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METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT
February 26, 2026
CTE Newsletter Vol. 12 Issue 6
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- SVCTE 2026 Registration Open
- CTE Summer Exploration Registration
- 142 SVCTE Students Qualify for SkillsUSA State Competition
- MetroED Celebrates CTE Month
- MetroED Receives $200k Sobrato Philanthropies Grant
- Save the Date: Car Show Fri., May 1
- CTE Student Panel
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- Fire Science Students Visit Helipad
- Culinary Students Participate in Super Bowl Event
- SVAE Student Leaders Host Book Exchange
- SVAE HSE Students Prepare for Success
- Follow Us–Social Media
- Share District Stories
| | If email is clipped or photos are not displayed, click "View entire message" link at the bottom of the email. | | |
Greetings!
In the book CTE Reimagined: The Blueprint for Education’s Future, Kristy Volesky writes, “Career technical education was never meant to just fill jobs; it was meant to build communities.”
At MetroED, we have the privilege of providing extraordinary opportunities for students across Santa Clara County to explore their interests, develop their skills, and leave our programs with a plan to pursue their dreams. And when students move with both vision and direction, the impact extends far beyond individual success.
- Communities grow stronger.
- Families gain stability and opportunity.
- Local industries gain skilled and motivated contributors.
- Neighborhoods gain leaders, problem-solvers, and creators.
As you read this newsletter, think about the young people and adults in your life, including those who are ready to take the next step toward a career as well as those who are still exploring their path. Wherever they are in their journey, we invite you to share with them the opportunities available this summer and fall at MetroED.
In this issue, you will meet students who are:
- Earning college credit while still in high school
- Stepping into leadership through SkillsUSA
- Exploring emerging industries
- Gaining real-world experience alongside professionals in the field
You’ll read real stories about students discovering purpose through Fire Science, expressing creativity through Fashion Design, and building confidence through hands-on learning connected directly to their future.
At MetroED, we are committed to ensuring that every student has access to experiences that move them from uncertainty to possibility, and from possibility to a plan.
If you share a passion for expanding access to life-changing opportunities, we invite you to connect with the MetroED Foundation through your gift of time and own sense of contribution to our community. The Foundation’s mission is to provide access and scholarships for MetroED high school and adult students who are motivated to build careers in high-demand, skilled fields.
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Erin O'Neill
Superintendent
| | SVCTE 2026-27 Registration Now Open | | |
Registration for the 2026–27 school year at SVCTE is now open. View the courses’ brochure here. It is also available in Spanish and Vietnamese. SVCTE is open to all 10-12th-grade students in Santa Clara County.
We’re proud to share that all courses are UC “a–g” approved, giving students the opportunity to meet college entrance requirements while gaining hands-on, career-connected experience taught by industry professionals. Students explore interests, build practical skills, and get a head start on college or a career. Each year, nearly 1,500 students from more than 45 schools participate and have opportunities to:
- Earn college credit
- Gain industry certifications
- Build real-world experience through internships, pre-apprenticeships, and projects
- Prepare for higher education or careers after graduation
- Learn from industry experts
SVCTE continues to expand career-connected learning opportunities for students. Students enrolled in Metals Technology will have access to a newly approved Field Ironworkers Pre-Apprenticeship program, authorized by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS).
Next school year, we’re excited to launch a brand-new AI Engineering course, approved under the UC "d" category, where students will design intelligent systems, apply Python programming, and use machine learning to solve real-world challenges — preparing them for high-demand careers in emerging technologies.
| | Free CTE Summer Exploration Program | | Click Image, view video (3:10 minutes) | | |
Registration for MetroED’s FREE CTE Summer Exploration is now open (lunch and transportation included) for incoming 9th through 12th-grade students from the following six partner districts:
- Campbell Union High School District
- East Side Union High School District
- Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District
- Milpitas Unified School District
- San Jose Unified School District
- Santa Clara Unified School District.
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Registration opens on March 23 for other Santa Clara County students, pending space availability. CTE Summer Exploration is being offered at no cost to ALL Santa Clara County students. The program will run from June 8 to 26 (no class June 19), Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free lunch and transportation will be provided.
CTE Summer Exploration is fully grant-funded through the K12 Strong Workforce Program grant as part of a $1.98 million grant MetroED received from the Bay Area Community College Consortium’s Round 8 K12 Strong Workforce Program. For more information about the grant, read the News Release.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the CTE Summer Exploration website.
| | 142 SVCTE Students Qualify for SkillsUSA State Competition, April 9-12 | | |
One-hundred and forty two students from SVCTE have qualified for this year’s SkillsUSA California State Leadership and Skills Conference, taking place April 9 through 12 in Ontario, CA.
Students earned their place at the state competition through outstanding performances at the regional level, which was hosted over five weekends on the MetroED campus. In total, SVCTE students brought home an impressive 31 gold medals, 21 silver medals, and 19 bronze medals—an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects their technical expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. View the complete list of medalists and qualifiers, including their home school districts.
