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rom: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie ShadeSubject: Re: Site Council Meeting - Courtesy updateDate: Monday, November 14, 2016 5:52: 11 PM

Hi Katie,

We just had our Site Council meeting, so they missed it. There is no meeting tomorrow that is open to thepublic, other than the BOE meeting. I understand that a small group of parents are going to the BOEmeeting to speak up during the Superintendent’s report to request that the BOE change the decision fromthe last meeting.

As for your email response to Lauren Barley, I did not touch it (or even read it until this morning because Idid go offline on Saturday and Sunday). I did forward your email to Carolyn and Vicki as an FYI this morningafter I first read it, but I’m sure they did not pass it on. If it makes you feel any better, I responded to TalyKatz’ email on Friday morning and that was copied and I believe distributed to everyone on the WGPAparent discussion group, which I think is why Lauren wrote to me in the first place? Regardless, they did notask my permission to do this either. Sigh.

Thanks for everything. You’re the best!

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Monday, November 14, 2016 at 5:33 PMTo: KDiorioSubject: Site Council Meeting - Courtesy update

Hi Kim,

Hope things are calmer on the campus this week? I wanted to let you know I have been asked by parents ifthey can attend the site council meeting tomorrow, which I am assuming is fine? However, I am guessingthese parents have an agenda with the GPA, and therefore I am passing on this as a heads up.

My e mail this weekend to Lauren and you was cut, pasted and shared - I am sure you did not do this asyou were off PAUSD media. I am not happy about this as it was not an accurate representation of myposition. My position remains clear as mud. I do not understand it, hope Paly and Gunn staff agree to asolution so we are unified.

Thank you for sending the e mails - I process things slowly, and it took the weekend to consider all theconsequences we may be facing with the unexpected outcome of the election. We are living in a bubble!

Having an optimistic teen who is planning his future makes me less worried, they have ideas on changingour world.

Look forward to seeing you Wednesday.

take care,

Katie

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioSubject: Site Council Meeting - Courtesy updateDate: Monday, November 14, 2016 5:34: 44 PM

Hi Kim,

Hope things are calmer on the campus this week? I wanted to let you know I have been asked by parents ifthey can attend the site council meeting tomorrow, which I am assuming is fine? However, I am guessingthese parents have an agenda with the GPA, and therefore I am passing on this as a heads up.

My e mail this weekend to Lauren and you was cut, pasted and shared - I am sure you did not do this asyou were off PAUSD media. I am not happy about this as it was not an accurate representation of myposition. My position remains clear as mud. I do not understand it, hope Paly and Gunn staff agree to asolution so we are unified.

Thank you for sending the e mails - I process things slowly, and it took the weekend to consider all theconsequences we may be facing with the unexpected outcome of the election. We are living in a bubble! Having an optimistic teen who is planning his future makes me less worried, they have ideas on changingour world.

Look forward to seeing you Wednesday.

take care,

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Victoria Kim; Kathleen Laurence; Carolyn BenfieldSubject: FW: Something to Show Support for Teachers/AdministrationDate: Monday, November 14, 2016 3:06: 42 PM

From: Katie ShadeDate: Friday, November 11, 2016 at 9:09 PMTo: Lauren BarleyCc: KDiorio, Max McGeeSubject: Re: Something to Show Support for Teachers/ Administration

Hi Lauren,

Please take this in the context it is meant, which is not to disrespect your idea. I am thinking you are also onthe google group and saw the response from Ms. Diorio and this prompted your e mail? And mostrecently, the Paly students zzz, trying to be heard supporting unweighted grades? The morale of the entirePaly community (that cares about this issue) is down. It has been difficult for the PTSA as we have had nocommunity forum to understand the number of parents or students involved or offer a venue for them tobe heard”. How can we represent the parents or students, yet alone teachers when we have a one way

output?

A google group was offered as a neutral venue from a parent during the Nov 4th coffee to all of us (Max andKim and all PTSA exec board members present, and I joined two days ago ) and this may be the source ofyour e mail?

Personally, some of my senior and junior friends could care less about this issue. Some exec boardmembers cannot believe the time being spent on this. I feel sorry for the staff and students, as I am surethey are knee deep. And tonight is a reminder our Paly students want a voice and are struggling with this!

The student who needed a number on the paper form could have had this had she attended Gunn, MA, Mountainview, Los Altos High. Gunn is part of PAUSD. How is this possible? My counter argument toweighting grades now that has been voted on by the school board is how to do it? The grading scale ofhonor classes at Paly that are not weighted is that they are already adjusted. Paly no longer lanes 9/10English. Will all of English now be weighted? It seems silly to go around and around. The board voted, wenow have the other issues about parity between PAUSD students, technical points per course andcommunication on the impact each course has on the overall “number” going forward.

More importantly, morale of the entire Paly community is becoming depleted. The most recent zzzstudents, who support unweighted with their comments only adds to this.

We need a reset, re boot, a cupcake and I hope morale will improve soon. It’s developing into a toxicculture. Not sure what we can we can to, it pervasive more beyond the staff.

regards,

Katie Shade

On Nov 11, 2016, at 11:38 AM, Lauren Barley < wrote:

Kim, I apologize for another email in your inbox, but I wanted to see if there was somethingthat parents (who wanted to) could do to support the teachers and the administration at thispoint in time when morale is so low.

I can imagine that everybody is feeling attacked from so many different directions. Is theresomething that's more than symbolic, but that is fairly easy that would show support andconcern for the teachers and administration?

Thank you. Lauren Barley

From: Katie ShadeTo: Lauren BarleyCc: Kimberly Diorio; Max McGeeSubject: Re: Something to Show Support for Teachers/ AdministrationDate: Friday, November 11, 2016 9:09: 26 PM

Hi Lauren,

Please take this in the context it is meant, which is not to disrespect your idea. I am thinking you are also onthe google group and saw the response from Ms. Diorio and this prompted your e mail? And mostrecently, the Paly students zzz, trying to be heard supporting unweighted grades? The morale of the entirePaly community (that cares about this issue) is down. It has been difficult for the PTSA as we have had nocommunity forum to understand the number of parents or students involved or offer a venue for them tobe heard”. How can we represent the parents or students, yet alone teachers when we have a one way

output?

A google group was offered as a neutral venue from a parent during the Nov 4th coffee to all of us (Max andKim and all PTSA exec board members present, and I joined two days ago ) and this may be the source ofyour e mail?

Personally, some of my senior and junior friends could care less about this issue. Some exec boardmembers cannot believe the time being spent on this. I feel sorry for the staff and students, as I am surethey are knee deep. And tonight is a reminder our Paly students want a voice and are struggling with this!

The student who needed a number on the paper form could have had this had she attended Gunn, MA, Mountainview, Los Altos High. Gunn is part of PAUSD. How is this possible? My counter argument toweighting grades now that has been voted on by the school board is how to do it? The grading scale ofhonor classes at Paly that are not weighted is that they are already adjusted. Paly no longer lanes 9/10English. Will all of English now be weighted? It seems silly to go around and around. The board voted, wenow have the other issues about parity between PAUSD students, technical points per course andcommunication on the impact each course has on the overall “number” going forward.

More importantly, morale of the entire Paly community is becoming depleted. The most recent zzzstudents, who support unweighted with their comments only adds to this.

We need a reset, re boot, a cupcake and I hope morale will improve soon. It’s developing into a toxicculture. Not sure what we can we can to, it pervasive more beyond the staff.

regards,

Katie Shade

On Nov 11, 2016, at 11:38 AM, Lauren Barley <wrote:

Kim, I apologize for another email in your inbox, but I wanted to see if there wassomething that parents ( who wanted to) could do to support the teachers and the

administration at this point in time when morale is so low.

I can imagine that everybody is feeling attacked from so many differentdirections. Is there something that's more than symbolic, but that is fairly easy thatwould show support and concern for the teachers and administration?

Thank you. Lauren Barley

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Jill GoldCc: Katie Shade; Victoria KimSubject: Re: How can we send information to all parents re wGPA informationDate: Thursday, November 10, 2016 9:39: 04 PM

I like the idea, but I just don’t know how we’d do it in such a short time span. I can’t just tell Sandra or theCCC staff they need to do this now, because then they wouldn’t have time for individual appointments withkids. We are already short staffed in the CCC and they are already working 10 hour days, especially this timeof year (I’m going to use PiE money next year to hire an additional College Advisor). Not to mention thatextra hours the Guidance staff is putting in this month to send out revised transcripts. They are about tostart working nights and weekend to get this done.

If Sandra were to monitor an online forum (given that she’s the most qualified person),the trade-off wouldbe less time working with students. I don’t have money in a budget to hire someone else right now, although that’s really what we need. And the district won’t hire someone, given the budget cuts that arebeing discussed.

We’re working on putting together a Paly parent info night after Thanksgiving. One that won’t be cancelledby the BOE. And we’ll be joining Max for his webinars and forums. They are in his weekly message. https:// www.pausd.org/explore-pausd/ news/ superintendents- executive-summary-nov-15-2016

I suppose I could ask Alice Erber ( retired College Advisor) if she’d be interested in helping out. Is there PTSA money that could help pay her?

I agree people need the facts. Even much of the data/ research in the WGPA paper is eitheroutdated, taken out of context or contains errors. Unfortunately, we have not been given anyopportunity to address, discuss or dispel any of the information parents are using as theirchief arguments.

And I still believe firmly that weighted grades don’t matter. Sorry. 10 years counselingstudents on college admissions prior to becoming the AP of Guidance. I think that qualifies meas an expert. I know people want to prove me wrong, but I’m not budging on this one. There

is too much at stake in terms of changing the culture of our school.

I think we need to advise parents to hold tight for now, there will be opportunities to learnmore, and for now, if they are the parent of a junior or senior, to reach out to their collegeadvisor with any specific questions. Parents of 9th and 10th graders will need to be morepatient.

From: Jill GoldDate: Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 7:39 PMTo: KDiorioCc: Katie ShadeSubject: Fwd: How can we send information to all parents re wGPA information

Hi Kim,

Please see the email below.

I wanted to circle back around with you regarding an online forum for all of our parents to provideinformation, ask questions, get answers, etc. in a safe and monitored environment. I feel like so manyparents are still talking about this GPA issue and are not getting the correct information. Additionally, it isgetting even more heated and it is rampant.

It would also be very useful if you could get quotes from admissions officers from various colleges. To manyopinions. People need the facts.

Is there someone at the school who can oversee this ? We probably need a technical person to set it up andsomeone to manage the content.

In the mean time, should we direct this parent to you or to someone else?

Thanks,Jill

Begin forwarded message:

From: Giselle Galper <Subject: How can we send information to all parents re wGPAinformationDate: November 10, 2016 at 10:33:19 AM PSTTo: Katie Shade <

Dear Katie,How can we send information on the wGPA information that parents havecollected to all parents. A close friend just told me weighted grades don'tmatter based on a principal letter. This information is just not correct.Thanks,Giselle

From: Katie ShadeTo: Victoria KimCc: Kimberly DiorioSubject: Re: Response sent from your e mail to a Paly parent volunteer/ PTSA Exec board memberDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 10: 08: 30 PM

He clarified with me within minutes tonight, and I felt no need to share as it was inappropriate

Sent to make sure has support, and glad to know she does. Thank you forresponding!

Katie

On Nov 9, 2016, at 10:01 PM, Victoria Kim < vkim@pausd. org> wrote:

I have no doubt he wrote the email and it wasn' t spam. I have history....

Vicki

On Nov 9, 2016, at 9:03 PM, Katie Shade < wrote:

Hello Paly Admin,

Always something!! I have taken this parent off of all PTSAchannels. A first in the three schools I have been president at. Wehave some issues at Paly with our parents.

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade <Subject: Response sent from your e mail to aPaly parent volunteer/ PTSA Exec board memberDate: November 9, 2016 at 8:55:21 PM PSTTo: Cc: Audrey Gold <

Dear Jeff,

As Paly’s PTSA president, I need to inform you that

your response is vulgar. The parent sending thismessage out is a volunteer who has given ourcommunity endless hours to provide this parent edevent.

I have taken the opportunity to remove you fromfurther PTSA communication. All school relatedmaterial for your will be provided throughthe PAUSD/ Paly communication channels.

If this was a spam and not sent from you, pleaseclarify.

regards,

Katie Shade

From: JeffTo:Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 8:41 PMSubject: Re: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Remaining TicketsFor Dr. Siegel's Event

Enough other mental masturbation with other school events..

Jeff

Jeff

m

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Victoria Kim; Kathleen Laurence; Adam Paulson; Jerry BerksonSubject: Fwd: Response sent from your e mail to a Paly parent volunteer/ PTSA Exec board memberDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 9:03: 22 PM

Hello Paly Admin,

Always something!! I have taken this parent off of all PTSA channels. A first in the threeschools I have been president at. We have some issues at Paly with our parents.

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade <Subject: Response sent from your e mail to a Paly parentvolunteer/ PTSA Exec board memberDate: November 9, 2016 at 8:55:21 PM PSTTo: Cc: Audrey Gold <

Dear Jeff,

As Paly’s PTSA president, I need to inform you that your response isvulgar. The parent sending this message out is a volunteer who has givenour community endless hours to provide this parent ed event.

I have taken the opportunity to remove you from further PTSAcommunication. All school related material for your will beprovided through the PAUSD/ Paly communication channels.

If this was a spam and not sent from you, please clarify.

regards,

Katie Shade

From: JeffTo: Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 8:41 PM

Subject: Re: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Remaining Tickets For Dr. Siegel's Event

Enough other mental masturbation with other school events..

Jeff

Jeff

m

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill GoldSubject: FW: Conversations with Kids about the ElectionDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 4:11: 10 PM

Here is a letter I just received from principal at Oak in Los Altos.

The resources below are great for parents of little ones.

Glad she is in good hands. Let me know if you start hearing stuff through the networks once our kids comehome from school.

K

From: KDiorioDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 3:12 PMTo: palystaffSubject: FW: Conversations with Kids about the Election

Hi folks,

Sharing this email that I received from principal at Oak Elementary in Los Altos. There aresome GREAT resources and reminders in here, even for our big kids.

Keep up the great work. I’m hearing incredible stories from students about how much they appreciate thetime and care you took with them today. I’m so grateful to work with all of you :-)

With Viking pride,

Kim

From: Kim DiorioDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 3:07 PMTo: KDiorioSubject: Fwd: Conversations with Kids about the Election

Forwarded message ----------From: Amy Romem <Date: Wed, Nov 9, 2016 at 2:44 PMSubject: Conversations with Kids about the ElectionTo: m

Dear Oak Community,

Whew! What a week! What an election!

Thank you for coming out and supporting Measure GG – and thank you to all the volunteers who put in somany hours. It’s a relief to know the district can count on those funds as we plan for the future and yourchildren!

Regarding the presidential election, those of you at flag salute this morning heard the students’ responseand my surprise) when I commented that, “last night was really interesting.” (Loud & raucous booing)

I went on to explain that what happened last night was also amazing – our country is based on democraticprinciples & one of those is that you get to have a voice and have an opinion.

Students this morning shared lots of feelings & opinions. I reminded them that it is truly incredible thatover 100 million people came out and exercised their right to vote. And while we don’t have to agree withothers’ votes and opinions, we do have to respect them. (Noting that this election cycle was/ is unique inthe vitriol spewed from both sides, especially over social media. It's time to do some repair work!)

In talking to teachers today, students are finding unity and power in the idea that even as young citizensthey have the power to spread kindness. This is a great opportunity for you as parents to connect yourdinner conversations to ‘kindness month,’ which is currently happening at Oak. Among other things, ourstudent leaders have challenged us this week to hold open doors for others at school, at home and in thecommunity.

Whether your family is celebrating or shaken, I thought I would share some helpful resources as your kidscontinue to process what they hear on TV & social media, in your homes, and on the playground.

I especially like these words from LA Times Commentator Michelle Maltais:

1. “We are Americans. And what that means is we believe in democracy. And sometimes, democracy

is difficult. That leads to the next point. 2. Everyone gets a voice, but that doesn’t mean our vote will always prevail. Even if our pick

for president didn’t win, we honor the results of the election. Because that is how we transfer powerpeacefully. No matter who is sitting in the Oval Office, we must respect the office of the

presidency.3. Speak up. We speak truth to power and fight for those who need our support.

