Milpitas Unified School District has been selected by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE) as one of 20 public school districts in California to receive the title of 2016 Honor Roll School District.
The Honor Roll is part of a national effort to identify higher-performing schools and highlight successful practices that improve outcomes for students. School districts receiving this distinction have demonstrated consistent high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time, and reduction in achievement gaps among student populations. The Honor Roll recognition also includes measures of college readiness. “We are proud to recognize those schools and school districts who are succeeding in putting their students on a path of productivity that not only leads to success in the classroom, but also prepares them to contribute to and benefit from a more productive economy,” said Greg Jones, ERP and CBEE Board Chairman. “Leadership from both education and the business community is critical to linking success from one system to the next, and ensuring that students have the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve a college degree and the financial security of a living wage job.” “The Honor Roll proves that many schools are doing well, even those with high numbers of historically disadvantaged students,” said Jim Lanich, ERP President and CEO. “These schools are clearly doing something right and all schools, no matter what zip code they are in, can achieve this kind of success. School and school district leadership have a great opportunity to find out what’s working at these Honor Roll schools and replicate it.” The California Honor Roll program is made possible with generous support from numerous businesses and organizations including Automobile Club of Southern California, Macy’s, Wells Fargo, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, and several private foundations. Chevron Corporation provides support for the STEM Honor Roll. A full list of the Honor Roll schools, districts, and the STEM awardees can be found online. For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr,
Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, Board Members, Principals, and managers throughout Milpitas Unified celebrated the contributions that classified school employees provide every day to ensure the quality education of more than 10,000 students throughout the school district. The recognition began with a resolution, adopted by the Board of Education during its meeting on May 9, declaring the week of May 21-27, 2017 as Classified School Employee Week in Milpitas Unified School District. “The classified school employees of (the District) provide efficient and effective support and ancillary services that are essential ingredients to excellent teaching, sound administration, and high student achievement,” the resolution states. To wrap up the weeklong celebration, 14 administrators were matched with a classified employee who they shadowed for two hours on May 26 at various school sites and departments during Appreciating Classified Employees (ACE) Day. That morning, Board President Daniel Bobay joined Latino Liaison Norma Morales in visiting the homes of families from throughout the district and giving students awards while Wendy Zhang, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, was raking leaves and helping clean the grounds of Milpitas High School alongside Steve Gomes; Venus Cenizal, Coordinator of Learning and Development, donned a lunch lady hairnet to join Peter Neddersen in Student Nutrition Services’ Central Kitchen; and Spangler Assistant Principal Katelin McClure paired with locksmith Cindy Winborn, among others. “This is a great way to end the week that is set aside to appreciate the work that classified employees do throughout the year, 24 hours a day,” Machelle Kessinger, president of Classified School Employees Association Chapter 281, said during an end-of-day taco fiesta. During the event, employees came together to hear what it was like for participants to step into the shoes of classified employees, if even for just a brief time. Dr. Sheila Murphy-Brewer, Executive Director of Human Relations, shared out her experience joining Dispatcher/Bus Driver Russ Huber 6:30 a.m. at the bus depot to get a start on that morning’s routine with the daily safety check followed by that day’s route. The highlight, she said, was really watching how the bus drivers “learn the personality of each student that hops on the bus.” Murphy-Brewer added this was particularly impressive because many of the students Huber drives are non-verbal or have challenges communicating. “Russ never missed a beat.,” she said. “He understood every word out of every child’s mouth and they never stopped asking him questions. … It was heartwarming.” Superintendent Jordan noted that in following Anastacio Barajas, a custodian at Rancho Milpitas Middle School, she really began to understand his deep connection with the students. He not only knows the students’ names, but mentors the children and is even a part of the Latino Student Union. “Our classified staff truly are everyday heroes, and I witnessed that with the person I shadowed today,” she said. “...It was very good to spend my time with him. And I really am grateful that we have this in place because it builds connections with us and helps us walk in your shoes so we get a better idea of how you support our school district.” Milpitas Adult Education students share their journey of transformation during graduation ceremony6/9/2017
For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr,
Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Graduates from the Milpitas Adult Education program proudly moved their tassels from the right to left side of their cap after they were announced as the Class of 2017 on May 31, a seconds-long motion that captured what for some seemed an almost insurmountable goal after years of struggle. “Adult education is about transformation and lifelong learning,” Giuliana Brahim, Assistant Principal of Milpitas Adult Education, said in welcoming attendees to the ceremony. “Everyone does not follow a straight path, a traditional educational path. For many, life circumstances, peer pressure, and other choices get in the way of completing school. Some immigrant adults have faced other challenges that get in the way of their education. But that need not be the end. Adult education provides people opportunity to complete that education and keep on learning. Today, you have seized this opportunity. Congratulations.” Approximately 16 students participated in the cap-and-gown ceremony that evening in the Milpitas High School theater. There were close to 100 students total who completed secondary graduation requirements from the Milpitas program -- which includes a site at the District Office and classes at Elmwood Correctional Facility -- either by receiving their high school diploma through 190 credit hours of academic study in the independent study program or successfully passing the General Education Development (GED) test or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET). “We recognize our social responsibility to embrace adult education for all that wish to improve and enrich their lives,” Board President Daniel Bobay said during his commencement speech. “Adult Education is our duty and responsibility, and the fruits of that labor sits over here today and those we celebrate who are absent. You have graduated this level, and I encourage you to continue your education, keep learning new things. Go and earn your AA degree, your bachelor’s degree, even your master’s degree, or your doctorate.” Dennise Ponce from the GED Program; Angelika Regine Sanchez from the Independent Studies program; and Mackey Phillips from the HiSET program were among this year’s graduating class. They each shared their personal stories of struggle and the dreams and people that helped them overcome difficult obstacles in order to reach such an important next step in their life. For Phillips, it was teachers Denise Hollabaugh and Joseph Baiza, who “refused to give up on me” even though he had difficulty in class, noting not being in school since 1985. "Between the both of them, they helped me achieve something I never thought I would ever do: get my HSE (high school equivalency),” he said. “I am finding that having my HSE is just the beginning. Now I can become whatever I put my heart and mind to. I’ve always wanted to become a certified welder and with a high school education, I can now pursue that goal by entering the welding apprenticeship program where I can earn while I learn this coming July.” Angelika Regine Sanchez recognized that while the ceremony undoubtedly marked the first step toward a better future, “the road that lies ahead of us will not be easy to take,” she said. “There will be many obstacles and many roadblocks. There will be times when each of us feel like we can’t do it. But with all these things happening, we can overcome any obstacle that life throws at us. … Now it’s time to take the next step in our journey and start building our lives. Thank you and congratulations to the Class of 2017.” Approximately 1,300 students were enrolled at Ayer Adult School in the English as a Second Language (ESL), High School Equivalency (HSE), and Remedial Education programs, in addition to what is offered at Elmwood during the 2016-17 fiscal year, according to Brahim. Classes will begin again in August, and tuition is free for ESL, Adult Basic Education (ABE), and HSE preparation classes. For more information, visit https://adulted.musd.org. Greetings Milpitas Parents! Summer is right around the corner. While your children are probably looking forward to free time with friends, many teachers and parents are concerned about "summer slide" the common decline in students' academic skills over summer break. There are things that you can do as a parent to not only prevent summer learning loss, but also to give your child a head start on next year's learning. Preventing learning loss doesn’t require a huge time commitment, it just requires consistency. A little practice each day goes a long way. In addition to visiting local museums or borrowing books from your local library, Milpitas Unified School District would like to suggest using CK12 BrainFlex. CK12 provides high quality, online education materials for students and teachers. It’s easy to use, it’s free and your child can use it anytime, anywhere. Encourage your child to do one simple thing this summer: practice every day. Here’s all you need to do:
There is still time remaining to sign up and wait for the program to start. In the meantime, we recommend their adaptive practice to supplement your child's learning! See the topics below. ![]() For the 17th year, the 501(c) 3 non-profit Synopsys Outreach Foundation is offering a summer series of FREE teacher training seminars---day-long, grade and subject specific, approved for 0.5 CEUs per class, and providing a donation of materials to the participant’s school (and held at Oak Grove HS). Click here for course descriptions and click here to register for SuperSchool classes. Got (Plants) Science? Grades K-8, July 11 Plants: Their Parts and What We Do With Them, Grades 3-8, July 13 Got (Animal) Science? Grades K-8, July 18 Waves: Light, Sound, Action! Grades 4-12 July 20 By Irene Hentschke
Milpitas High School art teacher This year's annual Milpitas High School (MHS) art show, held May 16-18, was a feast for the eyes. It featured artwork from a program which has over 1,000 students taking Art Exploration, Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Photography, Ceramics and AP Drawing classes. The Glee Club performed with irresistible tunes to visiting Zanker students and ceramics teacher Jeff Albrecht demonstrated throwing on the wheel to a captured audience. Visitors kept the small gym filled with inspired crowds. Many parents came to support their artists. In addition, this year freshly painted benches found permanent homes at MHS next at administrative offices, the library, Career Center, P.E. locker rooms and teacher classrooms. Seven painting scholarships went out to talented MHS students from this outstanding program. We are very proud of our MHS artists who demonstrated their creativity and personal expression throughout the diverse portfolio displayed at this year's MHS Art Show. Sixth graders from Pomeroy Elementary School concluded their Project Based Learning project "Let's Get Active" about the Body Systems with a 5K run on May 19.
