Forest Hill Elementary School

District News

Updated Wed, Nov 15th

Everyone can use a little help sometimes. Helping to remove barriers to learning is a primary role for Campbell Union School District’s Community Liaisons.

“Our Community Liaisons are one of the best examples of our goal of partnering and engaging with our families and community,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “We engage with our families in meaningful ways and connect them with support when students have non-instructional problems that may be impeding their ability to learn and thrive.”

Intervening Early 

With more than 6,000 families in our schools, the list of “non-instructional” problems can vary greatly. A student with poor attendance or increased negative behaviors at school may be experiencing serious challenges outside of school: illness in the family, loss of housing, and exposure to traumatic events to name a few. As new families arrive at school from all parts of the world, our Community Liaisons are a key point of contact for connecting parents to school and support agencies. Their broad network of community partnerships help families keep students in school, focused on learning. 

Empowering Families 

Our Liaisons also provide access to parent education programs at their child’s school or through community college and agencies. These classes educate families on navigating the school system to support their students’ education. Students see their parents committed to learning and the power and importance of education. Liaisons also conduct parent education workshops, manage the school’s English Learners Advisory Committee, and coordinate community health fairs and events with our many community partners as part of our School Linked Services (SLS).  

“I am so proud of our Community Liaisons,” said Family Engagement Supervisor Veronica Gutierrez. “Our staff work tirelessly to enrich the experiences of our families and connect them with the school community.”

For more information about this kind of support at your child’s school, please contact the school principal or the District’s Student Services Department, contact [at] campbellusd.org () or 408-364-4200 ext. 6250.

Updated Wed, Nov 8th

“I enjoy getting to know my students, finding out what motivates them, and figuring out how to help them get excited about learning and gaining the confidence to act,” says Josh Pizzica, Monroe and Campbell Union School District's Teacher of the Year. His ability to build relationships and inspire learning is one of many reasons he was celebrated at the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s annual Teacher Recognition event.

Pizzica teaches one of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes at Monroe Middle School, and he is avid about helping students see their potential. As the school’s AVID site coordinator, Pizzica has advanced the in-school academic support program further by sharing the techniques with colleagues and expanding use of key strategies throughout classrooms within the school.

Teachers using AVID’s strategies teach critical thinking, inquiry, and self-advocacy, and empower students to own their learning—which aligns with the district’s values and goals. With 40 years of proven success, AVID has shown that, regardless of their life circumstances, AVID students overcome obstacles and achieve success. They graduate and attend college at higher rates, but more importantly, they can think critically, collaborate, and set high expectations to confidently conquer the challenges that await them.

“Josh’s leadership has re-ignited the AVID work at Monroe Middle School, and our students are seeing the benefits,” said Principal Ruth Stephens Radle. “Our teachers are incorporating the techniques into their lessons, and more students are engaging in goal setting and connecting to  real-life topics and ideas.”

To learn more about AVID, visit AVID.org

Updated Wed, Nov 8th

Research shows that involvement by parents and family members makes a big difference in a child’s success at school.

  • Children with involved parents/guardians are more likely to be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits.
  • Students with involved parents/guardians are more likely to have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school.
  • Children with involved parents/guardians are more likely to graduate and go on to post-secondary education.
  • Students with involved parents/guardians are more likely to attend school regularly.

Source: National Education Association

There are many ways to be involved and show your student that you value education. Contact the school principal, teachers, and parent groups for ideas that will fit your schedule and interests.

Updated Tue, Oct 31st

Student and staff safety is our top priority. As part of our participation in California’s Great Shake Out, Campbell Union School District will conduct a TEST of our emergency notification system at 3pm, on Thursday afternoon, October 19, 2023.

The TEST ALERT message will go out to phone numbers and email addresses of the parents, guardians, and emergency contacts listed on each student's official record.

Our school safety plans include drills and training in the Incident Command System (ICS) used by emergency responders. We conduct drills every month and update our plans every year. To see the plan for your child's school, check with the school office staff.

For more about our emergency procedures, visit our Emergency Information page or check with your child's school office.

QR codes for parentsquare

Our schools use ParentSquare to send notices to families and staff. A fast, free and easy way to receive notices is through the ParentSquare app. To register, use the same email and phone number that is on file with your child’s school.

