Piedmont Pulse

February 9, 2026

Dear PUSD Families & Staff:

Our high school athletic programs are a point of deep pride for our community and for me personally. We are fortunate to have extraordinary student athletes who compete with heart, coaches who model leadership and integrity, and administrators who work hard to ensure that every event is safe and well-run. At the same time, sportsmanship extends beyond the players on the court; it includes the conduct of our fans. The energy of our student sections can be one of the most joyful parts of high school athletics, but we also recognize that we have important work to do in developing consistently positive approaches to student fan behavior. School spirit should encourage our team while showing respect for opponents, officials, and visiting families. I will be hosting a community meeting on February 26th at 4:30 PM at the District Office Board Room to discuss sportsmanship and spectator conduct, and I welcome your partnership in this important conversation.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to our staff during what has, at times, felt like a chaotic stretch. Thank you to Ben Spencer, Shamaree Worley, all of our Basketball coaches, David Yoshihara, and especially Tyler Small for their remarkable leadership and steady presence in keeping our players and students safe during Friday night’s basketball game. Their professionalism and care reflect the very best of our district. If you have a moment, I encourage you to view the Instagram post of our players “taking a stand” against poor spectator behavior. It is a strong reminder that our students are capable of leading the way in creating a climate of respect. Together, we can ensure that our athletic events reflect not just competitive excellence, but the fine character that defines our community.

In Community,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

(Piedmont, Ca., January 22, 2026) – The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is excited to announce nominations for the 2026 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), Sarah Pearson (2024) and most recently, Cory Smegal in 2025.

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 13, 2026. A selection committee will vote on the award recipient, who will be recognized at the May 6, 2026, 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.

We want to extend our heartfelt thank you to Dress Best For Less (DBFL) https://dressbestforless.org for their generous funding of another year of a district-wide New York Times subscription for PUSD students 13 years or older and ALL PUSD staff - certificated and classified. The value of this subscription goes far beyond the monetary gift we all receive.

PUSD Adventures Programs

Piedmont Unified School District is excited to offer a variety of Adventures programs for students Kindergarten through 9th grade.

Summer Adventures 2026 is a PUSD teacher-led summer enrichment program offering multiple options.

Session Dates: June 8–18 and June 22–July 2
Fees: Half Day $590 per session | Full Day $1,180 per session

• Summer Adventures (1st–5th Grade): Morning academic enrichment paired with afternoon creative projects, games, and hands-on group activities.
  
  

• Welcome to Kindergarten: A gentle introduction to the school day with age-appropriate activities that build confidence, routines, and friendships.
  
  

• Welcome to 6th Grade: A transition program focused on team-building, confidence, and familiarity with middle school schedules and expectations.
  
  

• Junior Counselor in Training (CIT) Program (7th–9th Grade): A leadership opportunity for older students to build responsibility and teamwork while supporting younger campers.
  Fee: $340 per session
  
  

Summer Adventures registration opens January 29 and is available through PUSD Homeroom. Adventures 2026

In addition, PUSD is offering February Adventures (February 17–20) and April Adventures (April 6–10)—school-based break programs filled with hands-on projects, games, and enrichment activities. Registration for February and April Adventures is open now. Adventures 2026

We are excited to learn that the pool is opening in April. The City has alerted us that they still need lifeguards, and so if you qualify and are interested, see below. It sounds like a great part time job!

To learn more about Aquatics Assistant (14 yrs & older) and Lifeguard opportunities, please visit

https://piedmont.casellehire.com/jobs/

February 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!

Residents with children not currently enrolled in Piedmont schools - new kindergarteners or a student switching to Piedmont schools - are invited to start the enrollment process now.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program

If your child is four years old by September 1st, 2026, they are eligible for our District’s outstanding Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program. This specially designed program ensures a solid foundation for your child's educational journey. For families with children already enrolled at Wildwood, TK students will attend Beach for TK and move back to Wildwood for Kindergarten. A TK Information Night will be held 1/22 at 6pm at Beach Elementary School. More information about TK can be found HERE (click on TK)

Kindergarten Program

Kindergarten students must be five years old by September 1. Not five by September 1st? Check out our Transitional Kindergarten program! More information about Kindergarten can be found HERE (click on Kindergarten).

Non-Resident Transfer Permits

For families considering a transfer from outside our district, mark your calendars for March 1st, 2026, as the date Alameda County school districts may accept non-resident applications. All non-resident families will need to follow the inter-district transfer process. Please note that we are currently at capacity and do not anticipate open seats for non-residents for the 2026-27 school year.

Next Steps

We genuinely look forward to welcoming your children into our school family next year. The journey of education is a collaborative effort, and we are excited to partner with you in nurturing the potential within each child.

In preparation for enrollment opening, check out the resources on our website https://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/about/enrolling/enrolling-info, and gather the required documents. Families will be notified of their successfully processed application on a rolling basis. Piedmont residents can enroll at any time after January 14th, but please note that priority for neighborhood schools is determined by the date of the complete application. We encourage you to complete the application promptly to secure your preferred school placement.

Looking forward to a fantastic 2026-27 school year together!

February 16 - 20th - No School all week, and the district office is closed 2/16-17.

Green Space Volunteer/Sponsorship Opportunities - For groups who wish to sponsor or volunteer to cultivate green spaces, please review our this green space report, and contact Pete Palmer at ppalmer@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

The Wellness Center: A special thanks to the Wellness Center team, including our amazing staff along with our supportive parents and community members. Mental health funding continues to be reduced at the State and federal levels, which means school districts must fundraise to offer the services our students need. This year, the Wellness Center must raise at least $50,000 for the 2025–2026 school year. Donate HERE. Questions? Contact Piedmont Wellness Support Committee at piedmontwellnessctr@gmail.com. Learn More about the Wellness Center at PiedmontWellness.org

Independent Study at PHS/MHS: Is your child a professional athlete? In the entertainment industry? Or, in need of an online independent study program? More information is linked HERE. For additional questions, please contact Principal Irma Muñoz Daniels at imunozdaniels@piedmont.k12.ca.us. Please note that MHS is also open for in-person enrollment.

Piedmont Portal - For all of the latest school and community events, please visit the Piedmont Portal linked HERE

Back to School 2025 Photo Collage: At the first Board meeting of the school year, I shared a photo collage of welcome back photos. Take a look HERE. Thanks to Jay Russell and our administrators for their help in taking these amazing photos of our students, staff, and families.

Piedmont Alumni Network:

The second issue of the Piedmont Alumni Newsletter, linked HERE. The Alumni Newsletter highlights the many events and ways our alumni can stay connected to the Piedmont community. If you are a graduate of PHS or MHS, please connect with us HERE.

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