🎉CUSD Celebrations: CHS’s Leigh Cambra Honored as 20...

Carmel High School’s Leigh Cambra Honored at Levi’s Stadium as  2025 Dr. Harry Edwards Follow Your Bliss Award Winner Ms. Cambra is creating a lasting legacy of student empowerment on the field, in the community, and in the classroom. Carmel, CA  (August 14, 2025) - Carmel Unified School District proudly announces that Carmel High School’s Leigh Cambra was recognized this past weekend at Levi’s Stadium as a 2025 Dr. Harry Edwards Follow Your Bliss Award recipient. Presented by Dr. Harry Edwards, the 49ers Foundation, BlackRock, and the Micron Foundation, this prestigious honor celebrates educators who inspire students and communities by leading with purpose, passion, dedication, and love, despite challenges and uncertainties. An educator committed to social change, Ms. Cambra is a passionate advocate for student health services. She believes that learning goes beyond textbooks and classroom walls, encouraging her students to find their voices, create change, and discover their purpose and sense of belonging. Leigh’s greatest joy is watching her students realize they can achieve extraordinary things, often more than they ever imagined possible. Ms. Cambra’s influence at Carmel High School extends far beyond her role as Health Teacher. She also serves as the Carmel High School Cheer Coach, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) Summer Programs Coordinator, Ambassadors Coordinator, and Advisor for both the CHS This Club Saves Lives and Our Voices student clubs. In each of these capacities, she empowers students to live healthy, compassionate, and engaged lives, whether on the field, in the community, or in the classroom. Principal Libby Duethman shared, “Ms. Cambra is a passionate educator who believes learning extends far beyond the classroom, championing opportunities for students to grow through service, leadership, and creativity. Her past initiatives, from advising  This Club Saves Lives  and  Our Voices  club to revitalizing the cheer program, reflect her dedication to supporting students’ passions and pursuits.” “Leigh’s impact reaches far beyond the walls of Carmel High School,” said Superintendent Sharon Ofek. “She inspires students to take action, care for one another, and pursue their dreams with confidence. We are grateful for the countless ways she enriches our schools and community, and we celebrate this recognition of her extraordinary contributions.” The Dr. Harry Edwards Follow Your Bliss Award recognizes that teachers are the constant in a student’s world of challenges, rising beyond the call of duty to support their students. Through this award, educators are honored for their dedication to leading the next generation, even in the face of hurdles. Each award winner receives a $2,000 stipend for in-classroom materials and resources, to be used within the same school year. This year, educators across five categories are being recognized: K-5th Grade, 6th-8th Grade, 9th-12th Grade, Administrator, and Community Educator. Nominations may be submitted by students, parents, family, friends, or educators themselves. Carmel Unified School District congratulates Ms. Cambra for her outstanding contributions to our school community and thanks her for continuing to inspire students to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world. ### Contact: Michelle Goncalves, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent's Office, mgoncalves@carmelunified.org , (831) 624-1546 ext. 2021 About Carmel Unified School District:   Located on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula, the Carmel Unified School District serves approximately 2,100 students across a 600-square-mile area. The district includes the communities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach. Learn more about our schools, strategic plan, programs, and commitment to excellence at  www.carmelunified.org . CUSD Mission: It is our collective responsibility to cultivate individual excellence through the power of every connection.

Thursday, Aug 14 2025

🎉CUSD Celebrations: Carmel Unified School District W...

