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District News

A Message from the Superintendent

Updated Fri, Dec 6th

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the winter break, we want to take a moment to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. This is a special time of year, and we hope it brings you opportunities to create happy memories together.

We also want to express our gratitude for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education. We greatly appreciate all of your efforts in ensuring your child has attended school as much as possible so far this year.

We understand that families sometimes wish to extend their time together by planning vacations that last longer than the dates assigned to the school break. While we fully appreciate the value of family time, we want to encourage you to limit trips and vacations to the days indicated on the school calendar for the break. By doing so, you help your child stay on track academically and ensure they don’t miss out on valuable learning opportunities.

Thank you for being mindful of this and for continuing to prioritize your child’s attendance and education.

Wishing you a safe and happy winter break, and we look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready to learn in the new year!

Warm regards,

Dr. Shelly Viramontez
Superintendent

Continuous Improvement: It Starts With Our Values

Updated Wed, Dec 4th

middle school boy at desk looks excited as he points in front of him.

Campbell Union School District’s mission is clear: to educate every student to their highest potential. By embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, we work together—students, families, and educators—to ensure that every child has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Our commitment to our mission is rooted in our core values, which guide our efforts to create supportive, engaging, and equitable learning environments.

We Are Learners.

We listen to understand and build clarity
We are curious and operate with a growth mindset
We are open to growing pains and discomfort
We persevere through failure
We offer and solicit honest feedback
We make time to reﬂect
We celebrate growth and impact

We Are Collaborators.

We share our voice and share the air
We build trusting relationships
We are open and willing to learn from all perspectives
We create intentional opportunities for all to share
We are responsible to ourselves and others
We demonstrate vulnerability

We Are Community Builders.

We uplift marginalized voices
We create a culture of kindness
We take time to know and care for each other
We listen with an open mind
We respect conﬁdentiality
We build trust
We create buy in

Planning Ahead for 2025!

Updated Wed, Dec 4th

woman's hand holding a mobile device that shows a weekly planner

These next few weeks may be especially busy for families, so we want to remind you of some key dates to consider noting in your calendar.

Dec. 23: Begin Winter Break
Jan. 5: End Winter Break. Students return Mon., Jan. 6.
Jan-Feb. 2025: Elementary school tours for families enrolling students for the new school year. See tour dates here.
Jan. 14: Begin Annual School Experience Survey of students, staff and families
Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

To subscribe to the calendar for your own child's school, visit our calendar website and select the school calendar(s) you want.

We’re Thankful for You!

Updated Wed, Dec 4th

collage of partners working with students and staff.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to express our gratitude to the amazing community partners who enrich our students’ school experiences. From Elevate Math tutors supporting middle schoolers to Stanford’s Dr. Jo Boaler fostering a growth mindset in elementary math, and volunteers from Tzu Chi, Women’s League, and Foster Grandparents, your dedication fuels student success.

PTAs, Home-School Clubs, Boosters, and committees like the Innovation Council and Parent Advisory Committees amplify these efforts, creating more opportunities and connections.

Thank you for helping us build a strong, supportive community. Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Ver el video en español.

Building Connections: Teachers Boost Positive Parent Communication

Updated Wed, Nov 27th

woman holding cell phone and reading a positive message from Terry's teacher

In the past two annual surveys, parents told us they wanted to receive more positive messages from the school about their child. Our teachers listened and are using our ParentSquare tools and other ideas to do just that!

In the first few months of this school year, teachers increased direct messages (DMs) by 17% district wide compared to the same period last year. Many schools are also sending “positive postcards” to families by mail, letting parents know about good things they notice about their students.

See answers to parents’ frequently asked questions here.
ParentSquare FAQs
Download the ParentSquare app.

Promoting Inclusion and Equity Through School Libraries

Updated Wed, Nov 20th

New resources in our school libraries and online are the latest examples of our district’s commitment to fostering inclusivity, understanding, and support for all students. Thanks to the California State Superintendent's Anti Bias Education Grant, awarded to the Campbell Union School District in 2023, we’ve expanded our library resources to foster inclusion and a sense of belonging for all. We want to honor students’ diverse cultures, heritage and perspectives as part of what enriches their learning experience.

“Our Anti-Bias Mission is to make time and space to continually challenge ourselves and invite others to identify and address barriers that impact our students and their communities,” said Dr. Pamela Cheng, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. "This project is building community. It has helped our community liaisons and administrators connect with our newest families by using books to build a bridge between our school communities and home cultures."

The library websites will feature carefully curated books, articles, and digital tools that promote awareness of diversity and inclusion. One unique section celebrates special days from different cultures, showing how our shared values unite us, no matter our traditions, heroes, or holidays. See it online at our Celebrations and Values website.

We invite you to explore the resources available, and join us in creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment for everyone.

We Are Community Builders

Updated Wed, Nov 13th

woman stands and talks to group of people seated at a conference table

The dedicated community members who serve on our volunteer committees strengthen our district in many ways. These individuals, many of whom do not work in education, bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and an essential layer of transparency to district decision-making.

2 men talking and writing ideas on large white paper
Two Innovation Council members discuss what is
needed to prepare students for the future.

For example, our Innovation Council, composed of district, business, and community leaders, closely examines workforce trends and student needs. Together, they discuss how we can enhance learning to ensure that our students are prepared for future success. This group was instrumental in developing our five Profile of a Graduate competencies—our commitment to preparing ALL students for their yet-to-be-defined workplace.

