Superintendent's Weekly Update

September 18, 2026

Dear PUSD Families,

This week, we held our first Student-Superintendent Advisory Council (SSAC) meeting of the school year. The council brings together 11th and 12th grade students from all of our high schools. Selected by their principals, these students represent a wide range of activities, interests, and perspectives.

I always leave our SSAC meetings energized by the students’ ideas and their commitment to making our schools better. Their voices help us understand what is working well and where we can do more to support students. This week, we discussed the impact of social media on mental health. The students spoke with honesty and insight about an issue that affects many of their peers, and I learned a great deal from the conversation.

I’ve also had the opportunity to meet individually with many of our principals in recent weeks. We’ve talked about how the school year has started at their sites, what they hope to accomplish this year, and how the District can best support their staff. These conversations give me a better understanding of the strengths and needs of each school community.

Principals put an extraordinary amount of thought and care into their work. They prepare for a new year with their staff, respond to the needs that arise each day, and keep their schools moving toward longer-term goals. I appreciate the time they’ve spent sharing both their successes and their challenges with me.

Whether I’m listening to students or meeting with school leaders, I’m reminded that our greatest strength is our people. I’m grateful for the students who shared their perspectives this week and for the commitment our principals show to their students, staff, and communities every day.

Sincerely,

Ben

School calendars for the 2027–28 and 2028–29 school years have not yet been developed.

The first step in the process is to gather parent and family feedback about the current school calendar, including how families have been affected by this year’s first day of school occurring a full week earlier than last year.

Your input will help staff understand how the calendar affects students and families and will inform the development of draft calendars. After the survey closes, we will share the results with families. Staff will then prepare proposed calendars for the Board of Education to discuss and consider for approval later this school year.

Thank you for taking the time to participate and for sharing your valuable perspectives. The survey will close on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Students from Poway Unified school programs like choir, marching band, color guard, dance, and more represented the district during the 2026 Poway Rotary Parade on Saturday, September 12.

The parade kicked off with Mt. Carmel High School's choir entertaining crowds and giving an opening rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, before floats representing several of the district's programs made their way through town. Thank you to all those who came out to support our students and programs!

The San Diego County Office of Education is hosting a Family Digital Wellness Series, designed to support families in building healthy, positive, and balanced relationships with technology.

The series will cover a variety of important digital wellness topics and provide families with practical tools and strategies they can use at home. You can view the complete schedule, dates, topics, and registration information online here.

• Employment Opportunities
• New Student Enrollment
• Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes
• Board Policies and Administrative Regulations Updates
• District Calendars

• September 22, 2026 — Parenting Education: Raising Pre-Teens in Immigrant and Multicultural Families (Register)
• September 24, 2026 — Board of Education, Special Meeting: Facilities Workshop
• September 28, 2026 — Parenting Education: Personal Stress and Anxiety (Register)