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Piedmont Unified School District Newsletter - November 2021
VERY THANKFUL...
Piedmont Recreation Tennis Courts Named for PUSD Alum
Piedmont Student Creates Mural to Inspire Others
Highlander Robotics Team Impress at 'Chezy Champs' in San Jose
Elementary School Students Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day
PHS World Language Classes Stage Friendly Singing Competition
Piedmont Middle School ‘Green Team’ Assists with Amazon Development Survey
PUSD News & Notes
Student Vaccination Requirement Update - On September 22nd, the PUSD Board of Education unanimously approved a revised Board Policy/Administrative Regulation requiring that all age-eligible students provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to continue participating in in-person instruction at Piedmont schools. Families are reminded that with the recent approval of the COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11, younger students will also be required to provide proof of vaccination. All families of age-eligible students are asked to provide proof of vaccination status no later than January 14, 2022. Information on how to submit proof of vaccination will be sent to families following Thanksgiving Break.
Updated Safety Plan & FAQ - PUSD has posted an updated COVID Safety & Operations Plan as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions on its website.
Holiday Travel Safety Guidelines - District administration and nurses have recommendations for families making travel plans for the Holidays.
Daily Health Screener - Students and families are reminded to fill out the District’s Daily Health Screener every day before coming to school. The information provided is important in assessing student health and is vital for contact tracing in the event of a positive COVID case. The screener is sent to all families every morning via email and text.
ACOE COVID-19 School Guidance - The Alameda County Office of Education COVID-19 School Guidance is a great resource for families and is incorporated into the District’s COVID FAQ.
'Giving Campaign' Continues Through December 31st - Thanks to the Piedmont Education Foundation (PEF) and to everyone who has donated to its annual campaign to support Piedmont students. The PEF is offering a Taco Truck dinner to the grade with the highest participation in the Campaign. Visit the PEF website for more information.
Adult School Newsletter - Piedmont Adult School’s Fall 2021 Newsletter is now available online. Call (510) 594-2655 with any questions.
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 below:
Work for PUSD - PUSD is accepting applications for several positions including substitute teachers and food service workers. Visit the District’s EdJoin page for a complete list of all available positions.
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.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Update - It has been an exciting few weeks in the District’s DEI efforts. The DEI Council met in early November and had a collaborative and supportive conversation which helped to further solidify trust and relationships within the group. The Council has now been subdivided into four committees each with a different area of focus.
Sylvia Flores Eggert is leading the Recruitment and Retention of BIPOC Staff Subcommittee. Irma Muñoz is leading the Professional Learning Subcommittee. Anne Dolid is leading the Inclusion and Belonging subcommittee, and Cheryl Wozniak is leading the Curriculum and Instruction Subcommittee. These subcommittees are meeting monthly to implement the actions outlined in the Racial Equity Board Policy. Updates will be provided to the community during a public Board meeting after the subcommittees have had ample opportunity to dive into the work and make progress worthy of reporting.
A component of the DEI Council’s current work is collaborating with an independent contractor, Gitanjali Morris of Extracurricular Consulting. She is working with school sites and district office staff to facilitate focus group sessions for the purpose of assessing the degree and impact of DEI work in place as it relates to people's lived experiences and to provide recommendations on next steps. Sessions are being provided for certificated and classified staff, BIPOC staff, and the community. Ms. Morris has completed the focus groups for Havens. After the Thanksgiving recess, she will be working with PHS and MHS, followed by PMS, Beach, and Wildwood.
The Piedmont Middle School Gender Leadership Team is facilitating a districtwide conversation to help the community develop an understanding that gender is not binary but rather exists on a continuum. This is an example of the type of presentation different groups across the district are providing to help educators and families grow and learn in new ways so that Piedmont can continue to grow its ability to cultivate a culture of belonging for all students and families.
- Spotlight on Elementary - Our Teachers on Special Assignment, who serve as coaches, have provided professional learning during staff meetings and Wednesday’s collaboration time on discussing the results of the family identity survey data, facilitating conversations, leveraging resources like the social justice standards, and focusing on small shifts in classroom practice that will make a positive impact on students’ sense of belonging in their classroom community. The Havens DEI Council members have shared their commitment as a community to continuing adult learning in a few ways. Parents have compiled resources to support other parents and teachers on the complicated history of Thanksgiving so that as we share what we are grateful for this season, we are also teaching our children that Thanksgiving is not a time of celebration for everyone. Another example resulted from a need articulated by a staff member around addressing microaggressions. The staff held a community circle to process and discuss, and developed a learning wall for the entire staff community to learn from.
- Update on Hiring of Director of DEI - PUSD conducted interviews for the open position of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The new Director of DEI will be appointed at the Board meeting on December 8. The DEI Council, PUSD staff, high school student leaders, and community members have been laying a strong foundation to support the new director in hitting the ground running.
Upcoming Events
- December 1 - Piedmont Tree Lighting Ceremony - Piedmont Community Hall
- December 3-4 - Piedmont High School Dance Concert
- December 5 - Donuts & Dreidels - Piedmont Community Hall
- December 6 - Piedmont High School Choir Concert
- December 7 - Piedmont High School/Middle School Orchestra Concert
- December 8 - Piedmont High School Band Concert
- December 8 - PUSD Board Meeting
- December 9 - Piedmont Middle School Band Concert
- December 20-January 4 - Winter Break
Piedmont Unified School District
Email: communications@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Website: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us
Location: 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA, USA
Phone: 510-594-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/piedmontunified
Twitter: @Piedmontunified