Third Annual District Spelling Bee
Fifteen school site winners were up for the challenge for the title of District Spelling Champion at the Third Annual Spelling Bee held at Jefferson School in February.
Alanis Leiva, sixth grade student at Hollydale School, earned the first place trophy at the District Spelling Bee. Other school site winners were: Patricia Osuna-Alondra School, Vincent John- Col-
lins School, Kaylia BrownJackson School, Avery DeLaCruz-Jefferson School, Jorge Cardena-Keppel School, Nicquan Henry-Lakewood School, Omar Vasquez-Lincoln School, Kathia MuñozLos Cerritos School, Regina
Fuerte-Mokler School, Eleodoro Velasquez-Paramount Park School, Joceline Mendez-Roosevelt School, Sina Fathali-Siah-Tanner School, Gelsey Trujillo-Wirtz School and Jocelyn Donis-Zamboni School.
Traditional Artist’s Guild (TAG) 10th Annual Student Art Show Winners
During a recent Board of Education meeting, Superintendent David Verdugo and Board of Education members recognized the TAG First Place and Special Award winners.
First Place Winners
Destiny Sinclair, Kindergarten-Lakewood School
Alejandro Vazquez, 1st
Grade-Hollydale School
Melody Fu, 2nd GradeLincoln School
Yuliana Martinez, 3rd
Grade-Zamboni School
Pamela Romero, 5th
Grade-Zamboni School
Daisy Vega, 6th GradeLincoln School
Samuel Mendez, 8th
Grade-Lincoln School
Elizabeth Muñoz, 9th
Grade-PHS-West
Liliana Macias, 11th
Grade-PHS
Marco Veloz, 12th
Grade-Buena Vista High School
Special Award Winners
Alonso Macias, Superintendent’s Award-Buena
Paramount High School performs over and above the others at MESA Day
Paramount High School’s MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) team was a shining star at this year’s MESA Day 2008. According to Mr. Reed, MESA club advisor, Paramount’s twenty-two student team, “... is showing other schools what that really means.
The Pirate team won eighteen ribbons in math and engineering competitions at the event, which was held on the California State, Long Beach campus. They brought home six 1st place prizes, six 2nd place prizes, and six 3rd place prizes.
Also attending the competition were local high schools including Carson, Artesia, Bellflower, Lynwood, Long Beach Jordan, Long Beach Poly, and Cabrillo. According to senior Eddie Banuelos, the highlight of the event was, “...beating CAMS because it’s a prestigious high school that is highly ranked in the nation.” CAMS, which stands for California Academy of Math and Science, is a selective program for high-achieving students in math and science located on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Over forty students attended the MESA Day accompanied by science teacher Mr. Reed and West Campus math teacher Mr. Jameson.
MESA is a national program that prepares and encourages students to earn a math-based degree in areas such as engineering, science, computer science, and mathematics from a four-year college or university.
Vista High School
Enrique RamirezVasquez, Best Composition-PHS
Daniela Sanchez, Chamber of Commerce-Lincoln
Judith Lopez, Commissioner’s Award-PHS
Victor Fu, Mayor’s Award-Lincoln School
Raul Muñoz, Mayor’s Award-PHS
The following team members are to be congratulated
for their achievement:
• 1st place - Victor Cervantes, 11th, for Balsa Bridge
• 1st place - Alfredo Gonzalez, 11th, for Team Algebra II
• 1st place – Priscilla Figueroa, 10th, for Balsa Bridge (Design)
• 1st place – Priscilla Figueroa, 10th, for Manila Bridge
• 1st place – Andrew Juhasz, 9th, for Solo Geometry
• 1st place – Jose Rodriguez, 11th, for Team Algebra II
• 2nd place – Francheska Deras, 10th, for Manila Bridge
• 2nd place – Kathryn Florimon, 10th, for Manila Bridge
• 2nd place – Raul Gutierrez, 12th, for Team Calculus
• 2nd place – Jasmine Martinez, 9th, for Glider
• 2nd place – Ashley Uribe, 9th, for Glider
• 2nd place – Daniel Varela, 12th, for Team Calculus
• 3rd place – Eddie Banuelos, 12th, for Team Calculus
• 3rd place – Ricardo Barahona, 12th for Team Calculus
• 3rd place – Edwin Bautista, 12th, for Mouse Trap Car
• 3rd place – Diego Del Campo, 12th, for Speed Stacking
• 3rd place – Lizbeth Figueroa, 9th, for Manila Bridge
• 3rd place – Viridiana Leon, 10th, for Mouse Trap Car
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES
Superintendent David Verdugo and members of the Board of Education congratulated each school site spelling bee winner at a recent Board of Education meeting.
