Superintendent's Weekly Update

May 15, 2026

Dear PUSD Staff and Families,

This week’s Board of Education meeting included several presentations highlighting important areas of focus across our district.

To begin the meeting, the Board appointed four new principals and selected next year’s Student Board Member. You can learn more about these outstanding leaders on our website.

Staff also provided an update on current and upcoming construction projects, including summer work across multiple school sites, facility improvements, and long-term planning efforts to ensure our schools remain safe, functional, and well-maintained learning environments.

In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, staff presented student wellness data from our recent student surveys. The results reflect strong student perceptions of safety, belonging, and connectedness, while also helping guide how we continue strengthening supports for students moving forward.

The Board also received a presentation on PUSD’s Comprehensive Counseling Program, which outlined the systems and supports in place to address students’ academic, career, and social-emotional needs. This work remains an important part of ensuring students are supported, connected, and prepared throughout their educational journey.

Finally, the Board heard the first reading of an updated policy on student cell phone use in schools. The policy will be brought back for a second reading and recommended approval at the June 11 Board meeting.

You can read more details in this week’s Board Brief.

Thank you for the continued partnership that makes this important work possible across our schools.

Have a great weekend,
Ben

As we near the end of the school year, we are inviting families and staff to participate in our spring survey. This is an important opportunity for us to learn about your experiences, celebrate areas of strength, and identify opportunities for growth as we continue working toward our shared goal of student success.

The spring survey has been enhanced to provide deeper opportunities for feedback, helping us better understand family and staff experiences, perspectives, and areas for improvement.

The survey is now open and will close on Friday, May 22, 2026. We encourage all families and staff to take a few minutes to share their perspectives.

This week, Straight from the Supe dives into the latest edition of our EmpowerEd magazine and takes a look at what it means to be a human-centered school district.

Watch or listen on your favorite podcast platform! You can also read the new issue online.

Congratulations to Bernardo Heights Middle School’s Physical Education team on being named the 2026 San Diego Region 9 CAHPERD Middle School Physical Education Program of the Year! The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) promotes healthy lifestyles through education and provides leadership to school, community and statewide programs in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance and other movement-related programs.

Thank you to the BHMS Physical Education team for their commitment to building healthy habits, education, and awareness across our world-class learners!

Kiana Lee, a junior at Westview High School, has been appointed as the 2026–27 Student Board Member on the PUSD Board of Education.

Kiana brings an incredible combination of academic excellence, leadership, service, and lived experience. As a deaf student who is proficient in English, Chinese, and American Sign Language, she is passionate about accessibility, inclusion, and making sure student perspectives are not only heard, but truly considered.

Her story is a powerful reminder of what student leadership looks like in action.

Read more about Kiana’s appointment and the impact she hopes to make in the year ahead.

Join us for the PUSD CTE Expo! This exciting community event will showcase hands-on student learning, innovative projects, and Career Technical Education pathways spanning a wide range of industries—including engineering, architecture & robotics, digital media production, healthcare & biomedical science, business & finance, building and construction trades, public safety, agriculture, and more.

Event Details

Date: May 21, 2026

Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Location: Del Norte High School

Whether you’re a student, family member, or business leader, this is your opportunity to explore, connect, and be inspired. Register today!

• Employment Opportunities
• New Student Enrollment
• Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes
• District Calendars

• May 13, 2026 - Sources of Strength Mental Health Month Wellness Session (Info)
• May 14, 2026 - OVMS Band Gala Concert (Info)
  
• May 15 - 16, 2026 - MCHS One Acts (Info)
• May 20, 2026 - PHS Eye on Art Student Showcase
• May 20, 2026 - Mediating While Parenting: Navigating Sibling Conflict: Grades TK-5 (Info)
• May 20, 2026 - Mind Out Loud’s 6th Annual Online Student Event (Info)