That morning, every sixth grader was able to complete the run, cheered on by the entire school, according to Snemer Anand, Pomeroy science teacher and event organizer. "The Project Based Learning brought real life connections to the students," Anand said. "By being physically challenged they were able to understand the need to study all the systems. It generated a lot of enthusiasm and a feeling of accomplishment." Leading up to the event, sixth graders put forth arguments supported by evidence as to how the body is a system of interacting subsystems. Instead of just stating facts they came up with Thinking Maps and PowToon videos. They also trained for 12 weeks before school and during physical education for running the 5K. They documented changes in mood and energy levels, and measured heart rate before and after exercise. ![]() By Nanci Pass and Damon James Principals, Rose Elementary School and Thomas Russell Middle School Milpitas Unified School District held its Every Student Succeeding Breakfast on May 12. Officially, each elementary school nominates one student while middle schools nominate two students, the high school nominates four students, Cal Hills nominates one student, and Adult Ed nominates one student. Every school uses a different nomination criteria; it is open to any student who has shown remarkable growth and perseverance despite challenges and obstacles in their lives. The event was created several years ago by the Milpitas Management Association and really embodies and represents the spirit of perseverance and the District’s beliefs of every student being valued, challenged, and successful. The Every Student Succeeding program honors students who exceed our expectations and the adults who support them along the way. They face life’s challenges head on and this recognition is an opportunity to highlight the young men and women who have overcome great obstacles to succeed. Their stories are remarkable and their futures are bright. Damon James, Principal of Thomas Russell Middle School, shared the following firsthand account of his student who Nanci Pass, Principal of Rose Elementary School, said was inspirational to hear about: Victor Zamora Gregory Peck said, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do!” Victor is one tough young man. Every student has a unique story that helps to shape that individual’s character. For Victor, his life changed dramatically in the fourth grade. For that was they year, that his father was deported. Sometimes we all make mistakes, and unfortunately Victor’s father one that caused him to be separated from his family. The following year in fifth grade, Victor, his 8 siblings, and his mother were evicted from their apartment in East Palo Alto due to some questionable actions of his older brothers. Emotionally, he was distressed about seeing his father leave, and some of his sibling were demonstrating some out of control behavior at home. Fortunately, his mother sought the members of her church for support, and she was able to place the children in varied homes temporarily. Victor was placed with teacher Catherine Petersen, who Victor refers to as his guardian for about one year. Shortly afterward, Victor’s aunt was able to raise the funds to have Victor’s father return. And from there, Victor and his entire family were reunited to a dwelling in Stockton. But, his older siblings continued to be an issue, affecting the entire home, so Victor’s parents placed them in group homes. Victor’s first year back with his family was OK. Victor maintained somewhat average grades, but the following year, Victor failed every class except for physical education. Victor had the vision to know that in his current situation he would not succeed, so he asked his parents if he could return to his guardian’s home in Union City. They agreed, and because Victor’s guardian is also known as Milpitas Teacher, Ms. Petersen, Victor was able to enroll in Thomas Russell Middle School in August of 2016. Initially, school was difficult. Victor spent a lot of time trying to learn the material that he did not learn the previous year and manage a completely different style of learning at Russell. But by going straight home each day and working with his guardian until 10 or 11 p.m. each night until about February, Victor improved tremendously. His current GPA is 3.83 and his last grading report reflected all As. What drives Victor is getting into a good high school, and he knows that performing well now will pay off later. Victor’s hopes include being a good person, getting good job, and staying out of trouble. Victor’s track coach, Mr. Dutra, said that Victor has a great attitude and always picks up his teammates. Victor we are so happy that you chose to attend Thomas Russell Middle School. Your success is a testament to your drive and motivation, and we are proud of you. Victor’s story is not known