CUSD honors visitors, carries out business

By George Moore

The last time the Cupertino Union School District board members met was on the evening of Sept. 11, and although efforts were made to carry on with some semblance of normalcy, the images of the morning's events still burned in everyone's minds.

Two weeks later, on Sept. 25, a group of 12 middle school student delegates from Japan tried to ease the pain and offer hope for a truly global society. The students were part of the Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister City program that has been promoting friendships abroad for 24 years through student exchange programs. Cupertino middle school students traveled to Toyokawa last July, and the Japanese delegates arrived in Cupertino on Sept. 20 to begin their week-long stay in America.

Tears flowed from audience and board members in the packed room while the students sang The Star-Spangled Banner after introducing themselves. The students also sang Sukiyaki, a popular Japanese song from the early 1960s.

Tani Minor, an interpreter with the program and Toyokawa resident, said the song's meaning fit well with the mood after the tragedy, even though it was chosen to be sung before the attacks. The translated lyrics say even when you are experiencing heavy sorrow, you must look up when you walk so the tears won't fall--beyond the clouds and above the gray sky, because that is where happiness lies--and sadness hides in the shadow of the stars and the moon.

Board member Ben Liao spent some time with the group, attending a barbecue and a luncheon for the students. Liao said he learned a lot about the program and praised it for its ability to give young people a glimpse at other cultures and establish lifelong friendships.

Minor is living proof of this. She said 32 years ago she came to America as an exchange student and is now married to her host family's grandson.

There was some business to attend to at the meeting, and Lorna Horton, assistant superintendent of instructional services gave a presentation reviewing the strategic planning process from last year and showing the steps that are being taken this year.

Horton said a district planning team, composed of parents, principals, teachers, board members and others, is being planned to help guide the revision of the district's mission statement. A list of guiding principles reflecting the board's direction, beliefs and parameters, that includes goals and annual objectives would be used to help in the revision process.

There will be a three-year plan for each goal area, and board member Barbara Fielden said she wants it to be a living, workable document.

Horton said community involvement and feedback during the process is crucial, and it would be subject to continual board review and approval processes.

Superintendent William Bragg said district planning team members would develop strategies and focus area, then map out goals that would drive the work of the next process, until the final product, a revised mission statement is complete. Bragg said the group would be brought back every five years for re-evaluation.

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