Message from the Superintendent

August 10, 2026: Welcome Back to School 

Spanish

Dear SMUHSD Students, Families, Educators and Community Members,

Welcome to the 2026-27 school year in the San Mateo Union High School District! The first day of classes is Wednesday, August 12 for all schools.

Over the last four years, we have made outstanding incremental progress in academics. Our graduation rate in 2026 was up to 95% (up from 92% in 2023). From the class of 2025, 79% of our students enrolled in a two- or four-year college after graduation (up from 78% of the class of 2022). Of our 11th and 12th grade students choosing to take Advanced Placement exams 91% earned a score of 3 or higher last year (up from 84% in the 2022-23 school year). Seventy-three percent of our 2026 graduates were A-G eligible meaning they were eligible to attend a school in the University of California or California State University System (up from 67% of our students were A-G eligible in the 2022-23 school year).  

This year, our District is focused on strengthening the conditions where students and educators thrive by finding joy, feeling safe and experiencing connection in our schools. These are not simply aspirations. They are essential conditions for learning, growth and well-being. By fostering welcoming classrooms, meaningful relationships and a strong sense of belonging, we create the foundation for every student and educator to thrive. 

I want to send a special welcome to our 9th grade students and their families. Our educators are intentional about supporting students and encouraging them to find their strengths and talents in the four short years we spend with them. 

Before looking forward, and particularly if you are new to our District, I invite you to take a look at our annual report - The Spotlight - 2025-2026 - A Year of Learning, Growth and Achievement. The pages of this report are filled with stories of success made possible by the dedication, talent and commitment of our District and school communities. Thank you for all that you do to enrich the lives and experiences of our students. 

I encourage students and families to visit your school’s website if you haven’t done so already. There you can find the answers to most of your school-related questions. 

While we have much to celebrate across our District, we remain focused on the work ahead. Every new school year brings fresh opportunities to strengthen our schools, deepen student learning, and ensure every young person feels seen, supported and prepared for what comes next. Thank you for helping us begin the year with joy, connection and in an environment where we can all thrive! 

Thank you for being a part of the SMUHSD community. Here’s to a bright and successful school year!

With gratitude,

Randall P. Booker
Superintendent

May 27, 2026

Spanish

Dear Students, Families, Educators and Community Members: 

We are nearing the end of another outstanding school year, and we have so much to celebrate in the San Mateo Union High School District. Whether you are a student, a family member, an educator or a member of our community, thank YOU for all that you do to engage with our schools and support student success!

Spring Highlights

On May 21, I shared with our Board of Trustees the highlights of the second semester of the 2025-26 school year across all schools, departments and programs. I would like to thank our students and families for being the heartbeat of our schools! Students - we are so proud of your hard work and commitment to your school communities! Family members, thank you for all that you do to support students as they grow and learn. Thank you to our educators - you are a remarkable team of professionals who continually strive to strengthen teaching, learning, and student well-being. I am also grateful for the many organizations, families, and volunteers who partner with the District to enhance and expand opportunities for our students. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together this school year. I hope you see yourself reflected in these accomplishments! 

Learn more by reading the Board memo or viewing the slide deck.

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Mobile Devices in Our Schools 

On March 26, the SMUHSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to implement a District-wide policy banning student use of cell phones for the entire school day also known as a “bell-to-bell” policy starting in the 2026-27 school year. 

The policy meets the obligations outlined in the Phone-Free School Act (AB 3216) signed by Governor Newsom last September which requires schools in California to adopt a policy by July 1, 2026 to limit or prohibit the use of smartphones by students during the school day. 

On May 7, our Board voted to approve the purchase of Quiet Case pouches for students for the 2026-27 school year. San Mateo High will continue to use Yondr pouches in the 2026-27 school year.

District leaders and school site educators are in the process of finalizing policy which will include a ban on cell phones and all student personal computing devices (e.g. Macbooks, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) during the school day.

In addition to the adoption of the bell-to-bell policy, the District is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive digital citizenship curriculum to ensure students build the skills needed to navigate technology in healthy, responsible, and developmentally appropriate ways. We believe a bell-to-bell cell phone policy is a strong step toward protecting student learning, well-being, and school culture which creates an environment where students are more present, engaged, and connected to one another.  

Read more about this topic on the District website. 

