For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr,
Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Students from Thomas Russell Middle School got a jumpstart on their future during the first ever College Day on May 16. Principal Damon James said the day was created since AVID students were previously the only ones to get a good sense of what it’s like to prepare for college because of the program’s focus on academics. “As a school, we had not comprehensively addressed going to college, every other year we would take students through a career day experience. Yet, this experience did not share the varied steps that professionals took to be successful, like attending college.” James said. “So we’re just trying to bridge some gaps this year.” That day, AVID and leadership students delivered presentations to their classmates on different topics each period including college readiness, getting into college, college life, and financing. During lunch, representatives from different colleges such as San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, Silicon Valley Career Technical Education, had tables and spoke with students. In addition, there were students in groups with posters representing different colleges who shared facts about their assigned school. “I think the kids are all really learning something,” James said. “Often we’re the ones who take ownership, and we deliver the information… but to see the kids put on presentations to their classmates, the amount of interactivity and the amount of focus. The three rooms that I walked by, all eyes were on the presenter and the presenter was talking as if they were in college and had this experience, even though they’re an eighth grader.” Seventh grader Dennis Samboa said the day was a good jumpstart on a conversation that he has already started with his family. “It’s important to start early because the earlier you start, it’s going to secure your future,” he said. “You’re going to have a bright future.” Samboa hopes to attend University of California, Berkeley or University of California, Davis and he wants to become a pediatric or family doctor or nurse. While the students explored college topics, 26 parents attended a workshop about college. “I’ve never seen parents so excited,” said Marissa Canez, Milpitas High School’s College and Career Technician. “My focus was on my website and the resources I offer ranging from work experience and college resources and scholarships.” Aanal and Achal Anjaria, who have a seventh grader at Russell, attended the event. “For us, she’s our first child and only child and we’re learning everything as she grows up,” Aanal said. “So this helps us a lot to see how everything will be progressing for her. We would love to have more sessions and more information.” The College Day Committee included, Science teacher Quyen Han, Special Education teacher Dawn Hobbs, Math teacher Breanne Alcala, AVID teacher Barbara Knitter, School Counselor Latisha Roberts, Counselor intern Jolene Soares, and Assistant Principal Luis Lopez. For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr,
Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Four hundred and twenty-six Milpitas High School seniors have earned a combined total of nearly $2.6 million dollars in scholarships. Approximately 250 students from the graduating class of 2018 attended Senior Awards Night on May 23 to join in the celebration of these honors. “This being my first year, I can’t believe the accomplishments that you have all accumulated over these last four years, and the accomplishments about your next steps in life,” Principal Francis Rojas said. “This year’s senior class is truly impressive.” Approximately 345 students received the Gold Cord for earning a 3.25 unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) or 3.5 weighted GPA; 191 students received a Maroon Cord for completing 150 hours or more of Community Service; 158 students received a President’s Education Award for maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher from 10th grade to 12th grade, taking five AP/Honors classes with a B or better in each and scoring “Advanced” on four of four Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium exams; 175 students received a Golden State Seal for receiving a B+ or higher in an English, Math, and science course in ninth, 10th, or 11th grade and receiving a B or higher in U.S. History and a grade of B or higher in two other courses for ninth, 10th, or 11th grade; 33 students received the State Seal of Biliteracy award; and eight students are a National Merit Scholarship Finalist for placing in the top 1% nationally based on their performance on the PSAT taken in their junior year. Finalists are eligible for multiple scholarships. This year’s Valedictorian, Ivan Chan, earned a 4.48 GPA. He will attend Yale University, and earned a Gold Cord, Maroon Cord, Golden State Seal, President’s Education Award, National Merit Finalist, Chi Am Circle Scholarship, $2,500 National Merit Scholarship, and $4,000 Elks National Semi-Finalist Most Valuable Student Scholarship. This year’s Salutatorian, Kevin Quach, earned a 4.47 GPA. He will attend Yale University, and earned a Gold Cord, Maroon Cord, Golden State Seal, President’s Education Award, 2017 QuestBridge National College Match Finalist, $500 PTSA Scholarship, and $500 Milpitas Management Association Scholarship. “I want you to look around and see all the people in the room celebrating with you,” Rojas said. “From the people in our community that make Milpitas a safe and thriving city to live in to the school board and district office folks who ensure that you have the opportunity for quality education, your administration, your counselors, your school staff and teachers who give to you and encourage you each day.” Rojas added: “Now look at the faces of the loved ones who are here with you to celebrate. Take a moment to acknowledge their support in helping you to be here tonight. This is a celebration for all of us.” Rojas