For many, the senior year of high school holds a nostalgic allure as the last year “kids can be kids” before the rush of the adult world swirls around them. Although there are still plenty of fun activities and memory-making at Cal Hills, the senior class is squarely focused on preparing for the future that they will create. Through hands-on and highly relevant lessons in both Economics and English, students are getting a taste of what awaits them after graduation. “I feel that the flexibility in English lends itself to this career preparation unit perfectly,” says instructor Tabitha Kappeler-Hurley. “The students in my class started with identifying major life goals such as whether or not they wanted to be married and have families, what type of lifestyle they wanted to have, and then researched careers that fit their interests, skills, and budgetary needs. Students then created résumés, cover letters and participated in mock interviews with HR professionals from MUSD and the community.” Students built their listening, speaking, reading and writing competencies as they practiced the practical skills related to searching for and obtaining a job. They will finish the unit by creating individual vision boards they can reference well beyond graduation. In Economics, instructor Megan Bence has constructed an entire quarter surrounding personal finance and the skills necessary for managing money responsibly. “We started this quarter by learning the basics of personal finance, and budgeting. Students are currently working on an extensive budgeting assignment where they project their incomes, and goals in regards to community college or four-year institutions. They’re looking into the costs of higher education, how to apply for financial aid, and what their fixed and flexible expenses will approximately cost. If they go over budget, they then have to reassess how much they’re spending,” says Ms. Bence. Students are being encouraged to take a realistic look at what adult life will soon look for them. They’re asking themselves tough questions - will you be relying on your parents for financial support, how much does rent cost in the Bay Area, and what are you striving for five years down the line? Ms. Bence says, “Students are facing a harsh reality right now - the majority of my class went over budget the first time they tracked their spending. I think they’re starting to realize that they won’t be able to live off of minimum wage on their own, which I can only hope will continue to motivate them to push for fulfilling careers.” As Ms. Bence’s Economics class progresses, they will also be filing taxes, discussing tips for saving and the importance of retirement plans, learning how to invest in the stock market, and acting as if they are the financial advisors for other professionals. Students will also be given the option to download free applications on their cell phones for budgeting and investing, tying in their most-used devices efficiently and effectively as tools for success. Ms. Kappeler-Hurley and Ms. Bence have similar goals for their kids: prepare students for future success with graduation right around the corner. By Tonichi Lorenzana For the second consecutive year, students from PUSO, the Filipino Club at Milpitas High School (MHS), were invited to attend Google’s annual Filipino Students Day sponsored by the Filipino Googler Network (FGN). The FGN is comprised of Filipino professionals at Google dedicated to community outreach; their overall goal is to increase workplace diversity in the tech industry by giving students of color an inside look at Google. As part of the Filipino Students Day, MHS students, along with students from other local high schools were invited to Google’s Sunnyvale campus to explore what career opportunities Google has to offer. Students participated in a career panel where they met with Filipino Google employees from a variety of departments and fields including: legal, marketing, human resources, community outreach, Google search engine, Android programming, virtual reality, culinary, and more. The Google employees wanted to make it clear that Google careers are not limited to, as they put it, “just computer programming.” Following the career panel, the students (from all of the schools) participated in a “design thinking” activity where they were mixed up and divided into groups, given a current world problem or challenge, and tasked with creating a tech-based solution. This activity asked the students to design a product to solve an issue; in essence, they were asked to “think and work like Googlers.” The groups then pitched their design ideas to the Google employees in a format similar to the TV show Shark Tank. Following the activity, the students had some fun exploring Google virtual reality programs and eating the delicious (and free!) food at the Google cafe. The day concluded with a large group discussion, led by some young Googlers, about how culture, heritage, and family expectations affected their college and career choices. The employees gave the students an in-depth look into their personal lives, educational backgrounds, and other influences that helped get them to where they are today. They ended the discussion with a poignant lesson about how the path to success is not always a straight line. The FGN has proven to be a very dedicated group with regards to exposing our students to a variety of career opportunities. Aside from inviting the students from PUSO to Google each of the last two years, FGN, in conjunction with the Asian Pacific Islander group at Salesforce, hosted a Made with Code Party at MHS in October. This event specifically targeted female students and aimed to expose them to the field of computer programming. The young women learned some programming basics to design games, create music, and even create clothing for a digital fashion show. Events such as the Filipino Google Day and the Made with Code Party serve a great purpose in exposing our students to potential future careers, and both Google and Salesforce have pledged to continue to invite our students to events in the future. Hopefully, these events spark new curiosities within our students and set them on the road to a successful future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of adults in the Silicon Valley who do not hold a high school diploma is well into the double digits in some communities, prompting the South Bay Consortium for Adult Education (SBCAE) to launch Open Doors, a regional campaign that brings to the forefront the diverse adult education programs that put adults lacking language, literacy or technical skills on a solid path to work, school and/or career training. In the area served by SBCAE, a partnership of five adult schools and four community colleges in Santa Clara County, the percentage of adults without a high school diploma is as high as 17.7 percent in San Jose, the consortium’s largest city, followed by 14.2 percent in Milpitas, 13.5 percent in Santa Clara and 12.9 percent in