Piedmont Pulse

February 24, 2025

Dear PUSD Staff & Families:

Here we are at the end of February, following a week off. I hope your week was relaxing and enjoyable with family, friends, or just a little well-deserved down-time. I had a chance to visit our daughter in Los Angeles last week, and it was clear that LA will be a city in recovery for some time, which is sad to see. My heart goes out to those affected by the fires, and now the mudslides from the recent rains.

We are over half way through this school year, and there is so much going on. I encourage you to take a look at the many opportunities below to engage and provide input or collaborate on offering the finest education possible.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting our students.

In Community,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

You're Invited! Young Alumni Career Panel - Insights & Inspiration

Dear PUSD Families,

We're thrilled to invite you to an inspiring evening featuring recent Piedmont graduates who have successfully navigated their paths from high school to promising careers. Join us for an intimate panel discussion:

Date: Thursday, February 27
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: Alan Harvey Theatre

Our distinguished panel of alumni (from classes of 2018-2020) will share their unique experiences and insights, with PHS Principal Dr. David Yoshihara moderating the conversation. The evening concludes with a networking reception featuring refreshments—an excellent opportunity to connect with speakers and fellow community members. All students and families are welcome. RSVP here!

Also, for our high school families - I hope you will encourage your students to explore the exciting career opportunities available to all PHS and MHS students this week. Career Presentations by Community Members will take place Friday, February 28 during Academy, where students can gain invaluable insights from accomplished Piedmont professionals about their industries and career journeys. Each student will have the opportunity to attend two engaging presentations of their choice. Students are also invited to attend the Resume Workshop with Pizza on Friday during lunchtime in Room 24. Led by Stefanie Manalo LeClair, Director of the PHS/MHS College and Career Center, this interactive session offers students the chance to either create their first resume or receive personalized, one-on-one feedback to make their existing resume stand out for jobs and internships. PHS and MHS students can RSVP and view the complete list of career presentations happening on campus here.

--From the College & Career Center

PUSD Accepting Nominations for 2025 Arthur Hecht Volunteer Award

(Piedmont, Ca., January 22, 2025) – The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is excited to announce nominations for the 2025 Arthur Hecht Volunteer of the Year Award are now being accepted. The award is presented annually to individuals who have volunteered their efforts over a period of time and made a difference because of their involvement and commitment to Piedmont’s youth.

Previous recipients include: Hunter McCreary (1998); Ann Chandler (1999); Ruth Cuming (2000); Lisa Lomenzo (2001); jointly by Cathie Geddeis and Marion Souyoultzis (2002); jointly by Fritz and Mary Wooster (2003); Elizabeth (Betsy) Gentry (2004); Cynthia Gorman (2005); Grier Graff (2006); Julia Burke (2007); Maude Pervere (2008); jointly to Anne-Marie Lamarche and Mark Menke (2009); Janiele Maffei Tovani (2010); Andrea Swenson (2011), June Monach (2012), Bill Drum (posthumously) and Mary Ireland (2013), Ray Perman (2014), Jennifer Fox (2015), Katie Korotzer (2016), Hilary Cooper (2017) Holly Hanke (2018), Cathy Glazier (2019), Sue Smegal (2020), Ken Li (2021), Eileen Ruby (2022), David Ragones (2023) and most recently, Sarah Pearson in 2024.

Art Hecht was a tireless community volunteer, and was dedicated to students in both Piedmont and Oakland. He served on Piedmont’s Board of Education from 1970 to 1982. Art also was very active with the Piedmont Continuation High School (now called Millennium High School). In 1998, the Art Hecht Volunteer of the Year Award was established in his memory.

Nominations for this award are now being sought and will be kept strictly confidential. The deadline for nominations is March 14, 2025. A selection committee will vote on the award recipient, who will be recognized at the May 14, 2025, Board of Education meeting, where the honoree’s good works will be acknowledged.

Nomination Forms are available on the District website, in the District Office or by calling Rosalina Barrios, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at (510) 594-2614.

Please be on the lookout for Infinite Campus messages with sign-up links for the following community meetings:

Superintendent's Advisory Committee (SAC) - February 27, 2025 at 4:30PM - District Office

Director of Food Services, Gitara Spinks; CBO, Ruth Alahydoian; and Superintendent, Jennifer Hawn will present and invite your input on a Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP). This policy is required for all California school districts that participate in the school meal program and is focused on school meal nutrition and student wellness as a prevention for childhood obesity. RSVP HERE.

Budget Advisory Council (BAC): March 6, 2025 at 4:00PM - District Office

Chief Business Official, Ruth Alahydoian, will present the 2024-25 Second Interim Report. Meeting Link: HERE.

LCAP Curriculum Meeting - March 13, 2025 at 4:00PM - Havens Library

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Ariel Dolowich, will present an update on the English Language Arts curriculum adoption. Two curriculum options have been identified and are in the process of piloting with elementary teachers. Meeting Link: HERE

Special Education Advisory Committee - March 19, 2025 at 4PM - District Office

Director of Special Education, Jean Fagin, will present updates on the District's Special Education program with a focus on elementary programming. Meeting Link: HERE

District Technology Advisory Committee (DTAC): March 31, 2025 - Location TBA

Director of Technology, Stephanie Griffin, will present information related to the District's instructional technology programs.

Summer Adventures Registration Opens Tuesday, February 25!

