Skip To Main Content

Message from the Superintendent

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

Literacy & Effective Communication

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

Group photo of educators holding up certificates

Spanish

October 31, 2025

Dear Students, Families, Educators and Community Members: 

We have had an outstanding start to the 2025-26 school year. Thank you to students who are working hard in their classes and who are productive members of their school communities. Thank you to families who are supporting students every step of the way. Thank you to all of our educators in our classrooms and every part of our District who are supporting the best possible outcomes for our students, and thank you to community members for all that you do to support our 10 schools across six cities that make up our ONE District. I’m pleased to share a few highlights from the year so far! 

Recognizing Educators 

On October 23, the Board of Trustees recognized 87 educators both certificated and classified who have earned tenure or permanency in our District. Earning tenure or permanency is not about reaching the end of a journey. It’s about affirming that an educator has become an essential, invaluable part of our learning community. It means this educator has shown skill, compassion, and a steadfast belief in the potential of every student who walks through their door. 

When I asked our principals what qualities define an educator ready for tenure in SMUHSD, the responses were immediate and heartfelt. They described educators who are positive, collaborative, and deeply caring. Educators who are enthusiastic, who respond to feedback, and who are intentional about their craft. They spoke about educators who take initiative, who seek growth, and who build strong, trusting relationships, not just with students, but with families, colleagues and their broader school community. These individuals create classrooms and school sites where students feel heard, valued and included. Please join me in congratulating these educators. 

Spotlight on Student Learning - Academic Progress (CAASPP, CAST, Current 11th Graders on Track)

On September 25, educators shared an update with the Board of Trustees related to our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Goal 2 (Humanizing Education). Our LCAP helps our District to determine how to prioritize resources to meet our goals toward student success. This was the first of three updates and included a review of the status of current 11th graders who are “on track” to graduate. Nearly 92% of current 11th graders are “on track” to graduate. The presentation also addressed the Spring 2025 California Student Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, also known as CAASPP (for 11th Graders), and the California Science Test, also known as CAST (for 12th Graders). Overall, about 73.5 percent of students are meeting or exceeding English Language Arts (ELA) expectations, and about 50 percent of students are meeting or exceeding expectations in Math on the CAASPP. The report and presentation outlined specific data for subgroups, areas for growth, and strategies to improve student performance. 

Board Policy Update - Nondiscrimination/Harassment 

On September 10, the Board of Trustees approved policy language changes to Administrative Regulation 5145.3 (Nondiscrimination/Harassment) which includes protections for transgender and gender-nonconforming students. The District's approach included adopting California School Boards Association (CSBA) language revisions where possible and making revisions in the best interest of students, parents and guardians where needed. The policy review included: acceptance of gender identity recognizing student’s asserted Identity; use of names and pronouns - respecting requests without requiring legal documents; access to facilities, programs, activities in alignment with education Code 221.5(f); and Dress Code/Uniforms - freedom consistent with gender identity. The presentation and Board report contain additional information about specific policy changes and our rationale for supporting students and families through this policy. 

Curriculum Corner

Approval of Pilot Courses of Studies - ML Environmental Science; Intro to Business and Entrepreneurship

On August 28, the Board of Trustees approved Courses of Study for Multilingual (ML) Environmental Science, Intro to Business and Entrepreneurship. These courses expand the District’s Career Technical Education (CTE) offerings, better preparing students for work or college after graduation.  

ML Environmental Science engages multilingual learners in rigorous study of topics such as climate change, energy, water, and sustainability. Through hands-on labs, community projects, and a green apprenticeship program, students develop both scientific literacy and workplace skills, earning a nationally-recognized Roots of Success certificate that supports career and college readiness. 

