Superintendent's Update - October 10, 2025
Superintendent's Update - October 10, 2025
From the Office of the Superintendent
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Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
I want to thank the students who attended and engaged in our Superintendent’s Student Advisory group. They were, as always, amazing. I have provided space on this update for them to capture some of the key points in their own words. Their summary will be found below.
The summary from our students cannot capture the full depth of their input. I was again impressed with their ability to listen to understand. They were empathetic to others, including differences of opinion. As promised, their insights will be amplified and should inform our thinking. It is possible that future updates will include a deeper look at these topics and our insights we gained through listening to our students. Parents… Good job!
Our principals are essential to the success of our schools. Their jobs begin with taking care of everyone else on their sites. They are charged with daily operations, teaching and learning, safety, communication, dealing with conflict, setting direction, and making many decisions each day. Our principals also serve as advocates and conduits with management and our school board on behalf of staff and students.
The role of the site principal mirrors many CEOs, City Managers, and mayors. They manage large budgets, take blame when things don’t go as planned, and give away the credit when things go well. They were all once teachers and want the best for everyone they serve. We are very proud of our team and want to celebrate them together.
Superintendent’s Advisory Committee Student Message
During the 10/6 Superintendent’s Advisory Committee meeting, students discussed the Advanced Diploma, the cell phone policy, students’ access to a trusted adult on PAUSD campuses, and whether or not students feel free to speak openly in classes. Below are brief summaries of our discussions — we will discuss these more in-depth at the 10/14 district board meeting (note: the authors of this update were not part of the discussion).
In regards to the Advanced Diploma, students expressed concerns that it will deplete student intrinsic motivation and add unnecessary pressure. In addition, one student mentioned that the Advanced Diploma is only accessible to well-resourced students who can spend the time/money to meet all the proposed requirements (internships, SAT tutoring, etc). Though another student mentioned that PAUSD is known to be a rigorous district and shouldn’t shy away from academic resources like these, others pointed out that PAUSD has recently been moving in a contrasting direction given the recent collapses in Honors lane courses.
Concerning potential cell phone policies, many students concluded that having no cell phone policy was ideal to build self-accountability and self-control. Some students also expressed concern over the idea of a “lock box," as it could be a safety concern for students with medical concerns. Others acknowledged that having cell phones accessible did create a distraction, but having phones taken away was “dehumanizing.”
Students who discussed free speech at school found that having structured, intellectually-safe discussions led by teachers was the best forum for sharing their personal opinions. Others argued that they routinely felt criticized by their peers for contrasting political opinions.
Access to trusted adults in the district differed for each student. Some found that they had no trusted adults and limited what they shared with faculty and staff due to fear of being involuntarily reported to wellness for personal yet safe, non-harmful things they shared. Others reported that they had access to a trusted adult on campus because of teachers’ focus on students’ well-being.
— Talia Boneh and Amalia Tormala
PAUSD Hosts Its Annual Tasting Day
A Celebration of Student Voice, Innovation, and Healthy Meals
On Friday, October 3rd, PAUSD’s Student Nutrition Services hosted its highly anticipated Annual Food Tasting Day, a community favorite that brought together over 500 students, parents, and staff to sample, celebrate, and shape the future of school meals. This year’s event featured an impressive lineup of 12 new scratch-cooked recipes, including Chicken Katsu, Coconut Chickpea Curry, and Sushi (both California Rolls and a vegetarian version). Participants voted for their favorite dishes using a QR code survey, ensuring that student and family voices directly influence upcoming menus.
The top selections: California Rolls, Chicken Katsu, Kati Kati Chicken, Vegetarian Sushi, Coconut Chickpea Curry, and Sheet Pan Pancakes with Apple Compote, will soon make their debut on PAUSD menus!
The event also welcomed distinguished guests, including Kim Frinzell, Director of Nutrition Services at the California Department of Education; Barbara Mechura, Director of USDA Programs for Action for Healthy Kids; and several regional food service directors from across the western states. They were both inspired and delighted by the creativity and quality of PAUSD’s scratch-cooked offerings.
The event fostered wonderful connections among parents, students, and the Student Nutrition Services team, who shared insights about PAUSD’s commitment to preparing healthy, nutritious meals from scratch. Attendees were amazed by the team’s dedication to serving wholesome food that supports student wellness and learning.
The Annual Tasting Day embodies PAUSD’s belief that school meals are about more than nutrition; they are an essential part of nurturing healthy, happy students.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and shared feedback. This year’s Tasting Day was a tremendous success!
Leading the Way in AI Literacy and Responsible Innovation
California has introduced new legislation encouraging school districts to promote responsible AI use and integrate AI literacy by 2026. PAUSD is leading this work through its AI NOW! Initiative, launched in 2022, is expanding each year. Last year, over 500 staff attended optional learning sessions led by our thirty-three K–12 AI Lead Teachers across our campuses. This year’s focus includes gathering student input and strengthening AI literacy across all grades, which prepares students to thrive in an AI-driven world. Staff will share more details at the upcoming Board meeting.
Our PAUSD Promise: Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellness - Highlights from the Suicide Prevention Awareness Family Education Event
On Monday, October 6, PAUSD partnered with Children’s Health Council (CHC) to host a thoughtful and engaging community event focused on student mental health and suicide prevention awareness. Families, students, and staff came together to learn, listen, and connect around the shared goal of supporting student well-being.
