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District News

A Year of Student Growth Complete; Looking Ahead to the Next

Updated Wed, Jun 19th

a row of kindergarten students looking through binoculars

The end of another school year is a time to reflect on the learning, growth, and countless memorable moments our students have experienced this year. Your involvement, commitment and encouragement made those experiences possible, and I want to thank you.

It has been a joy to witness the progress our students have made and to see them develop both academically and personally. They have gained competency in critical thinking, self-direction, collaboration, innovation, and empathy. Their growth is truly impressive!

To help keep the fun of learning happening through the summer, I want to remind you that every student in our district has an online library account through the Santa Clara County Library District. It can be used to access books, music, videos and more.

Together—school, home, and community—we create an environment that fosters curiosity and a love for learning that can last a lifetime.

I look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of our students, and wish you all a wonderful summer filled with rest, fun, and family time.

Free Summer Meals for Kids

Updated Wed, Jun 19th

boy holding a slice of pizza in one hand and giving a Thumbs Up with the other.

Campbell Union School District is participating again in the federal and state funded Seamless Summer program. Children age 18 and younger, regardless of their school enrollment, can come have an afternoon meal at no charge.

When:
Mon. through Fri., June 13 through August 6, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m.
* Closed 6/19, 7/4, and 7/5

Where:
Rosemary Elementary School, 401 W. Hamilton Ave., Campbell, CA

Details:

Available to all children of the community, age 18 and younger.
No school district registration required.
One meal per visit per child.
Meals to be eaten on site.

Questions?

Contact Child Nutrition Services

408-341-7210

Food [at] Campbellusd.org

Students’ Online Safety is a Family Affair

Updated Tue, Jun 18th

young child in a dark room looking at a lighted smartphone screen that says

This summer, we encourage parents and caregivers to ramp up supervision of their children’s online interactions. When school is in session, our computer devices have multiple layers of online security. During summer break, or when students are not using a school-issued device, internet safety must rely on security features available in their home.

This summer:

Students will be able to use their school accounts to log into Clever and other familiar applications used at school, but district filters will not be active. Online filtering will depend on what the family has at home.
The take-home Chromebooks, assigned to students in grades 6-8, will be disabled during the summer break. They will be re-enabled in time for the new school year, which begins August 21st.

Please note that Gaggle, one of our district’s online student safety management systems which reviews student-generated documents for words and phrases that trigger a concern for student safety, will not be active during the break.

We encourage parents and guardians to always be vigilant and actively supervise their children's online activities. Together, we can foster responsible digital behavior, maintain open communication, and ensure a safe and healthy online experience for children.

Resources for Parents

Surgeon General’s May 2023 Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health highlights the potential harm social media can have on young people's mental health. The advisory suggests that parents and caregivers can take steps to protect their children, such as establishing tech-free zones, foster in-person relationships, teaching responsible online behavior, modeling good behavior, and reporting problematic content and activity.

- Read the Executive Summary (PDF)
- See the full report

Tips for Family Supervision and Parental Control

The nonprofit Common Sense Media offers a multitude of resources and information to help families navigate the benefits and pitfalls of screen time and social media use. Parents and caregivers may find the following articles helpful.

Enhancing Student Success Through Community Engagement

Updated Wed, Jun 12th

montage of men and women reading books to groups of students

Project Cornerstone’s ABC Readers and Los Dichos are district-supported initiatives dedicated to improving student achievement, engagement, and a positive school climate.

Across the district, ABC and Los Dichos volunteers share books and reading activities to help students develop basic language, critical thinking skills, and positive connections among students, teachers, and parents. The stories and related activities follow monthly themes, such as Tolerance, Confidence, Caring, Empathy, Determination, Acceptance, and Enthusiasm.

“It’s a great volunteer program,” said Lynhaven Community Liaison Noelia Smith. “It gives parents, teachers, and students the opportunity to engage in building literacy skills and help students feel more valued and supported.”

Most volunteers are parents, like those pictured here from Lynhaven School. Members of the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga and other community volunteers also read to and provide books for students.

Nearly half of district students are from Hispanic cultures. Los Dichos is one more way to demonstrate the district’s commitment to providing families with opportunities for culturally relevant learning and student success in school. The program is based on literature that highlights Latino stories. As with the ABC Readers program, volunteers read selected books to students at school and lead activities that teach lessons.

ABC and Los Dichos volunteers dedicate one hour a month to prepare and conduct classroom activities based on sample lessons provided by Project Cornerstone. Their commitment contributes significantly to fostering a rich and supportive learning environment for all students.

Interested in being a volunteer?
Contact the school office about opportunities for the coming school year.