4. 4. We respect one another. We may come from different places, believe different things – maybe even passionately – but we treat one another with the same respect we expect to be treated with. Even when most of the people we know say one thing, we should remember that half of the country feelsthe other way. And we must respect our fellow Americans.

5. We don’t walk away. Politicians concede races. But as citizens, we do not concede our legal

rights and sacred responsibility to remain engaged in who governs and how they govern our

country. Sure, people have talked about moving to Canada and New Zealand. But we don’t flee

when it gets hard. We steady ourselves, stand together and work to make things better for all of us.

That is what America is – constantly in the process of becoming a more perfect union, even through its challenges and imperfections.As President Obama said, the sun will rise. And now, it’s morning in America.”I know our students are determined to make the world a better place; I’m excited to see the amazing thingsthey (your kids!) will do in the world, starting with spreading kindness.

Respectfully,

Amy Romem

1. Conversation starters/ FAQ & Helpful Answers about Elections in General:

http://parents-together.org/talking-kid-presidential-election/

2. Resources for explaining the election process/electoral college to kids:

http:// theeducatorsspinonit. com/2016/ 11/presidential-election-resources-for-kids.html

3. Wonderful advice from a local (Jesuit) psychologist: take a deep breath, remember that rhetoric isn’treality & how we can ‘grow where we are planted.’

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-right-thing/201611/six-ways-cope-the-2016-presidential-election-results

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Jill GoldSubject: Re: please readDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 2:32: 01 PM

Hi Kim,

What a night indeed. Although we may surround ourselves with like minded souls, we have adiverse group of opinions within Palo Alto. I would recommend not sending anything about

the election to the parent community as we would like to respect everyone’ s opinion.

My 2 cents - Jill, what do you think?

Katie

On Nov 9, 2016, at 1:57 PM, Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org> wrote:

Hi there,

It’s been a really tough day at Paly. We’ve had many, many students and staff in tears, and Ibelieve our teachers are doing their best to support students in a caring and safeenvironment within their classrooms. Please let me know if you hear otherwise.

FYI. Here is the email I sent to staff first thing this morning in preparation for the day. Let meknow whether or not you think communication should go out to parents. I’ve only heardfrom a few parents, and I’ve shared this email with them as well. We’re trying to be mindfulof the fact that political views differ and to make sure our school is safe and caring for allstudents.

Thanks!

Kim

From: KDiorioDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 6:57 AMTo: palystaffSubject: please read

Good morning everyone,

Watching TV last night with my husband, I kept thinking what are we going to do tomorrow

with our children? We need a plan for this unexpected outcome? And I seriously thought,maybe we need to cancel school until we have a plan?

And while we don’t have a plan, nor is school cancelled, I do have some resources to passalong:

http://www.tolerance.org/blog/day-after

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-should-we-tell-the-children_us_5822aa90e4b0334571e0a30b

Quick advice from the above article:

Tell them, first, that we will protect them. Tell them, second, that you will honor the outcome of the election, but that you will fight bigotry.Teach them, third, how to be responsible members of a civic society.Teach them how to engage in discussion— not for the sake of

winning, but for the sake of understanding and being understood.

I respectfully ask if you don’t have time to read these articles before your classroom fills withbleery-eyed teenagers, I kindly request that you do two things:

1. Listen to your students. Before you begin your lesson/ move on to teaching your content, please check in with them and get a pulse for how they are feeling. This is critical. For someof our students (and ourselves), we are in the middle of a trauma and need to express ourfeelings and simply be with each other. You don’t need to have any answers or know how torespond. Just give them time to talk. Please do not act as though nothing happened. Whilethat may be what YOU need, our students need us, the adults in their lives, to acknowledge, in some way or another, what our country is experiencing. They will be looking at all of us tobe positive role models in this regard. Your lesson plan can wait until they’ve had thisopportunity in your safe and welcoming classroom. When they give you the go ahead, getback to instruction. As the day moves on, students might want this return to normalcy tohappen sooner in the period. Keep this in mind.

2. Have the courage to be your authentic selves. If you are sad, it’s OK to show this to yourkids. If you are worried, that’s OK too. Now is the time for us to model emotions withstudents. Remember, to keep you classroom safe spaces by respecting different points ofview. Stick with “I feel….” statements. And mostly, if you need a hug, let me know and I’llcome find you :-) Serious, please reach out to each other and notice our colleagues who mayneed support today and over time. And It’s OK to ask for help. We are all human.

Please keep us posted on how you and your students are doing. The Wellness Center andGuidance offices are open for anyone who needs support today. Kindly remind your students

of their services, if appropriate. You are not alone. You matter.

With love and appreciation,

Kim

Kim DiorioPrincipalPalo Alto High School650) 329-3831

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill GoldSubject: FW: please readDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 1:57: 35 PM

Hi there,

It’s been a really tough day at Paly. We’ve had many, many students and staff in tears, and I believe ourteachers are doing their best to support students in a caring and safe environment within their classrooms. Please let me know if you hear otherwise.

FYI. Here is the email I sent to staff first thing this morning in preparation for the day. Let me know whetheror not you think communication should go out to parents. I’ve only heard from a few parents, and I’veshared this email with them as well. We’re trying to be mindful of the fact that political views differ and tomake sure our school is safe and caring for all students.

Thanks!

Kim

From: KDiorioDate: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 6:57 AMTo: palystaffSubject: please read

Good morning everyone,

Watching TV last night with my husband, I kept thinking what are we going to do tomorrow with ourchildren? We need a plan for this unexpected outcome? And I seriously thought, maybe we need to cancelschool until we have a plan?

And while we don’t have a plan, nor is school cancelled, I do have some resources to pass along:

http://www.tolerance.org/blog/ day-after

http://www.huffingtonpost. com/entry/what-should-we-tell-the-children_us_5822aa90e4b0334571e0a30b

Quick advice from the above article:

Tell them, first, that we will protect them. Tell them, second, that you will honor the outcome of the election, but that youwill fight bigotry.Teach them, third, how to be responsible members of a civic society. Teachthem how to engage in discussion— not for the sake of winning, but for the sake

of understanding and being understood.

I respectfully ask if you don’t have time to read these articles before your classroom fills with bleery-eyedteenagers, I kindly request that you do two things:

1. Listen to your students. Before you begin your lesson/ move on to teaching your content, please check inwith them and get a pulse for how they are feeling. This is critical. For some of our students (andourselves), we are in the middle of a trauma and need to express our feelings and simply be with eachother. You don’t need to have any answers or know how to respond. Just give them time to talk. Please donot act as though nothing happened. While that may be what YOU need, our students need us, the adultsin their lives, to acknowledge, in some way or another, what our country is experiencing. They will belooking at all of us to be positive role models in this regard. Your lesson plan can wait until they’ve had thisopportunity in your safe and welcoming classroom. When they give you the go ahead, get back toinstruction. As the day moves on, students might want this return to normalcy to happen sooner in theperiod. Keep this in mind.

2. Have the courage to be your authentic selves. If you are sad, it’s OK to show this to your kids. If you areworried, that’s OK too. Now is the time for us to model emotions with students. Remember, to keep youclassroom safe spaces by respecting different points of view. Stick with “I feel….” statements. And mostly, if you need a hug, let me know and I’ll come find you :-) Serious, please reach out to each other and noticeour colleagues who may need support today and over time. And It’s OK to ask for help. We are all human.

Please keep us posted on how you and your students are doing. The Wellness Center and Guidance officesare open for anyone who needs support today. Kindly remind your students of their services, ifappropriate. You are not alone. You matter.

With love and appreciation,

Kim


From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Jorge Quintana; Max McGeeSubject: FW: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted a school update to Palo Alto Unified School DistrictDate: Sunday, November 6, 2016 1:33:24 PM

FYI. Thoughts on this?

From: Lauren BarleyDate: Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 12:36 PMTo: Katie ShadeCc: KDiorioSubject: Re: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted a school update to Palo Alto Unified SchoolDistrict

Ms. Diorio,You likely have an idea about how you plan to disseminate Dr. McGee's note and what steps you took last week. If you don't, given someof the brouhaha we have been experiencing is a result of miscommunication or lack of communication, would it be possible to send Dr. McGee's November 4 note out broadly to the community like you did his October 28 letter? From the small sample of parents I havetalked to, they are not aware of it or were not aware of it.

Many thanks!

Warm regards,Lauren Barley

On Nov 5, 2016, at 11:10 PM, Katie Shade < wrote:

Hi Lauren,

Great suggestion! I defer to Ms.Diorio as the IC/ Paly channels are her domain,

regards,

Katie Shade

On Nov 5, 2016, at 3:07 PM, Lauren Barley < wrote:

Would it be possible to have this sent out broadly as PAUSD sent out Dr. McGee’s 10/28 email/letter? Manyparents, including myself, don’t check Schoology so we hadn’ t seen this. I think it is important that all parents

receive it.

Many thanks! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Warmly, Lauren Barley


From: Dana Fenwick <Subject: Fwd: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted aschool update to Palo Alto Unified School DistrictDate: November 5, 2016 at 2:07:42 PM PDTTo: Lauren Barley <

Sent from my iPhone


From: Schoology <Date: November 4, 2016 at 4:09:33 PM PDTTo: Subject: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted aschool update to Palo Alto Unified School District

PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted a school update to Palo AltoUnified School District:

Dear PAUSD students,

In this week' s Superintendent' s Weekly Message, Dr. McGee writes about PAUSD' s gradereporting practices. Provide your input to Dr. McGee by clicking at the end of his message.

To view the update, click the link below:http:// app. schoology. com/ school/ 1569031/ update/ 870308072

Schoology © 2016. This message was sent to dana_ fenwick@yahoo. com. To control the emails you receive fromSchoology go to: http:// app. schoology. com/ settings/ notifications

From: Katie ShadeTo: Ann LewnesCc: Kimberly Diorio; Max McGeeSubject: Re: Reopen the dialogue on GPA reporting!Date: Saturday, November 5, 2016 11: 47: 40 PM

Hi Ann,

Thank you for sending this. This has been a difficult process, and I appreciate your comments to the board. Acommunity forum at Paly would be helpful to encourage all families to express their opinion.

regards,

Katie ShadeOn Nov 5, 2016, at 12:51 PM, Ann Lewnes < wrote:

PAUSD Board of Education Members:

My husband and I are strongly opposed to the process you took to reverse the current policy regarding GPAreporting at last Tuesday’ s (11/1) board meeting. You disregarded the recommendation of Dr. McGee and PalyPrincipal Kim Diorio as outlined in Dr. McGee' s 10/28 email to PAUSD parents and bent to the will of a very smallbut vocal sampling of parents.

I believe your action disregarded the opinions and input of many parents and students who either support thecurrent policy of an unweighted GPA or of Dr. McGee’ s more measured approach to thoughtfully evaluate the bestpolicy for the school district. If you are truly representing the entire body of students and parents, you must reverseyour hasty decision and allow the dialogue to continue by putting an advisory committee in place to fully evaluatethe views of the PAUSD administration and parents representing both sides of the debate.

Considering our now-national reputation of being one of the most stressful places to go to school, it is trulyshocking to me that you do not understand the undue stress and potential mental health repercussions that this willhave on our students.

If this is the will of the majority of parents, then so be it. But I will not allow this decision to be forced uponus by a small minority of parents whose kids are striving for 5.0 GPAs. Reopen the dialogue and allow ademocratic process (something we would like to role model for our kids). The best method for enabling this is acommittee with voices representing both sides of the debate.

We will certainly consider how this was handled when we go to the polls on Tuesday.

Ann Lewnes and Greg Welch

From: Katie ShadeTo: Lauren BarleyCc: Kimberly DiorioSubject: Re: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted a school update to Palo Alto Unified School DistrictDate: Saturday, November 5, 2016 11: 10: 32 PM

Hi Lauren,

Great suggestion! I defer to Ms.Diorio as the IC/Paly channels are her domain,

regards,

Katie Shade

On Nov 5, 2016, at 3:07 PM, Lauren Barley < wrote:

Would it be possible to have this sent out broadly as PAUSD sent out Dr. McGee’ s 10/28email/ letter? Many parents, including myself, don’t check Schoology so we hadn’t seen this. I think itis important that all parents receive it.

Many thanks! Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Warmly, Lauren Barley


From: Dana Fenwick <Subject: Fwd: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagementposted a school update to Palo Alto Unified School DistrictDate: November 5, 2016 at 2:07:42 PM PDTTo: Lauren Barley <

Sent from my iPhone


From: Schoology <Date: November 4, 2016 at 4:09:33 PM PDTTo: Subject: PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted a schoolupdate to Palo Alto Unified School District

PAUSD Communications and Community Engagement posted a school update to Palo AltoUnified School District:

Dear PAUSD students,

In this week's Superintendent' s Weekly Message, Dr. McGee writes about PAUSD's gradereporting practices. Provide your input to Dr. McGee by clicking at the end of his message.

To view the update, click the link below:http://app.schoology. com/school/1569031/update/870308072

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill GoldSubject: FW: Message from Paly Principal -- Test MessageDate: Friday, November 4, 2016 3:44: 32 PM

FYI. Not to bombard you with email, but I did pass along this note to staff after listening to parents thismorning….

Thought you should know.

Kim

From: KDiorioDate: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 11:40 AMTo: palystaffSubject: FW: Message from Paly Principal -- Test Message

Hi everyone,

Happy Friday!

The plot thickens…please read this important message which is going to go out after lunch today. I wantedyou to see it first. Besides, we want to wait until after today’s lunchtime student focus group before sendingbroadly. We’re also still waiting for the google form, so the link below is not yet “active.” When that’s ready, we will press send.

I will share with you that we grossly underestimated the number of students who have a lower CSU/ UCweighted GPA. Many of these students have already applied to college and a few of them have even beenaccepted (rolling admissions)! With the data, we were able to slow down this decision/ recommendation andplace the item back on the Board’s agenda for it’s next meeting.

As things develop, we will keep you posted. I’ll be on the quad during lunch and then in my office thisafternoon if anyone wants to stop by or send me a quick question. I’ll try to respond as quickly as possiblebut please understand I am be bombarded with email from the parent community. Speaking of parents, Ihad a very interesting PTSA parent coffee this morning. One parent said to me towards the end, “I wish wecould have a thoughtful dialogue, agree to disagree, make a decision, and move on. I worry about thedivisiveness this whole conversation is causing, especially as we keep talking about it. We need to be comingtogether as a community, not fighting over something that is really unimportant in the grand schemes ofthings.” I like this parent :-)

Anyway, as things develop, I ask that we all be mindful of creating safe, classroom spaces that encouragehealthy dialogue and open debate. Much like politics, it’s probably best to not use the classroom as our ownpersonal platform to discuss our opinions in an unhealthy or threatening way. We want to support all of ourstudents and staff who are afraid to speak up and/or might disagree and encourage dialogue. We have theability to make this a great teachable moment for our students. As one teacher said yesterday in our TAmeeting “just listening to our students is enough.” I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for all your support and

help with this thorny topic.

Have a great weekend,

Kim

From: "Palo_Alto_ Schools@pausd. org"Date: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 11:17 AMTo: KDiorioSubject: Message from Paly Principal -- Test Message

Dear Senior Vikings,

Good afternoon and TGIF!

I'm writing with new information regarding the Board of Education' s vote earlier this week to reportweighted CSU/ UC grades on our senior's mid-year transcripts. Please read this e-mail carefully.

Yesterday afternoon, our district Department of Technology Services, led by Chief Technology Officer DerekMoore, was able to pull the data for the Paly class of 2017 to determine the exact number of students whoseweighted CSU/ UC GPAs are lower than the cumulative unweighted GPA. The data were very compelling.

After reviewing this new information, Superintendent Dr. McGee, Derek Moore, and I consulted with theBoard of Education Agenda Setting committee and determined that we do need to return to the Board witha short-term recommendation for second semester transcripts. .

In an e-mail sent to the Board of Education last evening, here is what Superintendent Dr. McGee and Irecommend instead:

We will not be sending WGPA transcripts to schools to which students applied for early decision or havealready been admitted on a rolling basis unless the student fills out a written request that we do so.