Updated Wed, Oct 25th

Campbell Union School District’s Every Child a Reader by 3rd Grade (ECaR3) received a successful validation and is now an official 2023 Golden Bell Award Winner. 

The award, given by the California School Boards Association (CSBA), recognizes outstanding programs and governance practices in school districts throughout California. 

District data shows that ECaR3 is empowering teachers and raising literacy levels and achievement both for struggling students and for advanced learners. (More about the ECaR3 program here.)

The Golden Bell Awards Reception and Ceremony will take place November 30 in San Francisco. 

Updated Wed, Oct 25th

As the cold and flu season arrives, families are extra cautious about symptoms of illness and whether to send their child to school or not. 

“Safe, in-person learning is critical to the well-being and development of children,” said the California Department of Public Health’s October 2, 2023 guidance for schools and child care facilities. “However, when a child arrives with symptoms of illness or develops symptoms on site, a decision must be made about what to do next.”

The guidance includes a table showing symptoms and criteria for when a child should stay home.

Other health resources are available on the District's health web page.

Updated Wed, Oct 11th

After a successful pilot at three schools last year, the Art, Innovation and Music (AIM) Program has expanded to all Campbell USD schools this year. 

This Superintendent’s Briefing video shows how the team of Innovation Specialists deliver engaging art and music experiences and innovation to K-5th students, and give the classroom teachers time during the school day to collaborate as professional learning communities. The AIM team will also be offering clubs to our middle grade students starting this week.

Watch the Superintendent’s Briefing: AIM Program

Updated Tue, Sep 26th

We are providing additional ways for the public to access information about the district’s budget. In addition to attending Board meetings (in person or remotely) and viewing reports posted on the agendas, budget presentations are now available on the district’s Budget web page.

“We believe in transparent and sustainable finances, and we want to make it easier for our community to access public presentations about the budget,” said Dr. Shelly Viramontez, district superintendent.

Budget presentations will be posted on the website after they are presented publicly at the Governing Board meetings.

Available now: 

  • 2022-23 Unaudited Actuals, presented Sept. 7, 2023. The report details changes to revenues, expenditures and fund balance for 2022-2023.
  • Budget presentations from previous years are on Board meeting agendas and will be added to the budget page this month.

Coming in October: 

  • Report of the Independent Audit of the district’s 2022-23 finances, conducted by external auditors.
  • Audit reports for measure G and Measure CC.
Updated Wed, Sep 20th

Campbell Union School District hosts a free, community screening: 

Race To Be Human

Tue., Sept. 12 • 6:30 p.m.

Campbell Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell CA

This 45-minute film weaves together personal testimonials and insights from students and parents with perspectives and data from educators, mental health practitioners and diversity and inclusion experts. They discuss topics of trust, respect, and mental health for youth and families. (Spanish subtitles are included.) 

A panel discussion facilitated by Dr. Shelly Viramontez will occur following the film with panelists Catherine Aspiras, LMFT, Division Director, School LInked Services Division, County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department; Marcos Pizarro, Associate Dean, College of Education, and Professor of Chicanx Studies at San Jose State University; and Whitney Holton, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Campbell Union School District.

The filmmaker suggests the film is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available for the panel discussion.

Updated Wed, Sep 13th

Studies show that communication between school and home is vital to student success. Campbell Union School District parents and guardians have asked that we make it easier for them to access information from their child’s teacher about their child’s progress and more.  

diagram showing how multiple channels are made simplerStreamlining communication channels for parents and guardians improved last year as ParentSquare* became the standard tool for school-to-home notices. This year, teachers will begin using ParentSquare, giving parents a unified tool for nearly all back and forth communication with the teacher and the school.

Communication Norms

Between Teacher/Staff and Parent/Guardian

  1. ParentSquare notices (Learn more)
  2. Scheduled conversations by phone or in person

From Student to Parent/Guardian

  1. Seesaw 
  2. Student’s secure CUSD Email

Between School/District and Parent/Guardian

  1. Website (Our schools)
  2. ParentSquare* notices (Learn more)
  3. Weekly E-newsletters (Subscribe here)
  4. On campus signs, Banners, Bulletin Boards 

* ParentSquare notifies parents/guardians via email, text, and/or no-charge app notices in their preferred language. Offers 2-way communication and parent/guardian control of how they receive notices.

Wondering about Emergency communications?

Visit our Emergency Information web page.