Superintendent’s Newsletter: May 10, 2024

Fremont Unified School District Superintendent's Newsletter, 總監的話, Mensaje del Superintendente, with school campus photo in background

May 10, 2024

Dear Fremont Unified Community,

This is Teacher Appreciation Week, and Fremont Unified is grateful to be home to some of the best educators in the world! Our certificated staff – including classroom teachers, prep teachers, principals, assistant principals, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and other specialized staff – are creative, dedicated and highly skilled. From 2024 Teacher of the Year John Muragu to our longest-serving current teacher Paul Barry, the educators in Fremont Unified embody our mission to educate, challenge and inspire each student.

The District and many of our schools are celebrating our amazing certificated employees this week, and will celebrate Classified School Employee Week from May 20 to 24. Some of our schools combine these celebrations, move them around, or follow other traditions. Whatever the schedule, our community does a great job of showing appreciation at this time of year, and I extend my thanks to everyone dedicating their time and resources to celebrating the outstanding staff in Fremont Unified!

I thank the many of you who have already provided your input on the unmet facilities needs in Fremont Unified by completing our brief survey. From the feedback we have received to date, we see that respondents want to ensure that our students have access to the same state-of-the-art education facilities that other students in Alameda County already have. If you haven’t done so already, please click here to join the conversation and help us plan for the sustained excellence of Fremont Unified.

The final weeks of this school year are exceptionally bittersweet as I know they are my last in Fremont Unified. As I shared last week, I will be moving to a new position as of July 1, and I will truly miss the outstanding FUSD community that I have been honored to serve since 2020.

Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff and schools.

Sincerely,

CJ Cammack

Superintendent

 

Budget FAQ

Budget Balancing for 2025-26 School Year

California is expecting a revenue shortfall of approximately $37-39 billion in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2024; all public agencies that receive state funding – including school districts – are preparing for fiscal challenges.

FUSD is able to maintain its current programs and staffing in the upcoming school year (2024-25), thanks to the good stewardship of our financial resources, spending down our ending fund balance, and use of expiring one-time funding from the state and federal government.

However, FUSD is projecting an approximate $30 million reduction from our operating budget for the 2025-26 school year. FUSD has a successful track record of navigating tough fiscal challenges in public education, and has historically solicited input from the entire community when undertaking a budget balancing process.

Starting in the fall of 2024, FUSD will engage our staff and community in a comprehensive process that provides several opportunities to learn about, discuss, and provide input on a plan to balance the budget for the 2025-2026 school year. We will share more information in the fall about when and how your voice can be included in the process.

If you are interested in more information on this topic, please visit fremontunified.org/budgetFAQ for the latest information and resources.

 

City of Fremont Bike Month

May is Bike Month

The City of Fremont is celebrating Bike Month with family rides, Bike to School Day on May 16, and a virtual opportunity to provide feedback on future walking and biking programs and projects in our city. For a complete list of Bike Month activities in Fremont, please visit city.fremont.gov/bikemonth.

 

2023-24 instructional calendar

No School Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day

Please note that all FUSD schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.

 

graduation ceremony

Graduation Ceremonies: June 3 & 4, 2024

The graduation ceremonies for American, Irvington, Kennedy, Mission San Jose, Robertson, Vista and Washington high schools will be live streamed. Find streaming links and in-person attendance information at  fremontunified.org/graduation.

 

students at computers

Account Security Reminder

Our student and staff email accounts are receiving an increased volume of phishing emails (messages designed to extract data or other value from the recipient, often by impersonating a trusted figure or platform), and our Technology Department is working diligently to filter these messages and take other proactive measures to increase security for all accounts and devices.

As a reminder to all of us in this digital age: be vigilant in your online interactions. Here are some tips to help keep your account secure:

  1. Do not click links, or open or download attachments you are not expecting to receive, particularly from unknown senders.
  2. Do not share personal or financial information over email or an unknown platform, and do not respond to unknown accounts seeking information.
  3. Please log out of your account after use, especially on shared devices and/or when you are leaving a device unattended.

Please share these reminders with students for increased protection on all accounts and devices.

 

ClassLink password reset tool

ClassLink: New Password Reset Tool for Students

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the security and independence of our students' digital learning experience, Fremont Unified School District is introducing a new Self-Service Password Reset Tool through the ClassLink platform. ClassLink is designed to empower our students by allowing them to manage their own account passwords securely and efficiently.

The FUSD Technology Department will be rolling this tool out over the next several weeks on a site-by-site basis. When you receive the password reset instructions, we request your prompt action to ensure your student continues to have access to school devices and curriculum, while increasing the security of their user account.

Click here for more information.

 

Aeries Parent Portal & 2024-25 MAZE Process

Aeries Parent Portal & 2024-25 MAZE Process

Fremont Unified will transition from Infinite Campus to Aeries as our student information system for the 2024-25 school year.

In July 2024, parents and guardians of students enrolled for 2024-25 will receive information to activate their Aeries Parent Portal, and will use the Portal to complete the annual MAZE process, called “Parent Data Confirmation” in Aeries.

MAZE is Fremont Unified School District’s annual data confirmation process in which parents/guardians:

  • provide required information for each enrolled student - such as emergency contacts,
  • acknowledge certain parent/guardian and student rights and responsibilities, and
  • access specific school forms/information.

Completing the MAZE process ensures your student’s school has accurate information, and allows families to view student schedules/classroom assignments and their teachers when that information is released in August.

Please look out for additional information about activating your Aeries Parent Portal and completing the MAZE process in the coming months. 

 

FUSD Preschool Enrollment

FUSD Preschool Enrollment

The FUSD Preschool Program offers two exceptional programs tailored to nurture the growth and development of 3 and 4 year old children: State Preschool and Preschool Enrichment Program.

Our play-based curriculum is designed with a focus on fun and developmentally appropriate learning activities aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations. Emphasizing social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness skills, educational field trips, and family engagement opportunities, our programs provide a holistic approach to early education. We also offer early intervention referrals, demonstrating our commitment to addressing the individual needs of each child.

Applications, more information available on our Preschool webpage.

 

2024-25 enrollment

2024-25 Enrollment Information

Information on transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten, sibling priority and other new student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is now available at fremontunified.org/enroll.

Eligibility for transitional kindergarten is expanding: Children who will be 5 years old between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025 can enroll in this free program for 2024-25 to get
a head start in school and build their social, communication and independence skills.

If your student is currently attending an FUSD school in grades TK-11, there is no need to re-enroll.

 

Educate · Challenge · Inspire
Fremont Unified School District

4210 Technology Dr., Fremont, CA 94538

510-657-2350

fremontunified.org