Forest Hill Elementary School

District News

Updated Wed, Mar 26th

Starting this Friday, March 28, Campbell Union School District will limit late-night access to school-issued Chromebooks for students. Devices will be automatically shut down from 9:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. each night.

“We are seeing a lot of late-night Chromebook use on our student devices,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “That doesn’t support our students getting a good night’s rest to be ready for learning.”

Health experts emphasize that getting enough sleep is essential for adolescent mental health and brain development. Research shows that improving sleep habits can reduce daytime fatigue and lead to better academic performance and behavior.

“By shutting the devices down at night, we hope to encourage healthier sleep routines while still giving students time to complete their homework,” Viramontez added.

Updated Wed, Mar 26th

Families gathered to celebrate student creativity and hands-on learning at Campbell Union School District’s (CUSD) annual Art, Innovation & Music (AIM) Showcase on March 20th. The interactive event featured colorful displays of student art, music, and engineering projects—highlighting the impact of AIM on student engagement and learning.

The AIM program provides all K–5 students with instruction in art, music, and innovation from credentialed specialists, and supports clubs and enrichment for middle schoolers. At the same time, it provides teachers with professional learning and collaboration time during the school day so that every student's learning journey is thoughtfully planned with high-quality, targeted instruction.

“AIM ensures our students receive innovative, engaging lessons aligned to academic standards and our Profile of a Graduate competencies to prepare our students with the skills needed to navigate the demands of an ever evolving future,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez.

By integrating design thinking and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards, AIM sparks curiosity and helps students grow critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

More than 350 people attended the showcase, where families explored student work, created original music, launched paper rockets, played instruments, and watched student-made videos and newscasts.

“AIM prepares students for the future by offering a space for them to express themselves creatively,” said Alicia Peterson, CUSD Art Innovation Specialist. “It offers them a place to explore things that they might have not been exposed to before.” 

Since launching in 2022, AIM has expanded across the district, now serving 4,000 K–5 students and offering middle school integration and clubs. During the 2024–25 school year, students receive over 109,000 minutes of AIM instruction, while teachers participate in 627 collaborative planning sessions. The program is already showing results, including supporting our continuous improvement work and high quality first instruction.

“Our talented AIM specialists inspire students to apply our Profile of a Graduate Competencies through art, innovation, and music lesson experiences,” said Julie Goo, CUSD Teaching and Learning Innovation Coordinator. “We are proud to design learning that is enriching and empowering for both our students and educators.”

Updated Wed, Mar 19th

Looking for after-school care for the 2025-26 school year? Campbell Union School District provides school-based before and after-school programs designed to support students and families.

Priority Registration for Eligible Families

Through the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP), students in TK-5 who meet any of the following criteria receive priority registration for after-school care:
✔ Homeless or Foster Youth
✔ English Learners (currently receiving services)
✔ Students qualifying for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (application on file with the Nutrition Department)

Families who qualify for priority enrollment can register now. Visit our CampbellCare webpage for full details.

Can Non-ELOP Students Register?

We understand that many families rely on after-school programs. If your child does not meet the priority criteria, please submit an interest request for the 2025-26 school year. Once priority enrollment is complete, we fill remaining spots from the interest list. If demand exceeds available space, non-ELOP placements will be determined through a lottery system.

Don’t wait—submit your request today!

Updated Wed, Mar 19th

This Friday, March 21st, is a district-wide Professional Development Day, meaning students will have the day off while our teachers and administrators focus on their learning to better support students’ needs. This dedicated time allows our educators to collaborate, enhance their skills, and deepen their knowledge—all with the goal of strengthening high-quality instruction in our schools.

Updated Wed, Mar 26th

Recent discussions about closing the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have raised concerns. While no immediate changes affect our district, we are closely monitoring developments and will provide updates if conditions change affecting our schools and programs.

U.S. Department of Education

Only Congress can fully abolish the USDOE, but funding and responsibilities could shift to other agencies. Many key programs, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), existed before the department was created in 1980. IDEA provides federal grants for special education, though federal funds reportedly cover only about 10% of actual costs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Campbell Union School District and the State of California remain committed to safe, inclusive learning environments. Guided by our Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Statement, we work to remove systemic barriers and ensure equitable opportunities for all students to fully benefit from public education.

