District News

Our high-quality infant, toddler, and preschool programs prepare children for successful educational journeys. Both fee-based and subsidized programs are available, year round, with part-time or full-time options.

• Half-day programs opening in January at Blackford and Castlemont schools.
• Full-day state preschool and tuition-based program openings at Campbell School of Innovation (CSI) in December.  

For more details, visit our preschool web page or phone (408) 364-4200 x4180.

During our district’s nearly 100 years of providing an education beyond the expected to our students, we have faced many challenges, but none as challenging as the school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Fortunately, we have not had to face those challenges alone. Since March, agencies and individuals have poured in support for our students and families—everything from school and safety supplies, counseling and health services, internet hot spots and computer devices, educational kits, and so much more. The dollar value is in the hundreds of thousands. The positive impact on the health and learning needs of our students and families is priceless. 

Our “Thank You” video provides a glimpse into the many, many people and groups who have been “friends in deed” during the pandemic. Many of them have been our partners for years and gave additional support over the past eight months. The video is on our Youtube channel: campbellusd. 

As students, teachers, and families work through the challenges of distance learning, some students are having an especially tough time academically and social-emotionally. This month, teachers at two schools—Sherman Oaks and Campbell School of Innovation—led the effort to provide in-person instruction to these vulnerable students prior to the district’s official transition to Phase 2.  

“In the spirit of equity, we must find ways to meet the needs of these students now,” said Marco Chavez, Principal of Sherman Oaks Dual Immersion School. 

Teacher Jeni Marty and aides work with
Sherman Oaks students

The school is rising to the challenge with its Specialized Learning Lab. Four weeks ago, Resource Specialist Jeni Marty launched the custom on-campus learning lab, using the District’s general Learning Labs as a model. Two groups of 10 Sherman Oaks students take part.

At Campbell School of Innovation (CSI), two Inclusion Specialists launched similar on-campus classes two weeks ago. Laura Hamer and Megan Noriega work with 14 students in the learning center. CSI Principal Kami Thordarson noted the benefits for the students and the teachers. 

Teacher Megan Noriega discusses a lesson
with a student.

“Having teachers and instructional aides there with the students removes barriers that our struggling students were having with distance learning,” she said. “In a classroom, a teacher gets immediate feedback just by scanning the room. Getting that feedback through Zoom lessons is more challenging and takes much more time. This extra support helps the students and their teachers.” 

Success is clear for both schools. Students are more engaged, they are completing more assignments, and more teachers are creating ways to offer safe, in-person learning for their students.

Student works on a math problem
with help from an aide.

This week at Sherman Oaks, fourth-grade teachers started a twice-a-week reading and English Language Development session. Also, Chavez and Assistant Principal Pablo Viramontes launched Español con los directores, a twice-weekly all-Spanish language session designed for students in grades TK-1st.

“We are very intentional about following the safety protocols and about identifying the students who need this kind of intervention,” said Chavez, noting that not everyone feels ready to be on campus.

“Offering these labs feels like we’re moving in the right direction,” said Assistant Principal Viramontes. “It’s a place to start. We plan; we adjust; we move forward.”

“These educators are providing an essential step forward in our plan to bring students back to campus gradually,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “We continue in our commitment to meet all of our students’ needs and educate them to their highest potential.”

On Friday, October 1st, Superintendent Viramontez emailed a video update to all families about the district's plans for moving to Phase 2 of the School Reopening Plan.

The video is on our district's YouTube channel (Campbellusd). Closed captions in English and Spanish are available by using the YouTube captioning tools.

Please visit our COVID-19 resources web page to view the full School Reopening Plan, which includes details about all safety protocols for returning to on-campus learning. The web page includes links to other resources, including parent resources and guidebooks from Santa Clara County Public Health in multiple languages.

We will share more information at the October 15 Governing Board meeting and continue to provide information as we go forward.