Piedmont Pulse

October 21, 2024

Dear PUSD Families & Staff:

It was wonderful seeing so many of you this weekend at Legally Blonde Jr., a fun production for our middle school students. Thank you to Amy Moorhead for her dedication to musical theater in our district!

Thanks also to the Havens Parent Club for inviting me to speak to our Havens parents, including my partner in presentation, a future Havens student. Presentations are always better with our kids.

And finally, a very special thank you to the Wildwood staff and families during this time of leadership transition. Ariel Dolowich and I have provided administrative support during the last several weeks, and we have loved every minute of it. Later this week, we are recommending the appointment of an Interim Principal for Wildwood, and we are grateful to the Wildwood community for their support during this time of change.

In partnership,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Affinity Mentors - The Power of Words

Thank you to Jean Chen Takazawa and our Affinity Mentors for an outstanding program that engaged our middle school students in a lesson on the power of words, including racial slurs, discriminatory comments, and other actions that create harm in our community and prevent our ability to create an environment for students to thrive. I observed our high school affinity mentors facilitate a lesson, and I was impressed by the overall empathy and sophistication of our students, both our high school mentors and our middle school students. Educating our students on the meaning, historical context, and impact of words reinforces knowledge that eliminates the idea that "we just did not know." When we know more, we can do better. And, I have no doubt we will.

WW Author Presentation: Barry Fischer: Thinking Through Planet Earth

Thanks to Barry Fischer, a Wildwood Kindergarten dad and an author/illustrator of his book, Thinking Through Planet Earth for his book presentation. He demonstrated for Ms. Beary's students what an antipode is (...i.e. Piedmont's antipode is a spot in the Indian Ocean ) using a plastic globe. Barry has a website that includes a tool with which you can explore the concept of antipode with your children. Thank you, Barry Fischer!

The Book Fair...is HERE

This week is the book fair at all of our elementary sites, and it's going to be great! Thank you to our librarians and volunteers who hold this wonderful event. What a wonderful event!

On 10/16, our Board discussed the development of a Cell Phone Use Board Policy. The workshop began with a presentation of the reasons for why we need to develop a formal Board policy, research on the impact of cell phones/social media on teen mental health presented by expert Dr. Allison Baker, survey results from parents/guardians, staff, and students, along with other data points, including the California Healthy Kids Survey results and Panorama Social Emotional Survey results. No policy decisions were made at this workshop. Staff recommended the creation of a task force to explore the many factors related to the development of a formal Board policy. If you are interested in learning more about participating on this task force, please find more information linked HERE.

The recording for this Board Workshop is linked HERE. The presentation deck is linked HERE.

District Technology Advisory Committee - 10/21 at 3:45PM - Havens Library

Director of Technology, Stephanie Griffin will lead this meeting the meeting in the Haven's Library and virtually at meet.google.com/gqg-tgge-inf.

On the agenda:

• Field trip to explore a Spring-Fling funded elementary classroom with updated technology - how do the technology features support learning for all students?

• Help generate plans for AI activities during a revamped Computer Science Education Week December 9-15th

Behavior & Support Matrix - 10/22 at 5PM - Havens Library

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Ariel Dolowich will present progress to date on the development of a Behavior & Support Matrix. This matrix was drafted last year and reflects response protocols to disciplinary incidents. Protocols include disciplinary action, educational intervention, and communication protocols. We invite feedback from staff and families on this set of protocols. Information will be sent out to families on 10/17.

Facilities Steering Committee (FSC) Meeting = 10/30 at 8:30AM

Director of Facilities, Pete Palmer, is hosting another FSC meeting to refine a priority list for future facilities projects. RSVP and Zoom link to follow on 10/23.

Tuesday, October 22nd 6:30-8PM

Wildwood Library

Come join representatives from the parent organizations at all three Piedmont elementary schools at a forum with the three candidates for the Piedmont Board of Education - Michael Malione, Max Roman, and Susy Struble. The candidates will respond to questions submitted in advance and will also take questions from the audience. This is a great opportunity to hear about their visions for PUSD and their plans for the District. The forum will run from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Wildwood Elementary Library.

The CAC will elect new members for terms beginning in calendar year 2025. Read about CAC member roles and responsibilities. Nominate yourself by completing this application. We are looking for members for Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emery, Piedmont Unified School Districts.

CAC ELECTION

Monday, October 28, 2024

6:00 PM -6:45 PM

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88274048776#success

For more information: officers@northregionselpacac.org

We are currently seeking applicants for a number of positions, including short and long-term substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. The application link for substitute teaching positions is a standing item in the News & Notes section below; however, we currently have more positions open at this time of year than usual.

If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, the application is linked HERE.

Native American Heritage Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize November as National Native American Heritage Month. To our Native American students, staff, and families, we honor you now and ALWAYS.

Filipino American History Month: The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize October as Filipino American History Month. To our Filipino students, staff, and families: We honor you now and ALWAYS.

Parenting Anxious Children - October 23rd @Havens: You’re invited to listen to licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mindy Szelap speak about ways parents can shift their own behaviors to encourage resilience and independence in kids and reduce anxiety. Question and Answer session to follow her talk. Adults only event. Wednesday October 23, 7:00-8:30 pm at Havens Elementary Library. More info on Mindy Szelap linked HERE. RSVP link HERE.

The 2024 Giving Campaign launches on September 24. The theme, “Supporting Their Journey,” highlights the essential role that Piedmont parents and the broader community play in guiding students from transitional kindergarten through high school graduation. From daily activities to long-term planning, this support is essential to the success of each student. You can donate online HERE, by phone 510-653-1816, or by mail HERE.

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

Millennium High School is open for enrollment. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Principal Irma Muñoz Daniels directly at (510) 594-2703 or imunoz@piedmont.k12.ca.us, or see more information linked HERE

Piedmont Pulse Updates - Please note that I will be sending out Piedmont Pulse newsletter every other week. Archived Piedmont Pulse Newsletters are linked HERE

Piedmont Alumni Network: Last spring, we launched the Piedmont Alumni Network! Linked HERE is a page on our PUSD website to invite alumni of PHS and MHS to sign up. Whether you graduated many years ago, or recently, we would love to have you sign up HERE.

Community Pool Construction Update - Safety measures around the Community Pool Project construction site on Magnolia Avenue across from PHS/MHS are currently in effect. Magnolia Avenue is open to traffic during school hours; however, we recommend avoiding the area when possible due to heavy truck traffic due to construction. Visit the City of Piedmont's website for details.

Substitutes Needed - PUSD seeking substitute teachers for the 2024-25 school year. Visit the District's EdJoin page for more information and to apply.

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