acknowledged where students will head to come fall. One hundred and eight students will attend a University of California UC while 148 are going to a California State University, 51 will be at private or out of state universities, 315 will go on to community college, 10 are planning to go to art or technical schools, 17 are moving to their military careers. He added that many students have set their minds on specific universities while some are able to choose from several options. From those, two students will attend Yale, two are heading to Cornell, two to USC, two NYU, five to Morales’ alma mater UC Berkeley, seven to UCLA, 91 to San Jose State University, and others will attend college life in various locations throughout the nation and internationally. “No matter where our students have chosen as their next step, we all know that you are well prepared and ready for the challenges of life ahead,” Rojas said. Marissa Canez, Milpitas High School’s College and Career Technician and coordinator of Senior Awards Night, shared her pride in the ceremony. “I had a lot of favorite moments from the planning and organizing to the event itself,” she said. “I would have to say my most favorite is the smile and excitement on the students’ faces when they hear what scholarship they were awarded.” For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr, Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Approximately 50 people came together to join in “courageous conversations” during Milpitas Safety Table Talks, held in collaboration with the City of Milpitas and Milpitas Unified School District, June 2 at the Milpitas Community Center. The event was inspired by the County of Santa Clara Community Summit on Firearms and Safety, held by Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese, on April 28. “The strength of Milpitas is in its sense of community, and when we come together to understand one another’s perspectives, we can use that strength in working together as one to ensure safety in our schools, businesses, places of worship and assembly, and throughout our city,” Superintendent Cheryl Jordan shared as her vision for the day. “We will take this opportunity to come to the table and talk about what matters most to us, the well-being of every person in our Milpitas community.” The morning kicked off with an icebreaker and table talk about community safety before transitioning into a panel of leaders, moderated by Superintendent Jordan, which included Cortese, Congressman Ro Khanna, California State Assemblymember Kansen Chu, Milpitas Police Department Chief Armando Corpuz, Milpitas Councilman Bob Nuñez, MUSD Board Vice President Chris Norwood, and Milpitas High School Principal Francis Rojas. During the panel, participants were asked the following questions:
Each panelist shared their remarks about their roles, particularly in how they relate to the Milpitas community and bettering the lives of those most affected by safety. “Milpitas High School School is the center of this community,” Principal Rojas said. “We are probably the largest organization in the community with over 200 adult staff members and 3,300 youth who this community entrusts the school district to educate and to protect. Participating in this panel, I really want to be able to listen to everyone here about their perspectives on community and school safety, and to be able to look at our policies and practices at the high school and districtwide to see if we can improve safety for all of us, both staff and students in our schools. We serve over 10,000 students here and our children are our future, our children are … Safety is of utmost importance to all of us as parents.” Norwood, a Milpitas resident for more than 40 years, with two children of his own, echoed similar sentiments. “As a long time resident in the city of Milpitas and being on the board, which we have a diverse board, I have been very proud of the fact that our board has dialogued just like this,” he said. “… Milpitas has a lot of great connections. If you look at the esteemed panel that we have here, it’s a representation of the county and at the federal level in terms of who we have access to. So when I think about us coming together today as a community, I think about the conversations that we have as a school board and us having dialogue, and the opportunity to bring that conversation wider underneath the vision of our Superintendent and the Culture of We, underneath all of the residents that I’ve known for a very long time.” In thinking about safety, Norwood said he thinks about a few different things. “I think about our buildings, our children, our teachers, our parents. Their ability to walk into our buildings and to feel safe, that our infrastructure is solid. I think about access and egress in terms of how our students get to campus and once they’re there, that they’re secure. And then in the event that something unfortunate happens or is going on, they have the ability to be in safe places and get out of those buildings safely. … I think about our staff, student training and their awareness. There’s a lot of education that needs to go on, not just with adults.” Chief Corpuz admitted that “being safe largely starts with being free of free when you’re out in the community.” “I want to take the opportunity to say that for us in the police department, fire department, public safety as a whole, for us to be effective in the community as a whole in our roles is to be well trained, well equipped, well staffed,” he said. “And it’s a privilege to work in this city because we are well trained, well staffed, well supported. … We have a city manager, city council, city staff and community that have been highly supportive of public safety. And when you allow us to work in that environment with those resources we are more effective at what we’re doing.” County Supervisor Cortese acknowledged that the dialogue happening in the room wasn’t “warm and fuzzy” but part of a microcosm and a model for what needs