District Celebrates the 2023-24 Outstanding Employees and Volunteers

Updated Wed, Jun 5th

hands of 5 men and women doing a group high 5

On Thursday, May 23rd, Campbell Union School District’s school communities will come together to honor the exceptional individuals chosen as the 2023-24 Employees and Volunteers of the Year. This annual recognition event, being held at 5:30 pm at Lynhaven School, celebrates the dedication and hard work that make all of our schools great places to work and learn.

The district will recognize 42 outstanding teachers, classified support staff, volunteers, and administrators for their significant contributions over this 2023-24 school year. The highlight of the event will be the announcement of this year’s District-level honorees, who will advance to the county’s recognition program.

Below is the list of the honorees from each school.

Blackford ............ Lauren Gourley - Classified Employee of the Year

Jenna Roldan - Teacher of the Year

Rachelle Johnson - Volunteer of the Year

CSI ....................... Kellie Johnson - Classified Employee of the Year

Amanda Haughs - Teacher of the Year

Michelle Phipps - Volunteer of the Year

Capri ................... Astrid Sanz - Classified Employee of the Year

Katie Iyama - Teacher of the Year

Leslie Belghoul - Volunteer of the Year

Castlemont ....... Irama Mendoza - Classified Employee of the Year

Stephanie Lykam - Teacher of the Year

Barbie Rosato - Volunteer of the Year

Forest Hill ......... Peggy DeVincenzi - Classified Employee of the Year

Jullie Pachoud - Teacher of the Year

Amber Menasco - Volunteer of the Year

Lynhaven ......... Charu Sarin - Classified Employee of the Year

Sarah Day - Teacher of the Year

Christine Wolffe - Volunteer of the Year

Marshall Lane .. Farah Sheikh - Classified Employee of the Year

Kristy Hunt - Teacher of the Year

Christa Levine - Volunteer of the Year

Monroe MS ....... Belen Solis - Classified Employee of the Year

Megan Duena - Teacher of the Year

Veronica Shields - Volunteer of the Year

Preschool .......... Nazy Ardalan - Classified Employee of the Year

Rolling Hills MS...Gail Panus - Classified Employee of the Year

GiIlian Harrington - Teacher of the Year

Eileen Weinstein - Volunteer of the Year

Rosemary ......... Stephanie Murakami - Classified Employee of the Year

Alyssa Sigala - Teacher of the Year

Alejandra Cortes - Volunteer of the Year

Sherman Oaks ... Leticia Jaimes - Classified Employee of the Year

Lino Gutierrez - Teacher of the Year

Pamela Trounstine - Volunteer of the Year

Village ................. Laura Torres Cendejas - Classified Employee of the Year

Aisling Clarke - Teacher of the Year

Peggy Koralage - Volunteer of the Year

AIM Showcase Highlights Student Voice and Talent

Updated Wed, May 29th

young girl wearing headphones and using a computer device to make music

The first annual Art, Innovation, and Music (AIM) Showcase, held on May 15th, was a vibrant celebration of student creativity. With an ocean theme, the event featured an impressive array of artwork, innovative projects, and musical recordings from students across the district.

“In Campbell, we are dedicated to nurturing creativity and innovation in all of our students. This showcase highlights the incredible talent and passion within our schools,” said Julie Goo, District Coordinator of Innovation.

Families, students, and staff had a fantastic opportunity to celebrate student achievements and immerse themselves in this community event.

May 13-17 is Campbell USD’s Employee Appreciation Week

Updated Wed, May 22nd

Two hands holding a sign that says applause

While there are many days designated to honor and celebrate the various roles and impact of school employees, we believe they are all important in our service and support of students, staff and families. Please join us in recognizing all of our dedicated employees during Campbell Union School District’s Employee Appreciation Week, May 13 through 17.

“Every staff member in our school district plays an important role in shaping the future of our students, from teachers to custodians, office staff to school nurses, administrators to bus drivers; all contribute to creating a nurturing and enriching environment where every student can reach their highest potential,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez.

Special Recognition on May 23rd

As a special part of our annual Employee Appreciation Week, we honor and celebrate outstanding individuals in our schools. We will applaud our Teachers of the Year, Classified Employees of the Year, Volunteers of the Year, and announce the District-level winners who will move on to county level awards.

Mark Your Calendars for More May Events!
Don’t miss these engaging district-wide events brought to you by the Campbell Union School District and our valued community partners. All district families are invited to participate.

