Sherman Oaks Dual Language Immersion School

District News

Updated Wed, Sep 13th

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.

Updated Wed, Sep 13th

Evidence of success with improving outcomes for students who struggle most with literacy has made the district’s Every Child a Reader by Grade 3 (ECaR3) initiative a finalist for the Golden Bell Award. The award, given by the California School Boards Association (CSBA), recognizes outstanding programs and governance practices in school districts throughout California. 

“ECaR3 initiative provides promise to students who have persistent literacy gaps,” said Dr. Shelly Viramontez, CUSD Superintendent. “We provide teachers with a research-based, coherent curriculum that arms them with tools and training to confidently meet the needs of ALL learners.”

District educators were facing the reality that certain student groups (English learners, students with disabilities, those from low socioeconomic households) were not experiencing reading success within the district’s system. That fact led the district to engage in a full system reading transformation, according to Whitney Holton, Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning.  

“We launched our Every Child a Reader by 3rd Grade (ECaR3) initiative to transparently address inequities and increase educational outcomes for all,” she said. “Data from our work shows that ECaR3 is empowering teachers and raising literacy levels and achievement not only for English learners and students with disabilities but for all students. Data demonstrates evidence of growth for advanced learners that is exceeding statewide trends.”

Updated Tue, Sep 5th

Join local families, staff and community for the screening of Race To Be Human a documentary film about trust, respect, and mental health for youth and families. The film explores topics of identity and belonging, and shares how we can promote curiosity, self-reflection, integrity and empathy through positive conversations at home, school and work.

Save the Date

Race to Be Human

Tue., Sept. 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

Campbell Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Ave., near downtown Campbell

Dr. Shelly Viramontez will facilitate a panel discussion immediately following the film. Panelists include:

  • 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
  • Whitney Holton, Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Campbell Union School D
Updated Tue, Sep 5th

Whether it is extreme heat or poor air quality, our teachers and staff know what to do to keep students safe while learning at school.

School and district administrators base decisions on local conditions and recommendations from the National Weather Service’s Heat Risk Prototype and U.S. Air Quality Index - AirNow.gov.

In addition to being watchful for any health issues, our teachers and school staff may also:

  • Increase water breaks
  • Limit outdoor activities/strenuous activities
  • Follow a “rainy day” schedule, spending recess time in air conditioned rooms, playing board games, reading, watching a short film, or similar activities.

color coded heat advisory chartClassrooms, offices and common rooms are equipped with air conditioning and highly effective MERV-13 air filters to keep the indoor air safe and cool. If older AC units fail, our staff works quickly to fix them and/or place students in other rooms with functioning AC.

color coded chart showing air quality and actions to take

Updated Tue, Aug 29th

Campbell Union School District’s students, employees, parents, and community partners are ready to embark on our 2023-24  journey of continued academic achievement. We believe everyone can make a meaningful contribution to a child’s education, and we are excited about what we will accomplish together in this new school year.  

Please watch this short welcome message from the Superintendent.

Updated Wed, Aug 23rd

Campbell Union School District is committed to partnering with families to support our students in engaging effectively and safely with technology and social media. 

As we begin a new school year, please keep in mind the risk of harm from social media and its impact on social emotional well-being. 

In our schools, we encourage digital wellness and educate our students to be critical thinkers, not passive consumers of media. We provide high quality instruction and partner with parents to encourage responsible use of technology and reduce harmful associated risks. 

  • Nearly 40% of children 8-12 years old also use social media. Those are peak years for brain development and risk-taking behavior.
  • Children and adolescents on social media are commonly exposed to extreme, inappropriate, and harmful content.
  • Those spending 3-plus hours/day on social media face twice the risk of poor mental health, including depression and anxiety symptoms.
  • Studies limiting use of social media resulted in mental health benefits for young adults.
  • Excessive use linked to sleep problems, attention problems and feelings of exclusion.

#DigitalWellnessCUSD

Updated Wed, Aug 23rd

This summer, Monroe Middle School’s Zero Robotics team landed in the top 10 of the final round of the 2023 international Zero Robotics competition. Their dedication to the mission resulted in them being included in NASA’s logs and history and making them an official part of human space exploration.

The five-week STEM program involves hands-on programming of mini robot satellites by collaborating on writing, editing, and simulating computer code to fulfill mission tasks. In addition to gaining skills in computer programming, robotics, and space engineering, the diverse group of students acquired self-confidence, new aspirations, passion for space exploration, and a global sense of camaraderie.

girl in orange NASA space suit holds the Astrobee robot as others look onDuring the Alliance Phase, they collaborated with four other teams to refine their codes and data collection. They also visited NASA AMES, where they toured the lab and met the engineers behind the competition’s robot, Astrobee.

The team entered the semi-finals with the second-highest score. The final round, conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS), was exciting but stymied by signal losses due to storms. The Monroe team’s code performed admirably despite the challenges of unexpected space turbulence. The team placed 8th out of 10 finalists. 

This is not the first time that the district had a team in the Zero Robotics competition. This documentary, Zero Gravity, describes the program and what difference it has made in our students’ lives.

Updated Wed, Jul 19th

According to the American Educational Research Journal, on average, children lose 17-34% of their previous school year's learning during summer break. However, with access to community resources and the support of parents and other important people in their lives, children can retain more of what they have learned and continue to gain knowledge all year round.

Here are a few resources and ideas that can help your student prevent learning loss this summer.

  • Join a Reading Program. The Santa Clara County Library District is hosting a summer reading program, “Find your Voice”. This is a free program that encourages youth to read in order to win prizes. The summer reading program will continue through July 31. You can learn more by visiting the link, https://sccld.org/summer2023/  
    In-person or online access is easier for all CUSD students, because the Campbell public library accounts they have during the school year are good even while schools are closed for summer break. 
  • Play Unplugged Number Games. Research indicates that young children can improve their intuitive understanding of numbers by playing board games that involve counting.
  • Take Trips to Museums, Zoos, and Nature Sites. Don’t merely attend. Help children enjoy hands-on experiences, and engage in family conversations about what they saw and did. Santa Clara County is home to more than 24 parks that offer opportunities to explore and learn. 
  • Try the National PTA-Recommended Readiness Check. It’s a game in which your child answers 3-5 short questions relating to reading and math at their grade level. 
  • Seek More Resources. The National Education Association (NEA) also has resources to assist families and educators during the summer months when youth are at home. These resources can be viewed at https://www.nea.org/resource-library/resources-support-summer-learning 

Our students made some notable gains in the 2022-23 school year. Let’s work together to keep that momentum going!