1500 Brookline Loop, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Hearst has many good teachers, and I appreciate the care and effort many of them put into supporting students. My main concern is the principal’s leadership and approach to children and families.In my interactions with the principal, I have often experienced a cold, defensive response rather than warmth, empathy, and a willingness to work together. When I have raised concerns about my child’s school experience, I have frequently come away feeling that the focus was on defending existing practices and emphasizing compliance, rather than understanding what happened and identifying effective support.I believe children should be held accountable for their behavior. But accountability should come with guidance, connection, and opportunities to learn. In our experience, repeated corrections and exclusion from activities have received too much emphasis, while concrete, coordinated support has been slow to develop despite repeated requests.A school’s leadership sets the tone for how children and parents are treated, especially when a child is struggling. I would like to see more compassionate communication, stronger follow-through, and a greater commitment to helping every child feel understood and supported. The efforts of Hearst’s good teachers deserve leadership that reinforces those qualities.