ParentSquare

  • Acting Superintendent Appointment

    Dear CUSD Community, At last Thursday’s Regular Board Meeting, the CUSD Board of Education approved the employment contract for Mrs. Allison Liner, Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, to concurrently serve as Acting Superintendent effective July 1 through August 31, 2026. Superintendent Stacy Yao announced her retirement in April, following 38 years of service in public education, and the Board of Education is currently searching for a new Superintendent. The Superintendent search timeline, provided by the search firm Leadership Associates, is available at  https://www.cusdk8.org/about-us/board-of-education/superintendent-search .  The Board recognizes the need for a designated leader to maintain continuity and provide stable oversight until a permanent selection is finalized. Mrs. Liner has provided strong leadership in CUSD over the last eight years, and she will provide the necessary guidance and stability the District needs as we navigate the search process. She is dedicated to partnering with the CUSD students, staff, and families to sustain momentum on District priorities during this transition period. Please join the Board in thanking Mrs. Liner for taking on these additional responsibilities over the next couple of months. Sincerely, Satheesh Madhathil President, CUSD Board of Education

    Monday, Jun 22 2026

  • UPDATE - Superintendent Search Community Forum: Virt...

    The CUSD Board of Education ("Board") has retained the executive search firm Leadership Associates to facilitate the recruitment of the next District Superintendent. In a commitment to a collaborative and inclusive selection process, Leadership Associates will conduct  two Community Forums on  Wednesday, May 27, 2026 -  virtual and in-person - to solicit public input. The Board strongly encourages participation from interested parent organizations and community members. Virtual Community Forum via Zoom Date:  May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) Time:  10:00-11:00 am Zoom Link:  https://sccoe.zoom.us/j/85121877103 In-Person Community Forum Date:  May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) Time:  5:30-6:30 pm Venue : CUSD Board Room (10255 N. Portal Avenue, Cupertino)

    Monday, May 25 2026

  • CUSD Superintendent Search Online Survey

    The CUSD Governing Board ("Board") is conducting an executive search for the District's next Superintendent. The executive search firm Leadership Associates ("Consultants") was selected to advise the Board in this important process. For ongoing updates and important announcements regarding this process, please check the Superintendent Search page on the  CUSD website . To ensure this is a collaborative and inclusive process, the Board encourages your participation through an anonymous online survey to solicit input from students, staff, parents, and the community. The information generated from this  anonymous survey will be used to develop a profile of the desired qualities and characteristics of the next District Superintendent. It will also guide the recruitment and reference checking process, as well as the development of interview questions. The survey also seeks your perspectives on District strengths, challenges, and our community. Consultants will compile a report summarizing survey results and share it with the Board. The online survey will remain open  until May 29, 2026, at 12:00 noon . Below are the links to the anonymous online survey: (survey will open in a new tab): Survey in Eng lish -  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYQ9MQ7 Survey in Chinese - https://zh.surveymonkey.com/r/MF26ZRG Survey in Spanish - https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/VYCY6NW Survey in Hindi - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VD29ZLZ The Board appreciates your time and contribution to making the search meaningful and successful.

    Monday, May 18 2026

  • Education Scorecard - Top Results for CUSD!

    Dear CUSD Staff and Families, The Education Scorecard was released on Wednesday by researchers at Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth. This database compares reading and math test scores across more than 5,000 school districts in 38 states, including more than 500 districts in California. CUSD achievement rates are exceptionally high, and our investments in student support are resulting in strong growth. Learning rates are climbing, far exceeding the national average, and in sharp contrast to the state’s downward trend. Cupertino Union ranked higher than 100% of districts nationwide in average  math performance during the 2022-25 school years (4th of 10,205 districts with available data). Cupertino Union ranked higher than 99% of districts nationwide in average  reading performance during the 2022-25 school years (60th of 10,076 districts with available data). Cupertino Union ranked higher than 96% of districts nationwide in average learning rates during the 2022-25 school years. Learning rate refers to the rate at which skills are gained per year. The national average is 1.0, while CUSD students learned an average of 1.31 grade levels per year , indicating accelerated learning.  These results are a direct reflection of our community's unwavering dedication to our students. Thank you, staff and families, for your continued collaboration and support. And, congratulations to our incredible students! To learn more, visit  https://edopportunity.org/reports/trends/2025/CA/report_CA_0610290_cupertino-union.pdf .