Congratulations to our Emergency Medical Technician, Introductory Woodworking, Auto Refinishing, Photography, HVAC, Welding, and Collision Damage Appraisal contestants for their hard work and impressive performances. A huge shout-out as well to our contestants in Medical Assisting, Basic Health Care Skills—Nursing Assisting, Robotics: Urban Search & Rescue, Dental Assisting, T-Shirt & Pin Design, Digital Cinema and Video Production, Culinary, and Baking.
We are incredibly proud of our students as they prepare to represent our community at the state conference this spring.
| | Celebrating February CTE Month | | |
February is Career Technical Education (CTE) Month—a time to celebrate the innovation, opportunity, and real-world learning happening every day across MetroED and its programs at SVCTE and SVAE.
CTE Month shines a spotlight on the powerful connection between classroom learning and career success. Our dedicated teachers bring industry expertise directly to students, preparing them with technical skills, professional certifications, and the confidence to thrive in college and the workforce. We also recognize the incredible teachers, support staff, counselors, and administrators who help make these pathways possible.
The impact is clear. Each year for SVCTE students:
- 76% plan to attend college
- More than 83% earn college credit through their CTE coursework
- Hundreds receive UC “a–g,” articulation, or dual enrollment credit
These numbers reflect more than achievement—they represent doors opened, futures launched, and communities strengthened.
We invite you to celebrate with us:
| | Click image, view video (0:15 seconds) | Some of the social media highlights have included this Myth vs. Fact campaign. | | Click image, view video (2:33 minutes) | Enjoy an exciting teacher and alumni slideshow highlighting the lasting impact of CTE programs and the many pathways our students have taken to success | | MetroED Awarded $200k Grant from Sobrato Philanthropies | | MetroED received a $200,000 general operating support grant from Sobrato Philanthropies, with a term from December 1, 2025, through January 31, 2027. Sobrato Philanthropies’ mission is to partner with communities to meet immediate needs, address systemic | | The MetroED Governing Board honors Ben Neveras from Sobrato Philanthropies | | |
barriers, and pursue social justice to build a more equitable and sustainable world. The organization is part of The Sobrato Organization, a multi-generational, family-owned, and family-led firm that has played a dynamic role in Silicon Valley's emergence and growth for nearly 70 years.
“Receiving this $200,000 grant represents a major investment in the future of MetroED students from one of Silicon Valley’s most respected philanthropic organizations,” said MetroED Superintendent Erin O’Neill. “It affirms that the high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) we provide is essential to expanding opportunity, preparing students for high-demand careers, and strengthening regional economic mobility.”
Ben Neveras, senior program officer with Sobrato Philanthropies (pictured above, left), shared the philosophy behind why MetroED was chosen for the grant. “MetroED is the most established provider of Career Technical Education in Santa Clara County, making it a priority investment for Sobrato Philanthropies,” he said. “Additionally, MetroED has a strong history of collaboration with one of Sobrato’s key partners, East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD). A grant to MetroED is an additional way to support the education of ESUHSD students.” Read the News Release.
| | SAVE THE DATE: 20th Annual Car Show Friday, May 1, 5:00-8:00 p.m. | | |
Get ready to rev your engines for the The Bob McTaggart 20th Annual Custom & Classic Car Show hosted by SVCTE on Friday, May 1, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event is not just a car show; it’s a vibrant celebration of automotive excellence that brings together the most outstanding custom and classic vehicles in Silicon Valley.
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Cost: $25 per entry and you can pre-register via Venmo @MetroED760 (write “Car Show” in ‘What’s this for?’) by April 24 or grab your tickets at the gate, opening 4:30 p.m. that day.
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Spectators are FREE
- Please no pets
- There is limited spectator parking; please carpool.
In addition to showcasing impressive vehicles, the car show also supports SVCTE’s Student Competition Group SkillsUSA. Previous events have raised more than $10,000. Attendees can expect a fun-filled evening of raffles, prizes, delicious food from SVCTE’s Culinary Arts students, and live music from Cold Storage, all in support of educational excellence and community unity.
MetroED is seeking sponsors and would love for you to make a tax-deductible donation through the MetroED Foundation, a non-profit organization with a tax ID number of 77-0320022. Please specify that the donation is for the SVCTE Annual Custom & Classic Car Show. If you prefer to donate online, you can do so through PayPal at metroedfoundation.org/donate, or send a donation via mail:
MetroED Foundation
760 Hillsdale Avenue, Building 400
San Jose, CA 95136
Visit svcte.metroed.net/CarShow for updates. Reach out to Jeff Arnett at 408-723-4237 or jarnett@metroed.net for questions.
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From Passion to Purpose: Students Share their
CTE Journeys
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Energy filled the room as students took the stage for a dynamic panel celebrating the life-changing power of Career Technical Education in honor of CTE Month. With confidence and clarity, they shared how their SVCTE pathways are opening doors—describing the industry certifications they’re earning, the technical expertise and professional skills they’re building, and the bold goals they’re setting for their futures. Many spoke about stepping into leadership roles within their programs and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the teachers who have pushed them to think bigger, work harder, and believe in what’s possible.
