Blackford Bulletin

Printable News

Use the latest version of Firefox to print this page. Remember to set print settings to print background colors and images and make sure ignore scaling is not checked. Also, make sure "Page Headers" and "Page Footers" are all set to "--blank--."

This help text will not show up on the print.

Upcoming Events

A Message from the Superintendent

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…

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

Embracing a growth mindset to help students succeed

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.Two boys gather data as they prepare to tackle some math problems.

  • 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.Six middle school students (boys and girls) seated at a classroom table discussing plans together and working with their open laptop computers

  • 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.  A mother and daughter smile at the camera as they participate in math games inside a school auditorium.

  • 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!

A Few Dates to Remember

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!

A Thanksgiving Message from the Superintendent

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

ParentSquare and Postcards are Keeping Parents in the Loop

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.