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Mental Health and Wellness Update

On May 21, the Mental Health & Wellness team shared a report with our Board about how SMUHSD is centering student voice, belonging, and connection across our schools. Grounded in a “Trust & Inspire” approach, the work emphasizes relationships before compliance, psychological safety, identity-affirming spaces, student leadership, restorative pathways, and empowerment through connection. 

This year, expanded access for multilingual learners and students receiving special education services, stronger early intervention follow-up, and deeper family engagement helped more students feel seen, safe, and supported. The team also highlighted the impact of TUPE and “A Time to Support,” with 319 referrals and 258 days of student suspension avoided. 

Looking ahead, the District will continue strengthening restorative and early intervention practices, expanding student leadership opportunities, building sustainable systems of care, and deepening family and community partnerships.

Learn more by viewing the presentation and watching the video created by the team.

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An Update on e-bikes and e-scooters

With e-bikes and e-scooters growing in popularity among students, schools need clear strategies to promote safe, responsible riding. The San Mateo County Office of Education’s Safe Routes to School’s initiative has created an Online E-Bike Toolkit for parents/guardians of children who use ebikes. The toolkit includes guidance on laws, education, and safety tips. 

View the E-Bike Safety Manual for Students and Parents (English | Spanish | Chinese)

View the “What Parents Should Know” flyer, which includes information about laws and more (English | Spanish) 

Watch a recording of a webinar - A Parent’s Guide to EBike Safety 

The San Mateo Union High School District is monitoring pending legislation (AB 1569) that would require K–12 students to complete a CHP-approved safety training prior to parking an e-bike on campus. The bill is currently scheduled to reach the Assembly floor on May 29. As we learn more we will post information on our District website. 

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Panorama Survey Results - School Climate 

On April 30, educators shared an overview of Panorama survey results from students, families and educators with our Board of Trustees. SMUHSD’s 2025-26 Panorama Survey results show encouraging progress across several important measures of student experience, school climate, and family connection. With strong participation from students, families, and educators, the results provide a meaningful picture of where our District is gaining momentum and where continued focus is needed. 

Students, families, and educators report positive trends in school climate, inclusivity, respectful relationships, awareness of hate-speech policies, and confidence that adults respond when concerns arise. Families also reported increased confidence in school climate, with overall school climate favorability rising to 76%, and family engagement showing notable improvement.

A clear strength across the survey is the quality of relationships in our schools. Students and families continue to report that teachers treat students with respect, and staff responses show strong confidence in addressing concerns, supporting students, and responding appropriately to hate-motivated speech. These results affirm the daily work happening in classrooms, offices, counseling spaces, extracurricular programs, and school communities to create safe, respectful, and inclusive environments.

The data also points to areas that require our continued attention. Student engagement and sense of belonging remain important priorities, with results showing that not all students feel equally connected. Families echoed similar concerns, about student engagement and belonging. They also identified opportunities for connection as important for continued growth.

Moving forward, the District will focus on strengthening engagement strategies, ensuring every student has a trusted adult, expanding professional learning, and deepening family engagement. The positive momentum reflected in this year’s Panorama results is directly connected to the work educators do every day: building relationships, creating welcoming classrooms, responding to student needs, encouraging student voice, and helping young people feel seen, respected, and supported. Our continued collective efforts will be essential to sustaining this progress and ensuring that every student experiences a strong sense of belonging, purpose, and success in SMUHSD.

Thank you to all students, family members and educators who took the time to complete the survey. To learn more read the Board memo; view the slide deck or watch the presentation. 

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District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) Study Session 

Our Board held its annual study session with our District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) on April 23. Educators and members of the DELAC shared a presentation including an overview of their work this year in the key focus areas of: student academic support, student access and enrichment, student and family wellness and District processes including enrollment and communication. 

The group reported on progress made on the recommendations made last year and recommendations for moving forward.  

The report outlined progress in academic support, access, wellness, and family communication. SMUHSD surveyed Multilingual Learner (ML) students about tutoring, reviewed site tutoring structures, hired two ML Teacher Support Coaches, continued course placement monitoring, strengthened ML intake and orientation, coordinated College of San Mateo field trips for Newcomer seniors, and expanded Spanish-language communication, interpretation, and enrollment support.

The 2026 recommendations focus on more consistent implementation across sites. DELAC recommends increasing structured English use, teaching ML students success skills like note-taking and time management, strengthening math/science tutoring, improving outreach and monitoring for CTE, dual enrollment, Seal of Biliteracy, and postsecondary options, and adding ML clubs at comprehensive sites.

