SUPERINTENDENT'S BLOG by CHERYL JORDAN | Opening World of Opportunities, Pathways for our Students | |
114 Milpitas High School Extension students and 20 MUSD team members traveled this week to UCLA, USC, Cal Poly, CSU Monterey, Vandenberg Space Force, and Warner Brothers where they experienced the possibilities of pathways to career in engineering, computer science, classical and digital arts, and entrepreneurship. Through networking with professionals, engaging with experts, and collaborating in diverse learning experiences, students are developing essential skills that will shape their future endeavors. They share an excitement for their capacity to create and contribute to our world. Thank you MHS Extension Team for making what’s possible a reality!
Rose School welcomed the Spartan football players for the SJSU Recess Takeover organized by Rose Team members and parents for 147 students to experience the joy of athletics and team-building skills. Thank you Rose Team & Families for your vision!
Calaveras Hills High School teacher Ms. Zesati-Quezada inspires 17 learners enrolled in her course, Introduction to the Digital Media Industry, to explore the magic of artistic expression through audio visual arts. Ms. Z has partnered with the non-profit Early Morning Late Nights to provide them with professional skills development. Our learners are thrilled by the capacity they have in using social media and digital tools in a way that gives life to their insights about the world around them. Thank you Ms. Zesati-Quezada and CHHS community for your commitment to excellence!
| | STATE BOARD MEMBER OF YEAR'S BLOG by CHRIS NORWOOD | | Building Pathways for Prosperity: A Milpitas Story | | |
When I look across Milpitas, I see the same energy I once felt as a student of Joseph Weller Elementary, Thomas Russell Middle School, Milpitas High School and with the best teams I ever coached — diverse, competitive, talented, and ready to rise. Our city’s strength has always come from its sense of community supporting high school students preparing for life after graduation, opening arms to immigrants rebuilding hope, and life long residents who believe progress is built through connection, purpose, and shared effort.
That belief doesn’t appear by chance — it’s built intentionally, collaboratively, and with vision.
Once an agricultural crossroads between the East Bay and South Bay, Milpitas was anchored for decades by the auto plants that fueled local prosperity. Today, our engines of growth are powered by education, technology, small business, hospitality, and innovation. Yet as the world accelerates — driven by artificial intelligence, capitalism, and global competition — we face an essential question:
Are we preparing every learner to thrive in the high-demand, high-wage, high-growth economy of the San Francisco Bay Area or Silicon Valley?
At Milpitas Unified, we believe the answer is yes — when WE build together.
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Building A Culture of WE Student Video Contest
- 30-second length maximum
- MUSD students of all ages eligible
- Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Tell us what does Building a Culture of WE in MUSD mean to you?
- Top 3 video entrants in high school, middle school and elementary school receive a MUSD swag package as well as a Dave & Busters gift card
- All acceptable entrants will have their video clips shared on MUSD district channels.
| | | Calaveras Hills HS students get intro into digital media | |
Calaveras Hills High School (CHHS) students in Ms. Zesati-Quezada’s Introductory Digital Media Class are in the process of producing their own Video Sales Letter (VSL). Students are learning about videography, video editing, and production including 3-point lighting and script writing.
“We wanted to create a course that is rigorous and engaging for our students, but also connects to real life and real world skills,” said instructor Teresa Zesati-Quezada, who also teaches Social Sciences, AVID, Economics, and Engineering. “In the first quarter, we really focused on getting the right shots with the lighting and shadows; the correct way to get the audio; and the main goal is we want the students to create a VSL."
| |  | Jack Emery food drive kicks off with annual brunch | |
Milpitas High School’s Associated Student Body, along with the support from Activities Director Deana Querubin, hosted groups of students and team members from each our Milpitas Unified School District school sites and departments to kick off the 2025 Jack Emery Food Drive, which supports local families in need throughout the coming months.
“I know times are really hard right now,” said ASB President Natasha Lacuzong, 17, a senior at MHS. “Not everyone has a warm home to eat food at or a warm plate on holidays or any other given day.”
This year, the Jack Emery runs from November 5 through December 12.
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Two MUSD team members awarded 2025 Kiwanis Club honors | |
A pair of Milpitas Unified School District management team members are 2025 recipients of awards issued by the Kiwanis Club of Milpitas, with School Linked Services Supervisor of Wellbeing and Immigrant Support Norma Morales earning the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) and Milpitas High School Principal and Chief Innovator Greg Wohlman earning the Community Service Award (CSA).
Providing support and services to MUSD students and families throughout her decades-long MUSD career, Morales was named as this year’s award-winner for the DSA, which recognizes Kiwanians who go above and beyond in their service and dedication to their club and community.
| | | MHS freshman Amari Sims continues Teal Pumpkin Project | |
Milpitas High School freshman Amari Sims led his Teal Pumpkin Project for the second year by delivering teal-colored pumpkin baskets filled with non-food treats to each of our Milpitas Unified School District schools for students with food allergies.
“I’m continuing the Teal Pumpkin Project because I hope it brings a lot of happiness to kids with food allergies who do want to trick or treat with their friends but they also don’t wanna have an allergic reaction and have a life-threatening scenario,” shared Sims, after delivering one last basket to the MHS Wellness Center.
| | | Rancho, TRMS wrestling teams compete for first time | |
Rancho Milpitas and Thomas Russell MS wrestling teams squared off over the weekend in the first ever middle school dual meet, organized by Milpitas HS wrestling coach Roberto Clemente and his team. Clemente has started up both middle school programs to grow the sport within the Milpitas community.
"It was a great turnout. Both schools had about 15 wrestlers," shared Rancho Athletic Director Tina Lee. "The high school wrestlers did a great job coaching, and Coach Roberto Clemente organized a great dual meet. He did an amazing job making this happen and provided an outstanding opportunity for the kids."
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Pomeroy boxer Jaiya Chavez secures Gold Medal | Pomeroy Elementary School fourth grader Jaiya Chavez continues to reach new heights in the boxing ranks, as she recently took home a Gold medal while competing in the National PAL tournament in Oxnard, CA. According to her father and trainer Aaron Chavez, she fought back-to-back days to win gold and become the first boxer from their Milpitas gym to earn the designation of national champion. "We are extremely proud of her," Aaron shared. | | | Rancho Middle School mathematicians excel at competitions | Rancho Milpitas Middle School Math Team placed third place overall among 18 competing schools (150 students) at the Math League NorCal Qualifier meet in Fremont this weekend (150 students across 18 different schools). Individual honors were awarded to Muhammad Sheriff (2nd place / 8th grade); Allen Li )(3rd place / 8th grade); Huijun Deng (13th place / 7th grade) and Vihana Gandhi (18th place / 8th grade). At the Stanford Math Meet, Rancho team of students Allen Li, Roger Huynh, Kushagara Jha, and Muhammed Sheriff, achieved second place overall against 50 teams from 31 Bay Area schools. | | Middle College HS students repeat as STEM champions | A team of Milpitas Middle College High School students won the Samsung Next Gen Semiconductor 2025 STEM Fair for a second straight year. They were joined by MUSD student teams from Milpitas HS, MHS Extension at MUSD Innovation Campus, and Calaveras Hills HS. "The kids had a great time networking with Samsung Engineers, taking part in hands-on AI chatbot designs, hardware integration, and circuit building with over 100 students from Bay Area schools," shared Principal Karisa Scott. | | |
| Milpitas Unified School District | 1331 E. Calaveras Blvd. | Milpitas, CA 95035 US | | | | |
