If this email is clipped—or photos are not displayed—click the "View entire message" link at the bottom of the email. School LIFE is the newsletter of the Milpitas Unified School District. If you have stories for our next issue, please send them to Scott Forstner.

Developing the leaders and designers of the future

4.2% -- that is the current unemployment rate in the nation according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2, 2025 report. What is surprising is that the recent college graduate unemployment rate is 5.8% and what’s more curious is that those leaving schools, including “name brand” schools, with their MBA are having a difficult time gaining employment. It appears that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is joining the entry level workforce. This is why our MUSD Strategic Goals (SG) are imperative to our future MUSD Grads, particularly, SG #3 -- Building Pathways to Career and SG#4 -- Providing Learning Experiences to assure Social, Emotional and Academic Gains.

Language and communication are skills that AI can do, but not with the imagination, creativity, and innovation that humans engage in with each other. The ability to think and speak in more than one language is a skill that amplifies collaboration in the office, on campus, and in the global workspace. Recently we celebrated 263 learners across the District who earned their CA State Seal of Biliteracy, meaning they can read and write in two or more languages. Our top 3 schools with the most certificates were MHS, Mattos, and Randall World Languages School, and while MHS and Mattos each had about 4% of their learner population achieving this honor, Randall World Languages had 8.7%!

Film design, theater arts, robotics, oratory, athletics, e-sports, research, business development, adventure planning, STEAM, and so many other opportunities where our learners are designers and thought partners alongside their educators can be experienced in MUSD schools. Our AI Task Force, Community Design Team, and Local Control and Accountability Plan Advisory Committee all are focused on how we can assure our learners have the best conditions and opportunities for developing the skills they will need to land a job in the career field they are passionate about. Our teachers, classified team members, and administrators are fueled by the possibilities ahead for our learners as they enter the workforce of the future. Explore the evidence of this work in our pathways for high school learners: MUSD Middle College High School, Calaveras Hills High School, or MHS -- both at the Main and Extension campuses.

Our MUSD graduates will be the researchers behind the data seeking to understand how the generations after them can be prepared for their career opportunities yet to be revealed. Together, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem as a community of learners and innovators in MUSD!

We are MUSD, where our learners are the leaders and designers of the future,

Milpitas Elementary Olympics Returns May 17th -- A Celebration of Community, Culture, and Childhood Joy

A Tradition Revived. A Community United. A Childhood Dream Rekindled.

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, something truly special is happening in Milpitas. The Milpitas Unified School District will proudly host the Milpitas Elementary Olympics (MEO)—a high-energy day filled with school spirit, friendly competition, and community pride. For me personally, this year’s MEO holds even more meaning—it's taking place on the same day as my 25th wedding anniversary, and I couldn’t imagine a more joyful way to start the day than with the city I love, in celebration of our youth. 

The MEO isn’t just an athletic event. It’s a symbol of who we are as a school district and city—diverse, proud, united. As a Joseph Weller Elementary 6th grader, I competed in the 440-yard relay and 110-yard dash. I’ll never forget the moment our team stood on the podium, gold and silver medals around our necks, placed there by Principal Mr. Shiba himself. That moment stayed with me—and it’s why I’m grateful to the community, city, and school district for reviving MEO in 2018 after a 30+-year hiatus.

And now, it’s fast becoming a Milpitas tradition once again.

Celebrating the Spirit of Milpitas

Milpitas has always been a richly diverse community. I grew up with friends from all over the world. We played together, ate together, competed together, and yes, rushed home when the street lights came on (or faced the consequences!). That same spirit lives on today—our district families are active athletically, artistically, and academically. Milpitas residents speak over 52 different languages. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

The MEO captures that spirit. It brings together students, educators, coaches, and families from all 10 MUSD elementary schools—Burnett, Curtner, Mattos, Pomeroy, Randall, Rose, Sinnott, Spangler, Weller, and Zanker—for a full day of Olympic-style events that emphasize physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

What to Expect on May 17th

📍 Location: Milpitas High School

🕗 Start Time: 8:00 AM Parade of Student Athletes

🎙️ Opening Remarks: MUSD Leadership

🏃 Competitions: 5 Hours of Track & Field, Relays, and Team Games

🎉 Attendees: Students, families, educators, local leaders, and YOU

This year, we’re calling on former MUSD students, alumni, and Milpitas residents past and present to come cheer on the next generation. Let’s celebrate the power of community and public education—together.