We are reconsidering the necessity for reporting both weighted and unweighted grades on secondsemester transcripts because we do not want to disadvantage any student' s college application orscholarship opportunities and will report back to our students and families following the next Boardmeeting.

Prior to the next Board meeting, we will strive to have a staff recommendation for the short term that willassure the best possible outcomes for our students, assure we continue to have a credible relationshipwith our colleges and universities, and assure that we take into account all voices."

To reiterate, we will be taking no further action before the next Board of Education meeting. However, ifyou have already submitted a college application and would like to send a revised transcript that contains theweighted CSU/ UC GPA to colleges before January 1, we will do so.

To request for us to send a hard copy of your revised transcript, please complete this google form. Keep inmind the deadline for us to send this information is December 2nd, so please be sure to let us know beforethen.

Finally, I apologize for the confusion and any anxiety this week has caused and am grateful for yourcontinued support and understanding as we work toward an optimal solution. We love our seniors and haveconfidence that in the end, things will work out. Remember, "college is a match to be made, not a prize to bewon." In my time at Paly, I've seen over 4,000 seniors graduate from our school and "find their match." Ihave faith that the class of 2017 will distinguish itself with amazing accomplishments beyond graduation too.I am so proud of our seniors.

And boy, am I looking forward to an extra hour of sleep this weekend!

With gratitude,

Kim DiorioPrincipal

rom: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioSubject: Re: Message from Paly Principal -- Test MessageDate: Friday, November 4, 2016 2:51: 23 PM

Thank you for this, for being at the meeting, and I really appreciate how you were able toexplain/ share Paly’s concerns around this topic in the calm caring manner that I admire!

Looking forward to a community forum so parents can hear you directly. Not everyonewatches board meetings. Some parents had only heard about a student being deniedsomething that Gunn would have provided. Rumors can be dispelled by openingcommunication channels. Although I defer to you and your team for these decisions, it washelpful to hear from parents who have recently gone through this and their perspective.

Alex and I will stop in on Saturday and hope to see you there.

Have a great evening. TGIF!!

Katie


FYI. This just went out over IC to senior parents. Wanted to make sure you saw it in case youget questions.

What a mess!

Thanks for everything. Never a dull moment. I’ll be at the event on Saturday night. Lookingforward to some libations after this week.

Kim

From: KDiorioDate: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 1:29 PMTo: Max McGee, Jorge QuintanaSubject: FW: Message from Paly Principal -- Test Message

Just went out over IC, with the link to the google form.

From: Palo_ Alto_ Schools@pausd. org"

Date: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 1:22 PMTo: KDiorioSubject: Message from Paly Principal -- Test Message



I'm writing with new information regarding the Board of Education' s vote earlier this week toreport weighted CSU/ UC grades on our senior's mid-year transcripts. Please read this e-mailcarefully.

Yesterday afternoon, our district Department of Technology Services, led by Chief TechnologyOfficer Derek Moore, was able to pull the data for the Paly class of 2017 to determine theexact number of students whose weighted CSU/ UC GPAs are lower than the cumulativeunweighted GPA. The data were very compelling.

After reviewing this new information, Superintendent Dr. McGee, Derek Moore, and Iconsulted with the Board of Education Agenda Setting committee and determined that we doneed to return to the Board with a short-term recommendation for second semestertranscripts. .

In an e-mail sent to the Board of Education last evening, here is what Superintendent Dr. McGee and I recommend instead:

We will not be sending WGPA transcripts to schools to which students applied for earlydecision or have already been admitted on a rolling basis unless the student fills out awritten request that we do so.

We are reconsidering the necessity for reporting both weighted and unweighted gradeson second semester transcripts because we do not want to disadvantage any student'scollege application or scholarship opportunities and will report back to our students andfamilies following the next Board meeting.

Prior to the next Board meeting, we will strive to have a staff recommendation for theshort term that will assure the best possible outcomes for our students, assure we continueto have a credible relationship with our colleges and universities, and assure that we takeinto account all voices."

To reiterate, we will be taking no further action before the next Board of Educationmeeting. However, if you have already submitted a college application and would like to senda revised transcript that contains the weighted CSU/ UC GPA to colleges before January 1, wewill do so.

To request for us to send a hard copy of your revised transcript, please complete this googleform. Keep in mind the deadline for us to send this information is December 2nd, so pleasebe sure to let us know before then.

Finally, I apologize for the confusion and any anxiety this week has caused and am grateful foryour continued support and understanding as we work toward an optimal solution. We loveour seniors and have confidence that in the end, things will work out. Remember, "college is amatch to be made, not a prize to be won." In my time at Paly, I've seen over 4,000 seniorsgraduate from our school and "find their match." I have faith that the class of 2017 willdistinguish itself with amazing accomplishments beyond graduation too. I am so proud of ourseniors.


With gratitude,

Kim DiorioPrincipal

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill GoldSubject: FW: Message from Paly Principal -- Test MessageDate: Friday, November 4, 2016 1:56: 56 PM

FYI. This just went out over IC to senior parents. Wanted to make sure you saw it in case you get questions.

What a mess!

Thanks for everything. Never a dull moment. I’ll be at the event on Saturday night. Looking forward to somelibations after this week.

Kim

From: KDiorioDate: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 1:29 PMTo: Max McGee, Jorge QuintanaSubject: FW: Message from Paly Principal -- Test Message

Just went out over IC, with the link to the google form.

From: "Palo_Alto_Schools@pausd. org"Date: Friday, November 4, 2016 at 1:22 PMTo: KDiorioSubject: Message from Paly Principal -- Test Message



I'm writing with new information regarding the Board of Education' s vote earlier this week to reportweighted CSU/ UC grades on our senior's mid-year transcripts. Please read this e-mail carefully.

Yesterday afternoon, our district Department of Technology Services, led by Chief Technology Officer DerekMoore, was able to pull the data for the Paly class of 2017 to determine the exact number of students whoseweighted CSU/ UC GPAs are lower than the cumulative unweighted GPA. The data were very compelling.

After reviewing this new information, Superintendent Dr. McGee, Derek Moore, and I consulted with theBoard of Education Agenda Setting committee and determined that we do need to return to the Board witha short-term recommendation for second semester transcripts. .

In an e-mail sent to the Board of Education last evening, here is what Superintendent Dr. McGee and I

recommend instead:

We will not be sending WGPA transcripts to schools to which students applied for early decision or havealready been admitted on a rolling basis unless the student fills out a written request that we do so.

We are reconsidering the necessity for reporting both weighted and unweighted grades on secondsemester transcripts because we do not want to disadvantage any student' s college application orscholarship opportunities and will report back to our students and families following the next Boardmeeting.

Prior to the next Board meeting, we will strive to have a staff recommendation for the short term that willassure the best possible outcomes for our students, assure we continue to have a credible relationshipwith our colleges and universities, and assure that we take into account all voices."

To reiterate, we will be taking no further action before the next Board of Education meeting. However, ifyou have already submitted a college application and would like to send a revised transcript that contains theweighted CSU/ UC GPA to colleges before January 1, we will do so.

To request for us to send a hard copy of your revised transcript, please complete this google form. Keep inmind the deadline for us to send this information is December 2nd, so please be sure to let us know beforethen.

Finally, I apologize for the confusion and any anxiety this week has caused and am grateful for yourcontinued support and understanding as we work toward an optimal solution. We love our seniors and haveconfidence that in the end, things will work out. Remember, "college is a match to be made, not a prize to bewon." In my time at Paly, I've seen over 4,000 seniors graduate from our school and "find their match." Ihave faith that the class of 2017 will distinguish itself with amazing accomplishments beyond graduation too.I am so proud of our seniors.


With gratitude,

Kim DiorioPrincipal

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Max McGeeCc: Markus Autrey; Sharon OfekSubject: FW: Message to Senior Families - Weighted GPA and UC SystemDate: Thursday, November 3, 2016 8:54: 04 AM

FYI

From: Katie ShadeDate: Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 8:01 AMTo: KDiorioCc: Victoria KimSubject: Re: Message to Senior Families - Weighted GPA and UC System

Good morning,

Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful response. I am not forwarding and will wait forPaly/PAUSD to share more. I have encouraged ALL parents and students that have expressedconcern to contact the school board, and I am not sure if many have. I make it clear that I am nota decision maker, and I am not an immediate stakeholder. This usually works as a pass.

If you are not aware, this is a political driven issue. I have alsoreceived by “accident” some board member/superintendent communications and I am not doinganything with these but provides me with disgust.

Had the opportunity to speak with some of the HUR parents as I was leaving the school boardmeeting; they have a different take on the support provided to them at Paly and the opportunitiesto take advanced classes. This starts way before 9th grade, and this message needs to beshared so the high schools can set realistic expectations with the community.

My feedback to the school board remains: The high schools should be aligned. The high schoolsshould not allow a student to be disadvantaged for academic rigor and scholarships based on a

reporting system (if we know they are competing with high schools that allow a moreadvantageous position). The latter part is so unclear, I defer to PAUSD experts. As a Palyparent, it was very clear in the course catalog that 9/10 grade H classes would not be weighted. We still encouraged our teen to enroll in some of these courses as we felt it was preparation forAP classes in the Junior and Senior year. The Paly 9/10 H teachers have a grading scale toreflect the weight of these classes. I am not sure how this differs with Gunn.

I am starting to understand the past parent uproar with PE grades and why some of my friendstried to convince me we should not allow any honor classes if our teen was going to get below anA minus. Starting to all make sense, these parents are strategic. We need a manual on this oncethe school district decides which system they are using!! (kidding)

Katie

On Nov 2, 2016, at 9:29 PM, Kimberly Diorio <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Katie,

The Board was very clear and directed us last night to report the UC/ CSU weighted GPA onthe mid-year transcript, and to provide the same info and/or an updated transcript for thosewho applied ED/ EA and wanted it. Against our recommendation and wishes, this is what weare now preparing to do for the class of 2017. The BOE and Max will come back at a laterdate with a long-term solution (before the spring so students know in time for courseselection) to align both Paly and Gunn for next year and future years. At this time, we do notknow what the long term recommendation will be.

Last night, I made it very clear to the BOE that Paly students will be disadvantaged by thequick decision…particularly our HUR, SED and IEP students. The BOE took this intoconsideration, but ultimately took action to make a change in our current practice. Max, Denise and I made it VERY CLEAR that we disagree with their decision, but the BOE did notsupport us. If parents are upset (which they should be), they will need to contact BOEmembers directly and/or come to the next BOE meeting to speak out during Open Forum. The BOE heard from 30 parents and 4 students, mostly from Gunn, all in support of WGPA. Iimagine all of the parents who spoke up have students who are in the top 20% of their class, because this decision only serves our top students. Everyone else suffers. I told the BOE thatfor 75% of Paly students, this is not a good move. Still, I was not able to convince themotherwise.

Today I had a steady stream of teary staff members who shared they did not feel safespeaking up at the meetings, both the 10/18 meeting and last nights. I know of Paly parentsin attendance who disagreed with what many parents were saying, but they too did not feelsafe speaking up. The petition the teachers wrote only had 68 signatures because manyteachers admitted they wanted to sign, but did not feel safe signing their names to the publicdocument. “We might get burned by the BOE” was what one teacher told another. Unfortunately, the BOE is directly responsible for creating this toxic culture in our community.And I feel very powerless in this regard.

FWIW, I understand Lauren Janov wants Paly to move to Gunn’s overall weighted and she iscausing a lot of panic in our community as a result, but that is NOT what the BOE agreed tolast night. I’ve confirmed this with Max today and we are moving ahead with the UC/ CSUweighted GPA which is what the BOE directed us to do.

There will be a communication blast going out tomorrow with more details. And we happento have senior advisory tomorrow, so our TA’s will be discussing this change with our studentsand answering their questions. I feel really bad for our students. Many of them feelblindsided.

In the meantime, I would suggest the PTSA redirect all questions, comments and concerns to

the BOE and encourage parents to write BOE members. If our parents and students don’tspeak out, they will continue to make decisions based on a vocal minority, as they have donetime and time again, instead of listening to the professionals. I know for myself and theeducators at Paly, this is not an easy place to work.

Hope this info helps. BTW, I answered the points in blue below. Feel free to use as needed. Or not and wait for us to send out our communication tomorrow.

Thanks for everything,

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 1:22 PMTo: KDiorio, Victoria KimSubject: Message to Senior Families - Weighted GPA and UC System

Hi Kim and Vicki,

I am being contacted by families about a misunderstanding between the decisionto use the UC weighted GPA system, and Max’s request to determine whatsystem will be used at Paly.

Outlined are some key points, and these are being sent to the school boardmembers for their consideration by Paly families: There are different variations ofthis going around through e mail/social media. I asked some of the exec board tocontact you directly, as they explained the issue to me, and it would be best for youto hear from them regarding how Paly students may be being at a disadvantage fromGunn using the UC weighted GPA system.

Points:

During the last few minutes of the board meeting last night, the board agreed that we wouldmove forward with reporting WGPA and UWGPA on the transcripts but Max McGhee wouldhave to investigate the Paly problem and come back with a recommendation. There is NOdecision yet on which calculation Paly will use until Max comes back with arecommendation. For long term it hasn’t been decided. However, in the short term, itwas decided to use the UC/ CSU weighted GPA for Paly, and whatever WGPA Gunn has beenusing. Denise Herrmann admitted last night that she only just learned Gunn was not using theUC/CSU WGPA. She assumed that they were.

Gunn's calculation can come out higher if the grades you have in 9th and 10th arehigh and the classes that are eliminated from the UC system are high. There is apossibility that the UC system could be better too. It depends on the student's grade.I think that there are a couple of things that need to be considered.

1. We believe that you can't put the UC system weighted grade on common app. They won't accept it. The Common App requires a cumulative (Freshman year onGPA). True. And we are not putting anything on the Common App. We are sendingrevised transcripts, per the BOE’s directive.

2. Per Kim Diorio, 100 paly seniors would have WGPA < UWGPA and I believe this is a problembut don't totally understand this yet since we don't know how colleges use both. This is true. There are at least 50, maybe more, students who will have a lower weighted GPA thanunweighted GPA. This concern was brought to the BOE’s attention. Once we start printingout the transcripts, we will have the data that gives us the exact number of students who aredisadvantaged.

3. If colleges want to compare UWGPA to WGPA then it is apples to oranges for Paly. ForGunn, they use the same courses on both and just add a point for the AP/ Honors. So nobodyever has WGPA < UWGPA (Gunn has a system that has worked 1 for honors and 1 forAP. It’s easy to understand for everyone). This may or may not be true and will besomething the BOE will address as part of their long term solution. The decision to use theUC/ CSU weighted GPA at Paly is because it is very clear which courses get the extra weight. Our students know exactly which courses receive honors/AP weight and we make the

formula” very accessible and transparent through our College Advisors and TA’ssee page 5 of our course catalog). There is no mystery to how we determine this

number, as there seems to be at Gunn.

4. I believe we should use Gunn's system so that both schools are the same and itsolves all the problems described in 1-3 above (Some day we can look at how otherschools calculated WGPA but there is no national standard) Again, everyone is inagreement the two schools should use the same system in the future (long term), butfor now, it was decided we stick with our current method for calculating a WGPA.

5. 51% of schools do not recalculate GPA. I heard this quoted by many parents lastnight and would be interested in the source. This is the kids’ best show. We shouldshow them in the best light possible for the work they’ve done, which means weshould not use a method in which wGPA is lower than uwGPA ever. Agreed, however last night the BOE decided to put the interest of those students with higherWGPA ahead of students with lower WPGA. It’s a sad day for our HUR, SED, andIEP students at Paly and for all the staff who believe in ALL students.

Not much I can do with this, and I did not stay for the end of the meeting. Sending toyou to address as needed.

Katie

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Victoria KimSubject: Re: Message to Senior Families - Weighted GPA and UC SystemDate: Thursday, November 3, 2016 8:02: 05 AM

Good morning,

Thank you for the thorough and thoughtful response. I am not forwarding and will wait forPaly/PAUSD to share more. I have encouraged ALL parents and students that have expressedconcern to contact the school board, and I am not sure if many have. I make it clear that I am nota decision maker, and I am not an immediate stakeholder. This usually works as a pass.

board member/superintendent communications and I am not doinganything with these but provides me with disgust.

