Joaquin Miller Middle School (San Jose, California)

Joaquin Miller Middle School
Address
6151 Rainbow Drive San Jose , Santa Clara County , California 95129 United States
Coordinates	37°18′07″N 122°00′43″W
Information
Motto	"Pursuing Excellence in a Caring Environment."
Founded	1959
School district	Cupertino Union
Principal	Sal Gumina
Grades	6–8
Color(s)	Black Yellow
Mascot	Mustangs
Newspaper	The Miller Mustang
Yearbook	The Golden Hoofprint
Information	408-252-3755
Website	Miller Mustangs on TeacherWeb

Joaquin Miller Middle School, commonly referred to as Miller Middle School, is a co-educational, public middle school which teaches grades 6-8 in the West San Jose area of San Jose, California, USA near Cupertino. Miller Middle School is part of the Cupertino Union School District. Its official mascot is the Mustang. It was named after 19th century poet Joaquin Miller.

Most students come from Murdock-Portal, Blue Hills, John Muir, Meyerholz, Dilworth, Eaton, De Vargas, Faria and McAuliffe elementary schools. Most graduates of Miller Middle School go on to attend Lynbrook High School, in the Fremont Union High School District, the neighboring secondary school.

Miller is a California Distinguished School.

History

Miller was named after the 19th Century poet Joaquin Miller. Miller started in 1959 with a couple classrooms, quad, and library with orchards in the background. The 2009-2010 school year marks MILLER'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

For more info: Miller Calendar

The School Itself

Electives

Miller's Electives include:

• Exploratory Wheel (art, cooking, woodshop, drama, and music)
• Art
• Drama
• Yearbook
• Journalism
• Communication Arts (morning announcements)
• Concert band (Beginning, Mustang/Intermediate, Advanced)
• Choir (Beginning, Advanced)
• Songwriting and Garageband (New for 2009-10)⁺
• Woodshop
• Drafting
• Foods and Nutrition
• Beginning Sewing and Fashion Design
• Survival Skills+
• Leadership
• Study Skills
• Chinese 1A, French 1A & 1B, Japanese 1A & 1B, Spanish 1A & 1B
• Chinese 2: Literacy
• Mathematics Enrichment
• Science Enrichment
• Teacher Aide (eighth grade only)
• Office Aide (eighth grade only)

⁺Denotes newly acquired

Daily Life

6th Grade

6th Grade
M, Tu, Th, F		Wed
Time	Period	Time	Period
8:38 - 9:30 am	1st Period	9:48 - 10:28 am	1st Period
9:33 - 10:30 am	2nd Period	10:31 - 11:18 am	2nd Period
10:30 - 10:50 am	Brunch	11:18 - 11:38 am	Brunch
10:50 - 11:42 am	3rd Period	11:38 - 12:18 pm	3rd Period
1:45 - 12:37 pm	4th Period	12:21 - 1:01 pm	4th Period
12:37 - 1:08 pm	Lunch	1:01 - 1:32 pm	Lunch
1:13 - 2:05pm	5th period	1:37 - 2:17 pm	5th period
2:08 - 3:00pm	6th Period-Dismissal	2:20 - 3:00 pm	6th Period-Dismissal
Time		Period
3 - 4pm		MPH (M-R) Miller Power Hour (Optional)

The required courses for all sixth grade students are: language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, and P.E. Sixth grade electives are Beginning Band, Mustang Band, Choir, or the wheel. Sixth graders take one elective. Math classes available are Math 6 and Math 6/7.

6th grade events include Rainbow Park picnic, W.E.B. carnival, and much more. In the 09-10 year, the 6th graders went on a field trip to see artifacts from King Tut's tomb.

