CUSD Newsletter

“DEAR GREAT PUMPKIN, HALLOWEEN IS NOW ONLY A FEW DAYS AWAY. CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD AWAIT YOU COMING. WHEN YOU RISE OUT OF THE PUMPKIN PATCH THAT NIGHT, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I AM YOUR MOST LOYAL FOLLOWER.”

- Linus, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Good Afternoon, CUSD.

Congratulations to our amazing Child Nutrition Services team led by Charity Campbell and Amanda Tarantino. Our CNS department has been recognized nationally by earning a Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) award from USDA’s Action for Healthy Kids. With creative initiatives like ‘Try It Tuesday’ and ‘Farm Fresh Friday’ as well as hydroponic farming and classroom nutrition instruction, our CNS team is combining school meals and nutrition education to keep our students healthy, engaged, and fueled for learning!

There is a lot of Halloween excitement around the district, especially at Village and Silver Strand. Shout out to our elementary school librarians Beth Linde at Silver Strand and Kristen Argobright at Village for organizing Storybook Pumpkin Contests. The book character pumpkins are causing a lot of excitement on campus, they are so creative and fun!

Speaking of Halloween, we think that CoSA’s presentation of The Addams Family is a perfect way to kick off the holiday! Catch one of five performances of this energetic, fun, family-friendly musical: Friday 10/25 at 7pm, Saturday 10/26 at 7pm, Sunday 10/27 at 2pm, Friday 11/1 at 7pm, and Saturday 11/2 at 7pm.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend,

Karl J. Mueller

Superintendent

As our educators, parents, and community come together to connect, challenge, and champion our students, we are humbled by the outpouring of compliments. What a positive testament to our CUSD family!

• Amanda Ellison: Is pivotal at not only communicating but rolling through the punches for me and my kids who have temporarily become homeless having to commute from further away with not ideal circumstances. She is always joyful when we walk in while doing a million things all at the same time for everyone. She is quick to remedy any issue that arises or if attendance needs to be updated. Thank you!
• Jennifer Slusher: My son was having a hard morning. She came and helped him work through his big emotions and be able to make it to class.
• Niamh Foley: Niamh is here for me and fellow site leaders, with a kind, compassionate, and empathetic ear, as well as calm and measured approach to incidents and situations that cause anxiety at the site. I appreciate that Niamh is always clear about how and when she will show up for me/our staff/our students. I feel like Niamh is a rock for me...and it feels good :)
• Julie Stuart: Incredible teacher who goes above and beyond to help her students learn. My student has historically struggled with math and she provides great instruction, extra help through generous office hours and kindness to students.
• Dana Kane: Dana goes above and beyond to support her student. She will often find activities for them based on their interests to fill the time between classroom work. She is firm, but fair and understanding of students and their needs. How lucky am I the teacher and the student is to have her in class this year.
• Meteline Miranda: Goes above and beyond her work duties. She is the first to offer to help with any prep, jobs, or anything to be of assistance to teachers. She has a kind and positive disposition, even when students tend to push boundaries or don't want to work. Meteline has made the transition to a new school easier on me, as she lets me know protocols, procedures, plus the amount of extra work she helps with.I would be way lost without her. How fortunate the students and I are to have her with us this year.
• Natalie Cook: Is an anchor of calm and confidence in the world of SpEd at SSES. Her expertise, approach to behaviors, support of RBTs, and advocacy for inclusion and practices which promote student progress are exemplary and admirable. How did we ever get so lucky to have her voice of reason and influence on all of us at our school? Thank you, Natalie, for all you do for us. You are so appreciated!

Click here to recognize an employee or volunteer who goes above and beyond to make a difference. Those who are "caught" will receive a copy of the positive words that were shared about them and a "Caught Being Awesome" decal. Please take a minute or two to brighten someone else's day!

If your student has a CUSD issued Chromebook, you are encouraged to review and consider purchasing the OPTIONAL Mobile Device Protection Plan (MDPP) for the 2024-2025 school year. The annual plan is designed to cover accidental damage of CUSD Chromebooks including screen breakage. In addition, the plan will protect against spills, fire, flood, natural disasters, and theft/loss. Mobile hotspots, power cords, cables, and other accessories are not covered. Intentional damage, improper device storage, and misuse are not covered.

The cost of the plan is $30 per device per year. The plan must be purchased annually at the beginning of each school year or at the time of registration to be valid. To maintain coverage, a new plan must also be purchased if a student is provided with a replacement device due to damage/loss of their previous device. This money will be used to create a dedicated pool of funding to replace or repair covered technology. All money collected through the program will go into a special account that can only be used to replace or repair technology that is covered in the plan. We highly recommend this low-cost protection plan. To purchase a Mobile Device Protection Plan for your student, please use the instructions at the following link: Mobile Device Protection Plan Purchase Instructions.

If you do not purchase the Mobile Device Protection Plan for your student’s device, the following fees will apply should damage occur:

Damage Type and Replacement Cost Plus Tax

Chromebook - Full Replacement $400

Damaged Keyboard $80

Damaged Screen $80

Damaged Motherboard $160

Damaged LCD Bezel $40

Damaged Camera $40

Lost/Damaged Charger* $22

Lost Case* $19

*Accessories are not covered by the Mobile Device Protection Plan.