Admissions time in Piedmont comes as schools face further declines, forcing school closures in some Bay Area cities.

“The [California] 1.8% enrollment decline, on top of the 2.6% record drop in 2020-21, is a combined loss of 271,000 students since Covid struck in spring 2020. Enrollment as of Census Day, always the first Wednesday of October, was 5.89 million students this year; five years ago, it was 6.23 million.”  Ed Source, April 11, 2022

Read more here

PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMISSION

Age of Admission to Kindergarten and First Grade

Proof of age shall be required of all enrolling students.

At the beginning of each school year, the Superintendent or designee shall enroll any otherwise eligible child into Kindergarten only if they will have their fifth birthday on or before September 1 of that year and into First Grade only if they will have their 6th birthday on or before September of that year. (Education Code 48000, 48010)

Any child who will have his/her fifth birthday from September 2 through December 2 of the school year shall be offered a transitional kindergarten (TK) program in accordance with law and Board policy. (Education Code 48000)

(cf. 5123 – Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)

(cf. 6170.1 – Transitional Kindergarten)

On a case-by-case basis, a child who will turn five years old in a given school year may be enrolled in kindergarten at any time during that school year with the approval of the child’s parent/guardian, provided that: (Education Code 48000)

1. The Governing Board determines that the admittance is in the best interests of the child.
2. The parent/guardian is given information regarding the advantages and disadvantages and any other explanatory information about the effect of this early admittance.

(cf. 5145.6 – Parental Notifications)

The Superintendent or designee shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding whether a child should be granted early entry to kindergarten. In doing so, the Superintendent or designee shall consider various factors including the availability of classroom space and any negotiated maximum class size.

(cf. 6151 – Class Size)

(cf. 7111 – Evaluating Existing Buildings)

Documentation of Age/Grade

Prior to the admission of a child to kindergarten or first grade, the parent/guardian shall present proof of the child’s age. (Education Code 48002)

Evidence of the child’s age may include: (Education Code 48002)

1. A certified copy of a birth certificate or a statement by the local registrar or county recorder certifying the date of birth
2. A duly attested baptism certificate
3. A passport

When none of the foregoing is obtainable, the parent/guardian may provide any other appropriate means of proving the age of the child. (Education Code 48002)

Transitional Kindergarten 

Senate Bill 1381 also created a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) for all public elementary schools. Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. 

Students whose 5th birthday falls between September 2nd and December 2nd are eligible for the Transitional Kindergarten Program only, with the expectation that they will participate in traditional kindergarten the following year.

CONTACT THE PIEDMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Piedmont Unified School District

Piedmonters deserve more input and collaboration on the selection of the new high and middle school principals – 

  This year, Piedmonters have gifted over 16 million dollars to our schools–this is in addition to our property taxes.  Such support warrants much more communication from Superintendent Booker related to the hiring of the new high and middle school principals.  Almost all the information requested by parents at the March 17th Piedmont High School Parents Club meeting still has not been revealed.  Our schools are key to our city, and the principals are key to our schools. 

 Piedmonters deserve more input and collaboration on this important position.  Other school districts in California collaborate more with their citizens.

As background context please refer to Jay Russell’s reporting on Page 7 of the April 13, 2022 edition of the Piedmont Post.

Dai Meagher, Piedmont Resident

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.

NOMINATION PERIOD FOR 2022 ARTHUR HECHT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is presented annually to individuals who have volunteered their efforts over a period of time and made a difference because of their involvement and commitment to Piedmont’s youth. Following are the previous recipients: Hunter McCreary (1998); Ann Chandler (1999); Ruth Cuming (2000); Lisa Lomenzo (2001); jointly by Cathie Geddeis and Marion Souyoultzis (2002); jointly by Fritz and Mary Wooster (2003); Elizabeth (Betsy) Gentry (2004); Cynthia Gorman (2005); Grier Graff (2006); Julia Burke (2007); Maude Pervere (2008); jointly to Anne-Marie Lamarche and Mark Menke (2009); Janiele Maffei Tovani (2010); Andrea Swenson (2011), June Monach (2012), Bill Drum (posthumously) and Mary Ireland (2013), Ray Perman (2014), Jennifer Fox (2015), Katie Korotzer (2016), Hilary Cooper (2017) Holly Hanke (2018), Cathy Glazier (2019), Sue Smegal (2020), and Ken Li (2021).

Art Hecht was a tireless community volunteer, and was dedicated to students in both Piedmont and Oakland. He served on Piedmont’s Board of Education from 1970 to 1982. Art also was very active with the Piedmont Continuation High School (now called Millennium High School). In 1998, the Art Hecht Volunteer of the Year Award was established in his memory.

Nominations for this award are now being sought and will be kept strictly confidential. The deadline for nominations is 4:30 p.m. on March 18, 2022. A selection committee will vote on the award recipient, who will be recognized at the May 11, 2022 Board of Education meeting, where the honoree’s good works will be acknowledged. They also will receive the gift of a work of student art. The student will receive a monetary award and commendation from the Board.

Nomination Forms are available on the PUSD website, in the District Office or by calling Sylvia Flores Eggert, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at (510) 594- 2614.

