Greetings Milpitas Parents!

Summer is right around the corner. While your children are probably looking forward to free time with friends, many teachers and parents are concerned about "summer slide" ­ the common decline in students' academic skills over summer break. There are things that you can do as a parent to not only prevent summer learning loss, but also to give your child a head start on next year's learning.

Preventing learning loss doesn’t require a huge time commitment, it just requires consistency. A little practice each day goes a long way.  In addition to visiting local museums or borrowing books from your local library, Milpitas Unified School District would like to suggest using CK­12 BrainFlex. CK­12 provides high­ quality, online education materials for students and teachers.  It’s easy to use, it’s free and your child can use it anytime, anywhere.  Encourage your child to do one simple thing this summer: practice every day.

​Here’s all you need to do:

1. Visit www.ck12.org/summer and click 'I accept the challenge'.
2. Choose math and science topics for your child to focus on this summer 
3. Designate yourself as your child’s “coach” ­ you will receive updates on your child’s progress, as well as notifications if your child misses a day of practice. 
   
   

We appreciate you playing an active role in your child's learning!
​

There is still time remaining to sign up and wait for the program to start.  In the meantime, we recommend their adaptive practice to supplement your child's learning!  See the topics below.

For the 17th year, the 501(c) 3 non-profit Synopsys Outreach Foundation is offering a summer series of FREE teacher training seminars---day-long, grade and subject specific, approved for 0.5 CEUs per class, and providing a donation of materials to the participant’s school (and held at Oak Grove HS).
 
Click here for course descriptions and click here to register for SuperSchool classes.
 
Got (Plants) Science? Grades K-8, July 11
Plants: Their Parts and What We Do With Them, Grades 3-8, July 13
Got (Animal) Science? Grades K-8, July 18
Waves: Light, Sound, Action! Grades 4-12 July 20

​By Irene Hentschke
Milpitas High School art teacher

This year's annual Milpitas High School (MHS) art show, held May 16-18, was a feast for the eyes. It featured artwork from a program which has over 1,000 students taking Art Exploration, Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Photography, Ceramics and AP Drawing classes. 

The Glee Club performed with irresistible tunes to visiting Zanker students and ceramics teacher Jeff Albrecht demonstrated throwing on the wheel to a captured audience. Visitors kept the small gym filled with inspired crowds. Many parents came to support their artists.

In addition, this year freshly painted benches found permanent homes at MHS next at administrative offices, the library, Career Center, P.E. locker rooms and teacher classrooms. Seven painting scholarships went out to talented MHS students from this outstanding program.

We are very proud of our MHS artists who demonstrated their creativity and personal expression throughout the diverse portfolio displayed at this year's MHS Art Show.

​Sixth graders from Pomeroy Elementary School concluded their Project Based Learning project "Let's Get Active" about the Body Systems with a 5K run on May 19. 

That morning, every sixth grader was able to complete the run, cheered on by the entire school, according to Snemer Anand, Pomeroy science teacher and event organizer. 

"The Project Based Learning brought real life connections to the students," Anand said. "By being physically challenged they were able to understand the need to study all the systems. It generated a lot of enthusiasm and a feeling of accomplishment."

Leading up to the event, sixth graders put forth arguments supported by evidence as to how the body is a system of interacting subsystems. Instead of just stating facts they came up with Thinking Maps and PowToon videos. They also trained for 12 weeks before school and during physical education for running the 5K. They documented changes in mood and energy levels, and measured heart rate before and after exercise.

By Nanci Pass and Damon James
Principals, Rose Elementary School and Thomas Russell Middle School

​Milpitas Unified School District held its Every Student Succeeding Breakfast on May 12. 
Officially, each elementary school nominates one student while middle schools nominate two students, the high school nominates four students, Cal Hills nominates one student, and Adult Ed nominates one student. Every school uses a different nomination criteria; it is open to any student who has shown remarkable growth and perseverance despite challenges and obstacles in their lives. 

The event was created several years ago by the Milpitas Management Association and really embodies and represents the spirit of perseverance and the District’s beliefs of every student being valued, challenged, and successful. The Every Student Succeeding program honors students who exceed our expectations and the adults who support them along the way. They face life’s challenges head on and this recognition is an opportunity to highlight the young men and women who have overcome great obstacles to succeed. Their stories are remarkable and their futures are bright.
Damon James, Principal of Thomas Russell Middle School, shared the following firsthand account of his student who Nanci Pass, Principal of Rose Elementary School, said was inspirational to hear about:

Victor Zamora
Gregory Peck said, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do!” Victor is one tough young man. Every student has a unique story that helps to shape that individual’s character. For Victor, his life changed dramatically in the fourth grade. For that was they year, that his father was deported. Sometimes we all make mistakes, and unfortunately Victor’s father one that caused him to be separated from his family.  The following year in fifth grade, Victor, his 8 siblings, and his mother were evicted from their apartment in East Palo Alto due to some questionable actions of his older brothers. Emotionally, he was distressed about seeing his father leave, and some of his sibling were demonstrating some out of control behavior at home.  

Fortunately, his mother sought the members of her church for support, and she was able to place the children in varied homes temporarily. Victor was placed with teacher Catherine Petersen, who Victor refers to as his guardian for about one year. Shortly afterward, Victor’s aunt was able to raise the funds to have Victor’s father return.  And from there, Victor and his entire family were reunited to a dwelling in Stockton.  But, his older siblings continued to be an issue, affecting the entire home, so Victor’s parents placed them in group homes. Victor’s first year back with his family was OK. Victor maintained somewhat average grades, but the following year, Victor failed every class except for physical education.  

Victor had the vision to know that in his current situation he would not succeed, so he asked his parents if he could return to his guardian’s home in Union City. They agreed, and because Victor’s guardian is also known as Milpitas Teacher, Ms. Petersen, Victor was able to enroll in Thomas Russell Middle School in August of 2016. Initially, school was difficult. Victor spent a lot of time trying to learn the material that he did not learn the previous year and manage a completely different style of learning at Russell. But by going straight home each day and working with his guardian until 10 or 11 p.m. each night until about February, Victor improved tremendously.  
​
His current GPA is 3.83 and his last grading report reflected all As. What drives Victor is getting into a good high school, and he knows that performing well now will pay off later. Victor’s hopes include being a good person, getting good job, and staying out of trouble. Victor’s track coach, Mr. Dutra, said that Victor has a great attitude and always picks up his teammates. Victor we are so happy that you chose to attend Thomas Russell Middle School. Your success is a testament to your drive and motivation, and we are proud of you. Victor’s story is not known by many students or adults at Russell. He wants no special attention and nor recognition. He believes everyone should make decisions that will help them for their future. Yet again, another Russell student with wisdom beyond his years. Victor this is precisely why we think you are amazing. ¡Víctor, tú eres increíble!

​Isaiah Johnson, who stars as George Washington in the cast of nationally touring musical "Hamilton," visited Rancho Milpitas Middle School staff and students on Wednesday (May 24). 

The visit was the result of a contest, held April 17 through May 5 among 667 schools in the Bay Area.

The top three schools with the most Newsela articles read (there were points given for correct answers on the quiz/assessment that students took after reading an article) received a visit from a cast member of Hamilton. Rancho came in second place, with more than 22,000 articles read in the contest.

Norovirus FAQ

View in FAQ Vietnamese