Falcon Features

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Upcoming Events

Centennial: Wonder Wednesdays Bring 100 years of Learning into Focus

Monthly series to feature District’s history and student design challenge

Classrooms across the district tuned in to the 2021-22 Wonder Wednesday series this week and developed a clearer picture of how different school is now compared to decades past. The monthly series will also support student teams that participate in the 2021-22 Design Challenge in which students will create exhibits to display at the Campbell History Museum in April.

front of Campbell Grammar SchoolIn the September 15 episode, Campbell History Museum Director Kerry Perkins shared photos showing what schools were like when the district was formed over 100 years ago. She described how rural this region was and how schools grew from one-room school houses where students from all grades were together with one teacher into bigger schools with a room and teacher for each grade. 

Campbell Union School District Superintendent, Dr. Shelly Viramontez, spoke about her experience in the district, which began as a kindergarten student in the late 1960s.

old photo of students sitting in rows     students in flexible seating

With photos, she described the differences between what going to school was like for her versus what students experience today. 

“We didn’t sit on balls or have furniture that could be moved around easily. We sat in rows at our desks and moving around was frowned upon,” she said. She added that students didn’t use Chromebooks or apps. “Our technology was a pencil.” 

Wonder Wednesdays are a monthly online feature aimed at inspiring students’ curiosity and creativity. Information is online at https://cusd.link/3zbt0dr.

  Save the Date!  CUSD Centennial Celebration!

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Featuring Students’ Design Challenge Exhibits in Campbell History Museum

Student Art and Music Performances

Downtown Campbell Concert (with two professional bands)

More information and photos on our Centennial Website.

School Site Council Elections

It is time to vote for this year’s School Site Council parent/community representatives.

Adults sitting around a conference table

The purpose of the School Site Council (SSC) is to develop and approve in partnership with the school staff, the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

Members have an obligation to make decisions that will best serve all children within the whole school community. The SSC constantly is reviewing the content of the plan in relation to school goals to foster student achievement, The cycle requires continuous reflection of the goals and programs operated at the school based on verifiable data. Funding from the state is budgeted through SSC so it aligns with the school plan.

SSC is composed of 50% school staff and 50% parents/community members who serve a term of 2 years.  SSC normally meets 4 times a year while school is in session. Richard Wong was voted last year and he will continue to serve on the SSC for his second year. 

For the 2021-2022 school year, we have (3) voting parent/community openings. Members serve a 2 year term and are expected to attend each meeting.

We need to approve all 3 candidates so that they all can be part of our SSC. Please use the link below to vote either yes or no for all three candidates. 

Link to Ballot- The deadline to vote is Friday, September 17, 2021 by 6:00 PM.

Please read statements from the candidates:

Holly Henry-

I am a parent of a kindergartner and a 4th grader at Forest Hill, as well as a 6th grader at Rolling Hills who spent his elementary career at FH. I am eager to serve our community on the School Site Council. In my professional life, I have a PhD in Public Health, I am keenly aware of the impact of COVID on our children, and direct programs for children with special needs at a Foundation that supports Stanford Children's Health. In my personal life, we live within earshot of the school on McCoy Avenue and love the diverse community we are a part of. I look forward to enhancing communication between parents, teachers, and our administration and ensuring our children have the best educational and social experience possible. 

 

Melanie Simpson-

I have been a member of the Forest Hill Community since 2014 and my youngest is in 2nd Grade, and I have been an active classroom volunteer throughout this time. I have also served on PTA and as Co-Chair of the last 3 Country Faires. I have also been the Forest Hill Representative for the LCAP/Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee since 2019. I believe that my experience would be valuable to help support the School Site Council's goals of improving the school’s climate and increasing student achievement.

 

Devang Thakor-

My name is Devang Thakor and I am running for the School Site Council. I grew up in Sonoma County and returned to the Bay Area in 2014 with my wife Chiharu to raise our kids here. We moved to Campbell in 2016 so that our sons (currently in first grade and kindergarten) could eventually attend Forest Hill. In particular, we were impressed by Forest Hill's academic achievements, values, and diversity. I currently work for a biotechnology company and I also run my own consulting practice. I was previously a federal civil servant, and before that I was a scientist developing gene therapy, stem cell, and biomaterials technologies. I want to join the School Site Council to help ensure that Forest Hill's funds are used effectively; I feel strongly about our school and want to help it to provide the best education for our children. I believe that I am suited for this role from dealing with budget allocation and prioritization in research grants, as a board member in various organizations, as a business consultant, and from running my own small business.

 

New Policy Mandates COVID-19 Vaccination for Employees

Best way to protect the unvaccinated students in our schools

public health worker administers vaccine at clinic.

On September 2nd, the Campbell Union School District Governing Board unanimously adopted a new policy mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for employees by October 4th.

“The vaccines are safe,” said Board President Richard Nguyen, “and we have a responsibility to provide a safe and meaningful educational experience to our students—most of whom are not yet able to be vaccinated.”

Under the new policy, all full and part-time employees, interns, volunteers, and contract workers must obtain all applicable doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation. Employees who have a qualified disability and/or medical condition, and/or who object based on sincerely held religious beliefs may request an exemption.

More than 95 percent of Campbell Union School District’s employees are vaccinated.

“Vaccinations are the number one way to protect our students and each other,” said District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “That’s why we’ve provided space at our schools for community partners to offer vaccine clinics and make vaccine access easier for our families and staff.”

Join Our Team!

Now Hiring Substitute Teachers, Bus Drivers, Yard Duty, and More

collage of school employees at work

Supportive colleagues. Competitive pay.  Safe work environment.

See our job listings here.

Expanded Learning Grant Extends Student Supports

Funds support expanding instructional and other services to students impacted by pandemic 

teacher works with young student

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools and students are many. Educators and children’s health professionals agree that the greatest needs for students are supplemental instruction, access to meals, and support for social and emotional well-being. 

“We’re excited to be able to offer the kinds of support that our community said they need,” said Whitney Holton, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. “This grant makes it possible to offer a range of supplemental support to our students participating in in-person instruction.” 

To address those needs, Campbell Union School District secured a $4.3 million one-time Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) grant from the California Department of Education. The money is restricted and may be used only for the following purposes: 

  • Extending instructional learning time, 
  • Accelerating progress to close learning gaps, 
  • Integrated pupil supports, 
  • Community learning hubs, 
  • Supports for credit deficient pupils,
  • Additional academic services, and
  • Training for school staff. 

“We looked at feedback from students, staff and families in order to design a plan tailored to the needs of our own students,” Whitney Holton, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. “The result for the 2021-22 school year is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that schools can access to meet the needs of their respective communities.” 

For example:

  • Increased after school programs.
  • Additional Math Specialists at each school.
  • Additional reading support for primary grade students.
  • Staff designated to support students who struggle with behavior and social emotional issues.
  • Several schools also will have a Saturday program for eligible students.

The grant also paid for expanded summer programs, including:

  • Teachers training on Social Emotional Learning and Personalizing Learning strategies 
  • No/Low cost options for enrolling students in summer enrichment programs 

The district received feedback through its annual ThoughtExchange online conversation, the Panorama survey of students and staff, responses to questionnaires related to reopening schools, meetings with advisory committees of parents and teachers, and public input at board meetings.

“We are interested in what our stakeholders think about how the programs are working and what other needs they see for our students,” said Dr. Viramontez. “After the programs are fully operational we will seek additional input from them.”