May 14 & 21: Free Viewing of "Angst" - This compelling documentary sheds light on the topic of anxiety. Produced by IndieFlix, the film features interviews with a diverse range of individuals including children, teens, educators, experts, parents, and even former Olympic champion Michael Phelps. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Co-sponsored by Campbell Union School District and School Linked Services. Learn more about "Angst"

May 14 at 6pm at CSI, 295 Cherry Ln., Campbell

May 21 at 5:30pm at Castlemont, 3040 E. Payne Ave., San Jose

May 15: Celebrate student creativity and achievement at the Art, Innovation and Music (AIM) Showcase! This event will showcase an inspiring collection of artwork, innovative projects, and musical recordings crafted by our talented students. Learn more about the AIM Showcase

May 15 from 4 to 7pm at
Monroe Middle School, 1055 S. Monroe St., San Jose

CUSD Students Triumph in 2024 Tech Challenge "Cosmic Quest"

Updated Thu, May 16th

5 students in white hard hats standing in front of cameras as a woman in a pink hard hat holds a microphone and a man in a pink hard hat listens to what is being said.

Representing their school and the district proudly, Campbell School of Innovation (CSI) students showcased their problem-solving skills at the 37th annual Tech Challenge held on April 28, 2024. Under the theme "Cosmic Quest," the mission was to develop a launcher to transport supplies to a distant moon, simulating a crucial space mission.

Three CSI teams participated, with Team Lunar Eclipse earning the "Outstanding Collaboration" award for grades 7-8. The event, hosted by The Tech Interactive, drew over 540 teams who spent months preparing their innovative solutions to the challenge.

"I am super proud of all of their hard work this year," CSI teacher Amanda Haughs said, noting the students' dedication, ideas and teamwork.

The CSI Teams are:
Team Axis -- Nikhil M., Cash F., Charlie O. Daniel A., James N.

Team Lunar Eclipse -- Joseph T., Claire G., Logan C., Nicola F., Sebastian H.

Team Cosmic Wolves -- Agastya S., Joshua A., Jay P., Abdullah B., Nolan V.

The Tech Challenge encourages students from grades 4-12 to engage deeply in the engineering design process, fostering both collaboration and critical thinking skills. This year's challenge not only highlighted the students' technical skills but also their ability to work together to solve complex problems.

District Receives "Bold Steps for Children" Award

Updated Thu, May 9th

two middle school girls sit at a table and talk to a woman.

Campbell USD was one of 13 school districts to earn the Bold Steps for Children Award from Kids In Common, Santa Clara County’s only comprehensive child advocacy organization focused on children’s issues and policies. The award recognizes the district for its role in supporting School Wellness Centers.

The Santa Clara County Office leveraged resources to fund School Wellness Centers throughout the county, and Monroe Middle School’s was among the first for middle school students. The program is one of many examples of how community partnerships support our students.

School Wellness Centers provide safe and supportive environments on school campuses where students can visit to de-stress. They provide holistic support addressing physician, mental, emotional, and social support, family support services, and support to school staff.

District Attendance Program Earns State Recognition

Updated Wed, May 1st

The California Department of Education has selected Campbell Union School District (CUSD) for the 2024 Model SARB Recognition. This award celebrates the district's effective and compassionate strategy for improving student attendance, emphasizing support over punishment and focusing on comprehensive, community-based efforts to resolve attendance and truancy issues.

Under the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) program, this recognition places a spotlight on the district’s dedication to helping students maintain regular attendance and, ultimately, achieve graduation. It is a collective effort to pool community resources to help families in overcoming barriers to consistent school attendance. CUSD’s team includes more than administrators. Community Liaisons, school nurses, and counselors play an important role in addressing the complexities of absenteeism.

Studies demonstrate that students who are chronically absent—missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason—are at a greater risk of falling behind academically, dropping out of school, and facing severe long-term health, employment, and financial difficulties.

Positive Interventions Make a Difference

“While school attendance is a legal requirement, we strive to remove barriers to attendance through positive interventions rather than punitive measures,” said Pablo Viramontes, Director of Student Services at CUSD. “We work with families to identify the root causes and coordinate resources to address them. It not only improves the student’s attendance; it strengthens our partnership with families and caregivers.”

The district customizes interventions to meet the specific needs and challenges of each student. For some, it might be connecting them to medical care, while for others, it might involve referrals for counseling or other community services. Other cost-effective strategies that boost motivation and punctuality engage students in meaningful roles, such as office assistance and the Check-in Check-out system. These options strengthen student-adult relationships, communication between school and parents, and regular behavior and attendance monitoring.

The District's supportive approach improves attendance and builds a caring community that addresses the complexities of absenteeism. These targeted strategies ensure that the support provided is both effective and meaningful.

“Exposure to grade level content from effective teachers is the most critical school-related factor in student success,” said Whitney Holton, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “If students are not in class, they cannot benefit from these learning opportunities.”

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