7th and 8th Grade

7th & 8th Grade
M, Tu, Th, F		Wed
Time	Period	Time	Period
7:45-8:35 am	0 Period (Optional)	9:05 - 9:45 am	0 Period (Optional)
8:38 - 9:30 am	1st Period	9:48 - 10:28 am	1st Period
9:33 - 10:30 am	2nd Period	10:31 - 11:18 am	2nd Period
10:30 - 10:50 am	Brunch	11:18 - 11:38 am	Brunch
10:50 - 11:42 am	3rd Period	11:38 - 12:18 pm	3rd Period
1:45 - 12:37 pm	4th Period	12:21 - 1:01 pm	4th Period
12:37 - 1:08 pm	Lunch	1:01 - 1:32 pm	Lunch
1:13 - 2:05pm	5th period	1:37 - 2:17 pm	5th period
2:08 - 3:00pm	6th Period-Dismissal	2:17 - 3:00 pm	6th Period-Dismissal
Time		Period
3 - 4pm		MPH (M-R) Miller Power Hour (Optional)

7th grade and 8th grade students are required to take language arts, social studies, math, science, and P.E. They have a choice of one or two electives. If they choose two electives, they will have a 0 period. If they only choose one, they start school at 1st period. Electives are semester or year long. Math classes are Math 7 A, Math 7 B, Math 7 A/B (grade level), Algebra, and Geometry.

Grade Events: 7th grade gets to go to the Tech Museum and a mosque. 8th grade gets the Graduation Dance, Yosemite, and much more!

Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, Miller follows a "late start" schedule. The school starts about an hour later than usual. Teachers use the time before school on Wednesdays for meetings (staff, committee, department, etc.), planning, Student Council, and more.

50th Anniversary

In the beginning of the 09-10 year, the school celebrated Miller's 50th anniversary. Many people came after school to celebrate the school's anniversary. Some old former students came to reminisce their years many years ago at Miller. There was music and old yearbooks that everybody can see and read.

Parent Internet Viewer (PIV)

Parent Internet Viewer (PIV) is a website where parents their student's grade and attendance on the internet. Each family is given a password for the account. The user name is the student's ID number. Parents can check missing assignments and the grade for each assignment.

Social Life

Miller Idol

Miller Idol is one of the biggest events held in Miller. It is a singing competition held by the Student Government of Miller. It consists of four judges, representing the four current judges of American Idol. There are two rounds to this competition. The first round, or audition round, consists of applicants who audition, then are hand-picked by the judges to go to the final round. In the final round, the students vote to determine the winner.

Dances

Miller holds school dances throughout the year on Friday nights. Only seventh and eighth grade students currently enrolled at Miller are permitted in the dances. Student have to show their ID card for admission. Only students are allowed to attend the dance. There are about 4 dances per school year.

WEB and Corrals

WEB is “Where Everyone Belongs." WEB leaders are 8th grade students who help sixth grade students transition from elementary school to middle school. Right before the beginning of the school year, WEB groups get together and the WEB leaders show the sixth graders the school. They also play a few games.The school additionally hosts a "W.E.B. carnival" for sixth graders mid-year and two "Mustang Corrals" each year, in which the entire student body can participate in various games and activities. Corrals include dancing, dunk tank, mountain climbing, food, jump house, and more. The school began to host Mustang corrals again in the 2004-2005 school year. The 6th graders can also enjoy the W.E.B. Movies.

Student Council

The Student Council includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, 2 Social Chairs, and the Sergeant-at-arms, with representatives from each grade and a representative from each classroom. Student Council elections take place every September. In total, there are 7 officers, 3 representatives, and 2 green officers. The green officers are nominated by the President and Vice President of the Student Council. The 3 representatives represent each grade level to the School Site Council.

School Trips

Students must maintain good citizenship and good grades to attend school trips. Each trip has its own specific requirements.

Yosemite

Eligible eighth graders are invited to go to Yosemite at the end of March every year. To be eligible, the student must have no more than one D, not receive any Us, and no more than one N in citizenship. Students will need to make up the week’s worth of assignments when he/she comes back. About two hundred students go each year, which is half of the eighth grade.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a trip that takes place in the summer after the school year has ended and is for eighth graders. Sign-ups are early in the year. The number of students who take this trip varies year to year. Miller 8th graders have attended this trip each year for over 30 years.

