Piedmont Pulse
Piedmont USD - Week 20 Update >>>
December 18, 2023
Dear PUSD Families,
We are in our last week before winter break. Enjoy the holiday season. This week's newsletter will include the following topics:
Happy Holidays to our PUSD Families
Celebrating Our New National Board Certified Teachers
What is the Number?
Budget Advisory Committee - Date Change
Grades 8-12 Surveys - Results Coming Soon!
Open Enrollment - Begins January 9th
Happy Holidays to our PUSD Families
Families, the end this semester and calendar year are upon us, and I am thoughtful about the principles that bring us together, the vision that propels us forward, and a deep sense of commitment that permeates our shared journey in PUSD.
As a former English teacher, I ask that you indulge my brief desire to wax poetic about our work together with the new year’s poem, “The Year,” written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
Wilcox’s lines serve as a gentle reminder of the rhythmic cycle of our communal experience, and although the years inevitably change, our aspirations for the future well-being of our children endure. Indeed, our PUSD community is built upon a common vision, mission and core values established last year by our Board of Education. As we move forward with a strategic plan that will guide our work together, we can be assured of our unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. I encourage us all to let our work serve to guide our path to innovation, belonging, and continuous service to our students in our efforts to offer the finest education available. Together, let us dream beyond what we know, and aspire to redefine the boundaries of what is possible. And, I confess, I begin each day with joy in this collective aspiration for our students:
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of the year.
As we close on 2023 and embark on a new year, I am reflective about the wisdom embedded in Wilcox's poem. May this year be a proof point of the remarkable support of our community—a year of purposeful vision, transformative student learning, gratitude to our Board, staff and PUSD community, and a deepened sense of belonging for all.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with inspiration, gratitude, and a shared joy of learning.
Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Celebrating Our New National Board Certified Teachers
A shout-out to our amazing PMS math teachers, Karen Bloom and Kate Waldron, both of whom recently earned National Board Certification in Mathematics. According to the National Board website, “National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.” Congratulations, Kate and Karen, for your outstanding accomplishment!
What is the Number?
At our Board meeting last Wednesday, we had a parent ask what the difference is between COLA and what the District has available for staff raises. Thank you to this parent and so many others who have asked how parents can help. The answer: COLA is 8.22% this year, which comes to $2,794,800. Remember, the cost of each percent raise is $340K, and that amount multiplied by 8.22 totals almost $2.8M. The difference, or the approximate amount that the District needs in order to offer COLA is $2M, above our current budget, for a one time increase. In order to offer this year's COLA as an ongoing salary increase, we would need this amount or more every year.
Grades 8-12 Surveys - Results Coming Soon!
Parents & Students, we are still going through the grades 8-12 and parent surveys, which provided A LOT of comments. Thank you for your patience while we read through this incredibly useful information. What I can share are two results that jumped out at us: 1. Almost all respondents, students and parents, have the goal of attending a 4-year college or university. 2. Almost all respondents, students and parents, desire more AP courses. College preparation continues to be essential in our work together. There is a great deal more, but we will need more time to synthesize information to share out.
Budget Advisory Committee - 12/20 at 4PM
Parents, just a reminder about the opportunity to ask budget questions by attending our Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings. We had to move our BAC meeting to December 20th due to our first scheduled impasse meeting with APT and the State mediator. The new BAC meeting date is December 20th at 4PM here at the District Office Board Room, or online. Details about the meeting agenda and online link can be found HERE.
Open Enrollment - Begins January 9th
PUSD Enrollment for 2024-25 School Year Opens January 9th
The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) will open enrollment for the 2024-25 school year on January 9. Enrollment for TK-12 is for current PUSD resident families with new children entering the district, and/or for new Piedmont resident families enrolling their child for the first time. Families will be required to upload proof of residency, birth certificate or passport, immunization records and TB risk assessment. Visit the District’s Enrollment section for more information. Links to enroll for the 2024-25 school year will be activated on the apply page on January 9.
Families with children turning five years of age between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025, are eligible for the District’s TK program for the 2024-25 school year. Visit the District website for more information about the TK program.
Visit the California Department of Education’s website for more information about Kindergarten in California. After reviewing the Enrollment section, if you have questions, please contact one of the school offices:
Beach: Sarah Schaaf - 510-594-2666, sschaaf@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Havens: Melanie Reed - 510-594-2680, mreed@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Wildwood: Christine Petersen/Jennifer Davidhazy - 510-594-2780, wildwoodoffice@piedmont.k12.ca.us
PMS: Caryn Palliser - 510-594-2669, cpalliser@piedmont.k12.ca.us
PHS: Darlene Low - 510-594-2646, dlow@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Families seeking information about inter-district transfers should check the Non-Resident Transfers page.
PUSD News & Notes
PEF - The Giving Campaign - Let's make it a great holiday with a donation to PEF! We are grateful to our community for their support of our outstanding teachers and programs. If you are able to give, go HERE. And, the grade level challenge is on-- check it out HERE.
Piedmont Portal - For all of the latest school and community events, please visit the Piedmont Portal linked HERE
Donate for Absences - Parents, please remember that if your child needs to be out of school, you can submit payment HERE for the lost revenue. Each day that a student is out of school (for any reason, including illness) means a loss of revenue in the following amounts per day: TK-3rd Grade = $61.32; 4th-6th Grade = $56.39; 7th-8th Grade = $58.06; 9th-12th Grade = $61.20. This is invitational, of course.
Winter Break - There is no school from 12/22/23-1/5/24. Happy Holidays!
Witter Field Renovation Project Updates - For updates on the Witter Field Renovation Project, please go to our Facilities page on our PUSD website.
Community Pool Construction Update - Safety measures around the Community Pool Project construction site on Magnolia Ave. across from PHS/MHS are currently in effect. Visit the City of Piedmont's website for details.
Work for PUSD - PUSD is seeking candidates for a variety of positions. Visit the District's Edjoin page for a complete list of jobs available and to apply online.
Substitutes Needed - Support students while earning up to $200/day. PUSD seeking substitute teachers for the 2023-24 school year. Visit the District's EdJoin page for more information and to apply.
Archived Piedmont Pulse Newsletters - All editions of the Piedmont Pulse are linked HERE
Follow PUSD - Please read our school newsletters sent out weekly for update to date information. The District Facebook (@piedmontunified), Twitter (@piedmontunified), Instagram (@piedmontusd) and Threads (@piedmontusd@threads) pages are active.
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