We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving, and look forward to seeing you all when classes resume on November 27th.
Click to see a special thanks to our many community partners.
District News
Updated Tue, Nov 28th
For over 400 families eager for Campbell USD’s Campbell Care program placement, the wait is finally over. An innovative process, inspired by feedback and continuous improvement science, has addressed placements, outpacing initial expectations.
The start of the 2023-24 school year posed a challenge for the Campbell Care program: high demand for child care, new laws altering student sign-up priorities, and a scarcity of qualified staff across the industry.
Applying the principles of continuous improvement, the District’s Expanded Learning Department quickly identified hiring and retention strategies that led to a remarkable change. In just 10 weeks, the program accommodated 77% more students from the interest list. With around 1,000 students enrolled, the program is on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels.
Like many after school programs nationwide, the district's staff mostly comprises part-time employees balancing college attendance and work schedules.
"To attract and retain the best employees, the feedback and data told us that we needed to fast track the hiring process, provide information to candidates prior to interviews, along with cultivating a supportive workplace culture,” said Martha de Ojeda, Director of the Expanded Learning Department. “We created ways to offer part-time employees more hours, better pay, and we increased our investment in their training and support." Additionally, the program increased its employee retention rate and built a substitute pool of Campbell Care employees whose current schedule prevents them working a consistent schedule.
“Feedback from employees and families makes a difference,” said District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “Our district is committed to continuous improvement and educating students to their highest potential. By leveraging the principles and tools of continuous improvement science, we strategically harness multiple data sources and feedback to innovate, solve problems, remove hassles and enhance systems for our students and staff.”
Updated Wed, Nov 22nd
Students across the district are thinking like designers and engineers as more classrooms incorporate design thinking into lessons. Their skills and potential are on display at school-based showcases across the district.
Students, like these at Campbell School of Innovation, are applying our Profile of a Graduate Competencies in relevant and real-world ways, collaborating and innovating to solve problems they see on campus and in the world.
These lessons provide more hands-on learning—something our survey data said was needed—and opportunities for students to dig deeper into topics that interest them.
Be sure to check your school’s calendar each week to find out when the next showcase will be happening.
Enhancing athletic footwear for greater performance.
Improving skills with a new design in athletic shoes.
New glove design improves ball handling in a wide range of sports.
Updated Wed, Nov 22nd
Creating. Inspiring. Exploring. These are the daily experiences for Campbell Union School District teachers, substitutes, early childhood educators, and counselors in speech, health, and others who support our students and schools.
In the classroom or out, there are many ways to help our students reach their highest potential. Check our job listings at www.campbellusd.org/jobs.
Also, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has a new Roadmap to Teaching, with a suite of digital tools and a new staff of career counselors to provide individualized guidance. Interactive online resources lead users through their personal options to discover how their talents can benefit students of all ages.
Updated Fri, Nov 17th
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.
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.