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 Scott Forstner.
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Preparing our learners to thrive in 4th Industrial revolution |
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Did you know we are in the midst of the 4th industrial revolution (4IR)? I’ve been delving into learning more as it fascinates me. The first two revolutions evolved over time with the development of mass production lines and factories, making adaptation and lifestyle changes gradual. In our generation we are experiencing the overlap of both the third and fourth industry disruptors. Where manufacturing became automatic and “just in time” in the 1990s, it is quickly becoming autonomous and real time with machine learning and data analytics. Computers are more than a repository of information, they are a pocket sized utility that facilitates communication, applied learning, and creativity.
Since its founding in the 1830s, the factory design of education has remained relatively unchanged until now. Creativity, innovation, global interconnectedness, interpersonal skills, and applied technology are the skill areas our students need for their career paths and in general, to be participants in their communities (World Econ. Forum Schools of the Future). The factory model can’t maximize learning experiences that will enable students to gain these 4IR skills.
Creativity and innovation are essential in preparing for the future of work, more so, they are pivotal in our ability to thrive in our present life circumstances. All of our learners (students, teachers, classified team members, school leaders, and parents) have demonstrated ingenuity. Our students have designed remarkable strategies such as MyRootsAreRich and GirlGenius to connect with others across the community. Our educators have developed practices that support their students with social emotional learning. Our parents have created networks and partnerships with our teachers and paraprofessionals. MUSD EducatEveryWhere embodies these new ways of learning in our virtual community. We continue to expand our capacity as we discover what is possible together in this new frontier. Together We are designing the future in MUSD!
#WeRMilpitas
Cheryl Jordan
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Milpitas High School alumnus Alex Lee makes history, wins State Assembly seat at only 25 years old |
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A Q&A with Alex Lee, who at 25 years old won California's Assembly District 25 in the November 3, 2020 election. Lee is the youngest Asian American, first openly bisexual, and first Gen-Z Legislator in California history.
“I’m deeply grateful to the diverse communities of Assembly District 25,” said Lee. “The significance of our victory is part of a bigger, progressive movement ready to fight for a better future for all of us.”
Lee attended Sinnott Elementary School, Rancho Milpitas Middle School and graduated from Milpitas High School (2009-2013). The UC-Davis graduate will represent the 25th Assembly District encompassing Fremont, San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, and Newark.
What were your experiences at Milpitas High School? Were there any Milpitas HS teachers that made an impact on you while in high school?
Milpitas High School influenced my outlook and politics. It’s a very diverse town and everyone has different political beliefs, and I think that was a strong empathy-building and relationship-building foundation for me. I got to experience through other people’s lives and working with them in classes, that everyone has different challenges in life and different experiences. Growing up that way, I really did want to make a difference in everyone’s life no matter their different challenges in life.
As a product of public schools from elementary school to college, I believe funding public education is important so others have the same opportunities I had. Students at MHS are very fortunate because of the school’s diversity.
Mr. Wrencher, Mrs. Bielski, Mrs. Roy, Mr. Roy, and Mr. Colburn were some of my favorite teachers. They were all incredibly knowledgeable and passionate.
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Randall Elementary School rises above challenges to offer in-person support to students |
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Robert Randall Elementary School Co-Principals Olivia Contreras and Kristan Prolo knew there would be many challenges for their students and families when Milpitas Unified School District committed to starting the 2020-21 school year in MUSD EducatEveryWhere with every student in distance learning prior to moving towards in-person support for those who are struggling with the virtual education environment.
But the Randall leadership team is not one to shy away from challenges.
Once the opportunity presented itself to allow for targeted in-person support for disengaged and struggling students, Contreras and Prolo put the word out amongst its Randall staff, as well as with the on-campus YMCA program. They also identified students in need of support for varying reasons such as having connectivity problems at home, parents are essential workers, and language barriers.
“The biggest challenge to bringing students on campus is safety,” said Principal Prolo. “Our movement and behaviors are very restricted. It makes it a challenge even using the restrooms or walking the hallways or eating. It’s very limited.”
Following Santa Clara County Public Health Department safety guidelines, the Two-way Bilingual Immersion School now has 45 students come to the Edsel Drive campus for in-person support—and it has already made a positive impact on student attendance and engagement.