Art Hecht press release for 2022

“…there are no plans or discussions to close schools. To the contrary, the District has comprehensive plans to keep students and staff in school to the greatest extent possible while protecting the health of the entire school community.” Randall Booker, Superintendent of Schools

At the January 12, 2022 Piedmont School Board meeting a COVID report on each school, advice, and need for substitute teachers. The report is linked below:

Background on COVID Update 1-12-22_204839vesb2ybmdhrt4oft01xawdxn

A report on the entire Jan. 12, 2022 Board meeting is linked below:

Board Meeting Summary – 1-12-22.docx

Community Pool Advisory Committee (PAC) Agenda

Thursday, January 6, 2022 7:30 p.m. Via Teleconference

Revised to Update Zoom Meeting

Regular Agenda

1. Briefing on Scope of Facilities Under Measure UU

2. Consideration of Recommendation to City Council Regarding Final Version of the Piedmont Community Pool Conceptual Plan

3. Update on Status of Evaluation of Exterior Lighting

4. Discussion of Next Steps and Tentative Timeline After Conceptual Design Approval 

READ THE FULL AGENDA WITH LINKS BY CLICKING BELOW:

PAC_current_agenda 2022

For more information go to: https://www.piedmont.ca.gov/government/commissions___committees/community_pool_advisory_committee

PUSD Enrollment for 2022-23 School Year Opens January 14th

(Piedmont, Ca., December 27, 2021) – The Piedmont Unified School District will open enrollment for the 2022-23 school year on Friday, January 14th, 2022.

Please visit the District website at:
http://www.piedmont.k12.ca.us/district-info/enrollment/

for required documentation and for more information.

The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is excited to announce Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D., as its new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With over 18 years of progressive leadership experience in education, Dr. Vanden Wyngaard will lead PUSD’s effort to implement its goals and actions in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the entire District.

“I am excited for this opportunity to be a part of the Piedmont community and to help PUSD achieve its goals involving this important work,” said Dr. Vanden Wyngaard. “I can’t wait to get started working with these amazing students and educators and build on the momentum that’s already in place.”

“We are very fortunate to bring someone of Dr. Vanden Wyngaard’s caliber to Piedmont,” said PUSD Superintendent, Randall Booker. “Her broad experience in education and proven track record of leadership and bringing people together will be a tremendous asset in what we are working to build throughout our District.”

“It quickly became clear during the interview process that Dr. Vanden Wyngaard had risen to the top of everyone’s first-choice candidate because of her depth of experience as an administrator and extensive background in curriculum work,” added PUSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Cheryl Wozniak, Ed.D.  “We are thrilled to have her on the team and look forward to working with her in support of our students and staff.”

“The PUSD Board of Education is committed to providing an equitable environment for students and staff of all backgrounds,” said PUSD Board Trustee, Veronica Anderson Thigpen. “Dr. Vanden Wyngaard is a proven champion for our work toward that goal. Our District and community will benefit greatly from her knowledge and experience.”

A third-generation musician, Dr. Vanden Wyngaard followed in her family’s footsteps by becoming a choral music director. Effective in schools, civic, and church choir leadership, she honed her skills in facilitating large groups of people toward common goals by utilizing her abilities to bring many people from divergent viewpoints to an understanding of a universal goal.

Eager to branch out beyond music, Dr. Vanden Wyngaard earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Kent State University, and within that program, studied and worked tirelessly within urban communities of Ohio. She joined the Ohio State Department of Education in 2000, working as Assistant Director in the Office of Professional Development and Regional School Improvement Services before climbing the ladder in public education culminating with Deputy Superintendent position at Paterson Public Schools in New Jersey from 2010-12, and Superintendent of Schools at City School District in Albany, NY, from 2012- 16.

Most recently, she worked as Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at College of St. Rose in Albany. In all positions, she has led from a position of social justice and has provided professional development, data-focused conversations, and policy reviews to elevate the issues driven by racism that support high levels of poverty, mass incarceration, and limited access to housing and jobs.

In this next step in her journey, Dr. Vanden Wyngaard, is honored to serve the students, families, Board of Education, and the entire educational community as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Piedmont community, and PUSD is excited to welcome her to our community.

READ full press release by clicking the link below.

PUSD 2021

Community Advisory Committee is composed of individuals associated with the School District to “strengthen community and positive relationships amongst our various stakeholders.”

Randall Booker, Superintendent, November 10, 2021,  SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – UPDATED

I. SUPPORT INFORMATION

At the April 28, 2021 Board of Education Meeting, Naomi Hunter, Communications Consultant presented the results of the District’s Pandemic Response Survey. The presentation can be viewed here. Ms. Hunter provided several recommendations to improve communications across the district and community.

• – Hire Communications Director (1.0FTE)
• – Establish Communications goals (21-22) related to surveying, social media engagement, Piedmont Ahead publications, quarterly departmental communication updates (Tech, SPED, Curriculum & Instruction, Facilities), etc.
• – Member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet to provide ongoing assistance and guidance in communicating both strategic and tactical initiatives.
• – Contract to redevelop the PUSD Website.
• – Schedule standing APT Liaison Committee Meetings between the Board, Administrative Team, and the Association of Piedmont Teachers to strengthen communication, shared understanding, and collaborative efforts to support students and educators.
• – Develop and schedule Supt. Advisory Committee Meetings for 21-22 that include students, educators, and parents.

