Each of our schools has a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) that is built upon input from students, staff, families and community partners. That input informs decisions about initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of all students.
Through meetings and the Thoughtexchange online forum, our community is an integral part of the process to establish and update our LCAP plans and allow for more locally based decision-making.
The results of the 2018 ThoughtExchanges have helped us identify some major themes to work toward. One example was the desire for more hands-on learning opportunities and more field trips. Our school leadership teams looked at the feedback and worked to address them through school budgets and programs. Details about how the input affected your school’s LCAP is available from the principal.
We believe that working closely with parents and community members is essential to ensuring that the needs of all students are met. Next month, we will invite you to participate in our second LCAP ThoughtExchange conversation. We hope you will join us in sharing thoughts and ideas for preparing students for a successful future.
District News
Superintendent Shelly Viramontez sends a video message of appreciation to the Campbell Union School District community for all that families, friends and employees do for the more than 7800 preschool-through-8th-grade students. With just over 60 school days completed, and after the challenges of the past week, we are more thankful than ever to everyone in our district's community for their support of ALL of our students.
Schools will reopen on Monday, November 26th!
La Superintendente Shelly Viramontez envía un mensaje de video de agradecimiento a la comunidad del Distrito Escolar Unido de Campbell por todo lo que las familias, los amigos y los empleados hacen por los más de 7800 alumnos desde preescolar hasta 8vo grado. Con un poco más de 60 días escolares terminados, y después de las dificultades de la semana pasada, estamos más agradecidos que nunca a todos en la comunidad de nuestro distrito por su apoyo a TODOS nuestros estudiantes.
¡Las escuelas reabrirán el lunes 26 de noviembre!
Dear Families,
We know you are concerned about the current air quality, and we too share your concern. We have monitored the air quality index throughout the evening and will continue to monitor and assess these numbers throughout the day, the forecast is for the air quality to improve today, yet we understand it is only a forecast. We continue to consult with and follow the guidance of the Public Health Department.
Campbell Union School District and those nearby will be open for learning today.
We are mindful that schools provide stability and often, necessary shelter and food. We will continue to closely monitor the conditions with our schools and believe our schools offer a safer place for children. We are aware that many local colleges, universities and private schools have elected to close their doors and some local public school districts have also decided to close. However, iIn consultation with the County Public Health Dept., we believe students being in school is a safe option. Conditions within our county vary from district to district and in our region, it is determined safe for students to be in school
Please be aware that while our doors will remain open, we ask that families and schools follow medical and environmental advice, especially if your child suffers from respiratory or heart-related issues. Parents are the best judges of their individual child’s needs. We understand and support that parents are in the best position to make decision about their individual child. Should they decide to keep their child at home for health related issues, the absence will be excused.
There are several online sites for monitoring air quality, and we have been advised and recommend that you follow environmental advice provided by AirNow.gov located here: https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics...
In our ongoing commitment to maintain safe learning environments, we will continue to:
- Limit and relocate outdoor activities, including physical education, lunch, and other break times.
- Watch students for symptoms including coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. Even students who do not have asthma can experience these symptoms.
- If symptoms occur, students might need to take a break, do a less intense activity, stop all activity, go indoors, or use quick-relief medicine as prescribed. If symptoms don’t improve, get medical help.
Thank you for your concern, which we share. However, we must remain a support for all families within Santa Clara County. We share your desire to keep all children safe, and we will inform you if our current assessment changes.
Here are the most current recommendations from the County of Santa Clara Public Health.
Avoid Breathing Wildfire Smoke - HEALTH ADVISORY
November 9, 2018
Lea el Aviso de Salud en Español
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is advising residents to take precautions due to visible smoke in the air. Wildfires in California are causing air pollution throughout the Bay Area.
If you smell smoke, protect your health by avoiding exposure. If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside. Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from respiratory conditions, such as asthma or emphysema/COPD. It is recommended that parents and school administrators check air quality readings before allowing children to practice outdoor sports while air quality is unhealthy.