Jackson School GATE Program
In an effort to place focus on students who are performing well academically and show ability above their peers, Jackson School has implemented a wonderful GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program that includes an interesting after school component along with some exciting parent meetings.
The after school program began after the winter break and takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:20–3:30 p.m.. The students rotate through four different classes: Youth & The Law, Science and Current Events, Computer Graphics & Video Technology, and Visual Art Exploration. The main focus in all four classes is for students to explore new ideas, gain a greater knowledge base in the subject matter and then select their own specific projects to show what they have learned. Their projects will be on display at our GATE Fair, scheduled for June 11, 2008 in our Multi-Purpose Room at 5:00 p.m. The whole community is welcome to join us!
Our GATE parents have been
very supportive of their students and show their support by coming to regular GATE parent meetings. During meetings, students share their current progress and talk about the things they are learning. Additionally, our GATE parent meetings always have an outside focus that is both helpful to parents and/or informative to our school community. Our last meeting featured the Mobile Production’s Sky Dome that parents and students enjoyed together, in keeping with our Science and Current Events theme. Our next GATE parent meeting will be focused on Math Games that the whole family can play to help students get ready for the STAR Test in May.
So far, the GATE students appear to be having a great time. Roque Zararte, 7th grader, says, “I think that the GATE Program is an interesting and exciting place to be after school. So far, I have already learned new things like how to make a photo slide show about the justice system!” and Kaylia Brown, 5th grader, says “The Youth & Law
Character Counts- Joint Parent Celebration
On the evening of February 27th, Wesley Gaines and Leona Jackson parents gathered together at Jackson’s multi-purpose room to hear what students have been learning about and applying in their daily interactions with staff and other students.
Parents kicked off the evening mixing and pairing up with others who shared the same experiences and then covered the spaces on their Bingo card. Older students presented short speeches about each of the Six Pillars of Character. Younger students recited the Character Counts! Pledge. And Mrs. Downs, one of the Gaines’ teachers, danced the Six Pillar Shuffle. Counselors and Administrators from both campuses shared the guiding principles of this
program and broader application of these skills in one’s personal life.
Parents were genuinely interested and involved in the evening’s discussion of this viable program and how it builds moral ethics and values. There was a wonderful raffle, with many prize winners. Families stayed on to chat and mingle as pizza, chips, cake, and punch were served to all guests.
Character Counts will continue to be a key component in helping students become responsible, caring citizens who exhibit daily habits of respect and trustworthiness. Way to go Gaines and Jackson!
Linda Harju-Stevens Principal Gaines School
Class has had a great impact on us. In the future, the information will help us become better citizens of the United States.” Jennifer Nava, 6th grader, states, “The teachers are really fun and nice. You might not want to go because you think it’s boring...but it’s not!” DuQuon Corona also states, “ I’m in Science and Current Events and we have to look up all kinds of articles about whatever you want to study. I am doing a research project on electric cars. I have already learned that some cars have batteries that can automatically
recharge...cool!” Vanessa Valerio, 8th grader, speaks for most of the students in the program when she says, “ The GATE Program is real interesting. I have learned many new things and feel very challenged!”
At Jackson School, we are very supportive of students at all levels. We strive to be supportive enough to help our students grow academically and encouraging enough to make sure that those who are achieving, maintain and excel.
Jackson School Staff
Roosevelt School PTA Shines
The Theodore Roosevelt School PTA has successfully hosted another spring carnival. Parents and community service organizations ensured that our students had an afternoon filled with games, food, and a variety of activities.
