Piedmont Pulse
Piedmont USD - Week 3 Update >>>
May 4, 2026
Dear PUSD Families & Staff:
It was wonderful to see so many elementary parents at this year's Spring Fling. Thank you to Heather Frank, Bridget Schreiber, along with our Co-chairs Caroline, Jenny, & Zeena who did an amazing job with this year's event. Thank you to our parents who attended and supported our efforts to fundraise for our elementary programs, including extra counseling services and field trips.
As we close in on the end of the school year, I am reminded that this is the time of year we recognize our school community, our staff who do amazing work every day to make our students' education possible. We begin the month on May 1st by honoring two essential groups: our school principals, whose vision and leadership shape our school culture, and our food services teams, the unsung heroes who "fuel" our students' days...and yes, I am owning that awkward pun.
We also celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4 - 8), with National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5th and California's Day of the Teacher on May 13th. Our gratitude extends as well to the specialists who do amazing work in support of student health and development: our school nurses, honored on National School Nurse Day (May 6th), and our speech-language pathologists, recognized on National Speech Pathologist Day (May 18th). If you have a moment this month, we encourage you to reach out to any of these dedicated professionals who have made a difference for your child. A simple note or kind word means more than you know.
We close the month with Classified School Employee Week (May 17 - 23), a chance to thank the colleagues who keep our schools running: all of our staff who work behind the scenes with dedication and pride. To every member of our school community being recognized this month, thank you. What you do matters, and our students and families are grateful, as am I.
In Community,
Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Piedmont, CA – March 18, 2026 – The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is proud to announce that Chris Hart, a lifelong resident and dedicated advocate for student athletics, has been selected as the recipient of this year’s Arthur Hecht Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award is given annually to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the community and to Piedmont’s youth through years of dedicated volunteer service.
Dr. Jennifer Hawn, PUSD Superintendent, expressed her gratitude for Hart’s unwavering commitment: "The Board and I are pleased to recognize Chris Hart for his outstanding service to Piedmont’s youth and the greater community. Chris represents the very finest of Piedmont: someone who grew up here, benefited from its schools, and has dedicated countless hours to giving back so that future generations of students can thrive. It is with great honor and gratitude that we recognize his contributions."
A member of the Piedmont High School (PHS) Class of 1987, Chris grew up playing many sports throughout his childhood in Piedmont. While at PHS, he played basketball for four years and competed in swimming, football, and baseball. Recognizing the lessons learned on the court, field, and in the pool, Chris has worked tirelessly to improve access to athletics and the overall student experience.
Throughout his years of service, Chris has played a vital role in supporting Piedmont schools. He served as President of the PHS Boosters from 2020–2024, where he played a pivotal role in support for athletics, including developing the "Oktoberfest" fundraiser to build community and financial support, and organizing community support for the renovation of Witter Field. His support contributed to the transformation of Witter into a facility that serves both student-athletes and the broader community while honoring the legacy of the Witter family. Additionally, as a member of the Title IX committee, he helped evaluate and strengthen programs to ensure equitable opportunities for girls in sports.
Beyond his work with the Boosters, Chris has been a leading member of the Piedmont Recreation Facilities Organization (PRFO), contributing to the refurbishment of the Corey Reich Tennis Complex and the campaign for the new Piedmont Community Pool. He is also a long-standing member of the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame Committee.
Chris’s volunteerism extends into civic leadership. Since 2023, he has served on the Piedmont Recreation Commission and is a member of the board of the Piedmont Scouts. Most recently, he served on the City-School Facilities Task Force, developing ideas to improve the use of limited athletic facilities across town.
The Board of Education will formally present the Arthur Hecht Volunteer of the Year Award to Chris Hart at its meeting on May 6, 2026. PUSD extends its heartfelt congratulations to Chris Hart for his extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication to the students and families of Piedmont.
The Arthur Hecht Volunteer of the Year 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. Arthur ‘Art’ Hecht was a tireless community volunteer dedicated to students in both Piedmont and Oakland. He served on Piedmont’s Board of Education from 1970 to 1982 and was instrumental in developing the Piedmont Continuation High School (now called Millennium High School). In 1998, the Volunteer of the Year Award was established in his memory.
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), Sarah Pearson (2024), and Cory Smegal (2025).
Chris Hart will be officially honored at the May 6, 2026, meeting of the PUSD Board of Education.
We are pleased to share the appointment of Adam Saville as the next Assistant Principal for Piedmont Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.