DELAC also recommends culturally adapted flyers, text and voice reminders, simplified enrollment forms, data confirmation reminders, DELAC input on Panorama surveys, and professional training for front-line staff.

To learn more read the Board memo; view the slide deck or watch the presentation. 

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Student Board Council Discussion with the Trustees 

Members of our Student Board Council met with our Board of Trustees on May 14 for a facilitated discussion. Students discussed their engagement and the importance of building relationships with teachers. Additionally students discussed stressors impacting their lives as well as access to wellness supports. And yes, they even discussed the District’s forthcoming policy restricting cell phones during the school day sharing mixed feelings from frustration to excitement. The group ended the evening with recommendations including teachers asking students what they want to learn in advisory and a mentorship program.  

The SMUHSD Student Board Council is made up of student representatives from each of the District’s high schools who represent diverse interests of the student body. 

From this Council, two Student Board Members will be selected each quarter to attend approximately six school board meetings to represent the Council and entire student body on important issues! 

Student Board Council members are selected by a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees and students. Students serve on the Council for one school year. Learn more by visiting our District website. 

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Artificial Intelligence Study Session

Also on May 14, the Board participated in a study session with members of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force including students, parents, educators and administrators who shared a summary of the needs of each group they represent in order to make use of AI successful across the District as well as recommendations for policy moving forward. 

The group shared priorities for 

Summer/Fall 2026: 

• Finalize and Publish Updated AI Use Guidance: Formalize and adopt the Red/Yellow/Green AI use framework to provide clear, consistent rules for students and staff.
• Establish Approved AI Tool List: Create and distribute an Approved AI Tool List to ensure all platforms used in classrooms meet District standards for privacy, safety, and equity.
• Update District Website: Refine the SMUHSD website to include the new District AI Guidance and resources for families.
• Launch Student AI Overview: Create short self-paced AI lessons for roll out in August 2026
• Launch Professional Learning "Bites": Begin offering short, simple training opportunities ("Learning Bites") for teachers to build literacy and practice with AI tools.

2026-27 School Year:

• Develop Student AI Literacy Curriculum: Build a framework for all students to learn critical discernment with the use of AI (the "Trust but Verify" mindset).
• Implement Family Education Series: Launch ongoing education sessions for families to explain AI basics, student safety, and how to support healthy AI use at home.
• Begin Refining Assessment Practice: Support educators in beginning to redesign assessments to reflect AI guidance/best practice.

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Classroom Transformation

I am so excited to start a truly transformative project funded by the voter-supported Measure L general obligation bond. The Classroom Transformation Project (CTP) is a $106 million general education classroom modernization project. The transformation includes replacing student and teacher furniture, technology, flooring, ceilings, LED lighting, walls, and the teaching wall. This summer, we will start with Burlingame and Capuchino, with Aragon and Mills to follow in 2027 - ending with Hillsdale and San Mateo in the summer of 2028. Students and teachers will return in the fall of 2026 to transformed classrooms, ready for teaching and learning. 

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Personal Finance Course Update

SMUHSD is preparing to implement California’s new Personal Finance graduation requirement, which begins with the Class of 2030-31. The law requires districts to offer a stand-alone, one-semester Personal Finance course as a pilot beginning in 2027-28. Once the requirement takes effect, the District will determine if students who complete Personal Finance may opt out of Economics as allowed under the law.

A Districtwide Personal Finance Task Force, made up primarily of current Economics teachers from all school sites and Middle College, reviewed the law, course sequencing, and the overlap between Economics and Personal Finance. Educators presented at the May 7 Board Meeting. The task force recommends offering Personal Finance as a 12th-grade semester course alongside the American Government course.

Course development will begin in fall 2026, with Board consideration of the course of study and curriculum later that fall. Personal Finance will be added to 12th-grade course request materials in spring 2027, piloted Districtwide in fall 2027, and refined over three school years before becoming a graduation requirement in fall 2030.

Learn more by reading the Board memo, viewing the slide deck or watching the presentation. 

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Meet our New Administrators

I am pleased to introduce four new leaders in our District who start on July 1, 2026! 

Mr. Peter Alvarez will serve as the new Principal of Aragon High School. Mr. Alvarez brings over 30 years of experience in education to the table. He has served as the principal of Campolindo High School in the Acalanes Union High School District in Moraga, California since 2022. Before that he served as principal of Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 2010-2022; principal of Castro Valley High School from 2007-2010 (where he also served as assistant principal from 2001-2004); and principal of Redwood High School in the Castro Valley Unified School District from 2004-2007.

