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.

We have plenty to be thankful for at MUSD

In MUSD we have been exploring Artificial Intelligence as a tool for education and work productivity since OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022. I used AI to find a deeper word that expresses my gratitude for our MUSD learners, team, and community.  While it didn’t provide the word that I could say -- “yes! That is it!” it did assist me in gathering my thoughts. Here is my conversation with the live version of Google’s AI, Gemini:

Me: What's another word for gratitude that expresses so much more -- the burst of endorphins my heart feels for MUSD and our community? 

AI: You could try words like "devotion" or "adoration." These words get across a strong sense of admiration and loyalty. Or, if you'd like something a little less formal, you could go with "I'm totally psyched about" or "I'm super into" the Milpitas school district community.

Me: But I really want to express the gratitude part.

AI: Okay, in that case, I'd say something like "I'm truly thankful for" or "I'm deeply grateful for" the Milpitas school district community. If you want to sound a little more poetic, you could try "My heart overflows with appreciation for" the Milpitas school district community.

After a few more exchanges, I landed on the word “profound.”  Why?

Measure Q passed at 71.2% -- our community values the well-being of our learners, opportunities to explore technology pathways including AI, professional learning for all educators, recruiting and retaining exceptional teachers and classified support staff, and bolstering our athletics programs.  

MUSD high school and adult school pathways for learners have expanded this year -- computer science, engineering, 9th grade bridge, medical careers, early childhood education, partnership development with SJSU, SJECCD, and UOP for dual enrollment in college and high school, and CalRegional, NovaWorks, City of Milpitas, to name a few. 

MUSD middle school learner centered clubs and community impact projects -- learners have opportunities to delve into issues and subjects that interest them outside of the typical classroom experience and the teams are deliberately implementing strategies to enhance a culture of belonging. 

MUSD elementary and preschool expansion of learner engagement strategies -- project based learning, preschool thru 3rd grade alignment, inclusion practices for learners with special needs, and family centered events during the school day to increase attendance and deepen connection between home and school. 

MUSD support team readiness and initiative -- immediate response time for school site needs such as power during outages, on site support when it is not expected, and dedication to persistent growth and support of all team members through listening and learning opportunities.

MUSD Board governance team focus on vision, goals, and resources -- garnering partners for MUSD outside and inside Milpitas, pushing through challenges with and on behalf of our students and team members, and being present in the community to support MUSD’s evolution as a World Class Education district.

Yes, I have a profound sense of gratitude that takes my breath away as I think of the many ways that our learners, team members, families, and community express the desire, regardless of any obstacles that come our way,  to Build a Culture of We. 

May your Thanksgiving be deeply satisfying and wonderfully joy filled by the love of those all around you.

'Our schools are safe havens, places where

children come to learn, grow, and thrive'

Dear Milpitas Community,

I want to acknowledge the understandable concerns many of you may feel about the uncertainties surrounding changes in leadership at various levels of government. To all of our families, including those who are undocumented, this period may be particularly stressful. Please know that you are not alone, and our schools remain steadfast in their commitment to serving and supporting every child and family, regardless of immigration status or background.

Our schools are safe havens, places where children come to learn, grow, and thrive. California state laws, such as Assembly Bill 699, explicitly protect the rights of all students to receive an education, regardless of immigration status. Additionally, as a district, we are guided by our 5 Strategic Goals, beginning with "Building a Culture of WE," which embodies equity, unity, and inclusion.

Milpitas Unified School District proudly serves one of the most diverse communities in California, where over 70 languages are spoken. Our diversity is our strength. As Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu said, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Together, we are a stronger, more resilient community.

We recognize the unique challenges faced by immigrant and refugee families. With the support of local organizations, we provide legal resources, language translation services, and family assistance programs. Importantly, our district does not inquire about immigration status, ensuring that every campus remains a safe, welcoming space for all.

The rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and other marginalized groups has also deeply affected many of our families. Let us remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Our district remains united in combating discrimination and fostering cultural understanding.

TOGETHER, WE WILL continue to build an inclusive community where every child has the opportunity to succeed. Thank you for trusting us with your children’s education. We are honored to walk alongside you with compassion, understanding, and resolve.

In community,

Chris Norwood

State Board Member of Year Blog

Sinnott Elementary’s Gold Standard Project-Based Learning inspires students, garners state recognition

Student developers in Jeannie Lam’s fourth grade class are anxiously setting up their projects in a communal space at Sinnott Elementary School, where soon two sixth-grade classes will join them to test out their interactive games and learn valuable lessons from their peers.

A trio of Sinnott teachers–Jeannie Lam, Kelsey Goode and Kiscelle Calvello–are all smiles as they field last-minute questions from their students. The educators are just as enthusiastic as their pupils are to share in the Project-Based Learning experience.

“The three of us, it’s so fantastic. Our personalities, and the way we have decided to structure our teaching time, has enabled us to teach in this way and do what we do with the kids,” said Calvello, who got her first taste of PBL when attending the same workshop as Lam more than a decade ago. Shortly after the two began working at Sinnott, they met up and started collaborating with Goode on PBLs.

This particular project is meant to reinforce Sinnott’s school-wide expectations, encapsulated by the word, “ROARS” (Respect, Ownership, Acceptance, Responsibility, Safety). These expectations produce behaviors such as “Be mindful of personal space” or “Inform an adult if worried about a friend.” These activities help students remember ROARS. Afterwards, the student creators reflect, and discuss the experiences they had and the feedback they received. They celebrate all the things that went well and talk about any challenges they faced, making sure to touch on what students did to collaboratively solve dilemmas that occurred. Teachers frame the discussion with the aim of improving future PBL experiences. This is one of the final steps among the eight elements in Sinnott’s Gold Standard PBL format.

