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.

Support services essential in combatting negative

impacts of social media on our students

Miss. Ochoa, a MUSD alumni, expressed gratitude for her peers during their graduation ceremony at  MUSD Middle College High School where building a Culture of We is tantamount to establishing a sense of community. Miss. Ochoa said that because of the welcoming environment she felt that she belonged and could be as successful as she was.  Learners like Miss. Ochoa become the greatest version of themselves when they are supported by people who see their potential and act in a way that builds them up. Social media use amongst 10-24 year olds tends to do the opposite, creating situations for teens to see themselves as not good enough in all aspects of life. 

According to the 2024 Center for Disease Control, 40% of teens in the USA have expressed sadness, depression, or loneliness. The US Surgeon General states that while social media effects on our children and youth are not yet fully understood, there is data that shows 40% of girls ages 13-17 say it makes them feel worse about their self-image.  The MayoClinic found that social media impacts can be both beneficial and harmful, the key at home is parent/caregiver involvement. This video from McClean Hospital describes how parents and caregivers can provide parameters for teens on using social media apps such as limiting posts to those that are not selfies, talking about what they see on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord and others, and limiting use before bed time. Social media use may be a driver in the increase of negative student behaviors and depression that we see in our schools. 

At school a percentage of our learners express anxiety, difficulty in developing relationships, and a need for support.  In our 2024 spring climate and culture survey, 74% of our upper elementary students indicated that they felt a sense of belonging at school, while only 57.1% of our middle and high school students felt a sense of connection to school.  Our mental health professionals had 982 individual counseling sessions with elementary students and 1,118 with secondary students. The professionals provided our students with much needed support so that they could be successful in school. Similarly, our health clerks provide services for students every day that provide them with the physical well-being they need for success. Burnett Principal Asrat shared this anecdote about Ms. Gunn, “Last year, my health clerk (Ms. Gunn) became a safe space for a student who needed to connect and feel seen at school. Knowing she could go visit the health clerk to get reassurance helped get this student to school every day.” Our counselors, mental health providers, and health clerks all provide opportunities for our learners to develop healthy tools that increase their skills for communication, conflict resolution, and better peer relationships. 

Measure Q will provide funding to assure these services are maintained, without that we will return to pre-COVID staffing levels. To learn more about the proposed MUSD 2024 parcel tax, please visit the Measure Q link on our MUSD website.

In community,

Welcoming October:

Supporting our students as the seasons change

Reflecting on the First Two Months of School

As we close out September and move into October, I want to take a moment to recognize the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our community. These first two months of the school year have been marked by positive energy, new challenges, fresh beginnings, and new opportunities to share a commitment to academic excellence. Congratulations Calaveras Hills and the new Milpitas High School extension campus for blazing more trails for our learners. And lest not forget the Milpitas Middle College High School and Milpitas Adult Education for opening new doors for all to learn as well. 

Preparing for October: Adjusting to the Changing Season

As we head into October, the days are getting shorter, the weather is cooling down, and the energy of a new school year is settling into a steady rhythm. This shift in seasons can impact us all, and it’s important to recognize how these changes may affect us all.

For our students, the adjustment to darker evenings and cooler temperatures can sometimes lead to increased fatigue, a drop in motivation or illness. As the novelty of the school year fades, some may struggle to stay engaged or feel overwhelmed. This is where our collective efforts—parents, educators, and community members—become even more crucial.

Encouraging Wellness & Balance

Here are a few ways we can continue to support each other as we transition into this new season:

• Maintain Healthy Routines: Stick to consistent sleep schedules, even as nights grow longer. Good rest is essential for focus and overall well-being.
• Stay Active: Cooler weather shouldn’t mean staying indoors all the time. Stay active, whether through outdoor play, sports, or even short family walks after dinner. Physical activity boosts both mood and mental focus.
• Open Communication: The changing season can sometimes bring shifts in mood or energy levels. It’s important for parents, teachers, and staff to keep open lines of communication with students, checking in on how everyone is feeling mentally, physically and emotionally.

Upcoming Opportunities for Engagement

October also brings opportunities for deeper engagement with our school community. Whether it’s through parent-teacher conferences, school board meetings, or community events, our involvement plays a critical role in shaping the success of our district. I encourage everyone to stay connected and continue participating in the important discussions that influence our students' learning environments.

Looking Ahead: A Season of Growth and Progress

Finally, I want to remind everyone to be mindful of safety as daylight decreases. Health is wealth!

In community,

Chris Norwood

State Board Member of Year Blog

Best in Class: Milpitas High School's Nine

National Merit Scholar Semifinalists for 2024-25

Nine Milpitas HS students were recently selected as Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among more than 16,000 students nationwide in the 70th annual NMSP to earn the designation based on results from the Preliminary SAT exam. In February, these 9 students will be notified if they have advanced to Finalist standing, which then qualifies them for 6,870 scholarships worth nearly $26 million. Click to learn more about each

Jericho de Guzman

What does being named a NMS Seminfalist mean to you?

It proves to myself that I have the capacity to do and achieve great things in life, as long as I put in the necessary time and effort. It motivates me to pursue even greater endeavors in the future, through college and beyond.

Leslie Dong

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?

Given the amount of practice ACTs my mother made me do, it would be strange if I didn't succeed at such a high level.

Aditi Gupta

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

 I like all sciences, especially environmental science and chemistry. That being said, my favorite period is my senior open.

Ananya Gupta

What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?

​I’d like to attend a UC/CSU because they all have good Electrical Engineering programs (and are in California). I’d also love to attend USC, because I can do a minor in music there.

Kyle Le

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?