Mr. Alvarez served as a social science teacher at Freedom High School in Oakley, California from 1996-2001. From 1995-1996, Mr. Alvarez served as a special day class teacher serving students with Individual Instruction Programs (IEPs) at Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. 

Ms. Lauren Kelly will serve as the new Principal of Burlingame High School. Ms. Kelly brings 25 years of experience in education to the table.  She will join the District after serving as the vice principal of McDonald High School and the principal of Cabrillo Middle School in the Santa Clara Unified School District since 2023. Prior to that she served as the principal at Freedom High School in Oakley, California from 2021-2023; the assistant director of educational services and the K12 pathway coordinator at Eden Area ROP in Hayward, California from 2018-2021; and the principal of Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose from 2013-2018. 

Ms. Kelly has also served as the athletic director and PE teacher at Milken Community School in Los Angeles; and as a math and science teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. 

Dr. Barnaby Payne will serve as the new Principal of Peninsula High School.. He has nearly 30 years of experience serving in diverse communities as a teacher, administrator and site principal. 

Dr. Payne has served as the principal of Redwood High School in Larkspur since 2022. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership in 2023; principal of Kaohsiung American School Middle School in 

Kaohsiung, Taiwan from 2019 - 2022; principal, Ruth Asawa High School of the Arts in  the San Francisco Unified School District, 2016 - 2019; principal, Abraham Lincoln High School in SFUSD from 2009 - 2016 where he also served as assistant principal from 2006 - 2009; assistant principal, Enola Maxwell Middle School, SFUSD from 2005-2006. Dr. Payne’s time in the classroom includes roles as a paraprofessional, teacher and teacher leader educating in humanities, general education, special education, and English language learners in SFUSD from 1994 - 2005. 

Dr. Samia Shoman will continue to serve as the principal of the Bridge Academy, and she will also serve as the principal of Middle College. 

Dr. Shoman joined the District in the 2004-05 school year. She worked at Hillsdale High teaching social science, advisory and coaching soccer before coming to the District as the​​ Manager of English Learner and Academic Support Programs in the 2015-16 school year. In 2018, she founded the Bridge Academy which became a designated school in 2024. Prior to joining the District, Dr. Shoman was a social science teacher in the Jefferson Union High School District from 2000-2004. 

Dr. Chad Slife joins Burlingame High School as its new Assistant Principal. He has more than 20 years of experience as a classroom educator, assistant principal, principal, and district level leader. 

Dr. Slife comes to us from the San Mateo County Office of Education, where he coached site and district leaders and supported initiatives focused on school counseling, postsecondary transitions, Universal Design for Learning, inclusive practices, and Tier II and Tier III Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. 

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As I think of all of our graduation celebrations this week and last week, I feel so grateful for every member of our community who has helped each of our 10 schools across six cities in our one District to get where we are today. Here’s to celebrating the end of the school year! I look forward to seeing our new 9th through 12th graders back at school on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. To our graduating seniors, congratulations! I hope to hear about your adventures and all you are able to achieve after high school!

Sincerely,

Randall P. Booker, Superintendent

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February 27, 2026

Spanish

Dear Students, Families, Educators and Community Members: 

We are well into the Spring Semester, and I’m so pleased with the learning I’m seeing on every campus! Whether you are a student, a family member, and educator or a member of our community, thank YOU for all that you do to support our positive outcomes for our students. 

SMUHSD is Seeking Parent and Guardian Input on Cell Phones In Schools

The San Mateo Union High School District wants to hear directly from families, students and educators about cell phone use at schools via surveys regarding student cell phone use and the future direction of our Districtwide mobile communication device policy. The Board of Trustees will discuss this issue at their March 26 Board Meeting. Learn more about how to access our Board Meetings.  

Across California, schools are reviewing and updating their cell phone policies. A new state law (AB 3216, the Phone-Free Schools Act) requires school districts to adopt policies that limit or prohibit student smartphone use during the school day by July 1, 2026. Our District is continuing to evaluate how we can best support student learning and well-being while also ensuring clear and consistent expectations across campuses.

