Mavericks Memo

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Upcoming Events

Student Volunteer Opportunities as Monroe

There are a variety of ways that students can get involved. Here are just a few.

students working at the lunch snack shack

Here at Monroe there are many volunteering opportunities for students.  Some of the opportunities include working at the snack shack, lunch line, or Barn.  At Monroe Mrs. Heather Palmer, Ms. Lidia, and Ms. Barbara run the cafeteria program showing students quick math skills, how to handle money, and responsibilities of having a job. 

 

The cafeteria supervisors let students start working during lunch because students showed interest in working and they received rewards, like things from the snack shack, food surprises, future recommendations for jobs, and getting to go on an end of the year field trip.

 

To work at the cafeteria you must talk to the kitchen crew, come in and train and they'll see how you do!  Once you've been at the pizza/lunch line for a good time you will have the option to work at the snack shack, then Ms. Barbara will see how your math skills are. They are in need for 7th and 8th grade workers to finish the year and also to start in the fall, so come on down and give it a chance!  

By Ximena R. (8th grade) and Ximena P. (7th grade)

Family Communication

May 6, 2026

cup of coffee and notebook with brief written and a set of glasses

May 6, 2026

Dear Monroe Families,

I hope this message finds you well. Please check out our website at monroe.campbellusd.org for up-to-date information, as well as be on the lookout for our communication that comes out on Wednesdays every two weeks.  For a student perspective on school news, please check out the Monday Minutes, our weekly student broadcast.

 

Upcoming Events

Spring Testing Schedule continues through May 13th (Testing Session 9:38 AM to 11:18 AM).  If students need additional time or were absence we will be conducting extended time and make-up sessions through the end of May.

 

Reminders:

  • 8th Grade Families: Please note that during Advisory, we are sharing reminders with 8th-grade students about end-of-year events and due dates.  Additionally, please take the time to review the 8th-grade end-of-year memo sent on April 27th to 8th-grade families.

 

Health and Safety

Report an absence, please call our 24-hour voicemail line at 408-341-7022 or monroe_attendance [at] campbellusd.org (when leaving a message or sending an email please let me know the student's first and last name, grade, and the reason for the absence)

For information regarding the CUSD Attendance policy please click here

ATTENDANCE MATTERS - REPORT STUDENT ABSENCES
Students that are marked unexcused are unable to receive credit for assignments missed that day. If you call the school to verify your child’s absence with an allowed reason, your child can receive full credit for assignments missed that day. Please call the main office to report your child’s absence and refer to our student handbook for additional school policies.


The Tdap vaccine and 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine are required for all incoming 7th graders. 

Please check your student's immunization records and/or check with your doctor. Please email murquhart [at] campbellusd.org () if you have any questions. 

Principal's Corner 

This week we celebrate Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.  I find myself reflecting on the incredible heart and soul of our school. While we see the results of our students' hard work every day, I want to take a moment to shine a light on the people who make those successes possible: our dedicated educators and staff members.

What Makes Our Team Special?

  • Unwavering Dedication: Whether it’s staying late to provide extra help, sponsoring a new club, or meticulously planning a lesson that "clicks," our staff goes above and beyond the call of duty.

  • A Culture of Collaboration: Great schools don’t happen in isolation. I am constantly inspired by how our teachers work across departments and grade levels to ensure every student is supported, challenged, and seen.

  • Strong Relationships: We believe that learning starts with connection. Our staff prides itself on building authentic relationships with students, creating a safe and welcoming environment where every Mustang feels they belong.

Join Us in Saying "Thank You"

Our staff doesn't do this for the recognition, but a kind word from a family member or a student can truly fuel their spirit for the rest of the year.

As we head into this special week, I encourage you to reach out—via a quick email, a handwritten note, or a simple "thank you" in the hallway—to the teachers and staff members who have made a difference in your student’s life this year.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community and for trusting us with your children’s education.

Regards,

Ruth Stephens Radle                     

rstephensradle [at] campbellusd.org       

Principal

Pat Sieler 

psieler [at] campbellusd.org

Assistant Principal        

 

Laura Hammersmith

lhammersmith [at] campbellusd.org

Dean of Students

 

Campbell Union School District Students Contribute to the Redesign of the Downtown Campbell Library

Students from Campbell Union School District were instrumental in the redesign of the downtown Campbell Library.

Student participants and district and community leaders pose for a photo at the 2019 Pitch Fest.

After years of collaboration and planning, the Campbell Library in downtown Campbell has reopened. Students from Campbell Union School District (CUSD) were part of the original collaboration team that contributed to the planning. 

In the 2018-19 school year, eight teams of CUSD students from five elementary schools participated in Pitch Fest.  This was an opportunity for students to work with their teachers, Campbell librarians and elected officials as they presented their design challenge ideas for the renovation of the Campbell Library.

Each of the teams had five minutes to present their ideas to the panel that included two Campbell librarians, Superintendent Shelly Viramontez, and former Trustee Cohen. Through the engineering and design thinking process, the library  gathered student input and ideas that would help them in the redesign of their services, programming, and spaces to improve the library experience. Pitch Fest was a culminating event to CUSD’s annual Design Challenge where students and community came together to design real world solutions in their  community.

The student pitch presentations included:

  • Soundproof Castle (noise engineering) from Capri Elementary School
  • Ear Covering Chair (noise engineering) from Castlemont Elementary School
  • Better Advertising and Transportation (design thinking) from Rosemary Elementary School
  • Improvements for the Teen Zone (design thinking) from Sherman Oaks Dual Immersion School
  • Re-shelving Robot (design thinking) from Sherman Oaks Dual Immersion School
  • Reading Cubicles (design thinking) from Village School
  • An Easy Way to Find a Book (design thinking) from Village School
  • A Bookworm’s GPS (design thinking) from Village School

Nichole King, Community Librarian at the Campbell Library, noted that patrons can see elements of the students’ ideas in the library’s redesign including noise canceling components, a castle in the children’s area, and cozy reading areas. 