Sincerely,
Shelly Viramontez, Ed.D., Superintendent
At this time, Campbell Union School District's and other schools in Santa Clara County are not closing.
Based on guidance from Santa Clara County Public Health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we have elected to use a threshold of a 275 air quality index (AQI) to determine when to close our schools. We will be monitoring air quality through www.airnow.gov and informing schools and after-school programs of the guidelines and recommend that families stay informed and be mindful of health concerns.
A joint letter from our Superintendent and the County Superintendent of Schools has more details. It is available online and are emailing it to families via our mass notification system.
Starting December 2018, Campbell Union School District's Guest Teachers will earn more than before.
"Substitutes provide a valuable service, and we want to attract the best," said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Lena Budntzen.
As of December 1st, pay rates for substitute teachers will be as follows:
- $155 Daily – Elementary
- $165 Daily – Middle School (Monroe and Rolling Hills)
- $175 Long Term (15 days or more) – Elementary
- $185 Long Term (15 days or more) – Middle School (Monroe and Rolling Hills)
CUSD Retirees ear $25 per day more than the basic rate (Article 17.2)
- $180 CUSD Retiree Daily – Elementary
- $190 CUSD Retiree Daily – Middle School (Monroe and Rolling Hills)
- $200 CUSD Retiree Long Term (15 days or more) – Elementary
- $210 CUSD Retiree Long Term (15 days or more) – Middle School (Monroe and Rolling Hills)
Smoke-filled air has caused school administrators to alter students’ outdoor activity schedules over the past week. Campbell Union School District follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendations and reduces exposure to outdoor air and prolonged exertion for those groups particularly affected by poor air quality.
On Spare the Air Days, staff identifies which students are in the “sensitive group” and follows up with appropriate limits to their outdoor access.
This week, when the air became "unhealthy for all groups," schools enacted school-wide schedules that limited outdoor time and provided more indoor recess and lunch options for all students. They also kept play equipment locked (balls, etc.) to discourage exertion and held some physical education classes indoors.
Officials are predicting that the air quality will remain poor through the week. If you have not already done so, please notify the school staff if your child has a health condition that would place him or her in the “sensitive group”.
Campbell Union School District employees work every day to keep students safe and make our schools positive places to learn. We teach students about empathy, provide positive behavior interventions, and foster partnerships with community services to offer additional support to students and families who need it.
The District also offers the QuickTip system for students and community members to anonymously report bullying, harassment, vandalism or suspicious activities happening on or near our school campuses.
“Quick Tip is one of many ways in which we promote a safe school climate,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “Through on-campus programs and multiple community-based partnerships, we do our best to support students’ physical, mental and emotional well-being so they can feel safe and focus on learning.”
For details about QuickTip, ask your school principal or visit our QuickTip web page.
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. Next week, October 23rd-31st, school sites will be participating in various activities that will support our students in making better choices such as being drug free. The school district and the Governing board recognize the importance of providing information to our students about healthy lifestyles. More information about Red Ribbon Week is online. For specific activities at your child's school, please ask the principal or your child' teacher.
In her keynote address, the Superintendent described the district's commitment to preparing students for the future and the yet-to-be-defined workplace. For success, students will need to develop five key competencies: self-directed, collaborative, innovative, empathetic and critical thinking.
To illustrate the point, she presented three videos, which are also on our campbellusd YouTube channel.
We’ve heard a lot lately about being prepared for emergencies like earthquakes, floods, and wild fires. With Halloween coming, families also are mindful of choosing safe costumes for their children. These are important safety measures that we support whole heartedly.
When it comes to supporting wellness for the WHOLE child, Campbell Union School District goes beyond the expected. Please watch this short video from Superintendent Shelly Viramontez to find out more.
On our Youtube channel at https://youtu.be/koKeL8BZrJI.