Piedmont Pulse
Piedmont USD - Week 3 Update >>>
April 20, 2026
Dear PUSD Families & Staff:
What a remarkable spring it has been, and it's hard to believe we are closing in on the end of the school year. Our students had the rare experience of traveling to China, Spain, and France, travels that will likely shape their understanding of the world for years to come. A heartfelt thank you to our students and families for your enthusiasm, flexibility, and trust, and to all of our dedicated teachers and administrators who initiated and chaperoned these trips. Organizing international travel for groups of students requires extensive preparation, meticulous planning, and an enormous personal commitment, and we are deeply grateful for your leadership and care.
Having served as one of the chaperones on the China trip, I can say with complete sincerity that it was one of the best trips of my life. Our students experienced an incredible range of cultural, historical, and modern wonders: walking the Great Wall, taking in the breathtaking Longji Terraced Rice Fields, cruising the Lijiang River, admiring the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square in Beijing, touring factories and robotics facilities in Tangshan, and visiting two local schools where students connected with their Chinese peers. A very special thank you is owed to XinJia Xia (Xia laoshi) for her extraordinary work organizing this journey across multiple cities, hotels, schools, and cultural experiences. Her expertise, tireless effort, and joy made this trip the remarkable success it was. A video of the trip can be viewed HERE.
To our students: you represented your school and community with grace, curiosity, and open hearts, and we are so proud of you. To our parents and families: thank you for trusting us with your children and for making these cultural exchanges possible, particularly those parents who joined our 37 person group. These trips are a true partnership. For any students considering participating in a future cultural exchange, and for any staff members thinking about chaperoning, please do. These experiences are transformative, not only for students, but for everyone fortunate enough to be part of them.
In Community,
Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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.
Throughout the school year, I am reminded of the impressive work our team accomplishes everyday. Recently, I read the latest Piedmont Adult School Newsletter and was again pleased to see so many opportunities for our community to engage in a variety of learning opportunities, for adults who wish to engage in lifelong learning in the local program, and for students who wish to complete their diploma through the State program. The local program includes a variety of enrichment classes, and I encourage you to check them out HERE. The State program includes the high school diploma program, English as a Second Language, and Career Technical Education courses.
Thank you to Piedmont Adult School Director, Shannon Fierro; Jana Branisa, Teacher; Administrative Assistants, Michelle Lucas and Ron Mockel. A special thank you to Ron Mockel, who is retiring from PUSD after 30 years of service to the district and serving Piedmont Adult School since 1996. Ron, you will be missed!
You can read more about Piedmont Adult School in the most recent newsletter HERE.
April 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!
April 23 - Budget Advisory Committee - 4:00PM at the District Office
April 30 - Superintendent's Advisory Committee - Update on Tech Audit - 4:30PM at the District Office
Parents & Staff, please encourage incoming 11th and 12th grade students to apply to be a student Board Member next year.
For the 2026-27 school year, the four eligible students (two from Millennium High School and two from Piedmont High School) will be chosen to serve on the Piedmont Unified Board of Education to share a one-year term. The student board members will function as a preferential voting member of the Board. This information below explains the application and selection process, and contains a copy of the application. Please feel free to copy and distribute it to any eligible student who might be interested. Applications due by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 24, 2026.
More information and the application is linked HERE.
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