After accepting Superintendent Matsuoka’s resignation at its June 14, 2016 meeting, the Board appointed Deputy Superintendent Cheryl Jordan as the Interim Superintendent of Milpitas Unified School District.  Ms. Jordan has served in the District since 1989 when she started her career as a social studies teacher assigned to both Calaveras Hills High School and Russell Middle School.  Ms. Jordan has held various leadership positions in MUSD, including Assistant Principal at Rancho Middle School, Principal of Pomeroy Elementary School, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.  The Board gave Ms. Jordan its full support voting unanimously for her six-month appointment.  Ms. Jordan stated that together with the MUSD staff she will build on the good work established under Superintendent Matsuoka, and that the District will continue its focus on ensuring that every student’s needs are met through personalized learning.  Ms. Jordan wants to deepen the sense of community and family shared by our city members, parents and staff so that we can become even greater at what we do for and alongside our students.

At the June 14, 2016 board meeting, the district received a letter of resignation from Superintendent Cary Matsuoka.  Mr. Matsuoka has served as superintendent for Milpitas Unified since July 1, 2011.  He is leaving to become the superintendent of Santa Barbara Unified School District, in Santa Barbara, California, effective July 1, 2016.  In his letter to the Board, Mr. Matsuoka stated, “It has been an amazing experience these last five years – we accomplished so much together and the district has great momentum. I am so proud of the work of our staff and when the SBAC scores are shared this fall, we will see the fruits of our work. I will be forever grateful for the chance to lead such a great district.”  We wish Mr. Matsuoka well in his new position and know that he will make a great impact there as he has here in MUSD.

Read more on The Mercury News.

​On Saturday, May 21st, our MHS baseball stars defeated Gilroy 5-2, they advance to Division I Semi-Finals against Leigh High School this Thursday, May 26th at San Jose Municipal Stadium.  Game time is at 4:00pm, hope to see you there!

The MUSD Board of Education established a scholarship program for our high school students entering a community college or trade school, our Calaveras Hills High School and MHS award recipients were the first to be granted this exciting scholarship.  ​Our Board members care deeply about our students and are committed to supporting their success! 

We are grateful to our MUSD Board Members for their generosity and vision in establishing this Board Scholarship Fund! President Gwan Alisantosa, Vice-President Robert Nuñez, Clerk Daniel Bobay, Member Chris Norwood, and Member Danny Lau   

Mark Tran, first ever MHS swimmer to qualify for State Championship in the 50 Freestyle race, will be competing on Friday and Saturday for the State Championship in Clovis ... Go Mark!!

Milpitas High School has submitted for adoption the following textbooks for use in Integrated Mathematic courses at Rancho Middle School, Russell Middle School, Milpitas High School and Calaveras Hills High School:
 
Big Ideas Learning®
Big Ideas Math®
Integrated Mathematics I
Ron Larson, Laurie Boswell ©2016
ISBN 978-1-68033-112-7
 
Big Ideas Learning®
Big Ideas Math®
Integrated Mathematics II
Ron Larson, Laurie Boswell ©2016
ISBN 978-1-68033-068-7
 
Big Ideas Learning®
Big Ideas Math®
Integrated Mathematics III
Ron Larson, Laurie Boswell ©2016
ISBN 978-1-68033-087-8

​A copy of these textbooks is available for public review from April 25, 2016 to June 7, 2016 during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) in Room 212 of the Milpitas Unified School District Office at 1331 East Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035.
 
For additional information, please call Ms. Paula Willie at (408) 635-2600 x6046.

​Check out our SEAL Kinder classrooms at Weller!  As our SEAL Kinder students are studying weather, there was a visit from a meteorologist at Telemundo. Not only did the Telemundo team visit and talk with our students - they also filmed and aired the segment on March 29th!  

Milpitas named a Best Community for Music for the third time.

Milpitas, CA. (March 24, 2016) – Milpitas Unified School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Milpitas Unified joins 476 districts across the country in receiving the prestigious award in 2016.
The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Milpitas Unified answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. 

This award recognizes that Milpitas Unified is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, replaces No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing—while leaving behind subject such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children.
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“I work with an incredible group of music teachers who set high standards for their students, and help students achieve at very high levels.   Our large and growing student enrollment in music is a testament to the work of these teachers and of the support music education has  received from the district, community, school board and administrators, " said Chris Kaldy, District Music Lead. “Each year a growing number of our students are also being recognized for outstanding individual achievement, and are being accepted into the California All-State Honor Bands and Orchestras as well as Youth Orchestras, Drum Corps, and top colleges throughout the United States.”

As Milpitas Unified finalizes its 2016-2017 budget, the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education Award and the implementation of the federal ESSA law bring attention to the importance of keeping music education part of the school’s core education for all students. It also highlights music’s vital role in students’ overall success in school.

Community music programs have been drawing increased attention because of a landmark study by Northwestern University brain scientists. These researchers found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading. 

Beyond the Northwestern study, other reports indicate that learning to play music can boost academic and social skills, such as processing math and learning to cooperate in group settings.
A 2015 study, “Striking A Chord” supported by the NAMM Foundation, also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum. 

Milpitas Unified  has a total of 7 full and part time music teachers who serve 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and Milpitas High School, where they teach a total of 34 music classes and almost 1,000 students combined.   
The classes include 18 elementary bands, 4 middle school bands, 4 high school concert bands, 1 percussion ensemble, 1 jazz band, 4 orchestras, 1 marching band and color guard, AP Music Theory, and 5 choirs.  

• Mr. Vieyra - Rancho Middle School, Band and Choir
• Mr. Kaldy - District Music Lead; Milpitas High School, Band and Orchestra
• Mr. Santomieri - Bands at Burnett, Curtner, Randall, Rose, Weller, and Zanker Elementary
• Ms. Poulin - Thomas Russell Middle School, Band and Orchestra
• Ms. Moore - Milpitas High School, Band and Orchestra
• Mr. McQuigg - Milpitas High School Choir
• Mr. Goldsmith - Milpitas High School, Percussion; Bands at Pomeroy, Sinnott, and Spangler Elementary