Superintendent's Update - October 18, 2024
Superintendent's Update - October 18, 2024
From the Office of the Superintendent
Board Agenda Calendar
View Calendar of Board Items 2024-25
Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .
Palo Alto Unified School District manages a $340 million budget, with 87% directed toward staff costs, reflecting its focus on providing high-quality education through exceptional personnel. PAUSD’s unique staffing demonstrates its dedication to student support and instructional excellence. These investments contribute to PAUSD’s reputation as one of California’s top districts.
Please see this video for more information: https://youtu.be/Wv5LF76-878
Join us for an important virtual event: "Combat Online Bullying
October 22nd at 4PM
Learn how to support positive student behaviors online and offline with Superintendent Austin and Josh Ochs from SmartSocial.
Topics include:
• Defining cyberbullying
• Expert advice on prevention
• Supporting affected students
• Guidance for parents
Register now! Scan the QR code or click this link to register for a free account and join the meeting.
Come out to Arts In Unusual Places this Saturday, October 19th!
Stanford Shopping Mall from 10:00 am-12:30 pm
All Performances and Visual Art on display will be near Free People and Sunglass Hut
Schedule of Performances:
Gunn Saxophone Ensembles: 10-10:30 am
Gunn Jazz Combo: 10:30 -11:00 am
Paly Orchestra Ensembles: 11:00-11:20 am
Paly Choirs Madrigals: 11:20-11:50 am
Gunn Theatre and Paly Theatre Improv Groups: 12:00-12:30 pm
Paly Visual Art and Gunn Visual Art: Painting, Drawing, Photography, Ceramics, and Sculpture will be on display from 10:00-12:30 pm in an outdoor gallery!
Unity Day: Strengthening Our Community
On Unity Day, our district came together to stand against bullying and promote kindness, inclusion, and acceptance. This special day emphasizes the importance of cultivating safe and supportive environments where every student feels valued and respected.
Students participated in a variety of activities that reinforced our commitment to these values. They created school-wide unity chains, linking pledges to celebrate each other’s uniqueness, and engaged in cooperative games that fostered teamwork and friendship. Handprint displays served as powerful reminders of our commitment to welcoming all, while collaborative activities encouraged students to share and celebrate their diverse backgrounds.
By wearing orange for Unity Day, we symbolized our collective dedication to acceptance, demonstrating that when we embrace our differences and practice kindness, we build an inclusive school environment where everyone belongs.
Social-Emotional Learning for Middle School
On Monday’s professional learning day, middle school teachers dedicated the afternoon to training on the newly adopted Wayfinder social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum, led by Wayfinder facilitators. This session provided an opportunity for educators to deepen their understanding of the curriculum's components and implementation strategies. By collaborating and sharing best practices, our teachers are enhancing their ongoing support for student well-being with engaging and effective SEL lessons. We celebrate their commitment to professional growth and the positive impact they have on our middle school students. You can learn more about Wayfinder here.
PAUSD PROMISE: Mental Health & Wellness
In a meaningful professional learning session, 80 mental health and wellness professionals, including school psychologists, mental health therapists, and nurses, came together to strengthen their support for students and families. The day covered essential topics such as grief, consent, confidentiality, and considerations for students with disabilities. Equity work was an important area of focus of the learning and staff explored ways to use an equity literacy framework to promote inclusivity and support the diverse needs of all students. We deeply appreciate our mental health and health services teams for their ongoing collaboration and support, which is essential to the well-being and safety of our students and families.
Nutrition Services On-Site Cooking
Student Nutrition Services is bringing cooking on-site to the new kitchen at Palo Verde and soon to the El Carmelo Elementary School kitchen!
All entrees are cooked on-site and all packaging is removed. The ingredients come from the JLS Central Kitchen and the Palo Verde food staff and El Carmelo food staff prepare the food and package it in new reusable lunchware. All non-whole fruit and vegetables are served in stainless steel, reusable portion cups.
Palo Verde and El Carmelo’s MP Rooms and kitchens have been remodeled and Student Nutrition Services has now added ovens with the approval of the Santa Clara County Health Department.
Student Nutrition Services has already started cooking on-site at Palo Verde Elementary and the plan is to start El Carmelo by the end of October. The Escondido Elementary new kitchen, which is scheduled to open during Thanksgiving Break will be next.
Students will use reusable lunch ware that is washed on site as each new kitchen has a dish machine.
The Student Nutrition staff will work with each elementary school Green Team student and have reusable lunchware collection stations around the campus.