I'd say two things motivate me the most. My parents, of course, are the biggest source of motivation. Without them, I probably would've given up a long time ago. The second thing is a healthy amount of competition.

Oliver Ma

What does being named a NMS Semifinalist mean to you?

For me, being named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist represents a culmination of all the effort I have put into my academic journey throughout my life and the commitment to academic growth I have maintained, and I am truly grateful to everyone who has helped me reach this milestone.

Lakshya Mehta

What is your favorite subject in school, and why?

It would have to be either math or physics. Math has always been pretty easy for me to understand, but physics, although much harder for me to grasp, fascinates me because we can use it to not just understand our world but create so many useful and revolutionary things.

William Mito

What / Who motivates you to succeed at such a high level?



My math teachers, my parents, and the spirit of competition.

Daniel Xu

​What college would you like to attend after graduating MHS, and why?

I'd like to stay in-state, if possible. Thankfully there is no shortage of great colleges in California, and I'd love to go to one of the UC's or some of the CSU's. Cal or UCSD would be great, but every single one of the UC's is good in my book.

Randall grows interest in music program with MCEF grant

Students at the Randall World Languages School huddled in the front office meeting space anxiously awaiting to hear their name matched with a musical instrument of their choosing.

Randall, a Title I school with a diverse population where 98% represent people of color and close to 50 percent come from socio-economically disadvantaged households, was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Milpitas Community Education Foundation to purchase 30 musical instruments and songbooks to build their music program.

Since receiving the grant in 2021, Randall’s music program has blossomed to 42 students, with 14 in orchestra and 28 in band. Superintendent Cheryl Jordan shared, “I am thrilled to see how our Randall World Languages school provides our learners with Spanish, Mandarin and the language of music”

Click to read more about Randall Music Program

MUSD celebrates MUSD Innovation Campus Phase 2 completion with community with ribbon cutting

Along with the Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD), Blach Construction (Blach) and Quattrocci Kwok Architects (QKA), as well as community partners, members and supporters, recently celebrated the completion of Phase Two of the MUSD Innovation Campus. A first-of-its-kind education and workforce development center, the MUSD Innovation Campus is providing future-ready learners with a variety of educational and training opportunities that translate into sustainable careers.

“Completing the second phase of the MUSD Innovation Campus is another important step in enhancing public education in our community – the gateway to Silicon Valley,” said MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan.

• Click for full press release on Phase 2 MUSD Innovation Campus
• Click to read Milpitas Beat article on Phase 2 MUSD Innovation Campus

Calaveras Hills High School unveils new school logo

Calaveras Hills High School (CHHS) unveiled a new school logo at its 2024-25 Back to School Night, which was held Wednesday, September 18.

Students, staff, families, school board trustees and community members celebrated the new Calaveras Hills High School Mustang logo on the new campus at the MUSD Innovation Campus.

"We wanted a new logo to represent our new school building," said CHHS admin in charge Jonathan Payne, who also shared that the new CHHS logo will be printed on apparel for purchase at the school store. "We want you to go out in the community and be proud to be Calaveras Hills alumni, or current Calaveras Hills student or Calaveras Hills staff member."

Click to read more about Calaveras Hills HS

Milpitas HS jump rope enthusiast Eunice Lee

wins fifth U.S. National Championship

Milpitas High School freshman Eunice Lee was recently crowned the U.S. Grand National Jump Rope Champion at the 2024 American Jump Rope National Championship (AMJRNC), which was held June 24-29 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Milpitas Jump Rope Club founder bested the all-ages field for the Single Rope Speed Endurance (SRSE-3 minutes speed) and also earned the title of U.S. Junior Individual All-Around Champion. In total, she received one Gold medal for SRSE and three Silver medals for Single Rope Individual Freestyle (SRIF), Single Rope Speed Sprint (SRSS-30 seconds speed) and Single Rope Double Under Relay(SRDR-pair with another team).

Click to read more about Eunice Lee

Trustee Norwood selected for CSBA Delegate

Assembly Governance Review Committee

Milpitas Unified School District Senior Board Member Chris Norwood was recently appointed to the California School Boards Association’s (CSBA) Delegate Assembly Governance Review Committee.

Norwood, a Milpitas HS alumnus and the 2020 CSBA State Board Member of the Year, will serve a one-year term on the committee and, as a member, will evaluate how Delegate Assembly seats are allocated and review diversity of representation, engagement of Delegates and channels of communication. The intent is to improve communication, engagement, representation and diversity in leadership of CSBA. The findings of the committee’s evaluation will culminate in a report to the Board of Directors.

“CSBA is widely recognized across the state as the leading provider of essential support and resources to school boards to ensure effective governance and student success,” shares Trustee Norwood. “I look forward to bringing the voice of Milpitas Unified, Santa Clara County, and working with my colleagues across the state to ensure CSBA Delegate Assembly leadership engagement, representation, and communication align with CSBA’s advocacy for high-quality education for all students in California.”

MUSD receives $4.5k grant from AGILE, partnership into educational research & development think tank

Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) was recently one of only 20 educational entities nationwide selected for membership in the American Group of Innovative Learning Environments (AGILE) Network, part of the international collaborative Global EdTech Testbed Network (GETN).

By doing so, MUSD attained an unrestricted $4,500 grant as well as training in transferable community-led innovation skills; recognition as an elite leader in education innovation; access to research-informed solutions to MUSD’s needs and priorities; and access to additional technical support for fundraising and teacher-level grants.

Click to read more about MUSD and AGILE

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.

Mattos Elementary School

Pomeroy Elementary School

Sinnott Elementary School

Spangler Elementary School

Rancho Middle School

Russell Middle School

Milpitas HS Extension at

MUSD Innovation Campus

MUSD Middle College

High School