Had the opportunity to speak with some of the HUR parents as I was leaving the school boardmeeting; they have a different take on the support provided to them at Paly and the opportunitiesto take advanced classes. This starts way before 9th grade, and this message needs to beshared so the high schools can set realistic expectations with the community.

My feedback to the school board remains: The high schools should be aligned. The high schoolsshould not allow a student to be disadvantaged for academic rigor and scholarships based on a

reporting system (if we know they are competing with high schools that allow a moreadvantageous position). The latter part is so unclear, I defer to PAUSD experts. As a Palyparent, it was very clear in the course catalog that 9/10 grade H classes would not be weighted. We still encouraged our teen to enroll in some of these courses as we felt it was preparation forAP classes in the Junior and Senior year. The Paly 9/10 H teachers have a grading scale toreflect the weight of these classes. I am not sure how this differs with Gunn.

I am starting to understand the past parent uproar with PE grades and why some of my friendstried to convince me we should not allow any honor classes if our teen was going to get below anA minus. Starting to all make sense, these parents are strategic. We need a manual on this oncethe school district decides which system they are using!! (kidding)

Katie


Hi Katie,

The Board was very clear and directed us last night to report the UC/ CSU weighted GPA onthe mid-year transcript, and to provide the same info and/or an updated transcript for thosewho applied ED/ EA and wanted it. Against our recommendation and wishes, this is what we

are now preparing to do for the class of 2017. The BOE and Max will come back at a laterdate with a long-term solution (before the spring so students know in time for courseselection) to align both Paly and Gunn for next year and future years. At this time, we do notknow what the long term recommendation will be.

Last night, I made it very clear to the BOE that Paly students will be disadvantaged by thequick decision…particularly our HUR, SED and IEP students. The BOE took this intoconsideration, but ultimately took action to make a change in our current practice. Max, Denise and I made it VERY CLEAR that we disagree with their decision, but the BOE did notsupport us. If parents are upset (which they should be), they will need to contact BOEmembers directly and/or come to the next BOE meeting to speak out during Open Forum. The BOE heard from 30 parents and 4 students, mostly from Gunn, all in support of WGPA. Iimagine all of the parents who spoke up have students who are in the top 20% of their class, because this decision only serves our top students. Everyone else suffers. I told the BOE thatfor 75% of Paly students, this is not a good move. Still, I was not able to convince themotherwise.

Today I had a steady stream of teary staff members who shared they did not feel safespeaking up at the meetings, both the 10/18 meeting and last nights. I know of Paly parentsin attendance who disagreed with what many parents were saying, but they too did not feelsafe speaking up. The petition the teachers wrote only had 68 signatures because manyteachers admitted they wanted to sign, but did not feel safe signing their names to the publicdocument. “We might get burned by the BOE” was what one teacher told another. Unfortunately, the BOE is directly responsible for creating this toxic culture in our community.

And I feel very powerless in this regard.

FWIW, I understand Lauren Janov wants Paly to move to Gunn’s overall weighted and she iscausing a lot of panic in our community as a result, but that is NOT what the BOE agreed tolast night. I’ve confirmed this with Max today and we are moving ahead with the UC/ CSUweighted GPA which is what the BOE directed us to do.

There will be a communication blast going out tomorrow with more details. And we happento have senior advisory tomorrow, so our TA’s will be discussing this change with our studentsand answering their questions. I feel really bad for our students. Many of them feelblindsided.

In the meantime, I would suggest the PTSA redirect all questions, comments and concerns tothe BOE and encourage parents to write BOE members. If our parents and students don’tspeak out, they will continue to make decisions based on a vocal minority, as they have donetime and time again, instead of listening to the professionals. I know for myself and theeducators at Paly, this is not an easy place to work.

Hope this info helps. BTW, I answered the points in blue below. Feel free to use as needed. Or not and wait for us to send out our communication tomorrow.


Kim


Hi Kim and Vicki,

I am being contacted by families about a misunderstanding between the decisionto use the UC weighted GPA system, and Max’s request to determine whatsystem will be used at Paly.

Outlined are some key points, and these are being sent to the school boardmembers for their consideration by Paly families: There are different variations ofthis going around through e mail/social media. I asked some of the exec board tocontact you directly, as they explained the issue to me, and it would be best for youto hear from them regarding how Paly students may be being at a disadvantage fromGunn using the UC weighted GPA system.

Points:

During the last few minutes of the board meeting last night, the board agreed that we wouldmove forward with reporting WGPA and UWGPA on the transcripts but Max McGhee wouldhave to investigate the Paly problem and come back with a recommendation. There is NOdecision yet on which calculation Paly will use until Max comes back with arecommendation. For long term it hasn’t been decided. However, in the short term, itwas decided to use the UC/ CSU weighted GPA for Paly, and whatever WGPA Gunn has beenusing. Denise Herrmann admitted last night that she only just learned Gunn was not using theUC/CSU WGPA. She assumed that they were.

Gunn's calculation can come out higher if the grades you have in 9th and 10th arehigh and the classes that are eliminated from the UC system are high. There is apossibility that the UC system could be better too. It depends on the student's grade.I think that there are a couple of things that need to be considered.

1. We believe that you can't put the UC system weighted grade on common app. They won't accept it. The Common App requires a cumulative (Freshman year onGPA). True. And we are not putting anything on the Common App. We are sendingrevised transcripts, per the BOE’s directive.

2. Per Kim Diorio, 100 paly seniors would have WGPA < UWGPA and I believe this is a problembut don't totally understand this yet since we don't know how colleges use both. This is true. There are at least 50, maybe more, students who will have a lower weighted GPA than

unweighted GPA. This concern was brought to the BOE’s attention. Once we start printingout the transcripts, we will have the data that gives us the exact number of students who aredisadvantaged.

3. If colleges want to compare UWGPA to WGPA then it is apples to oranges for Paly. ForGunn, they use the same courses on both and just add a point for the AP/ Honors. So nobodyever has WGPA < UWGPA (Gunn has a system that has worked 1 for honorsand 1 for AP. It’s easy to understand for everyone). This may or may not betrue and will be something the BOE will address as part of their long termsolution. The decision to use the UC/ CSU weighted GPA at Paly is because it isvery clear which courses get the extra weight. Our students know exactlywhich courses receive honors/ AP weight and we make the “formula” veryaccessible and transparent through our College Advisors and TA’s (seepage 5 of our course catalog). There is no mystery to how we determinethis number, as there seems to be at Gunn.

4. I believe we should use Gunn's system so that both schools are the same and itsolves all the problems described in 1-3 above (Some day we can look at how otherschools calculated WGPA but there is no national standard) Again, everyone is inagreement the two schools should use the same system in the future (long term), butfor now, it was decided we stick with our current method for calculating a WGPA.

5. 51% of schools do not recalculate GPA. I heard this quoted by many parents lastnight and would be interested in the source. This is the kids’ best show. We shouldshow them in the best light possible for the work they’ve done, which means weshould not use a method in which wGPA is lower than uwGPA ever. Agreed, however last night the BOE decided to put the interest of those students with higherWGPA ahead of students with lower WPGA. It’s a sad day for our HUR, SED, andIEP students at Paly and for all the staff who believe in ALL students.

Not much I can do with this, and I did not stay for the end of the meeting. Sending toyou to address as needed.

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Victoria KimSubject: Re: Message to Senior Families - Weighted GPA and UC SystemDate: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 9:29: 42 PM

Hi Katie,

The Board was very clear and directed us last night to report the UC/ CSU weighted GPA on the mid-yeartranscript, and to provide the same info and/or an updated transcript for those who applied ED/ EA andwanted it. Against our recommendation and wishes, this is what we are now preparing to do for the classof 2017. The BOE and Max will come back at a later date with a long-term solution (before the spring sostudents know in time for course selection) to align both Paly and Gunn for next year and future years. Atthis time, we do not know what the long term recommendation will be.

Last night, I made it very clear to the BOE that Paly students will be disadvantaged by the quick decision…particularly our HUR, SED and IEP students. The BOE took this into consideration, but ultimately took actionto make a change in our current practice. Max, Denise and I made it VERY CLEAR that we disagree withtheir decision, but the BOE did not support us. If parents are upset (which they should be), they will need tocontact BOE members directly and/or come to the next BOE meeting to speak out during Open Forum. TheBOE heard from 30 parents and 4 students, mostly from Gunn, all in support of WGPA. I imagine all of theparents who spoke up have students who are in the top 20% of their class, because this decision only servesour top students. Everyone else suffers. I told the BOE that for 75% of Paly students, this is not a goodmove. Still, I was not able to convince them otherwise.

Today I had a steady stream of teary staff members who shared they did not feel safe speaking up at themeetings, both the 10/18 meeting and last nights. I know of Paly parents in attendance who disagreed withwhat many parents were saying, but they too did not feel safe speaking up. The petition the teacherswrote only had 68 signatures because many teachers admitted they wanted to sign, but did not feel safesigning their names to the public document. “We might get burned by the BOE” was what one teacher toldanother. Unfortunately, the BOE is directly responsible for creating this toxic culture in our community. AndI feel very powerless in this regard.

FWIW, I understand Lauren Janov wants Paly to move to Gunn’s overall weighted and she is causing a lot ofpanic in our community as a result, but that is NOT what the BOE agreed to last night. I’ve confirmed thiswith Max today and we are moving ahead with the UC/ CSU weighted GPA which is what the BOE directedus to do.

There will be a communication blast going out tomorrow with more details. And we happen to have senioradvisory tomorrow, so our TA’s will be discussing this change with our students and answering theirquestions. I feel really bad for our students. Many of them feel blindsided.

In the meantime, I would suggest the PTSA redirect all questions, comments and concerns to the BOE andencourage parents to write BOE members. If our parents and students don’t speak out, they will continueto make decisions based on a vocal minority, as they have done time and time again, instead of listening tothe professionals. I know for myself and the educators at Paly, this is not an easy place to work.

Hope this info helps. BTW, I answered the points in blue below. Feel free to use as needed. Or not and waitfor us to send out our communication tomorrow.


Kim


Hi Kim and Vicki,

I am being contacted by families about a misunderstanding between the decision to use theUC weighted GPA system, and Max’s request to determine what system will be used atPaly.

Outlined are some key points, and these are being sent to the school board members for theirconsideration by Paly families: There are different variations of this going around through email/social media. I asked some of the exec board to contact you directly, as they explained theissue to me, and it would be best for you to hear from them regarding how Paly students may bebeing at a disadvantage from Gunn using the UC weighted GPA system.

Points:

During the last few minutes of the board meeting last night, the board agreed that we would move forwardwith reporting WGPA and UWGPA on the transcripts but Max McGhee would have to investigate the Palyproblem and come back with a recommendation. There is NO decision yet on which calculation Paly willuse until Max comes back with a recommendation. For long term it hasn’t been decided. However, inthe short term, it was decided to use the UC/ CSU weighted GPA for Paly, and whatever WGPA Gunn hasbeen using. Denise Herrmann admitted last night that she only just learned Gunn was not using the UC/ CSUWGPA. She assumed that they were.

Gunn's calculation can come out higher if the grades you have in 9th and 10th are high and theclasses that are eliminated from the UC system are high. There is a possibility that the UCsystem could be better too. It depends on the student's grade. I think that there are a couple ofthings that need to be considered.

1. We believe that you can't put the UC system weighted grade on common app. They won'taccept it. The Common App requires a cumulative (Freshman year on GPA). True. And we arenot putting anything on the Common App. We are sending revised transcripts, per the BOE’sdirective.

2. Per Kim Diorio, 100 paly seniors would have WGPA < UWGPA and I believe this is a problem but don'ttotally understand this yet since we don't know how colleges use both. This is true. There are at least 50,

maybe more, students who will have a lower weighted GPA than unweighted GPA. This concern wasbrought to the BOE’s attention. Once we start printing out the transcripts, we will have the data that givesus the exact number of students who are disadvantaged.

3. If colleges want to compare UWGPA to WGPA then it is apples to oranges for Paly. For Gunn, they use thesame courses on both and just add a point for the AP/ Honors. So nobody ever has WGPA < UWGPAGunn has a system that has worked 1 for honors and 1 for AP. It’s easy tounderstand for everyone). This may or may not be true and will be something the BOE willaddress as part of their long term solution. The decision to use the UC/ CSU weighted GPA atPaly is because it is very clear which courses get the extra weight. Our students knowexactly which courses receive honors/AP weight and we make the “formula” veryaccessible and transparent through our College Advisors and TA’s (see page 5 of ourcourse catalog). There is no mystery to how we determine this number, as thereseems to be at Gunn.

4. I believe we should use Gunn's system so that both schools are the same and it solves all theproblems described in 1-3 above (Some day we can look at how other schools calculated WGPAbut there is no national standard) Again, everyone is in agreement the two schools should use thesame system in the future (long term), but for now, it was decided we stick with our current

method for calculating a WGPA.

5. 51% of schools do not recalculate GPA. I heard this quoted by many parents last night andwould be interested in the source. This is the kids’ best show. We should show them in the bestlight possible for the work they’ve done, which means we should not use a method in which wGPAis lower than uwGPA ever. Agreed, however last night the BOE decided to put the interest of

those students with higher WGPA ahead of students with lower WPGA. It’s a sad day for ourHUR, SED, and IEP students at Paly and for all the staff who believe in ALL students.

Not much I can do with this, and I did not stay for the end of the meeting. Sending to you toaddress as needed.

Katie

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly Diorio; Victoria KimSubject: Message to Senior Families - Weighted GPA and UC SystemDate: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 1:22: 27 PM

Hi Kim and Vicki,

I am being contacted by families about a misunderstanding between the decision to use theUC weighted GPA system, and Max’s request to determine what system will be used atPaly.

Outlined are some key points, and these are being sent to the school board members for theirconsideration by Paly families: There are different variations of this going around through email/social media. I asked some of the exec board to contact you directly, as they explained theissue to me, and it would be best for you to hear from them regarding how Paly students may bebeing at a disadvantage from Gunn using the UC weighted GPA system.

Points:

During the last few minutes of the board meeting last night, the board agreed that we would moveforward with reporting WGPA and UWGPA on the transcripts but Max McGhee would have toinvestigate the Paly problem and come back with a recommendation. There is NO decision yeton which calculation Paly will use until Max comes back with a recommendation.

Gunn's calculation can come out higher if the grades you have in 9th and 10th are high and theclasses that are eliminated from the UC system are high. There is a possibility that the UCsystem could be better too. It depends on the student's grade. I think that there are a couple ofthings that need to be considered.

1. We believe that you can't put the UC system weighted grade on common app. They won'taccept it. The Common App requires a cumulative (Freshman year on GPA).

2. Per Kim Diorio, 100 paly seniors would have WGPA < UWGPA and I believe this is a problembut don't totally understand this yet since we don't know how colleges use both.

3. If colleges want to compare UWGPA to WGPA then it is apples to oranges for Paly. For Gunn, they use the same courses on both and just add a point for the AP/Honors. So nobody ever hasWGPA < UWGPA (Gunn has a system that has worked 1 for honors and 1 for AP. It’s easy tounderstand for everyone).

4. I believe we should use Gunn's system so that both schools are the same and it solves all theproblems described in 1-3 above (Some day we can look at how other schools calculated WGPAbut there is no national standard)

5. 51% of schools do not recalculate GPA. This is the kids’ best show. We should show them inthe best light possible for the work they’ve done, which means we should not use a method inwhich wGPA is lower than uwGPA ever

Not much I can do with this, and I did not stay for the end of the meeting. Sending to you toaddress as needed.

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill Gold; Carol MullinSubject: FW: IC grade book - weighted grade categoriesDate: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 9:26: 35 AM

On another matter…

Just to follow-up on Carol’s concerns. We brought this up last week with the Instructional Supervisors andPaly tech team. Our teach TOSA (and math teacher) Scott Friedland will be checking in with each IS andthen assisting teachers where applicable.

In the meantime, if you learn of any other names (specific teachers) who we should check out, please letme know.

Thanks!

