Superintendent's Update - November 22, 2024

Nov 22 2024

From the Office of the Superintendent

Board Agenda Calendar

View Calendar of Board Items 2024-25

Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .

I love the spirit of Thanksgiving. It’s important to reflect at points in the year about things we should be thankful for. It’s easy to over-select on the negative at the expense of allowing space for gratitude and thanks.

The holidays are rough for many people for a variety of reasons and at different levels. Personally, I miss my dad. Although it’s been a few years, I still find myself wanting to call him to share news and just hear his voice. Many of us have dealt with loss challenges that will be more acute during extended holidays. On the other hand, I am thankful for every day I spent with him. I also need to remind myself how lucky I am to still have my mom and how much she means to me. I am lucky to have friends and family who are the best a person could hope for. It doesn’t mean there aren’t some emotions that can pop in my head. It may be the same for many of you.

As a school district, I am thankful for all of the people who make up PAUSD. We are a “people” business with differing views, experiences, and goals. That’s the same of every school district. We are also incredibly blessed to have a depth and breadth of opportunities for our students that are practically unparalleled. People here work hard. The bar is high. This school district is never satisfied, which is why we continue to grow and evolve the way we do. It also makes rest important for everyone!

I would like to encourage everyone to step away from school as much as possible next week. A break is only a break if you step away. I am very aware of the pressure to perform here. That is true of our staff and students. As I get older, it becomes clearer that we are best served when we treat things more like a marathon than a sprint. I have run two marathons and can attest that building in some “walking” time is important.

I am thankful for so many things it is hard to narrow them down. I hope everyone can enjoy a few restful days with the people you love. The work will be here when we return!

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) representatives met this month to evaluate staff and students’ research proposals for any risk of psychological, physical, legal, social, or economic harm or unethical practices. Fifty-five proposals were reviewed during this fall review, covering AP Research proposals as well as proposals sponsored by outside research institutions. Researchers studying human or animal subjects to share outside of the classroom must submit their project proposals to the IRB for approval ( BP 6162.8).

Strengthening CTE Programs through Perkins V: Building Career-Ready Students

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, a more than 40-year-old federal legislation supporting state and local CTE programs, aims to enhance student outcomes and prepare them for successful careers in various industries. The California Department of Education requires all local educational agencies that receive Carl D. Perkins Career and CTE funds to establish and maintain a CTE Advisory Committee. These committees play a vital role in ensuring that CTE programs are aligned with industry needs and provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. The CTE Advisory met on November 7, 2024. Notes from all CTE Advisory meetings can be found here. These collaborative sessions are key to continuing to develop programs that prepare students for college, career, and high employability.

If you have industry expertise to offer, please feel free to contact us using the “Get Involved” button on PAUSD’s Let’s Talk app.

Elementary Progress Reports

We highly value the strong partnership between families and schools, and clear communication about your child’s progress is a key part of that relationship. Our Kindergarten through 5th grade teachers have been working diligently on preparing your child’s progress report for the first trimester. The elementary progress reports are designed to give families a comprehensive view of your child's social-emotional development and academic progress, aligned with district expectations and the Common Core State Standards. The reports highlight your child’s current performance, strengths, and areas for continued growth, all in relation to the end-of-year grade level expectations.

You may notice some updates to the progress reports this year. These changes are aimed at improving readability, clarity, and consistency across grade levels. For more information on these updates and accessing your child’s progress report in Infinite Campus, please visit our website: https://www.pausd.org/learning/curriculum/progress-reports

Hats Off to PAUSD Staff: Leading the Way in Wellness

Inspired by Gunn High School, PAUSD proudly launched its first district-wide Fall Into Fitness Challenge! Across our district, staff are encouraged to prioritize their physical, mental, and social well-being by incorporating movement into their daily routines while building connection and camaraderie. And of course, there is a healthy dose of competition ;). With team names like Escondido Sole Sisters, Kings and Queens, Data Nerds, and Walking on Gunnshine, it is clear that staff are having fun!

We are proud of our staff for modeling the values of wellness, self-care, and balance. By prioritizing their wellness, staff are strengthening their own mental and physical health and bringing their best selves to support our students. Let’s cheer them on as they lead wellness by example!

Staff Naloxone (Narcan) Training

In response to the ongoing opioid crisis, PAUSD is offering school staff training to administer Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray—a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Led by a credentialed district nurse, this voluntary training empowers staff to respond swiftly in an emergency. The training helps staff learn to:

Identify the signs of an opioid overdose
Administer Narcan safely and effectively
Follow emergency protocols, including CPR guidelines

Close to 100 staff across all school sites and the district office have participated in the training. PAUSD is dedicated to ensuring the safety and preparedness of our community.