The themes students' emphasized are many and include:
- Growth in confidence, communication, and professionalism
- Real-world, hands-on learning experiences
- Industry-recognized certifications
- A stronger sense of purpose and direction after high school
| | Kaylee Garcia in Fashion Design and Textile Art from Westmont High School in Campbell Union High School District shared that she has loved art since she was six years old, constantly filling composition notebooks with drawings. Garcia described her class as a place where she has creative freedom and feels fully supported, crediting teacher Johnny Paul Vera for creating a classroom environment where students are encouraged to express their creativity to the fullest. | | Pictured left to right: Kaylee Garcia from Campbell Union High School District, Ashley Mendoza Morales and Tara Holmes — both from East Side Union High School District. | | |
Tara Holmes in Fire Science/First Responder from James Lick High School in East Side Union High School District reflected on a childhood experience that shaped her career goals. In kindergarten, her family’s apartment burned down and she lost all her toys, causing them to live in a motel.
“One day, I remember the firefighters came with three big bags filled with toys,” she recalls. “Whenever people ask what I want to be, I always remember those firefighters and the hope they gave me. They showed me there are still good people out there.”
Holmes added: “Chief Tapia is a really great teacher, one of the best, and she pushes me to be my best and to become the best firefighter I can be.”
Students also shared how they first learned about SVCTE — through Instagram, conversations with counselors, friends, school newsletters, and flyers and pamphlets on their campuses — reinforcing the importance of consistent outreach and strong school partnerships.
| Taking Career Exploration to New Heights | | |
SVCTE Fire Science/First Responder students had a unique opportunity to visit the Stanford Life Flight helipad, where they experienced firsthand the fast-paced world of air medical transport.
During the visit, students met the highly trained flight nurses, pilots, and mechanics who operate one of California’s most advanced medical helicopters. They explored the aircraft up close, examined the specialized lifesaving equipment on board, and learned how coordinated teamwork allows Life Flight to respond rapidly to critical emergencies across the state.
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For many students, the experience brought classroom learning to life. Seeing the precision, communication, and technical expertise required for each mission provided a deeper understanding of the skills and dedication needed in emergency medical and public safety careers.
Opportunities like this reflect SVCTE’s commitment to career-connected learning—giving students meaningful, real-world exposure that helps them envision their future pathways in Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, and related public safety fields. View more photos
| | SVCTE Culinary Arts Students Serve Up at Taste of the NFL | | |
SVCTE Culinary Arts students assisted at the Super Bowl’s Taste of the NFL event in San Francisco. Students worked alongside top Bay Area restaurants to prepare and serve dishes while gaining hands-on experience with celebrity chefs, including Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Cat Cora, Tyler Florence, Eric Adjepong, and many others.
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This experience gave students real-world insight into the fast-paced culinary industry, from professional kitchen operations to high-profile event service. View more photos
| SVAE Student Leaders Host Campus Book Exchange | |
SVAE Student Leaders recently organized a book exchange on campus, creating an engaging space for students to share stories, knowledge, and a love of reading. The exchange featured a wide variety of books, including children’s titles, poetry, nonfiction, and more—all generously donated by students to share with their peers.
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SVAE is proud of its student leaders for fostering community and collaboration, and grateful to Transition Specialist Arezoo Miller for helping bring this meaningful event to life. View more photos
| SVAE High School Equivalency Students Prepare for GED and HiSET Success | |
Students in SVAE’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program are diligently preparing for their General Educational Development (GED) and High School Equivalency Test (HiSET). Among them, Tamie Billups is taking her final GED test today, February 26. Billups hopes to pursue a career in the medical field and eventually start her own business.
SVAE is proud of all HSE students for their dedication and perseverance as they work toward achieving their educational goals and opening doors to new career pathways. View more photos
| | Get Even More Updates—Follow Us on Social Media! | | |
Love this monthly newsletter? There’s even more to see! While we share key highlights here, our social media channels keep you connected every day with real-time updates, events, student stories, and more.
Every student has a story, and the photos above capture some of the learning, creativity, and determination happening across our CTE and adult education programs shared on our social media. We look forward to connecting with you.
Don’t miss a moment—click on the icons below to follow us today!
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Shine a Spotlight: Share the Stories That Make
Our District Shine
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MetroED is celebrating the amazing work happening across our District through the Shine a Spotlight campaign. From innovative classroom projects to student achievements and behind-the-scenes efforts, countless stories showcase creativity, dedication, and impact.
We invite our community partners, school leaders, and stakeholders to share your stories so we can highlight the people and programs making a difference.
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Positions are Available at MetroED!
We are currently seeking applicants that would be an excellent fit for our team. The district pays full health benefits to eligible employees and their dependents, including dental, life, and an employee assistance program. You can click below to learn more.
MetroED Current Openings
| | MetroED Governing Board Information | |
MetroED Governing Board Meeting
To see past meeting minutes and agendas, please visit our webpage. You can also view upcoming MetroED Governing Board meeting agendas and Governing Board Policies.
Next meeting: March 11, at 7:00 p.m. | In-person, SVCTE Auditorium, Room 201
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Feb. | CTE Month
Feb. | Black History Month
Feb. 9 | CTE Summer Exploration Registration Opened
March 29 | Cesar Chavez Observed (No Classes SVCTE)
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