Learning and Family Fun Night (LAFF Night)
Learning and Family Fun Night (LAFF) was held at three of the Districts Pre-Schools on October 23rd. Mokler State PreSchool, Keppel State Preschool and Gaines Early Childhood Education Center each sponsored an event at their school site. Parents with enrolled students were invited to bring their pre-schooler and extended-day student (and siblings or other family) to the event.
LAFF Nights are parent and child workshops designed to involve the whole family in the pre-school and extended-day students’ learning by have fun playing and learning through different activities. The evening’s topics are based around the curriculum topic that is being taught in the classroom. October’s topic was “Math Time”. All activities and projects were focused on increasing the child’s awareness of numbers, shapes, graphing, sorting and classifying (number knowledge, algebra and functions, statistics, data analysis, and probability and mathematical reasoning). Ideas and activities were also shared with parents that
can be duplicated at home as well. Refreshments were provided and every student in attendance received a gift.
It was a fun and exciting evening; everyone in attendance had a wonderful time. The next LAFF Night will be held on January 28, 2008 at Zamboni Preschool, Wirtz Preschool and Los Cerritos Preschool.
Congratulations Keppel Essay Contest Winner!
Through the Creative Writing Competition and Program, students in the Los Angeles Unified School District and in community and afterschool programs throughout Los Angeles County were invited to write an essay that reflected their appreciation and understanding of Latino Culture and/or history (grades 6-12). The essays ranged in themes from issues of identity and family stories, to dreams for a bright and successful future. This writing competition was presented by Disney and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Mark Keppel School is proud to announce that 8th grade student Jacqueline Martinez was awarded 3rd Place in her Division (Division I – 6-8 grades). She was recognized at an awards ceremony at Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood, along with the winners in the other divisions (from
schools including Marina del Rey Middle School, The Renaissance Art Academy, Valley Alternative Magnet School, and Rhythms of the Village Valley Charter High School). Jacqueline’s classmates were also invited to attend the ceremony. She received a savings bond scholarship, a certificate of recognition presented by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and a gift bag with books, school sup-
plies, and other materials.
We are very proud of her accomplishments. She exemplifies what hard work and dedication can accomplish.
Here is Jacqueline’s winning essay!
What it Means to be a Latino in Los Angeles County
I think that much is expected when you are a Latino or of some kind of Spanish decent. My grand-
parents came here for the American dream, to prosper. After many hardships, pain and suffering … they made it! They have now given us the opportunity to get an education and become something great!
There are many Latinos in high places of government. For example: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. He is truly a magnificent person! With his guidance we, Latinos, who have low income have been able to afford housing. In addition, the crime rate See ESSAY on Page E-2
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES December
Jacqueline Martinez
Lincoln’s Scary Story Read Night
Are you afraid of things that go bump in the night? What scares you? Are you interested in mummies? Abraham Lincoln School explored fear and literature with the annual “Scary Story Read Night.” On this evening, parents, children, and teachers joined together to celebrate and savor books and all things scaaaary.
Ms. Hazlewood chose to read aloud and show pictures from the story, What Was I Scared Of? on the ELMO for all to see. Mr. James read from a chapter book called More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and allowed everyone to visualize in their minds. Mr. Lamphear gathered all of the children close to him as he read aloud and then shared the pictures of a Berenstain Bears scary adventure. Ms. Acevedo got her students to help read and tell about true facts found in the book, Unwrap the Mummy. After the stories, children got to make a bookmark craft donated by Lincoln’s dedicated PTA.
The 6-8 grade students in Ms. Acevedo’s class really enjoyed participating in the Read Night this year. Some students dressed up to play the parts of a
ESSAY from Page E-1
has fallen, so there isn’t as much violence.
My dad and grandfather say, “We are the backbone of this country, we are educators, doctors, lawyers, gardeners, crop pickers, we work in warehouses, and are janitors. We are the people who like to get our hands dirty, and be in the thick of it all, and are consumers. We all like our fiestas and siestas (also known as snoozing).”
There are a lot of us here in Los Angeles. There are also numerous Latino restaurants, and many people
pharaoh, servants, the embalmer, and a mummy that came to life! Some students read the pages of the book, explaining and clarifying along the way. Others shared fascinating real photographs and information on mummies. Many students had things to say about the event.