All CUSD students have a library card, so go check out the new library and check out a book or two.

The Campbell Library is located at 77 Harrison Avenue in Campbell and is part of the Santa Clara County Library District - a proud CUSD partner.

After 30 Years of CUSD Service, Superintendent Viramontez Announces Retirement

In a community letter, Dr. Viramontez announces her retirement.

Banner photo with students from the 1960's Cherry Lane Elementary, CUSD logo and Dr. Viramontez headshot

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

After 30 years of service and learning in this district, I am writing to share that I have decided to retire at the conclusion of this school year.

My history here runs deep. As a student at Cherry Lane Elementary (now CSI) and Hamilton Elementary (now Home Depot), I never could have imagined that my path would lead me back to this district—first as a substitute teacher, then through the ranks of teaching, site leadership, department administration, and finally as your Superintendent. I have truly enjoyed every phase of this journey; each role has been a gift.

The past few years have brought changes for several of my loved ones that have caused me to reflect deeply on the fact that time is never guaranteed. This realization has led me to prioritize being present for those who mean the most to me. While I will always be available for a chat or a cup of coffee with my colleagues, I am looking forward to the next chapter. Joe and I are particularly excited to travel more—especially during those midweek windows when flights are cheaper!

The Governing Board is fully committed to ensuring continuous, stable leadership for the district and will announce the transition plan in the near future. My priority over the coming months is to ensure a seamless transition so that the incredible momentum we’ve built together continues without interruption.

I am immensely proud of the people and the work in this district. You make this a world-class place to learn and an inspiring place to work. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside you.

With deep appreciation,

Shelly 

Family Communication

April 22, 2026

cup of coffee and notebook with brief written and a set of glasses

April 22, 2026

Dear Monroe Families,

I hope this message finds you well. Please check out our website at monroe.campbellusd.org for up-to-date information, as well as be on the lookout for our communication that comes out on Wednesdays every two weeks.  For a student perspective on school news, please check out the Monday Minutes, our weekly student broadcast.

 

Upcoming Events

  • Del Mar High School Cultural Fair, May 24th from 5-8 PM.  Please visit there website for more information.

  • Our final Cafecito for the year is May 6th at 8:30 AM- “Dreaming Big with our Teenagers” by 

De Colores Collective: Join us for an inspiring presentation focused on reconnecting with your parenting journey and strengthening positive relationships with your teenager. Led by an experienced psychologist who will share powerful tools to support your family.

  • Spring Testing Schedule begins May 4th for all students.  8th-grade students begin on April 27th with the Science test. (See below for more details)

 

Reminders:

As we approach the midpoint of Trimester 3, we encourage you to check in with your students about their academic progress. This is a great time to log into PowerSchool together to review current work completion, grades, and upcoming tests.

It is especially important to stay on track during these final months, as many of our end-of-year activities and celebrations have specific grade and behavioral requirements for participation. We want every Maverick to have the opportunity to join in these special events, and staying proactive now ensures they remain eligible.

Quick Check-In Tips:

  • Review Grades Weekly: Ask your student to show you their current progress every Monday.

  • Discuss Deadlines: Check if there are any missing assignments that can still be submitted for credit.

  • Celebrate Growth: Acknowledge the hard work they’ve put in so far this trimester.

  • Support with PowerSchool: Please check in with our office team with questions.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your student’s success! 

 

Health and Safety

Report an absence, please call our 24-hour voicemail line at 408-341-7022 or monroe_attendance [at] campbellusd.org (when leaving a message or sending an email please let me know the student's first and last name, grade, and the reason for the absence)

For information regarding the CUSD Attendance policy please click here

ATTENDANCE MATTERS - REPORT STUDENT ABSENCES
Students that are marked unexcused are unable to receive credit for assignments missed that day. If you call the school to verify your child’s absence with an allowed reason, your child can receive full credit for assignments missed that day. Please call the main office to report your child’s absence and refer to our student handbook for additional school policies.


The Tdap vaccine and 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine are required for all incoming 7th graders. 

Please check your student's immunization records and/or check with your doctor. Please email murquhart [at] campbellusd.org () if you have any questions. 

 

Principal's Corner

We want to provide you with a clear roadmap for our upcoming state assessments. By now, you should have received a formal notification from the district regarding these evaluations, but we want to ensure you have our specific school-site details and dates.

  • 8th Grade Science (CAST): Begins April 27. Students will complete this assessment during their regular science periods with Mr. Pizzica or Mr. vanAken.

  • ELA & Math Assessments: These will be administered during a special block schedule to allow students ample time to focus.

Date

Testing Window

May 4 & 5

9:38 AM – 11:18 AM

May 7 & 8

9:38 AM – 11:18 AM

May 11 & 12

9:38 AM – 11:18 AM

To help your student perform their best, we recommend:

  • Consistency: Ensuring they arrive at school on time, especially during the 9:38 AM testing block.

  • Rest: A good night’s sleep makes a world of difference for focus.

  • Tech Ready: Please remind students to bring their fully charged school-issued devices and headphones.

  • Appointments: Please try to schedule appointments outside the testing window.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting our students during this season. If you have any questions regarding the schedule or specific testing accommodations, please feel free to reach out to the main office.

Regards,

Ruth Stephens Radle                     

rstephensradle [at] campbellusd.org       

Principal

Pat Sieler 

psieler [at] campbellusd.org

Assistant Principal        

 

Laura Hammersmith

lhammersmith [at] campbellusd.org

Dean of Students

 

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