Carmel Unified School District Welcomes 2,100 Students and Launches Strategic Vision for the Future     Carmel, CA ( August 13, 2025)  -  Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) proudly welcomed more than 2,100 students back to campuses this past week, officially starting the 2025-2026 academic year. Students and teachers filled classrooms and hallways with positive energy as they reunited, setting an optimistic tone for the year ahead.    Recently, CUSD launched   CUSD Forward ,  the school district’s five-year Strategic Plan. Educators, families, students, and community stakeholders collaborated to develop the plan, which provides a comprehensive framework to guide the district’s priorities and actions.  CUSD Forward  focuses on four key areas: Academic Achievement and Instruction, Student and Staff Safety and Wellness, Engaged Families and Community Partners, and Optimized Resources. The plan promotes stronger connections, expanded learning opportunities, and a culture of belonging throughout all CUSD schools.    In preparation for the first day of school, CUSD educators and staff took proactive steps to ensure a smooth, successful start. They cleaned and refreshed campuses, updated instructional materials, enhanced technology, and participated in focused professional development that aligns with the school district’s strategic goals. These collective actions demonstrate CUSD’s dedication to delivering high-quality, student-centered educational experiences.    Student Juliet Norman, Carmel High School Senior and the 2025 Student Representative to the Board of Education, shared, “As a senior this year, I look forward to capping the amazing school experience I’ve had and connections I made growing up in this community and school district. I will definitely be taking  time to look back and appreciate all the opportunities for personal and academic enrichment that the teachers and administrators of CUSD provided for all of us, and I will be working to ensure  that those opportunities remain and are enhanced as our schools evolve to meet the future needs  of our community and prepare us to succeed.” “I am excited to start a new school year with our new Strategic Plan,” said Superintendent Sharon Ofek. “CUSD Forward centers on providing the resources and support needed for every student and staff member to thrive. The plan reflects the shared values of our community and supports our staff as they prepare our students to succeed in an ever-changing world.”    As the school year progresses, CUSD reaffirms its commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and inspiring environments for all learners. The school district calls on families, staff, and community members to support the vision of  CUSD Forward  and stay engaged through regular updates on school district initiatives and student achievements.    ### Contact:  Michelle Goncalves, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent's Office,  mgoncalves@carmelunified.org , (831) 624-1546 ext. 2021   About Carmel Unified School District:   Located on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula, the Carmel Unified School District serves approximately 2,100 students across a 600-square-mile area. The district includes the communities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach. Learn more about our schools, strategic plan, programs, and commitment to excellence at  www.carmelunified.org . CUSD Mission: It is our collective responsibility to cultivate individual excellence through the power of every connection.

Wednesday, Aug 13 2025

🎉CUSD Celebrations: IT Department Completes Major Su...

Carmel Unified School District IT Department Completes Major Summer Technology Upgrades to Support Student Success         Carmel, CA (July 31, 2025) –  While campuses may appear quiet during summer break, the Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) Information Technology (IT) Department has been hard at work, completing an ambitious slate of projects to ensure students and staff return to campuses fully equipped for the new school year.    “Summertime is one of the most important periods for IT work in a K-12 environment,” said Manuel Carrera, Senior Director of Information Technology at Carmel Unified School District. “Our team has been moving at full speed behind the scenes to strengthen infrastructure, support instructional technology, and create a reliable and secure digital environment across all school sites.”    Over the past school year and throughout the summer, the IT Department, in partnership with the Maintenance and Operations Department, has taken major steps to modernize systems and expand access to educational tools:    Device Upgrades for Educators:  New Windows Surface 7 laptops are being deployed to teachers districtwide, providing reliable, up-to-date tools that empower educators to engage students and enhance instruction.    Infrastructure & Disaster Recovery Enhancements:  The IT team successfully completed the rollout of a new VxRail primary data center at the CUSD District Office, significantly modernizing the district’s infrastructure. In parallel, a matching disaster recovery (DR) cluster was implemented at the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) to support service continuity in the event of an emergency. VxRail is a powerful system that integrates storage, computing, and backup capabilities into a single platform, allowing CUSD to manage data more efficiently and ensure critical services remain available. This project was made possible through strong collaboration between CUSD and MCOE.   Network Improvements:  New wireless access points were installed at every school site, significantly improving internet connectivity in classrooms and shared learning spaces.    Student Readiness:  Hundreds of student Chromebooks were refreshed and prepared for distribution, ensuring students are ready to learn from day one.    Professional Learning Expansion:  A new professional learning space was constructed at the IT Department headquarters to foster collaboration and provide a dedicated area for staff training and development.    Streamlined Digital Access:  Work is underway to integrate all curriculum platforms into Classlink, simplifying access to digital resources for students and teachers and aligning with current enrollment data.    Creative Learning Environments:  New Mac labs were set up at Carmel Middle School and Carmel High School, expanding student opportunities in video production and digital media.    Data Compliance & Strategic Planning:  The IT team completed critical state and federal reporting, including California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) and Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) submissions, helping maintain compliance and support data-driven decision-making.    “These projects reflect the IT Department’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence,” Mr. Carrera added. “Everything we do is aimed at supporting the District’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and preparing our students for success in a technology-driven world.”    Sharok Ofek, Carmel Unified Superintendent, praised the department’s accomplishments: “Carmel Unified’s Information Technology department is led by some of the most talented and knowledgeable professionals in our community. The work they do is vital, and our school district simply cannot operate without them. Their dedication ensures that teaching and learning at CUSD remain supported by a strong, forward-thinking technological foundation.”    As students and staff return this fall, they will benefit from a more connected, efficient, and future-ready learning environment thanks to the behind-the-scenes efforts of the Carmel Unified IT team. ### Contact:  Michelle Goncalves, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent's Office,  mgoncalves@carmelunified.org , (831) 624-1546 ext. 2021   About Carmel Unified School District:   Located on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula, the Carmel Unified School District serves approximately 2,100 students across a 600-square-mile area. The district includes the communities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach. Learn more about our schools, strategic plan, programs, and commitment to excellence at  www.carmelunified.org . CUSD Mission: It is our collective responsibility to cultivate individual excellence through the power of every connection.

