Wax Museum Returns to Alondra School
Ms. Nelson’s Wax Museum returned to Alondra School for a singular performance on Open House night. As performed last year, the historical characters portrayed by the 8th grade students came to life when activated by a tap on the shoulder. While activated, each student recited information about the character being portrayed. The entire aspect of the 6-8 history curriculum was represented with students taking on characters from early Egyptian nobles through the American Civil War and beyond. Assisting Ms. Nelson with this year’s production was Language Arts teacher, Mr. Joe Lopez who oversaw the scriptwriting and presentation.
The Wax Museum presentation took place in Alondra’s historic Greek styled amphitheater, where appro -
priately enough, Isaac Ponce portrayed the Roman general, Marc Anthony, and Sandro Enriquez portrayed the great
conqueror,
pel, American Pioneer, whose son Mark had a school named for him –Mark Keppel School here in Paramount. Budding
thespians, proud parents and awed spectators thoroughly enjoyed the performance. If you missed this year’s performance, another reprisal of Wax Museum is planned for the next school year. So be prepared to, again, be dazzled by this yearly spectacle.
A Triumph of a House-Fixing
May 17th,
the hottest day of 2008.
later, after consuming 12 gallons of Sunny Delight and almost seven cases of water, Sarah’s
home looked bright and new. The Macaws had scraped, sanded, primed and painted the entire two-story home and its front fences. Never again, several Macaws said, will we ever do a two story home. With the help of handyman, Ric Chavarrie, the house also boasted two new outside walls, one complete with a brand new door.
The house-fixing would not have been possible without the financial help of Home Depot and Paramount Petroleum and the loan of a “big-basket boom” from Bear Equipment Rental. Several Macaws spent time painting the second story which would have been unreachable were it
not for the boom. The Macaws received its first $1000 grant from Home Depot Corporate, and Bill Winters of Paramount Petroleum paid for the rest. Cal Met dropped off a couple of dumpsters and saw that they were each emptied a couple of times. The Paramount Public Works Department dropped off a few dozen ladders and a power sprayer. Macaws spent
lots of time on the roof painting the tops of walls and the second story shingles.
Each house the Macaws “house-fix” usually runs about $3000, and the Macaws would be able to fix very few houses without the generosity of the Paramount community.
At the end of the day, Macaws were covered in paint, and Sarah was all smiles. Even more than her house looking new, she had enjoyed the company of all the young people. She kept offering them food and drink, and they kept telling her the Macaws had brought lots of their own. Sarah said she felt like she’d won the lottery and that her house looked like a million dollars.
Nancy Himel Macaws Advisor
Greek
Alexander the Great. As a connection to local history, student Richard Barron portrayed Garrett Kep-
Chakrya Cheng as Mulan, Chinese General
From left to right: Georgette Gonzalez as Penelope Barker, Colonial hero; Irma Arechiga as Lady in Waiting; Lizbeth Rodriguez as Queen Elizabeth; and, Daisy Gonzelez, Colonial Hero. Story by Margaret Nelson - Photography by David Nelson
On
40 members of the Paramount High Macaws met at the home of 97 year-old Sarah at 7:30 AM on what would turn out to be
When they left eleven hours
STAR Fiesta at Lakewood School
After careful, collaborative planning, Lakewood School had a successful and exciting STAR Fiesta to kick off STAR Testing. By 5:30 p.m., parents, students, and family members formed an extensive line along Michelson Street to eagerly wait for the STAR Fiesta to start. When the gates opened at 6 p.m. sharp, Latin music from mariachi boleros to salsa serenaded the crowd as each family received a Jeopardy ticket, and each family member received one dinner ticket. Families passed on to enjoy a feast of tacos, rice, beans, and homemade salsa at tables that were comfortably scattered throughout the school courtyard. At 6:45, families were escorted onto the playground where large, colorful piñatas purchased by Ms. Esmeralda Lopez, our secretary, hung from the basketball hoops. Each grade level had their own piñata supervised by a teacher from that grade level and one of many volunteers. The students had a great time trying to break the piñatas filled with school supplies to use during STAR testing.
After the students had collected their loot, and parents helped to pick up streamers and piñata pieces that had gone astray, the crowd was corralled to the Jeopardy game stage which Ms. Debbie Morrow, counselor, took much care in arranging. The crowd of 350 plus took their seats and prepared to have their ticket called so that the student or the entire family could come up to the big screen to select a category and value. The fun began when Mrs. Yuki Mio, principal, welcomed families, explained the importance of the STAR Test including API and AYP goals, and
thanked them for putting forth the initiative and extra effort to participate in school sponsored events that support the academic success of their children. Mrs. Xiomara Mateo-Gaxiola, Math Coach, played Alex Trebec and Ms. Gabriela Delgado, Lakewood’s Literacy Coach, operated the PowerPoint Jeopardy Game. When the selected contestants answered correctly, the student was rewarded with an educational prize. Mrs. Tammy McConnell, the school librarian, helped students select an age appropriate gift. The Jeopardy game focused on test-taking strategies in four categories: Self Confidence, Language Arts, Testing Skills, and Math.