The District has moved forward with each of these initiatives for the 21-22 school year and will launch the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee in December, with monthly meetings to follow.

Background on the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee

The Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee was introduced initially at the October 27, 2021 Board of Education Meeting. The Board and community provided input around the membership of the community which led to changes in the roster (see below). Superintendent will collaborate with the Parent Club presidents and the PEF Director to solicit parent involvement that is wide-reaching. Building off of the success of a variety of Superintendent committees (Facilities Steering, Budget Advisory, Health and Safety Steering, etc.), the purpose of the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee is to:

● strengthen community and positive relationships amongst our various stakeholders;

● listen, learn, and better understand one another on the various successes and areas to improve across the District;

● generate ideas to improve communications, district-wide operations, and the student and staff learning/working environment.

Membership

The Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee will consist of the following membership (25 people in total):

• 1. Superintendent
• 2. Director of Communication and Community Relations
• 3. (2) APSA Members: 1 Certificated / 1 Classified
• 4. (2) Certificated Staff Members (APT): 1 Elementary / 1 Secondary
• 5. (2) Classified Staff Members (CSEA): 1 Elementary / 1 Secondary
• 6. (2) Board of Education Members
• 7. (8) Parents of current PUSD students – 1 per school site, 2 at-large
• 8. (6) Students (2 PMS, 2 MHS, 2 PHS)
• 9. PEF Executive Director APSA, APT, and CSEA will choose their own members to participate. PMS, PHS, and MHS ASB will choose their own members. Each school site Parent Club will appoint a respective community member for participation. Notes will be drafted and published for the Piedmont Community.

Meeting Dates/Times* 3:45pm – 5:15pm Dec. 6th Jan. 10th Feb. 28th Mar. 14th Apr. 4th * All meetings will be held virtually via Google Meet until further notice.

II. RECOMMENDATION: INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION Review the proposed Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee.

PCA Board Background on Updated Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee 11-10-2021_184416sckde3ggtq0by5dhsh2fdlkk

Board Meeting Summary – 11-10-21.docx

Virtual Community Workshop October 21, 2021, 5:30 pm

Pre-approved architectural plans, taller and larger ADUs permitted, allowing two ADUs and one Junior ADU on a single-family property in Piedmont.

“Objective” Standards and Incentives for Multifamily Housing and ADUs –

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, the City of Piedmont and Lisa Wise Consulting (LWC) will host a virtual event, entitled “New Fair Housing Programs Community Workshop,” starting at 5:30 pm, to discuss new objective standards for multifamily housing and new ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units) incentives.

State of California laws, such as SB35 and SB 330, require cities to apply standards that are objective and “knowable in advance” to applications for multifamily housing developments, such as apartment buildings.

Discretionary design review or conditional use permits are no longer allowed.

Last year, the City and LWC consultant began to prepare objective design standards for future multifamily housing developments, including the citywide Fair Housing Survey conducted in March 2021 and presentations to the Housing Advisory Committee in May and June 2021. The results of this work will be described to the Piedmont community on October 21, 2021.

State laws, including AB 671, require cities to develop incentives for the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that can be offered at affordable rents to residents with very low, low, and moderate incomes.

The October 21 event will also include a discussion of possible new ADU incentives. New incentives would generally be available to homeowners who choose to rent their new ADUs at very low or low rents for a period of 10 years.

Currently very low or low rents for a one-bedroom apartment with two occupants is a maximum of $1,370 to $2,193 per month, and the maximum incomes of the tenant households are $54,800 and $87,700, respectively.

Possible ADU incentives could include changes to City regulations to offer pre-approved architectural plans, permit taller and larger ADUs, or allow as many as two ADUs and one Junior ADU on a single-family property in Piedmont.

The City and LWC have developed plans for ADU and JADU construction with Openscope Studio, an architectural firm based in San Francisco. With some modifications, these new plans can be used to quickly obtain Planning Division approvals and streamline the building permit plan review to construct a new ADU.

Participants in the virtual meeting on October 21 on the Zoom platform can share their ideas, take part in online polls during the community workshop, and hear from other Piedmonters on these important issues.

To RSVP for the New Fair Housing Programs Community Workshop, please email Piedmontishome@piedmont.ca.gov. For more information, please visit the Get Involved webpage at Piedmontishome.org

Members of the Piedmont community are invited to send their comments on the draft new objective standards and ADU incentives to the City of Piedmont Planning & Building Department by November 19, 2021. Comments can be emailed to Piedmontishome@piedmont.ca.gov or mailed to: Fair Housing Programs, City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94602. The draft new fair housing programs are funded in part by a California SB 2 planning grant.

Link to draft plan > https://p1cdn4static.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/Departments/Planning%20Division/Housing%20Programs/LWC_Piedmont_New%20Fair%20Housing%20Programs_101821.pdf

Contact 510/420-3050 or 510/420-3040 for further information.