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PAUSD Weekly Update - March 20, 2026

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PAUSD Weekly Update - March 20, 2026
PAUSD Weekly Update 
 

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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

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.

Elementary School
At Barron Park Elementary, students participate in monthly social-emotional learning lessons, which include a read-aloud led by the principal and a skill-building activity taught by the Mental Health and Wellness Associate. In a lesson on resiliency, students reflected on how fears and worries can sometimes hold them back from asking for help or trying new things. They identified challenges they hadn’t yet mastered, such as swimming, performing in front of others, or solving tricky math problems. Students practiced patience, self-kindness, and a growth mindset as part of their learning and growth.

At Juana Briones Elementary, the Mental Health and Wellness Associate works closely with the school psychologist to deliver schoolwide lessons using Zones of Regulation, helping students build emotional awareness and learn strategies to manage their emotions. These lessons support students in identifying how they feel, understanding how emotions affect behavior, and developing tools to regulate and respond positively. 

Frank S. Greene Middle School
At Greene, Mental Health and Wellness Associates and school counselors co-lead small group sessions focused on social skills and friendships. Sessions are designed based on feedback from teachers, parents, and student requests to meet student needs. Students practice reading body language, communicating effectively, starting conversations, and understanding what it means to be a good friend. This semester, they are participating in the POV (Point of View) Project, which teaches perspective-taking, conflict management, and impulse control through interactive activities and guided discussions.

Palo Alto High School
During wellness lessons and activities in Prime, Mental Health and Wellness Associates, with guidance from the Paly Wellness Coordinator, lead sessions focused on mental health and well-being. This past month, students designed mini zen gardens to practice mindfulness and self-care skills. Students also participated in a youth-created short film watch party in collaboration with SafeSpace, sparking reflection, conversation, and connection around real experiences with mental health and ways to support themselves and each other.

Transgender Week of Visibility March 23-31

The San Mateo County Pride Center and Outlet are hosting their third annual Trans Week of Visibility, a week of community events that celebrate and uplift transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals across San Mateo County.

While Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is observed each year on March 31, this initiative expands the celebration to a full week of opportunities for connection, learning, joy, and visibility.

Trans Week of Visibility highlights community, resilience, and authenticity, creating spaces where individuals can feel seen, supported, and valued.

Community members are encouraged to learn more about these events and share them with others who may be interested.

Registration

Participants can register for events here:
https://tinyurl.com/SMCPCTWOV2026

 

City of Palo Alto: Teen & Young Adult Virtual Focus Groups with The Jed Foundation (Additional Sessions)

 The  Jed Foundation is hosting additional virtual focus groups for teens and young adults. Gain insight into mental health issues and preferred methods of support for the community.

Teen Focus Group

 Young Adult Focus Groups

Trans Day of Visibility Celebration at colleQTIve - March 30 

The Q Corner, a program of the County of Behavioral Health Services, will be hosting a Trans Day of Visibility celebration at colleQTIve (1870 Senter Road, San Jose, CA) on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 PM.

This event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the local transgender and gender-diverse community, as well as the life-saving gender-affirming care services available across the county. Several critical programs will be highlighted, including the onsite Gender Affirming Care Clinic and partners at Gender Health Center.

RSVP is required to help manage space capacity: https://tinyurl.com/2026TDOV
For questions, please email: theqcorner@hhs.sccgov.org

REMINDER:  Community Circle: Helping Parents Talk About Teen Suicide - March 26 

Join Children Health Council (CHC) clinicians for a compassionate, parent‑focused workshop designed to help caregivers feel more prepared to talk with their teens about suicide. Recent events in our community have highlighted the critical need for parents to know how to approach these conversations with care, confidence, and clarity.