The evening began with a welcome from the Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Dawn Yoshinaga, who expressed gratitude for the shared commitment and community partnership in supporting youth mental health. Student Wellness Commissioners Melody Song (Gunn High School) and Maeve Williams (Palo Alto High School) led the evening as MCs, guiding the program with warmth, compassion, and hope.
Jennifer Leydecker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Program Manager at CHC’s RISE Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, delivered a compelling presentation on mental health wellness and supporting adolescents through crisis and recovery. She explored the risk and protective factors associated with suicide and offered practical guidance for families responding to a crisis. Ms. Leydecker emphasized the unique developmental challenges teens face, including establishing independence, forming their identity, and building social connections, all while navigating pressures from academics, social media, and experiences of discrimination. She highlighted warning signs of distress, shared strategies to promote resilience, and offered actionable approaches for supporting emotional well-being.
The presentation included ways parents can support their teens, such as:
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Foster Positive Relationships: Talk openly about mental health, show interest and validation, praise effort and progress, and model healthy coping skills.
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Communicate and Validate: Listen actively, use reflective and nonjudgmental language, ask questions to understand your teen’s perspective, and invite them to share what support they need.
Click here to view the full presentation slides on CHC’s website.
A panel discussion followed, moderated by Ms. Yoshinaga, featuring Ms. Leydecker; Dr. Vidya Krishnan, Chief Psychiatrist and Medical Director at CHC; Genavae Pierre Dixon, PAUSD Mental Health and Wellness Supervisor; and student panelists Kendall Butler (Paly) and Alina Fleischmann (Gunn). Panelists addressed questions from families on topics such as managing academic and social pressures, building connections in schools, reducing stigma, and having open, honest conversations about mental health and suicide.
The discussion highlighted the unique pressures students experience in the Bay Area, particularly around college expectations, and offered ways parents and caregivers can support their teens through listening, validation, modeling self-care, and encouraging balance. Panelists also emphasized early intervention, collaboration between families and schools, and normalizing mental health conversations at home.
The evening concluded with an overview of high school wellness and community mental health resources. PAUSD Mental Health and Wellness Coordinators Michelle Ramos (Gunn High School) and Andie Barker (Palo Alto High School) highlighted school-based supports, including Wellness Centers, student outreach, therapist support, and PRIME lessons on mental health topics. These resources help students feel more comfortable seeking support, increase access to services, and normalize wellness as a regular part of high school life.
Community providers Gloria Li, Youth Outreach Specialist at allcove Palo Alto, and Ariana Chini, Outlet Program Director at Adolescent Counseling Services, shared information about programs and services available outside of school. allcove provides mental and physical health care, support for substance use, peer support, and family education. Outlet offers LGBTQIA+ affirmative and gender-expansive counseling services for youth, including individual sessions, group programs, and peer support groups.
Special thanks to the Children’s Health Council for their expertise, our community partners who tabled at the event, the PTSAs from Gunn, Paly, and PAMC for providing refreshments, and the students who shared their voices during the event. We deeply appreciate our therapists, psychologists, counselors, teachers, and staff, who support students’ wellness each day and help create a safe, caring environment for every child.
Please check out our PAUSD Wellness Together Event Calendar for upcoming events in our community. Mental Health resources can be found on our website.
Panorama Family and Staff Surveys Coming Soon
Next week, families and staff will have the chance to share their experiences and thoughts about our school community. Your feedback will help us make sure everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection.
Families will receive a Panorama survey asking for feedback on their child’s school experience, including how students experience school, school safety and climate, and relationships between families and staff. Responses will help schools understand how welcomed and supported students and families feel and guide efforts to create a community where everyone belongs.
At the same time, staff will be invited to share their thoughts on school climate, well-being, and sense of belonging. Hearing from staff is essential for understanding our community and finding ways to make the school environment even more positive, safe, and supportive for everyone.
Parent Engagement Update from SmartSocial.com
We're excited to share that our partnership with SmartSocial.com has been a tremendous success, far exceeding our expectations and making a meaningful impact on our community. Our latest Parent Engagement Dashboard (as of October 10, 2025) reveals impressive results:
- 1,424 parents actively engaged weekly
- 276% of our goal achieved (original target: 516 parents)
- 467 estimated annual incidents avoided through proactive education
- 87 parent testimonials sharing positive feedback
The true measure of success comes from the families we've helped. Here's what parents in our community are saying:
One parent shared how attending a live session on video app engagement with her 7th grader sparked meaningful change: "It was helpful watching with her because she was taking screenshots of resources and even suggested a media 'contract' before it was mentioned in the talk... It was also comforting to see that our family is not alone in our social media/device struggles."
Another parent brought their 10-year-old to learn about healthy media habits: "We learned that keeping an open communication channel with our kids/teens is the primary way to keep the connection alive and let them know we're here for them, no matter what!"
Parents have also gained practical strategies, from understanding AI's role in their children's lives to learning the importance of playing games together for 15 minutes a week to build connection. This partnership has proven to be more than just a program; it's become a vital resource for families navigating the complex digital landscape. We're grateful to SmartSocial.com for their expertise and to our parent community for their enthusiastic participation. Together, we're creating safer, more connected digital experiences for our families.
To learn more or access parent resources, visit https://www.smartsocial.com/members?org=paloaltousd
