Superintendent's Update - March 21, 2025

From the Office of the Superintendent

Board Agenda Calendar

View Calendar of Board Items 2024-25

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Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .

I met with our Superintendent’s Student Advisory group this week for the second time. As I told them, the time spent with students is always the best part of my job. I also spent time with the Paly High School Principal’s Student Advisory group. Together, they filled in gaps and connected dots that should have been more obvious.  I appreciate our students and their willingness to speak for themselves. For this update, I am going to focus on the theme of mental health and wellness through the lens of our students. 

Our team recently presented information about mental health services at a school board meeting. As a reminder, we have a robust program with resources posted on our website  HERE.

One data point from our presentation received more attention than the others: a little over half of high school students who sought mental health support from staff reported academic stress as a reason for their visit.

Following the presentation, three main reactions emerged in the adult community:

• Some pointed to academic stress as a significant detriment to mental health.

• Others referenced a 2018 CDC report outlining broader risk factors related to mental health and suicide ideation across Santa Clara County.

• A handful of people asked for more clarity on what students mean by academic stress.

What the Data Tells Us

If students tell us that academic stress is a major factor in mental health, why would we discount or doubt them? To better understand the issues in question, I revisited the 200+ page CDC report and pulled some key findings:

• Academic Pressure: In PAUSD surveys, students ranked academic stress as a leading risk factor for youth suicide, also rating it higher than parents did.

• Protective Factors: The biggest supports for mental well-being included strong teacher relationships, school connectedness, and a sense of purpose.

• Perceptions of Suicide: 89% of respondents saw youth suicide as a problem in Palo Alto, and 82% believed it is preventable.

• The Role of Sleep: Sleep deprivation was identified as a major contributor to mental health challenges.

Hearing Directly from Students and Staff

Numbers tell one story, but our students tell another. To go beyond the statistics, I asked our mental health professionals to describe themes they hear from students struggling with academic stress. Here’s what they shared:

Academic overload & rigorous coursework

• Overwhelmed by AP classes, heavy workloads, and constant test prep

• Taking APs for college admissions rather than genuine interest

Struggling to balance school, extracurriculars, and social life

• Time Management & Executive Functioning Challenges

• Feeling lost or behind due to executive functioning struggles

• Procrastination fueled by fear of failure

• Limited access to teachers or tutoring support

Pressure from external expectations

• Peer competitiveness, parental expectations, and societal focus on achievement

• Anxiety about fitting in and avoiding labels

Adjustment & transition stress

• Difficulties acclimating to Palo Alto’s academic culture

• Social isolation and pressure in a high-performing environment

Internalized expectations

• Self-imposed pressure to maintain a high GPA

• Anxiety about college admissions and measuring up to family success

What Students Want Us to Understand

This brings me back to my Superintendent’s Student Advisory group and my visit to Paly. Their insights painted a clearer picture than any data report or external debate. They were honest, vulnerable, and agenda-free.

What I heard loud and clear is that debating the existence of academic stress is a waste of time. It is real. The question is what is generating the stress? The answer is complex, but one theme stood out:

Academic stress in Palo Alto feels inescapable .

Students described the constant comparisons, the high bar set by Stanford across the street, and the pressure to live up to family expectations. Even our conversations about stress itself contribute to the stress.  Many students said they feel expected to say they are overwhelmed, just to fit in.  

The second discussion with students took a slightly different path.  Students shared that what may be categorized as academic stress really stems from a lack of connections with some teachers.  The group went deep in this discussion.  A student who does not feel comfortable approaching their teacher for assistance can develop academic stress, but it’s really rooted in the lack of a trusting relationship with their teacher.

The example above is not an attempt to place blame on our teachers.  It’s more of an example of why labeling things without asking questions is usually a bad idea.  Do our kids have academic stress? Yes.  Is academic stress entirely tied to the rigor of our classes or the number of AP courses a student takes.  Absolutely not.  It’s a system and we are an organization completely comprised of people and interactions.  Of course, this doesn’t take into account all of the things that contribute to unhealthy stress beyond the school day.  

What Can We Do?

Our conditions are unlikely to change and our students will always be surrounded by high expectations, elite peers, and academic competition. The question is: How do we help them navigate it?

One student made an important point: “We can’t talk our way out of this.” That struck me. Instead of trying to pinpoint blame or eliminate stress altogether, we should focus on helping students understand they are not alone in this journey.

Stress thrives in isolation. If we can foster connections, provide perspective, and reinforce that students are in this together, we can create a healthier culture without sacrificing academic excellence.  Students described the need for “champions” or people who are in their corner.  That can come in many forms, but there is a consensus that everyone needs someone to tell them they are good enough and can make it through the hard times.  This cannot fall entirely on the backs of our teachers.  While they are essential in the equation, so is every adult in a student’s life.  We all need to find ways to encourage our kids and be there when they are brave enough to reach out for help.  

I often hear people say that kids today are not like we were growing up. That’s true. They are better.  Let them know that often and loudly.  

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FREE CHP "START SMART" CLASSES FOR NEW TEEN DRIVERS AND PARENTS

The California Highway Patrol's Redwood City office is offering a valuable opportunity for new teen drivers and their parents to enhance road safety knowledge. Their "Start Smart" program features free two-hour safety classes designed specifically for teens who are new drivers or about to begin driving.

Upcoming Sessions:

• Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM

• Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Both sessions will be held at the CHP Redwood City office.

What to Expect:

The "Start Smart" program covers critical topics including:

• Collision avoidance techniques

• Distracted driving awareness

• DUI consequences

• Primary collision factors for teen drivers

• Parental responsibilities and liability

This interactive program provides both teens and parents with essential information that can help prevent dangerous situations and potentially save lives.

How to Register:

Advance registration is required. To reserve your spot, please email the CHP Redwood City office directly at: redwoodcitychp@chp.ca.gov

For more information about the program, including a video overview, visit:  CHP Start Smart Program Website

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PAUSD Promise: Mental Health & Wellness

Children's Health Council Event: Teen Panel on Youth Mental Health

 

Friday, March 21, 6:00 PM - 8:00 pm

Tonight, Children's Health Council (CHC)  is hosting an event where you can hear directly from teens about their experiences and perspectives on mental health. This event is designed to be engaging and informative, with various activities and discussions that will provide insights into the mental health challenges faced by today's youth. The event is open to students in 8th grade and up , as well as all adults interested in teen mental health.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, March 21, 2025

• Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Location: CHC Palo Alto, 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304

The event includes

• Teen Panel: Hear from teens about their mental health journeys

• Teen Breakout: A fun space to relax and de-stress (pizza included for 8th grade & up)

• Adult Breakout: A discussion for parents, educators, and community leaders

Please register on Eventbrite  to reserve your spot.

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Laserfiche Team of the Year

Our IT team has been recognized with the Laserfiche Run Smarter Award for "Laserfiche Team of the Year"! This honor celebrates their innovative solutions, dedication, and transformative impact on #PAUSD operations. Congratulations to every team member whose expertise and commitment have streamlined our district's information management and enhanced service for our entire educational community.

 

 

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