The event was a huge success! The large representation of parents raved about the organization, due in large part to Ms. Debbie Morrow and the office staff. Parents also praised the excellent food and embraced the opportunity to spend quality time with their children doing something that will have a direct impact on their school success. Parents especially enjoyed the Jeopardy game which they felt was an actively engaging way to receive important information about good habits during STAR Testing. Mrs. Lourdes Naranjo, PTA president, exclaimed, “Thank you so much! We had so much fun! I really hope that we do this again next year.” Sounds like the inception of a great tradition at Lakewood School!
Gabi Delgado, Literacy Coach
Xiomara Mateo-Gaxiola, Math Coach
Member
J. Verdugo, Ed.D.
Busy Times at Collins School
June was a busy month at Collins School as the school year wound down. Some special activities were added to the routine hustle and bustle of year-end activities.
“Celebrate America”
On June 16th, 2008 one class of Collins’ third grade students portrayed famous Americans and performed biographical speeches as a culminating activity for their “Storytelling Unit.” Students also shared some traditional American songs! Students worked hard to prepare by rehearsing daily, reading their speeches with the microphone at the podium. Students dressed as their characters on performance day. An assembly was held for primary grade levels as a dress rehearsal. Parents and family friends attended the final performance. What a great experience!
“Fifth Grade Luau”
Collins’ fifth graders participated in their annual “Luau” June 18th. Hawaiian culture was celebrated with music, dance, food and games for two hours after school. Students dressed in Hawaiian attire and had a wonderful time!
“Third Grade Field Day”
All four Collins’ third grade classes participated in a festive pizza picnic! All students competed in fun activities on the field. There were Hula-hoop contests, relay races, potato sack races, and water balloon tosses! The water balloons tossing went a little crazy! A wet and wild time was had by all!
Margie Brennan Collins School
Aaron Misa is astronaut Neil Armstrong
Jose Salazar is Cochise
Talyn Langford, Zariea Langford and Mecca Lewis enjoy the taco dinner at Lakewood School’s STAR Fiesta.
Wax Museum
Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Harriet Tubman were just some of history’s most important figures who graced the halls of Leona Jackson School for its annual Wax Museum.
The Leona Jackson School Wax Museum is an interdisciplinary and culminating project for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. This extensive project has several parts: choose and research a historical figure, write a report, write a speech in first person (pretending to be the historical figure), prepare a costume that correctly represents the time period, memorize the speech and present the speech in costume at the Wax Museum. Students, teachers and parents spend weeks in preparation for this important event.
The night of the Wax Museum was exciting and busy. Many students were hardly
recognizable in their elaborate and intricate costumes and some students even prepared backgrounds and props for their displays. Parents walked
through the halls and observed the “wax statues” of famous people. When the adults wished to hear a speech, they stepped on a sign and the statue came
Don’t Forget – Fill Out Your Student Meal Benefits Application
The Student Nutrition Services Department encourages all families who have students enrolled in Paramount schools to complete a new 2008-09 meal benefits application and immediately return the application to school. A new meal benefits application must be filled out each new school year. Families only need to fill out one family application even if they have children at more than one school. Your student’s current lunch/breakfast pin number will continue to work in the 2008-09 school year, whether they stay at the same school or transfer to another Paramount school.
Meal Benefit applications for 2008-09 will be included in the student information packet students receive on the first day of school. The cafeteria manager will be glad to answer any questions or assist with filling out the application. School meal benefits are offered to all families who qualify. If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the application, please contact Student Nutrition Services at 562-602-6031. Remember to make healthy food choices.
Chris
Stamm,
Director Student Nutrition Services
alive to narrate his story only to freeze again when it was over. It is no wonder that this event continues to be one of the most popular during the year.
School Starts
August 25
Do you have a child who will be five years old on or before December 2? If so, have you registered him for Kindergarten? All of our schools are now accepting registration packets for new students, at any grade. You will need proof of residency and personal identification to register. If you have questions as to which school you belong to, or you need the school address or phone number, please call Student Services at 602-6035 for information. We’ll see you on the 25 th of August!
Theodore Roosevelt School Gearing Up for a New Year
As the new school year quickly approaches, staff at Theodore Roosevelt School is planning weekly parent meetings and monthly events to ensure that we keep our mission in mind to maximize every student’s academic performance and personal responsibility.