Kim

From: Adam PaulsonDate: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 9:09 AMTo: palystaffSubject: IC grade book - weighted grade categories

A quick message to teachers who are using weighted grade categories within the InfiniteCampus grade book. Please do a spot check on an individual student to make sure that IC iscalculating correctly. Last year, this issue came up on rare occasion and this is simply aproactive measure to ensure accurate assessment.

Example: Are assignments WITHIN a category being weighted properly, e.g. did you want allof the tests within the test category to be weighted by points or did you want all of the testsweighted equally?

Scott Friedland, one of our Tech TOSA’s, is happy to help you do a quick check. Please emailhim at sfriedland@pausd. org if you would like assistance.

Adam PaulsonAssistant PrincipalPalo Alto High School

From: Katie ShadeTo: Matthew Hall; Kenneth DauberCc: Kimberly DiorioSubject: PTSA General Meet5ing and Principal Coffee Nov 4thDate: Sunday, October 30, 2016 8:07: 43 AMAttachments: 100416PTSAAgenda.. doc

Hi Matt and Ken,

The second Paly PTSA general association/Principal Coffee is this Friday (November 4th) at8:30am in the Paly library EWC.

Matt, we have you on the agenda, and if you can stop by and provide the community with anupdate (and receive gratitude for your marathon of service) this would be appreciated.

We have no business to discuss other than the financial activity and reminders of upcoming PTSAactivities (which are listed below the agenda). The principal coffee will follow immediately afterthe meeting. Below is the agenda.

regards,

Katie Shade

From: Katie Shade PTSATo: Exec Board 2016/17Subject: New file ( PTSA Agenda 100416) for community Exec Board 2016/17Date: Sunday, October 30, 2016 8:01: 34 AM

Hi Everyone,

We have a short mweeting before the principal coffee. I have not included the principal update ijthe meetng as we have her providing us with an update during the coffee. I've uploaded a newfile:

PTSA Agenda 100416

The file is located in the file sharing section. Folder name is: General Meeting Agendas

Any questions/concerns, please let me know.

Thanks, Katie Shade PTSA

If you cannot use the hyperlink above, copy and paste the following link to your browser:https://d2kwux309fn5li. cloudfront. net/83dd929b9405d46bebe9aeeeac37ba6c/ 100416PTSAAgenda.. doc

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From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Jorge QuintanaSubject: Fwd: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 9:02: 41 AM

FYI

Sent from my iPhone


From: Katie Shade <Date: October 28, 2016 at 10:45:09 AM CDTTo: Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org>Cc: Victoria Kim < vkim@pausd. org>Subject: Re: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent:Paly/Gunn Nov 1st Meeting Cancelled

Looking forward to the IC message!!!

Katie

On Oct 28, 2016, at 8:37 AM, Kimberly Dioriokdiorio@pausd. org> wrote:

Hi Katie,

Thanks for doing this. That said, when I saw Max asked you and Barbara toshare it out, I shared with him that I didn’t think it was fair to make the PTSAthe messenger.” He agreed and was apologetic. It was not his intent. I think

he wanted to give you a heads-up. And I know Jorge will be sending this outover Infinite Campus soon (if he hasn’t already) so it comes directly from Max.

Again, I’m so sorry you’ve been caught in the middle on everything. Thanks somuch for all your support and help. I am so appreciative of all you do!

Talk soon,

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 at 6:29 AMTo: Max McGeeCc: KDiorio, Denise Herrmann, Keri Wagner, " Ext:Barbara Best",

Subject: Fwd: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent:Paly/ Gunn Nov 1st Meeting Cancelled

Good Morning Max,

Paly has shared your letter with the Paly PTSA parent community. Our note isincluded below.

Safe travels!

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade PTSA <Subject: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note fromSuperintendent: Paly/Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: October 28, 2016 at 6:28:01 AM PDTTo: Palo Alto High School PTSA <Reply-To:

Linked files:Note from Superintendent: Nov 1st MeetingCancelled

Dear Paly Parents,

Dr. McGee has requested the PTSA distributehis thoughful letter regarding the decision tocancel the November 1st Paly/Gunn meeting onGPA reporting on transcripts. The letter clearlycommunicates PAUSD will continue to supportall of the students, and describes what steps willbe taken to help this years (Class of 2017) seniors.

The file is uploaded under SuperintendentsLetter in the file section of uptous (in a PDFformat).

regards,

Katie Shade

To respond to the whole group, post a message from your browserusing the following link:https://www. uptous. com/uptous. htm?_ flowId= directLink-flow&communityId= 5301&extraId= 150666&action= ann

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From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Victoria KimSubject: Re: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/ Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 8:45: 19 AM

Looking forward to the IC message!!!

Katie

On Oct 28, 2016, at 8:37 AM, Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org> wrote:

Hi Katie,

Thanks for doing this. That said, when I saw Max asked you and Barbara to share it out, Ishared with him that I didn’t think it was fair to make the PTSA " the messenger.” He agreedand was apologetic. It was not his intent. I think he wanted to give you a heads-up. And Iknow Jorge will be sending this out over Infinite Campus soon (if he hasn’t already) so itcomes directly from Max.

Again, I’m so sorry you’ve been caught in the middle on everything. Thanks so much for allyour support and help. I am so appreciative of all you do!

Talk soon,

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 at 6:29 AMTo: Max McGeeCc: KDiorio, Denise Herrmann, Keri Wagner, "Ext:Barbara Best",

Subject: Fwd: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/ GunnNov 1st Meeting Cancelled

Good Morning Max,

Paly has shared your letter with the Paly PTSA parent community. Our note is includedbelow.

Safe travels!

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade PTSA <Subject: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: October 28, 2016 at 6:28:01 AM PDTTo: Palo Alto High School PTSA <Reply-To:

Linked files:Note from Superintendent: Nov 1st Meeting Cancelled

Dear Paly Parents,

Dr. McGee has requested the PTSA distribute his thoughfulletter regarding the decision to cancel the November 1st

Paly/Gunn meeting on GPA reporting on transcripts. Theletter clearly communicates PAUSD will continue to supportall of the students, and describes what steps will be taken

to help this years (Class of 2017) seniors.

The file is uploaded under Superintendents Letter in the filesection of uptous ( in a PDF format).

regards,

Katie Shade

To respond to the whole group, post a message from your browser using thefollowing link:https://www. uptous. com/uptous. htm?_ flowId= directLink-flow&communityId= 5301&extraId= 150666&action= ann

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From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie ShadeCc: Victoria KimBcc: Kathleen LaurenceSubject: Re: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/ Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 8:37:18 AM

Hi Katie,

Thanks for doing this. That said, when I saw Max asked you and Barbara to share it out, I shared with himthat I didn’t think it was fair to make the PTSA " the messenger.” He agreed and was apologetic. It was nothis intent. I think he wanted to give you a heads-up. And I know Jorge will be sending this out over InfiniteCampus soon (if he hasn’t already) so it comes directly from Max.

Again, I’m so sorry you’ve been caught in the middle on everything. Thanks so much for all your supportand help. I am so appreciative of all you do!

Talk soon,

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 at 6:29 AMTo: Max McGeeCc: KDiorio, Denise Herrmann, Keri Wagner, " Ext:Barbara Best", "Subject: Fwd: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/ Gunn Nov 1stMeeting Cancelled

Good Morning Max,

Paly has shared your letter with the Paly PTSA parent community. Our note is included below.

Safe travels!

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade PTSA <Subject: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/GunnNov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: October 28, 2016 at 6:28:01 AM PDTTo: Palo Alto High School PTSA <

Reply-To:


Dear Paly Parents,

Dr. McGee has requested the PTSA distribute his thoughful letterregarding the decision to cancel the November 1st Paly/Gunnmeeting on GPA reporting on transcripts. The letter clearlycommunicates PAUSD will continue to support all of the students, anddescribes what steps will be taken to help this years (Class of 2017)

seniors.

The file is uploaded under Superintendents Letter in the file section ofuptous ( in a PDF format).

regards,

Katie Shade

To respond to the whole group, post a message from your browser using the following link:https://www. uptous. com/uptous. htm?_ flowId= directLink-flow&communityId= 5301&extraId= 150666&action= ann

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From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Kathleen Laurence; Victoria Kim; Sandra CernoboriCc: Jorge QuintanaSubject: Re: Notice to distribute today pleaseDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 8:32: 29 AM

Max is suggesting we move the student forum to the 4th.

Max will be sending out the letter over IC, if he hasn’t done so already. It was the first thing I asked him todo when I saw he gave it to the PTSA presidents. All communication on this one will go through Max/ Jorge.

Kim

From: Kathleen LaurenceDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 at 7:42 AMTo: KDiorio, Victoria Kim, Sandra CernoboriSubject: RE: Notice to distribute today please

Hi Kim,

I have a couple of clarifying questions.if !supportLists]--> 1.  Should we still plan on doing the student forum?if !supportLists]--> 2.  Should we send the letter through IC in addition to

it being sent out by the parent networks?Thanks,Kathie

From: Kimberly DiorioSent: Friday, October 28, 2016 5:29 AMTo: Victoria Kim; Sandra Cernobori; Kathleen LaurenceSubject: Fwd: Notice to distribute today please

Sent from my iPhone


From: Max McGee < mmcgee@pausd. org>Date: October 28, 2016 at 5:52:24 AM CDTTo: Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org>, Denise Herrmann

dherrmann@pausd. org>, Katie Shade < KeriWagner < Ext:Barbara Best"

Subject: Notice to distribute today please

Good Morning from Dallas,

Having consulted with Board of Education members the past few days, I think it isbest to cancel the 11/ 1 forum for now and have enclosed a letter to that effect todistribute to your high school parent network today. It also contains myrecommendations to the Board that I will be making Tuesday night that includenot changing practices this year.

Given the significant degree of misinformation regarding WGPA, I think it is agood idea to hold several community forums, but i think it is the community' sbest interest to do so after there has been time to develop a presentation andappoint a committee to ride point on this issue over the next several months.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Max

From: Katie ShadeTo: Max McGeeCc: Kimberly Diorio; Denise Herrmann; Keri Wagner; Ext:Barbara Best; Subject: Fwd: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/ Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 6:29: 23 AM

Good Morning Max,

Paly has shared your letter with the Paly PTSA parent community. Our note is included below.

Safe travels!

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade PTSA <Subject: Palo Alto High School PTSA: Note from Superintendent: Paly/Gunn Nov 1st Meeting CancelledDate: October 28, 2016 at 6:28:01 AM PDTTo: Palo Alto High School PTSA <Reply- To:


Dear Paly Parents,

Dr. McGee has requested the PTSA distribute his thoughfulletter regarding the decision to cancel the November 1stPaly/Gunn meeting on GPA reporting on transcripts. Theletter clearly communicates PAUSD will continue to support allof the students, and describes what steps will be taken to helpthis years (Class of 2017) seniors.

The file is uploaded under Superintendents Letter in the filesection of uptous (in a PDF format).

regards,

Katie Shade

To respond to the whole group, post a message from your browser using the following link:https://www. uptous. com/uptous. htm?_ flowId= directLink-flow&communityId= 5301&extraId= 150666&action= ann

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From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Victoria Kim; Sandra Cernobori; Kathleen LaurenceSubject: Fwd: Notice to distribute today pleaseDate: Friday, October 28, 2016 5:28: 36 AMAttachments: Supt. Message- Cancelling 11-1 Forum at Gunn. pdf

ATT00001.htm

Sent from my iPhone


From: Max McGee < mmcgee@pausd. org>Date: October 28, 2016 at 5:52:24 AM CDTTo: Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org>, Denise Herrmann

dherrmann@pausd. org>, Katie Shade < KeriWagner < Ext:Barbara Best"

Subject: Notice to distribute today please

Good Morning from Dallas,

Having consulted with Board of Education members the past few days, I think it isbest to cancel the 11/ 1 forum for now and have enclosed a letter to that effect todistribute to your high school parent network today. It also contains myrecommendations to the Board that I will be making Tuesday night that includenot changing practices this year.

Given the significant degree of misinformation regarding WGPA, I think it is agood idea to hold several community forums, but i think it is the community' sbest interest to do so after there has been time to develop a presentation andappoint a committee to ride point on this issue over the next several months.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Max

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie ShadeCc: Jill Gold; Victoria KimSubject: Re: Message from the Principal - an article removed from one of the your links in paly. net?Date: Thursday, October 27, 2016 5: 45: 43 AM

Copying Vicki. She can explain more. I should not have linked the article because there is a lot ofmisinformation in it that adds to the confusion. My bad.

What’s interesting, I just went back to look and the article used to end this way:

Ultimately, Paly should remain with its unweighted system, despite calls for a weighted GPA. Gunn should also make the move to unweighted GPAs, for the sake of consistency and thestudents."

Looks like someone changed the order around of the pro versus con section? I wouldn’t have sent it out if itended the other way around!

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 9:38 PMTo: KDiorioCc: Jill GoldSubject: Fwd: Message from the Principal - an article removed from one of the your links inpaly.net?

Hi Kim,

I wanted to thank you for sending this out. Unfortunately, I received messages that the studentvoice (Campanile) was removed from the paly.net link you sent to the Paly families? Are youaware of this? The reason I was given is below:

The actual article ends this way:

Every piece of a student’s transcript tells admission officers and others a little bit moreabout that student’s academic proficiency. All these elements, from courses to grades toGPA, are important, and adding one more piece to the puzzle by including the weightedGPA can only benefit a student. For these reasons, Paly should include the weighted GPAin addition to the unweighted GPA currently on a student’s transcript.”

I was not as quick to review last night. I see the link to the Campanile is still there in another oneof your links in the message. I not unclear how this supports Paly’s position. Seems counter? Would it be possible to include the ASB/Student voice supporting Paly’s position before the Novmeeting?

regards,

Katie


From: Subject: Message from the PrincipalDate: October 25, 2016 at 2:44:33 PM PDTTo:

Dear Vikings,

With Spirit Week 2016 now behind us, I’m reaching out to address anotherhot topic” that developed over the last several weeks. Many of you are

aware that on October 18th, the issue of grade reporting on the highschool transcript was brought to the Board of Education ( BOE) fordiscussion. Here is the agenda item that our Superintendent presented tothe BOE, in case you missed it.

To learn more about this topic, I am inviting you to attend a joint Paly-Gunn Parent Information Session regarding weighted/ non-weightedgrades and what information is noted on the transcript and reported tocolleges via the Common Application. Here are the details:

Tuesday, November 1st, at 8:30am - 9:45am, in Spangenberg TheatreGunn High School)

Agenda: Gunn Principal Denise Herrmann and I will give a 20-minutepresentation on current practices at Paly and Gunn for transcriptsand reporting weighted/ non-weighted grades and will explain therecommendation presented to the BOE at the 10/18 meeting

A panel composed of high school administrators, school counselors, and college counselors will take questions and listen to feedbackfrom parents regarding transcripts and weighted grades. A fewschool board members will also be present to listen to thediscussion.

Dr McGee will give a closing statement and share next steps in theprocess, including how the discussion will be framed at the BOE

meeting scheduled for later that evening.

If you are able to join us, we ask that you please click this RSVP link sowe have a solid estimate of how many parents will be attending. Forthose of you who are unable to attend Tuesday morning' s parent- infosession, we offer the following information for your consideration.

In preparation for last week’s BOE meeting, we spent considerable timediscussing the topic with a variety of stakeholder groups ( Paly’sLeadership team aka Ed Council, Site Council, ASB, the PTSA ExecutiveBoard, the Paly Teacher Advisors, etc...) to share our position on thiscomplex issue and to clarify a number of misunderstandings that we haveheard within our parent community. To frame these conversations and toaddress common misperceptions, we developed a position paper that wefeel supports and explains the rationale for our current practice of onlyreporting unweighted grades on the transcript and common app schoolreport form. If you have not read the position paper, I would encourageyou to do so. It can be found here.

In dialogue with various groups and community members over the pastseveral weeks, it’s clear that we all want what is best for students - despite any differences in opinion. As a school community, we caregreatly about the well-being of our students, from both an academic andsocial-emotional perspective. Since 2013, we have spent considerabletime and energy striving to strengthen a culture of care at our school. Ourpartnerships with both Challenge Success and Sources of Strength, alongwith the creation of our Wellness Center, are examples of our dedicationto nurturing the health and well-being of all Paly students. Our vision forPaly is to be a learning environment where ALL students THRIVE. Weare and will continue to be unwavering in this pursuit.