Morgan Hill, according to census data. Statewide, 18 percent of the population aged 25 and older does not have a high school diploma or equivalency, according to census data. “People often think of the Silicon Valley as a place of affluent tech workers, which is true, but it’s more diverse than that, with many low-income residents who cannot live on the wages they make and are looking for opportunities to livable wages and a better future,” said Kishan Vujjeni, co-chair of the SBCAE. “Our consortium members provide programs throughout the valley that can help this population attain the skills they need, no matter where they are in their educational journey, and transition into a career or postsecondary education.” SBCAE member organizations offer English-language classes, apprenticeship opportunities, career education courses, basic math and literacy classes and support services for adults with disabilities, with many of these programs being free. The consortium has nine transition specialists, representing each school and college, who help students identify their educational and career goals and develop a concrete path to achieving them. Adults age 18 and older are eligible to enroll in classes. Those interested can visit the campaign website to explore options and complete a short form so a transition specialist may contact them. The website includes a map that shows the location and contact information for each transition specialist. For more information, visit www.OpenDoorsSouthBay.org or call 408-918-5100. by Casey McMurray
Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) first came to my attention at a professional conference I attended earlier this year in Sacramento. I heard great things about the work that happened as they partnered with the secondary school to increase the level of parent involvement. I looked up PIQE’s website and their mission statement is “to provide families with the knowledge and skills to partner with schools and communities to ensure their children achieve their full potential.” I called the local PIQE office in San Jose in early March and soon after that we signed an agreement to offer the nine-week signature workshop series to our Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking parents at Rancho. PIQE was on-site for our Back-to-School night on Aug. 30, sharing information with our parents as we began to promote this opportunity. Thursday, Sept. 7 was our introductory session, during which I presented the PIQE staff to our combined group of Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking parents in the Rancho library. The initial turnout was promising. After my remarks, we divided the parents into two groups to receive the workshops in their own language. I was very excited as I saw them begin their path towards understanding and empowerment. The PIQE facilitators began to establish relationships with their respective parent cohorts, texting and calling them weekly with any updates and reminders of the next meeting date. PIQE staff members were dynamic, and their presentations were “parent-centered” and engaging. I was impressed that the PIQE parents were given assignments that would encourage them to follow up and act on what they had discussed at the workshops. One particular “parent homework” was to make an appointment with our counselor to discuss their child’s grades, work completion, courses, and possibly other concerns. In my experience of over 13 years working at the secondary level, I have never seen so many Spanish-speaking parents—nearly 20—come in to the office, make an appointment, and meet with the counselor as I interpreted and joined the discussion when appropriate. It was such a positive experience to see this “awakening” of sorts for this relatively small group of parents and to hear them express how thankful they were for this opportunity to obtain the “knowledge and skills to partner with [Rancho] to ensure their children achieve their full potential.” At the conclusion of the workshop series, we had an insightful Principal’s Forum during which they asked a number of questions ranging from how EL students are reclassified, to how to access the Aeries Parent Portal to check work completion, to how to stay involved in the school once PIQE was completed. At the conclusion of our Q & A session we had a memorable parent “graduation” celebration. As I looked upon the parents who were in attendance, dressed for this special occasion and many with their children looking on, I saw what I had envisioned back in March when I made that first outreach to PIQE. This was the experience I had hoped to provide for these parents. As an epilogue to the above, I met with the PIQE directors two weeks after the graduation celebration and we agreed to offer PIQE again next year in Spanish and English. I look forward to our continued collaboration with PIQE for the benefit of our parents and ultimately, our students. By Carl Stice On November 7, students from Calaveras Hills High School and the Adult Education program were treated to a dynamic and engaging Map Your Future (MYF) career pathways conference, a service of Silicon Valley Career Pathways. Map Your Future is a collection of programs and services intended to provide students with the resources to explore, identify, and develop academic and career options. They offer services for students interested in earning a college degree or certificate, or in transferring to a four-year college. They also assist students with resume writing, preparing for interviews, and job search. Key partners from Silicon Valley Career Pathways and San Jose City College campus in Milpitas helped organize and provide this valuable opportunity. Calaveras Hills High School and Milpitas Adult Education students received information and career guidance from five panel members, who shared their professional and personal journeys that led them to where they are today as innovators in their respective fields. A Q&A session was followed by a pizza lunch with a lot of mingling. After lunch, attendees split up into five breakout sessions focused on Medical Science, Engineering, Public Services, Advanced Manufacturing, and Information Communication Technology. This allowed students to drill deeper into the career fields that most attracted them.
The Milpitas Community Educational Endowment Cordially invites you to the Holiday Silent Auction.
Winning Bids will be notified by Dec. 18th. Go to www.mceeholidayauction.weebly.com and start bidding now! Adapted from OpenDoorsSouthBay.org SAN JOSE, Calif. – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of adults in the Silicon Valley who do not hold a high school diploma is well into the double digits in some communities, prompting the South Bay Consortium for Adult Education (SBCAE) to launch Open Doors, a regional campaign that brings to the forefront the diverse adult education programs that put adults lacking language, literacy or technical skills on a solid path to work, school and/or career training.