The Parks and Recreation Department was represented by the after school STAR program that so many of our K-5 students participate in each and every day. Their face painting activity had the longest line at the event.
Ms. Adriana Lopez represented the Public Safety Department and Mr. Tony Peña provided guests with information on the Gang Resistance is Paramount (GRIP) program, which is featured in our second and fifth grade curriculum. Representatives of the San Martin de Pones Clinic were available to share valuable information with our community members regarding medical services.
The stage area was filled with excitement as a magician entertained the crowd for well over an hour with his bag of tricks and slight of hand. Turning flames into lollypops and sprinkling them over the crowd
was a tremendous hit among the children.
Students enjoyed various game booths that were managed by our teachers and received prizes for the many skills they exhibited. Ezra Puefua, De Moriya James and Darnesha Moore performed on-stage showcasing their musical talents, which included singing and guitar playing. The Paramount Ballet Folklorico performed several routines that were enjoyed by everyone.
Not a soul was left hungry by the end of the afternoon thanks to the wonder selection of food provided by the PTA. People feasted on tacos, pizza, hot dogs and all of the extras you would find at a carnival. Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time and we are looking forward to our fall festival in October.
This grand event would not have been possible without the support and efforts of the Theodore Roosevelt PTA.
Michele Dutton Principal Roosevelt School
PHS Drama Club performs “Love! At the Café!”
This year’s drama spring production at Paramount High School Senior Campus was called the musical “Love! At the Café!” It was a funny romance/comedy set in the 1950’s about two couples who never really are clear with each other about how they feel. Starring in the production were senior Jennifer Florimon who played “Sharon,” Matt BoonCamper who played “Jimmy,” Niabi Gallegos who played “Candy,” and Jose Alberto Hernandez who played
“Melvin.” Throughout the play, these four characters go around in circles just to find that at the end of the day they are each other’s destiny.
Over thirty drama club students were involved in the production in one way or another from minor roles to production crew. With catchy tunes and dances, the play was a great success.
Karla Melgar 12th grade student - PHS
Special Tribute to Isaias Zarate
A very special 4th grade student, Isaias Zarate was honored at the “Every Student Succeeding Banquet”, on the evening of February 21st. The Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region XIV hosts this event each year to recognize achieving students despite barriers and odds. The daily challenges Isaias must face are due to his very rare skin disease- Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. Isaias’ condition makes his skin fragile and everything he does must be done with care. On rare occasions when he is truly suffering with his disquieting sores, Isaias may miss the first block of time at school. But, when he feels up to it, Isaias musters the strength to persevere and brave it through the school day. Jonathan Mejia, Isaias’ one-on-one Instructional Aide is there to support and help him.
Isaias successfully completed Kindergarten through third grade at Wesley Gaines School and is now attending Leona Jackson School as a fourth grader. Isaias has a good sense of humor, takes pride in his learning and pushes himself daily to new learning heights. He has become quite proficient in both Language Arts and Math. He scored at the Proficient Level on the STAR 2007 Exam in English Language Arts and at the Advanced Level in Mathematics. All of his family and six of
Superintendent’s Message: State Fiscal Crisis
On January 10, 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his proposed budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. That proposal calls for 10% across the board cuts in all State spending, including a $4.4 billion cut to education.
The Governor’s budget will devastate School Districts across the State of California. California already ranks 46th out of 50 states in education funding per student. Across California, a $4.4 Billion cut to schools would mean laying off thousands of teachers, statewide increases in class sizes, the further erosion of the support that classified staff provide our students and the possibility of closing schools.
We in Paramount Unified School District are working diligently in conjunction with the Education Coalition to support, protect and improve California’s public schools.
The Education Coalition consists of representatives from the California Teachers Association (CTA), the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA),
his teachers and Principal were there at the banquet to commend him for his tenacity for living each day of his life to the fullest. He is a young man who overcomes his physical ailments on a daily basis without mumbling a complaint. Isaias challenges himself to reach the academic goals he has set for himself. We all admire him so and were thrilled to watch as he received this very special Honorary Achievement Award.
