Volume 8, Issue 4 | February 6, 2023

If this email is clipped—or photos are not displayed—click the "View entire message" link at the bottom of the email. School LIFE is the newsletter of the Milpitas Unified School District. If you have stories for our next issue, please send them to Scott Forstner.

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Superintendent's Message

WE create the tapestry of history that is our Milpitas Story

The Ben Gross Education Park is home to our learners on Escuela Pkwy who spend time learning at the SJCC Extension. Ben Gross was one of the first people of African descent in the USA to be elected to a city council where he also served as Mayor of Milpitas in 1966. Mayor Ben Gross was a leader in developing the Sunnyhills Neighborhood, the first planned integrated community in America. On Feb. 1st at the SJCC Extension, our students were celebrating Lunar New Year. What a legacy Ben Gross and many of our community leaders established in 1954, where our young people can celebrate their Asian heritage while learning about the cultures and histories of their peers. Black History month is an opportunity for all of us to delve into discovery about our friends and community members of African Ancestry. 


Global impact --  African empires influenced history with mathematics, architecture, philosophy, trade and language.  SCCABE President Leon Beauchamp and ABEN Executive Director Debra Watkins are local leaders in Silicon Valley who have invested their lives in assuring that the Black history of art, science, technology, culture, and so much more is known to young people so that they can embody the dynamic leadership of their ancestors. Debra Watkins founded the Greene Scholars Program to further the work of Dr. Frank S. Greene, who forged pathways for people of African Ancestry to accelerate in Science Technology Engineering and Math. Dr. Greene holds the patent for the integrated circuit which elevated Fairchild in the semiconductor industry.  Dr. Mark Dean, who holds three of the nine patents on the original personal computer and envisioned a device like the iPad long before it was created, plays a major role in our Silicon Valley Tech industry. Dr. Dean said, "A lot of kids growing up today aren't told that you can be whatever you want to be. There may be obstacles, but there are no limits."


Dr. Valerie Thomas, inventor of the precursor to 3D imaging and the longest running satellite imaging program in the world is one example of a learner who knows no limits. Dr. Fern Hunt, a biomathematician who has worked with chaos theory and genetic variations is a proponent of learners finding their pathway based on what excites them in the world. Sunnyhills historians Mr. Daniel Mosqueda, Mr. Donnie Eiland, and Mr. Henry Nichols are driven by their desire to keep us focused on what is possible when we live as a community wrapped around all of our children and youth. 


Three MUSD alumni who embody what it means to live in a Culture of We where we seek to know one another are; Ms. Nyla Choates who founded My Roots are Rich, Interim Principal Chuck Gary who has returned for this school year to support our MHS students and team, and MUSD Board President, Chris Norwood. From the City of Milpitas to the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Education and beyond, our students and their families create the tapestry of history that is Our Milpitas Story.


In community,

State Board Member of Year's blog

Our History. Our Present. Our Future.

Each person past or present, employed, affiliated, attended or attending the Milpitas Unified School District is part of its unique cultural history. It’s Black, LatinX, Asian, Indian, Pacific Islander, European, and Indigenous People’s history, which have been the guiding light for our city’s brightest future. 


We share generational bonds, struggles and stories that will endure. We share an opportunity and common bond to rise above the fears of our physical, economic, societal, political, and ancestral histories. We also share hopes for ourselves and the Milpitas children who moved to our community, or were born and raised, or arrived by unintentional means.


In November 2022, Milpitas voters made electoral and cultural history again that reflect these hopes and values. We elected our first LatinX woman mayor - Carmen Montano. Carmen is a 50+ year resident, product of the Milpitas Unified School District, and former Milpitas school board member. In addition to Carmen, Milpitas voters elected Hon Lien, a 25+ year resident and our first Vietnamese woman to the Milpitas City Council. The voters also elected Anu Nakka, a 20-year resident, our first Indian woman to the governing school board of trustees. 


Milpitas will always be the City on the Hill and a beacon for All. We will wrap ourselves around our children and implore them through our actions to take their seats at the Table, in whatever life pathway they choose -- governance, tech, arts, education, athletics, music, business, medical, service, entrepreneurship, religion and more. 


In community,


Chris Norwood

Feature Stories

Four MUSD elementary schools recognized

as 2023 California Distinguished Schools

Curtner, Mattos, Pomeroy and Sinnott Elementary Schools were among 62 primary schools in Santa Clara County—and 356 throughout the state—selected as 2023 California Distinguished Schools by the California Department of Education (CDE).


“It’s an incredible honor to finally be recognized at the state level for all of the decades of hard work that our staff has put into this school in supporting our community,” said Pomeroy Principal Nichol Klein.


The California Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools for their excellent work in one of two categories: closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance.


Mattos Principal Jackie Vo Felbinger credited the school’s signature practice of establishing “learning communities” with approximately 100 students and 3-4 teachers where a teaching team and students are assigned to each learning community. This allows for teacher collaboration that supports students in the entire community with collective responsibility for every student’s success, she explained.


Click to read more about our 2023 Calif. Distinguished Schools

At the Table with Dr. King captivates, inspires students

The American Civil Rights Movement was brought to life inside the Milpitas High School Theater on Wednesday, January 18 as a group of talented musician-historians, called At the Table with Dr. King, led a multifaceted, live performance documenting the life of Martin Luther King Jr.


“The music was awesome, great singers, very inspirational,” said Milpitas HS freshman Allie Klaydman, 14.


