Superintendent's Update - November 21, 2025
Superintendent's Update - November 21, 2025
From the Office of the Superintendent
Board Agenda Calendar
View Calendar of Board Items 2025-26
Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on things. I hope our staff, students, and families have a few quiet moments to reflect on the things in our lives that are worthy of giving thanks. When I sit down with the purpose of thinking about all the good in my life, I am reminded of how many people positively influence and support me. The key is taking a moment to intentionally think about the good and put the other stuff to the side.
I am thankful for all the people who make PAUSD special, starting with our students. We have amazing students here who will go on to do things to change the world. They can use their voices for good, advocating on behalf of themselves and others. Our students are overwhelmingly kind and quick to support each other. When mistakes are made, most are reflective and try to grow. They are everything we should want from students aged 3-22.
Our staff is a key to our success and consists of people driven to serve others each day. They often put their own issues aside each morning to commit their efforts to their students and colleagues. In a “people” business, they put a lot on their shoulders. They go beyond job descriptions and do their best each day. I am thankful for the people who wear our PAUSD logo and represent us each day.
Finally, I am thankful for our community. As an employee and resident, I get to see the beauty of Palo Alto each day. While demanding, there is also a spirit of pride and giving that is part of the fabric of Palo Alto. Our schools are largely dependent upon our volunteers, donors, and partnerships with parents and broader citizens. As recent polling demonstrated, our community values our school system above all else. That is an honor and responsibility for PAUSD.
If you have an opportunity to share your thanks with someone over the break, I hope you can take advantage of it. I have a list of people in my mind right now! I am thankful for each of you and wish you a tremendous Thanksgiving!
Student Journalism Excellence
We're excited to celebrate an outstanding achievement by The Campanile! Their in-progress spotlight article, "Progress to Pushback," which examines the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, has earned a prestigious first-place National Scholastic Press Association award for Best of Show's Reporting & Writing: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Congratulations to The Campanile team on this well-deserved honor, and thank you to Superintendent’s Advisory member Luca Vostrejs for sharing this exciting recognition with us! Their commitment to inclusive storytelling and investigative journalism exemplifies the kind of student leadership that strengthens our community.
We're excited to share that colorful benches, painted in collaboration with VTA and dedicated parent volunteers, are being installed near each of our high schools this week.
Mental Health and Wellness Support During the Break
As we approach the upcoming break, we want to remind families of mental health services and resources available when school is closed. PAUSD’s new partnership with Uwill provides virtual therapy and mental health support for all students during every school break and on weekends.
We wish your family a safe, restful break and encourage you to access these resources if you need support.
Crisis & Emergency Resources
If there is an imminent threat to yourself or someone else, call 911 or 988 immediately. Additional resources:
-
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
-
Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741-741
-
A Parent's Guide to Risk Assessment & Safety | Spanish | Mandarin
-
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
-
Bill Wilson Youth Hotline: 408-850-6125
-
Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386
-
Trans Lifeline (trans/nonbinary, Mon–Fri 10am–6pm PST): 877-565-8860 • Info
Virtual Mental Health Support: Uwill
Uwill (formerly tbh) is a new PAUSD partner offering virtual mental health and wellness support for all students..
-
Free for all PAUSD students (parental consent required for students under 12)
-
Accessible through students’ Classlink dashboard
-
All licensed therapists as well as access to wellness tools (yoga, meditation, mindfulness)
-
Students can register online, choose a therapist, schedule sessions, and access on-demand wellness programming
Uwill Links for Families:
-
Supporting Your Student’s Mental Health with Uwill (Webinar Recording)
Local Community Supports & Resources
-
allcove – Palo Alto : Ages 12–25; M-F 10am–7pm (closed 11/27, 11/28) 650-798-6330
-
Care Solace : Connects families to local mental health services • 888-515-0595
-
Kara : Grief support for children, teens, families • 650-321-5272
-
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) : Counseling, substance use, social-emotional support • 650-424-0852
-
Outlet (ACS ): LGBTQIA+ youth support • 650-424-0852 x107
-
The Trevor Project: 24/7 LGBTQ+ youth support • 212-695-8650
City of Palo Alto Safety Updates
Safety Tips for Slick Streets
PAUSD students walk/bike to school year-round. The following winter walk and bike safety tips support ongoing healthy and enjoyable school commutes while helping reduce traffic congestion around our schools.
-
Reflective rain jackets, umbrellas and boots turn rainy days into walking wonderlands. Rain ponchos that fit under helmets and over handlebars protect students from puddles and steady rain.
-
Front and rear lights are required for night-time riding. Front, rear and wheel-mounted side lights can also protect cyclists during the morning when sun glare obstructs driver visibility.
-
Bicyclists and walkers should apply the lessons learned from PAUSD’s in-school K-6 Bicycle Life Skills Lessons by making eye contact with drivers, and by coming to a full stop, then looking left, right and left again before crossing intersections.
-
Unable to choose an active school commute? Consider riding the bus or carpooling with neighbors and friends.
Electric Cycles: With Power Comes Responsibility
Electric cycles or ‘e-cycles’ refers to a broad category of electrified one, two and three-wheeled vehicles, including bicycles, tricycles, scooters, one-wheels, mopeds, motorcycles and off-highway vehicles. As of January 2025, e-cycles with throttles exceeding 20 mph OR e-cycles that can be mechanically altered to approach the speed of electric mopeds/motorcycles, are not classified as electric bicycles in the state of California. Minors operating an e-cycle without proper licensing could receive a citation, have the vehicle towed, or face other penalties under the California Vehicle Code. As the holidays approach, please email saferoutes@paloalto.gov for questions about e-cycle safety and purchasing considerations .