Foreign Language

Students taking French 1B have the opportunity to travel to Montreal during the summer. Starting the 2007-2008 school year, the trip has been expanded to allow seventh graders in French 1A as well. In addition to the French language, students can also take Spanish 1A-1B, Japanese 1A-1B, and Chinese 1-2. A 7th grader can't take a language if he/she didn't good grades last year.

Great America

In mid-June, students in all grades go to Great America if their report card permits it. The trip is one day and is usually from the mornings to about 5 P.M. Students who have maintained good grades and have demonstrated good citizenship throughout the year will be eligible to attend the Reward Day in June. Students, who receive six or more Discipline Reports or more than 3 "U’s” throughout the year, lose the privilege of participating in this activity. Any students who are in danger of failing a class, according to the May Progress Report and their grades two weeks prior to the event, may not be eligible to attend. The students can go if they improve their grade. Participation is at the discretion of the administration. If a person stays at school instead, then he/she will stay at other classrooms because most of the teachers will be chaperoning. In class, students watch movies or play games in classes.

Choir and Band

Miller students have a passion for excellent music. Choir, Advanced Choir, Mustang (intermediate) Band, and Advanced Band have trips not only to other schools to compete or perform, but also around the state, and sometimes even the country. In April 2008, the Advanced Choir traveled to Orlando, Florida. Both Choirs perform at yearly festivals and win many awards. The Mustang Band has performed in the past at American High School in Fremont, and traveled to Six Flags in Vallejo. The Advanced Band also travels to and performs at Disneyland and California Adventure, and has performed at Santa Monica College, Fullerton College, Cal State Fresno, and records a soundtrack session backstage at Disneyland in April of each year.

Exchange Students

Every year, students from Toyokawa, Japan come to visit Miller for two days. The visit is usually in September. Miller students, as well as students from other Cupertino Union School District schools, visit Toyokawa, Japan in the summer of every year.

Millervision

Every morning, Miller's Communication Arts class records and broadcasts the daily announcements. Students announce school news, including sports, clubs, contests, etc. The Principal or Assistant Principal may also make an announcement. Special features include Words of Wisdom and "public service announcements" which are usually funny videos concerning rules or other Miller issues of concern (Running, picking up trash, school boundaries, etc.). made by the Communication Arts class.

Discipline

The following are possible consequences for behavior violations at Miller.

1. Warning
2. Trash Duty/Gum Duty
3. Friday Lunchtime Reflection
4. Classroom Behavior Report (goes to parents)
5. Conference with parent
6. Saturday School
7. Discipline Report (goes to Principal or Assistant Principal and parents)
8. Suspension
9. Expulsion

Defiance and/or Harrasment

1. Blatantly refusing to obey (defiance) will result in a Discipline Report to the assistant principal or principal, who will keep a record of the incident. Suspension may occur if warranted, or parents may be asked to accompany the student to a conference.
2. Failing to report to an assigned detention when given a 24-hour notice will result in a Discipline Report to the assistant principal or principal. The administrator will confer with the student and Saturday School may be assigned.
3. Harassing, threatening, or demonstrating rude behavior to any teacher, regular or substitute will result in a Discipline Report to the assistant principal or principal, who will keep a record of the incident. An administrator will notify parents of the incident, and suspension may occur, depending on the severity of the offense.

Harassment policy

Harassment is any act that is severe enough to create an intimidating educational environment or negatively affect a students school adjustment. A student who feels that he or she is being harassed should contact a teacher, the principal, or the assistant principal immediately. Harassment may result in suspension.

Verbal and Visual Harassment

Verbal and visual harassment is offensive:

• posters
• cards
• graffiti
• drawing
• objects
• gestures
• profanity
• foul language

and religious, racial, ethnic, and sexual slurs or innuendos.

Physical Harassment

Physical harassment includes unwelcome or offensive touching or impeding or blocking movement.

Cell Phone Rule

If a cell phone is seen or rings in class, the teacher will confiscate it and give it to the office to hold. Some teachers just tell students to turn it off. At the end of the same school day, the parent can come to the office pick it up. It will no longer be kept for one week.

