Marshall Lane News

A video message of appreciation from the Superintendent

Superintendent Shelly Viramontez sends a video message of appreciation to the Campbell Union School District community for all that families, friends and employees do for the more than 7800 preschool-through-8th-grade students. With just over 60 school days completed, and after the challenges of the past week, we are more thankful than ever to everyone in our district's community for their support of ALL of our students.

Schools will reopen on Monday, November 26th!

La Superintendente Shelly Viramontez envía un mensaje de video de agradecimiento a la comunidad del Distrito Escolar Unido de Campbell por todo lo que las familias, los amigos y los empleados hacen por los más de 7800 alumnos desde preescolar hasta 8vo grado. Con un poco más de 60 días escolares terminados, y después de las dificultades de la semana pasada, estamos más agradecidos que nunca a todos en la comunidad de nuestro distrito por su apoyo a TODOS nuestros estudiantes.

¡Las escuelas reabrirán el lunes 26 de noviembre!

A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Families,

We know you are concerned about the current air quality, and we too share your concern.  We have monitored the air quality index throughout the evening and will continue to monitor and assess these numbers throughout the day, the forecast is for the air quality to improve today, yet we understand it is only a forecast. We continue to consult with and follow  the guidance of the Public Health Department.

Campbell Union School District and those nearby will be open for learning today.

We are mindful that schools provide stability and often, necessary shelter and food. We will continue to closely monitor the conditions with our schools and believe our schools offer a safer place for children. We are aware that many local colleges, universities and private schools have elected to close their doors and some local public school districts have also decided to close. However, iIn consultation with the County Public Health Dept., we believe students being in school is a safe option.  Conditions within our county vary from district to district and in our region, it is determined safe for students to be in school

Please be aware that while our doors will remain open, we ask that families and schools follow medical and environmental advice, especially if your child suffers from respiratory or heart-related issues.   Parents are the best judges of their individual child’s needs. We understand and support that parents are in the best position to make decision about their individual child. Should they decide to keep their child at home for health related issues, the absence will be excused.

There are several online sites for monitoring air quality, and we have been advised and recommend that you follow environmental advice provided by AirNow.gov located here: https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics...

In our ongoing commitment to maintain safe learning environments, we will continue to:

• Limit and relocate outdoor activities, including physical education, lunch, and other break times.
• Watch students for symptoms including coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. Even students who do not have asthma can experience these symptoms.
• If symptoms occur, students might need to take a break, do a less intense activity, stop all activity, go indoors, or use quick-relief medicine as prescribed. If symptoms don’t improve, get medical help.

Thank you for your concern, which we share. However, we must remain a support for all families within Santa Clara County. We share your desire to keep all children safe, and we will inform you if  our current assessment changes.

Here are the most current recommendations from the County of Santa Clara Public Health.

Avoid Breathing Wildfire Smoke - HEALTH ADVISORY

November 9, 2018

Lea el Aviso de Salud en Español

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department is advising residents to take precautions due to visible smoke in the air. Wildfires in California are causing air pollution throughout the Bay Area.

If you smell smoke, protect your health by avoiding exposure. If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside. Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from respiratory conditions, such as asthma or emphysema/COPD. It is recommended that parents and school administrators check air quality readings before allowing children to practice outdoor sports while air quality is unhealthy.

 Sincerely, 

Shelly Viramontez, Ed.D., Superintendent

Schools follow Spare the Air advisories.

Smoke-filled air has caused school administrators to alter students’ outdoor activity schedules over the past week. Campbell Union School District follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendations and reduces exposure to outdoor air and prolonged exertion for those groups particularly affected by poor air quality.

On Spare the Air Days, staff identifies which students are in the “sensitive group” and follows up with appropriate limits to their outdoor access.

This week, when the air became "unhealthy for all groups," schools enacted school-wide schedules that limited outdoor time and provided more indoor recess and lunch options for all students. They also kept play equipment locked (balls, etc.) to discourage exertion and held some physical education classes indoors. 
Officials are predicting that the air quality will remain poor through the week. If you have not already done so, please notify the school staff if your child has a health condition that would place him or her in the “sensitive group”.

One of the goals of our district is to have all students in school on time every day. Throughout the year, students have days and selected weeks when school is not in session to allow families to go on special vacations and to spend additional time together.

Time at school is limited to 180 days per year. Each grade level is required to teach many standards and to build a strong foundation in every subject area to ensure future student success. Therefore, we prefer that families limit their travel and vacations to days and weeks when school is not in session. Taking students out of school at other times can potentially have negative consequences for their learning journey.

Our district has a policy to provide Independent Studies for situations when students must be away from school for events that cannot be scheduled at another time such as out of town or out of state weddings and other special family celebrations. Independent Studies must be applied for and approved by the teacher and the principal at least five days in advance of the absences. Approval is not automatic. Students with attendance issues, Individualized Education Plans, or who are below grade level may not be approved for Independent Study contracts.  We ask that you please do your best to ensure that your child is at school, ready to learn every day.

If you have questions regarding attendance and/or Independent Study contracts, please contact our principal or a member of our office staff. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this topic.