Superintendent's Update

A Solid Start!

I spent Thursday visiting several schools in the district, welcoming students and connecting with staff. What I saw was ordinary in the best way! Kids excited to be in class, a few elementary students who needed a bit more encouragement to meet their new teacher and classmates, and secondary students rolling their eyes at my “cringe” jokes and welcome statements! Teachers were smiling, working hard to establish routines and relationships, and already getting started on real student work.

Before we begin …

Part of coming into a new organization is learning both what needs to change and what is going right and needs protecting. This weekly message falls in the second category. It has been a fixture at PAUSD, and I have heard from many of you that you looked forward to it. So I plan to continue it rather than reinvent it, though over time I will put my own touch on it.

🏳️‍🌈 Celebrating Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

June 1st marked the kickoff of Pride Month, a beautiful time of year to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and honor the incredible history, resilience, and joy that define it. Pride month reminds us that our entire school community is stronger when every student, staff member, and family feels safe, valued, and able to show up as their authentic selves.

Building Cultures of Belonging: Paly’s First Annual Pride Celebration

Palo Alto High School recently hosted its first annual PRIDE at Paly celebration during lunch, bringing students together in a welcoming and affirming community space. The event featured community resource organizations, snacks, balloon art, face painting, an affirmation chalk walk, and a photo booth, providing students with opportunities to connect, engage, and celebrate.

This new Paly tradition reflects PAUSD’s commitment to ensuring every student feels safe, seen, and supported and experiences a true sense of belonging every day.

Celebrating our retirees

This week, we gathered at the district office to honor the incredible educators and staff members who are closing one remarkable chapter and stepping into the next. We are deeply grateful for the years of dedication, heart, and commitment they poured into our students, our schools, and our community. Their impact will be felt for years to come in the lives they've touched. As they embark on this well-earned next chapter, we wish them all the joy, rest, and adventure ahead. 

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week, we pause to honor the dedicated teachers who show up every day with purpose, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students. Teacher Appreciation Week is our opportunity to say what we hope our educators already feel: that their work matters, their presence is felt, and their impact reaches far beyond the classroom walls. From the early mornings to the late nights, from the lesson plans to the life lessons, thank you for everything you do. We are grateful to have such extraordinary educators in our community.

May 1st is School Principals’ Day

Every day, PAUSD principals are among the first to arrive and the last to leave. They greet students by name, support teachers, navigate the unexpected, and carry the vision of what school can be for every child in our community. On May 1st, we celebrate them.

To every PAUSD principal: your leadership shapes the daily experience of thousands of students and families. We see you. We appreciate you. Happy School Principals’ Day! 🌟

Community Input Survey

We want to hear from you! As part of the Superintendent search process, our search firm has created a brief community input survey to help inform the selection. Your feedback matters.

The survey is anonymous, takes just a few minutes, and includes seven questions. All responses will be shared publicly to guide decision-making.

Across our middle schools, JLS, Greene, and Fletcher are prioritizing student voice in building a deeper sense of belonging and well-being. By centering the perspectives of our 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-graders, we are ensuring that school improvement efforts are authentically shaped by the students they serve.

Building Skills for Student Well-Being Across PAUSD

Across PAUSD, Mental Health and Wellness Staff are supporting student mental health and social-emotional learning, working alongside teachers, principals, and school counselors to give students the tools they need to support their well-being. Through these efforts, students are building resilience, practicing social skills, and learning strategies for caring for their mental and emotional health. These examples highlight how our Mental Health and Wellness Associates are supporting students at different grade levels.