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Piedmont Pulse

Piedmont USD - Week 40 Update >>>

Piedmont PulsePiedmont USD - Week 40 Update >>>
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May 31, 2024


Dear PUSD Families:

We made it to week 40, and what a year! I want to thank our staff and families for a remarkable school year. This will be the final edition of the Piedmont Pulse until we resume school in August. This edition will include the following topics:


  1. So Much to Celebrate...

  2. PMS Leadership Update

  3. Banners at our Schools

  4. Thank you, Boosters!

  5. Net Promoter Score… Pulse Check

  6. Reminders: MHS Open Enrollment, Piedmont Inclusive Preschool, Alumni Network, & Summer Adventures Registration


In partnership,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

So Much to Celebrate...

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What an amazing spring season for our athletics teams, including the most recent record for our Baseball team who crushed Capuchino, 13-1 on Tuesday and again crushed it against Colusa, 5-0 on Thursday. We host Bradshaw Christian on Saturday at 4PM for the Northern State Championship. Come out and support our championship team!


Congratulations to all of our students who were promoted from 5th to 6th grade, from 8th to 9th grade, and to all of our high school graduates. What an amazing year of accomplishments for our students, and it was a joy to see students honored at the middle school 8th grade celebration and high school graduation ceremonies yesterday and later today.


Thank you, Teachers, for this year’s collaboration on coming to the Tentative Agreement, which was ratified by APT on Thursday, 5/30, and will go before the Board for approval on 6/12. We look forward to continued collaboration with our teachers and staff to build an environment where our educators are supported and can thrive.

PMS Leadership Update

We are super-excited about the appointment of Jamie Van Kleeck as the next Assistant Principal for Piedmont Middle School.


Jamie's educational journey spans 20 years, starting as a classroom teacher. Her tenure at PMS began in 2012 when she initially served as a Core 7 teacher. Her dedication and leadership were quickly recognized, leading her to take on the ASB leadership class, a role she held for 9 years. Jamie's versatility and commitment were further demonstrated in her positions as a full-time English 8 teacher, a CoTaught English teacher, and a valued member of our MTSS team.


Jamie earned an undergraduate degree from Cal State Hayward in Liberal Studies/Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in English, a multiple-subject teaching credential from Saint Mary’s College, and Single Subject Credential from UC San Diego.


For the past 12 years, she has demonstrated her leadership skills and dedication to PMS and PUSD in various roles, including supporting new and developing teachers as a TEAM and TIP mentor, holding the position of English Department Chair, MTSS TOSA, and advocating for many other initiatives and goals at PMS.


The selection process for the Assistant Principal position was rigorous and comprehensive. We received a total of 36 applications, from which we shortlisted 9 candidates for the first round of interviews. Following this, 4 candidates were invited for a second round of interviews. The interview panels were diverse, including teachers, staff, and parents. The process involved blind performance writing tasks and a range of scenario and value-based questions, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of each candidate's suitability. I also had an opportunity to meet with Ms. Van Kleeck, who clearly shines as a leader. It was through this extensive interview process that Jamie Van Kleeck emerged as the clear choice.


Throughout the selection process, Jamie's exceptional qualities shone through. Her passion for middle school students, dedication to rigorous academics, strong moral compass, and commitment to DEIB work were evident. Her collaborative approach and clear vision for PMS, combined with her can-do attitude, make her an ideal fit for our school.


Banners at our Schools

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You may have noticed new banners that now grace the front of each of our campuses, and what an amazing look they bring to our schools. Thank you to PEF for funding these banners, a process that started at the beginning of the school year. And, a special thank you to Steve Humphries for his amazing highlander artwork, Sarah Meyjes for design work, both Lindsay Thomasson and Sarah for support on where to display the banners, and Pete Palmer, along with our maintenance crew, for getting the banners professionally displayed at each of our campuses.

Thank You, Boosters!

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Just a quick note of thanks to Boosters for their amazing work this year! We have a dedicated outgoing and incoming Board and growing participation, overall. Having observed these dedicated parents who volunteer their time for our student athletes, I have such confidence in their ability to support the thriving programs we offer. Thank you to the outgoing Board, especially Chris Hart for his efforts to improve and leave Boosters in good hands with incoming President, Keri Elmquist. Thank you, Boosters, for a great year, and we look forward to even better years ahead.

Net Promoter Score… How likely are you to recommend Piedmont schools?

As we close out the year, here is a Net Promoter Score (NPS) “Pulse Check” on how likely you are to recommend our schools. We invite you to take this quick, one-question survey, linked HERE. We recognize that families have a number of school options, and this end of the year “Pulse Check” is an additional method for gathering feedback on school satisfaction. We invite both staff and families to participate in this survey. Thank you!