Join us for Summer Adventures 2025 at Havens Elementary! Designed for TK-6th graders, our program offers a mix of academic enrichment and recreational activities led by PUSD teachers and staff. With a variety of engaging classes and fun afternoon activities, we have a little something for everyone! Choose from two sessions with half-day and full-day options, plus extended care.

Session 1: June 10-20 (No program on 6/19)
Session 2: June 23 - July 3

Register starting February 25 at this link.

April Adventures Registration Now Open!

Join us for April Adventures, April 7-11, at Havens Elementary! Open to Kindergarten-5th graders, mornings will focus on academic enrichment, while afternoons include creative activities, special performances, and Piedmont Park scavenger hunts. This year's program will be led by Claire Breen and Alaleh Ford, bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to create a fantastic experience for students.

• Full Day (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM) | Mornings Only (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
• Extended Care available 8:00-9:00 AM & 3:00-5:00 PM
• Lunch included for all full-day students

Register now in Infinite Campus!

For more information contact Erin Rivera or visit our Spring/Summer Program website:

https://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/summer-school

From Erin Rivera, Summer Adventures Coordinator

March 3 - 7, 2025

Mobile Museum of Tolerance

The MMOT is scheduled to come to all PUSD secondary students during the week of March 3-7, 2025! Based on the Museum of Tolerance (MOT) in Los Angeles and the educational (non-political, non-partisan) arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Mobile Museum of Tolerance offers a world-class learning experience, utilizing innovative technology and interactive lessons to bring its message of tolerance directly to schools. The MMOT aims to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to promote human dignity by empowering them to raise their voices to combat bullying, racism, hate, and intolerance. Workshop options include the following: Digital Media Literacy (x2 versions), Civil Rights, and the Anne Frank Story; a list of complete descriptions for workshops can be found here.

Many non-profit organizations also send staff to the Museum of Tolerance for comprehensive training including our own Piedmont Police Department and PUSD secondary staff have already completed sign ups for classes to participate during the week of March 3-7, adjacent to Piedmont Park. PUSD is incredibly proud to host this important event for students and our community.

--From Ariel Dolowich, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services

Monday, March 3, 2025

7:30 - 8:30PM - Ellen Driscoll Hall

Piedmont Troop 4 is a vibrant Scout-led troop. We are a fun-loving and informal troop, yet we can get serious and focused when required. We have supported more than 160 Scouts attain the rank of Eagle since our inception in 1921.

On March 3rd from 7:30-8:30PM, Troop 4 is hosting an Open House at the Ellen Driscoll Hall. Activities include a Scout-craft station, a fondue station, badges, and more. More information linked HERE.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025
5:00 - 6:30 PM - Piedmont Community Hall

Join us for a very special small group reception with long-time Piedmont resident, Kelly Corrigan, author of the New York Times bestsellers Tell Me More, The Middle Place, Lift, and Glitter and Glue and her daughter and co-author Claire Corrigan Lichty (PHS Class of 2021). Come say hello, catch up, and learn more about their new book prior to the Parent Ed talk at 7:30 PM in Alan Harvey Theater. Tickets are available at the Piedmont Store

$50 for the Reception (as a benefit for PEF)

$25 for the Parent Ed talk (every ticket includes purchase of the book, which retails for $18.99 & will be printed/available later this spring)

Our resident priority enrollment period began on January 15th. If your child will be 4 years old by 9/1/2025, enroll in TK starting Wednesday. If you child will be 5 years old by 9/1/2025, enroll in Kindergarten starting Wednesday. Enrollment takes place online linked HERE.

More information about resident enrollment can be found HERE, and please note that enrollment for those who live outside the district begins March 1, 2025. We look forward to seeing you this fall!

This year PUSD launched an Independent Study Program (ISP) for qualifying students in grades 9-12. Independent Study is a hybrid program that allows qualifying students to complete their high school requirements, with most of the work completed online and on-campus meetings at least once a week.

Key Features:

• Uses the Accelerate Education platform, with students completing ~5 hours of independent work daily.
• Weekly 1-hour individual meetings with an ISP teacher for mentoring, tutoring, and organization.
• Optional daily virtual synchronous sessions for core subjects.
• In-person attendance required for PSAT/SAT, state testing, and specific college/career events.

Application Process:

1. Submit the PUSD electronic application linked HERE, including a student-written letter.
2. Attend a Student Success Team (SST) meeting with stakeholders.
3. Receive acceptance and next steps upon qualifying.

Program Highlights:

• Students remain enrolled in their current high school (PHS or MHS).
• ISP provides a flexible, alternative instructional strategy aligned with district curriculum and graduation requirements.
• Access to A–G approved courses and equivalent standards-aligned content.

More information is linked HERE. For additional questions, please contact Principal Irma Muñoz Daniels at imunozdaniels@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Black History Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize February as Black History Month. To our Black/African American students, staff, and families, we celebrate you now and ALWAYS!

Women's History Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize March as Women's History Month. To our students, staff, and families who are women, we celebrate you now and ALWAYS!

Support TPH - In order to continue to publish the Piedmont Highlander, we need your help. The Infinite Campus portal is now working to accept donations, which was previously not working. Students and families can subscribe to TPH through the Infinite Campus portal now. Interested community members can also support student journalism by making donations directly to the program by check or through the link PHS The Piedmont Highlander (TPH)

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 imunozdaniels@piedmont.k12.ca.us, or see more information 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.

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