to keep happening. “When you can put us in a room without an aisle that separates us, when we can put you at tables without aisles that separate you based on the viewpoints that you came in with, it is hugely important,” he said. “...Labeling people leads to ostracism and ostracism leads to anger and violence and fear. … Please continue to promote this kind of thing and let’s continue doing this.” Following the panel, the day continued with a table talk about school safety, lunch, and another table talk with participants topic of choice: support services, places of assembly/worship, firearms, and safety in the workplace. Facilitators reported out on the discussion, deemed a success for those in attendance. “I’m very excited about this,” Norwood said. “I’m very excited about all the different community members, community leaders coming together and having courageous conversations, table talks, and setting the example for who and what Milpitas is. … I’m hoping that this group can continue to renew that spirit and do outreach into your circles of influence and share this was a really powerful day be willing to give them feedback. And when we continue to do these things in partnership with the city, that these audiences continue to grow and the messages begin to permeate about what Milpitas is anchored in: Respect, dignity, honor.” View photos and videos here. For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr, Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Milestone birthdays are a staple celebration for many. But for Kaila Schwartz, her 30th birthday was the turning point in her career. “I know that sounds really weird but around the time I turned 30, my dad reminded me that, when I graduated from Syracuse, I had promised myself that I would give full-time acting 10 years and that if at the end of those 10 years I wasn’t happy with where I was in my life, then I would reevaluate everything,” she recalled. “And, well, my 30th birthday was that 10-year mark. I discovered that I really wasn’t happy. I was not feeling fulfilled. I felt like I had lost my creative spark.” So Schwartz applied to the four most competitive Master of Fine Arts programs in the country, got rejected from all of them, and was offered a job teaching fourth graders how to read Hebrew at a temple in Cleveland, Ohio. “That’s the job that changed my life,” she said. “I fell in love with teaching, then got my Master’s in education. All of my inspiration came back. All of my creativity came back. My feeling of satisfaction was never higher.” Schwartz said this zest for teaching has sustained throughout her career, which has been mainly in Milpitas Unified School District. She has been teaching Theater and English for 17 years at Milpitas High School. “Seventeen years may be a long time to be in one school district ... but I have a strong connection, an affinity, for this community and for my students,” she said. Schwartz was announced as Milpitas Unified’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year during the Employee Recognition Celebration on May 30. She will be one of 29 accomplished educators honored at the 49th annual Teacher Recognition Celebration, presented by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, on October 22 at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell. “I’m still shaking my head in disbelief,” Schwartz said of the announcement, adding it made her feel shock, gratitude, and humbled. Schwartz was nominated by coworker LeighAnn McCready, Milpitas High School’s librarian. “I was quite pleased with Kaila's honor,” McCready said. “Oftentimes our hardest workers go unrecognized because they don't toot their own horns. Kaila does so much behind the scenes and more than many realize.” McCready has watched Schwartz work hard for students in different ways since she arrived as librarian at Milpitas High School in 2007. She noted the growth of Schwartz’ theater program from one to two classes to a full schedule, her work with students in English as she challenges them to think for themselves, serving as the adviser to National Honor Society students and their coordination of the bi-annual blood drive, and her support of colleagues through her work with new teachers, and just in everyday interactions with staff. Schwartz has participated in the Teacher Induction Program for at least 10 years. “She's a team player and isn't about the accolades even if they are well-deserved,” McCready said. Two of Schwartz’s seniors noted her class as being participatory with a style that makes them want to actively participate. She makes it a collaborative and not a competitive environment where they feel it is a project-based environment about learning, not just getting the points. “I try to give students a forum to express themselves, and provide a safe space for them to tell their stories, speak their truths, and develop their self-esteem,” Schwartz said of her philosophy towards training students in the performing arts. “I encourage students to build bridges of understanding across all facets of life. And I also foster an appreciation of the arts.” Before coming to Milpitas, Schwartz graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1985, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting and directing from Syracuse University in 1989, earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from John Carroll University in 2001, and did her student teaching at Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Growing up in the Cleveland area, Schwartz said the path to Milpitas was clearly paved. “Toward the end of my Master’s program, we had to create a resume and we had to do interviews,” she said. “I participated in the university sponsored teacher fair, but I also posted my resume on various sites in different states, one of which was CalTeach. The day after I posted my resume on CalTeach, I got an email from Terry Queenan asking for an interview. The interview was scheduled for a week later. He said it would be a 45 