Volume 4, Issue 3 | December 21, 2018
If this email is clipped—or photos are not displayed—click the "View entire message" link at the bottom of the email. Campus Connections is the newsletter of the Milpitas Unified School District. If you have stories for our next issue, please send them to  Shannon Carr .
Superintendent's Message
News and Events
The Milpitas Unified School District was successful during the election conducted on November 6, 2018, to issue up to $284 million of the District’s general obligation bonds (Measure AA). The District will establish a Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), which has the duties and rights set forth in the CBOC bylaws.

The purpose of the CBOC is to provide oversight and accountability on the expenditures funded by Measure AA to ensure that the said funds are spent for the purposes approved by the voters. The CBOC monitors the expenditures of these funds by the District and reports to the Board of Education and the community, on an annual basis on how these funds have been spent. An annual audit is a part of the CBOC’s report to the Board.
 
The District is requesting written applications for the seven (7) openings based on criteria established by Proposition 39. The applicant must either be:

  1. (1) One member: The parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District
  2. (1) One member: A parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and active in a parent-teacher organization, such as the P.T.A. or a school site council.
  3. (1) One member: Active in a business organization representing the business community located in the District.
  4. (1) One member: Active in a senior citizens organization.
  5. (1) One member: Active in a taxpayers association.
  6. (2) Two members: From the community at large.
 
To be qualified, candidates must be at least 18 years of age. The Committee may not include any employee or official of the District, or any vendor, contractor, or consultant of the District. The appointed member shall serve a 1-2 year term outlined in the CBOC Bylaws. The committee members shall not be compensated for their services. The committee shall meet approximately four times a year. All meetings shall be held within the Milpitas Unified School District in Santa Clara County.
 
For more information, or to request an application form, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (408) 635-2600 ext. 6031 or  click here to download the form . A Board subcommittee, consisting of two Board members and the Superintendent, will review and evaluate the applications. Selected applicants will be contacted for the interview process. 

DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS: January 7, 2019 by 4 p.m.
The Milpitas Beat: "Rancho Middle School students raise money for wildfire victims"
The following article was originally published by The Milpitas Beat on December 21, 2018. It was written by Rhoda Shapiro .

When Rancho Middle School Art Teacher Jim Coulson played the film “Pay It Forward” (2000) for his homeroom class to watch, he couldn’t have possibly imagined the sparks it would set off…

Based on a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, “Pay it Forward” centers on a young kid who, inspired by his social studies teacher, comes up with the idea of responding to the good deeds that are done to you by doing favors for three other people, thus setting off a wave of transformation. 
Inspired by the film, Coulson’s class, which is comprised of 22 7th graders, decided to do something of their own that would make an impact in the world… 

For three weeks in October, the class poured effort into raising money for the victims of natural fire disasters in California.

“There’s always something happening where people are in need,” said Coulson. “And with the fires happening in California, it doesn’t look like it will get any better. So we talked about it. And they said, ‘Let’s raise money for the American Red Cross’, since they’re out there doing the best they can to help this situation.” 

Armed with a large bucket and a desire to do something meaningful, Coulson’s students went around to all of the morning’s advisory classes and spread the word about what they were doing; they even spent time during their breaks and lunch periods looking for donations. 
As a result of their efforts, this past Friday, December 14, the students proudly presented a check of $802 to American Red Cross Board Member Tami Cabaniss, who was ecstatic to receive it. 

Promoting reading in the Milpitas High School library
by LeighAnn McCready, MHS Librarian

One of the biggest challenges as a high school librarian with today’s teens is how to keep them reading for fun? Yes, there are those book lovers that fall in love at an early age, but how to engage some of the others? This fall one of the focuses has been on actively promoting reading and engaging students in different ways.

What I’m Reading --This simple idea came from a session I attended at the CA School Library Association Conference in February. I laminated the sign and use overhead markers to change the titles when they change. I include audiobooks in the reading too.  I added to that a “What I’ve Read” list with book cover images that I update and post near my office door. Some are titles in the library and some are just my personal interest titles. These simple changes have sparked questions and conversations with students this year. I’ve also posted a monthly Top 5 on the front of the circulation desk that shows what books are most popular with the students too.

