PAUSD Weekly Update - April 17, 2026
PAUSD Weekly Update - April 17, 2026
Board Agenda Calendar
Superintendent Search
We want to keep our community informed every step of the way. Find the latest updates, timelines, and opportunities to get involved, all in one place: www.pausd.org/search
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.
Please take a moment to complete it today: https://edu.sogolytics.com/survey/form?k=RQsQRSRUTsUQsPsPsP&lang=0
High School Perspectives: Listening Sessions and School Climate
To gain a clearer understanding of the student experience, our high school principals and wellness staff have prioritized gathering feedback through small-group listening sessions and advisory discussions. Similar to recent efforts at our middle schools to elevate student voice, these intimate settings allow for a more authentic exchange, helping staff move beyond general statistics to understand the daily social and emotional realities on campus.
These sessions have revealed several core themes that are now guiding a more responsive, student-centered approach to school climate:
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Evolving Social Dynamics: Students shared that while traditional physical bullying has largely declined, it has been replaced by more subtle, digital, and passive-aggressive forms of conflict. These discussions highlight that in high-pressure environments, inclusivity efforts must be more attuned to less visible behaviors, such as social exclusion and microaggressions.
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Performance Pressure and Burnout: A common theme is a persistent sense of inadequacy, driven by the feeling that even high academic and extracurricular achievements are now considered the "bare minimum." This constant pressure can lead to exhaustion, making it essential for schools to find ways to reduce the social stigma or logistical hurdles that sometimes prevent students from accessing mental health support.
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The Need for Authentic Connection: There is a strong student desire for engagement that prioritizes personal growth over performance. Students find significant value in low-stakes morale-boosting activities, hands-on projects, and mentorship opportunities. These sessions underscore that creating intentional space for exploration and belonging is essential for a healthy school culture.
Next Steps: These qualitative insights provide the necessary context to understand the lived experiences of our high schoolers. Principals are using this feedback to refine campus support systems, ensuring that school improvement is rooted in the actual needs and voices of our students.
Getting Youth to Talk: Unraveling the Stigma and Supporting Honest Conversations
A virtual workshop for PAUSD secondary students and families in collaboration with The Jed Foundation
Suicide prevention begins with awareness and action. PAUSD invites families to join an evening of learning, connection, and skill-building. This session is designed to equip parents and caregivers with practical tools to better understand their teens, navigate difficult conversations, and respond with confidence and care when their child may be struggling.
Event Details
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Date: April 30, 2026
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Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
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Location: Virtual Event Join via Zoom
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Interpretation: Spanish and Mandarin available
Who Should Attend?
We believe in a community approach to safety, but we also recognize that this topic requires careful consideration regarding a student’s readiness.
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High School: Students and parents/guardians strongly encouraged to attend together
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Middle School: Parents/guardians welcome; please use discretion based on your child’s readiness
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Elementary: Parents/guardians only; content is not suitable for this age group
Content Advisory – This session discusses suicide and crisis intervention. Please determine if this content is appropriate for your child. If you have concerns about your student’s current mental health, reach out to your school counselor before the event.
What We Will Explore
In this interactive session, we will move past stigma to focus on practical, actionable skills. Participants will:
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Identify the most common barriers that prevent teens from talking about their emotions.
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Recognize the role of identity, culture, and trust in help-seeking behaviors among teens.
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Apply strategies for active listening, empathy, and nonjudgmental responses.
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Create supportive, consistent spaces where teens feel comfortable sharing.
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Prepare a personalized “conversation plan” for checking in with a teen about their mental health and emotions.
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Refer teens to appropriate resources and implement effective follow-up strategies.
🏳️🌈 Save the Date: Upcoming Family Webinar in May
PAUSD and JED are offering one additional webinar for parents/guardians focused on youth mental health and well-being. Additional details will be shared soon.
May 18, 2026, 6:00-7:30 PM - Virtual
Proud and Thriving: Supporting the Mental Health & Well-being of LGBTQIA+ Students
Help is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Creativity Cart Program!
2025-26 The Palo Alto Promise Annual Report
The 2025-26 Annual Promise Report will be shared at the next regular Board meeting. It will include a comprehensive look at our progress, key data points, and the next steps we are taking to continue improving outcomes for all students, focusing on these areas:
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Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
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High Quality Teaching and Learning
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Innovation and Social Responsibility
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Mental Health and Wellness
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Serve and Celebrate Others
2026 PAUSD Youth Art Show Exhibition!
April Blooms with Creativity! Get ready for our biggest visual arts showcase of the year, PAUSD’s Annual Youth Art Show at the Palo Alto Art Center! Over the next couple weeks, the VAPA office and our incredible K–12 Visual Art teachers will be hard at work installing this vibrant showcase. Featuring artwork from across the district, the show highlights the creativity, skill, and imagination of our student artists spanning all grade levels.
Belonging: Centering Story and Voice arrives this May, featuring a diverse collection of work from over 500 K–12 PAUSD students. This exhibition captures the heart of the artistic journey, celebrating the innovation and self-expression that emerge when students are empowered to tell their own stories through art. Experience the vibrant spirit of our student artists, see how they are growing, stretching, and finding their voice through the arts!
Opening Night Celebration
Wednesday, May 6
4:30–7:00 PM (remarks at 5:45)
Featuring live performances by the Gunn Jazz Band
Exhibition Dates
May 2 – May 24
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Paly Theatre Presents: Pride and Prejudice
Pride & Prejudice, Jon Jory's brilliant stage adaptation of Jane Austen's classic, opens April 18th and runs through April 26th at Paly Theatre! Whether you're a lifelong Austen devotee or coming to the story fresh, this is a night of theatre you won't want to miss. Our incredibly talented students have been working so hard to bring this beloved story to life— from the witty Bennet sisters to the brooding Mr. Darcy. It's going to be a wonderful show, and we couldn't be prouder of our cast and crew.
For tickets, please visit: www.palytheatre.com/tickets
