Piedmont Pulse
Piedmont USD - Week 3 Update >>>
October 20, 2025
Dear PUSD Families & Staff:
It was great to see Matt and the Wildwood Dads' Club at the Pumpkin Patch this weekend. There really are no better or more fascinating pumpkins than at this pumpkin patch. Who knew there were so many strange and beautiful pumpkins, including the creamy giant behind me. and yes,...it is real! The pumpkin patch is open through 10/30. Enjoy!
In Partnership,
Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Since our last Board meeting, I have had the opportunity to explore recent research and guidance on college admissions—specifically, what makes students truly competitive in today’s landscape. Interviews with admissions leaders at several of the nation’s most selective universities, including Dartmouth, Brandeis, and Yale, offer valuable insight into what colleges are genuinely looking for in applicants. Across institutions, one message is clear: intentional choices, curiosity, and growth of character matter far more in telling a student's story than overloaded schedules or endless lists of advanced courses.
Intentional Choices Over Overload
“If you overload yourself, you risk losing the curiosity, balance, and humanity that make you stand out.” Admissions officers are encouraging students to find balance between healthy challenge and well-being. The goal is not to take every rigorous course available, but to choose those that align with a student’s authentic interests and intellectual curiosity.
Depth Over Quantity
“We’re not going to say, ‘Your high school had 28 AP classes—you should have taken all 28.’ That’s bananas, and it would make you a not interesting person.” Admissions officers review each student’s transcript in context, considering what courses were available and how a student made thoughtful choices. Taking a smaller number of courses that inspire purpose and joy in an area of study is more impressive than an overloaded schedule without direction.
Growth Over Perfection
“We are not trying to admit masterpieces… We’re looking for growth.” Colleges and universities are not seeking students who appear “finished.” They are looking for learners who are still growing on their academic journey. Students who demonstrate curiosity, reflection, and adaptability to change stand out as those who are ready to thrive in college and beyond
Next Steps: Community Education
Last week, I also spoke with an admissions reader for Stanford University who echoed these same ideas. The notion that “if a course is offered, a student must take it” is false logic, and it can do a disservice to our students as they pursue both academic excellence and a personalized, meaningful college admissions experience. Our counselors already do tremendous work guiding students according to the key ideas above, and through the college admission process, overall. However, it’s clear that continued community education is essential. To this end, we are planning a series of parent workshops focused on the facts of college admissions and the importance of student well-being:
An Additional College Admissions Workshop: November 17, 6:00 p.m. at PHS (location TBD)
Mental Health and Student Stress Workshop: January 26, 6:00 p.m.
Details to follow. We also invite you to read last week’s letter from the Board and Superintendent outlining next steps following the October 8th Board meeting.
*Thank you to Linda Song Wendel for pointing me to the Admission Beat podcast linked above.
We will continue our focus this year on community engagement opportunities, including meetings planned throughout the school year on topics related to our District goals. We invite you to consider joining any of the meetings this year on a range of topics, which will be held online and in person. Be on the lookout for invitations to follow from each Committee leader. The community meeting schedule for 2025-26 is linked HERE.
October Meetings:
October 20 - DEIB Committee: DEIB Program & Goals - 4:30PM at Havens
October 23 - Curriculum Committee - World Languages Update for Elementary & Middle School - 4PM at Havens
October 29 - Facilities Steering Committee (FSC) #2 (tentative)
Thank you to the students and parents who who wrote to AC Transit officials and/or attended the AC Transit Board meeting two weeks ago to restore Bus 33 service to upper Piedmont. To those surveyed families, I recently sent out an opportunity to write to AC Transit to restore service. If you would like to join in this letter-writing effort, we could use your help to advocate for this critical transportation need.
Linked HERE is information below to assist you in sending a letter via email to the AC Transit staff and Board. We believe advocacy from our PUSD community can make a difference in calling attention to this important matter and potentially leading to the restoration of bus service to upper Piedmont.
Piedmont Unified School District
Email: communication@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Website: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us
Location: 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA, USA
Phone: 510-594-2600