Spangler holds first ever Breakfast with Santa
Anthony Spangler Elementary School held its first annual Breakfast with Santa event Saturday, December 15. Thanks to the group effort, the school raised more than $1,500 and more than 200 people attended. All proceeds will go towards purchasing safety equipment, such as walkie talkies or a mobile cabinet cart.

The school gave shout outs to Teri Loo and Liz Riddley for helping with the shopping as well as at the event; Lena MacKenzie, Jolly Manuel and Amber Blanco for helping at the event; Chris Collins for lending decorations; all the classes who made ornaments to decorate the multi-use room; Jen Grubaugh and Gabby Castello for staying late on a Friday afternoon to help decorate; and Assistant Principal Kristina Ravo for organizing and overseeing the entire event!
Rose Elementary School hosts Donuts with Dad
On Friday, December 7 the TK and Kindergarten classes held their third annual Donuts with Dad event. Dads, grandpas, brothers, uncles, and any important male figure in the TK/Kinder students’ lives were invited to join their TK/K child to enjoy donuts, juice, water, and coffee before school to listen to some fun music and engage in conversation.They could also take pictures at a photo booth that the children created by making paper donuts. Approximately 50 families participated in this event. (Moms will get their turn during Muffins with Mom in May)
Russell Science Olympiad team participates in first ever mock competition
By Russell Science Department

Russell Science Olympiad team experienced a slice of the scope and scale of Science Olympiad on Thursday, December 6 in our first ever mock competition. In its 35th year, Science Olympiad is a nationally-recognized Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) competition aims to promote science literacy. The purpose of this mock competition is to ready the team for the four upcoming competitions against a total of over fifty schools across the region. Language barriers and zero STEM-related competition experience did not deter some of these 26 students to volunteer to be on the Russell team. In this mock competition, these Olympians competed in 23 different events ranging from astronomy to zoology, with each student competing in at least three different events throughout the day. 

The arrival of Ms. Meyer, one of the Milpitas High School Science Olympiad coaches, and MHS team captains and other members of the MHS team was the highlight of the day. The MHS students were Anson Pham, Britney Weng, Christian Santos, Johnny Huang, Lisa Yan, Michelle M. Nguyen, Samantha Dvorochkin, and Vivian Tseng. These amazing upperclassmen and women taught our 7th and 8th graders how to drill perfectly with the right bit, sand efficiently with a power tool, and partner effectively with the best strategy. Another big thank-you goes to Russell’s Makers’ Dojo students, who spent almost two weeks custom-designing the written portion of each event. Lastly, thanks to Russell’s principal Mr. James, all Russell and MHS students were adequately and sufficiently fed!

Good luck to all Milpitas Science Olympians!

National Junior Honor Society donates 700+ books
Rancho Milpitas Middle School's chapter of the National Junior Honor Society's first service project was to collect books appropriate for children and young adults, and to donate them to the Milpitas Food Pantry in time for the holidays. Rancho students and staff generously donated over 700 books, and NJHS delivered them to the organization in early December.
Students meet Brandon Crawford during grant reception
On November 29, Sinnott Student Body President Jeremiah Angeles and Vice President Nia Gupte traveled with Assistant Principal Kristan Prolo to AT&T Park to take part in the "Step Up To The Plate" grant reception. At the park, the students were able to meet Brandon Crawford and collect an oversized check now on display in the office. This awarded grant will fund the addition of lacrosse gear to expose students to the fastest growing sport in California and give the students another way to be active while at school. They hope to have the gear in use when the weather warms up and dries out in the Spring.   
That same day, Rancho Milpitas Middle School students Solomon Dunn and Kianna Belen met Crawford, alongside teacher Beth Kohn. Kohn wrote a grant to purchase books for the school's English Language Arts classes that reflect the diversity of the student body. They they received the check accompanied by students at AT&T Park Crawford and Wells Fargo.
MUSD employees honored at SCCOE celebration
Curtner Assistant Principal Stephanie Park and Milpitas High School teacher Kaila Schwartz received awards during the 49th annual Teacher Recognition Celebration, put on by the Santa Clara County Office of Education. This video highlights the work of our star employees.
Board Highlights
The Milpitas Unified School District Board of Education and Superintendent Cheryl Jordan would like to wish you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year. (From left: Michael Tsai, Cheryl Jordan, Daniel Bobay, Kelly Yip-Chuan, Chris Norwood, and Hon Lien)
Two new Board Members, returning Trustee sworn into office
A General Election was held in Santa Clara County, for the Milpitas Unified School District, on November 6, 2018 for the purpose of electing three Governing Board Members to the Board of Education. During the December 11 Board Meeting, returning Board Member Chris Norwood, and Kelly Yip-Chuan and Michael Tsai were administered the Oath of Office by Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. Yip-Chuan earned her seat with 10,071 votes (28.44 %) while Chris Norwood received 9,856 votes (27.83%), and Michael Tsai received 9, 414 votes (26.58%).
Patti Gairaud receives #WEareMUSDChampions award
Superintendent Jordan and Trustees honored Patti Gairaud, Transition Specialist at Milpitas Adult Education, who was chosen as the November certificated employee winner in the District's #WEareMUSDChampionsprogram.