Demographics

Enrollment at Miller Middle School in 2009–2010 is approximately 1,220 students. The majority of Miller's student body is Asian-American, with over 76.9% being Asian and 19.6% being white. 5% of the school is in the Special Education program. The school investment for each student is $6,907 while the state average is $4,743.

Halloween

Every Halloween, there is a parade. The judges choose which one is the funniest, the scariest, etc. During P.E., students don't dress into their P.E. uniforms and wear their Halloween costumes instead. Students watch a movie in the gym instead of exercising.

Miller Honor Code

Miller Middle School has a strong academic and moral reputation. It is the student's responsibility to uphold the reputation by being honest at all times.

Cheating is: Obtaining info or material for the purpose of claiming credit of grades dishonestly.

Examples of cheating are:

• Obtaining oral or written answers from other students unless permitted by the teacher
• Obtaining answers from other sources such as:
  • Cheat sheets
  • Class notes
  • Books
  • Notes on desk
  • Translation software
• Filling in answers when the teacher is going over answers with the class unless the teacher has asked that it be done
• Obtaining test answers from students who have already taken the test
• Copying homework or receiving answers over the telephone
• Copying or handing in someone else's work as ones own (plagerism0
• Claiming credit for work not actually done

Students will get an F on the particular assignment and a U in citizenship for the quarter.

Academics

Mathematics

Miller has a good reputation for the strong math department. 6 teachers teach math ranging from Math 7 to Geometry (excluding 6th grade). Tests and homework are frequent. Students are expected to review and complete homework each night. Over the summer of any year, students may take a challenge test to skip a course in mathematics. Eighth graders will be assigned classes based on their seventh grade mathematics class, and their performance in it. Most Math 7 students advance to Algebra 1A, while Math 7 A/B students advance mostly to Algebra 1. Algebra 1 students will advance to Geometry in eighth grade. Books: Houghton Mifflin, McDougal Littell, Holt.

Language Arts

Miller Language Arts classes use traditional methods of teaching as well as modern technology. The EETT prohram (enhancing education through technology) allowed every Language Arts classroom to have a full set of MacBooks. In 6th grade, projects include book reports, reading assignments, and I-Search. 7th grade includes making iMovies and Garageband songs, Literature circles, and more. 7th and 8th grades participate in the Wordmasters challenge every year. Books: Houghton Mifflin, McDougal Littell

Physical Education

Miller has a strong P.E. department. P.E. students wear the Miller P.E. uniform during P.E. class. They have about the first 7 minutes and the last 7 minutes of the period to change. Mile Club and is held every Friday. This is a graded 20 minute run where students run as many Super Laps (0.56 miles) as they can. The average grade for 5 laps is an A, B for 4 laps, C for 3 laps. The P.E. teachers usually play new and popular music during mile club. The average laps for 6th grade is 3 or 4, 7th grade is usually 4, 5 and 6, and 8th grade is 5 or 6. The average is about 4 laps. Incentives are awarded at 50 miles (t-shirt) and after that every 25 miles (iron on patch). Miles carry over to the next year if the student ran more than 50 miles in one school year (but you need to keep your card for proof!). If the student ran less, they have to restart from zero.

Science

Miller’s science classes engage students in labs and hands on experiments. Students in 6th grade build models, while 7th grade students dissect dead animals, and 8th grade build roller coasters. The curriculum for sixth grade is earth science, life science for 7th, and physical science for 8th. In the 4th quarter, each grade participates in Human Growth and Development. If a parent doesn't want their child to participate in Human Growth and Development, the they have to sign a slip and have their kid turn it in to the teacher. If a student doesn't participate, then he/she will have to work on a thick workbook to get an A. Book: CPO Focus

Social Studies

Miller has a Social Studies program designed to prepare students for today's global world. It teaches different cultures, histories, and geographies. The classes are filled with simulations, activities, and educational curriculum related PG-13 movies (for 7th and 8th grades). Students enjoy these simulations and learn at the same time. 6th grade learns about Ancient History, 7th grade learns about Medieval History, and 8th grade learns about the US (add-on from 5th grade). Book: History Alive! Workbook: History Alive Notebook (students can keep)

Electives

Miller has a wide range of electives. See above.

