April 25, 2023

 

Dear PUSD Community,

I hope you had a restful Spring Break and are as excited for the remainder of the school year as I am. As we enter our last six weeks of school, I invite you to take part in celebrating the work and achievements of our students. There will be a wide variety of events to choose from, such as music and dance concerts, art shows, sporting events, spring festivals and of course, promotion and graduation celebrations. Please check your school calendars frequently for all the details. 

An inevitable part of every spring is having to say goodbye to valued staff members as they move on to other opportunities or well-deserved retirements. Among those leaving from the District Office are Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Cheryl Wozniak, Communications Director, Brian Killgore, and DEI Director, Dr. Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard.  I thank them all for their support of our students and for their assistance during my time at PUSD. Their respective work in building and enhancing our curriculum, communicating with our families and partners, and providing an inclusive environment for our students will continue.  

Dr. Wozniak’s achievements in PUSD have been monumental. We have posted the position and look forward to hiring someone before the end of the year.  While Dr. Vanden Wyngaard has only been here a short time, her contribution has been valuable to the District and the work will continue. There’s still more work to be done.  The DEI Director position will be posted this week and we plan to have someone in place by the end of the school year. I will provide additional information in May regarding how the District’s leadership team is being assembled for next school year to best serve our community. I’m excited for the future of PUSD as it enters its next chapter under Dr. Hawn’s leadership.   

We will celebrate our retiring staff members, including long-time Wildwood Elementary School Principal, Carol Cramer, at the May 24 Board meeting. We will be announcing the new Principal of Wildwood at tomorrow’s Board meeting. 

I invite all of you to meet with PUSD’s new Superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Hawn, Monday, May 8, from 5-7:00 pm, in the plaza between the STEAM Building and the new Alan Harvey Theater on the campus of Piedmont High School. Dr. Hawn is excited to get started in July and is looking forward to meeting families and learning about the community. Refreshments will be served and RSVPs are appreciated. 

Thank you all for your support and enjoy the rest of the school year!

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Donald Evans, Interim Superintendent