 

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, March 26, 6:00–7:30 PM
Location: Children’s Health Council, 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto

Register here: CHCCommunityCircle.eventbrite.com

This Community Circle will provide practical guidance on how to recognize warning signs, reduce fear around the topic, and talk openly with teens about suicidal thoughts in ways that promote safety, connection, and trust. CHC experts will share evidence‑based strategies, language to use (and avoid), and tools to help parents respond calmly and supportively, aligning with their values, when concerns arise. The session is designed to be informative, reassuring, and supportive, giving parents space to learn, ask questions, and leave with concrete next steps.

2026 Future Chef Winner

Congratulations to our Future Chef 2026 winner! This student from Nixon Elementary School wowed the judges with their Creamy Sri Lankan Milk Rice, a rich, coconut-infused dish served with a spicy Sri Lankan salsa. From rice cooker to ribbon, this young chef brought bold flavors and beautiful culture to the table. We are so proud!

DECA State Competition Results

The 60-member Gunn DECA team recently returned from the California Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA, and PAUSD is thrilled to share their amazing results from the state competition! 14 students scored in the Top 12 Overall in their event, and many of the events featured 100+ teams and participants.

4 of the members officially qualified for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta next month:

  • Anika Kasinadhuni, Elaine Luo & Iga Barczynska - Integrated Marketing Campaign - Product (IMCP) for UGG

  • Anun Amgalan - Principles of Finance (PFN)

Listed below are the results from the state and regional competitions from this year:

State Conference Top 12 Overall Winners :

  • Andrew Reed, Blake Allen, & Loden Chen - 6th place - Independent Business Plan (EIB)

  • Mia Enderes & Scarlett Mao - 12th place - Independent Business Plan (EIB)

  • Avika Agarwal, Marie Frank & Tanvi Ramachandar - 9th place - Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan (EIP)

  • Shreya Jog - 9th place - Financial Consulting (FCE)

  • Anika Kasinadhuni, Elaine Luo & Iga Barczynska - 6th place - Integrated Marketing Campaign - Product (IMCP)

  • Anun Amgalan - 3rd place - Principles of Finance (PFN)

  • Aiden Chiu - 9th place - Principles of Finance (PFN)

  • Elaine Luo - 5th place - Principles of Marketing (PMK)

  • Anika Kasinadhuni - 9th place - Principles of Marketing (PMK)

Other State Conference Finalists/Exam Winners :

  • Andrew Reed - Finalist - Principles of Business Management & Administration (PBM)

  • Anish Mathan - 2nd Place Exam - Principles of Entrepreneurship (PEN)

  • Serena Xiao - 1st Place Exam - Principles of Entrepreneurship (PEN)

  • Sai Ramamurthy - Finalist - Principles of Finance (PFN)

  • Anun Amgalan - Finalist - Principles of Finance (PFN)

  • Aiden Chiu - Finalist - Principles of Finance (PFN) 

  • Vienna Peng - 2nd Place Exam - Principles of Hospitality (PHT)

  • Nathan Yoon - Finalist - Business Finance Series (BFS)

  • Cera Liang - Finalist - Integrated Marketing Campaign-Product (IMCP)

 

Silicon Valley Regionals Top 10 Overall Winners :

  • Iga Barczynska, Elaine Luo, & Anika Kasinadhuni - 7th Place - Integrated Marketing Campaign - Product (IMCP)

  • Cera Liang - 10th Place - Integrated Marketing Campaign - Product (IMCP)

  • Arielle Hallinan - 7th Place - Principles of Business Management & Administration (PBM)

  • Nathan Yoon & Isaiah Dai - 9th Place - Finance Team Decision Making (FTDM)

  • Anun Amgalan - 1st Place - Principles of Finance (PFN)

  • Fiona Wu - 6th Place - Principles of Hospitality and Tourism (PHT)

  • Anish Mathan - 1st Place - Principles of Entrepreneurship (PEN)

  • Lotta Lipp & Mikaela Cia - 8th Place - Marketing Team Decision Making (MTDM) 

