Superintendent's Update - May 9, 2025
Superintendent's Update - May 9, 2025
From the Office of the Superintendent
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Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
I had the opportunity to visit a couple of school sites to see aspects of our music program. We began the day at Hays Elementary with our unbelievable elementary music teachers. A few things struck me during the visit. First, I entered a class of 5th-grade students who were all playing string instruments. I was told that this was the first year many of them had played string instruments. It was an impressive sight, especially since they get that opportunity twice a week. The lesson was engaging, fun, and impressive in every way. From that room, we made our way to the band program. While the instruments changed, the experience did not. We saw more incredible teachers, equally engaged students, and we could feel the joy.
I was shown how our teachers modified the music sheets to incorporate color coding for students who were still learning to read music. For some reason, I had not considered that music classes should also modify instruction to meet students where they are. Of course, this made perfect sense.
Next, we jumped in cars and drove to Gunn High School to see kids on the other end of their careers play strings. Wow! I am afforded some liberties as the superintendent, so I sat in the middle of the students while they practiced for a show a couple of weeks away. It was beautiful and a completely different experience from watching from the audience.
In all three cases, I saw teachers providing constant feedback or corrections and students responding. I love the arts in general because you can see things improve before your eyes. There is something different about performing arts. Corrections or “notes” are expected. That part is fascinating to me. In some cases, the same kids who may not handle critiques well in other subjects handle it perfectly and recognize the best intentions involved when it comes to the arts. We can learn a lot from the arts and those who teach them.
Speaking of teachers, it is Teacher Appreciation Week. We have some of the best in the country in Palo Alto, and they are appreciated. I am constantly blown away by the quality of instruction and engagement in our district. The bar is set high here, and our teachers answer the call daily. To all of our teachers – Thank you!
2025 Youth Art Show Opening Celebration!
Last night, the Palo Alto Art Center was filled with creativity and celebration as we honored the incredible talent of our K–12 student artists at the PAUSD Youth Art Show. The gallery tells a powerful visual story—tracing artistic growth from the imaginative beginnings of kindergarten to the refined, expressive works of our high school students. It was truly inspiring to see our community come together in support of these young creators. The wide range of artwork on display beautifully reflects how our students' creativity is rooted in strong foundations and lifted by boundless imagination.
We are incredibly proud of our student artists and musicians who shared their talents at the event, and we are profoundly grateful for the passion and guidance of our dedicated art teachers.
Thank you to PiE for their support, which plays a vital role in sustaining our K–12 VAPA programs. Thank you to the VAPA Office team for their tireless efforts in making the event possible and to the Student Nutrition Services for their amazing display of refreshments.
If you were not able to make it to the opening last night, the show is on display until May 25th. The art center is open 7 days a week, hours can be found here.
Exhibition Dates
May 3 – May 25
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Student Nutrition Services
The Student Nutrition Services Department catered at the opening ceremony of the “Roots and Wings Our Evolving Artists” PAUSD K-12 Art Show at the Palo Alto Art Center.
