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Campus Connections
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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A true partnership propels us as we phase in 2020-21
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M
USD EducatEveryWhere Spring 2020: 3 days preparation prior to our launch into MUSD EducatEveryWhere; 59 days of distance learning and teaching; 95% average engagement per week; weekly average of 277 unengaged learners; no learner without a chromebook or laptop; and some learners with unreliable WiFi.
How do we improve those data points and reinvent MUSD EducatEveryWhere v.2.0? Listening, collaboration, iteration, and partnership with our students and their parents and guardians fuels our drive to achieve our MUSD Strategic Goals, even in this new paradigm of teaching and learning.
We are social beings, and that is how we learn best, and while it is difficult to do so virtually, we
are
doing it. We are learning how to leverage technology in a way that has engaged us in community conversations at an exceptional frequency and in some respects more personably than ever before. We held 62 cloud meetings from March through August where participants shared and discussed the pains, obstacles and triumphs that our learners faced, not just the youthful ones, but parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, principals --
all
learners. We are experiencing authentic engagement and partnership, and we can’t provide the best possible education for our students without each other.
In her book,
Turning to One Another
, author Margaret Wheatley remarks, “Change always starts with confusion: cherished interpretations must dissolve to make way for the new.” The unknowns around COVID19 create confusion, anxiety and questioning about how to best educate our students. Our students have led the way for creatively solving problems through common purpose and at a distance. #SAMP, Maskify, Robotix, Girl Genius, Azen Seagulls, Coronacovery, and My Roots are Rich, are all virtual non-profits enriching lives through real impact, and all are founded by MUSD students. 260 MUSD team members, parents, guardians, community members, and students form our COVID19 Task Force with 14 subcommittees focused on all aspects of developing MUSD EducatEveryWhere v. 2.0.
MUSD is phasing in 2020-21 with the first day of school on August 13
th
. All will be teaching and learning from a distance until conditions are safe for us to move into Phase II. Phase II will provide in-person support opportunities for small groups of students with targeted needs such as special education, English language development, homeless and foster youth, and those who are struggling or vulnerable. When Santa Clara County has not been on the California State Watchlist for more than 14 days, we will assess and move into phase III with larger groups of students receiving in-person support (for more details, please see
our Special Board COVID19 Task Force Report on August 3, 2020 at 6:00pm
). This is MUSD, where a Culture of We propels us forward and strengthens who we are as a community.
#WeRMilpitas
Cheryl Jordan
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Sinnott teacher authors first children's book
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Sinnott Elementary School teacher Adrienne Barber authored her first children’s book, titled “School Coronavirus Do’s & Don’ts,” over the summer.
“Inspired by her incredible, funny, and hard-working students,” Barber’s goal was to “write a book that brought some comfort and humor to students everywhere.” Barber, a first and second grade public school teacher for the last 20 years, wrote and illustrated the entire book.
“It's an informative and silly guide to help children with the changes in schools, whether they attend online or in person,” Barber explained. “I published this week, and it's already been seen in several countries. The best part is that it's making some kids laugh.”
The book, which can be found on
Amazon
, has already been translated in Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, and Hindi, with Vietnamese and Korean on the way.
“I will create a multi-language version as well,” she added. “My friends, as well as some students from the past and their families, have all joined in to help with translations. It's been pretty incredible.”
Barber also has her own
website
with free resources for families.
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Producer's cut — Making of '54: The Story of Sunnyhills
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By Donnie Eiland, Executive Producer
With being a resident of Sunnyhills and Milpitas for the better part of my 58 years on this earth, the making of ’54 has truly been a dream come true. I was very blessed to have known some of the men and women that helped in the early development of Sunnyhills, which makes it that much more special. Because of their efforts to combat systematic racism through housing, they have afforded me and many others the opportunity to grow up in an environment of love, diversity and acceptance. Most of America didn’t get to experience during the 50’s and 60’s. The foundation that was laid continues to permeate throughout the city of Milpitas with people of all races living together in harmony.
One of my main motives for doing ’54 was to return the love that was shown to me by so many in Milpitas. Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Jones, two of the “Sunnyhills Forefathers," both lived on my street and I was able to see their commitment and love for our community. They lived by the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s because of their example that myself and others try to live by those same words. ’54 was a way for me to honor those men and women as well as keep the spirit of unity alive in Sunnyhills and Milpitas. It was truly a labor of love.
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“She's made it so they don’t have to leave their desks, except for using the bathroom. If they do, they must wash their hands in the bathroom and then also use hand sanitizer when they come back into the classroom.”
—Summer Principal Lori Nuno
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Kindergarten summer class offers glimpse into in-person instruction
A group of five Kindergarten students, along with their teacher, have been piloting an in-person summer school program this year at Alexander Rose Elementary School. COVID19 safety protocols, such as social distancing, wearing face coverings, and sanitizing hands, are all part of the daily routine agreed upon by all participating families.
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Extended School Year Pilot Program embraces summer learning
After a quick health check upon arrival at Calaveras Hills High School, an Extended School Year (ESY) student—one of a dozen whose family opted for in-person instruction over the summer—heads to the restroom to wash his hands before walking over to the classroom. The ESY Hybrid Pilot Program, which enrolled 15 high school students (grades 9-12) this summer, began virtually on June 15, with the in-person component introduced on June 22.
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“Especially for these students, the reason that they qualify for ESY in their IEPs is because they would show regression (with a gap in their education), so this is to help them maintain their progress towards their IEP goals.”
—ESY Principal Kristina Ravo
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Parent / Guardian Q&As with District Leaders
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July 23 for
Middle School
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July 21 for
Middle School
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July 18 for
Special Education
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July 17 for Spanish-speakers
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July 29 for Mental Wellness
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July 31 for Chinese families
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Check out our District Calendar
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Have a look at our District Calendar for information on upcoming events, meetings and more. Here's the
link
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MUSD | Phone: (408) 635-2600
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