  • Misha Cherukumilli - 6th Place - Retail Merchandising Series (RMS)

  • Yuval Fridman - 5th Place - Principles of Business Management and Administration (PBM)

 

Other Silicon Valley Regionals Finalists/Exam Winners :

 

  • Mia Enderes - Finalist - Principles of Business Management & Administration (PBM)

  • Akiro Udayagiri - Finalist - Financial Consulting (FCE)

  • Akiro Udayagiri - Finalist - Business Finance Series (BFS)

  • William Jia - 3rd Place Exam - Entrepreneurship Series (ENT)

  • Riva Malhotra - Finalist - Principles of Hospitality and Tourism (PHT)

  • Omar Azab - 3rd Place Exam - Principles of Entrepreneurship (PEN)

  • Tasnim Yazdavar - Finalist - Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series (AAM)

 

Message from De Anza College

Congratulations on the high school graduation that you will soon be celebrating in your household! I’m writing to let you know that we would be very pleased to accept your high school graduate at De Anza College.

I also want to invite your soon-to-be-graduate – and you – to our annual Spring Open House on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The  Open House is a great opportunity for you and your grad to meet instructors and learn about the amazing academic programs, facilities, and student services that make De Anza the college that's always Tops in Transfer  – consistently at or near the top statewide in community college transfers to the University of California and California State University.

We'll have experts on hand to answer students' questions about summer and fall registration, financial aid, and other topics. We're also planning a special information session for parents and family members.

The event will also include:

  • Summer quarter enrollment  — students can apply, enroll, and get their schedule on the spot

  • Fall 2026  educational planning

  • Enroll  or make an educational plan  and get a free De Anza T-shirt

  • Campus tours and  academic showcases

  • Food trucks,  Planetarium  shows, and an Activity Zone  with games

  • And more!

Plus: You can learn about  De Anza's Villages  – supportive communities  offering activities and resources that are relevant to your student's major  or area of academic interest, throughout the school year.

Admission is free. You or your student can  sign up to attend the Open House by visiting  deanza.edu/open-house .

De Anza offers students the  whole college experience, including:

  • More than 200 associate degrees and credit certificates,  plus 30 noncredit certificates, and more than 1,800 courses

  • State-of-the-art facilities,  equipment, and technology – thanks to the generosity of local community members like you

  • Vibrant student life,  with more than 80 active clubs and 17 athletic teams

  • Renowned guest speakers and  highly qualified faculty with advanced degrees

  • Unique attractions  including the California History Center, De Anza Planetarium, and Euphrat Museum of Art

  • VTA SmartPass  – students pay one small fee and ride free all quarter!

You may also be interested to know that De Anza’s  annual tuition and fees – $1,569 – are on average:

  • About $13,000 less  than a UC

  • About $5,000 less  than a CSU

  • Many thousands less than most private or out-of-state universities

(Figures exclude books, room and board, and other personal expenses)

With the De Anza College Promise, eligible full-time students can get FREE tuition and fees (up to 15 units per quarter) for one year!

If you have any questions about De Anza, please contact our Office of Outreach at 408.864.8327 or outreach@deanza.edu. We hope to see your grad on May 9 – and on campus this summer or fall!

Gunn Theatre Spring Play Opens Friday, May 20th: Pride and Prejudice

Please join Gunn Theatre for our spring production, a fast-paced and boisterous adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Without a dowry or property, Mrs. Bennet must marry off her five daughters to save them from ruin. While Jane is quickly entranced by Mr. Bingley, her younger sister Elizabeth is determined not to marry—and especially not the prideful Mr. Darcy. Come watch the Bennet sisters navigate courtship, contend with societal expectations, and find love where they least expect it in this delightful Regency-era romantic comedy. Performances take place March 20-28 in Spangenberg Theater at Gunn High School. 

 

For more information and to purchase tickets at  https://www.gunntheatre.org/prideandprejudice

 

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