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Piedmont Unified School District Newsletter - March 2023

New PUSD Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Hawn.

Dr. Jennifer Hawn Named New PUSD Superintendent

After a nationwide search and extensive community engagement, the Piedmont Board of Education has selected Dr. Jennifer Hawn to serve as the District’s next Superintendent. The appointment will be effective July 1, 2023. Read more about Dr. Hawn on the District website.
New PUSD Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Hawn.
Screenshot of PUSD's new website as seen on a mobile phone.

PUSD Launches New Website

After more than a year of research, surveys, interviews and trainings, PUSD is excited to roll out its long-awaited new website. The soft launch on February 24 was the culmination of a massive effort by both District and School Site Instructional Technology staff and administration to provide families and the community with a modernized website. The new site – replacing the previous version at www.piedmont.k12.ca.us – is far more efficient in delivering news and information on a variety of devices, and provides PUSD and schools with more options and flexibility to reach its students and families.

Screenshot of PUSD's new website as seen on a mobile phone.
Group photo of 2023 NCS Champion Girls Soccer Team.

Highlanders Claim Three NCS Championships

It was Championship Saturday for the Highlanders. On February 26, a trio of Piedmont High School teams won their respective NCS Division 4 Championships. Girls Basketball extended its undefeated season with a 75-49 win over Branson. Boys Soccer successfully defended its 2022 title with a 1-0 victory over University and Girls Soccer earned its banner with a dramatic, overtime 1-0 win vs. University. All three teams qualified for the CIF State Championships.
Group photo of 2023 NCS Champion Girls Soccer Team.
Show poster for 54th-annual PIedmont Bird Calling COntest.

Tickets On-Sale for Return of Piedmont Bird Calling Contest

The famed Piedmont Bird Calling Contest is set to return to the campus of Piedmont High School Thursday, March 30, 7:00pm, at the new Alan Harvey Theater. Under the theme of ‘Maskarade,’ guests are encouraged to show their creativity and personality through their masks. Visit the District website for ticket information.
Show poster for 54th-annual PIedmont Bird Calling COntest.
Piedmont HIgh School senior Siddharth Bhatia picture as seen in the Piedmont Post.

PHS's Siddharth Bhatia Wins Congressional App Challenge.

Piedmont High School junior, Siddharth Bhatia was recently named winner of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 13th District. Read more about Siddharth's work and see the app in action. (Photo by the Piedmont Post)
Piedmont HIgh School senior Siddharth Bhatia picture as seen in the Piedmont Post.
Piedmont High School senior Julia Banuelos.

PHS Senior Julia Banuelos Named Hispanic Heritage Youth Award Winner

Congratulations to Piedmont High School senior, Julia Banuelos, who was selected as one of 300 recipients of a national Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Award. The Youth Awards program honors Latinx high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. Read more on the District website.
Piedmont High School senior Julia Banuelos.
Grammy-nominated storyteller, Diane Ferlatte (right), along with musician Erik Pearson (left), appear at Wildwood Elementary School.

Renowned Storyteller Visits Wildwood Elementary for Black History Month

On February 3, students at Wildwood Elementary were visited by Grammy-nominated storyteller, Diane Ferlatte, who, along with musician Erik Pearson, shared tales harkening back to her African, Southern and African-American roots in celebration of Black History Month. Ferlatte’s two assemblies were arranged though a grant from the Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee.
Grammy-nominated storyteller, Diane Ferlatte (right), along with musician Erik Pearson (left), appear at Wildwood Elementary School.

PUSD News & Notes

Superintendent's Message - Dr. Evans discusses PUSD's next Superintendent and budget challenges in his monthly message.


PUSD Second Interim Financial Report - At its March 8 meeting, the PUSD Board of Education received a presentation on the District's Second Interim Budget Report, providing an update of actual expenditures and revenues through January 31, 2023, and a projection of budget adjustments necessary to close out the fiscal year. The Second Interim also includes a multiyear projection (MYP) that shapes the budget development process for 2023-24. Read full background, read full report and view presentation slide deck.


Dyslexia Presentation - At its February 8 meeting, the PUSD Board of Education received a presentation on the District's multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) that addresses the needs of a wide range of students with reading difficulties. MTSS is an instructional framework through which schools can identify students who are suspected to have a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia. Read full background and view slidedeck. Presentation starts at 36:20 of meeting video.


Adult School Expo - The Piedmont Adult School is excited to present its first Expo! Come see the great work that our students are doing, and learn more about what the Adult School has to offer. The Friday, April 21 evening reception will feature art displays as well as live demonstrations in areas such as art, cooking and floral design. There will also be open gallery hours from 11am-2pm on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23.


Advanced Acting Spring Play - The advanced acting class presents the contemporary drama 'Everything is Wonderful' by Chelsea Marcantel. The play focuses on an Amish family who tries to hold on to their faith after a stranger shatters their peaceful existence and their estranged daughter returns, cracking open the family's tragic history. Visit the District website for more information and to purchase tickets.


Office Hours with Dr. V - As part of the ongoing effort to strengthen engagement across the district and the Piedmont Community, PUSD Director of DEI, Dr. Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, is scheduling in-person and virtual "office hours" as an opportunity for small group dialogue about equity, social justice and engagement. In-person meetings will be held in Dr. V's office in the 40s building one floor below Millennium HS. Sign up for a face-to-face meeting. Dates available are March 13, April 24 and May 22. If you choose a virtual meeting, the link will be sent to you the day before. Choose the 15-minute time slot that best fits your schedule.


Board Meeting Summaries - Summaries of all Piedmont Unified Board of Education meetings are available on the District website and social media. Read summaries of recent meetings -

February 8, 2023

March 8, 2023


Work for PUSD - PUSD is seeking candidates for open positions, including Paraeducators, Food Service staff and Beach Volleyball Coach. 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 2022-23 school year. Visit the District's EdJoin page for more information and to apply.


Previous Editions of Piedmont Ahead - Catch up on all things PUSD from this school year:

February

January

December

November

October

September


Follow PUSD on Social Media - Keep up to date on everything happening around the District on PUSD’s social media outlets. The District Facebook (@piedmontunified), Twitter (@piedmontunified) and Instagram (@piedmontusd) pages are active with multiple posts daily. Watch PUSD video content on the District's YouTube page.

Upcoming Events

Piedmont Unified School District

Piedmont Unified School District

Piedmont Unified School District

760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA, USA communications@piedmont.k12.ca.us 510-594-2600 piedmont.k12.ca.us