    Friday, May 15 2026

  • Congratulations to our CUSD Teachers of the Year

    Congratulations to our CUSD Teachers of the Year! During the May 14, 2026, Regular Board Meeting, CUSD trustees and staff recognized the CUSD Teachers of the Year.  The Teacher of the Year Program allows the Board and the District to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary teaching skills, talents, and accomplishments. A District committee of representatives from the Board, administrators, CEA, and the parent community selected Lisa Orlando, a teacher at Lawson Middle School, as this year’s District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Orlando will now become a nominee for the county Teacher of the Year program. Watch the video for highlights on this year’s CUSD Teachers of the Year! [Friday, May 15 at 12:55 PM] We have updated the link to the video.

    Friday, May 15 2026

  • Draft LCAP at Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meetin...

    Annually, the District updates its three-year improvement plan with goals, actions, metrics, and a budget. This plan is called the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Updates are based on an analysis of data and input from educational partners, including parents/guardians.  To gather input, we share the draft LCAP with our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), District English Learner Advisory Council (DELAC) Committee members, and other interested parents. This virtual meeting is scheduled for 10:45-11:45 am on May 26, 2026 . All parents are welcome to attend. The draft 2026-2027 LCAP is available online via  this link . Participants will be able to submit questions regarding the LCAP to Superintendent Yao. Alternatively, any parent/guardian may submit a question regarding the LCAP on  this form . Questions and the District’s responses will be posted on the CUSD website. Additionally, a public hearing will occur at the CUSD Board Meeting on June 11, 2026. Each spring, we also plan to support English Learners as part of our Federal Addendum. The Federal Addendum specifies how federal funds will be used to support our students. Information regarding this plan will also be shared at the May 26, 2026, meeting.  Meeting participants are encouraged to share feedback and ask questions about this plan. Staff will request Board approval of the LCAP and Federal Addendum on June 18, 2026.  PAC/DELAC Agenda for May 26, 2026, at 10:45 AM Join Zoom Meeting: https://cusdk8.zoom.us/j/88013429533?pwd=kDbgtSUNfPP7IbCcalJeM7y9HcWHV4.1 Meeting ID: 880 1342 9533 Passcode: 813482 Agenda Welcome (3) Overview of the Draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (15) Feedback and Questions for the Superintendent: Draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (20) Feedback and Questions: Draft Federal Addendum, ConApp and Title III funds (20) Closing comments (2)

    Wednesday, May 13 2026

  • 2026-2027 Academic Calendar and Student Minimum Day ...

    Dear CUSD Staff and Families, It is hard to believe that the 2025-2026 school year is quickly coming to an end! CUSD wishes everyone a joyous end to the school year. Please note the following information for the 2026-2027 school year. Academic Calendar As you look forward to the 2026-2027 school year, we want to draw your attention to the complete Academic Calendar https://www.cusdk8.org/about-us/calendar . Attendance Research shows that regular attendance is vital for children's success in school. California law states that absences are excused only if the child is ill or if the absence meets the requirements of  California Education Code Section 482059 . Absences that cause your child to miss significant amounts of school can negatively impact their academic performance, peer relationships, and sense of well-being. Many parents are unaware that going "out of town" with their children during school is an unexcused absence. Planning can avoid unexcused absences and limit the risk of chronic truancy. We hope that during the summer, you plan and organize so that we see your child consistently at school - their education is our priority, and we know you share this feeling as well. We strongly encourage you to plan trips for holidays and vacations during school breaks.  TK and K Start Days To better support the transition to school for our youngest learners,  August 13 - September 4, 2026, will be minimum days for TK students . The first full day of school will be on Tuesday, September 8th, after Labor Day. For  Kindergarten students, the first two days of school, August 13 & August 14 (Murdock-Portal Only: July 30 and July 31), will be minimum days . Please refer to your child(ren)’s school website for specific student release times on minimum days.  Minimum Days Minimum Days (for students) allow teachers and staff additional time to plan, collaborate, and prepare instruction. Minimum Days also help limit the number of times teachers are pulled out of the classroom during instructional time when a substitute teacher is required. Brunch and lunch continue to be provided to students on minimum days. The following dates are student minimum days: September 18, 2026 November 20, 2026 December 11, 2026 January 29, 2027 February 12, 2027 March 19, 2027 (March 26, 2027 for Murdock-Portal only) April 23, 2027 May 6, 2027 June 4, 2027 (June 11, 2027 for Murdock-Portal only) Please refer to your child(ren)’s school website for specific student release times on minimum days.  Pursuant to the California Education Code, CUSD has always met or exceeded the state yearly instructional minutes requirements of 54,000 minutes for grades 1-5 and 55,800 minutes for grades 6-8, even with Minimum Days. Please refer to your child(ren)’s school website for specific student release times on minimum days.  Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