Millennium High School (MHS) Open Enrollment

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Millennium High School is a free, small, public alternative high school and is part of the Piedmont Unified School District. Millennium is currently accepting applications for students who live outside of Piedmont and are entering grades 9th through 12th. No application is required for Piedmont residents.


ABOUT MILLENNIUM HIGH SCHOOL

  • College Preparatory Courses
  • Safe, Supportive, and Non-Competitive Environment Where Everyone is Welcome
  • Small Learning Community with a Low Teacher to Student Ratio
  • Diverse and Inclusive Student Body
  • Student-Centered Environment focused on Wellness and Individual Success
  • Students live in cities throughout the East Bay


APPLY TODAY!

Visit the Millennium website to apply: https://mhs.piedmont.k12.ca.us/about-mhs/application-process. The new school year starts on August 12, 2024. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Principal Irma Muñoz Daniels directly at (510) 594-2703 or imunoz@piedmont.k12.ca.us, or see more information linked HERE

PIP: Piedmont Inclusive Preschool

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PUSD is thrilled to be expanding its esteemed Early Intervention Preschool Program at Havens by offering children who reside in Piedmont, who do not meet TK-age eligibility, an opportunity to attend PUSD as a preschooler. The PUSD Early Intervention Preschool program has supported the community’s youngest learners with disabilities since 2014 and is now enrolling a limited number of general education preschool-age students to create an inclusive preschool.


More information about the program is linked HERE, and please join us for an informational Open House next Thursday, June 6th from 4:30-6 p.m. in Room 110 at Havens. Parents and prospective preschoolers are welcome to attend.

[SUBMIT INTEREST HERE]

Piedmont Alumni Network

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Class of 2024 and all PHS/MHS alumni, sign up for the Piedmont Alumni Network linked HERE. The goal is to build and reinforce connections and community pride by connecting alumni in one place. We are in the early stages of exploring how we might connect our alumni, but for now, please share this link with any of our alumni. Whether you graduated many years ago, or you are graduating this year, sign up HERE.

PUSD Offers Summer Programs: Summer Adventures

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If you're still seeking a dynamic summer program, look no further! We're excited to bring back Summer Adventures, featuring a small and special program. Join us for an enriching start to summer at PUSD Summer Adventures Session One from June 5th to June 14th, running from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (or 3:00 PM for extended hours). Mornings will be filled with a blend of math, science, language arts, and art, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience. In the afternoons, children will enjoy a camp-like atmosphere with games, park play, and crafts. Additionally, we have a few openings in our "Welcome to TK/Kinders" and "Welcome to 6th Grade" programs. These programs are designed to aid in the transition and provide children with a preview of the exciting school year ahead. Visit our website to register today - it's a great way to support our district! Limited spots are available, so don't wait to sign up.


Registration is open on Infinite Campus. Visit our website and learn more about our exciting summer programs: https://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/summer-school


For more information, contact Erin Rivera, Summer Adventures Coordinator, at erivera@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

PUSD News & Notes

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To our Asian American students, staff, and families, we celebrate you now and ALWAYS!


Jewish American Heritage Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month. To our Jewish American students, staff, and families, we celebrate you now and ALWAYS!


LGBTQ+ Pride Month - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. To our LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families, we celebrate you now and ALWAYS!


Father's Day - To all the dads out there, Happy Father's Day on June 16th!


Juneteenth - The California Department of Education and PUSD recognize Juneteenth on June 19th, commemorating the emancipation of the enslaved African Americans back in 1865. PUSD will be closed on this date.


Piedmont Pulse Updates - Please note that I will be sending out Piedmont Pulse newsletter every other week. Archived Piedmont Pulse Newsletters are linked HERE


PEF - The Giving Campaign - The Giving Campaign officially ended in December; however, you can still give. We are grateful to our community for their support of our outstanding teachers and programs. If you are able to give, go HERE.


Piedmont Portal - For all of the latest school and community events, please visit the Piedmont Portal linked HERE


Donate for Absences - Parents, please remember that if your child needs to be out of school, you can submit payment HERE for the lost revenue. Each day that a student is out of school (for any reason, including illness) means a loss of revenue in the following amounts per day: TK-3rd Grade = $61.32; 4th-6th Grade = $56.39; 7th-8th Grade = $58.06; 9th-12th Grade = $61.20. This is invitational, of course.


Witter Field Renovation Project Updates - For updates on the Witter Field Renovation Project, please go to our Facilities page on our PUSD website.


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.

Jennifer Hawn
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