Superintendent's Update - September 26, 2025

Sep 26 2025

From the Office of the Superintendent

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Superintendent Austin’s Message . . .

This week, I kept coming back to a line from Bruce Springsteen’s The River: “They bring you up to do like your daddy done.” Ten simple words that say a lot about how we’re shaped.

I grew up around people who built and fixed things. They were machinists, laborers, truck drivers, and a dad who worked the highways for Caltrans. It was honest work with a clear purpose. They taught me to provide for my family, show up, and do a day’s work for a day’s pay. That path was almost mine. I didn’t take it, but I respect it deeply.

Palo Alto is a different map, but the compass can point the same way. Many of our students watch parents who are world-class in their fields. The work is different, the expectations are different, but the pull to follow is familiar. Every kid wants to make their parents proud. That was true for me in Chula Vista, and it’s true for the students who walk into our classrooms every day.

Our job is to honor both truths at once, which includes the pride of family legacy and the freedom to chart a new course. Some students will follow closely in their parents’ footsteps. Others will take the values they learned at home, including discipline, curiosity, and grit, and apply them somewhere unexpected. Both deserve our full support.

I have heard some recent debates about the importance of an internship versus getting a traditional job. My unsolicited thought on this matter is that both are good, but sometimes a traditional entry-level job teaches us things we may not expect. Regardless of where we end up, our first jobs matter. My first job was assembling bicycles at Pep Boys, and my second was working at Pogo’s Pizza in downtown San Diego. I remember those jobs, and our students will remember their first jobs as well. Maybe I just didn’t have internships on my radar when I was 16, but I support the idea of working hard for a small amount of money when we are young.

When a student is chasing a dream that matches the family résumé, cheer them on. When a student is quietly testing a different path, make space for that too. The goal isn’t to script a life, but to help young people build one they can own, rooted in respect for where they came from and confident about where they’re going.

Bruce is right. We are all shaped by where we start and what we are willing to challenge.

Supporting Students’ Mental Health & Wellness from Elementary to High School

Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that mental health is important for everyone, every day, and that small acts of care can make a difference.

This fall, our schools have launched programs and initiatives that support students’ mental health, social-emotional growth, and overall well-being. PAUSD students are supported each day by teachers, therapists, psychologists, and counselors across a wide range of social, emotional, and academic areas. Classroom lessons and wellness activities help students express and manage their emotions, build social skills, and support their sense of belonging.

Here are some highlights of how students are being supported across our schools:

At Juana Briones Elementary, the Wellness Center is a calm and welcoming space where students can start their day or take a break during recess. Students enjoy mindful coloring, sensory tools, and reading to relax and practice self-care. The Wellness Center is also available to families and staff, offering books and resources to support mental health and well-being.

Students at Escondido Elementary use the Kimochis program alongside the district’s SEL curriculum, Second Step. Kimochis features fun, friendly characters that help children recognize and express their emotions, build empathy, and develop positive relationships. The program includes plushy characters and hands-on activities that make learning about feelings engaging and accessible. Families can learn more about Kimochis at kimochis.com.

Transitions can be especially challenging in middle school, where students are navigating new classes, teachers, and social dynamics, finding new friends, and adjusting to different expectations for each subject and grade level. At JLS Middle School, staff support students in building routines and coping strategies to manage stress and gain independence. Students also have opportunities to participate in wellness activities that allow them to pause, reflect, and practice skills that support their social-emotional growth.

Parent tip: Support your child in developing and practicing their routines. A consistent routine, even with trial and error, helps them set up their days for success and build stepping stones toward independence.

At Greene Middle School, counselors and mental health therapists are working together to offer small groups for students on topics such as Coping with Stress and Anxiety, Making Friends and Building Relationships, and Positive Communication. These groups provide a safe space for students to practice skills and receive guidance.

At Palo Alto High School, students can participate in Morning Mindfulness sessions before school on Wednesdays, led by a Paly therapist. Sessions include sound bathing, guided breathwork, and setting intentions for the day to help students start focused and calm. Supportive signage has also been posted inside every restroom stall on campus, a simple but powerful reminder that help is always available in the Wellness Center for any student who might be struggling or seeking support. In addition, Paly Wellness has launched a birthday initiative. Students celebrating their birthday receive a message via Schoology and an invitation to stop by the Wellness Center for a goodie bag and handwritten card, helping students feel recognized and valued.

At Gunn High School, students can participate in a Teen Mental Health First Aid Training during Prime. This six-session program equips students with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges among their peers. The first session, held in October, introduces mental health fundamentals, common challenges, and strategies to reduce stigma, helping students support themselves and each other. During Suicide Prevention Month, students are encouraged to check in with friends they are worried about, be present, help them connect with others, and contact a professional if needed. Gunn staff remind students, “You belong and you matter; yesterday, today, tomorrow, and always.”

These highlights show just some of the many ways teachers, counselors, and mental health and wellness staff support students’ mental health every day. Staff continue to create programs, spaces, and activities that help students manage emotions, build social-emotional skills, and feel supported as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Stay connected to mental health and wellness resources by following our new Instagram account @pausd.wellness. You can also find information about upcoming local events on the PAUSD Wellness Together Events Calendar.