minute interview. It lasted over two hours. I flew out a week or two later to see the school and as soon as I stepped foot on campus, I was offered the job.” Since starting with Milpitas, Schwartz has been credited with developing an award-winning theater program. This year alone, they won third place for the NorCal Thespian Play Festival, First Place/Grand Prize for TheatreWorks’ 1440 Countdown, and a performance spot in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for 2019. They have also won numerous awards for playwriting at the 1440 Countdown, having performed at six out of seven competitions. Awards include Best Drama, Best Comedy, Second Place, Third Place, and Schwartz was featured in a TheatreWorks video advertising 1440. There was an extensive application process for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Schwartz said it was great to be chosen since it was such a challenging application process. Of the information covered, Schwartz had to explain what sets her theater program apart from other high schools. “I run my rehearsals like I would run them with professional actors,” she wrote in the application. “As a result, I’ve had students tell me that the training they have received from me has set them apart in the working world and has led them to greater opportunities than their peers.” In addition, the application asked where her students went after high school, and if any of them had achieved any level of success in theater. They also wanted a five-minute video, reviews, letters of recommendation, student testimonials, and her philosophy on arts education. She noted being chosen was incredibly validating because they were selected from a Board of Governors on the East Coast, who are all theater educators at the university level. Schwartz said the awards are great to mark their accomplishments but there is a deeper meaning to the participation. “It’s really important for my theater students to get a taste of the real world of theater,” she said. “I love my relationship with TheatreWorks because it puts me closer in touch with local theater artists, and it puts my students in touch with them.” The partnership started about 10 years ago when she first brought her students to one of their matinees. They were impressed with how well behaved her students were both during the performance and the preshow workshops. A couple of years later, they started competing in their 24-hour play festival, now known as 1440 Countdown. Soon after that, she was convinced by one of their educational theatre associates to bring the Young Playwrights Project to her advanced students. “Everyone on their education staff has become a friend and colleague,” she said. Despite enjoying her job, Schwartz said there are still challenges that she has to work through, including long hours, fundraising, and feeling like she constantly has to prove to people that an arts education is valuable. “The skills are applicable to every career path,” she explained. “My students live collaboration, they learn creative problem solving, they become quick on their feet, they are able to work with people of all different personality types, and they’re able to stay focused on getting a task done. They also learn how to work under pressure, and they learn how to stay positive while working under pressure. Most important of all, they gain confidence and self-esteem.” Despite the challenges, Schwartz said the students are what keep her going. “They have so much creative energy and they want so much to express themselves, and I think many of them are grateful for the opportunity to do that without judgment,” she said. They keep her so energized in fact that in five years, even 10 years and beyond, she can’t imagine doing anything else. Twenty years later, looking back on her decision to change her career, Schwartz said she never imagined it would lead to this. But she is paid back in full every day by her students. “I have so many students out there who make me proud every day. I am proud to know them. I am proud of the humans they’ve become. I’m happy that they are finding happiness and satisfaction in what they are doing, whether or not it’s in performing arts. I’m happy and grateful to have been even a small part of of their lives,” she said. Senate Bill (SB) 858 requires that school districts must identify the minimum reserve level applicable to the District and disclose the amount in excess of the minimum.
The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 5:00 pm at Milpitas High School 1285 Escuela Parkway, Milpitas, California 95035. This will be during the time of the Budget Study. One-Up Coding is a non-profit program ran by high school students that is designed to introduce computer science principles to any curious middle school or high school student. The program is free and online which means the majority of lessons and assignments can be accessed right from your very homes at any time.
To find out more, head over to the website: tinyurl.com/oneupcoding or contact the email: [email protected] VTA’s Summer Youth Pass offers unlimited rides on VTA bus and light rail all summer long for a discounted price of only $60. VTA’s Summer Youth Pass is the perfect way for youth to get to summer jobs, the movies, the mall, and all their favorite places.
For questions about VTA services and programs, please direct interested individuals to VTA Customer Service (408) 321-2300, [email protected], or www.vta.org. To buy the pass, please visit: http://www.vta.org/Getting-Around/Fares/Summer-Youth-Pass The Sinnott PTA hosted its first hands-on art workshop May 9 in the multi-purpose room. Led by parent volunteer Kavita Gupta, the kids made beautiful "Rock Cacti" and cards to gift to their mothers on Mother's Day. They entered the room to find themselves with their own mini workstations. Each child was provided with two rocks for their cacti, a terracotta pot, a card, paintbrushes, and paint. It was nice to see that each child was so engaged in this craft.
