In this edition:
- Important Update on Social Media Trend
- Mental Health & Wellness Resources
- Take the IUSD Communications Survey
- Celebrating Teachers, Educators and Classified Employees
- Tools to Stay Connected with IUSD
- And more!
Message from the Superintendent
As the Year Comes to a Close, Students and Staff Take Center Stage
As we approach the end of the school year, we want to express our gratitude to our students, staff, families, and community partners, because the excellence in IUSD remains a direct reflection of the investment of this entire community. Through our collective efforts, we work to center the needs of our students and ensure they succeed, and fundamental to our students’ success is mental health and wellness. While May is always a month filled with excitement and celebration, it’s also a time to raise awareness around the critical importance of mental health.
As part of the many celebrations in May, we are excited to have honored our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week from May 5-9, and look forward to celebrating our incredible staff during Classified Employee Appreciation Week, May 18-24. We are so grateful for the work that they do each day. We were especially thrilled to announce our Classified Employees of the Year yesterday. More...
Insights Features
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and IUSD joins millions throughout the nation to raise awareness about this important topic. As part of our commitment to developing well-rounded students, we know that positive mental health and wellness are essential components to lifelong success and happiness. Therefore, IUSD takes a comprehensive approach, focusing our mental health and wellness efforts on both proactive and responsive programs, initiatives and supports for students.
Through our work, we strive to help students cultivate the skills necessary to meet academic and personal challenges with perseverance, resiliency and adaptability, while in times of adversity, helping students seek and access supports and services when needed. More...
Guide for Preparing for College Decisions
IUSD is dedicated to open, two-way communication with our community. To help us continue to improve how we connect with you, we have launched a new districtwide Communications Survey that is open now through May 26, 2025. The survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages.
We want your feedback in areas such as:
- Ways you prefer to receive communications and how often
- Ease of finding the information and resources you need
- Areas for improvement, whether it’s our website, newsletters, ParentSquare, calendars, types of information, and more
Take the survey today! More...
Insights spotlights
Expanding Access to Mental Health Support with Campus WellSpaces
Through a partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), the Tsao Family Foundation and the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), the Irvine Unified School District continued to expand its student wellness offerings with the opening of three new WellSpaces for the 2024-25 school year at Vista Verde School and Northwood and Woodbridge high schools.
The WellSpaces are available to help students better cope with daily stresses and to support their social and emotional wellbeing, along with academic successes. When needed, students can visit the WellSpaces on their campus to take a break and re-group. More...
IUSD Tools to Keep Families Connected and Informed
As we approach the end of the academic year, a time often filled with important events, final projects and key deadlines, remaining informed can help ease the stress that often accompanies a busy school calendar.
- ParentSquare serves as our primary communication platform. Download the app for a convenient, centralized location for all school-related messages. Learn more at iusd.org/ParentSquareApp
- Helpful Links Guide – This resource was shared at the beginning of the year and is a great go-to for quick access to key IUSD information in multiple languages. For a digital version available in multiple languages, visit iusd.org/HelpfulLinks
- Follow us on social media and check our website for the latest news, events, and updates happening across IUSD.
Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week 2025
On behalf of the IUSD Board of Education, Superintendent Cassie Parham, and IUSD leadership, we thank and celebrate our dedicated teachers and certificated staff for making a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families. Last week, IUSD celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, recognizing our educators for empowering students to think critically, embrace challenges, and develop the skills needed for success in college, career, and life. We thank them for all they do to support our students and families! More...
Honoring Classified Staff During Classified Employees Appreciation Week 2025
As Classified School Employee Appreciation Week approaches (May 18–24), our IUSD Board of Education, Superintendent Cassie Parham, and IUSD leadership recognize and thank our more than 2,000 classified employees for their dedication to our students, families, and schools. These essential staff members—including custodians, para-educators, Nutrition Services staff, analysts, secretaries, bus drivers and others—work side-by-side with teachers and administrators to keep our schools running smoothly. While many serve behind the scenes, their impact is deeply felt across our district. More...
Summer Safety Reminders and Tips
Summer break is right around the corner! The summertime is often filled with long hot days in the sun that can include swimming, playing outside, biking, hiking and more. We hope you have a safe summer and would like to share important water, sun and bike safety reminders for families from the Irvine Police Department (IPD), the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics. More..
Community Update
Social Media Trend: Chromebook Challenge
We would like to bring to your attention a new national trend circulating on social media, primarily TikTok, called the "Chromebook Challenge," where students are encouraged to deliberately insert metal objects into Chromebook ports or USB slots in an attempt to damage the device. This behavior can create a fire risk, result in serious or fatal injury, and ruin the device permanently.
As a reminder, the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) has a Student Technology Use Agreement, which all parents/guardians sign and agree to on an annual basis. Misuse of IUSD-issued Chromebooks or other property may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of computer access or even expulsion, and financial penalties. Additionally, damage caused to an IUSD-issued device that is the result of intentional misuse of property is not covered by Chromebook insurance purchased through your school site.
Please take a moment to talk with your child about the importance of using technology responsibly and respecting school property. It is crucial that our students understand the potential dangers of such actions and the impact they can have on their safety, the safety of others, and their ability to access learning resources.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting respectful and safe learning environments.
HR Corner
We're Hiring: Executive Director of Elementary Education
IUSD is hiring for the Executive Director of Elementary Education. Under the general direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, the Executive Director of Elementary Education is responsible for the administration, coordination and supervision of Elementary Education, including all IUSD elementary schools and our Early Childhood Learning Center.
Qualified candidates are invited to apply by May 19, 2025. More...
Speak Up, We Care
Summer Wellness: Supporting Mental Health and Community Connections
While summer break is a time to relax and recharge, it can also bring unique challenges. IUSD encourages students and families to prioritize mental health and wellness during the summer months by staying connected and practicing self-care.
The District offers a range of resources, including Care Solace, Hazel Health, Speak Up, We Care and the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.
Community partners like the City of Irvine and IPSF also provide summer classes, camps, and support services. We wish everyone a summer filled with joy, mindfulness, and meaningful connection.
News around the district
In case you missed it, the following is news from around the District! Throughout each month, IUSD Communications posts the latest District news and information in the News Center section of iusd.org. Please check this site regularly or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.
- IUSD Announces 2025 Classified Employees of the Year
- Nine IUSD Students Earn Prestigious National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, Leading Orange County
- IUSD Students Shine at State History Competition with Nine Projects Advancing to Nationals
- Join the Third Annual District Honors Art Show
- IUSD Students Honored at 2025 AVID 8th Grade Standout Award Ceremony
- Celebrating Resilience and Excellence: 2025 AVID Senior Standouts Honored
- IUSD Students Named Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholars, Most in Orange County
- Northwood High's Noah Villanueva Named Orange County Register's Artist of the Year, Alongside Other IUSD Finalists
- Cassie Parham Named Superintendent of the Irvine Unified School District
- Portola High School Named 2025 California Green Ribbon School Sustainability Honoree
- Portola and University High Schools Awarded Philharmonic Society of Orange County Music Grants
- IUSD Student Science Fair Projects Honored at Irvine Ranch Water District