“The night was a big success. Our presentation went well. The crowd was intrigued. I believed the mummy presentation was a lot of fun. Not only did the audience learn from the show, we also made money [selling churros afterwards] for the MESA program,” described Samantha Bejarano.
“In my opinion, the Halloween Read night at Lincoln School was quite interesting. We made a wonderful spooky presentation that went along with every other story. The Read Night turned out to be a great success that even a mummy attended!” a delighted Daniela Sanchez said Maria Rivera added, “I learned a lot during the presentation and I hope you did too.”
Mickie Hazlewood Open Court Coach
Abraham Lincoln School
come from different places to eat the delicious food like: beans, rice, tamales, tacos, arroz con leche, and Latino candies. There are lots of popular songs that have been adopted from Latinos as well. For example: mariachi bands, salsa, and cultural dances. Even at school, some announcements, permission slips, and emergency forms have a Spanish side! This is incredible to me.
Although, there are still some people who dislike us. They don’t like the thought of us being their equal, but I still believe that I belong in Los Angeles. This is my home! No one can tell me otherwise!
Julius Caesar: The Play
On Saturday, October 20, 2007, Ms. Barboza’s students and I were taken to see the infamous play “Julius Caesar” at Fullerton College. Among her two honor classes, the majority of us did enjoy the play. The scenery and special effects surpassed our expectations; even in the dullest moments, we were still entertained. Not only did the play captivate our senses, the actors impressed us with their accuracy. Even in the longest speeches, the actors knew their tone and lines like the back of their hands. When Caesar died, there was no immature glances or smirks from the performers.
Many of us enjoyed the humor from the play as well. Although it wasn’t everyday language, Shakespeare’s comical dialogue such as the mender of
bad soles, amused many of the audience. In my opinion, the play was surprisingly funny. It wasn’t necessarily just the dialogue, but the expressions of the actors also humored me. Some of their actions towards other characters impressed me. The battles were very dramatic, and I felt as if we were watching a movie at times. Overall, the actors’ performances were amazing.
All my peers and I had a fun experience, and by seeing the play visually, it helped us further understand the play. Thank you to Ms. Barboza and to Mrs. Kosaroff for a pleasing and unforgettable experience.
Jennifer Krebs Paramount High School Student
Hollydale School
Honored
Hollydale School has been named a California Business for Education Excellence/Just for the Kids-California Honor Roll School for 2007.
Hollydale School is being recognized for the outstanding success the school has had in raising student academic achievement. The California Business for Education Excellence reviewed student achievement data for every public school in California. Hollydale School stood well above the rest in getting students to grade level proficiency.
As an Honor Roll School, Hollydale School will be recognized in local and state media. The school will receive a certificate commemorating their achievement as well as a school-sized banner that will be proudly displayed.
Principal Susan Marilley represented the school at the Awards Dinner and Best Practice Institute on November 6th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City.
Congratulations to all stakeholders for this wonderful achievement.
Spooky Story Night at Lakewood School
It was that time of the year again when students and families donned their favorite costumes to participate in Spooky Story Night at Lakewood School. PTA President Mrs. Naranjo, Hospitality Chairperson Mrs. Duran, and Counselor Ms. Morrow opened up the evening by selling hot dogs, drinks, and T-shirts. Second grade teacher, Ms. Vaughn, coordinated the evening’s events and purchased raffle prizes to bring in over 100 family members!
During the evening’s rotation, everyone was able to participate in a variety of activities from literacy to edible arts and crafts. Mrs. Strawther, in her Dr. Seuss outfit, read scary rhyming stories such as Spookly, the Square Pumpkin, to students and parents. Math Coach Mrs. Gaxiola, superim -
Superintendent’s Message:
Holiday Wishes and Happy New Year
It is hard to believe that the 2007 year will soon come to an end and that we will soon begin the Holiday Season and enter a new year.
As we move into the 2008 New Year, the teachers, staff and employees of the Paramount Unified School District remain committed to preparing our students for a bright and successful future.
On behalf of our Board of Education, I wanted to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our parents and community for your continued support and partnership in the education of all our students.
We have much to be thankful for during this Holiday Season. It was our former and the late presi-
dent of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy who once said these words during the holidays, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but rather to live by them”.
From everyone in the Paramount Unified School District, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2008.
