District News

As summer begins, online safety shifts from school-based protections to home-based supervision, because our administrators will also be enjoying a bit of time off. While students can still log into Clever and other learning apps using personal devices, district internet filters and safety tools like Gaggle will not be active.

Additionally, take-home Chromebooks assigned to students in grades 6–8 will be disabled for the summer and reactivated before school resumes on August 20, 2025.

We encourage families to stay involved in their children’s digital lives:

• Actively supervise online activity
• Set tech-free zones and time limits
• Foster in-person connections and model good digital behavior

Helpful Resources for Families

• Social Media and Youth Mental Health – U.S. Surgeon General Advisory
• Common Sense Media: Make Screen Time Safe and Positive
• Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between

Together, we can help students build safe and responsible online habits—at school and at home.

Thanks to the generosity of Friends of the Heritage Theatre, more Campbell Union School District students will have the opportunity to shine on a professional stage next year.

Through a new partnership with the district, Friends of the Heritage Theatre is providing up to $10,000 to help two upper-grades productions—Rolling Hills Middle School’s winter show and a joint spring production by Monroe Middle School and Campbell School of Innovation—take the stage at the historic Campbell Heritage Theatre during the 2025–26 season.

In addition to supporting production costs, the organization has created a $5,000 scholarship fund to help cover student participation fees, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to being part of the experience.

“This collaboration enhances our arts programs and creates lasting memories, enriching our students’ educational journey,” said Martha de Ojeda, Director of Expanded Learning. “We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our students and community.”

The Friends of the Heritage Theatre raise funds through tax-deductible donations from the community and concession sales during the theatre’s regular season events. Their support helps bring the arts to life for the next generation of performers.

Nearly 300 people attended the May 22nd celebration where we recognized the outstanding individuals whose dedication and impact truly stood out this year. Each school’s administrator presented their 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year, describing their contributions to their school community. 

With so many exceptional nominees, it wasn’t easy for the District leadership to choose just one person for each category—but three individuals rose to the top to represent our entire district this year.

• District Volunteer of the Year: Kathy Hawkes, Village School
  For more than a decade, Kathy has given her time and energy in countless ways—from field trip coordination to leading the PTA. Her inclusive leadership and strong partnerships with staff and families have helped create a connected, welcoming school community.
  
• District Classified Employee of the Year: Diana Duarte, Capri Elementary
  As a Behavior Specialist, Diana plays a vital role in supporting students and staff. Her calm, practical approach and unwavering dedication foster growth, resilience, and a “we can” spirit throughout the school.
  
• District Teacher of the Year: Pati Curiel, Blackford Elementary
  With over 30 years in CUSD, Pati has built a classroom where students feel seen, supported, and challenged. Her passion for education and commitment to student success make her a standout educator and leader.

The Superintendent also acknowledged two school administrators—Melissa Rojek and Sarah Williams— for receiving Administrator of the Year awards from the local chapter of the Association of California School Administrators.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional professionals for their outstanding contributions to our schools and community!

“When I walk through a TK or kindergarten classroom, I think, ‘What in the world will these young people be walking into in the 2045 workforce?’” said Campbell Union School District (CUSD) Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “A few years ago, we thought access to technology was the digital divide. The new divide will be between students who can leverage AI tools and those who have never had exposure to them.”

As part of an ongoing effort to prepare students for the future, CUSD is carefully exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can support teaching and learning.

While AI is not yet in widespread use across our schools, the district has been testing select tools in limited and monitored settings. For example, at the May 15 Board meeting, Math Specialist Cheryl Lee shared results from a pilot using two AI-supported tools—Magma Math and Khanmigo—to enhance math learning. Based on student progress and teacher feedback, the district will move forward with Magma Math, introducing it to 4th–8th grade teachers to support instruction and develop a set of standards-aligned assessments.

District leaders emphasize that AI will be used to support teachers, allowing them to focus on high-impact activities such as small-group instruction and individualized feedback.

“AI will not be a one-and-done initiative,” said Superintendent Viramontez. “This will be an ongoing, thoughtful process to equip students with the tools and experiences they’ll need for the future.” Click here to see the video: Leveraging AI as a Tool for Teaching and Learning.