Linda Harju-Stevens Principal - Gaines School
California State PTA and the California School Boards Association (CSBA), to name just a few who are calling on the Governor and the Legislature to put our students first and reject across the board cuts that would damage our public schools.
A special budget committee has been formed to focus on the District’s Prioritized Objectives in considering and determining expenditure reductions in Paramount Unified School District.
Thank you for your continued support as we make every attempt to protect our greatest “National Treasure” namely “Our Students”.
Thank you.
David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent
The California Healthy Kids Survey: The Results Are In!
As part of an ongoing effort to provide safe and drugfree learning environments, the Paramount Unified School District administered the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) in Fall 2007 to students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11. Paramount Unified School District is required by the California Department of Education to give the CHKS as it meets the requirements of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. The survey asks students questions regarding the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, as well as questions related to violence and safety.
The data from this survey helps the District to better determine the needs of students and monitor the progress toward
student well-being and school success. The CHKS data reveals important information such as the percentage of students who reported they had not used alcohol or tobacco in the past 30 days. This data, shared with parents, teachers, and the community, assists in identifying health-risk behaviors and aids in the collaborative efforts aimed at making communities safe and healthy places for students to learn and grow. If you would like to review the results from the California Healthy Kids Survey, you may visit the Office of Alternative Education or call (562) 6026014.
Debra Bolds Curriculum
Specialist
CHARACTER COUNTS!
The six pillars of the Character Counts! program are Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, and Trustworthiness.
Our Lakewood School staff, teachers, and students have thus far focused on five of these six pillars: Caring, Citizenship, Fairness, Respect, and Responsibility. These character traits have been highlighted in a variety of venues, such as monthly blacktop assemblies, student of the month assemblies, banners in the cafeteria, and bulletin boards throughout the school as reminders of good character. Lakewood School staff and teachers role-model these behaviors, and always recognize
and praise students when they are displaying good character. Students have written short vignettes of when they have displayed these traits to be a person of character.
We are at the grassroots level in our pursuit to make good character a part of our everyday lives here at Lakewood School. We have a vision of hope, however, that these character traits will not only be learned, but rather embraced and find their way beyond the gates of our school.
Debbie Morrow Counselor Lakewood School
Arts Education Residency Programs
The Special Day Class students of Hollydale School have enjoyed the opportunity to experience two Arts Education Residency programs this year.
Mr. David Butler’s 4-5 SDC students worked with Artist in Residence, Doug Cooney. Mr. Cooney specializes in playwriting and provided the students with the opportunity to express themselves through writing. This program was funded through the Arts for All grant.
All SDC students met with Artist in Residence, Robert Baeza. Mr. Baeza specializes in the visual arts. The students met with Mr. Baeza several times in the fall and were exposed to drawing and painting techniques. Mr. Baeza will meet again with the children after spring break. This opportunity is funded through the school site PTSA.
The arts are alive and well at Hollydale School!
Kim Cole -Director Special Ed./Early Childhood Education
Kindergarten and New Student Enrollment
It’s almost here! Enrollment for incoming Kindergartners, as well as any student that may be new to the Paramount Unified School District begins April 21, 2008. All students registering for kindergarten must turn five years old on or before December 2, 2008. To enroll a kindergartener you will need verification of residency within the Paramount Unified School District boundaries, original documentation of proof of birth, and current immunizations. Students in grades one through twelve will need the documents mentioned above and are encouraged to bring their transfer slip, current report card or transcript from the previous school to enroll. Our classes fill up quickly, particularly in grades K-3 so it’s important that you enroll your child(ren) as soon as registration begins.
Terri Dorow - Director, Student Services
Join Us in Growing Together!
It’s Toddlertime! Ready by Five, in conjunction with First 5 LA and Paramount Unified School District, is pleased to offer Growing Together, a mix between a “Mommy ‘n’ Me” class and a story-time hour. Growing Together is free and open to anyone with a 1-3 year old child. In addition to Paramount families, residents from local communities are welcome too. The class will engage toddlers in music, play, stories, and friends. Each lesson follows a special theme and is geared towards helping toddlers developmentally in key areas such as language, communication and motor skills. Parents will learn songs, finger plays, and rhymes they can share with their child at home.