And the Winner Is...
posed a fireplace on the wall while she enthralled students and parents by reading The Old Witch by The Brothers Grimm. Our principal, Mrs. Mio, face painted while Mrs. Deogracias, disguised as a life-like pirate, monitored the Student Council officers who assisted students to fish for prizes. Other activities included ghost pops by Ms. G. Wilson, and making various spider treats and puppets by Ms. Butler, Mrs. Gonzales, Ms. Leal, Ms. Nshanian, and Ms. S. Wilson.
As students went home with their various mementoes, it was another successful evening of making connections with our Lakewood families!
Lynessa Vaughn Teacher Lakewood School
Paramount High School student Lizeth Ayala is the first recipient of the Shirley Abram Scholarship award. Joining Ms. Ayala is Rob Jacobson, Coordinator LA County SARB; Guadalupe Ochoa, Lizeth’s mother; and Victor Thompson, Direction LACOE Student Support Services.
On October 31st, 2007, the Los Angeles County Office of Education held its annual SARB Certification training at the Endowment Center in downtown Los Angeles. For the first time the SARB Board, under the leadership of Dr. Victor Thompson, Director II, Division of Student Support Service, LACOE, and Rob Jacobsen, Esq., Coordinator at Los Angeles County SARB, decided to honor SARB students. School districts in the Los Angeles County were asked to nominate students who have shown improvement after having been sent to SARB. Four students were selected, three of which received an award certificate and a
$50 gift certificate and one student of the four students was selected to receive a $500 scholarship. Please join us in honoring Paramount High School student Lizeth Ayala, the recipient of the first “Shirley Abram Scholarship Award.” This deserving student went from having over 300 unexcused period absences to having Perfect Attendance. Lizeth is back on track and swimming up stream. She is expected to graduate in June and go on to attend a fouryear university.
Gwen Yates, Assistant Principal Paramount High School
David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent
Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Genevieve Wilson, is an angel as she gets ready to make ghost pops with Shereta Williams, Talyn Langford, and Mecca Lewis.
Fourth grade teacher, Ms. Mandy Butler, makes spiders treats with Angelica Ceballos, Jasmine Olive, Aretha Pollard, and other students.
Attendance Counts
Dear Parents,
Students usually begin each new school year with excitement and enthusiasm, even if they don’t show it to adults. The anticipation of new classes, new friendships and renewing old friendships provides real motivation for daily attendance at school during those first few weeks.
Unfortunately, after a brief time some students, particularly those in the middle school grades and those who are having difficulty with lessons, become careless about regular attendance. Missing a few classes does not seem to be a big “deal” to them. Sometimes it might seem insignificant to parents as well. However, regular attendance at school is important for every student. It is difficult for young students to learn if they are not in class. The teaching-learning process builds upon itself-each lesson presented to students is based upon or related to the lessons that were taught earlier. Just as we can never regain a moment of time wasted, the child who misses a day of school also misses a day of education that cannot be retrieved. Indeed, all research shows that those children who attend school regularly are more likely to be successful during their school years.
From experience, most educators know that students’ success in their school years is directly related to the importance that parents attach to education. When parents believe that consistent attendance is important and communicate that belief to their children, unnecessary absences from school will be drastically reduced.
Students should attend school everyday, unless illness or emergency prevents them from doing so. Please encourage your children to attend school and actively participate in the learning opportunities provided in their classroom.
“I Love My Life”
Have you ever wondered why Paramount Adult Education Center is such a positive place to visit? Have you stopped to take notice of the well-kept grounds and the interesting decorations all around campus? Well, PAEC has a great staff of administrators, teachers, teacher’s aides, secretaries, custodians, and the greatest motivated students that any campus would want.
Additionally, Paramount Adult Education Center has a secret to its upbeat campus. That secret is Ramiro Salgado. Ramiro has been attending classes at PAEC for thirteen years. He says he just can’t learn enough. He enjoys being on campus and taking all the classes that PAEC has to offer.
Ramiro has nine children who are all very proud of him. He worked as a grape and apple field picker in the 1950’s for a total of eight years. Those long hours of hard work did not stop Ramiro from taking care of his children and having a thirst for knowledge for himself.
