Mavericks Memo

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Upcoming Events

Family Communication

January 21, 2026

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

January 21, 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

  • 8th Grade Families

    • The High School Districts will be sharing communication about their incoming 9th-grade student nights.  

      • Del Mar 1/22/26 at 6 PM

      • Westmont 1/27/26 at 6:30 PM

 

Reminders

Family and Community Engagement: 

  • Our next PTA meeting is January 21st at 7:00 PM in the Cafeteria.  We need your support with the following:

    • Winter Family Event

    • Staff Appreciation Week in May

    • 26-27 Board Positions

 

Principal's Corner

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible partnership we’ve built together. It has been a joy to see our community grow, and your involvement has been the key to that success.

To ensure we continue providing the best possible experience for your students, we invite you to share your thoughts in our Mid-Year Family Studer Survey.

Your input directly influences how we support our students. This year, your feedback has already helped us lean into some wonderful initiatives, including:

  • Increased Family Engagement: We loved seeing so many of you on campus for "Lunch with a Loved One," creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for our students.

  • Student Ownership: Our recent Student-Led Conferences showcased the impressive growth and accountability our middle schoolers are developing.

  • Holistic Support: We’ve strengthened our Advisory periods, ensuring every student has a dedicated space for academic guidance and social-emotional support.

The information for the survey will be sent out this week.  

Health and Safety

Attendance

  • 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.

Please review these important guidelines with your student to ensure a safe and healthy school year.

💊 Medication Policy and Procedures

For the safety of all students, we have strict rules regarding medication at school.

  • No Student-Carried Medication: Students are not permitted to carry any type of medication (including over-the-counter items like Tylenol or cough drops) in their backpacks or pockets.

  • Exception for Self-Administration: The only exception is if your student has a completed "Authorization for Student to Carry and Self-Administer" form on file, with both a doctor's signature and a parent/guardian signature. This form must be turned into the Health Office before the student carries the medication.

  • All Other Medication: All other prescribed or over-the-counter medications must be dropped off and stored in the Health Office and administered by Health Office staff, with a signed medication authorization form on file.

📞 Contacting School During Illness

If your student is feeling unwell, the Health Office must be the first point of contact.

  • Official Procedure: Students who are not feeling well must report to the Health Office. All necessary calls to parents/guardians will be made only by Health Office staff.

  • Safety and Checkout: This ensures proper student safety, guarantees your student is logged out correctly, and provides official documentation of their illness and departure time.

  • Cell Phones: Students are not permitted to contact parents from their personal cell phones during school hours if they are feeling sick. Please discuss this policy with your child to ensure they know to report directly to the Health 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 

 

CUSD Board Trustee Area 5 Vacancy

Trustee Danielle M.S. Cohen announced her resignation at the January 15, 2026 Board meeting after 22 years of service.

Screenshot announcing the vacancy in Trustee Area 5. Photo includes the weblink for interested candidates.

At the January 15, 2026 Board meeting, Trustee Danielle M. S. Cohen formally announced her resignation as a board member effective 5:00 p.m. January 16, 2026. Trustee Cohen has served the Campbell Union School District (CUSD) Board since 2004. The Board made the decision to move forward with a provisional appointment rather than hold a costly special election.

For interested parties applications are available at the District Office, 155 N. Third Street, Campbell, CA or at http://www.campbellusd.org/board-appointment-process

The deadline for submitting applications is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026 at the District Office or via email at naguilar [at] campbellusd.org. If your application is submitted via email and you do not receive a confirmation receipt, please contact Nairovy Aguilar at 408-341-7232. For all other information, please contact Nairovy Aguilar.

The Governing Board will conduct interviews and select the provisional appointee prior to March 17, 2026. The new Board Member will serve as a member of the Governing Board until the seat is filled by election in November 2026. The appointment term expires the second Friday in December 2026.

The Impact of Trustee Cohen

Danielle officially began serving on the Board in 2004, though her commitment to our schools began well before that as an active and involved parent at Village, Lynhaven, Monroe, and Rolling Hills. 

As Dr. Viramontez noted in her acknowledgment of Trustee Cohen during the Board meeting, “She took the core responsibilities of a school board member seriously: setting the district's vision and goals, overseeing our finances, developing essential policies, and ensuring accountability for student performance. She executed these duties consistently and collaboratively, always ensuring responsiveness to community values and legal requirements”.