Wednesdays will be our designated day for parent workshops that will target activities that can be done at home to encourage our students to put forth their best efforts at all times. Whether it’s creating games to encourage the learning of basic math facts or the tricks for finding the meaning of new words, we know that those who attend these meetings will be eager to get home and get to work!
In the realm of technology, we
have computer programs for reading and mathematics that allow students to progress at their own rate. Last year Mr. Lane’s fourth grade class read well over one million words and improved their reading skills while having fun!
We are also looking forward to the awards our students and their families will be receiving in the near future. Our PTA has established a program that will recognize the academic successes of our students as well as their study habits and citizenship.
Although we have enjoyed a break from the regular school setting, we are looking forward to a year committed to our students and their families. A year filled with success and celebration.
Rethinking My Goals
Paramount’s Community Day School (CDS) served about 180 students this year. I’m one of them. CDS has inspired me to completely rethink my goals, and here’s why:
One day I was out of uniform. Instead of suspending me, Mrs. Hamm (our assistant principal) assigned me to help in one of the special education classes. I didn’t know what kind of class it was, but I had seen the students from that program at school. They’re on the same campus as we are.
At first I was scared, because I’d never had any contact with special education students. I didn’t know what to say or do. Mrs. Kile, the classroom teacher, told me to be patient and just help with their Christmas projects. I was assigned to help Shaniqua. She started talking to me and asked if I have brothers or sisters, and I asked her about her family. I was surprised that we had a normal conversation, like I would have with a new student in my class.
Mrs. Kile said I did a really good job. She told Mrs. Hamm and my teach-
er, Mrs. Randall. Mrs. Randall asked me if I’d like to earn credits through career experience preparedness program, and I said, “Yes.” Since then I’ve worked in Mrs. Kile’s class every day. I’m not afraid of the students any more, and now they all want my help and attention. I like working as a student aide because now I’m used to how the students behave and talk. It makes me feel good to know that I’m helping them and they appreciate what I do.
Now I want to graduate and am thinking about going to college. One of the instructional aides, Karla, told me she graduated from high school and is now attending college. She told me about some of the places she’s traveled and her experiences in college. It made me rethink about what I want for myself. Before I wanted to drop out, but now I want to graduate, go to college, and have a good career.
By
Giovana Moreno, CDS student as told to Kathy Hamm Assistant Principal
WALKING SAFELY
These student safety guidelines were developed early last year by Paramount Unified School District. Please review the following safety precautions with your children as soon as practically possible:
• Do not speak to strangers.
• Do not walk alone, particularly in isolated areas not intended for walking, especially along the railroad tracks.
• Use the appropriate dismissal gates, ones where there is supervision.
• Walk in areas where you can be seen by others.
• Travel in groups whenever possible.
• Report any suspicious behavior to school authorities and the Paramount Sheriff Station at (562) 220-2002, Lakewood Sheriff Station at (562) 866-9061, Long Beach Police at (562) 570-7260 (Collins and Lakewood Schools) or South Gate Police at (323) 563-5400 (Hollydale School).
Please remind your children to be careful and constantly aware of their surroundings.
Superintendent’s Message:
Dear Parents and Community Members,
We are looking forward to a very positive 2008-09 school year. Our academic focus on literacy in K-5 reading, writing and mathematics have resulted in Districtwide gains on the California Standards Test (STAR). In addition, we are beginning to focus on our plans to develop separate 6-8 middle schools in the 200910 school year. On the high school front, we will continue to place our attention on developing Professional Learning Communities which strive to foster collaboration and shared ideas in order to increase student learning and achievement.
We are also very excited about continuing our Arts for All projects, our Career Technical Education program and increasing technology throughout the District.
The key to our success will also be in your hands. We want to foster an active partnership between home and school. We want to encourage you to work directly with your student’s teacher(s), principal, school administrators and counselors. We know your involvement in school makes a big difference in how well your child performs in school.
In the spirit of building this partnership, I have included a “Top Ten” list for parents. I hope you find them helpful.
Top Ten List for Parents:
• Talk to our child daily about what he or she is doing in school.
• Make homework an important part of “home talk” and rein-
force good study habits.
• Limit the amount of TV/Play Station/Nintendo time.
• Read to and/or with your kids every day.
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
• At home, get your child to be physically active and provide healthy snacks – a healthy kid equals a better learner at school.
• Meet your child’s teacher(s) the first week of school; attend “Open House” or “Back-toSchool Night.”
• Ask the teacher how you can help your own child at home to succeed, and continue this constant communication all year long.
• Send a note to the teacher in the beginning of the year with your email address or best times to call. Good communication between teacher and parent is a key.
• Volunteer any free time you have at the school; become a strong advocate for school improvement; give opinions about the operation of the school. If you speak a language other then English, know that you can find someone to help translate at the school, and don’t let that stop you from becoming an active participant in your child’s school life.
David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent