 Each person past or present, employed, affiliated, attended or attending the Milpitas Unified School District is part of its unique cultural history. It’s Black, LatinX, Asian, Indian, Pacific Islander, European, and Indigenous People’s history, which have been the guiding light for our city’s brightest future.
We share generational bonds, struggles and stories that will endure. We share an opportunity and common bond to rise above the fears of our physical, economic, societal, political, and ancestral histories. We also share hopes for ourselves and the Milpitas children who moved to our community, or were born and raised, or arrived by unintentional means. In November 2022, Milpitas voters made electoral and cultural history again that reflect these hopes and values. We elected our first LatinX woman mayor - Carmen Montano. Carmen is a 50+ year resident, product of the Milpitas Unified School District, and former Milpitas school board member. In addition to Carmen, Milpitas voters elected Hon Lien, a 25+ year resident and our first Vietnamese woman to the Milpitas City Council. The voters also elected Anu Nakka, a 20-year resident, our first Indian woman to the governing school board of trustees. Milpitas will always be the City on the Hill and a beacon for All. We will wrap ourselves around our children and implore them through our actions to take their seats at the Table, in whatever life pathway they choose -- governance, tech, arts, education, athletics, music, business, medical, service, entrepreneurship, religion and more. In community, Chris Norwood MUSD Board President 2020 CSBA State Board Member of the Year  As 2022 comes to close, my eyes fill with tears for the children, parents, friends and families that will not see 2023 due to COVID19 and socioeconomic factors that drove them out of the region. The sorrow fuels my hope that the greatest good is service to others. I search for answers on how to serve in my weakest moments. There are plenty of weak moments. Our news headlines have been filled with war, inflation, hate crimes, homelessness and divisive politics. Social media algorithms and Artificial Intelligence are working overtime feeding our fears with more fears. We are all hurting. We are all struggling. We search for the happiness we once knew. Will it ever end? Who will put an end to it? I am grateful for the outpouring of community support and re-election to the Milpitas School District Governing Board of Trustees for my 3rd term. I am grateful my mom saw her 81st birthday this past June and attended the MHS graduation of her only grandson. I am grateful that I was on stage at the MHS graduation when my son walked across and my family was just a few feet away. At that moment, I saw a 17 year old Chris Norwood walking across that stage many years ago. The new leaders of our associations have huge shoes to fill. Diana Orlando and Machelle Kessinger had 35+ years of experience in their MTA and CSEA leadership roles, respectively. They pushed me to learn about the policies, historical practices and people employed by MUSD. I am confident the doors of effective and transparent communication will remain open and continue to serve us all well. I will do my part to build stronger bridges. Teamwork makes the dream work. Every employee within MUSD matters. Each contributes something unique and needed for us to work, live, learn, thrive and serve. Grateful for everyone who chooses to call MUSD home and these next few weeks of rest. Take good care of yourselves and those around you. 2023 will be what we make it.....  In community,
Chris Norwood 2020 CSBA State Board Member of the Year  We have learned what our government and community expect from our public education systems and their governing boards during a lockdown global health crisis.
We are expected to be extra extraordinary in our knowledge, health, commitment to work, family, internet teaching, and usability skills. We are expected to immediately shift the focus of our mindset from education to the societal need and common good of all; health and well-being. Over the course of the two-year span, our Milpitas schools became more than places of work, education, teaching, adult camaraderie, exercise, socialization and student nutrition. They also became hubs of safety, internet access points, food distribution centers, testing and vaccination sites for tens of thousands. Our educators (teachers, managers and classified employees) inside the classroom and out had to find new ways to work, think, and reinvent themselves to be more safe, efficient and effective. Our district leaders and board had to navigate the unknown. And we did it together. Thank you! To our families, community and staff, please do all that you can to protect yourselves, others, loved ones and our elderly this winter and holiday season. There are more opportunities and challenges on the horizon. Happy Thanksgiving. I appreciate you. Chris Norwood 2020 CSBA State Board Member of the Year  If you’ve never heard me talk to the community about Milpitas Unified, here are snippets:
In 2018, the voters of Milpitas aligned with the vision of the school district and governing board to finish Mabel Mattos Elementary School; build new track and fields at our middle schools; add a new performing arts theater at Milpitas High School; improve safety and security from intruders; and complete the new MUSD Innovation Campus for high school students, adult learners and professionals.
At the beginning of August, I drove from school to school taking pictures of the new and colorful digital marquees at each school site. My heart smiled. Thank you Milpitas PTAs/PTOs for partnering with our schools and community to make this happen. This effort aligns with MUSD Strategic Goal #2, Improve Communications for better outreach to staff, students and families. Each school year challenges me in new ways and reminds me that human life is short, precious and that Father Time is undefeated. Many of the familiar faces that helped me to grow as the senior governing board member in the district now have new roles in the district or have changed industries. The last of the teachers and other staff members who taught me have retired. Some have transitioned from this human life to the next. This past summer I attended "Celebration of Life" events for several MUSD employees and past retirees. At some of the celebrations, MUSD employees outnumbered the family members or close friends. We sat together, held hands, cried and reflected, exemplifying MUSD Strategic Goal #1, Build a Culture of WE. On the first day of school, I felt a true sense of optimism across our district and Milpitas community. I listened to the hope of parents and students for a school year that is not disrupted by a global or regional health crisis. I listened to teachers, staff and district leadership reflect on the challenges of the past two years, lessons learned and best practices to take forward in order to best serve ALL of the children who attend our schools. It demonstrated that we are following through with MUSD Strategic Goal #4, Focus on services and support systems to ensure all students are engaged in their learning and Strategic Goal #5, Identify creative, student focused strategies... to ensure healthy learning environments. Exemplifying “what we say IS what we do” is hard work, good work, and fun. Where do the Board strategic goals align with your leadership? In Service, Chris Norwood, MUSD Board Vice President 2020 CSBA State Board Member of the Year  What are you going to do with your life today? You've survived what appears to be the brunt of the COVID19 Pandemic. You've survived becoming a healthcare professional at school and in your home. You've survived working from home under challenging circumstances to working at a school site under even more challenging circumstances. You've survived disagreements and struggles with colleagues and family members.
I believe life will always include "surviving something" and to counteract survival mode only, we must commit to finding new ways of thriving at the same time. You've thrived in new ways to effectively communicate with each other, families, friends and students. You've thrived in becoming more resourceful in your day to day lives. You've thrived in recognizing the value of your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. What are you going to do with your life today? What about tomorrow? As you prepare for summer, I hope a part of your life includes peaceful rest. I hope it includes the opportunity to dance like nobody's watching. I hope it includes time with the most important people. Congratulations MUSD for a stellar year of surviving and thriving. #ForeverGrateful #CultureOfWe #MUSD4Life In community, Chris Norwood 2020 State Board Member of the Year  On Thursday March 17, 2022, the Santa Clara County School Board Association Legislative Action Special Education Subcommittee; MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan; South East Special Education Local Plan Area Director Shelly Ota; SCCOE Government Relations Amanda Dickey, Esq; Senator Dave Cortese; CSBA Legislative Analyst Ericka Hoffman; and CSBA Chief Legal Counsel Bob Tuerck hosted an Inclusive Conversation about Special Education for Santa Clara County School Board members and other community leaders.
A video recording of the special session is available for viewing here. Over the years, "Special Services" in public education for students with different learning requirements has become known as "Special Education," and is commonly viewed as a separate education system. There are many reasons for this perception, some of which were discussed briefly during our conversation, which is why the move toward inclusion will provide a dynamic and responsive system for all learners. Here is a link to presentation: Inclusive Special Education Conversation Here are the videos: MUSD Superintendent Jordan and I provided each panelist the opportunity to share valuable insights for each of us to consider and learn more about including Significant Disproportionality; LEA Billing Option Program, SB 692, AB 2034, and other legislation identified by the speakers. Attendees gained context on how key legal cases impact our district funding and the direction of future services Emma C., et al v. Thurmond, et. al. (1996); Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association, et. al. v. California Department of Education, et. al. (2011); and E.E., et. al., v. State of California, et. al. (2021). As the SCCSBA LAC Special Education Committee Chair, I encourage board members to stay connected to the Special Education conversation with the Santa Clara County School Board Association Legislative Action Committee, please register here.  As this month ends, I have to be mindful that this may be my last Black History Month as a school board member. I am not promised today, tomorrow, next week or next year. I am even more mindful of the fact, I could not have been a part of Black History without all of the different ethnicities and races that live in Milpitas — a true “Culture of We” in spirit. Thank you ALL of MUSD for being a part of my Black History and the village that educated me to recognize it.
In 2014, I was elected to the MUSD Board of Trustees. When I informed my mom, she said to me, "You have made Black History." I paused for a moment, smiled at her and said, "And you made me." Shortly after the 2014 election, in January 2015, I asked the Superintendent to share with the teachers and principals I would be willing to support their efforts for Black History Month by reading, volunteering, participating in assemblies, etc. It would be one of my many ways of thanking the community that raised me, preserving its Black History, and embracing the evolving demographics. The several who took me up on the offer watched me tell a little bit about growing up in Milpitas. The feedback I received was that I was fun; interactive and inspiring to their students and, in return, I learned even more about the curiosity, concerns and hopes of kids from different age groups. Lillian Katz, an international leader in early childhood education wrote, "Each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must recognize the well-being of our children and grandchildren is ultimately linked to the well-being of all other people's children. After all, when one of our children needs life-saving surgery, someone else's child will perform it. If one of our children is threatened or harmed by violence, someone else's child will be responsible for the violent act. A good life for our own children can be secured only if a good life is secured for all other people's children." Growing up in the diversity of Milpitas, it is easy to believe the words of Lillian Katz. WE are ALL the keepers, protectors, encouragers, and role models for our own and others’ children in our community. Thank you MUSD staff of African descent, past and present including; Chuck Gary, Mr. Travelers, Mrs. Simpson, Henry Robinson, Annie Handy, Cheryl Rivera, Herman Wilson, Damon James, Sean Anglon, James Carter Jr., Diallo Sims, Champ Wrencher, Deanna Sainten, Dr. Latisha Roberts, Hanna Asrat, Jonathan Payne, Kenneth Lewis, Stacy Lillard, Naomi Agraz, Grashan Austin, Marcus Boone, Raymond Dillard, Coral Dunn-Morley, Reynard Elzey, Mitslal Gebregiorgis, Marvel Guglielmelli, Richard Hart, Margaret Jackson, David Lewis Jr., Kimberly Marion, Cyd Mathias, Kevin Muhammad, Ndeye Ndiaye, Tiberius Nyantika, Paul Okoye, Derrick Orr, Tana Rainer, Randle Redic, Tamara Robertson, Stacey Ryan, Alfrieda Scott, Nicole Stewart, and Carmen Thrower. You are part of the Black History in Milpitas. Your presence and perspective has tremendous value. Special thanks to The “Sunnyhills Soul Fathers”. These Black men helped raise me, supported my friends, and provided 30+ years of service and leadership to the African American community of Milpitas and beyond. Mr. Kennon, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Eiland, Mr. McGee, Mr. Watts, Mr. Brown, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Tony Thompson, Mr. Henry, Mr. Gray, Mr. Shelton, Mr. Goode, Mr. Ward, Mr. Smith, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Levine, Mr Peco, Mr. Norwood, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Scott, Mr. Levine, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Dunbar, Mr. Crane, Mr. Davis, Mr. Augustine, Mr. Goode, Mr. Davis, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Mcgee, Mr. Shelton, Mr. Nichols and their friends. In community, Chris Norwood 2020 CSBA State Board Member of Year  Jonas Salk said, "The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." Tom Sachs said, "The reward for good work is more work.”
