District News

Updated Wed, Nov 9th

“Our schools have two primary objectives—student learning and student safety—and we take both very seriously,” said Student Services Director Rosanna Palomo, who oversees the Comprehensive Safety Plan process for the district.

This week's earthquake may have raised questions for parents about how our schools prepare for various emergency situations. We recognize that parents entrust us with their students’ safety, and want to share how we prepare for emergency situations and some of our precautionary measures.

  • Each year, we update our safety plans and train our employees in the same Incident Command System (ICS) that first responders use in emergency situations to facilitate communication and decision-making.
  • Staff first makes sure the students and campus are secure. If there are specific concerns or changes in student dismissal procedures,  the school or district will send information to update families and provide any instructions. (Please make sure the school has your current emergency contact information.)
  • Families may also receive updates via local news outlets. Please see our Emergency Information web page for details about how we will send emergency information.
  • Our facilities have physical deterrents for would-be trouble-makers, including interior locks on classroom doors, fences with locking gates, surveillance video, and other security measures.
  • We maintain a QuickTip email and phone system for individuals to confidentially report bullying or suspicious activity.  quicktip [at] campbellusd.org () or 408-341-7171.
  • Regular fire and earthquake drills, and occasional shelters-in-place, allow students to practice basic skills for following safety instructions and evacuation as necessary. 
  • Our multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) includes behavioral interventions and counseling to help struggling students before their situation turns critical.
  • Our district Crisis Response Team works with school-based teams to identify and intervene when students experience emotional/mental health crises.

“We care about all of our students,” Palomo said. “We have multiple layers of supports to keep them safe every day.”

Updated Wed, Nov 9th

Some consider Halloween the official start of the holiday season. It is certainly a time when children want to feast on their favorite sweet treats. With safety top of mind, we share this video message from Superintendent Viramontez with some important reminders.

Updated Wed, Nov 9th

Our district and several community groups are co-sponsoring a neighborhood action about safety on November 5th. Several local churches, families, neighbors and employees plan a peaceful march down Winchester Blvd. to continue to call attention to the need for greater safety measures in the community. 

The neighborhood action is in response to the tragic car accident that took the life of a Castlemont student and other neighborhood safety concerns. It will begin at 10 a.m., Sat. Nov. 5.  Please click here for the flyer and details.

In related news…

We learned this week that CUSD’s advocacy on traffic safety in our school zones has led to formal action by the City of San Jose. 

Our letter was the genesis for recommendations from Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and other Councilmembers to the City’s Rules Committee. The recommendations passed unanimously and are now a full city council directive. We are aware that this action is San Jose centric, and we will be working with Vision Zero, Safe Routes to Schools and other community partners to bring this county wide.

Updated Thu, Nov 3rd

“I am impressed with how intentional and focused Campbell Union is on meeting the individualized needs of students,” said Assemblymember Marc Berman who toured two CUSD schools this month. The visit to Castlemont and CSI highlighted the district’s Every Child a Reader by 3rd Grade initiative and the multiple support systems for students’ behavioral and academic needs.

CUSD Board President Richard Nguyen, Vice President Danielle Cohen, and Superintendent Viramontez joined the Assemblymember on the tour. “The teachers and staff demonstrated their expertise and passion for educating and supporting our students’ development,” said President Nguyen.

In a Castlemont kindergarten classroom, the group experienced teachers applying techniques learned in LTRS training, an intensive, two-year professional development program that enhances teachers’ knowledge of the science of teaching reading. Dozens of trained CUSD teachers are doing the same across the district.

The group also visited Castlemont’s Dragon Den, a safe space for students to get support for emotional regulation. It is part of the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) system, and an example of similar spaces at schools across the district. 

The visit provided an opportunity for President Nguyen to ask for and receive Assemblymember Berman’s help and commitment to enhancing pedestrian safety and promoting safe driving after the tragedy that occurred near Castlemont. “We must honor Jacob’s memory by increasing traffic safety around schools,” Nguyen said. “Campbell Union will work with all levels of government to make that a reality.”

people standing in front of schoolAt CSI, the group visited a 1st grade class using beetle bots to learn counting and programming, then went to CSI’s Maker’s Space where students apply grade-level engineering and design standards to generate ideas for solving real-world problems. They noted the newly built elementary classrooms at CSI. Superintendent Viramontez explained the district’s Measure T, a bond measure, and the potential for continuing repairs and upgrades to older facilities in the district.

Just before leaving, a CSI student raved about the CSI bistro (aka the cafeteria) lunch she was enjoying. Assemblymember Berman decided to have lunch at CSI. He concurred with the student’s assessment. The Assemblymember also vowed to partner with the district to further advance student growth and achievement.

Updated Wed, Nov 2nd

Noting that partnership with cities is essential to improving traffic safety for all students, Superintendent Shelly Viramontez spoke at the San Jose City Council meeting this week, asking that they continue to prioritize Safe Routes to School. 

“Our Castlemont Elementary School community suffered a loss, as little Jacob Villanueva tragically had his beautiful 8-year old life cut short as he did what thousands of children do every single day in our city—walking across a crosswalk,” said Dr. Viramontez. “I applaud you for recognizing the importance of pedestrian safety, and your willingness to raise awareness for such an important issue that literally impacts every single resident of our city.”

Vice Mayor Chappie Jones initiated a memorandum to the Rules and Open Government Committee for expanding safety programs to prioritize Safe Routes to School. Viramontez added that his partnership has been a vital part of our district’s ability to marshall community resources that benefit the students, staff and families in our district.

