Marshall Lane Memo

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Upcoming Events

Upcoming TK/K Tour

January 28th at 4:00 pm

Cartoon people walking in a line

Please note the time for the upcoming Marshall Lane tour on the district website has been incorrect.   Our tour will be on January 28th, but at 4:00pm rather than 9:00am as listed.   Thank you! 

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.

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!

Winter Break Adventures: Keeping the Learning Alive and the Fun Flowing!

How to keep your student engaged in learning over the winter break.

Photo collage of student activities

While a well-deserved rest is certainly in order, these next two weeks offer a fantastic opportunity to explore, create, and keep those bright minds engaged. This break isn't just a pause—it's a chance to turn everyday activities into exciting learning adventures! 

Here are some fun, low-cost, and easy ways for students of all ages to continue learning and stay busy until the new year begins:

At-Home Learning and Creativity

The best classroom might just be your living room!

  • Become a Kitchen Chemist: Cooking and baking are perfect ways to practice math (measuring, fractions, ratios) and following directions. Try a new recipe together—it's delicious learning!
  • Family Book Club: Dedicate 30 minutes each day to family reading time. Have each family member choose a book, a comfortable spot, and read. Or read a book together. Follow up with a simple discussion: What was your favorite part? What do you predict will happen next? This boosts literacy and comprehension.
  • The Power of Play: Dust off the board games! Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or even a simple deck of cards teach strategic thinking, basic arithmetic, and vocabulary in a competitive, fun setting.
  • Design & Build Challenge: Use materials found around the house (cardboard, paper tubes, tape) to tackle a challenge: build the tallest tower, a vehicle that rolls, or a cozy home for a toy. This promotes engineering and problem-solving skills.

Exploring the Local Community

Check your local area for unique, enriching experiences—many are free or low-cost!

  • Library Liftoff: Local libraries are a treasure trove! Beyond books, check out their free programs, movie screenings, and computer access. Ask a librarian for recommendations based on your child's favorite school subject.
  • Museum Marvels: Many local history, science, or art museums offer discounted or free days. Exploring exhibits connects classroom concepts to the real world and sparks curiosity.
  • Volunteering Vibe: Spend an afternoon helping others. Contact a local food bank or animal shelter. This teaches invaluable lessons in community service, empathy, and social studies through direct action.
  • Nature Walks and Observation: Even in the cold, a trip to a local park is great for physical education and science. Bundle up and look for animal tracks, identify different types of trees, or collect pinecones and leaves for a craft project.

 The 'Three P's' of Productivity

These simple habits can keep minds sharp and bodies active:

  1. Project: Start a personal project. This could be writing a short story, learning a few chords on a ukulele, creating a photo album, or coding a simple game. The goal is self-directed learning and skill-building.
  2. Physical Activity: Don't let the cold sideline fitness! Use a rainy day to create an indoor obstacle course, look up a fun kids' yoga video on YouTube, or just play freeze tag. Movement is essential for brain health and boosts mental health.
  3. Planning Ahead: Take an hour near the end of the break to organize school supplies, decorate a planner for the new year, or write down a few academic goals. This eases the transition back into the classroom routine.

Wishing all our students, families, and staff a restorative, joyful, and knowledge-filled winter break! We can't wait to see you back, refreshed and ready in the new year!