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from the April 28, 2020 meeting
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Newest School Board Member Hai Minh Ngo sworn in by Mayor Tran
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Milpitas Unified School District's governing body welcomed its newest board member, Hai Minh Ngo, who took the oath of office in unique fashion, at the April 28 Board of Education meeting.
Following Social Distance Protocols, Ngo was sworn in by City of Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran, with both wearing cloth face masks.
“I cannot speak enough about Minh’s character, his integrity, his honesty, and just the way he treats people. Tonight is a historic night for Minh and for our community," said Tran prior to leading the oath. "As you can see we are doing it a little different this time around. …I know with the addition of Minh the board will get even stronger.”
The oath was conducted inside the Board Room, with President Hon Lien, Vice President Chris Norwood, and Clerk Kelly Yip-Chuan, as well as Superintendent Cheryl Jordan and her executive cabinet, in attendance and social distancing. The Board then took a brief recess while everyone logged into Zoom for the virtual meeting in separate locations.
Ngo will serve the remainder of the term for the board member vacancy through November 2020. His seat will then be up for election on Nov. 3, 2020.
“I first want to congratulate Minh for winning the election in such a decent manner. At a time of so much negativity in our political atmosphere at both local and national levels, you ran such a great campaign, which shows respect for the process,” President Lien said. “I would like to welcome you to the MUSD family again.”
Ngo, a father of three and active parent volunteer, brings a depth of experience from the financial district to the MUSD Board. He
won a three-candidate race in the March 3 special election.
"The journey to get here tonight has just been incredible. It’s really been an enlightening path,” Ngo said.
Ngo earned endorsements from the Milpitas Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association, as well as the unions of the Milpitas Police Department and the Milpitas Fire Department. “Coincidentally, these are the civic workers who are working tirelessly to keep our community educated and safe,” Ngo said. “In today’s changing environment, it’s been challenging for a lot of our families, but together we will get through it and together we will ensure that our children’s future is intact.”
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Board recognizes quartet of student-led nonprofits supporting others during pandemic
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MiIpitas High School student Isabella Morrison created her nonprofit Milpitas Gives Back as a way for community members to express their gratitude for essential workers with thank you letters that she combines into collages and makes
videos
to present to them.
"I think that the community support is definitely a big factor in motivating these people and reminding them why they do what they do," said Morrison, who has collected 40 letters over four weeks.
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Milpitas High School's Black Student Union President Nyla Choates established her nonprofit My Roots Are Rich, with the first project called Reading for a Cause. Choates enlists different readers and produces
virtual story-time
promoting African American culture.
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Reading for enjoyment, historical context, and factual knowledge builds social, literacy, and language skills,” said the Junior Class President, who posts the videos weekly on YouTube.
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Milpitas High School junior Kate Le was part of a student group that formed
Corona-Covery
to help deliver groceries and supplies to the homes of senior citizens and people with disabilities.
"We are trying to make shopping for necessities a safer and easier process for those who might be more vulnerable at this time," said Le, whose nonprofit has raised $1,000. "We've made a couple of successful deliveries and there's more to come."
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Milpitas High School junior Amy Stanley's
ProjectMaskify
nonprofit organization has produced and delivered hundreds of Personal Protective Equipment masks to different groups of first responders.
"ProjectMaskify is a local youth-led organization that strives to equip our first-line of defense, our healthcare workers, with PPEs to protect them against COVID-19,” said Stanley, who has enlisted high schoolers across the Bay Area to help her cause.
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Board approves Autism Acceptance Resolution after special video reading
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The Board unanimously approved Resolution 2020.32 Recognizing and Honoring April as Autism Acceptance Month.
The resolution was developed by Kavita Sreedhar, Kishan Sreedhar, Attreyu Velasco, Michelle Pham, Nikhil Kichili, Nitin Ramesh, and Amrit Gill. They then
produced this video reading of the
Autism Acceptance Resolution.
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Principal's Report highlights distance learning, student engagement at Mattos Elementary
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Mabel Mattos Elementary School Principal Jackie Vo-Felbinger, teacher Vivian Sun, third grader Saanvi Shah, secretary Marian Leung, and parent/PTA President Tania Kondratiuk presented to the Board, with a focus on implementing the EducatEveryWhere flexible learning model to families while providing a nurturing and culturally responsive school environment.
Mattos
staff virtually met with its families to introduce them to and help them navigate EducatEveryWhere while schooling at their homes. Shah explained how she enjoys the flexibility of MUSD's distance learning model, which allows her to set her own pace of working through different lessons. She noted her typing skills have improved already.
There has been 100 percent student engagement on EducatEverywhere, according to Vo-Felbinger. Mattos has continued its spirit days and allows for student expression through art, music, poetry and video during the Shelter in Place.
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Milpitas High School gym, Performing Arts Center updated plans presented to Board
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Representatives from the LPA architectural firm, MUSD's master architect for design of Milpitas High School's second gymnasium and Performing Arts Center, presented its updated plan.
They met with stakeholders, including Milpitas High School Principal, Athletic Director, Physical Education Department Lead, and staff of Music, Theater and Performing Arts, to learn what the program and space needs are for each and incorporate them into the design.
Updated plans
include more athletic courts for the PE Department to maximize gym space, as well as a weight room, exercise room and training room for the Athletics Department. The second gym will also have flexible space for athletics and PE and student activities such as rallies The gym floor will encompass nine badminton, four volleyball and one full-size basketball court with five rows of bleachers for 200 spectators, storage rooms, restrooms and locker rooms.
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