The PTA was grateful to the many parent volunteers who stepped up to help set up the stations, help with the activity, and stay back to help clean up. The art material was provided by the Sinnott PTA, and the workshop was free for all. It was a well attended and fun-filled event, where kids and their parents enjoyed their time. For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr,
Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 The Milpitas Management Association hosted its annual Every Student Succeeding Breakfast on May 11, honoring students who exceed expectations and the adults who support them along the way. Each school designated at least one student that embodies the spirit of the event and, that morning, they were introduced and their stories were shared out by Principals as they were called forward to receive their award. “Today, we are proud to highlight these young men and women who have overcome great obstacles to succeed. Their stories are remarkable and their futures are bright,” MMA President Damon James said. This year’s honorees were: -Burnett Elementary: Robert Nunes (read his story here) -Curtner Elementary: Annie Riordan -Pomeroy Elementary: Thomas Woneis -Randall Elementary: Josiah Billings -Rose Elementary: Allyson Sapulveda -Sinnott Elementary: Nathan Garcia -Spangler Elementary: Jesus Samiento -Weller Elementary: Michael Ryan Rogers -Zanker Elementary: Mary Nguyen -Rancho Milpitas Middle School: Janpreet Hans (read his story here) -Thomas Russell Middle School: Alejandra Guardado and Sabrina Garvin -Calaveras Hills High School: Jamina Williams -Milpitas High School: Zachary Garmany, Travis Lloyd, Julian Nguyen, and Hen Zewdu -Ayer Adult School: Rosamibe N Plascencia (read her story here) “You are all examples of something called the audacity of hope, because hope is what keeps us going,” Superintendent Cheryl Jordan said in closing the ceremony. “And I think what each person who spoke about you sees in you is that light that comes from hope. So always continue to go out through life being the person you are meant to be and sharing that hope with others so they that have the courage to do the same.” I am part of Girl Scouts Nor Cal and a Cadet from Milpitas team. I am in Rancho Middle school in 7th Grade. We were exploring STEM events and found about Vex Robotics which is hosted by Google and supported by Girl Scouts. I was fortunate to be part of a team from Las Altos middle schoolers. I am the only one from Milpitas.
Our journey started in September of 2017. It was a great learning yet fun filled experience. Our parents decided that they will drive us to Google twice a week for 3 hours each and will advise only. We have to build the robot, program it and keep writing everything in the Engineering Design Book so we know what we did, how we did and how to improve. This year’s Vex theme was “In the Zone”. There is a zone set up and the robot has to pick up what is called as Mobile Goals and drop them at either a 20 or 10 or 5 point zone. In addition, the robot can also stack the cones either on Mobile Goals or specific Goal Posts. There are two alliances competing each time with two teams each. So in any given zone there will be four robots. We started building the robot by discussing among ourselves and assigned roles and responsibilities to each team member. We also had help from Google Mentors, in case we needed some assistance. Our initial thought was to have a robot which can pick up and drop the mobile goals in to 20 and 10 point zones. In addition there are two modes to drive the robot. One is called Autonomous mode (mainly 15 secs) and the program has to drive the robot. Second one is Driver Control (1:45 mins) where some of us were driving it. It was fairly new exposure for me to program the robot. My initial assignment was to help build the robot. It took some time for understanding how to use the various tools and finalize a design but we got it and became really good at it (Todd was the name we chose for our robot). Every tool that is needed was provided by Google. Each week we could see the incremental changes both to the robot and the program. I became a team spokesperson wherein I needed to know about all aspects of the project including high level overview of programming, design and implementation of robot and game information along with roles and responsibilities of everyone in the team. This is super important because at the beginning of each tournament, judges ask various questions to the team spokesperson. The team that answers well and together will get points towards the awards. In January of 2018 we had our first competition at Sacramento. We fared well and were qualified for Quarter finals. We were one of the team captains to pick up other teams for Alliance. We were rewarded with Design Award in that event and we felt we accomplished a big thing. We modified our robot more by adding stacking function, in addition to mobile goal pick up, and got to the second event at Google in February. We did very well here as well and became alliance captains to pick other teams. We advanced to semi-finals. In this event we won the Excellence Award. We are ecstatic, because with these two awards we are selected for State Finals. According to Vex folks very few teams reached finals with in first three to four months of robotics journey. As being one of the state finalists we attended the tournament in Vallejo in March. Like the previous events, we were chosen as one of the alliance captains. We advanced to quarter finals in the state event. That was a great experience since at the State level there are lots of middle and high school teams. We watched how others built their robots and learnt a lot on how we can design next version of our robot. Finally end of April we had a final competition in Google, this time I drove the robot as well. Our team advanced to quarters, semis and finals and won the finals. What a way to end the robotics journey for the year. When I look back last few months of this journey I learnt a lot in programming, robot building, design principles, team work and more. I am looking forward to further advance my knowledge of robotics and programming including sharing the knowledge with elementary kids who want to start the journey. We had great help from Google, Girl Scouts and Vex Robotics team, and we appreciate all the help that was provided and thank them. Look forward to mentoring younger girls and continue my journey into robotics. |
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
The governing board of Milpitas Unified School District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Media ResourcesArchives
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