When it comes to college admissions, over the years we’ve built manypositive relationships with higher education admissionsofficers/ representatives around the country in order for ALL Palo Alto HighSchool students to be presented in the best possible light. Our school hasa strong national reputation, which serves our students extremely well,

thanks to our dedicated college advisors and many college and careercenter parent volunteers. With that in mind, please understand we wouldnever continue a practice that we believed jeopardized or harmed ourstudents when it comes to reaching their goals. Therefore, we ask ourentire community to think critically before forming an opinion on theweighted versus unweighted grade debate... whom does the weightedGPA serve? We encourage you to ask questions, read various positionpapers, consider the unintended consequences and take the professionalrecommendations of our entire guidance department and teaching staffinto account as you learn more about this complex issue.

Until then, I hope you will consider the opinion of the Palo Alto High

School staff who believe reporting a weighted GPA on the transcript wouldsignificantly undermine everything we’ve been working on for the past

three years. We believe that if we were to change our practice, thenegatives far outweigh the positives, especially when we consider ourrecent history as well as our district and school goals. It just so happenslast year's Campanile students agreed... click here for their studentperspective.

Finally, as professional educators and counselors, we understand thecomplexity of college admissions and believe our expertise in this areasupports the position to continue with our current practice. We hope thatyou will partner with us and trust us in this regard. No matter the outcomeof this debate in our community, we will not lose sight of our core purpose,which is to affirm the potential of every Paly student in an environment ofsupport and inspiration where people work together and lift each othertoward great personal growth.

Respectfully,

Kim DiorioPrincipal

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Jill GoldSubject: Fwd: Message from the Principal - an article removed from one of the your links in paly. net?Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 9:38: 54 PMAttachments: 2016-10-25-14-39-12_Weightedvs.UnweightedGrades-PalyPositionPaper. pdf

Hi Kim,

I wanted to thank you for sending this out. Unfortunately, I received messages that the studentvoice (Campanile) was removed from the paly.net link you sent to the Paly families? Are youaware of this? The reason I was given is below:

The actual article ends this way:

Every piece of a student’s transcript tells admission officers and others a little bit moreabout that student’s academic proficiency. All these elements, from courses to grades toGPA, are important, and adding one more piece to the puzzle by including the weightedGPA can only benefit a student. For these reasons, Paly should include the weighted GPAin addition to the unweighted GPA currently on a student’s transcript.”

I was not as quick to review last night. I see the link to the Campanile is still there in another oneof your links in the message. I not unclear how this supports Paly’s position. Seems counter?Would it be possible to include the ASB/Student voice supporting Paly’s position before the Nov

meeting?

regards,

Katie


From: Subject: Message from the PrincipalDate: October 25, 2016 at 2:44:33 PM PDTTo:

Dear Vikings,

With Spirit Week 2016 now behind us, I’m reaching out to address anotherhot topic” that developed over the last several weeks. Many of you are

aware that on October 18th, the issue of grade reporting on the highschool transcript was brought to the Board of Education ( BOE) fordiscussion. Here is the agenda item that our Superintendent presented to

the BOE, in case you missed it.

To learn more about this topic, I am inviting you to attend a joint Paly-Gunn Parent Information Session regarding weighted/ non-weightedgrades and what information is noted on the transcript and reported tocolleges via the Common Application. Here are the details:

Tuesday, November 1st, at 8:30am - 9:45am, in Spangenberg TheatreGunn High School)

Agenda: Gunn Principal Denise Herrmann and I will give a 20-minutepresentation on current practices at Paly and Gunn for transcriptsand reporting weighted/ non-weighted grades and will explain therecommendation presented to the BOE at the 10/18 meeting

A panel composed of high school administrators, school counselors,and college counselors will take questions and listen to feedbackfrom parents regarding transcripts and weighted grades. A fewschool board members will also be present to listen to thediscussion.

Dr McGee will give a closing statement and share next steps in theprocess, including how the discussion will be framed at the BOEmeeting scheduled for later that evening.

If you are able to join us, we ask that you please click this RSVP link sowe have a solid estimate of how many parents will be attending. Forthose of you who are unable to attend Tuesday morning' s parent- infosession, we offer the following information for your consideration.

In preparation for last week’s BOE meeting, we spent considerable timediscussing the topic with a variety of stakeholder groups ( Paly’sLeadership team aka Ed Council, Site Council, ASB, the PTSA ExecutiveBoard, the Paly Teacher Advisors, etc...) to share our position on thiscomplex issue and to clarify a number of misunderstandings that we haveheard within our parent community. To frame these conversations and toaddress common misperceptions, we developed a position paper that wefeel supports and explains the rationale for our current practice of onlyreporting unweighted grades on the transcript and common app schoolreport form. If you have not read the position paper, I would encourageyou to do so. It can be found here.

In dialogue with various groups and community members over the pastseveral weeks, it’s clear that we all want what is best for students

despite any differences in opinion. As a school community, we caregreatly about the well-being of our students, from both an academic andsocial-emotional perspective. Since 2013, we have spent considerable

time and energy striving to strengthen a culture of care at our school. Ourpartnerships with both Challenge Success and Sources of Strength, alongwith the creation of our Wellness Center, are examples of our dedicationto nurturing the health and well-being of all Paly students. Our vision forPaly is to be a learning environment where ALL students THRIVE. Weare and will continue to be unwavering in this pursuit.

When it comes to college admissions, over the years we’ve built manypositive relationships with higher education admissionsofficers/ representatives around the country in order for ALL Palo AltoHigh School students to be presented in the best possible light. Ourschool has a strong national reputation, which serves our studentsextremely well, thanks to our dedicated college advisors and manycollege and career center parent volunteers. With that in mind, pleaseunderstand we would never continue a practice that we believedjeopardized or harmed our students when it comes to reaching theirgoals. Therefore, we ask our entire community to think critically beforeforming an opinion on the weighted versus unweighted gradedebate... whom does the weighted GPA serve? We encourage you toask questions, read various position papers, consider the unintendedconsequences and take the professional recommendations of our entireguidance department and teaching staff into account as you learn moreabout this complex issue.

Until then, I hope you will consider the opinion of the Palo Alto HighSchool staff who believe reporting a weighted GPA on the transcriptwould significantly undermine everything we’ve been working on for thepast three years. We believe that if we were to change our practice, thenegatives far outweigh the positives, especially when we consider ourrecent history as well as our district and school goals. It just so happenslast year's Campanile students agreed... click here for their studentperspective.

Finally, as professional educators and counselors, we understand thecomplexity of college admissions and believe our expertise in this areasupports the position to continue with our current practice. We hope thatyou will partner with us and trust us in this regard. No matter the outcomeof this debate in our community, we will not lose sight of our corepurpose, which is to affirm the potential of every Paly student in anenvironment of support and inspiration where people work together andlift each other toward great personal growth.

Respectfully,

Kim DiorioPrincipal

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Matthew Hall; Susan Scheel; Margaret Tracy; Beth Martin; Katie ShadeSubject: Re: Spirit Week 2016 Final ThanksDate: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 8:55: 40 AM

Matt,

Well said. I agree wholeheartedly and look forward to the celebration in November! Thank you all.

With gratitude,

Kim

From: Matthew HallDate: Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 9:35 AMTo: Susan Scheel, Margaret Tracy, Beth Martin, Katie ShadeCc: KDiorioSubject: Spirit Week 2016 Final Thanks

Dear Susan/ Mego/ Beth/Katie,

Would you please forward the following message to any and all Spirit Week/ Homecoming Dance volunteers?

start message>

Don't laugh, but I'm getting a little misty-eyed as I sit here with one of the cats and type this okay, you can laugh if you want...). I always talk to my students about the ASB ideal ofleadership being service, with service defined as sacrifice of time, talent, and personal will for the benefit of others. When I think about all of your sacrifices on behalf of our students, andon behalf of Paly, it makes me very proud to be a Viking. It's the nature of ASB to toil on without thanks or recognition. Even more so, as a parent or volunteer. I shudder when I think ofhow I may have left some of you alone or unsupported at the Homecoming Dance last night, or at Float Building, but you adapted, improvised and overcame. For any lack or mistake onmy part or on the part of my officers that made your job tougher, you have my unqualified apology.

Turning to the positive, last night we hosted quite possibly the largest dance in PAUSD history, with more than 2200 Paly Gunn students attending and having a great time right up untilthe end at 10:30. Initial word on the street is that the kids had a blast and viewed it as the perfect end to another amazing Spirit Week.

I want you to be sure that I and my students recognize your tremendous efforts on our behalf, and as their advisor I humbly offer my deepest thanks and praise and respect to all of you.We all made this great thing happen together. If you have feedback or critiques to offer, we welcome your comments. You can email me, or if you want to have a coffee, stop by the SAO.The first cup's on me.

A last few nuts and bolts before I sign off. If you incurred expenses during Homecoming and would like to be reimbursed, bring me your itemized receipt and I will make sure the check isprocessed and sent to the address you designate. If you would like to see all of the photos from the week, check out the ASB Facebook Page at: https://goo.gl/IchGLr

If you would like to see videos of all the Spirit Dances from this year, I recommend the Paly Voice at: https://www.youtube.com/user/thepalyvoicetube

Speaking of videos, if you would like to see a part of the Staff Spirit Dance with the so-called Paly Teacher Ninja Dance Squad), check out my YouTube channel at: https://goo.gl/L8GTcS

And lastly, Mego, Susan and I are planning a volunteers’thank you party at Indo Restaurant http://www.indorestaurant.com/) sometime in early November. I hope you will join us forsome good food, libations, slide show/videos and Spirit Week war stories.

Words often fail to express what we really feel, but again, thank you all so very much. It was a pleasure and an honor to work beside you.

respectfully,

matt

PS Here’s are two rare pictures for you. The first one is of Paly ASB and Gunn SEC at Homecoming Dance set-up yesterday. The second picture is of Paly Admin at the end of clean up ofHomecoming Dance last night around 11:30PM or so. I did the math and our admin all did about 115+hours just at school between last Friday and this Saturday mind you, that’s justtime on campus for sports events, Night Rally, board meetings and the like, and not all the other work they were doing at home—wow.) The picture was taken by Mary Ellen Bena, whodid both Stanford Parking fundraiser Saturday morning and then stayed until the very end at the dance last night. Amazing dedication!!!

end message>

Matt HallStudent Activities DirectorJapanese TeacherPalo Alto High School

https://sites. google. com/site/palyjapan/https://sites. google. com/site/pahsasb/https://www. facebook. com/palyasbhttps://twitter. com/ palyASB

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill GoldSubject: FW: message to parents via Infinite CampusDate: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 1:16: 44 PM

FYI. This went out to Gunn.

I know the timing and location are not ideal, but we wanted to do Spangenburg so we can accommodate alarge group.

Working on crafting our message.

Kim

From: Denise HerrmannDate: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 12:55 PMTo: KDiorio, Max McGee, Victoria KimSubject: message to parents via Infinite Campus

Dear Parents-

I am inviting you to attend a joint Gunn-Paly Parent Information Session regarding weighted/non-weighted grades and what information is noted on the transcript and reported to colleges via theCommon Application.

Tuesday, November 1st at 8:30 – 9:45 pm in Spangenberg Theatre

Agenda:Principals Herrmann and Diorio will give a 20-minute presentation on current practices at

Gunn and Paly for transcripts and reporting weighted/non-weighted grades and will explain therecommendation presented to the BOE at the 10/18 meeting

A panel composed of high school admin, school counselors, and college counselors willtake questions and listen to feedback from parents regarding transcripts and weighted grades. Afew school board members will also be present to listen to the discussion.

Dr McGee will give a closing statement and share next steps in the process, including howthe discussion will framed at the BOE meeting scheduled for that night.

Please complete the RSVP link below so we have a solid estimate of how many parents will beattending.

https://goo.gl/forms/oynmkVNxWWxocjgv2

Respectfully,

Denise Herrmann

Dr Denise HerrmannPrincipal, Henry M Gunn High [email protected]

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: palyisSubject: FW: Exec Board 2016/17: PTAC letter to the School BoardDate: Tuesday, October 25, 2016 11: 20: 02 AM

FYI.

Kim

From: Katie Shade PTSAReply-To: "Date: Monday, October 24, 2016 at 6:10 PMTo: "Subject: Exec Board 2016/ 17: PTAC letter to the School Board not to be shared outside execboard

Linked files:PTAC Letter

Hi Exec Board,

Sharing a letter PTAC sent to Max and the school board regarding high school class sizeas PAUSD makes budget decisions. The enrollment of both high schools is anticipated toincrease and PTAC is advocating funds for staffing based on the increased enrollment.

The letter articulates the issue/position.

regards,

Katie Shade

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From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Carolyn Benfield; palyprincipals; Jill GoldSubject: Re: Issues across multiple parent networks.... and GPADate: Monday, October 24, 2016 5:52: 21 PM

Hi Kim (and all),

Adding Jill to this as the two of us spoke and had wanted to touch base with you live. First, thank you for the thorough response below, greatly appreciated!

I am sure there are reasons I may never understand about the GPA reporting. Our role is tocommunicate that there is momentum within the Paly and Gunn community on this. Data isbeing gathered, parent and student feedback is being solicited. This group thinks this will beresolved soon and weighted GPA’s will be on the transcript at both high schools. As PTSAleaders, we have done our best to listen and avoid staking a personal opinion, and we feel thisis not a PTSA issue.

If we cannot talk live, and given your travel plans, we feel we should share feedback on Paly’sresponse to this (sorry its through e mail). It would be helpful if Paly directly communicates

their position to the community. Paly PTSA sent out the paper, and Paly gave a response atthe school board meeting. However, the school has not directly communicated to theirfamilies. This is important! It is also important for us to share that asking Paly parents toattend a meeting on Gunn’ s campus for a meeting that appears to be planned by Gunn may notbe received positively by Paly parents. Again, I understand the time limitations, and it would

be helpful for Paly to get in front of this and communicate what the school is doing and why. To clarify: the other issue is communicating with the Paly community why the feedback onweighted GPA on transcripts, ( initiated by a Paly family) is being addressed at Gunn.

Sorry to be a buzz kill. Let me know what I can do to help. I can be there on Monday, Jill istraveling.

regards,

Katie

On Oct 24, 2016, at 11:19 AM, Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org> wrote:

Hi Katie,

See my answers/ thoughts below in blue. BTW, thanks for chaperoning the dance. It was ahuge success!

Talk soon,

Kim

From: Katie ShadeDate: Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 10:10 PMTo: KDiorio, Carolyn BenfieldSubject: Issues across multiple parent networks.... and GPA

Hi Kim,

Great week and weekend! Your message with Matt’s is all I needed to remind me howfortunate we are as parents to have you (and your team). So thank you.

There is much we need to connect in with, and wish it were not so consuming, and it is.

After reading the minutes from the 9th, 10th and 11th grade parent network meetings, I havehighlighted issues below that resonate across grades:

1) Inconsistency across subject area and testing/ grading of same course with teachers. Isthere any way for Paly to get ahead of this? Can you message out something?

We hear you! This is our #1 WASC goal and all of our PLC time this year isdedicated to working on this concern. Teachers are meeting this afternoon inPLC’s (along with the new minimum day in February and April) to solve thiscomplex issue. This is also a BOE focused goal for the year, so the district issupporting us with this important work. We are making progress in some course-alikes, but other courses have more work to do. Our Challenge Success team isworking on a newsletter for November where each department will highlight ourprogress in this area. Unfortunately, getting teachers to be consistent or align intheir policies doesn’t happen over night. Will work on the messaging some more.

2) Schoology notices about assignments suddenly appearing and are confusing to parents. Issue we talked about is not just me (I was thinking I was crazy); Can you message outsomething?

I’ve asked our Tech Team to develop a screencast on how to turn off notifications and/or

how to navigate Schoology from the parent perspective. They are working on something. Weare also developing a Future Ready parent info night for November, so we can hear fromparents and work in partnership on some of these best practices. The tech team meets onTuesdays and is working on a evening date. Gunn did something similar a few weeks ago andwe are fine-tuning the presentation. Will remind teachers not to post last minuteassignments or anything late at night. This will help.

