Principal's Message

Hello, Wolverines! On behalf of the Thomas Russell Middle School (TRMS) staff, I want to welcome students and their families to the 2022 - 2023 Academic School Year!

If the 21 - 22 school year taught society only one thing, it is the importance of social and emotional support. The middle school model used on our campus - students placed on one of our five teams to foster a connection with both a core set of adults and a cohort of peers over a two-year period - perfectly provides such support. We, the staff of TRMS, constantly look for ways to ensure students feel connected to and seen by our Russell, and Milpitas, community. Additionally, we recognize middle school is a significant period during which students begin to truly solidify their self-image. Accordingly, we strive to aid students see themselves as individuals who can positively affect their school, home, and community. Providing our students with a wide array of academic experiences such as opportunities to design earthquake-proof structures while continuing to emphasize their social emotional needs through practices such as mentoring inspires and nurtures them on their journey in becoming well-rounded critical thinkers who are prepared to do their part to create a brighter future for everyone. Throughout the multiple changes in education over the past three years due to the pandemic, this basic truth about our foundational practice of teaming has persisted.

Everyone at TRMS also recognizes the vital role each family plays in their student's academic journey. COVID-19 has highlighted the necessity of strong family-school partnerships to provide the safety net for all of students to strive to reach their fullest potential. We invite each family to actively participate in their child's experience at TRMS. Attending School Site Council or a Russell GRWL serves as just a few examples of how to do so. Knowing that a diverse group of adults, whether they work within or outside of TRMS, cares about their academic and emotional success is how we help them to build a more equitable tomorrow. Together, parents and staff will encourage and inspire our Russell Wolverines to become self-directed learners who recognize the importance of being outstanding leaders in our global society by respecting diversity, righting wrongs and seeking innovative solutions to problems.

I cannot wait to see the great things that we will experience together at Russell this year!

Sean Anglon

Principal and Mentor

Thomas Russell Middle School