Did You Know?

The first Milpitas Elementary Olympics was announced in fall 1976, during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration—marking 200 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That Olympic year, Milpitas joined the national spirit of reflection and renewal. At the time, James H. Clement served as Mayor, later succeeded by Robert E. Browne, and Peter McHugh would soon become Milpitas’ first directly elected mayor.

Milpitas has always been deeply connected to America’s founding ideals—unity, opportunity, and freedom—and the MEO is a modern continuation of that legacy.

Milpitas Has Produced Two (2) United States Olympians

🏓 Kanak Jha – Table Tennis Prodigy

Born in Milpitas in 2000, Kanak Jha is a three-time Olympian in table tennis, having competed in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Summer Olympics. He made history in 2016 as the youngest American athlete at the Rio Games and the first U.S. Olympian born in the 2000s. Jha is a five-time U.S. national champion and won a bronze medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. 

🩰 Jacklyn Luu – Artistic Swimming Medalist

Jacklyn Luu, born in Milpitas in 1999, is an accomplished artistic swimmer. She began her journey with the Milpitas Tidal Waves. Luu competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she helped Team USA secure a silver medal in the team event—the country's first in artistic swimming since 2004.

MEO Produces National Champion - Eunice Lee 5x National Jump Rope Champion

Eunice Lee won two consecutive gold medals in the Milpitas Elementary Olympics in 2018 and 2019. Her family agreed that Eunice Lee may have a talent for jump-roping. They were right. Eunice Lee won her fifth national jump-roping champion title this past June at the 2024 American Jump Rope National Championship at Salt Lake City in Utah. She completed her fourth national championship run with a gold medal in Single Rope Speed Endurance, the title of U.S. Junior Individual All- Around Champion, and the title of Grand National Jump Rope Champion.

MEO Olympian In Training

In 2024, Caleb Guglielmelli, a standout student-athlete from Marshall Pomeroy Elementary school qualified for 6 events in the National Jr Olympics in Texas.

Come Be Part of the Legacy

Bring your kids, bring your cameras, bring your cheers. Whether you’re an MUSD graduate, a lifelong resident, or just discovering what makes Milpitas special—this event is for you. Let’s honor the past, support the present, and inspire the future—one relay race at a time.

💬 “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

It takes a Community!

Thank you to our sponsors over the years! Without them, the MEO would not be possible.

• 2025 Sponsors: Diversified Mortgage Group, Simon Property Group, Republic Services, Milpitas Community Education Foundation, Mil’s Diner, Krucial Printing, Rogue Timing, PEL Learning Centers. (Note: All food trucks donate % of profits back to the MEO.)
• 2024 Sponsors: Diversified Mortgage Group, Republic Services, Milpitas Community Education Foundation, Mil’s Diner, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, KLA Foundation, i-Ready. 
• 2023 Sponsors: Blach Construction, KLA Foundation, i-Ready

#MilpitasOlympics #CultureOfWe #MUSDPride #CommunityInMotion #MEO2025

In community,

Chris Norwood

State Board Member of Year Blog

MUSD team launches A+ website to build AAPI Awareness

In honor of AAPI Awareness month this May, the A+ (APIDA) Community (est. 2024-2025) is proud to launch our website (https://sites.google.com/musd.org/aplus/home) designed to celebrate and empower the diverse identities, cultures, and histories of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans through education, advocacy, and community-building.

We are developing programs that will amplify voices and promote understanding while fostering personal, academic, and professional growth. For aspiring Asian American educators interested in an admin or manager role, our year-long A+ Mentorship Program will pair emerging leaders with experienced principals and administrators, providing guidance, professional development, and networking to support advancement into educational leadership roles.

Additionally, high school students passionate about teaching can join our A+ Education Mentorship Program, which will offer mentorship, potential scholarships, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities to explore careers in education. Coming soon, our Resources section, focusing on education and advocacy, will feature blogs and articles on cultural awareness, social justice, and community news, along with webinars, workshops, and anti-racism resources designed to promote inclusivity and empower our community.