3) Parent survey for feedback on Paly teachers, Paly climate. Nothing has been available forPaly parents and students? How does Paly evaluate feedback? (district survey)?

Parents should be encouraged to complete the district Strategic Plan/ WASC surveys thathave been typically administered in May. I haven’t seen the results yet from last spring. Theycome from the district's Research and Evaluation department and are typically presented tothe BOE in the fall. At the site, per PAEA contract, we use a mid-year feedback form that godirectly to teachers for parents to complete in January. We post these forms electronicallyand send over IC, and some parents fill them out. It does require that a parent sign theirname, so I suspect many parents don’t fill them out because they want anonymity. PAEAcontract requires a parent signature and it must be a hard copy (not an online form), so wedo not solicit feedback that protects the parents identity. I review all of the forms before weput them in a teachers box.

Students have multiple opportunities to provide feedback. This year we have already giventhe Sources of Strength survey and the Project Cornerstone Development Assets survey. Last year we gave the Challenge Success and California Healthy Kids survey. (PTSA helpsfund the Challenge Success and Sources of Strength surveys). These 4 surveys given everyother year will be used as a way for us to benchmark our progress specifically with SchoolClimate over the next six years.

All students provide their teachers anonymous direct feedback in December and in Maythrough our new Student Input survey. Last year was the first time we standardized thequestions and process. This process was negotiated with PAEA and outlined in the contract. Administrators have viewing access to all of the student responses and we meet withteachers to discuss any areas of concern the students share.

4) Study Skill: One network has identified a person to help assess styles and offersuggestions. PTSA could support an online (multilingual) tutorial to help students

Not sure what this is or who this person is? …Would need more information. Let’stalk.

3 and #4; PTSA can support its just $. I can request/ apply for Viking Grant funds/ or surplusto help the Paly community with this.

And the GPA (with grading issues)….

We need to to meet or you please delegate as these are issues. We have a disconnect withinPaly on the GPA, and I do not want to represent Paly in the wrong way at the Oct 31stmeeting. With this, how the grade is determined (Carol M.) ; mid year grades for senior apps,and is this the same as Gunn? And weighted for honors and AP on transcript.

Let’s talk again. I think on the 31st, we just need a few parents who can facilitatethe questions and help keep the dialogue moving in a positive direction. We don’texpect you or Barbara or any other parent to be the expert on this topic. Probablycollect index cards and sort them by category, so the panel can address thequestions.

If parents worked the Paly system, can we help them? Yep, there is this as well. College is abusiness and parents are working it. (sorry). I am being a realist, and parents who feelcomfortable are sharing. Parents who are wanting the unweighted GPA are worried by Palygoing to a weighted system it will hurt their student. These parents directed their child totake an “a” class -I am beginning to get both positions!

Weighted GPA’s will only benefit the top 20% of any class. For the other 80%, itwill either be neutral or hurt them. This is the point Vicki Kim was trying tomake when she spoke. Be careful what we ask for. It may seem like your kid isgoing to benefit, but in comparison with his/her peers, it will actually have theopposite effect.

I am not able to be a voice for the parents or students but the college app is a business andsome parents want to work it. Once PAUSD determines a policy, it is done?!

Whew!

regards,

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: palyisSubject: FW: Issues across multiple parent networks.... and GPADate: Monday, October 24, 2016 1:34: 55 PM

FYI. Feedback (and my responses) from the PTSA Prez…

Kim

From: KDiorioDate: Monday, October 24, 2016 at 11:19 AMTo: Katie Shade, Carolyn BenfieldCc: palyprincipalsSubject: Re: Issues across multiple parent networks.... and GPA

Hi Katie,

See my answers/ thoughts below in blue. BTW, thanks for chaperoning the dance. It was a huge success!

Talk soon,

Kim


Hi Kim,

Great week and weekend! Your message with Matt’s is all I needed to remind me how fortunate we are asparents to have you (and your team). So thank you.


After reading the minutes from the 9th, 10th and 11th grade parent network meetings, I have highlightedissues below that resonate across grades:

1) Inconsistency across subject area and testing/grading of same course with teachers. Is there any way forPaly to get ahead of this? Can you message out something?

We hear you! This is our #1 WASC goal and all of our PLC time this year is dedicated to working on thisconcern. Teachers are meeting this afternoon in PLC’s (along with the new minimum day in February andApril) to solve this complex issue. This is also a BOE focused goal for the year, so the district is supporting us

with this important work. We are making progress in some course-alikes, but other courses have more workto do. Our Challenge Success team is working on a newsletter for November where each department willhighlight our progress in this area. Unfortunately, getting teachers to be consistent or align in their policiesdoesn’t happen over night. Will work on the messaging some more.

2) Schoology notices about assignments suddenly appearing and are confusing to parents. Issue we talkedabout is not just me (I was thinking I was crazy); Can you message out something?

I’ve asked our Tech Team to develop a screencast on how to turn off notifications and/or how to navigateSchoology from the parent perspective. They are working on something. We are also developing a FutureReady parent info night for November, so we can hear from parents and work in partnership on some ofthese best practices. The tech team meets on Tuesdays and is working on a evening date. Gunn didsomething similar a few weeks ago and we are fine-tuning the presentation. Will remind teachers not topost last minute assignments or anything late at night. This will help.

3) Parent survey for feedback on Paly teachers, Paly climate. Nothing has been available for Paly parentsand students? How does Paly evaluate feedback? (district survey)?

Parents are encouraged to complete the district Strategic Plan/ WASC surveys that have been typicallyadministered in May. I haven’t seen the results yet from last spring. They come from the district's Researchand Evaluation department and are typically presented to the BOE in the fall. At the site, per PAEA contract, we use a mid-year feedback form that goes directly to teachers for parents to complete in January. We postthese forms electronically and send over IC, and some parents fill them out. It does require that a parentsign their name, so I suspect many parents don’t fill them out because they want anonymity. PAEA contractrequires a parent signature and it must be a hard copy (not an online form), so we do not solicit feedbackthat protects the parents identity. I review all of the forms before we put them in a teachers box (to makesure the name is on it).

Students have multiple opportunities to provide feedback. This year we have already given the Sources ofStrength survey and the Project Cornerstone Development Assets survey. Last year we gave theChallenge Success and California Healthy Kids survey. (PTSA helps fund the Challenge Success and Sourcesof Strength surveys). These 4 surveys given every other year will be used as a way for us to benchmark ourprogress specifically with School Climate over the next six years.

All students provide their teachers anonymous direct feedback in December and in May through our newStudent Input survey. Last year was the first time we standardized the questions and process. This processwas negotiated with PAEA and outlined in the contract. Administrators have viewing access to all of thestudent responses and we meet with teachers to discuss any areas of concern the students share.

4) Study Skill: One network has identified a person to help assess styles and offer suggestions. PTSA couldsupport an online (multilingual) tutorial to help students

Not sure what this is or who this person is? …Would need more information. Let’s talk.

3 and #4; PTSA can support its just $. I can request/apply for Viking Grant funds/ or surplus to help thePaly community with this.


We need to to meet or you please delegate as these are issues. We have a disconnect within Paly on theGPA, and I do not want to represent Paly in the wrong way at the Oct 31st meeting. With this, how thegrade is determined (Carol M.) ; mid year grades for senior apps, and is this the same as Gunn? Andweighted for honors and AP on transcript.

Let’s talk again. I think on the 31st, we just need a few parents who can facilitate the questions and helpkeep the dialogue moving in a positive direction. We don’t expect you or Barbara or any other parent to bethe expert on this topic. Probably collect index cards and sort them by category, so the panel can addressthe questions.

If parents worked the Paly system, can we help them? Yep, there is this as well. College is a business andparents are working it. (sorry). I am being a realist, and parents who feel comfortable are sharing. Parentswho are wanting the unweighted GPA are worried by Paly going to a weighted system it will hurt theirstudent. These parents directed their child to take an “a” class -I am beginning to get both positions!

Weighted GPA’s will only benefit the top 20% of any class. For the other 80%, it will either be neutral orhurt them. This is the point Vicki Kim was trying to make when she spoke. Be careful what we ask for. Itmay seem like your kid is going to benefit, but in comparison with his/her peers, it could actually have theopposite effect.

I am not able to be a voice for the parents or students but the college app is a business and some parentswant to work it. Once PAUSD determines a policy, it is done?!

Whew!

regards,

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Carolyn BenfieldCc: palyprincipalsSubject: Re: Issues across multiple parent networks.... and GPADate: Monday, October 24, 2016 11: 20: 01 AM

Hi Katie,

See my answers/ thoughts below in blue. BTW, thanks for chaperoning the dance. It was a huge success!

Talk soon,

Kim


Hi Kim,




1) Inconsistency across subject area and testing/grading of same course with teachers. Is there any way forPaly to get ahead of this? Can you message out something?

We hear you! This is our #1 WASC goal and all of our PLC time this year is dedicated toworking on this concern. Teachers are meeting this afternoon in PLC’s (along with the newminimum day in February and April) to solve this complex issue. This is also a BOE focused goalfor the year, so the district is supporting us with this important work. We are making progressin some course-alikes, but other courses have more work to do. Our Challenge Success team

is working on a newsletter for November where each department will highlight our progress inthis area. Unfortunately, getting teachers to be consistent or align in their policies doesn’thappen over night. Will work on the messaging some more.


I’ve asked our Tech Team to develop a screencast on how to turn off notifications and/or how to navigateSchoology from the parent perspective. They are working on something. We are also developing a FutureReady parent info night for November, so we can hear from parents and work in partnership on some ofthese best practices. The tech team meets on Tuesdays and is working on a evening date. Gunn didsomething similar a few weeks ago and we are fine-tuning the presentation. Will remind teachers not topost last minute assignments or anything late at night. This will help.


Parents should be encouraged to complete the district Strategic Plan/ WASC surveys that have beentypically administered in May. I haven’t seen the results yet from last spring. They come from the district'sResearch and Evaluation department and are typically presented to the BOE in the fall. At the site, per PAEAcontract, we use a mid-year feedback form that go directly to teachers for parents to complete in January. We post these forms electronically and send over IC, and some parents fill them out. It does require that aparent sign their name, so I suspect many parents don’t fill them out because they want anonymity. PAEAcontract requires a parent signature and it must be a hard copy (not an online form), so we do not solicitfeedback that protects the parents identity. I review all of the forms before we put them in a teachers box.

Students have multiple opportunities to provide feedback. This year we have already given the Sources ofStrength survey and the Project Cornerstone Development Assets survey. Last year we gave theChallenge Success and California Healthy Kids survey. (PTSA helps fund the Challenge Success and Sourcesof Strength surveys). These 4 surveys given every other year will be used as a way for us to benchmark ourprogress specifically with School Climate over the next six years.

All students provide their teachers anonymous direct feedback in December and in May through our newStudent Input survey. Last year was the first time we standardized the questions and process. This processwas negotiated with PAEA and outlined in the contract. Administrators have viewing access to all of thestudent responses and we meet with teachers to discuss any areas of concern the students share.


Not sure what this is or who this person is? …Would need more information. Let’s talk.

3 and #4; PTSA can support its just $. I can request/ apply for Viking Grant funds/ or surplus to help thePaly community with this.


We need to to meet or you please delegate as these are issues. We have a disconnect within Paly on theGPA, and I do not want to represent Paly in the wrong way at the Oct 31st meeting. With this, how thegrade is determined (Carol M.) ; mid year grades for senior apps, and is this the same as Gunn? And

weighted for honors and AP on transcript.

Let’s talk again. I think on the 31st, we just need a few parents who can facilitate the questionsand help keep the dialogue moving in a positive direction. We don’t expect you or Barbara or

any other parent to be the expert on this topic. Probably collect index cards and sort them bycategory, so the panel can address the questions.


Weighted GPA’s will only benefit the top 20% of any class. For the other 80%, it will eitherbe neutral or hurt them. This is the point Vicki Kim was trying to make when she spoke. Becareful what we ask for. It may seem like your kid is going to benefit, but in comparison withhis/her peers, it will actually have the opposite effect.


Whew!

regards,

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Carol Mullin; Katie Shade; Jill GoldCc: Kathleen LaurenceSubject: Re: Grades spreadsheet - possible solutions tooDate: Monday, October 24, 2016 9:43: 13 AM

Carol,

Are you free on Wednesday morning to meet with Kathie Laurence? She wants to understand the issuebetter so we can articulate the concerns with the Instructional Supervisors on Wednesday afternoon.

Thanks,

Kim

From: Carol MullinDate: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 4:15 PMTo: KDiorio, Katie Shade, Jill GoldSubject: Re: Grades spreadsheet - possible solutions too

Hi Kim-I just got another example of a student going in to their final with a strong A and getting a B+ ( same Spanishclass - student wrote the teacher but it didn’t get changed). I’d like to address this before we are on top offinals so we can avoid it being about individual grades and just getting the intent and process correct.

Would you like me to talk to any of the teachers? According to the chem teacher, Ms. Avadhanicompletely understands how it all works (she heard some students discussing it). Spanish may be a goodplace to start as there seem to be multiple issues.

Carol

On Oct 13, 2016, at 12:52 PM, Carol Mullin < wrote:

Kim-Just to follow up with some possible solutions (some we discussed), instead of just talkingabout the problem…

1. Finals could be a separate category with a given % of no more than maybe 20%. You couldalso have a policy that finals can only help your grade or are optional if you have an A in theclass. 2. If teachers want to use the “weighted categories” then have a policy that each categoryhas to have at least twice it’s “weight” in points. So, if there is a category that is worth 20% ofyour grade, it should have at least 40 points (even with this, each point would be worth 0.5% of your grade, so maybe 3 times is even better).3. If teachers do overall points, and not weighted categories, should there be a minimumamount of points in the class?

xample: Right now, half way thru the semester, there are 38 points in AP Spanish, whichmeans that the 15 point poem they wrote in the beginning of the year is 40% of their grade. So, either the second half of the semester is going to be worth a lot more than the firstbecause will have more than 38 points in the second half), or that poem is going to be

worth 20% of their grade at the end of the semester. Both options seem kind of silly. Bycontrast, APUSH and AP Chem both have about 500 points at the quarter. So, you do well onsomethings, screw up some others and it feels like it evens out in those classes.

I think some teachers may feel that having less graded items is “nicer” to the kids, but it reallyjust means that each assignment and point is much more important and you can’t screw upanything.

I would be happy to help with this - meet with Mr. Toma and you. Maybe we could do a quickreview of all the teacher’s categories and entered grades so far and see if there are any thatlook off kilter given the above. Thanks - let me know how I can help with this-Carol


From: Carol Mullin <

Date: October 13, 2016 at 8:51:23 AM PDTTo: Kimberly Diorio <[email protected]>

Grades - weighted category issue.xlsx>

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly Diorio; Carolyn BenfieldSubject: Issues across multiple parent networks.... and GPADate: Sunday, October 23, 2016 10: 10: 31 PM

Hi Kim,




1) Inconsistency across subject area and testing/ grading of same course with teachers. Is there any way forPaly to get ahead of this? Can you message out something?




3 and #4; PTSA can support its just $. I can request/ apply for Viking Grant funds/ or surplus to help thePaly community with this.


We need to to meet or you please delegate as these are issues. We have a disconnect within Paly on theGPA, and I do not want to represent Paly in the wrong way at the Oct 31st meeting. With this, how thegrade is determined (Carol M.) ; mid year grades for senior apps, and is this the same as Gunn? Andweighted for honors and AP on transcript.



Whew!

regards,

Katie

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Sandra Cernobori; palyadmin; Susan Shultz; Selene Singares; Ann Deggelman; Paige Johnson; Charles Taylor;

Stephanie Soria Mendoza; Crystal LagunaCc: Katie ShadeSubject: FW: parent meeting to discuss weighted grades?Date: Sunday, October 23, 2016 10:43:30 AM

Good morning,

Sorry for the weekend email. I’m breaking my own “no business during the weekend rule.” We can discussthis on Monday, but wanted to put it out there before I forget.

