Falcon Features

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Creativity Abounds at Recess

Students show off their creativity and cooperation during recess time.

4 students sit on monkey bars

Students have taken charge of their own fun activities during recess time lately.

  • 5th graders brought Gaga Ball back from science camp and the new sport has spread to fourth and third grade. 5th graders are working together to create standard rules for Forest Hill and worked on a presentation that will be shown to 3rd grade and up. They even persuaded Ms. Chalfant to order an official Gaga Ball court that we are figuring out the perfect spot for. Thank you to Ms. Ensor, Mrs. Hart, and Mrs. McClean for working with your classes on this project!
  • Other students have been creating their own games with soft foam balls as well as on the volleyball courts. On days when Mrs. Cohn, our PE teacher, is here, students also have been playing pickleball, tennis, and badminton.
  • Volunteer parents come every other Monday for Origami Club - most recently, students created beautiful spring flowers. Thank you to these moms for helping students try out a new art form.
  • ASR Coaches visit Forest Hill on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays to play games like soccer, chaos tag, and basketball. We've been loving having them here!

You can check out some of these fun activities in the attached photos. It's such a treat to see our Falcons being so creative, cooperative, and energetic during recess.

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Innovative Funding Enhances Educational and Emotional Support Programs at CUSD

Strategic use of one-time funds has bolstered support for long-term needs

male teacher standing at whiteboard with musical notes displayed as a dozen elementary boys and girls use drumsticks

The Campbell Union School District (CUSD) has significantly advanced its educational and support services for students, with funds from one-time sources like California’s Art and Music block grant. 

“We asked parents what would enhance their child’s education when students returned to in-person instruction,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez.  “They said, more hands-on learning, art and music. We have been able to leverage one-time funding aimed at addressing the impact of the pandemic to provide the enhancements that parents told us should be priorities." 

The district has invested heavily in the arts, employing additional teachers to extend art, innovation, and music (AIM) instruction to more elementary students through this initiative. This investment enriches the students' learning experiences and provides teachers with more professional learning and collaboration (PLC) time, enabling them to tailor lessons to strategically meet students’ needs, whether they are excelling, struggling, or anywhere in between.

The AIM program in elementary grades aligns with standards and lays a foundational framework for growth into middle school. Middle school AIM clubs cater to those students’ desires for more social interaction and a sense of belonging. District staff are monitoring the outcomes of these efforts to guide future resource and budget allocations once the one-time funding ends.

The district has also channeled funds into school libraries. Staff updated in library collections, including an increase in Spanish language books. This enhancement ensures that all students have access to a wide range of reading materials, supporting both their educational and personal growth.

Recognizing the increased need for emotional and behavioral support, the district increased its staff of counselors and behavior specialists. This expansion ensures that students who require additional support can receive timely and effective assistance as it is needed.

The Innovation Grant program also sprang from the grant funding. This year, students in grades 6 through 8 received funds for special projects that challenge them to apply their learning in practical, real-world contexts, fostering both innovation and problem-solving skills.

“We have taken a comprehensive approach to enhancing academic and support programs through one-time dollars for long-term benefit,” Viramontez said. “It’s an example of our strong commitment to providing today’s students with the resources they need to succeed academically and emotionally, both now and in the future.”

 

What’s the Buzz About Spelling?

Fourth graders compete in local spelling bee competitions

5 boys and girls hold certificates and stand with 5 women behind them everyone smiling

Fourth graders from Campbell Union School District recently showcased their spelling prowess in local competitions. 

Rosemary, Castlemont, and Lynhaven schools organized spelling competitions and sent their top spellers to the District Spelling Bee in February. The final round between Rosemary's Samara V. and Tanner P. of Castlemont was intense, as both mastered over 15 words before Tanner clinched victory. 

Tanner's win earned him the District Spelling Bee medal, and he and Samara represented the district at the County Spelling Bee on March 9th. They faced stiff competition against 21 others vying to advance to the California State Spelling Bee in April. Samara made it to Round 5, which had 13 total students at the start, and Tanner made it to Round 6, with just six students remaining. 

“In these days of spell check, auto text and artificial intelligence, people might question the value of spelling bees,” said Tiffany Spaulding, who leads the district’s Every Child a Reader initiative. “Spelling Bees promote the power and love of language while also helping students increase their vocabulary through exposure to new words. They also need to think critically as they analyze word parts (morphology) and apply spelling patterns they’ve learned.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Tool in Education

A Message from Superintendent Viramontez

district logo with black background and title of video beneath it.

As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) expands, a new definition of the Digital Divide is emerging. It is not just about access to devices, but also about the knowledge for using digital tools effectively.

“When I walk into a TK or Kindergarten classroom, I wonder what in the world these young people will be walking into in the 2044 workforce,” said Superintendent Shelly Viremontez at a recent meeting of teachers, administrators, and support staff exploring how to leverage AI as a tool for teaching and learning.

Watch the Superintendent's Briefing video to hear comments from her and teachers about the pros and cons of AI in our schools.

(Follow us on Youtube.com: ">CampbellUSD)

Schools Release Annual Accountability Report Cards

Reports provide comprehensive overview of each school 

5 ethnically diverse students smile and show thumbs up with a school hallway in the background and text that reads

Our schools have published their latest School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs), State-mandated reports that provide a detailed snapshot of school performance and conditions for learning.

Available online or upon request, SARCs cover demographics, safety, academics, class sizes, staff, curriculum, facilities, and finances. The reports include the school’s mission, opportunities for parent involvement, and planned facility improvements. Spanish translations of the reports are forthcoming.

View SARCs online at www.campbellusd.org/sarc or contact the school office for a printed copy.