In the coming year, we will also actively seek partnerships with local APIDA businesses, restaurants, and organizations to strengthen community ties and create collaborative opportunities that uplift and support our vibrant A+ (APIDA) community right here in Milpitas!

MUSD's Nicole Steward authors 'Radical Self-Care for helpers, healers and change-makers'

MUSD School Linked Services Coordinator Nicole Steward draws from her own experiences and training in handling trauma to share coping and decompression mechanisms in her new book, “Radical Self-Care for Helpers, Healers and Changemakers”.

“Radical Self Care are practices that help us carry the weight of the work that we do,” said Steward, who has experienced burnout herself over her 20-plus year career but has learned how to compartmentalize work trauma from her personal life. “We can care without carrying. We can care for the people we serve, but we don’t have to carry the weight of their trauma.”

Steward explains who the helpers, healers and change-makers are ranging from social workers, counselors and therapists to first responders and those serving in the military. “Educators, they pull into that too, because when you’re working with people, especially kids, there’s gonna be some level of trauma,” Steward added.

Click to read more about Radical Self-Care

April Academy offers PBL during Spring Break Week

MUSD educators hosted nearly 400 students from 10 schools and eight grade levels for the 2025 April Academy at Rose Elementary School.

Students spent the Spring Break week making new friends and working on their Project-Based Learning adventures with April Academy teachers. They shared their projects with the community at the end of the week showcase. Flower shops, miniature golf course holes, scientific explorations and more challenged participating students during an enriched week of hands-on learning.

"What an amazing way to keep our brains growing during Spring Break!," shared April Academy principal Ryan Startz.

Celebrating our MUSD school leaders for their leadership

Thank you to all of our MUSD school leaders for your unwavering support, dedication, and impact on your school communities and beyond on this School Principal Appreciation Day 2025, designated on May 1, 2025!

Burnett Elementary: Hanna Asrat

Curtner Elementary: Kevin Slavin

Mattos Elementary: Jackie Vo Felbinger

Pomeroy Elementary: Nichol Klein

Randall World Languages: Claudia Cadenas / Kristan Prolo

Rose Elementary: Nanci Pass

Sinnott Elementary: Laurie Armino

Spangler Elementary: Parwinder Johal

Weller Elementary: Deanna Elzey

Zanker Elementary: Hetal Patel

Rancho MS: Vern Caruz

TRMS: Shangrila Mia-Ramzan

Calaveras Hills HS: Jonathan Payne

Milpitas HS: Greg Wohlman

MMCHS: Karisa Scott

MAE: Giuliana Brahim

Students tour Milpitas HS Performing Arts Center project

Milpitas Unified School District's 2025 Student Learning Opportunities Series continued with a recent tour of the Milpitas High School Performing Arts Center.

Students from Milpitas HS, MUSD Middle College High School, Rancho Milpitas Middle School and Thomas Russell Middle School took advantage of this TBKCM career pathways session, where MUSD learners received a behind-the-scenes tour of the new MHS PAC.

The Project Architect led a discussion focusing on the design and construction process of the facility, including how performance spaces are planned, the collaboration between architects and engineers, and the technical considerations involved in creating a modern performing arts venue. The session highlighted career paths in architecture and engineering through real-world examples from the project.

TBK offers a MUSD exclusive Boots and Tools Scholarship program, which gives out five $1,000 scholarships for students entering the trades after high school that includes a $300 gift certificate to Red Wing for boots and a $700 gift certificate to White Cap for tools and tool bags.

Award-winning Graphic Novelist Thien Pham visits MHS

Milpitas HS students interacted with award-winning author Thien Pham, whose young adult graphic novel memoir, 'Family Style,' received the Will Eisner Award for Best Graphic Novel and the YALSA Award for Best Nonfiction Book for Young Adults. MHS students were treated to an assembly, luncheon and workshop with the famed author.

Pham, a high school art teacher, not only lived in Milpitas when he was a child, but he also visits the area each week and often illustrates restaurant reviews for KQED.

"His story resonates with many of our students. It's been the most popular and widely-read book from our Library this year," shared MHS Librarian Mia Gittlen. "Research shows that connecting with authors raises reading engagement and literacy. Hearing from authors--their stories, their journey, their process--is so enriching and inspiring."

Celebrating our Milpitas Adult Education Team