Phone: 510-594-2600