Gairaud was chosen for the award after being nominated by Giuliana Brahim, Principal of Adult Education and Corrections. Brahim said Gairaud has demonstrated her work with the following Strategic Goal: "Focus services and support systems to ensure that all students are engaged in their learning and are making social, emotional, and academic gains."

Before she came up to take a picture with the Board, a video (left) about her work was played for attendees at the meeting.

Are you an MUSD employee who wants to nominate a colleague?   Do so now online .
Coach Perry Pham recognized as Classified Champion
During the November 27 Board Meeting, Superintendent Jordan and Trustees honored Perry Pham, PE Coach at Rose Elementary School, who was chosen as the November classified employee winner in the District's #WEareMUSDChampionsprogram.

Pham was chosen for the award after being nominated by kindergarten teacher Lisa Masoud. Masoud said Pham has demonstrated his work with the following Strategic Goal: "Focus services and support systems to ensure that all students are engaged in their learning and are making social, emotional, and academic gains."

Before he came up to take a picture with the Board, a video (right) about his work was played for attendees at the meeting.
Committee for Milpitas Schools volunteers honored
Bond Measure AA passed in the November 6, 2018 election by a 71.41 percent margin, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office,

The election followed months of preparation including precinct walking and phone-banking by an independent campaigning committee that included parents, staff members, a student, and a member of the TBWB consulting firm.

That team was honored by the Board and Superintendent Cheryl Jordan at the meeting on December 11.
Construction Delivery Methods Study Session
by Joe Flatley, Director of Facilities Modernization

On December 11, the Board of Education, Executive Cabinet, and Staff met with District attorney Glenn Gould of  Orbach Huff Suarez + Henderson ,  and facilities planning consultant Bill Savidge to discuss construction delivery methods . Construction delivery methods are different means for the District to contract with and work with builders and project designers. The following delivery methods were presented: traditional design-bid-build (with general contractor), construction manager multiple prime, lease lease-back, and design-build. The pros and cons of each were presented and the Board asked related questions. 
Board Report: Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) for Bond Measure AA
by Joe Flatley, Director of Facilities Modernization

Staff, members of the Santa Clara San Benito Building Trades Council (David Bini and Cherie Cabral), and Tony Mirenda of Blach Construction presented to the Board and Executive Cabinet the merits of using a Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) as part of the 2018 Bond Measure AA. A PSA is essentially the same as a project labor agreement - which is a commitment between the building trades and agency to partner on specific projects. The PSA will encourage local participation in our projects, create apprenticeship opportunities, and protect the District against potential grievances filed by specific trades. 
Upcoming Events


Join the Kiwanis Club of Milpitas' 15th annual MUSD Crabfeed and Auction Friday, February 8, 2019 from 5-9 p.m. Sandy Stec, a past MUSD student and local celebrity will be our MC and share her talents with us. And once again our amazing MUSD football players will be serving and welcoming our guests. Buy tickets online now .
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MUSD | Phone: (408) 635-2600