Danielle's tenure spans some of the most significant periods in CUSD’s recent history. She helped navigate us through the impacts of the Recession with furloughs and budget cuts, managed the complex shift into and out of Basic Aid, and oversaw the implementation of major educational changes, including Common Core Standards and the transition to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), requiring a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) at every site.

Among her many accomplishments are the transformative facility improvement projects that have benefited nearly every school, ensuring modern, safe, and effective learning environments—from the modernization of Blackford and Lynhaven to the new two-story classrooms at Monroe and Rolling Hills, and the conversion of Campbell Middle School into Campbell School of Innovation (CSI). She was also in support of  the expansion of Sherman Oaks to a TK-8 model.

“Danielle has always been student-focused. She has been a strong champion for our staff, supporting our commitment to competitive pay, high-quality professional development, and the provision of necessary resources, all driven by a focus on data and asking the hard questions,” stated Superintendent Viramontez.

Dr. Viramontez closed her acknowledgement stating, “Danielle, your 22 years of dedicated, consistent, and impactful service has shaped the lives of countless students and strengthened the foundation of our district. We thank you, honor your commitment, and wish you the very best in your next endeavors, which I know will continue your commitment to serving others”.

Fueling Bright Futures: Celebrating National Staying Healthy Month!

January is National Staying Healthy Month. How are you establishing healthy habits?

Students playing flag football

Happy National Staying Healthy Month! We know that healthy habits started today lead to a lifetime of success for our students.

From the cafeteria to the classroom and the living room, here is how we are working together to keep our kids thriving.

From Farm to Fork: Better Fuel for Better Learning

Our Child Nutrition Services team promotes that "brain food" should be delicious and wholesome. We are proudly moving away from pre-packaged meals toward more scratch cooking.

By preparing meals in our own kitchens, we ensure our students receive:

  • Farm-Fresh Ingredients: We partner with local growers to bring seasonal fruits and vegetables directly to our salad bars.
  • Organic Options: We prioritize organic choices whenever possible to reduce exposure to pesticides.
  • Whole Flavors: Less sodium and sugar, more real herbs and spices!

The Power of the 20-Second Scrub

Staying healthy also means keeping germs at bay. Our teachers are reinforcing the "Gold Standard" of hygiene: Handwashing.

We encourage students to wash their hands before eating, after recess, and after every sneeze.

At home, we encourage you to reinforce the handwashing practice by having your student sing "Happy Birthday" twice or the "ABCs" once while scrubbing with soap. It’s the perfect timer for a thorough clean!

Power Down to Power Up

In a digital world, balance is key. In honor of National Staying Healthy Month, we are challenging families to limit screen time outside of school hours. Reducing time on tablets and TVs helps:

  1. Improve Focus: Less "digital noise" helps children concentrate on reading and creative play.
  2. Encourage Movement: More time away from the couch means more time playing outside!
  3. Protect Eye Health: Giving young eyes a break from blue light prevents strain.

The Magic of a Bedtime Routine

A great school day actually starts the night before. Consistent bedtime routines are essential for school-aged children, who typically need 9–12 hours of sleep.

Try this simple "3-2-1" Routine:

  • 3 hours before bed: Finish a healthy dinner.
  • 2 hours before bed: Stop homework or high-energy play.
  • 1 hour before bed: All screens go off. Use this time for a warm bath or reading a book together.

Every Step Counts!

Whether it's a family walk after dinner, a weekend bike ride, or simply dancing in the kitchen, physical activity is the best way to boost moods and immunity. 

Thank you for being our partners in health.

Family Communication

January 8, 2026

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

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

  • Progress Reports will go home on Monday, January 12th

  • There is no school on January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Day

  • 8th Grade Families

    • The High School Districts will be sharing communication about their incoming 9th-grade student nights.  

      • Del Mar 1/22/26 at 6 PM

      • Westmont 1/27/26 at 6:30 PM

 

Reminders

As a PBIS school after every long break, we reteach and review behavior expectations for all our students.  This week we reviewed the expectations about what it means to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe which is also known as our Maverick Code.  Here is a link to the full Student/Family Handbook. Please review the links below with some specifics:

PBIS Matrix

Cell Phone Policy

With our dress code policy, please remind your students that their shirts need to cover all undergarments and their full torso. With our cell phone policy, we ask that parents/guardians do not call or text during the day so that students do not feel the need to check their phones. If there is an urgent need, please call our office for assistance.