Adam Saville is an experienced educational leader with over 20 years in public education, including roles as a site principal, district technology coordinator, MTSS TOSA, and classroom teacher. He has worked extensively across Piedmont Unified School District, supporting instructional programs, leading professional development, and helping implement systems that enhance teaching, learning, and student support. Adam holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is known for his collaborative approach, strong relationships with students and staff, and commitment to creating inclusive and equitable school communities. His work has included leadership in MTSS, and initiatives that support student engagement and well-being. He is excited to serve as Assistant Principal at Piedmont Middle School and to continue supporting students, staff, and families.
The selection process for the Assistant Principal position was rigorous and comprehensive. We received a total of 34 applications, from which we shortlisted 4 candidates through a thorough screening process that included detailed application review and reference checks. The interview panel was diverse, including teachers, staff, and parents. The process involved a range of scenario-based and value-based questions, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of each candidate's judgment, leadership style, and suitability for our school community. Adam also met with the Superintendent. It was through this process that Adam Saville emerged as the clear choice.
Throughout the selection process, Adam's exceptional qualities rose to the top. His administrative experience, his deep experience in PUSD, his student-centered approach for middle school students, his dedication to rigorous academics, and his collaborative approach to problem-solving with staff and parents made him a stand-out selection. Adam was approved at the April 22nd Board meeting, to start on July 1st alongside Jamie Van Kleek who will service as Principal.
Since last year, we have heard from families about the need for greater academic rigor in our course options for students. We have also heard from parents about the need for more information about course offerings in grades 6-12 as a planning tool with college and career in mind, particularly as students transition into middle school. In response, the Board approved several new courses this year to expand options for students who wish to pursue a more challenging course load, including 7th grade world language, AP Physics, AP Seminar, and Dual Enrollment college courses. Additional courses launching in Fall 2026 include 10th Grade Honors Modern World History, 10th Grade Honors English, AP Business & Finance, and an array of Honors VAPA courses.
Linked HERE is a guide designed to support families who begin exploring college admissions questions as early as the end of 5th grade. Please note that all high school courses are considered college preparatory and satisfy CSU/UC "A-G" requirements for admission to California's 4-year public universities. This guide is not intended to steer students toward any particular pathway or to push early acceleration into honors or AP coursework. Rather, it is meant to give families the information they need to make fully informed decisions about course selection in grades 6–12 as they plan for college and career.
Thank you to our counselors and administrators for their feedback and input on this document and for their remarkable support of our students and families in their pursuit of the best options for their students.
Several weeks ago, I joined a PHS Parent Club meeting where a discussion had taken place over several meetings regarding communication with teachers. Several topics emerged from parents, including how parents could provide feedback to teachers and the process for students and parents to share concerns related to a specific issue. Out of these meetings, a request emerged for the protocol for sharing concerns related to a specific issue.
Linked HERE is a protocol to guide students and parents on communication. The protocol is TK-12; however, the request came from the high school where concerns about grades are more common. Please also note that this protocol is for the typical occurrences rather than unique circumstances that may emerge and require an alternative approach. My thanks to our PHS Parent Club parents and our teachers for their feedback on this protocol.
May Community Meetings
We have a series of opportunities for staff and parents to come together to discuss programs and important issues throughout our district. Please join us!
May 4 - DEIB - XSpace @4PM
May 6 - SPED - District Office @4PM -Year-End Feedback
May 14 - SAC - District Office @4PM -Year-End Feedback
May 21 -BAC - May Revise @4PM - District Office
Summer Adventures 2026: Camp in a Classroom
Piedmont Unified School District invites you to join Summer Adventures 2026, our “camp in a classroom” experience that blends learning, creativity, and classic summer fun both indoors and outdoors.
Mornings are led by PUSD teachers and feature engaging, hands-on academic enrichment including reading, writing, math, and science. In the afternoons, the program shifts into full camp mode with outdoor recreation, games, creative projects, and plenty of time to connect with friends.
Designed for students entering Kindergarten through 5th grade, Summer Adventures offers a balanced, joyful day that supports learning while embracing the spirit of summer.
Special Programs:
Welcome to Kindergarten – A gentle introduction to the school day for incoming Kindergarteners
Welcome to 6th Grade – Helping rising 6th graders build confidence and get comfortable with the middle school experience
Program Details:
Session 1: June 8–18 (no program June 19)
Session 2: June 22–July 2
Half Day: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Full Day: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Extended Care (optional): 8:00–9:00 AM and 3:00–5:00 PM
Register using this link:PUSD Homeroom. Adventures 2026
For questions, contact Erin Rivera at erivera@piedmont.k12.ca.us
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