Piedmont Pulse
Piedmont USD - Week 3 Update >>>
November 17, 2025
Dear PUSD Families & Staff:
Thanks to Kim Taylor and Amy Moorhead for this fall's middle school musical Cats and high school fall play Noises Off. Both shows were a delight, featuring spirited performances from our students. The physical comedy in Noises Off stood out in particular, a clear reminder of how remarkably our students continue to grow as performers.
As we head into the holidays, I am thoughtful about the importance of family, friends, and our community. We are small, close community, and I believe this is one of many qualities that makes Piedmont special. Last year's Thanksgiving was, perhaps, one of the most challenging holidays I have ever experienced in our community, and I would invite us all to reflect on the value of keeping our kids and community close. I am off to visit our daughter this weekend, and we will have our son and friends over for Thanksgiving next week. With two kids in college, I find the greatest challenge is gathering all of our family members under one roof, which reinforces how important these moments with family and friends are.
Please take care of your families and loved ones this holiday season. And, let us keep our kids close.
In Partnership,
Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.
Superintendent
On Friday, November 14th, nearly 300 participants joined this year’s Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, as students throughout the district gathered in Piedmont Park. Beach Elementary also held its own celebration. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Ruby Bridges’ historic walk into William Frantz Elementary School, when she became the first Black student to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. Her courage inspires students to stand up for equity and belonging.
What began as a small parent-organized event has grown into a district-wide tradition. Organizers Sarah Eisemon and Laura Edeen partnered with Ms. Jean Takazawa, Director of DEIB and leader of the Affinity Mentorship Program, to expand middle and high school involvement. PHS Affinity Mentors led the program, sharing the story of Ruby Bridges’ courage. Kids and families covered the walkways with chalk art filled with messages of love, inclusion, and belonging. Tables offered bags, beanies, and flags, which students waved proudly as they walked to school.
Photos Here: Drive
This is the time of year when the requests for donation are widespread, and given the challenges families face in our world today, I feel fortunate to serve our Piedmont school community. Thank you to all those who have already given.
I am sometimes asked if Piedmont USD is a "Basic Aid" school district, which is loosely translated a district whose local property tax revenue exceeds the amount of funding the district would receive under the state’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) “guaranteed” level. Piedmont is not a Basic Aid district, and will not likely become one in the foreseeable future. And yet, Basic Aid districts are also sometimes referred to as "community funded" districts, and this description is certainly accurate for Piedmont in other ways. Our community's support has sent a clear message about the high value of education in Piedmont. PEF's Giving Campaign is a remarkable force in preserving our outstanding educational programs. We could not maintain the excellence in education without PEF. We are in it together, and we need everyone to give. Let's aim for 100% participation. You can give HERE.
At last week's Board meeting, the Board approved world language programs that added Latin instruction at the 5th grade and all three world languages (Spanish, French, and Mandarin) at 6th grade, presentation linked HERE
Almost one year ago, I delivered a State of the District presentation following each school’s State of the School updates. At that time, I shared a proposal to expand our world language program into lower grades—extending offerings throughout middle school and even into elementary school. Over the past year, we have moved from that early vision to extensive research, collaboration, and concrete planning.
In February 2025, the Board gave direction to district leadership to explore implementation of world languages beginning in 5th grade and continuing through the 6th–12th grade sequence, with an initial target launch in fall 2025. At the request of teachers, and in recognition of the need for additional collaboration and planning time, the District postponed implementation to the 2026–27 school year.
To support this work, two design teams were established—one for elementary and one for middle school. Both teams first met jointly on June 9, 2025, and reconvened separately in August before the start of the school year. The middle school team reached consensus to recommend beginning world language instruction at 6th grade. For elementary, after several meetings with teachers, reviews of research, examination of programs in comparable districts, and a detailed crosswalk between curriculum options and our new English Language Arts program, District administration recommended adopting Latin for 5th grade.
To gather input and engage our community, we scheduled meetings with Parent Club presidents, PIE, and additional parent groups. We also hosted a community meeting on October 23, 2025, to share progress and hear feedback as we refined our plans for implementation.
It took almost a year, but we are excited to move forward with a robust world language program in grades 5-12, reflecting the standout district that our students deserve.
In addition to the addition of world languages for elementary and middle school students, last week's Board meeting also included approval of a modern world history Honors course, presentation linked HERE.
A sincere thanks to the high school History department for their partnership on this process. We met with teachers multiple times, including a presentation to parents at the PHS Parent Club meeting, before the November 12th Board presentation. In all, our history teachers provided critical information on curriculum and instructional approaches. During the Board meeting, at least one Board member stated that she wished she could take this class. Our teachers are amazing experts in their fields, and our students are fortunate to have them.
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.
November & December Meetings:
November 18 - Special Education Advisory Meeting: Mild-Moderate Program: 4:00-5:30PM
November 20 - SAC: 9th Grade Students - Academy Feedback: 1:25 - 2PM
December 3 - Budget Advisory Committee - 1st Interim Budget: 4:00-5:30PM
December 3 - (7-8:30 pm) Beyond the Binary - Explore how gender intersects in helping students think critically about themselves and others. More information: Beyond the Binary
December 4 - Curriculum Committee -- Behavior Matrix & Revisions: 4:00-5:30PM
December 8 - DTAC - Tech Plan and AI: 4-5:30PM
December 11 - SAC (Topic TBA): 4:30-6PM
November Adventures – A Two-Day Fall Break Program!
Join us for two days of hands-on fun and learning during Thanksgiving week! Students in Kindergarten–5th grade will enjoy a mix of creative projects, games, and fall-themed activities that keep them engaged and having fun. Each day includes art, active play, and enriching lessons that weave in light academics to keep young minds curious and growing.
November Adventures will be led by Ms. Hafsa Shurbaji and Erin Rivera, along with PUSD staff — the perfect blend of learning and play during the holiday break!
Dates: Monday & Tuesday, November 24–25
Location: Havens Elementary
Program Hours: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Extended Care: 8:00–9:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Program Fee: $250
Extended Care (optional): $85
Registration is open on Homeroom, or contact Erin Rivera at erivera@piedmont.k12.ca.us for more information.
Register here November Adventures
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