Superintendent's Update - October 17, 2025
Superintendent's Update - October 17, 2025
From the Office of the Superintendent
Board Agenda Calendar
View Calendar of Board Items 2025-26
Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
It’s a beautiful day outside! The weather certainly cooperated with us for the Special Olympics held and Greene Middle School today. Then again, I am not sure that brisk winds and cold rain could have dampened the spirits of our staff and students in a “competition” where everyone leaves a winner. My wife and I laugh that we rarely left a club volleyball tournament where most kids weren’t upset or sad about something. Expectations and framing are important. Today, the expectation was that kids were going to be kids. That includes laughing, hugging, cheering, smiling, and celebrating. We would have a special world if THAT were the expectation for more things we do!
As mentioned last week, I met with our Superintendent’s Student Advisor Council recently and reaffirmed that the time we spend together is not performative. Instead, the time we spend together informs our thinking and makes a difference. A few things came out of the meeting that are worth sharing or repeating.
At our recent meeting of the Board of Education, we had several students speak, including members of my council. One example was a deeper exploration of the Advanced Diploma that was originally shared as a concept worth discussion. Once our students fully understood that the original idea was simply a conversation starter, they relaxed and had a fantastic and insightful conversation. While there were dissenting opinions, it became clear that the recognition program did not resonate with students in the same way it did with some parents. As a result, we announced that the Advanced Diploma recognition idea is dropped. That’s a victory. It’s a victory that we were able to explore an idea civilly, hear different opinions, look at it from several angles, and ultimately decide to set it aside.
The cell phone policy came to the board meeting for discussion as well. While it is coming back to our Board Policy Review Committee one more time before a return to the full school board, we seem to have an agreement. Cell phones look to be restricted throughout the day at the elementary and middle school levels. That aligns with current practice, so it should feel the same to our students. Cell phones will be restricted during instructional time at the high schools. This largely aligns with current practice, with a few details still under review. Once a final policy is approved (proposed for our November meeting), we will communicate the outcomes broadly.
AI NOW! Presentation
Click to watch the presentation from this week’s board meeting.
As California prepares to mandate AI policies and literacy by 2026 (SB 1288, AB 2876), PAUSD's AI NOW! Initiative, now in its third year, positions us as a state leader in this critical work. The initiative has grown significantly since 2022-23, when over 100 stakeholders collaborated to create our foundational AI Guidance Document. In 2023-24, we launched AI workshops for District staff, and in 2024-25 scaled to 33 K-12 AI Lead Teachers who have delivered over 60 sessions to more than 510 colleagues.
In 2025-26, at the secondary level, we're empowering teachers with clear guidance and support. All secondary teachers received the PAUSD Generative AI Guidelines for 2025-26 Course Syllabus and participated in AI professional development on October 3, 2025. Moving forward, we're planning to integrate student voices to ensure their perspectives shape this work.
Our elementary approach is intentionally different, focusing on teaching students how to think and act in a world where AI exists rather than simply how to use it. Elementary AI Lead Teachers have identified three foundational skill areas: Digital Citizenship (understanding AI as a tool and using it responsibly), Critical & Creative Thinking (discerning fact from fiction, problem-solving, and fostering curiosity), and Core Human Skills (literacy, empathy, collaboration, and valuing the learning process). Elementary AI Lead Teachers meet on October 17, 2025.
Looking ahead, PAUSD is envisioning the Innovation Design Labs concept as part of our Facilities Long-Term Master Plan. Inspired by Stanford's AI Tinkery and Makery, these spaces will provide hands-on, AI-integrated learning experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving, and early career exploration, bridging foundational skills to real-world applications.
Nixon Elementary Mural
This month, the VAPA Department teamed up with Nixon Elementary to bring a vibrant new mural to life! Designed by students and brought to life under the guidance of PAUSD Spectra Art teacher and mural artist Eddie Ramirez, the mural features playful dolphins, rolling ocean waves, and a rainbow-filled sky. The mural is a joyful celebration of creativity, community, and color.
Over the course of a week, Kindergarten through 5th-grade students contributed their own brushstrokes to the project, making it a true school-wide collaboration. Together, students not only created a beautiful piece of art but also a lasting memory of teamwork, creativity, and connection to their school community. We love seeing our students’ creativity shine across campus!
Artemis: ARBORESQUE
On Monday, the VAPA department brought students from the Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School jazz bands to attend a concert and clinic featuring Artemis, an award-winning all-women jazz ensemble. Named for the Greek goddess of hunting, Artemis unites five instrumental virtuosos in jazz. Pianist and composer Renee Rosnes leads the quintet with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller.
This event combined a live performance with an interactive improvisation clinic with Glover, Ueda, and Jensen at Gunn High School. Students had the opportunity to learn and play alongside the Artemis musicians, building a song by ear together and taking turns improvising over the chord changes. The ensemble’s depth of knowledge and inspiring approach provided our young musicians with an unforgettable and enriching experience.
A special thank you to Stanford Live for their partnership and continued support in providing these incredible learning opportunities for our students.