I spoke with Denise about this last night at the dance. She offered to host it as a joint Paly/ Gunn event inSpangenburg and wanted to invite us to join them. The timing is not ideal, but it was the only time we couldfind before the BOE meeting since Denise, Max and I are in Dallas Tues-Fri this week (bad timing). I told herthat I could be there and that I’d ask others but wasn’t sure. I told her 5pm would need to be a hard stopbecause I’ve got little trick-or-treaters. Boy am I glad I live close to Gunn!

We were thinking of a joint 15 minute presentation with specific examples that support our position, andthen a time for questions. I think Barbara Best/ Katie Shade (our respective PTSA presidents) can helpfacilitate the question component, so it doesn’t end up an attack on the panel. I suggested we establishground rules and repeat them often, in case it gets heated. I don’t want a repeat of the BOE meetingbehavior.

She’s going to send me the email she’s working on to inform the Gunn community, so we can work on ittogether. And she’s meeting with Gunn Guidance on Monday or Tuesday to make sure they are all on thesame page and can work on developing a position paper like ours with Q&A. This event will also allow methe opportunity to share our position paper more broadly through IC (which Max asked me not to do beforelast week’s BOE meeting).

Vicki, can you work with Crystal on getting the FAQ/ conclusion part of the paper translated into Spanish forus? It probably doesn’t need to be the whole document, but the parts that will frame it for our Spanishspeaking parents so they are informed. The Chinese parent network likely has already done this on theirown, but I’m not sure? Would be good for us to have Mona post the information on our homepage in theWhat’s Happening section, when they are ready.

Will keep you all posted as things develop. Thanks everyone!

Kim

From: Denise HerrmannDate: Friday, October 21, 2016 at 9:16 PMTo: KDiorioSubject: FW: parent meeting to discuss weighted grades?

Hey Kim-

Just an FYI to let you know I am meeting with my parents next Monday ( 10/ 31) to hold aninformation session on weighted grades. Max will be there and probably a few board members.

Also – we have three cases of whooping cough and will be sending a message to our all of ourparents tonight.

The fun never ends ….

Hope your game is going well-

Denise

From: Denise Herrmann <dherrmann@pausd. org>Date: Friday, October 21, 2016 at 9:13 PMTo: Keri Wagner <Cc: Max McGee <mmcgee@pausd. org>Subject: Re: parent meeting to discuss weighted grades?

TOPIC – Weighted Grades Information Session

4:00 – 5:00 pm in Gunn Library

Agenda:

if !supportLists]-->·  Principal Herrmann will give a 15-minutepresentation on current practices at Gunn for transcripts and reporting weighted/ non-weighted grades and explain the recommendation presented to the BOE at the 10/18meetingif !supportLists]-->·  A panel will take questions and feedback from

parents regarding transcripts and weighted grades ( Denise, Max, AP, two school counselors, and a teacher) – 40 minutesif !supportLists]-->·  Dr McGee will give a closing statement and share

next steps – 5 minutes

From: Keri Wagner <Date: Friday, October 21, 2016 at 9:03 PMTo: Denise Herrmann < dherrmann@pausd. org>Cc: Keri Wagner < Ext:Barbara Best" <Kimberly Eng Lee < Ann Xu <Subject: Re: parent meeting to discuss weighted grades?

Yes, rsvps should work. Bringing in Kimberly and Ann. We can work with Kimberly to set upthe rsvp system.

Denise, can you write up a short blurb for eNews/ email? Do you want to speak first, then takequestions?

We should get a notice to parents asap, and think about how to manage the questions at themeeting.

Keri

On Oct 21, 2016, at 8:34 PM, Denise Herrmann < dherrmann@pausd. org> wrote:

I will invite a few school counselors to join me. I think the library is a goodspace, but do you think more than 200 parents will show up? Can you do anRSVP so we can move it to Spangenberg if needed?

Sent from my iPhoneDenise Herrmann

On Oct 21, 2016, at 6:30 PM, Keri Wagner < wrote:

Hi Denise --Terrific idea, there is so much misinformation floating around. Parents would welcome the chance to ask questions. Do we have avenue, maybe the library? What should we do other than publicizethe meeting?Thanks Denise!

Keri

On Oct 21, 2016, at 6:19 PM, Denise Herrmanndherrmann@pausd. org> wrote:

Hi Barbara and Keri-

I dropped in to the junior parent meeting this morning. Annie saw me after and said the parents have LOTS ofquestions about weighted grades and that they mis-information and misconceptions about the current practiceat Gunn and what the impact of moving to un-weighted onlywould have for students. She suggested a parent meetingand I agree. I also think it is important to have the meetingprior to the Nov 1 BOE meeting.

I am proposing Monday, October 31st from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Iknow that day is Hallloween, but that is the only daybetween now the BOE meeting that I have an opening in mycalendar. I have included Max and Terry G on this email incase they want to attend the meeting as well. Max and afew BOE members will also be meeting with Gunn and Palystudents for pizza lunches to hear what students have to sayabout the issue.

Please let me know what you think of this idea –

Peace,

Denise

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Cari AndersonSubject: Re: Class of 2020: Urgent Float buildingDate: Thursday, October 20, 2016 6: 39: 40 PM

Thanks for the message.

Between us, I might give them an “extension” to 9:30 or 10, but I’d really like to be done by 10pm so I canget home and get some sleep. We were out last night until 11pm because we had a few students under theinfluence at the night rally and we couldn’t track down their parents to pick them up. And we were at the

BOE meeting until 11pm. Tomorrow night I’ll be here until 11pm and Saturday is another late night. Thisold body needs some rest!!!

From: Katie ShadeDate: Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 6:22 PMTo: Cari AndersonCc: KDiorioSubject: Re: Class of 2020: Urgent Float building

Honestly, never thought you’d BOTH respond!!! (thank you)

Sent, to respect Paly admin and staff.

Katie

On Oct 20, 2016, at 6:11 PM, Cari Anderson < wrote:

Hi Katie,I agree that 1:00 am is too late, but 9 does seem early to cut it off when the students havetraditionally had longer on the last night. I wonder if there is a compromise there? I spent acouple of hours there yesterday, and I loved all the creative energy and fun. I know they areproud of their projects and want to finish.

Personally, I am willing to help if supervision is anissue. But maybe 11:00 is a more reasonable cut-off time than 1:00?

Best, Cari

On Oct 20, 2016 5:42 PM, "Katie Shade" < wrote:Seriously? We cannot allow this, some students have tests and school tomorrow at

8:15am!

Katie Shade


From:\Subject: Class of 2020: Urgent Float buildingDate: October 20, 2016 at 5:44:00 PM PDTTo:

Dear parentsBuilding is supposed to end tonight at 9pm but studentsare going to request that the administration let them worklater, possibly til 1am which has happened before. Forthat we'll need some parent volunteers to supervisetonight. If you're game, pls text me asapbefore 9pm. Thanks!

To respond to the whole group, click Reply All or post a message from yourbrowser using the following link:https://www. uptous. com/uptous. htm?_ flowId= directLink- flow&communityId= 5348&extraId= 149886&action= ann

UpToUs: Great local deals from the UpToUs directory. Support local schools andbusinesses: https://www. uptous. com/directoryUpToUs privacy: If you wish not to receive emails from this group, pleaseunsubscribe here

From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie ShadeCc: Cari AndersonSubject: Re: Class of 2020: Urgent Float buildingDate: Thursday, October 20, 2016 6: 02: 10 PM

I agree! I don't know who sent it, but they shouldn' t have. I made it really clear we wereending at 9pm tonight. We all need sleep.

Can you send out a correction? Feel free to quote me. I'll be the "bad cop."

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 20, 2016, at 5:42 PM, Katie Shade < wrote:

Seriously? We cannot allow this, some students have tests and schooltomorrow at 8:15am!

Katie Shade


From:\Subject: Class of 2020: Urgent Float buildingDate: October 20, 2016 at 5:44:00 PM PDTTo: Reply-To:

Dear parentsBuilding is supposed to end tonight at 9pm butstudents are going to request that the administrationlet them work later, possibly til 1am which hashappened before. For that we'll need some parentvolunteers to supervise tonight. If you're game, plstext me asap before 9pm. Thanks!

To respond to the whole group, click Reply All or post a message from your browserusing the following link:

https://www. uptous. com/uptous. htm?_ flowId= directLink-flow&communityId= 5348&extraId= 149886&action= ann

UpToUs: Great local deals from the UpToUs directory. Support local schoolsand businesses: https://www.uptous.com/directory

UpToUs privacy: If you wish not to receive emails from this group,please unsubscribe here

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioCc: Jill Gold; Dawn BillmanSubject: Re: thank you!Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016 8: 02: 33 AM

Good morning,

Great rally last night, good turn out and no streakers!! The trend is changing.

Jill and I are meeting with our Gunn counterparts tomorrow to discuss ways we can mutuallysupport our communities with the PAUSD weighted GPA process.

Katie

On Oct 19, 2016, at 1:43 PM, Kimberly Diorio < kdiorio@pausd. org> wrote:

Just a quick note to thank you for all your support and understanding. I’m so glad I get towork with each of you and think the world of our fantastic parents…despite the fact that theydon’t agree with me ;-)

Let me know if you want to talk at all. I’ll be at the night rally tonight and floats tomorrownight. Go Vikings!

With gratitude,

Kim


From: Kimberly DiorioTo: Katie Shade; Jill Gold; Dawn BillmanSubject: thank you!Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 1:43: 22 PM

Just a quick note to thank you for all your support and understanding. I’m so glad I get to work with each ofyou and think the world of our fantastic parents…despite the fact that they don’t agree with me ;-)

Let me know if you want to talk at all. I’ll be at the night rally tonight and floats tomorrow night. GoVikings!

With gratitude,

Kim


From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly Diorio; Victoria KimSubject: Fwd: RequestDate: Monday, October 17, 2016 7:18: 01 PM

Hi Kim and Vicki,

Spirit week rules in our home. Great day and weekend full of tools, paint and dancing! Thankyou for creating this environment!! And now, down to other business. This is a long one, to

file.

She is looking forward to meeting with you about and something does not addup. I know Paly loves the students, this is a misunderstanding by the family or school andmeeting you will make a difference. I asked to meet with her, as I was told I could not attendthis Sunday’ s meeting as I am "representing Paly” based on the message I sent…. anyway. She is doing what any mom would do. Gunn supports her, Paly is interested in learning. There are more schools that are being identified that do not recalculate. I am learning morethan I want! I am done learning about this until 2018.

Bottom line - I explained the mess that was created by their message being sent withoutconsent/ feedback - I shared to all going forward, anything we send is approved/ supported byPaly! We are converting to a one way system next year.

A community forum seems inevitable given the timing and message to gather input on thisissue. Gunn has already had forums and has stated a position.

Let me know if there is anything I need to do.

regards,

Katie Shade


From: Katie Shade <Subject: Re: RequestDate: October 17, 2016 at 5:59:08 PM PDTTo: Taly Katz <

Hi Taly,

It was also nice to meet you in person andI appreciate hearing about the

concerns from your family and the other students you have talkedwith. I am really sorry about experience and I hope the dialoguewith Kim produces a positive exchange. If you do not mind my input as a parent, I would be honest and direct about your understanding of what occurred. We areour children’ s advocates and sometimes the school has additional information tohelp us understand their actions. And, also, sometimes the school gains

knowledge by talking with parents.

Regarding your question: It sounds like you are being advised by people withexpertise with board protocol and process. I am NOT able to speak on this, anddefer you to these experts. Max and Kim gave me the information to share asparents and students were unclear what Paly’s policy was and if/when it wasgoing to change and were flooding the Guidance office with questions about themessage.

I cut and pasted from your previous e mail from Max’s summary:

Once again, this year we will be continuing our current practices, which have not changed in the past several years. Before movingforward with the two point plan we want to hear from teachers, students, and parents as well as from Board members. While theBoard members will discuss the plan at the meeting, we will need afew weeks to gather input from other sources. Following thesediscussions, the administration will: 1. Implement the two point planin 2017-18; or 2) continue with our current practices; or 3) work withthe Board to develop a policy and administrative regulation as to

grade reporting practices.

My understanding from reading above: It states the the board wants a few weeksto gather this information from the stakeholders. This would put it past a Nov 1stdate, however, I am not versed at PAUSD protocols and not sure where the Nov1st date came from in the first place. If Paly/Gunn would like to get feedbackother than from the ASB, they would need to come up with something. Iunderstand Paly ASB agreed to support idea or they made thesuggestion to solicit feedback from other students via a survey. This week, as it isspirit week, was not an ideal time to do this. I understood they were open to

doing this and was the student who initiated this process!

Do you need more clarification from the message sent out through the PTSA? Ithink Max’s follow up filled in the missing elements. Based on his summary, thiswill be discussed at the board meeting on Tuesday with the intent to gather

community feedback over the next few weeks. This ties in with your thoughtsthat a community discussion would he useful at Paly.

Not meant to dodge, but to share I am not a policy wonk, and do not want to be. The message I sent out on behalf of the PTSA was a response to the original emailthat was sent to parents and students and caused confusion on what Paly’s policy

is.

Hope it all goes well this week.

regards,

Katie Shade

On Oct 17, 2016, at 4:33 PM, Taly Katz <wrote:

Hi Katie, It was very nice meeting you today and chatting. Thanks for initiatingthe meeting.

I read over the letter that you had sent out to the school and I thinksomething is unclear.I think many people don't know what it means that Max said it is "notan agenda item". From my understanding, what it means is that therewill be a discussion/ informational meeting this time, however if the

board decides to bring it to a vote on November 1 that can happenand they can bring it to a vote (even though that is not max'srecommendation). Of course this will affect this year's senior class.If this is true, and please verify that it is, the senior class needs toknow this. There will still be time to get that message out after theboard meeting but as we spoke, it's so important to have everybodyvoice their opinion and hear others' opinions and this is definitely theright forum.Would you somehow be able to clarify that? Without causing a panic

Best,Taly

Sent from my iPhone

From: Katie ShadeTo: Kimberly DiorioSubject: PTSA united?Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016 7:09: 27 PM

Hi Kim,

Forwarding as I feel this is a WOW - I just received this thread tonight. It’s late and Gunn parentshave had a forum with the principal and district admin this week given the agenda on Tuesday. The high schools may not be united in the process? Clearly the PTSA at Gunn has an opinion, and a communication channel to address this.

Confused and trying to help as a PTSA. And, please do not feel free to share, unless Denisegave you these threads.

Are aware of Gunn’s position and concern of going to Paly’s process? They are asking Gunnparents and students to attend. Given Max’s letter today, it would be helpful to have a Palyresponse as it is spirit week and PSAT and parents are still concerned about the scholarshipsoffered from other schools that may not take unweighted GPA’s. - are there others? Can Palysupport what Gunn is doing?

Sigh and at least the conversation is off the admission part of the puzzle!! (for now)

Katie

From: Barbara Best <To: Miriam Sedman <Cc: Ani Gnanalingam < Heike/Uwe EndersEnders < Taly Katz <Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2016 4:15 PMSubject: Re: Meeting this Friday

Hi Miriam, I won’t have time tomorrow unfortunately; I have afew events tomorrow that require my attention and energy! Wewill definitely let parents know that parents should attend theOctober 18 School Board meeting if they want to voice theiropinion.

Gunn has discussed this topic on many occasions with parentssince March 2015. Every three months Dr. Herrmann has

Principal Coffee meetings, with parent attendance over 100, and the subject comes up almost every time. After many hoursof discussion most parents are fine with Gunn’s approachbecause the WGPA is available upon request to satisfywhatever scholarships and colleges require it. Most parents atGunn are very supportive of reducing student stress and that isthe goal - taking an emphasis off weighted GPAs sends

students the message that APs should be taken for the love ofthe subject.

I am mystified how Paly can refuse to provide a WGPA on anofficial document to any student/ family that requests it. I don’tthink it is likely that the school board will allow Paly to continueto refuse those requests. I do think it is likely the school boardwill continue to allow both schools to report, by default, only theunweighted GPA; the risk to student stress is too great to go

back to reporting WGPAs by default.

Hope that helps and I’ll see you at the Board meeting!

Barbara

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