    Friday, May 01 2026

  • Superintendent Search Process

    Dear CUSD Staff, Families, and Community, Last week, after 38 years in education, Superintendent Stacy Yao announced her retirement. We thank her again for her steadfast commitment and leadership to our District. Following last night's Special Board meeting, we are sharing an update on the search for our next District Superintendent. In its commitment to a seamless transition and to selecting the most qualified successor, the Board of Education has decided to partner with a professional executive search firm. The timeline for the initial phase is as follows: Week of April 28: The District will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to leading search firms. Special Board Meeting on May 12: The Board will conduct interviews with prospective firms. This process will be guided by the Board's commitment to transparency and inclusion. Once a search firm is selected, it will facilitate a comprehensive outreach program to gather input from staff, parents, and community members. These insights will be vital in defining the qualities and priorities of the next Superintendent of CUSD. We will continue to provide updates as the search progresses. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

    Wednesday, Apr 29 2026

  • Message from the CUSD Board of Education: Superinten...

    Dear CUSD Community, On behalf of the Board of Education, we sincerely congratulate Superintendent Mrs. Stacy Yao on her retirement, effective June 30, 2026. We extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Yao for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families of our District. Throughout her tenure, she has played a pivotal role in advancing academic excellence, fostering a supportive learning environment, and guiding the District through both opportunities and challenges with integrity and vision. Mrs. Yao joined CUSD in 2015 as the Director of Human Resources and, in the same year, was promoted to Associate Superintendent, reflecting her strong leadership and contributions to the District. During the District leadership transition, the Board appointed her Interim Superintendent in June 2020 and, subsequently, Superintendent in March 2021. Under her leadership, the District has achieved significant progress in advancing student achievement, strengthening community partnerships, navigating complex budget challenges, and reinforcing a strong commitment to equity and innovation. Superintendent Yao led our District in developing the “Portrait of a Learner” (POL) framework, which has advanced the Board’s vision for future-ready learning and equips students with the skills they need to succeed in college, the workforce, and in life. This work has brought national recognition to the Cupertino Union School District, and we are grateful to Mrs. Yao for her leadership. We sincerely thank her for her expertise and dedicated service to our District and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life. She will always remain a valued member of our CUSD community. As we move through this important transition, please know that the Board remains fully committed to a thoughtful and transparent process in selecting our next superintendent. We are confident that, with the continued support and engagement of our community, we will identify a leader who will uphold our District’s values and goals. The Board will meet this week to discuss next steps, and we will keep you informed throughout the process. Together, we will ensure a smooth transition and a bright future for our schools, our students, and our community. Sincerely, Satheesh Madhathil President CUSD Board of Education

    Tuesday, Apr 21 2026

  • Congratulations Kennedy and Lawson: Recognized as CA...

    Dear Lawson and Kennedy Communities, On March 10, 2026, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the list of middle schools selected for the 2026 California Distinguished Schools Program. Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award has remained one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students. Two middle schools in the Cupertino Union School District were selected for this prestigious honor: John F. Kennedy Middle School (Achievement Gap Closers) Sam H. Lawson Middle School (Exemplary High Achievers and Achievement Gap Closers) The California Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools for their excellent work in one of three categories: Exemplary High Achievers, Achievement Gap Closers, and Beacons of Opportunity. Eligibility for the categories is determined by metrics generated through the California statewide accountability system for public schools, the  California School Dashboard . The 2026 California Distinguished Schools were determined using data from the 2025 California School Dashboard. This honor is a testament to the dedication of our exceptional staff, supportive families, and inspiring students. CUSD is incredibly proud of our students and their achievements, which reflect our commitment to prioritizing future-ready learning, social-emotional wellness, and personalized instruction. Our strong instructional strategies, coupled with an incredibly supportive parent community, are the foundation for CUSD’s continued excellence and the targeted learning gains of every student. We look forward to celebrating Kennedy and Lawson at the CUSD Board Meeting on April 23. Staff, students, and families are invited to attend.

    Wednesday, Mar 11 2026