Campus Collaboratives, formed through our School Linked Services partnership, connect local service agency representatives, civic and municipal leaders, and school administrators who work together to identify local needs and coordinate resources that benefit our students and families.

The Citizens Oversight Committee, another crucial group, reviews expenditures tied to voter-approved bonds and parcel taxes, ensuring that funds are allocated as promised. Members serve two-year terms.

icon for Community Builders Members of the District English Language Acquisition Committee (DELAC) meet to advocate for students and support programs that enhance language learning, further enriching our educational community.

“Educating students to their highest potential is a big job, and one that we cannot do alone,” said Superintendent Shelly VIramontez. “These committees are invaluable to our schools, and we thank each member for their time and commitment to partnering with us to support student success.”

New! Board Memo from Campbell Union School District

Updated Wed, Nov 13th

BOARD MEMO

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING ON OCTOBER 17, 2024

To provide our community with timely and transparent information about actions taken at our Governing Board meetings, please enjoy our inaugural edition of Board Memo.

Marshall Lane Presents Plans for Addressing Learning Gaps for ELLs

Principal Amy Vanderbosch and Assistant Principal Michelle Beddo presented an overview of the school's continuous improvement work and how the work is aligned to the district's core values, pillars, and Local

Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals. The presentation was candid and focused on the strategies being used to address the learning gap among students who are English Language Learners (ELL).

See the slides in this PDF file or visit the Board agenda Item 10.1

Transparency and Progress in Student Achievement Data

Dr. Pamela Cheng, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, and Emalie McGinnis, Director of Data Analysis and Accountability, presented the district's 2024 CAASPP results, offering a yearly snapshot of student performance. Although overall data shows little change, key strategies like Common Formative Assessments (CFA) analyzed in the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) are allowing for more frequent and targeted response to address skill gaps. The district plans to expand these efforts across all schools. See the PDF of the slides or visit Board agenda Item 10.6.

Good News from Independent Auditors

Independent auditors from Eide Bailly, Certified Public Accountants, commended the district’s prudent fiscal management and sound practices as they presented the financial and performance audit results for the 2023-24 fiscal year, Measure CC, Measure G, and Measure T.

See Budget web page, www.campbellusd.org/budget

Thank You, Donors!

$2,077 donated by Angel Island Immigration Foundation to Sherman Oaks for Angel Island field trip
$500 donated by Hong Liu to Marshall Lane for general school needs

Policy Updates

The Board unanimously approved updates to the policies in the Guide Sheet (PDF) found under Item 11.3 on the agenda. These revisions will be added to district’s online Policy Manual.

Next Meeting: November 14, 2024

Governing Board:

Danielle M.S. Cohen,

Chris Miller,

Richard Nguyen,

William Slade,

Michael Snyder

Superintendent

Dr. Shelly Viramontez

CampbellUSD’s Board Memo is published within one week of regular board meetings and does not represent officially approved meeting minutes. For official minutes, agendas, and other information about the governing Board, please visit our website. www.campbellusd.org/board

WE ARE LEARNERS. WE ARE COLLABORATORS. WE ARE COMMUNITY BUILDERS.

District Recognized for Leadership

Updated Wed, Nov 13th

woman with raised hand speaks to a group of adults. behind her on screen it reads

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of teachers, support staff, administrators, and community partners, Campbell Union School District (CUSD) is becoming a model district locally and nationally.

“When other districts seek our input and advice, it’s a clear sign we’re on the right path,” said Governing Board Member Michael Snyder.

Superintendent Dr. Shelly Viramontez and district leaders have been invited to speak at several conferences and legislative hearings, sharing CUSD’s progress on topics like educational equity, student wellness, community partnerships, and leadership.

Recent Speaking Engagements:

California legislative budget and education subcommittee hearings
UCSF: Reopening CA Schools Safely (Feb 2021)
CSBA Conference: Educational Equity (Dec 2022)
National Association of School Superintendents: Navigating Social Media (Feb 2023)
What’s Right in Education: Continuous Improvement (Oct 2023)

Key Accomplishments:

Golden Bell Award for Every Child a Reader
California Model SARB Award
Triple-A financial ratings from Moody’s and Fitch
Strong community partnerships

CUSD’s achievements continue to gain recognition, setting a positive example for districts nationwide. The CUSD is off to a strong start for the 2024-25 school year, and the Governing Board extends its gratitude to the staff, students, and families for their contributions to our success.

The Arts, Innovation, & Music (AIM) Program is Back!

Updated Wed, Oct 30th

4 young students sitting on the floor playing xylophones while their classmates watch and listen

In response to feedback from parents and teachers, the AIM program was designed to offer hands-on, engaging experiences in art, innovation, and music for all K-5 students across the district throughout the school year. Middle school students can also enjoy AIM programs through lunchtime clubs and integrated opportunities.

While students enjoy learning from a skilled team of AIM specialists, their classroom teachers have time to review student progress data and collaborate on lessons targeted to support achievement at every level.

The program was created through the one-time Art & Music Block Grant funds, and we are able to sustain it through the new Proposition 28 Arts & Music funding. Parents can explore grade-specific examples on the AIM Blog.

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District News

A Message from the Superintendent