October 2, 2023

Dear Piedmont USD Families,

It was great seeing everyone at the Piedmont Art Walk yesterday. October has arrived, and I can already feel the cooler weather coming. This week's topics include the following:

• Sad News
• The History of Raises in PUSD - Update
• AP Courses & Student Stress - Update
• Future Topics
  
• News & Notes

In Partnership,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Families, we sent the communication below out earlier today regarding the death of Jason Darling. This is a profound loss for our staff and community. At this time, we are lucky to have the care and support of our amazing counselors (including the Wellness Center team), our administrators, and our teachers. Let us all care for each other during this difficult time.

It is with great sadness that I am writing to share with you that Jason Darling, District IT Specialist, died unexpectedly this weekend. Jason has served as a valuable member of our technology team since 2016. Prior to this role, Jason worked as a Paraeducator at Piedmont High School and at the Adult School.

Jason was instrumental in PUSD’s launch of the Connected Learning Chromebook 1:1 program, along with the district’s network improvement and technology infrastructure in the new STEAM and Theater buildings. At a time when technology became integral to education, Jason provided essential technical expertise to our students and staff. About Jason’s service, Director of Technology, Stephanie Griffin noted, “Jason brought a lot of camaraderie and teamwork to the IT Department and across the district. He was a jokester, enjoyed wearing a costume or ugly sweater to a district holiday potluck, and was also dedicated to supporting staff and students across the district.” Jason’s quiet leadership and strong sense of service to our community will be dearly missed.

Jason Darling has deep roots in the community, both as a graduate of Piedmont High School and as a member of the Mockel family. Jason is survived by his uncle, Ron Mockel who works at the Adult School and in other capacities throughout the district. Ken Mockel, former PUSD employee, was step-father to Jason. Jamieson (Jamie) Mockel, PHS/MHS English teacher, was Jason’s brother. In addition, Peggy Mockel, who worked for the Adult School, was Jason’s grandmother, and Dennis Mockel, our Adult School photography teacher, was Jason’s uncle. Jason is also survived by his mother Diane, his wife Kristen, and his two children who attend our schools.

We are incredibly sad to lose Jason Darling as a respected member of our staff. He will be greatly missed.

After last week's Piedmont Pulse newsletter, I received a number of inquiries about administrative salary increases. I have updated the chart to include all three groups, including APSA, which is our administrative group. I have also received questions about whether or not PUSD provides a "me too" clause, which is typically defined as a requirement to offer the same compensation increases to all bargaining groups. PUSD does not have a "me too" clause; however, you can see that the District has made an effort to offer the same or similar increase to the three bargaining groups over the last five years. Compensation aside, what I know about our staff, is that whether you work 185 days as most of our APT and CSEA staff work, or the 210-225 days that our APSA members work, all of our PUSD staff work extraordinarily hard and with outstanding expertise. We are fortunate to have such a great team.

My thanks to the many individuals who responded to my Pulse Check on AP courses and student support. A little over 50 responded, mostly parents, but also students and teachers. Of the respondents, the majority see AP offerings as necessary and a positive in the high school course offerings. The critical importance of teachers and how they support students who take AP courses also emerged as a theme in the responses. A second theme was the idea that parents and students can choose whether or not to take APs, which was noted as preferred over simply reducing or limiting the number of APs a student can take. Respondents also commented on the importance of high quality guidance counseling in advising students and parents in the appropriate selection of courses. Finally, respondents remarked on the increasing importance of APs as a factor in college admissions, given the number of schools that have eliminated the SAT/ACT requirement.

On the note of college admissions, you may have read the article recently published by the Brookings Institution, where researchers associated life expectancy with a bachelor's degree. The data results are striking, and I encourage you to take a look (linked HERE). Gaining admission and completing a college degree continue to be important, perhaps even to the health of an individual. Respondents emphasized the importance of APs and rigorous coursework as an essential part of the college admissions process.

More to come on this topic, but most responded with support for the AP courses we currently offer, and there was also a clear theme of gratitude for our teachers and counselors who do great work with students who take AP courses.

Just a reminder that we still have three engagement sessions scheduled at our schools to provide input on the PUSD strategic plan:

• Beach, 10/10 at 6:30 p.m.
• MHS, 10/12 at 7:00 p.m. (virtual)
• PHS, 10/13 at 9 a.m.

If you cannot attend your school's session, please join us at any of the other sessions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Future topics include an update on our school calendar survey results (still in progress...coming soon) and information on our budget. If you have topics you are particularly interested in, please reach out to me at jhawn@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

Latinx/National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th through October 15th is recognized by the PUSD and the CDE as Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. We celebrate our LatinX students, staff and families this month and ALWAYS.

Filipino American History Month - The CDE recognizes October as Filipino American History Month. We celebrate our Filipino American students, staff and families this month and ALWAYS.

World Teachers' Day - The CDE recognizes October 5th as World Teachers' Day. Teachers, we recognize you on this day and ALWAYS.

Week of the School Administrator - The CDE recognizes October 8-12 as the Week of the School Administrator. School Administrators, we recognize you this week and ALWAYS.

Piedmont Boosters Oktoberfest - October 22nd from 12PM - 5PM. More information HERE

Witter Field Renovation Project Updates - For updates on the Witter Field Renovation Project, please go to our Facilities page on our PUSD website. The 9/1 update is available now.

Community Pool Construction Update - Safety measures around the Community Pool Project construction site on Magnolia Ave. across from PHS/MHS are currently in effect. Visit the City of Piedmont's website for details.

Work for PUSD - PUSD is seeking candidates for a variety of positions. Visit the District's Edjoin page for a complete list of jobs available and to apply online.

Substitutes Needed - Support students while earning up to $200/day. PUSD seeking substitute teachers for the 2023-24 school year. Visit the District's EdJoin page for more information and to apply.

Follow PUSD - Please read our school newsletters sent out weekly for update to date information. The District Facebook (@piedmontunified), Twitter (@piedmontunified), Instagram (@piedmontusd) and Threads (@piedmontusd@threads) pages are active.

Email: communication@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Website: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us
Location: 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA, USA
Phone: 510-594-2600