To see the official request to the Rules Committee, click here.   

To express your thoughts to the San Jose City Council, click here.

4 men and 5 women stand together for photoPictured in the San Jose Council Chambers following the presentation of a proclamation are Vice Mayor Chappie Jones, Councilmember David Cohen, CUSD Board President Richard Nguyen, District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez, County Superintendent MaryAnn Dewan, CUSD Board Vice President Danielle Cohen (no relation), Castlemont Principal Kristen Prindle, Councilmember Pam Foley, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.

Updated Thu, Oct 27th

School boards have been in the news lately, but few people know what their role is in a school system.

“School boards establish the vision and policies, and are entrusted with ensuring that the school district is responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of the community,” says the California School Boards Association (CSBA), the nonprofit education association representing the elected officials who govern public school districts.

Campbell Union School District’s Governing Board consists of five locally elected public officials who work together with the superintendent to make decisions that will best serve all of the students in our community. Each board member is assigned to a trustee area, although they represent the interests of the entire district:

Richard M. Nguyen - Trustee Area 1 
(Lynhaven, Castlemont, Sherman Oaks, Blackford, Monroe) 

Michael L. Snyder - Trustee Area 2 
(Lynhaven, Castlemont, CSI, Monroe)

Will Slade - Trustee Area 3 
(Sherman Oaks, Blackford, Castlemont, Capri, CSI)

Chris Miller - Trustee Area 4 
(Rosemary, Capri, Village, Marshall Lane, Forest Hill, CSI, Monroe, Rolling Hills)

Danielle M.S. Cohen - Trustee Area 5 
(Rosemary, Capri, Village Marshall Lane, Forest Hill, CSI, Monroe, Rolling Hills)

For more about the CUSD Governing Board, its policies, trustee areas and meeting schedule, please visit our Board web page.
(campbellusd.org/board)

Updated Wed, Oct 26th

Students in Campbell Union School District are no strangers to the idea of doing and redoing their work for better results. 

girl stands beside her robot     girl in school play holding a scene slate.   boy and teacher work on computer coding

From practicing in a school play or sports team, to rewriting reports or computer code, they see the process of improvement can be rewarding. When they see the real-world application, they are motivated to work through challenges. 

That motivation was on display last week for 21 TK, 3rd, and 4th graders at CSI who were amateur actors in a professional movie called Jetpack Race.

"The students hung in there through the heat and several takes to help the director and crew capture what they needed for the scene,” said CSI Principal Kami Thordarson. “In the process, they got insight into what it’s like for the actors and crew to create the movies and videos they see every day.”

Bring Your Real-World Ideas!

Campbell Union School District invites community members to be part of its Community Experts Connection, a network of community members to bring students real-world experiences that can help them discover their passions and see applications for their learning in school. 

Share your expertise. Complete this Community Expert Connections form.

Updated Wed, Oct 12th

Video also available in Spanish.

Learn more about Measure T on our bond page.

Updated Wed, Oct 12th

Score big on a great night of football with this free and discount ticket offer from the SJSU Spartans.

Each Campbell USD student and their guardian can have one free ticket to the game on Fri., Oct. 7. Additional tickets are just $5 each. It’s a fun, family night especially for CUSD families. 

Get your tickets today. Go to https://bit.ly/SJSUCUSD. 

All your friends will be there!

  • Friday, October 7, 2022
  • Kick off is at 7:30PM
  • Visit the SJSU Fan Zone link for Game Day Information.

The school with the highest participation could win a pizza party!

small image of flyer with link  

Updated Wed, Oct 5th

Today, September 21, 2022, Campbell Union School District's leadership sent an open letter to San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo with several requests for increasing traffic safety near schools.  

The text of the letter appears below.

letter to Mayor Liccardo
Click to view a PDF of the letter.

The Honorable Sam Liccardo
Mayor, City of San Jose
200 East Santa Clara Street, 18th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113  

Dear Mayor Liccardo:

Last week, our school district community suffered a pain that no one should ever have to endure: the death of an eight-year-old boy struck by an automobile on his walk to school.

As difficult as this loss has been for our community, it does not compare to the pain being experienced by his family, as their lives are forever altered.

In wanting to ensure that no one in San Jose ever goes through this type of pain and trauma, we are imploring the city of San Jose to take immediate steps to prioritize crosswalks near schools.

As a school district, and on behalf of San Jose families, we are specifically requesting the following:

  • Budget support for school crossing guards;
  • Increased enforcement of traffic laws in zones near schools;
  • Consistent maintenance of crosswalks near schools; and
  • Public safety campaign focused on safe driving near school zones

We recognize that the city of San Jose has already begun the process of upgrading crosswalks near the scene of the tragedy, but we feel it important to memorialize the above referenced request, as we want to ensure that pedestrian safety does not fall off the City’s list of top priorities.

We know that this is a complex issue, but it is one that needs immediate attention, as sadly, this type of tragedy has become far too common on the streets of San Jose.

Although we will never truly be able to fully come to grips with the loss of a beautiful little boy, we can make a difference in our community and, in the process, forever honor his legacy.

On behalf of the Campbell Union Elementary School District Governing Board and Administration, we thank you for your consideration and look forward to being a part of the solution.

Sincerely,

Richard Nguyen                                      Dr. Shelly Viramontez
Board President                                      Superintendent 

cc:   San Jose City Council
        Campbell Union Elementary School District Governing Board