District News

“When I walk through a TK or kindergarten classroom, I think, ‘What in the world will these young people be walking into in the 2045 workforce?’” said Campbell Union School District (CUSD) Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “A few years ago, we thought access to technology was the digital divide. The new divide will be between students who can leverage AI tools and those who have never had exposure to them.”

As part of an ongoing effort to prepare students for the future, CUSD is carefully exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can support teaching and learning.

While AI is not yet in widespread use across our schools, the district has been testing select tools in limited and monitored settings. For example, at the May 15 Board meeting, Math Specialist Cheryl Lee shared results from a pilot using two AI-supported tools—Magma Math and Khanmigo—to enhance math learning. Based on student progress and teacher feedback, the district will move forward with Magma Math, introducing it to 4th–8th grade teachers to support instruction and develop a set of standards-aligned assessments.

District leaders emphasize that AI will be used to support teachers, allowing them to focus on high-impact activities such as small-group instruction and individualized feedback.

“AI will not be a one-and-done initiative,” said Superintendent Viramontez. “This will be an ongoing, thoughtful process to equip students with the tools and experiences they’ll need for the future.” Click here to see the video: Leveraging AI as a Tool for Teaching and Learning.

“In an effort to give our students the support and care they need to be successful in school and life, we are committed to addressing the needs of the whole child,” said Superintendent Shelly Viramontez. “Our teachers incorporate social-emotional learning and regulation into daily instruction, provide calm corners in classrooms, and work with counselors and staff to support our students experiencing a challenge or needing help managing their big feelings.”  

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting how we prioritize student well-being every day of the year..

“Our partnerships with local organizations help connect our students to vital resources—medical care, counseling, emergency housing, food programs, and more,” said Veronica Gutierrez, Supervisor of School Linked Services. District administrators, nurses, and Community Liaisons collaborate closely with families to access support from our health and wellness partners.

Expanding Wellness Center Access

The Wellness Center at Monroe Middle School—launched in 2021 in partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Education—has become a successful model for student support. Since then, the District has been building on that success, expanding its support through partnerships with the Seneca Family of Agencies and a grant obtained to fund Wellness Coaches.

This year, Sherman Oaks opened a Wellness Center under the leadership of School Counselor Yesenia Marquez. “I saw how much our students carry—stress, pressure, and sometimes silence,” she said. “I wanted to create a space where they feel safe, accepted, and heard—a space that says, ‘You matter, and your well-being matters.’”

Our model is now expanding to Blackford, with services provided by CUSD Counselor Leah Adams, a Wellness Coach, and San Jose State University interns. “While all classrooms have Calm Kits, some students need extra time or adult support to reset,” Adams said. “We help them regulate emotions and return to class ready to learn.”

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all."
—Jacqueline Kennedy

Every Campbell Union School District student has free access to the Santa Clara County Library District’s online resources through a student eLibrary account.

With their eLibrary account, students can enjoy:

• eBooks, audiobooks, and eMagazines
• Music and streaming videos
• Research databases and The New York Times digital subscription
• Online classes like LinkedIn Learning and Rosetta Stone

Students should log in through the Student Portal Website (elementary/middle or high school versions).
Need help? Contact your school or visit the County Library’s web page for instructions.

Caring for the environment is important to our students—not just on Earth Day, but every day. In surveys and focus groups, students have asked for less waste during meals. Our Child Nutrition team listened and is piloting eco-friendly changes in response.

Meals now come in cardboard trays with compostable utensils, and condiments are served from bulk dispensers instead of single-use packets. Castlemont students Greta and Ashley (pictured above) say they prefer the new dispensers. To reduce food waste, students also can place uneaten fruit and unopened milk in sharing bins for others to enjoy. Recycling bins are placed next to trash cans to support sorting.

Nearly all produce comes from local farmers through Food for Thought and the Department of Justice’s commodities program. Food for Thought also brings Farmers Markets to our schools, where students learn about food sources and practice math skills using "School Bucks" as currency to “buy” fresh produce.

As part of our commitment to helping students understand food sourcing and carbon footprints, we leverage our school gardens to extend the learning outdoors, with teachers using them for lessons in science, math, art, and more.  In many instances, students then make a yummy soup to taste the vegetables they’ve grown. (Due to USDA restrictions, we are not allowed to serve our garden grown foods in our food services offerings.)

In addition to the commitment to making more of our meals in our kitchen (scratch cooking), our Child Nutrition staff will continue exploring sustainable practices—working to build a healthier future for our students and our planet.