May 9, 2006 – CUHSD Superintendent Named to Board of Silicon Valley Reads

Dr. Rhonda Farber, Superintendent of the Campbell Union High School District, has been named to the Board of Silicon Valley Reads. Dr. Farber is an avid reader herself and is "delighted to share her love of reading and the discussion of books with others."

Silicon Valley Reads is designed to promote reading and literacy, broaden the exposure to and appreciation of good literature, and build community. Programs are presented in cooperation by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the Santa Clara County Library, and the San Jose Public Library Foundation. This past year, Branham High School hosted Julie Otsuka, the author of When the Emperor was Devine, to a day of discussion on campus. The Campbell Union High School District also co-sponsored a community discussion at the Campbell Theater.

Selection for books for February of 2007 is now underway. Books selected for Silicon Valley Reads Month meet the following criteria:

• Reflect universal issues relevant to Silicon Valley
• Appeal to diverse audiences
• Are appropriate for both adults and young adults
• Are the work of a living author

More information is available at the Silicon Valley Reads website: www.siliconvalleyreads.org.

May 9, 2006 – CUHSD Receives the Prestigious GLENN W. HOFFMANN EXEMPLARY PROGRAM AWARD

Receiving the 2006 Glenn Hoffman Award for Excellence in Education was a thrill for English teachers across the Campbell Union High School District. The unique program, Domestic Violence: Breaking the Cycle, is a series of lessons to inform and alert students to the issues of domestic violence using core pieces of literature, such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Hamlet.

Teachers who developed the lesson plans include: Linda Goytia, Del Mar High School; Brook Hooper and Erin Angell, Westmont High School; Sandy Saidek; Boynton High School; Susan Foncell, Leigh High School and District Curriculum Coordinator; Gail Long, District Coordinator of Special Programs; Judge Richard Loftus, Legal Consultant; and Sarah Jones, Santa Clara County Support Network.

In 1983, the Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Program Awards were initiated by the Santa Clara County School Boards Association to showcase outstanding district programs and to share these successes with other districts in Santa Clara County. The criteria for the award include the program's student focus, the impact the program has on student performance, the cost effectiveness of the program, the innovation and creativity of the program and the program's ability to be replicated and used at another school.

Santa Clara County Judge, Richard Loftus, provided the impetus and grant funding for this project. His concern grew out of what he was seeing in his courtroom. He indicates,"40 percent of abused woman met their abuser in high school." Patti Gregory, the assistant superintendent for curriculum, for the Campbell Union High School District, notes: "The teachers do an excellent job of incorporating current issues facing students into the existing literature taught throughout the district. Increasing awareness and providing information is critically important to students."

About the Hoffman Awards

Glenn Hoffmann was the Santa Clara County Superintendent from 1967-84. His strong belief in educational leadership as a key factor in educational reform is the impetus for the Santa Clara County Board of Education to highlight and recognize successful school programs that have a significant impact on student success in our county.

May 9, 2006 – Homework via E-Mail a Smash Hit with Parents

Over 2000 of parents in the Campbell Union High School have registered to receive e-mail every evening with all homework assignments presented on one webpage. This service is free and all e-mail addresses are confidential.

SCHOOLLOOP is a powerful web-based system supporting communication between home and school. Parents are able to access class schedules, homework assignments, school news, grade information, and e-mail teachers.

Dr. Rhonda Farber, CUHSD Superintendent and Patti Gregory, CUHSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, both agree, "we have found that parents and teachers working together make a powerful team for student success."

For more information on SCHOOLLOOP visit their website at www.schoolloop.com.

For help in registering for SCHOOLLOOP contact Gail Long at glong@cuhsd.org.