As part of our work to develop a new Business Pathway at Capuchino, San Mateo and Peninsula High Schools, educators developed and the Board approved: 

  • Entrepreneurship -  This course develops the entrepreneurial mindset and practical business skills. Students explore idea generation, market research, financial literacy, business planning, and pitching. Through hands-on activities and a capstone project, students gain real-world experience and prepare for careers or higher education in business, technology, or innovation. 
  • Introduction to Business - This course is a broad overview of the primary functions of business, such as marketing, management, accounting, finance, and operations. Examination of critical business topics, including current business trends, entrepreneurship, competition in global markets, ethical behavior and social responsibility, will be covered.

View the presentation and Board Report to learn more. Students will be able to enroll in these courses starting in the fall of 2026.

Broadcast Journalism Course of Study

On September 10, the Board of Trustees approved a new Broadcast Journalism Course of Study. Broadcast Journalism will provide SMUHSD students with a unique blend of academic rigor and career-ready training, meeting both UC/CSU “a-g” Visual and Performing Arts and CTE requirements. Designed within the California Arts, Media, and Entertainment pathway, the course immerses students in authentic, project-based learning where they produce weekly news programs, lead peer production teams, and gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools. Beyond technical proficiency, students develop leadership, collaboration, and communication skills through directing broadcasts, organizing schoolwide events like a Film Festival and critically engaging with issues of media ethics and bias. This course is currently being taught at Hillsdale High. 

SMUHSD Emergency Response Protocol: Unidentified Individuals Attempting to Remove a Student, Educator or Parent/Guardian

On September 25, the Board of Trustees approved a new District-wide Emergency Response Protocol which provides guidance to all school sites within SMUHSD in the event that unidentified individual(s) (e.g. claiming to be federal law enforcement) attempt to abduct or remove a student, educator or parent/guardian from a campus without proper identification and a valid judicial warrant. The safety and security of students, staff and families is the District’s highest priority. This protocol shall be implemented in alignment with the San Mateo County Big 5 Emergency Protocols, specifically the Lockdown/Barricade response. Read the Board report to learn more about how and when the protocol should be activated. 

The Board’s decision follows Governor Newsom signing the Safe Schools Act which includes Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 98. Both bills are intended to strengthen protections for California students and families from immigration enforcement activity on school campuses. AB 49 prohibits school employees across the state from allowing immigration officers on campuses or sharing student information without a warrant or court order. The bill also requires immigration officers who are allowed on school campuses to be restricted to areas where students are not present. SB 98, known as the Sending Alerts to Families in Education (SAFE) Act, requires K-12 schools and universities to notify students and staff when immigration enforcement officers are present on campus.

Food Resources in San Mateo County

The San Mateo Union High School District wishes to ensure that our community members have access to healthy meals. Core Service Agencies provide safety net services to San Mateo County residents in need of food, emergency housing assistance, emergency utility assistance, shelter and other basic needs. Learn more by visiting the San Mateo County website. 

Second Harvest also offers information on how to find free, nutritious food near you! 

Educator Negotiations 

On October 23, the Board of Trustees approved tentative agreements with the San Mateo Union High School District Teachers Association and San Mateo Adult Career Education American Federation of Teachers Union. We anticipate bringing CSEA and AFSCME contracts for the Board’s approval at the November 20 Board Meeting. These agreements reflect our shared commitment to supporting the educators who serve our students every day. They include updates to compensation and healthcare benefits that recognize the vital role our employees play in helping every student thrive. Garrett Wolfskill, who is the Vice President of the District’s CSEA chapter, served on the negotiations team for classified educators to update the union’s three-year contract. He called the process collaborative and creative, in the wake of significant increases in the cost of healthcare benefits. “There was an unprecedented level of cooperation with the District. I didn’t feel we were negotiating against them. I felt we were negotiating with them,” Wolfskill said at the Board Meeting.  

The District is grateful for the spirit of collaboration that guided these negotiations and looks forward to finalizing the remaining agreements in November.

