Blackford News

Community support and solid fiscal management has protected schools from worse impacts. Download report.

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A Message from Superintendent Shelly Viramontez, Ed.D.

Preparing our students for success in the yet-to-be-defined workplace of the future is rewarding and challenging. Recently, the challenges have increased with changes to economic conditions.

A few major factors have placed new strains on school and district budgets for our district and many others in the region.

1. Declining enrollment due to families moving to more-affordable places to live;
2. Flattening State revenue
3. Unexpected, State-imposed increases to our pension program costs; and
4. Increased cost and demand for special education services for students.

The bottom line: Campbell Union School District will need to make $2 million in adjustments to our operating budget for the coming school year. 


We are up to the challenge. We have taken some steps already to mitigate some the impacts of that large funding cut:

• Our energy and water conservation systems are complete,
• We have secured several grants to support students’ education and wellness,  
• We trimmed $1.8 million from the current year’s budget, and
• We are exploring ways to further reduce costs for services outside of the classroom.

Our fiscal responsibility has earned us the public’s confidence and support. Our community shares our commitment to educate all students to their highest potential, approving school bonds to maintain and modernize our buildings and grounds and a parcel tax to provide competitive teacher salaries and up-to-date classroom technology.

Despite serious fiscal challenges coming our way, we are committed to maintaining both our financial solvency and the integrity of our instructional programs as we prepare our students for the opportunities of their yet-to-be-defined futures.  

Come see how our STEAM-powered education is energizing students across the district.

All students and families are invited to this annual celebration of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics marvels our students have discovered and created.

When: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 • 4 – 7 p.m.
Where: 295 Cherry Lane, Campbell (Campbell School of Innovation campus)

The event features:

• Hands-on activities for students of all ages!
• Demonstrations and performances by students from all Campbell
  Union School District schools, including: Engineering & Design
  Thinking, Computer Science & Robotics, Student Passion &
  Creativity, Film Festival, and Performing Arts.

Key dates are listed here. More detailed calendar will be sent to families.

Student Start and End Dates

• Students' first day of school:  August 22, 2019
• Students' last day: June 11

Breaks/Holidays

• Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 25-29. 2019
• Winter Break: Dec. 23, 2019-Jan. 3, 2020
• Presidents’ Break Feb. 17- 21, 2020
• Spring Break: April 6-10, 2020

An Internet Safety Message from Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. Ed.D.

Dear Parents,

We want to make you aware of what seems to be the latest viral challenge targeting children. It is called the Momo Challenge, and it centers around a disturbing character suggesting dangerous tasks for kids to perform. From what we have learned, these and other suggestions can also be found spliced into some YouTube Kids videos, including Fortnite and Peppa the Pig. This challenge also occurs through an app called WhatsApp, which could function on both phones and tablets.

We recommend that you talk to your child about these kinds of challenges, in a way that you feel is appropriate for their understanding. Given the connection and concern with messages within YouTube Kids videos, we also recommend that you monitor what your child is watching and screen the videos, even if they appear to be safe, to ensure their viewing does not include harmful messages.

The links below offer some information about the Internet hoax and resources to help you set rules at home:

• Forbes - “Don't Panic, What Parents Really Need To Know About 'Momo Challenge'”
• CNN - “Parents, please stop freaking out over the Momo Challenge”
• Common Sense Media - “13 Online Challenges Your Kid Already Knows About”

Learn more about how you can ensure cyber safety at home.
o   Media Guidelines for All Kids of All Ages
o   Safe Search Kids

In our schools, we are aware of this trending issue and continue working to ensure students follow safe Internet use. Throughout the school year, our teachers reinforce the expectations for safe use and responsible practices described in our Student Digital Safety contracts.  They also use the Common Sense Media resources and our lesson bank to teach grade-specific digital citizenship lessons.

If you have any further questions, please contact your child’s school.