Pleasanton youth commission sets application deadline for Youth and Government Day; event details, capacity and school participation still being finalized

The Pleasanton Youth Commission on Jan. 8 set a Jan. 31 application deadline for its annual Youth and Government Day and discussed program details, job-shadow placements and outreach, though several logistics — including the final event date, food provider and whether private-school students will be eligible — remained to be finalized.

Commission staff said the Youth and Government Day will offer high-school participants two job-shadow sessions (a morning and an afternoon), with placements available across city departments including the city manager’s office, city attorney’s office, fire and police departments, community development, information technology, library and recreation, and public works. The session will include a lunch and closing session that organizers plan to center on a climate-action theme.

Why it matters: The program is an annual hands‑on introduction to municipal government for students; this year organizers intend to link job shadows to a climate-action activity so participants can apply what they learn in shadow assignments to practical projects during the day.

Details and timeline - Staff said applications will open “as soon as I get confirmation from the district,” and that the application deadline is Jan. 31. A field-trip authorization form will be required and must be submitted in the week following the application deadline (staff described it as the Monday after the deadline). (Staff member) - The event was described as taking place in late February; presenters used “Feb. 25” in part of the discussion but also referenced Feb. 24 and indicated the date needed final confirmation with the school district. The final calendar date therefore remains to be confirmed by staff and the district. - Organizers expect students to design campaign materials tied to climate-action themes (energy conservation, waste reduction and water management), and to work in small groups that intentionally mix students from different job-shadow placements so each team brings multiple perspectives.

Participants, capacity and priority - Staff said the program typically draws about 70 participants per year and that roughly 10 commission members are expected to attend and help lead small groups. For some city placements (for example, the city manager’s office or other conference-room-based shadows) capacity was described as limited (staff estimated about 10 people for some locations). - Commissioners suggested prioritizing upperclassmen (seniors) and using a first‑come, first‑served application process if capacity requires cuts; staff indicated the application will be used to screen and prioritize applicants.

Eligibility and food - A parent of a private‑school student asked whether private‑school students who are Pleasanton residents could participate. Staff said the program is already posted on the city website and that anyone who is a Pleasanton resident and wishes to apply can do so, but proactively advertising to private schools may raise complications with the school district about meal service and funding. Staff noted California law requires public school districts to provide breakfast and lunch to their students, which can complicate meal planning for privately schooled attendees; staff said they will coordinate with the district on eligibility and logistics. - Staff said the Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) culinary team was asked to provide meals and that the request had been submitted but not yet confirmed. Organizers said they have a “plan B” if the district cannot provide food.

Program content and logistics - City staff and commissioners emphasized tying the climate-action theme to students’ shadow placements so students can apply workplace lessons to climate projects. Suggested closing activities included group pledges or public-facing campaign materials; staff noted a desire to use the city’s social channels to showcase student work. - Practical constraints were raised: Wi‑Fi reliability at the Vet’s Hall and varying laptop availability among students led commissioners to recommend a hybrid approach (paper rough drafts plus at least one laptop per small group provided by commission members). - Laura Page, identified by staff as a city staff facilitator, was named as the staff member who will help facilitate the lunch and afternoon sessions. Staff also said Megan (a city planner working on sustainability projects) and Sharon (city/school liaison working on permissions and logistics) have been involved in planning. Staff said Mayor Jack Walsh, the Pleasanton Unified School District superintendent and commission representatives are expected speakers for the opening session; the city manager was also mentioned as a likely speaker for the opening.

Related events and meetings - Staff reminded commissioners about the Tri‑Valley Teen Job Fair on March 1 (hosted in Dublin) and noted Pleasanton will host the regional event in 2026. - Staff also briefed commissioners on a city council budget workshop scheduled the following night and said the council is considering holding two town halls instead of pop‑up events as part of budget engagement.

What remains to be decided - Final event date in late February (staff used Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 in the discussion but did not confirm a single date). - Final confirmation on meal service from PUSD culinary team. - Eligibility and outreach to private‑school students (staff said residents can apply but will confirm school‑district implications). - Exact capacity per job‑shadow placement and the application‑based selection process if demand exceeds space.

The commission adjourned after the planning discussion; staff said they would circulate the application and related materials by email once district confirmation is received.