Measure L Construction Update

Thank you to the hundreds of students, family members, educators and community members who joined us at ribbon cutting ceremonies in August to celebrate the completion of construction of the Burlingame High Gym and San Mateo High Athletic Training Complex. These facilities are amazing! Read a recap about these events and see pictures on the District’s website. 

On August 28, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to issue the remaining $96.25 million of its Measure L bond authorization. Authorized by voters in March 2020, Measure L had a total authorization amount of $385 million. The bond sale resulted in very competitive interest rates and received significant investor attention due to the District’s ‘Aaa’ bond credit rating. This is the best possible rating for a general obligation bond and reflects the District’s ability to repay debt. This means Measure L is a solid investment for our taxpayers in addition to being a great investment for the future of our students and their schools. The District completed its Measure L bond sales one year ahead of the original schedule.  The overall interest rate of Measure L is 3.0%, which is far below the original estimate of 5.75%. The principal and interest costs for Measure L total $547.4 million, which is $267 million less than what was represented to voters at the time of the election in 2020.

Cell Phones in Schools 

Our District is ramping up to adopt a formal cell phone policy by July 1, 2026 (per Assembly Bill 3216 - a new law that requires California schools to limit the use of smartphones in school). SMUHSD’s policy will reflect the values of our community and the needs of our students. To guide our work, we will use equity-driven, interest holder-informed processes that ensure alignment with SMUHSD’s Instructional Framework principles. Ultimately, we will seek a solution that supports student wellness and engagement in class. The District has convened a cell phone working group to include student, educator, and parent representatives from each school to support the development of draft recommendations. The group held its first meeting on October 8. Additional meetings will be held: 

  • November 12, 2025 (6-7:15 p.m.) - virtual
  • December 10, 2025 (6-7:15 p.m.) - virtual

Please reach out to Brian Simmons, Director of Curriculum and Assessment, if you are interested in being involved in this work.

Human Resources Report Highlights Administrator Diversity and Educator Advancement 

On October 9, the Board heard a report on District human resources progress and priorities. Highlights included: 

  • Administrative Diversity: Tracking of Administrator Ethnicities highlights the ongoing effort to ensure the District's leadership reflects the diversity of its community.
  • Teacher Pipeline Development: Successful implementation of the Classified to Teacher Grant, student teacher program, and the Teacher Residency Programs resulting in nine full-time teacher hires from existing staff. 

Learn more by reading the report or by viewing the presentation. 

Capuchino High School Celebrates 75th Years of Educational Excellence

On October 25, over 300 Capuchino students, educators, alumni, family members and community members celebrated the 75th anniversary of the school which opened its doors in September of 1950.  

The day’s festivities began at the Samuel Johnson Performing Arts Center with a historical slide show followed by speakers including: Principal Jose Gomez; Trustee Greg Land; California Assemblymember Diane Papan; Alumni Association President and San Bruno City Councilmember Michael Salazar; event chairperson Margarita Blanco; San Bruno Mayor Rico Medina and students Brendan Ward (class of 2027); Clarissa Ferreyra (class of 2026); and Jake Wilson (class of 2027). The opening ceremony included recognition of alumni through the decades. The program concluded with a short dramatic performance from the musical “The Addams Family” by Capuchino drama students directed by Michelle Lemire. The day also included performances by the Capuchino Marching Band, Color Guard and Cheer as well as student-led tours of the campus.  

Capuchino High and SMUHSD wish to thank all who attended to celebrate this milestone. Visit the Capuchino website to view more pictures from the event. 

Proclamations 

Student Board Council Members and educators contributed to the following proclamations adopted by our Board of Trustees in September and October:  

  • National Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) History Month
  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month 
  • Filipino American History Month: 
  • National Native American Heritage Month
  • National Homeless Youth Awareness Month 

All of our proclamations can be found on our website: www.smuhsd.org/proclamations.