 

Family and Community Engagement: 

  • Our next PTA meeting is January 21st at 7:00 PM in the Cafeteria.  We need your support with the following:

    • Winter Family Event

    • Staff Appreciation Week in May

    • 26-27 Board Positions

 

Principal's Corner

Mid-Year Check-in: Building Resilience Through Goal Setting

As we cross the mid-year mark, we are focusing on a vital life skill: the art of the goal. Beyond the classroom, the ability to set a target and work toward it builds the resilience and focus our students need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

We invite you to partner with us in nurturing this "growth mindset" at home:

  • Model the Process: Mention a goal you’re working on. Whether it’s a fitness milestone or a work project, seeing you navigate setbacks helps them see that growth is a journey, not a destination.

  • Map It Out: Help them visualize their path. A simple checklist on the fridge or a "goal jar" can make their progress feel tangible and exciting.

  • Celebrate the "Almosts": We often celebrate the finish line, but we encourage you to celebrate the effort. Acknowledging the late-night study session or the courage to try a new club is what keeps students motivated.

  • Stay Connected: Check in weekly. A simple, "How’s that math goal coming along? Do you need any tools to help?" goes a long way.

We are proud of the work our students are doing in Advisory to take ownership of their learning. Thank you for your continued support in helping every student aim high.

Health and Safety

Attendance

  • 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.

Please review these important guidelines with your student to ensure a safe and healthy school year.

💊 Medication Policy and Procedures

For the safety of all students, we have strict rules regarding medication at school.

  • No Student-Carried Medication: Students are not permitted to carry any type of medication (including over-the-counter items like Tylenol or cough drops) in their backpacks or pockets.

  • Exception for Self-Administration: The only exception is if your student has a completed "Authorization for Student to Carry and Self-Administer" form on file, with both a doctor's signature and a parent/guardian signature. This form must be turned into the Health Office before the student carries the medication.

  • All Other Medication: All other prescribed or over-the-counter medications must be dropped off and stored in the Health Office and administered by Health Office staff, with a signed medication authorization form on file.

📞 Contacting School During Illness

If your student is feeling unwell, the Health Office must be the first point of contact.

  • Official Procedure: Students who are not feeling well must report to the Health Office. All necessary calls to parents/guardians will be made only by Health Office staff.

  • Safety and Checkout: This ensures proper student safety, guarantees your student is logged out correctly, and provides official documentation of their illness and departure time.

  • Cell Phones: Students are not permitted to contact parents from their personal cell phones during school hours if they are feeling sick. Please discuss this policy with your child to ensure they know to report directly to the Health 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

 

Starting 2026 Strong

Tips for planning for the new year and finishing the school year strong.

Superintendent Viramontez with a class of students

We hope everyone had a wonderful winter break, filled with joy, rest, and memory-making opportunities. Now that the new year has arrived, it’s time to step into the new year with fresh energy and get ready to finish the second half of the school year strong!

New Year, New Habits, New Intentions

January is a nice opportunity to start fresh. The new year is a great time to help your student establish new habits and intentions that help us grow.

Conversation starters may include: Have you thought about what you want to achieve before summer? Maybe your student’s intention is to read a few extra books each week, to practice their math facts every day, or be a more helpful friend on the playground. Setting a goal, big or small, leans into our continuous improvement work and can make learning even more fun and helps your student discover talents they didn’t know they had!

Every Day Counts: The Power of Attendance

As we kick off this new semester, there is one habit that makes the biggest difference of all: consistent attendance. Being in class every day is about more than just checking a box. It’s about being part of the classroom community, participating in hands-on science experiments, and making sure your student doesn’t miss that "aha!" moment when a new concept finally clicks. When students are here, they are learning, socializing, and building the momentum they need to succeed. Let’s make it our collective goal to show up ready to learn every single day!

The Best is Yet to Come

While the first half of the year was great, the second half is where the magic really happens! We have a calendar packed with activities that celebrate our students' hard work and creativity. Keep an eye out for:

    • Spring Musicals and Concerts: Our musicians and performers are already rehearsing to showcase their incredible progress.
    • AIM Showcase: Opportunities for students to display their innovative projects and masterpieces. March 11, 2026 at Monroe Middle School.
    • Math Festivals: A great family event centered around math activities.
    • Field Trips and Science Camp: Exciting excursions that take learning outside the classroom walls.
    • Sports: Girls basketball, boys soccer, girls volleyball, field hockey and track and field.
    • 100th Day of School: February 3, 2026

It is going to be a busy, productive, and joyful few months. Let’s make this the best semester yet!