As I reflect on the most challenging year of being a member of the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees, I am extremely grateful for the work well done. I'm grateful for the work accomplished by my local and regional colleagues, our employees and parents of Milpitas Unified, and the community in service of our families and children. Our community-based partners are providing acts of kindness daily for our families and children. Our religious institutions are offering prayers, places of refuge and resources for spiritual health and physical well-being for our families and children. Our mental health practitioners and district leaders are continuously implementing measures that keep employee morale and self-care top of mind for our families and children. Our police, fire fighters, first responders, and healthcare workers are visible and accessible to all providing collaborative strategies for the public safety of our families and children. Our families and children are modeling and reflecting our examples through their giving, volunteerism, leadership and community service for others. There is Power in Good Work. Chris Norwood Board of Education  In Milpitas Unified School District, we have two feeder Child Development Centers that feed into 10 elementary schools. We have 10 elementary schools that currently feed into two middle schools. We have two middle schools that feed into one comprehensive high school, one alternative high school, one middle college high school, one adult education school, and one community college. We also have one K-12 online school called the Virtual Pathways Program (VPP/Independent Study) that feeds into them all.
All of these places and spaces of education, higher learning and pathway development are under the umbrella of MUSD EducatEverywhere. Wherever there is a need, no matter the age, MUSD strives to serve one of the most socioeconomically and ethnically diverse communities in the United States. Yes, I said United States. And while adversarial conflict dominates the news cycles and social media chats, capitalism continues to push the bounds of machine learning, process automation and artificial intelligence. As times and seasons change, I enjoy looking over the horizon..... Over the horizon, I see the city of Milpitas elected officials and operational staff continuing to build its working relationship with the school district, parents and workforce ready students that accelerate economic recovery, stability and prosperity. Over the horizon, I see our community-based organizations infusing new residents and goals into their organizations so the rich stories and traditions of events, scholarships, mentorship programs and financial donations to our diverse student populations grow. Over the horizon, I see Milpitas High School with a Performing Arts Center, second gym, fitness center and student union. Over the horizon I see the MUSD Innovation Campus, which will house District Office personnel, Tech services, MHS campus extension, Calaveras Hills, Milpitas Adult Education and Workforce Readiness and Early Childhood Development Center. The MUSD Innovation campus will bring new buildings, excitement and opportunities to 1331 East Calaveras (Ayer Site/District Office) in preparation for the 4IR. Over the horizon, I see our residents appreciating, continuing to challenge and supporting our district when we need them the most. Over the horizon, I see MUSD students free from racism, bigotry and the hate that divides so many. They will take their places in the world as producers in the fields of healthcare, advanced manufacturing, technology, governance, biotech, finance, engineering (social, architectural, mechanical), computer science, industrial design, architecture, public service, community relations, legal and, of course, education. In community, Chris Norwood  The city of Milpitas is approximately 13.5 square miles. The city of Milpitas has only one school district, the Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD). MUSD serves 10,300+ students, 180 days per year, on average, not including summer school enrichment and intervention programs. MUSD employs more than 930 people. MUSD is one of the largest employers of the city and reaches 30,000 residents daily.
Within the public school district boundaries there are 2 Childhood Development Centers, 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 comprehensive high school, 1 continuation high school, 1 middle college high school, 1 community college extension and 1 adult education center. There are more than 57 languages spoken by our children and their families. Outside of MUSD, within the city of Milpitas, there are multiple childcare centers, 5 private schools; Stratford (2), Milpitas Montessori, Monarch Christian, Merryhill, Milpitas Christian, Foothill Adventist and St. John's the Baptist. Milpitas is committed to educating its community. Many Milpitas residents are aware and connected to both public and private school systems for a myriad of reasons. They are connected to other different types of school systems in the Bay Area and across the globe. Over the past 18 months, Milpitas residents and families were suddenly placed into extraordinary roles of parent engagement and partners in education with MUSD. In parallel, MUSD employees were placed into extraordinary roles as technology experts, health care experts, community leaders, online educators, counselors, and more. We've built the CoVID19 web page to assist in the community education process. MUSD is a district "On The Move" and we are constantly compared to others. Many of these "apples to oranges" comparisons have been challenging at times to understand, strained our internal bonds of collaboration and belief in the Culture of We. As we celebrate Labor Day Weekend, and continue to solve new challenges on a daily basis, please know the residents and families of Milpitas recognize Your Labor of Love to serve, educate and support Milpitas children. Each of you is appreciated and continues to inspire. Thank you for your service and leadership. Chris Norwood |
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