Although he is 67 years old, Ramiro is enjoying the computer class he is now enrolled in with Ms. Murillo (Teacher of the Year at PAEC). He says that learning is fun in his ESL class with Ms. Shaffer where he is learning how to speak more and more English each day. Ramiro says that he is not complaining, but when you work in the field for eight years picking fruit, it is hard to find
Pirates Welcome Water Polo, Say Farewell to Storied Stadium/Fields
The closing of the 2007 Fall sports season arrives at PHS with the Athletic Department ready to plunge into the many changes and challenges wrought by the new facilities coming over the next few years. But more recent events are also already altering the department, especially the return of boys’ water polo (fall) and the addition of girls’ water polo (winter). Through the generosity of the PUSD Board of Education and the cooperation of the City of Paramount, Pirate athletics is fielding freelance teams this fall and winter with an eye on joining the San Gabriel Valley League in 2008. Practices and matches are being held at Paramount Park Pool, and Pirate swim coach Roberto Guerrero has been working hard to bring the programs into legitimate competition. Brought on board as our new water polo coach is Greg Molinari, who has considerable experience as a player and coach. The response to tryouts for this program has been encouraging, with many Pirate swimmers and newcomers expressing eagerness to get involved in this tough sport.
and excitement of a new stadium is balanced with wonderful memories played out on the old fields. With the stadium will also go the old baseball field, which will be turned around and completely redone for new generations of Pirate ballplayers. But the memories - league championships, CIF champions, great contests, and graduations held on these fields since the 1950s will not fade as Paramount High athletics enters the 21st century.
the time or a place to learn to speak English. After working in the fields Ramiro took on a job at the Paramount Swap Meet for an additional fifteen years before retiring.
He came to the United States from Guerrero, Mexico when he was just seventeen years old and eventually came to Paramount twenty-five years ago. He loved Paramount so much that he has lived here ever since and decided to make Paramount his home.
Ramiro attributes his love of life and learning to living a good clean life. He says he is 100 per cent Catholic and enjoys going to church. He also loves eating at different restaurants and meeting new people. His nine children live all over the United States including Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. He also has one son in Mexico. He says that he also has eighteen grandchildren that bring him much joy and love. He loves to visit them.
Ramiro became a resident of the United States in 1996 and a citizen in 1998. He says the adult school keeps him young and that he appreciates all the help from his teachers. He finally has a chance to learn things. He attends Paramount Adult Center four days a week and finishes at 2 pm. Says Ramiro, “I love Paramount. I love my life.”
Bibi
Pirate Stadium has been the home of Paramount football, soccer, and track and field for over a half century. Built not too long after the school opened in 1953, the stadium has seen generations of Pirate competitors, spectators, and June graduates come and go, and, with the new facilities plan, will be one of the first of the old high school venues to be demolished to make way for a new stadium in 2008. For long-time Pirates, it is a bittersweet time - the need
To close the Fall season, Lady Pirate Tennis finished tied for second in league play, but the doubles team of Alicia Mangold and Elizabeth Vega captured the San Gabriel Valley League individual title on November 2 at Lynwood. The Lady Pirates opened the Division III playoffs at Oak Park on November 8. Lady Pirate Volleyball had a strong finish with a young squad and looks for new opportunities in 2008, and Pirate Football finished its 2008 league slate at Lynwood on November 9 - the Pirates played hard and the coaching staff looks forward to new beginnings next season. Finally, the amazing nine-year reign of Pirate boys’ cross-country over the SGVL ended this fall, but the JV girls won the league title and veteran coach Joe Peterson will have his runners ready to go in 2008 to get that title back. Here comes the Winter season!
Family Read Night Empowers Parents
Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children’s learning is positively related to achievement. There are strong indications that the most effective forms of parent involvement are those which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities in the home. Programs which involve parents in reading with their children, supporting their work on homework assignments, or tutoring them using materials and instructions provided by teachers, show remarkable results.
Parents recognize the value and enjoyment of reading to their children, but perhaps are unclear about the specific skills that could be enhanced and what they can do to improve their child’s reading skills. The purpose of Family Read Night is to educate and empower parents to assist their children’s literacy development. During Family Read Nights, discussions of various Reading and Language Arts topics take place so parents are knowledgeable on how to assist their children in becoming confident, successful readers. Parents learn certain strategies to effectively interact with their children and ways to promote parent and student eagerness to read at home. Through enthusiasm, teacher collaboration, organization, and implementation, Family Read Nights are successful. Parents and teachers share in the joy and responsibility of reading education. As partners in the education process, parents become prepared to make a difference in their children’s lives. The process of learning to read takes place at home as well as in school. For children to become successful readers, they must learn how language works in non-academic as well as academic settings.
Julie Lundquist, Open Court Coach – Jefferson School
Mark Kemp Athletic Director PHS