PAUSD Weekly Update - April 24, 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 - April 13, 8:00 am – May 1, 5:00 pm

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

In-Person Input Sessions

Location: PAUSD District Office – Board Room (25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto)

• Friday, April 24, 2026 

  • Staff Session – 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

  • Community Session – 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
     

• Thursday, April 30, 2026

  • Community Session – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Virtual Community Session

• Friday, May 1, 2026 – 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Meeting ID: 879 1075 1332 | Passcode: 742662

Questions?

Contact us at 650-329-3700 or  bmunoz@pausd.org

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2026 PAUSD Youth Art Show Exhibition!

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

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Briones First-Grade Leaders Champion Emotional Wellness

A class of first-grade students at Briones Elementary School hosted a meaningful assembly centered on the  Zones of Regulation, a framework that helps students understand and regulate their emotions. With support from the school therapist and psychologist, these student leaders shared valuable lessons on understanding their feelings through a creative showcase of original songs and poetry. 

To conclude the event, students distributed hand-drawn “reminder” cards featuring the beloved characters Elephant and Piggie. These cards offered practical tips for their peers and parents:

• Take a breath and find calm in "big" moments.

• Reach out and talk to a trusted friend or adult.

• Remember that "all feelings are okay" and "feelings come and go."

The students of Briones Elementary are a shining example of ambassadors for mental wellness and empathy. This event serves as a wonderful model of how student-led initiatives can build a compassionate and connected school culture across our district.

  

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Navigating Middle School: Student Engagement Groups at Greene

Now in their second year, the student engagement groups at Greene Middle School offer 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-graders a space to develop agency. Facilitated by two school therapists, the five interactive sessions build the skills students need to navigate middle school with confidence.

The sessions empower students to manage their responsibilities. In the "What’s on My Plate" activity, students identify pressures, such as academics, sports, or social dynamics, that might make it difficult to stay engaged or to get to class on time. Looking ahead, students create vision-board goal-setting collages to visualize personal success and identify coping strategies and supportive adults to help them reach their goals.

Student feedback has been very encouraging. Pre- and post-session surveys show a measurable decrease in tardies and a significant increase in students' sense of being supported and connected at school. These groups remain a valuable way for students to build agency and feel more connected to their school community.

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🏳️‍🌈 Bridging Connection: Centering LGBTQ+ Belonging

The PAUSD Wellness team at Bridges recently partnered with the  Q Corner colleQTIve to host an on-campus resource fair at Cubberley. The event focused on identity and mental health, with the specific goal of uplifting the sense of belonging for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

This was a collaborative effort, organized by the Bridges mental health therapist alongside Q Corner’s Community Outreach Specialist and Mental Health Peer Support Worker. This partnership provided an affirming space for students to explore wellness through:

• Creative Expression: Students designed custom pronoun pins and jewelry, celebrating their authentic selves in a supportive, familiar setting.

• Supportive Dialogue: Interactive stations led by peer support staff encouraged meaningful conversations about identity, inclusion, and well-being.

• Connection to Care: Access to curated outreach materials ensures students feel backed by a wide network of support right where they learn.

This event is just one example of the ongoing commitment within PAUSD to ensure every student feels seen, safe, and empowered to be their authentic self.

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