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Board approves 15‑day Japan performance and culture exchange tour
Summary
The board approved a 15‑day Japan tour for the district’s music program (June 9–23, 2026), which includes performances at the Mount Fuji Music Festival and exchanges with multiple Japanese high schools; staff and boosters detailed fundraising, chaperone logistics and scholarship support.
The Los Gatos‑Saratoga Union High School District Board voted to approve a 15‑day Japan Performance and Culture Exchange Tour scheduled for June 9–23, 2026, featuring performances in Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi (Mount Fuji festival), Kyoto, Kobe and Hiroshima and an exchange concert with Hijiyama Girls High School.
Music department staff described the tour’s educational and cultural aims, long‑standing international partnerships, and scholarship and budgeting practices. The lead presenter said the trip was accepted to the Mount Fuji Music Festival and highlighted community support: music boosters, vendor gratuities applied to scholarships, and a shadow‑tour of paying audience members who travel but do not chaperone. Presenters said the program budgets with a reserve to cover students who need financial help and noted roughly a dozen students require full scholarship support.
Students and staff emphasized the tour’s impact: prior alumni pursued study abroad and career paths after exchange experiences. One presenter described logistics for roughly 300 students and about 150 additional shadow‑tour guests across five flights and multiple performances. Board members moved to approve the trip; the motion passed by voice vote. The presenters asked the board to consider a future request to cover superintendent attendance on the trip; the board said that request would be brought back at a future meeting.
Next steps: staff will proceed with trip logistics, scholarship coordination and return to the board for any additional decisions about district representatives attending the tour.