Growing Together begins May 7, meeting every Wednesday until June 11 at the Paramount Library, 10 am for 1-2 year olds and 11 am for 2-3 year olds. Let your friends and neighbors know to join in the fun! If you want more information, call Coco at (562) 602-6913.
“Ap-paws” for the Los Cerritos Assemblies
At the end of the first semester, the Los Cerritos Playground is “barking” with the sound of parent applause and teacher cheers as Kindergarten to Eighth grade students are honored during specially scheduled recognition assemblies. Students proudly stepped up in front of excited peers to receive awards for Principal’s Honor Roll, Honor Roll and Super Citizenship. Silence is reserved only for the announcement of the coveted Classroom Highest Attendance award, but then is quickly buried by an eruption of applause and emotion from the winning classes. “My students have truly been applying themselves this entire year, so it’s nice to see them rewarded for their efforts. They look forward to the assembly to cheer on their classmates and friends,” says 6-8 teacher Maggie Elizondo
In addition to teacher recognition awards, Kindergarten students have an opportunity to receive their Alphabet Club or Number Namers necklace after testing their recognition of letters and/or numbers with Mrs. Salcido.
Attendance plays a big factor in academic achievement and is therefore assigned a special role in Los Cerritos assemblies. The award that continually brings down the house is the Classroom Highest Attendance. Teachers and students work hard each month tracking absences and tardies to determine if their classroom has the highest percentage in the grade level. The winning
classes receive a certificate along with Salcido Silver for each student and a Starbucks Gift Card for the winning teacher.
In conjunction with the end of semester reporting period, the First Semester Honor Roll was recently added to the quarterly assemblies. K-5 students receiving all O’s in citizenship were awarded a Super Citizenship Certificate and bumper sticker. K-5 students with 4’s in Reading, Writing, and Math and 4’s as well as 6-8 students maintaining a grade point average of 3.75 to 4.0 were named to the Principal Honor Roll and received certificates and bumper stickers. K-5 students with a combination of 3’s and 4’s in Reading, Writing, Math, as well as 6-8 students maintaining a grade point average of 3.5-3.74 were named to the Honor Roll and received certificates and bumper stickers. Students with perfect attendance for the entire semester received a Semester Perfect Attendance certificate.
Principal Liz Salcido sums it up best when she states, “We all enjoy recognition and become better citizens as a result of it. There is no greater reward than observing students emerge as confident and productive individuals who are proud to share their accomplishments with parents and the community.”
Snow Day for PHS Pirates!!
Over 100 Paramount High School
Senior Campus Pirates enjoyed a snow day as a reward for an entire semester of perfect attendance.
Students were bussed to Big Bear where they spent the day playing in the snow at Alpine Snow Play. The most popular activity was inner tubing down a snow-covered mountain. However, the more daring individuals slid down a curvy path while the rest laughed as they watched them slip and slide down the mountain. Yet, the truly priceless moments were seeing those whose tubes came sliding before they managed to get on and their riders chasing the tubes downhill.
Many Pirates became creative as they sled downhill. Some students formed intricate clusters holding each other’s hands and feet as they slid downhill, some were forming P’s for Paramount, and others formed long
chains with up to twelve people. After a few well-spent hours playing in the snow, the adventure continued as they left Big Bear and stopped to have dinner at Uncle Tom’s. Students enjoyed eating pizza and playing in the arcade until it was time to go. The trip did not end there, though; there was one more stop for these Pirates. Before reaching Paramount, the bus stopped at Dairy Queen where the students were treated to ice cream blizzards for dessert. It was definitely a snow day to remember for these semester one perfect attendance winners. The trip and the day’s events were organized by Assistant Principal Mrs. Yates who had fun as well.
Nina Hauge – Program Coordinator, Ready By Five
Jill Hammond Open Court Coach Los Cerritos School
Yvette Rodriguez Teacher