Technology

Miller has a Technology Lab with iMac computers (Mac os x 10.4 Tiger). There are enough iBooks in each 7/8th Language Arts classroom for the student to use their own (but they will share with other periods). The Study Skills class use MacBooks The old version of iMacs are available for use in the Mac Lab. Teachers and staff use MacBooks.

Athletics and Extracurriculars

Sports and Teams

There are softball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball teams which students can try out for. Track and field, wrestling, cross-country are teams that any student may participate in with no tryouts or cuts. Miller has had notable volleyball and basketball teams. From the 2005-2007 school year, the boys 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams won back-to-back championships. The girls basketball in the same years won back-to-back undefeated championships as well.

Miller Clubs/Groups

Miller has many clubs and groups. Any student is allowed to create a club as long as they have a teacher adviser, permission from the student council (voting), and interest.

• Jazz choir
• Marching band
• Color guard
• Jazz Band
• Miller Musical once a year in November ( This year it was Just So, about the tales written by Rudyard Kipling.
• Chess
• Card Club
• Christian's Club (every Thursday)
• Lego Robotics
• Builders' club
• Red Cross Club
• Future Business Leaders of America
• Mathletes (Math olympiad team, Math Counts team, etc.)
• W.E.B. (Where Everyone Belongs/Welcome Everybody: sixth grade orientation club)
• Science Fair
• Student Council
• Miller Math Marathon (annually)
• Miller "wool works" (Linus club)
• Fish Club
• After School Math
• Miller Power Hour (after school quiet study time)

School publications include:

• Journalism (The Miller Mustang, The Miller newspaper)
• Yearbook (The Golden Hoofprint)
• Newsletter (Joaquin Miller Middle School Mustang).

+Denotes newly acquired

Awards/Accomplishments

Edyth May Sliffe Award

Two Miller Middle School math teachers have received the prestigious Edyth May Sliffe Award, given annually to approximately fifty math teachers nationally: Ingrid Lu (2001) and Pallavi Rajendra Shah (2002). Shah has met President George W. Bush with her team in Washington D.C..

California Distinguished School Award

In the 2008–2009 school year, Miller Middle School was awarded the California Distinguished School Award. This is the 4th time Miller has received this award.

API Scores

The 2007–2008 API scores allowed Miller to rank 1st in the county and 2nd in the state.

CMEA Awards

The Miller Bands and Choirs go to CMEA festivals every year to receive ratings from three judges. In 2009-2010, the Jazz Band, Mustang Band, and Advanced Bands all earned Unanimous Superior for the CMEA Band Festival performances. In 2008–2009, the combined Mustang Band earned Excellent, while Advanced Band earned Superior. In 2007–2008, the Mustang Bands earned Superior and Unanimous Superior, and Advanced Band earned Unanimous Superior.

Miller's Choirs have earned Unanimous Superior ratings at CMEA Festivals every year since 2004. Also, Advanced Choir will be performing at the annual state convention in Sacramento. This is a very high honor, as this shows the choir program has a state-wide reputation.

Miller Middle School's Band Department hosts and runs a CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival held in March at San Jose State University every year. Many music students from all over the Bay area, including many Miller students, perform in the festival.

Wordmasters

For the 2008–09 school year, Miller ranked among the top 10 schools for WordMasters.

Spelling Bee

Ramya A., from Miller, went to Washington D.C. to perform in the National Scripps Spelling Bee and earned 5th place. She was sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle.

School information

• Sal Gumina, Principal
• Pat Gaderlund, Assistant Principal
• 6151 Rainbow Dr. San Jose, CA 95129-4043
• School Website New Website
• Absence Reporting Line (before 9am): (408) 252-3755, ext. 6; Office Hours: 7:30-4.
• To email a teacher lastname_firstname@cusdk8.org - NEW!
• For more info regarding school policies, please see the Student Planner

External links

• Miller Middle School official website
• Miller (Joaquin) Middle School profile provided by schooltree.org
• CUSD Home Page