by many students or adults at Russell. He wants no special attention and nor recognition. He believes everyone should make decisions that will help them for their future. Yet again, another Russell student with wisdom beyond his years. Victor this is precisely why we think you are amazing. ¡Víctor, tú eres increíble! Isaiah Johnson, who stars as George Washington in the cast of nationally touring musical "Hamilton," visited Rancho Milpitas Middle School staff and students on Wednesday (May 24). The visit was the result of a contest, held April 17 through May 5 among 667 schools in the Bay Area. The top three schools with the most Newsela articles read (there were points given for correct answers on the quiz/assessment that students took after reading an article) received a visit from a cast member of Hamilton. Rancho came in second place, with more than 22,000 articles read in the contest. For immediate release Contact: Shannon Carr,
Board Support & Communications Specialist (408) 635-2600, ext. 6031 Approximately 354 Milpitas High School seniors were honored for earning a combined total of more than $2 million in scholarships during Senior Awards Night on May 17. “It is one of my favorite events during the year,” Board President Daniel Bobay said. “We get to see the achievements of our students in their senior year and it’s very nice to see the kids that are going off to college at some of the most prestigious institutes in the world from our high school. It’s very encouraging. It always refuels me at the end of the year, and it puts a big smile on my face.” In opening the event, Principal Phil Morales talked boastingly about the accomplishments of the Class of 2017. “This year’s senior class is truly impressive,” he said. “In the fall of next year, we will have approximately 82 students attending a UC, approximately 155 attending a CSU, 24 will be at private universities, at least 12 will be heading out of state, four will attend art schools, 254 have plans for community colleges, and eight will be moving into their military careers.” From those, a student who will be attending Yale, two who will be heading to Stanford, three to Santa Clara University, 91 to San Jose State University, and many others who will be spending their college life in various locations across the United States. The 2017 Valedictorian is Justin Tso who earned a 4.55 weighted grade point average (GPA) and will attend University of California at Los Angeles and the Salutatorian Kinbert Chou earned a 4.53 weighted GPA and will attend Stanford. “Our students are the pride of our Milpitas community,” Superintendent Cheryl Jordan said. “They are who we in MUSD work for, and on nights such as the Senior Awards, I feel tremendous joy, and a strong sense of connection to all those who have touched the lives of each of these determined students. Congratulations to our seniors and their families!” During the event, students were awarded scholarships and grants based on the qualities and characteristics that they have shown during their time at Milpitas High School. “We tried to calculate the combined amount that these students have earned in scholarships and grants, but know that not all awards have been given out yet,” Morales said. “At this point, we proudly say that these students being honored here tonight have earned nearly $2.4 million dollars given by extremely generous donors.” More than 250 students received the Gold Chord for earning a 3.25 unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) or 3.5 weighted GPA; 144 students received a Maroon Chord for completing 150 hours or more of Community Service; 100 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; 226 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; and five 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. “I want you to look around and see all the people in the room celebrating with you,” Morales said, in opening the program. “From the people in our community to make Milpitas a safe city to live in, the school board and district office people who make sure that you have the opportunity for a quality education, your administration, counselors, school staffing, and teachers, who give to you and encourage you each day. Then look at the faces of the loved ones who are here to celebrate. Take a moment to acknowledge their support in helping you to be here tonight. This is a celebration for all of us, and that means thank you parents.” Marissa Canez, Milpitas High School’s College and Career Technician and coordinator of Senior Awards Night, shared her pride in the ceremony. “My favorite part of the event was seeing all the students dressed so nice with big smiles on their faces,” she said. “It made me so proud of all their hard work and to be recognized personally in front of their families and special guests.” |
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
Categories |