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Home visits lead to in-person support for students at SJCC-Milpitas Extension |
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A half dozen Milpitas Unified School District students were among the 2020 honorees at Assemblymember Kansen Chu’s 6th Annual Community Heroes Awards for their service and dedication to the local community.
Nima Bhavansikar, Nyla Choates, Chloe Wang, Amy Stanley, Rachel Wu and Amy Zheng exemplified MUSD’s Culture of WE in their humanitarian efforts. They received their recognitions during a drive-through ceremony held outside the San Jose City College-Milpitas Extension.
“Throughout all the unfortunate events, it has been inspiring and heartwarming to witness members in our community work together to help those in need,” Assemblymember Chu said. “These heroes were nominated and picked by the people living in our community for their acts of kindness.”
Bhavansikar, a Thomas Russell Middle School student, started a fund to support the Milpitas Food Pantry through her Shirts for Smiles endeavor. She designed shirts with all proceeds benefiting the pantry. In addition, she teaches kindergarteners and first graders in the Brain Builders Program.
Nyla Choates, a senior at Milpitas High School, founded the nonprofit My Roots are Rich, which works to show all people the culture and historical achievements of African Americans. The MHS Black Student Union President was the lead organizer of the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Milpitas earlier this year.
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CSBA honors Milpitas USD Board Vice President Chris Norwood as 2020 Board Member of the Year |
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The California School Boards Association is thrilled to announce Milpitas Unified School District Board Vice President Chris Norwood as the 2020 CSBA Board Member of the Year recipient. Since 2014, Norwood has demonstrated what it means to lead for students, the schools they attend, and their community.
The Golden Gavel award honors individual school board members and governance teams who exemplify best practices in effective governance and boardsmanship. Norwood, himself a Milpitas High School alumnus, was chosen from among nearly 5,000 school board members making up 977 school boards throughout the state.
“Throughout his six years of service, Vice President Chris Norwood has brought to his district a strong commitment to collaboration, a desire to establish best practice in governance, and a passion for serving all stakeholders of Milpitas USD,” said 2020 CSBA President Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez. “We are honored to recognize Chris’ exemplary efforts to improve student outcomes and well-being, both in his community and at the state level.”
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What did you learn about yourself in 2020, and what are your hopes for 2021? |
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Ayako Connors
I’ve always thought of myself as an independent person, and that kind of thinking has been highly promoted in academics as well. However, this year has shown me that even if I am independent, I still need support from others....
I doubt that the pandemic as a whole will vanish by next year, so I simply hope that our community will start to learn how to find the balance between working alone and with others as I have.
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Venus Zamora
The importance of self love has really stood out to me this year. This year, I appreciated the heartwarming moments even more, and I’m forever grateful for them because being grateful for the little things in life has truly been the highlight of my year.
For 2021, I can only hope things get better, with the pandemic, the economy, and all the poverty in the world. As for me, I hope to keep growing as a person.
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Karen Huynh
When we went into shutdown, I went from feeling like I had no time to feeling like I had too much time. Secretly, I was relieved.
I didn’t know how much longer I could continue through my monotonous life feeling drained. I started to let go just a little bit and use the extra time to truly relax. It was uncomfortable at first because I felt like I should be using the extra time to work on my assignments, but I learned to see the beauty in stillness. As much as I needed to work hard to secure a good future, I also needed to take care of myself.
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Vanessa Hu
2020 is easily the strangest and most stressful year that I’ve experienced, but it has also served as a learning opportunity for me.
While I was quarantined at home, I took the time to self-reflect and realized that I should be more appreciative of things that I once took for granted. The time that I spent with my friends, the orchestra concerts I performed at, and even the lunch line that I went to every day were all taken away this year. I once considered these things to be normal events, but now, they’re small things that I wish could experience again before I graduate in 2021.
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Marlena Ngim
For 2021, I hope that the COVID vaccine comes to the general public. I hope it gets to a point when people can interact freely again. Although people should still take precautions to keep themselves safe from COVID, I want things to go back to normal. I would like to attend college in person, and by the fall of 2021, hopefully that’ll be a possibility.
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MUSD, City of Milpitas Take Significant Steps to Ensure Community Protection through Safety First Initiative |
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Rancho Milpitas Dance Crew 2020 Under the Tree Dance |
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Milpitas High School Choir singing Bonse Aba |
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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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