PUSD Teaching and Learning

Dear PUSD Community,

A huge congratulations is due to our 33 Amador Valley and 11 Foothill 2023 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists. This award recognizes students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Well done, PUSD scholars!

This week, I had the opportunity to host Alameda County Superintendent Alysse Castro and ACOE Board Trustee Cheryl Cook-Kaleo as they stopped for a visit to Mr. Kevin Kiyoi’s classroom at Amador Valley High School. To say that they were impressed with the level of student engagement in the Advanced Computer Science class would be a huge understatement. It was clear to our guests exactly why Mr. Kiyoi was named the 2023 PUSD Teacher of the Year. He is now being considered for the ACOE Teacher of the Year award. Well done, Kevin.

Speaking of Amador Valley High School, the school’s Centennial Celebration kicked off last night and will run through Saturday. I look forward to celebrating with the Pleasanton community today at 2:30 p.m. as the Centennial Parade makes its way down Main Street. The parade will be followed by the annual Pigskin Event on campus and a football game on Walker Field.

If you cannot be there in person, please rest assured that Friday’s events will be recorded by our partners at Tri-Valley TV and then rebroadcast at later times. The 100th Birthday celebration will be capped off Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast that will be hosted by the Amador Friends of Music.

On behalf of the PUSD Board of Trustees, I want to express gratitude to the group of community members and Amador alumni who made this celebration possible — including their fearless leader, Joanie Fields. Learn more about the celebration at Amador100.com.

As I close out my message, I want to speak to the responsibility that educators as public servants have in creating and maintaining safe and inclusive learning environments and work spaces. As leaders of a public school district, this truth is central to our mission and vision, and it fuels work to promote wellness and inclusive practices across organizations. Locally, we watched as Superintendent Molleen Barnes was recently forced into a difficult situation. I am proud of her efforts to stand up for her students and I stand with her in that effort.

As a Board of Trustees, we share this core organizational value. In PUSD this work is grounded in our equity policy and has been reiterated in various resolutions that the Board has adopted over time. Each of our students should experience school as a safe space — a community where they feel seen and valued for who they are. A place where they belong.

Increasingly, what I believe to be a basic human right is being confused with and threatened by politics. Some of the very things that make our students and staff uniquely special as humans are being targeted — threatening them with further marginalization. The recent behaviors of adults who hold power in school districts is deeply concerning to me. This includes actions to set aside efforts that promote inclusivity, as well as those which aim to silence anyone who advocates for themselves and/or a loved one.

I fear for the mental health of our young people, but also of their families, and for members of our staff who are feeling attacked and excluded by what they see happening around them. These valued members of our PUSD community deserve to have their identities recognized and celebrated — especially as they are subjected to efforts to marginalize or disenfranchise them occurring nearby.

As a Board, we must continue to foster environments that respect, honor, and celebrate the identities of each student and staff member, so they are inspired and empowered to succeed because of their inclusion within the broader community and ultimately go out and make a better world.

I share this message because I know that our young people are watching our actions. They see the things we do and do not do on their behalf. The things we say and do not say when issues like these arise. As I have taught my own children — and many others in my social science classroom — silence implies consent.

Said another way, by John Stuart Mill in 1867, “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.”

I am grateful for our Board who has and will continue to embrace the role of an ally — to advocate for inclusive practices and the celebration of each student, family, and staff member, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

All are welcome here, and we are proud to celebrate you.

Sincerely,

David Haglund, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools

(Superintendent’s Comments at the September 14, 2023 Board meeting)

Had the pleasure of hosting ACOE Superintendent Castro and Trustee Cook-Kalliofir a visit to the classroom of Pleasanton Unified School District Teacher of the Year, Kevin Kiyoi this morning.

Mr. Kiyoi and his students did not disappoint. This advanced computer science class, which Mr. Kiyoi wrote, is unique in the State and filled with young innovators who are poised to solve problems in creative ways. Super inspiring!

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians and Staff of our Pleasanton Community,

We ask for your input on some of the most important issues we need to think about as we experience distance learning during COVID-19. To gather your feedback, we're using a tool called Thought Exchange. All of our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued.

Click here to participate:

https://my.thoughtexchange.com/ #550042382/hub

You'll be asked to respond to one open-ended question, consider and assign stars to some of the ideas shared by others (20 to 30 is ideal), and learn what's important to the group.Your thoughts and stars are confidential. Thoughts will be shared with other participants, but not the identities of those sharing the thoughts. You will see and rate the thoughts that others have provided, based on how important you feel the ideas are to you. Please be polite and respectful as you share and rate thoughts, and refrain using names of people or schools.

The ratings will help us understand the most important areas to focus on as we continue to adapt to the current situation.Participation will be open for the next several weeks, so please continue to add your thoughts in the upcoming weeks!

For more information visit: www.thoughtexchange.com

Thank you for your participation!

Keep People Connected

Girls Who Code at PMS...our future is in good hands with these young people leading the way! Pair programming, building apps, and more! Impressive!

Every student is totally on task and engaged as they answer questions about Greek mythology. Also, what informative learning charts! Having a great time at Alisal!

At Hart Middle School, the TUPE Leadership Team, consisting of eighth grade students, did a presentation to all students during PE classes. The presentation was about the dangers of va**ng, and it sure was powerful!

Wow! History comes alive during the African American Living Museum at Fairlands Elementary school, hosted by Mrs. Lack and her fifth grade class.

So enjoyed my visits to Walnut Grove Elementary School, Harvest Park Middle School and Pleasanton Middle School. I saw some fantastic instruction, students engage in writing, and interactive activities.

What a great week! Had a chance to visit and walk classrooms at many schools. Also loved connecting with the Vintage Hills parents School Smarts. Love this job!