We know that cell phones can serve many purposes during the school day, from communicating with family to accessing information, and we also know they can sometimes create distractions during class or impact focus and engagement. Different schools across the state (and within our District) are using different approaches, ranging from restricting phones only during class time to limiting use for the entire school day.

Before making decisions about how we move forward, we want to better understand students’, parents’ and educators’ experiences and perspectives.

Parents and Guardians should have received the survey via email the evening of February 25. Educators and students will be given the opportunity to share their opinions on a survey given at school. Thank you for taking the time to share your voice. The survey will close on March 13. 

1st Semester Accomplishments

At the January 22 Board meeting I presented a brief report of Fall 2025 semester highlights! The report serves to celebrate educators’ and students’ achievement so far this year. While this list isn’t all encompassing it serves to highlight much of the work being done in our District. 

Our educators are a remarkable team of professionals who continually strive to improve teaching and learning. I also would like to thank the many organizations, families, and volunteers who partner with the District to enhance and expand opportunities for our students. I am grateful for this breadth and depth of community support for public education, and proud of what we have accomplished together so far this year. Finally, thank you to our students who work hard every day in the important work of learning and growing into adulthood. You make us so proud! 

Check out the presentation or read the board memo (English and Spanish) to see a more comprehensive look at our accomplishments.

We are off to such a great start this semester and I look forward to all that lies ahead!

SMUHSD Supports Students Facing Food Insecurity 

On November 6, the SMUHSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve an initiative to support students facing food insecurity. The initiative was developed by a team of our educators, and it allowed our District to address the crisis of food insecurity within our sphere of influence. 

Within our District 2,225 students, or 23.8% of total enrollment, are currently enrolled in the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program across our campuses. With the temporary loss of SNAP benefits in November and food insecurity already prevalent, our District recognized the urgent need to ensure that no student goes hungry outside of school hours. 

Through this program, our District provided: 

• Over 1,100 $50 grocery cards to students intended to support those who had temporarily lost this benefit. We ended the grocery card portion of this program the week of November 17, when we learned that SNAP benefits were restored to families. 
• A total of over 9,200 dinners were served Sunday evenings from November 9-December 21 at Capuchino, Hillsdale and San Mateo High Schools for all SMUHSD families enrolled in SNAP and the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

• 4,500 bags of shelf stable groceries from Mi Rancho Market valued at $112,500. 

Thank you to: 

• Our Board of Trustees for your unanimous support of this program
• The District Teachers’ Association for generously donating $6,000 to support this initiative
• Educators at the three sites helping to facilitate this program (Capuchino, Hillsdale and San Mateo High Schools) who ensured that their sites were a welcoming and safe space for our families and the community dinners ran smoothly; Administrators who ensured students received grocery cards
• Educators in business services who procured grocery cards and ensured that the grocery cards got to each of the sites so they could get into the hands of our students. They also ordered ingredients and supplies so our nutrition teams could prepare the meals as well placing grocery orders for our families. 
• Educators in student nutrition who prepared the hot dinners 
• Mi Rancho Market for fulfilling our grocery orders so we could provide shelf stable groceries to families 
• Educators in transportation who helped move food and materials across the District
• Our Communications Team who ensured that the very specific audience we were supporting had the information they needed to be able to have access to dinners, groceries and grocery cards
• Family Engagement Coordinators and other educators at the District and school sites who made personal calls home to families
• Parents, other community volunteers, and Board Trustees who committed to this effort and rolled up their sleeves to help
• And finally, thank you to educators from across the District who showed up on Sunday nights in service to our students and their families. 
• Every person who was a part of this initiative moved mountains to make it happen in a very short period of time!! 

We know we have families in our District who are still in need of assistance. Emergency Safety Net Resources can be found on the County of San Mateo’s website. Another great resource for families needing food is the Second Harvest Food Bank which can be found at: www.shfb.org. 

Academic Data Class of 2025

On January 22, Educators from Mills, Capuchino and Hillsdale High Schools shared a Spotlight on Student Learning with our Board of Trustees on key outcomes for the class of 2025 as well as outcomes of student success to rigorous coursework. 

The report focused on Goal Two of the LCAP: Humanizing Education - All Students will participate in learning experiences that are joyful, uplifting, empowering and validating of their identities.