In the area served by SBCAE, a partnership of five adult schools and four community colleges in Santa Clara County, the percentage of adults without a high school diploma is as high as 17.7 percent in San Jose, the consortium’s largest city, followed by 14.2 percent in Milpitas, 13.5 percent in Santa Clara and 12.9 percent in Morgan Hill, according to census data. Statewide, 18 percent of the population aged 25 and older does not have a high school diploma or equivalency, according to census data. “People often think of the Silicon Valley as a place of affluent tech workers, which is true, but it’s more diverse than that, with many low-income residents who cannot live on the wages they make and are looking for opportunities to livable wages and a better future,” said Kishan Vujjeni, co-chair of the SBCAE. “Our consortium members provide programs throughout the valley that can help this population attain the skills they need, no matter where they are in their educational journey, and transition into a career or postsecondary education.” SBCAE member organizations offer English-language classes, apprenticeship opportunities, career education courses, basic math and literacy classes and support services for adults with disabilities, with many of these programs being free. The consortium has nine transition specialists, representing each school and college, who help students identify their educational and career goals and develop a concrete path to achieving them. Adults age 18 and older are eligible to enroll in classes. Those interested can visit the campaign website to explore options and complete a short form so a transition specialist may contact them. The website includes a map that shows the location and contact information for each transition specialist. For more information, visit www.OpenDoorsSouthBay.org or call 408-918- 5100. By Doug Hughes Just one day after Milpitas Unified School District made national headlines when U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos came calling, a group of students from Calaveras and Milpitas High Schools participated in an event that Milpitas Economic Development Director Edesa Bitbadal dubbed “The First Annual” Milpitas Manufacturing Day. It was like three field trips in one, as 50 eager students boarded a bus to visit three Milpitas corporations that practice advanced manufacturing techniques right here in our own city. Pictured below, the first stop on the tour was KLA-Tencor, the leading provider of process control and yield management solutions, where students gowned up from head to toe before entering the company’s clean room. From there, students headed to Flex Manufacturing, where they learned about wearable technology, reliability testing, and additive manufacturing before grabbing lunch. The tour concluded at Cordis, a firm that is part of Cardinal Health Company. They are the worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of interventional vascular technology, with a more than 50-year history of delivering pioneering products to treat millions of patients. During the Q&A period at Cordis, students asked probing questions about the company’s products used in vascular surgery, such as: • Do the stents rust? (No, because of the special metal that is used.) • What do your customers tell you they want to see as future products? (They’d like to see us invent stents that are not metal, that dissolve in the body.) • Does your robotic manufacturing line take away people’s jobs? (No, because we need people to program and run the robots—and there are many intricate moves that can be done much better by humans.) As the “icing on top” of a wonderful day, an ice cream truck showed up to deliver sundaes and hand-dipped cones to all the participants, courtesy of the City of Milpitas Office of Economic Development and their Director Edesa Bitbadal. Judging by the smiling faces—and the fact that Bitbadal was already referring to the event as “The First Annual” Milpitas Manufacturing Day—it was an event that we can look forward to again next year! By Doug Hughes She has endured nearly ten months of intense rehab, but two weeks ago she was finally released. Known only as “Patient 16-5373,” she was lost and abandoned when Good Samaritans found her in a Milpitas landfill, where she lay immobile and severely burned—probably by a methane burner. “She” is a red-tailed hawk, and though her tail feathers were burned so badly she couldn’t fly, this “tale” has a happy ending. After being admitted to Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley on December 29, 2016, the hawk has been nurtured back to health, and on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in front of the students at William Burnett Elementary School, was released to fly once again. The school was chosen because WCSV tries to place rehabbed critters back into the wild within three miles of where they were rescued. How did this happen? Landfills attract predatory birds that prey on rodents and other smaller animals, and red-tailed hawks hunt by scanning the ground from an elevated perching site (which is why you so often see them perching on lamp posts along the freeway). Unfortunately, the tops of methane-burning smokestacks are generally the highest and most desirable perching sites at landfills. When they flare unexpectedly, a bird perching on top can be severely injured or killed. Burning methane is also clear and odorless, so birds can get injured flying above the burner. How do we know she’s a she? We didn’t know at first, but now that she is older and reached her adult weight of 1242 grams, we know that she is a female because she is too big to be a male! Male red-tailed hawks in our area typically weigh in at around 900-1100 grams, while a healthy adult female in our region can weigh up to 1400 grams. Why have we had her in care so long? We had to wait for her to molt naturally, which, depending on where a bird is in their molt cycle, can take up to a year. Since she came in with juvenile plumage and has now grown in her adult feathers (including her namesake red tail feathers), we estimate that she was born in 2016, which would make her about one-and-a-half years old now. Even though she has her adult plumage in, she will not be sexually mature for another 1-2 years. Open Enrollment for Covered California starts today. Quality, affordable healthcare is just a phone call or mouse click away.
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
The governing board of Milpitas Unified School District will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Media ResourcesArchives
July 2024
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