Milpitas HS senior Kenneth Tsau, 18, agreed: “I thought the show was great. It was really powerful how they mixed music with the words of Dr. King.”


The hour-long show sets out to teach students about the American Civil Rights Movement and valuable lessons of equality and respect. Through music, poetry, historical video footage and Dr. King’s own words, At the Table also challenges students to engage in creative acts of service and leadership in their communities.


Click to read more about At the Table with Dr. King

MUSD Alumni Profile: Bob Singleton, Class of 1971

As a Grammy nominated and multi-platinum album award composer, 1971 Milpitas and Ayer High School alumnus Bob Singleton has fond scholastic memories of growing up in his hometown.


“The music programs in junior high and high school allowed me to experience writing and performing music that actually got performed,” said the now 70-year old southeast Texas resident. “It was a wonderful time with friends and faculty who shared life, experiences, music, and friendship.”


Singleton attended Spangler Elementary, Thomas Russell Middle School and Ayer High School before becoming the first Senior Class President of Milpitas High School when the campus opened in 1970-71. After which, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Composition with Honors from University of North Texas.


A composer and producer of music, including work for concerts, albums, television, churches, and feature films, Singleton spent a decade as the music director for Barney the Dinosaur during the 1990s.


Click to read more about Composer Bob Singleton

Burnett Elementary students enjoy new bond-funded playground structure


Burnett Elementary School students enjoyed the first day using their new play structure earlier this month.


Burnett Principal Hanna Asrat and Assistant Principal Brandi McMillan, with special guest MUSD Board Clerk Kelly Yip-Chuan, led a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for the bond-funded project.


Rancho MS boys basketball win 8th grade title


Rancho MS 8th grade boys basketball team won the school's third league title in the last four years with a 57-30 championship victory over Leyva.


"All I can say is that our boys determination and dedication make it a joy to coach them," said Coach Frank Castro, noting that this group of boys went undefeated over two seasons together. "I look forward to seeing them on campus at #MHS next year."

Milpitas adult learners honored

at Mid-Year ESL Promotion Ceremony

Milpitas Adult Education learner Xueyan “Amy” Guo’s educational goal is to earn a Master’s degree in Computer Science in five years. Guo was one of a trio of adult learners who were honored at the MAE Mid-Year Promotion Ceremony on January 13 before an audience of district and school leaders, adult educators and fellow adult learners.


“It takes tenacity and persistence to study English,” said Guo, who was promoted to Advanced English As a Second Language after showing her grasp of ESL4. “I want to say thanks to Milpitas Adult School. It has offered us a chance to transition into American society successfully.”


Guo’s instructor Hongyan Zheng gushed over Guo’s work ethic, perfect attendance, attentiveness and dedication to reaching her goals while still finding time to help her classmates along the way.


“Amy has shown full dedication, diligence and commitment to learning English,” said Zheng. “She has very active participation in classroom activities–collaborative work and independent work–and helping others. …She has performed excellently on our assessments.”


Click to read more about Milpitas Adult Learners

Students sparkle at

Alexander Rose Elementary School Spelling Bee


Students at Rose Elementary School competed in a school-wide Spelling Bee last week, with 6th grader Angel Yang winning the Rose Bee. Yang will now take a written test to determine if she will be eligible for the regional Scripps Spelling Bee.


In the primary grades Spelling Bee, third grader Sumiksha Kannan finished first; third grader Hanh-Vi Doan took second place; and third grader Saanvi Rai placed third. They all then competed against the intermediate grades to determine the overall school Spelling Bee champion.


Congratulations to all the Rose learners for competing in the Bee!

Students tour Innovation Campus with industry experts

in Architecture and Landscape Design seminar

Students from Rancho and Russell Middle Schools, as well as Milpitas, Calaveras and Milpitas Middle College  High Schools, participated in an Architecture and Landscape Design seminar organized by BLACH Construction this week. BLACH facilitated an outdoor learning experience for 30 of our students with lessons taught by architects from Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and ANLA Associates.


Students engaged in conversations with members of the Architecture and Landscape Design Team who designed the new Innovation Campus. Design team members walked students around the construction site and explained how and why they designed things the way they did. Students had an opportunity to see up close the construction on our new campus and ask questions from the contractors directly involved with the work being done.

Curtner Elementary families, staff help to beautify campus for MLK Day of Service


Curtner Elementary School students, staff and parents went all out to help beautify their campus as well as organize donations of winter jackets and books during a MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 16.


TK, Kinder families learn math strategies at Rose Elementary family night


FAMILY FUN! Alexander Rose Elementary School hosted a family night for its Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten families to teach them math games and strategies that they can do at home.


Each student received a kit to use at home to continue their learning.


MHS NJROTC join Assemblymember Lee for Swearing In Ceremony


Milpitas High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps joined Assemblymember Alex Lee for his swearing in ceremony held at Milpitas HS last month.


Lee, an alumnus of Sinnott Elementary School, Rancho Milpitas Middle School and Milpitas HS, was a student cadet in the NJROTC. He was victorious in the November 2022 election and represents the 25th Assembly District encompassing Fremont, San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, and Newark.

MHS student artists work on their brush control and learn about Harlem Renaissance


Milpitas HS student artists in Ms. Mollot's class researched artists from the Harlem Renaissance as part of their recent art project. One such artist, Jacob Lawrence, was an American painter known for his portrayal of African-American historical subjects and contemporary life.


"The students did their own research and then picked an artist for their project," explained Mollot, who shared books on several artists with her students. "They are learning about brush control. Everything is nice and straight and clean."

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