The report highlighted (for the class of 2025):

1. Graduation Rate 
2. College and Career Educator
3. Access to College-Level Coursework
4. Post-secondary Matriculation
5. ML Progress 

Graduation Rate 

Principal Pamela Duszynski; Assistant Principal Jonathan White and Counselor Rachel Mack from Mills High School presented about school interventions supporting the increase the school is seeing in graduation rates including: 

Schoolwide Interventions

• MTSS Interventions (Tier 1, 2 & 3) 
• Referrals to Tier 2 programs (e.g. Intensive Flex Tutoring, Viking Mentoring, Socio-Emotional Support Groups) 
• Faculty-wide Kid Talks - Collaborative conversations to support individual students from underserved populations (e.g. ML, IEP/504’s, Latinx)

School Counseling Interventions

• Personalized & proactive support for seniors (1:1 meetings with all first-gen seniors, early intervention for D/F grades & frequent family collaboration)
• Academic and College Planning Nights
• Social-emotional counseling for stress & motivation
• Dedicated counselor for Spanish-speaking families (supported by 0.2 FTE funding from PTO)

Principal Jose Gomez reported on Capuchino’s efforts to improve graduation rates including: 

• Comprehensive ML Student Onboarding & Orientation
• Academic, Social-Emotional, and Cultural Adjustment Supports
• Tier II & Tier III ML Interventions
• Individualized Academic Planning & Postsecondary Readiness
• Family Engagement & Community Partnerships
• ML Social Worker Case Management & Attendance Monitoring
• ML Specialist Services & Progress Monitoring
• Student Engagement, Belonging, and Enrichment Opportunities

ML Learner Progress

Hillsdale High Assistant Principal Jesse Boise shared highlights on ML Learner Progress which is aligned to the school’s Graduate Profile: 

Sense of Self & Sense of Community

• Transition Plan: Newcomer to Standard Program
  • Family Meetings
  • Personalized Scheduling
  • Advisor Hand-Off
  • Rising Knights Weekly Group
  • ML Peer Buddy Program
• Empowerment Through Action
  • Mentorship, Weekly Groups, Community Resource Center, Enrichment Field Trips

Literacy & Effective Communication

• ML Learner Focus Within Professional Learning
  • HHS Graduate Profile Bands: Effective Communication & Literacy 
  • SMUHSD ML Supports
  • Translanguaging
  • Amplifying the Curriculum
  • Focal Students
• Increased impact of Community & Literacy in Action (CLA)

You can learn more about this comprehensive report (including more bright spots and areas for growth) by reading the Board Memo, viewing the presentation or watching the recording of the meeting. 

One word 

At a recent meeting with Site Principals and District Leadership, we participated in something called the “One Word” Activity. I wanted to do this exercise to really help the community understand our District’s priorities and goals. I then shared this activity with our Board at their January 22 Board meeting. This exercise has been so helpful for me to get an idea of what was on everyone’s mind, what is important to them, etc. The following are some of the “one words” that came out of the meeting and my hope is that these words help us, as a District, align our professional intentions for the 2026 calendar year:

Morals	Service	Balance	Steadfastness	Focus
Stability	Momentum	Intentional	Equity	Accountability
Compassion	Vision	Punchy	Consistency	Action
Impact	Collaboration	Bridge	Motivation	Understand

 

These words can serve to us as a constant reminder of what we want to be intentional about when we are making decisions and working with people.

My one word was BUILD. Building relationships, building systems and building opportunities for our students, our educators, our community. 

A Special Message for Our 12th Graders and their Families

Finally I want to recognize and acknowledge our 12th grade students and their families as they have settled into their final semester in high school and prepare to cross the finish line of graduation. Many of our 12th graders are beginning to receive college acceptances and yes, there have been some rejections. Many still await decisions from the UCs and CSUs, and many are planning to enroll in community colleges or are considering careers in the trades or military. 

No matter where you are in this process, or what you ultimately decide to do after graduation, I ask students and parents to take heart. These can be stressful times when our young people feel the weight of the world balances on making the “right” decision which they may feel will dictate the outcome of the rest of their lives. The reality is that we can only make the best decisions for ourselves “right now” based on what we know and how we predict our lives will unfold. Ask any adult about how many perfect decisions they made, and most are bound to tell you about the time their plans went astray, and how life worked out anyway. 

I am so proud of the work our 12th graders have done to make it to this point in their academic journeys, and parents and guardians, YOU deserve a pat on the back for supporting your students in this journey. So take a breath, and enjoy this time as you look back over your time in school and look ahead to all the future holds! 

Sincerely,
Randall P. Booker, Superintendent