Together, we continue to build a learning community where every student is supported and inspired to reach their full potential. Our commitment to offering diverse and engaging courses of study ensures that every learner finds a path that fits their goals. Thank you for being an essential part of our shared mission in helping every student to succeed.

Sincerely,

Randall P. Booker
Superintendent

August 8, 2025

Spanish

Dear SMUHSD Students, Families, Educators, and Community Members,

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year in the San Mateo Union High School District! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 13 for all schools with the exception of Middle College which started on August 6. 

As we return to our classrooms and campuses, I’m filled with hope, pride and gratitude - hope for all that we will achieve together; pride in the shared values that continue to guide our work; and gratitude for each member of our community. This year’s theme is: Inspiring Leadership in Our Schools. We’ll explore how every educator, no matter their role, is a leader. We will focus on how and why it’s so important to develop student-leaders as a means to improve engagement, experience and academic performance. 

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 - 2024-2025 A Year of Student and Educator Learning and Success. The pages of this report are filled with stories of success made possible by YOU the members 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. Our principals and other educators are excellent partners in our students’ educational experience. 

I also want to invite the members of our community to celebrate the completion of construction of the Burlingame High Gym and the San Mateo High Athletic Training Complex. 

The new two-story Burlingame High School Gym is an approximately 37,492 square foot building that features a full-size gym, with locker rooms, a weight room, and coaches’ offices on the first floor, and a practice gym and multipurpose room on the second floor. The Burlingame High celebration is scheduled for: Wednesday, August 27 at 3:30 p.m. at 1 Mangini Way in Burlingame. 

The new San Mateo High Athletic Training Complex is an approximately 20,085 square foot building that features a gym which may be used for basketball, volleyball or badminton, as well as locker rooms, a training room, coaches’ offices and a classroom. The San Mateo High celebration is scheduled for: Friday, August 29 at 3 p.m. at 506 North Delaware Street in San Mateo. All are welcome! 

The San Mateo Union High School District wishes to extend our gratitude to the voters and taxpayers of our District for their support of Measure L - a $385 million general obligation bond to make improvements to facilities across the District. Learn more about Measure L by visiting our website. 

While we have so much to be proud of in our District we take the responsibilities that await us very seriously. We are so fortunate to have our high school students with us for four meaningful years. It isn’t a lot of time, so we have to be intentional about every moment and opportunity for student success. The work ahead will take all of us. It will take shared purpose, consistent action, and courageous leadership from every classroom to every department. I am confident that by trusting one another, inspired by bold ideas, we will remain committed to each and every student, and we will create the conditions for a year of true transformation.

Thank you for being our partners in this important journey. Here’s to a strong, joyful, and inspiring start to the 2025-26 school year.

With gratitude,
Randall P. Booker
Superintendent

About Superintendent Booker

On May 19, 2022, the SMUHSD Board appointed Randall Booker to be its next superintendent beginning with the 2022-23 school year, replacing retiring Superintendent Kevin Skelly. Prior to joining SMUHSD, Mr. Booker served as superintendent in the Piedmont Unified School District in Alameda County for seven years. Overall he has more than 25 years experience in education as a teacher at Albany and Cardinal Newman High Schools; assistant principal at Albany and Piedmont High Schools; principal at Piedmont High; and assistant superintendent at Piedmont Unified. He grew up in Burlingame and attended Lincoln Elementary, Burlingame Intermediate, and Burlingame High School. After completing the 9th grade at Burlingame High, Mr. Booker moved to Santa Rosa with his family where he attended and graduated from Cardinal Newman High School. Superintendent Booker earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Mr. Booker has led a district with high academic outcomes and also focused on the social-emotional needs of students. He established the Wellness Center at Piedmont High School and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, as well as increased counseling services for all students. Mr. Booker served as president of the North Region Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) from 2019-2022 and president of the Northern Alameda Adult Education Collective (NAAEC) from 2017-2022. During his tenure, Piedmont Unified  passed two parcel taxes and facilities modernization bond measures.