Thursday, Jul 31 2025

🎉CUSD Celebrations: Summer Programs Engaged Local St...

Carmel Unified Summer Programs Blended Academics, Exploration, and Real-World Connections         Carmel, CA  (July 28, 2025)  -  Carmel Unified School District is proud to share the successful completion of two enriching summer programs that supported student growth and engagement beyond the classroom. The summer began with the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula’s Summer Day Camp at Carmel River Elementary and Tularcitos Elementary, which provided students with engaging activities focused on creativity and social development. This was followed by Camp Cachagua, an enriching three-week adventure designed to minimize summer learning loss while immersing students in nature, local culture, and meaningful outdoor learning. Students participated in a variety of arts and crafts, games, and enrichment activities, including scavenger hunts, capture the flag, Alka-Seltzer rocket launches, Melty Beads, yo-yo making, celery growing, tie-dye projects, and a presentation from the Cachagua Fire Department. Field trips included a beach clean-up and time at Carmel Beach, where students played volleyball, soccer, spikeball, wiffleball, went boogie boarding, and enjoyed pizza.  Campers also visited a movie theater to watch the new  Lilo & Stitch  film, followed by a trip to the Monterey County SPCA. Staff there gave a presentation that included a red-tailed hawk and explained the organization’s role in local animal care and the challenges faced by wildlife in the region. Swim lessons were held over four days at the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center. Beginners focused on basic water safety, while more experienced swimmers worked on stroke technique and lifeguard skills. Captain Cooper students joined the swim program for the fourth consecutive year, helping bring attendance to nearly 100 students each day. This effort ensured access to water safety instruction for students from all parts of the school district. The week concluded with additional free swim time and root beer floats. “Camp Cachagua is an amazing opportunity for students to connect with their community, develop new skills, and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment,” said Caton Avilla, Program Coordinator. “We’re proud to provide an experience where students can explore their surroundings and form lasting memories.”  The successful program was led by a committed team alongside an inspiring group of high school volunteers. These volunteers played a vital role in assisting staff, guiding students, and ensuring every participant had an enriching, hands-on experience.    “All of our summer programs show how hands-on learning and strong community partnerships can make a big difference for our students,” said Superintendent Sharon Ofek. “Programs like this help kids grow, explore, and connect with each other. They also support the goals in our Strategic Plan, including boosting academic success, creating inclusive spaces, and working closely with families and local organizations. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this such a special experience for our students.”    Carmel Unified School District extends heartfelt gratitude to all the community partners, dedicated staff, and enthusiastic volunteers who helped make our 2025 Summer Programs a memorable and impactful experience for students.  ### Contact:  Michelle Goncalves, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent's Office,  mgoncalves@carmelunified.org , (831) 624-1546 ext. 2021   About Carmel Unified School District:   Located on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula, the Carmel Unified School District serves approximately 2,100 students across a 600-square-mile area. The district includes the communities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach. Learn more about our schools, strategic plan, programs, and commitment to excellence at  www.carmelunified.org . CUSD Mission: It is our collective responsibility to cultivate individual excellence through the power of every connection.

Monday, Jul 28 2025