Click to read more about Sinnott PBL

Rancho student leader Amari Sims brings food-allergy initiative Teal Pumpkin Project to MUSD schools

Rancho Milpitas Middle School’s Associated Student Body President Amari Sims went on a quest this Halloween to deliver teal-colored pumpkin baskets filled with non-food treats to students with food allergies at our Milpitas Unified School District schools.

For his Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Teal Pumpkin Project, Sims purchased the plastic baskets as well as stickers, temporary tattoos, yoyos, necklaces, slap bracelets, friendship bracelets, funny glasses, pencils, rulers, spinners, glow sticks, bubble wands and a whole bunch of other cool gifts.

“I hope that the non-food treats help students with food allergies feel included during the Halloween celebrations and that they consider offering a teal pumpkin at their home and spread the word,” shared Amari in his mission statement.

Click to read more about Amari's Teal Pumpkin Project

Sinnott's SDC Class celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Sinnott Elementary School students in Ms. Charanpreet’s Special Day Mild to Moderate Class for 4th-6th grade students hosted their first Hispanic Heritage Month Fair in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month 2024. Her students researched the Hispanic country assigned to them and worked on two projects, one in school and one at home.

At the fair, students, families and staff set up game booths such as 'Loteria' and 'Pin the Sombrero on the Illama' as well as art project areas, a photo booth, and lessons on how to learn basic conversational Spanish language. Food and refreshments were provided including Conchas and Horchata.

“This event was special to all of us as it played a crucial role in building a bond with all the families, and was a great learning experience,” Ms. Charanpreet shared.

Students get early jump on engineering at Milpitas HS Extension at MUSD Innovation Campus

Sophomore Long Nguyen hopes the skills he learns in Ms. Berbawy’s Engineering Class will set the foundation for succeeding in his desired career path. The 16-year-old enrolled in the inaugural student cohort at the Milpitas High School Extension at the MUSD Innovation Campus to accomplish just that.

“Not exactly CAD (Computer-aided Design) specifically but the engineering aspect is what led me here, so I can start creating my own things,” said Long Nguyen, who was learning a web-based software design program. “Also, for my future, I wanted to really improve the world in some way and change the world in some way with the abilities that I would learn here, especially here because it is all about innovation.”

His classmate, Bryan Nguyen, has a similar focus of engineering and the first-year innovation extension campus illuminates that desire in all who work and learn there. “I think most kids in here are trying to get into the engineering field so I think CAD and learning it right now is very important so you get used to it and more familiar with the programs we’ll use in college and maybe in your career,” Bryan Nguyen added.

Click to read more about Engineering Class

Student Perspectives: Manufacturing Day 2024

By Gargi Chaganti

Milpitas High School student

​

I had so much fun at Manufacturing Day (October 4, 2024)! It was a great experience touring two companies, BD Biosciences and Corsair Gaming, and seeing how they operate behind the scenes.

One of the highlights for me was learning about the latest product from BD Biosciences and how their teams collaborate to bring innovations to life. We got a firsthand look at different components of their work, which opened my eyes to the variety of career paths in manufacturing.

What surprised me most was how interconnected everything is. I used to think manufacturing was just about machines, but it’s so much more. We learned about internships for high school and college students, which I hadn’t considered before. It was exciting to see how different majors—engineering, business, and even design—play a role in this field.

Click to read more about Manufacturing Day 2024

Join us in giving to others for Jack Emery Food Drive

By Atharv Vyas

MHS ASB President

As we approach the holiday season, our community once again comes together for the Jack Emery Food Drive—a tradition that has spanned decades. But who was Jack Emery? Born into poverty in Nebraska, Jack knew firsthand the struggles of going without. After moving to the San Jose area, he dedicated his life to helping those in need, starting with small acts of kindness that grew into something much bigger. He reached out to the local Lions Club, and together, they began providing food for families during the holidays. Even after Jack’s passing in 1952, the Lion’s Club kept his mission alive. Eventually, the food drive expanded so much that local schools were brought on board to help, marking the beginning of what we now know as the Jack Emery Drive.

This year, we're excited to continue Jack’s legacy with a few changes to make giving even easier. Donations can now be made online through our new digital platform, as well as donating using cash and checking in the boxes provided in each teachers room. Although schools will not be collecting cans, if you wish to donate them you can drop them off at the Milpitas Food Pantry.

Whether you choose to donate $1 or $100, every contribution helps bring hope to families in need. Join us in honoring Jack Emery’s spirit of generosity by making this year’s food drive the most impactful one yet. Let's all get together as the strong Milpitas community that we are.

As the strong Milpitas community we are, together, we can make a difference. Let’s keep Jack’s legacy of compassion alive! 

Buy A Brick - Leave A Legacy at MUSD Innovation Campus

Become a permanent part of Milpitas Unified School District history by purchasing a personalized, engraved paver brick for the MUSD Innovation Campus. Individuals, as well as groups and organizations, may purchase a brick that will be engraved with a personalized message. These commemorative bricks will be installed on campus and be a permanent part of the Innovation Campus. All proceeds go directly to the development of the MUSD Innovation Campus! Click to order.