State Response

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond opposes federal education funding cuts, particularly for special education and Title I programs. The California Department of Education is exploring ways to offset potential funding gaps to protect essential programs.

District Response

To ensure financial stability, we are maintaining all federally funded programs while preparing for potential funding changes. Budget reserves can buffer the impact and provide short-term support for critical programs, including:

  • Special Education: Services for students with disabilities. 
  • Title I Programs: Support for schools serving low-income students. 
  • Child Nutrition Programs: Free or reduced-price meals for eligible students. California currently provides universal meals for all, but may not be able to continue that without the federal fund.

Staying Informed

We encourage our community to stay engaged. We will continue to provide updates as we remain committed to delivering a high-quality education and helping every student reach their highest potential.

Updated Wed, Mar 26th

Through our Campbell Kudos program, we celebrate our incredible staff and educators who embody our district’s core values. Please watch our video announcing the honorees being recognized by their colleagues for being Learners.

Updated Tue, Mar 11th

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms industries, Campbell Union School District (CUSD) is taking proactive steps to ensure students are prepared for the future. Speaking at the AIM FOR IMPACT summit, Superintendent Dr. Shelly Viramontez stressed that education must evolve along with technology to meet the demands of an AI-driven workforce.

“We’re embracing our core value of ‘We Are Learners’ by actively exploring how AI can enhance teaching and learning,” Dr. Viramontez said. “We are inviting staff to learn more about AI, its applications and potential for strengthening students’ skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability.”

Recognizing that AI is already woven into daily life, she added, “Even our youngest students are engaging with AI—whether they’re interacting with Alexa, learning from YouTube, or independently exploring digital tools.”

For CUSD, responsible AI integration is a commitment to innovation and student empowerment. By breaking down traditional learning silos and integrating real-world applications, the district is working to reimagine education to ensure every student is equipped for success—no matter what the future holds.

Updated Tue, Mar 4th

Join us for the annual Art-Innovation-Music (AIM) Showcase, where CUSD students share their creative and innovative learning through this year’s theme, “Future Ready.” The event will feature art displays, original music, and design projects, showcasing students’ talents and learning journeys. 

AIM empowers students to explore interests, embrace challenges with a growth mindset, and take ownership of their learning. It also strengthens teacher collaboration and targeted instruction to meet students’ learning needs. 

Lessons spark curiosity and foster growth through hands-on experiences in the arts, innovation, and music. Students develop essential skills—critical thinking, collaboration, self-direction, empathy, and innovation—aligned with CUSD’s Profile of a Graduate competencies. By integrating Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) learning targets with design thinking strategies, AIM helps students develop the skills necessary for real-world problem-solving.

Come celebrate our future-ready students at this inspiring event!   Click here for the event flyer.

Updated Wed, Feb 26th

At our schools, we believe students should have a voice in making positive changes. One example is how we’re tackling school cleanliness.

In student surveys from 2023 and 2024, many rated school cleanliness lower than expected. To understand why, district administrators invited students to participate in focus groups. Students’ insights were enlightening. They noted common issues like littering in shared spaces, messy bathroom habits, and a lack of awareness about the hard work custodians do each day.

When asked how to improve cleanliness, some students suggested more adult intervention. However, through discussions and empathy interviews with custodians, students realized the importance of taking responsibility for their school environment.

7 5th grade students in yellow safety vests represent the school's trash patrolWorking together, students and staff developed solutions, including:

  • Student-led cleanliness campaigns to promote responsibility
  • Incentive programs to align with the schools’ Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
  • Signage to create awareness and expectations on keeping shared spaces clean
  • Acknowledgment and appreciation for custodial staff
  • Better maintenance strategies for bathrooms and high-traffic areas

“By giving students a role in solving real problems, we empower them to take responsibility and build pride in their school community,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “With these new initiatives, we expect to see a cleaner, more respectful environment that benefits everyone.”

Want to support these efforts at home? Encourage your child to take responsibility for their surroundings and appreciate those who help maintain them.

Updated Wed, Feb 26th

Parent feedback is an important factor for our decisions about your child's school experience.
That's why we're hoping all of our parents and guardians will participate in our annual survey.

P.S.
This video gives you a glimpse of the difference it makes!