PARAMOUNT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR: 2008 CELEBRATION
District staff, members of the Board of Education, and community leaders joined in the celebration of each school site’s Teacher of the Year at Jackson School on Wednesday, May 7th from 3:15 until 5:15 p.m. The program was moderated by Assistant Superintendent Stella Toibin and the Board of Education Trustees awarded the recipients a plaque. Teachers don’t always realize the impact they have had or can have in the life of a student, but this day’s program provided evidence in the form of testimonials from students, teachers, and administrators that teachers have an effect on the lives of students each and every day.
Each year, teachers at each school site are asked to select one outstanding teacher who will represent that school in the District-wide Teacher of the Year selection process. In making that selection, teachers are asked to consider the following criteria: a teacher who is committed to continued professional development training, one who supports his/her colleagues to improve their skills, a teacher who is involved in educational activities beyond the school, a positive problem solver, one who delivers a high quality instructional program, and a teacher who communicates positively with students and parents.
Once the District-wide Teacher of the Year has been determined through a Selection Committee of teachers and administrators from across the District, that one District-level recipient has the opportunity to apply for the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year competition. If the candidate is identified as a County winner, their name moves forward to the State level of competition.
This year’s Teachers of the Year and their school sites are as follows:
Early Childhood Education -Theresa Ybarra
Alondra School - Maria Enciso
Collins School - Sandra Gonzalez
Gaines School - Tracy Espina
Hollydale School - Michelle Cribari
Jackson School - Kim L. Karnsrithong
Jackson School - Maritza Magaña
Jefferson School - Dolores Barrios
Mark Keppel School - Cindy Tsang
Lakewood School - Xiomara Mateo-Gaxiola
Lincoln School - Joseph D. Jackson
Los Cerritos School - Marya Hughes
Mokler School - Shelley Monroe
Paramount Park School - Teresa Marie Reno
Roosevelt School - Julie Quintero
Howard Tanner School - Maria Loredo
Harry Wirtz School - Marisa Loza
Frank Zamboni School - Delia M. Kiely
Buena Vista High School - Garett Lepper
Paramount High School West - Cara Cruzan
Paramount High School - David Yakubovsky
Community Day School/
Adult Ed. Center - Jose Lino Vargas
This year’s District-wide Teacher of the Year is Maria Loredo, a third grade teacher, from Tanner School. Maria has been teaching for ten years and what she enjoys most about the teaching profession is the time she spends with
her students in the classroom and the realization that she may be a source of inspiration to them. She shares that the best reward for a teacher is the knowledge that he/she may inspire his/her students to follow their educational dreams to work hard at whatever they may decide to do in the future. Maria is truly an inspiration to her students. Maria was the first of her family to attend college and ultimately receive a masters’ degree. She went to school at night and it took her ten years to receive her teaching degree but she paved the way for her four siblings that followed in her footsteps. Her husband and her family supported her and were very proud of her achievements. Her parents always told her that education was the only way to get ahead in life.
Maria believes that her role is to facilitate the learning of all her students and to guide them to ultimately become productive
citizens in our society. She considers herself a role model for her students and thinks her children’s ideas should be acknowledged and the students should be encouraged to become independent thinkers. Nothing would please her more than to hear that one of her students decided to attend college, went into the sciences, dedicated themselves to serving others or followed a similar endeavor because she inspired them to do so. She is of the belief that “perhaps success cannot be measured with a numerical score, but by the faith a child chooses to place in you as a teacher and, consequently, as a person.”
Congratulations to Maria Loredo, Paramount Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year! She inspires all of us to do our best for the students and families of the Paramount Unified School District!
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES
(pictured left to right) Superintendent Dr. David J. Verdugo, Board Member Alicia Anderson, District Teacher of the Year Maria Loredo, Board Member Tony Peña, and Assistant Superintendent-Educational Services Stella Toibin.
PHS Senior Raul Gutierrez Awarded Gates Millennium Scholarship
This year over 13,000 hopeful nominees across the United States completed the 25-page application for the Gates Millennium Scholarship; however, only 1,000 of those applicants are recipients. Paramount High School senior Raul Gutierrez is one of the honored few. Raul has been awarded this prestigious scholarship, which provides funding to minority students who show high academic and leadership promise and have a financial need.
According to Raul, he was honest on his application and didn’t compromise his essay in any way. Although Raul is flattered, he is quick to respond, “I’m not different from anybody else; I just worked hard.” Throughout the course of his high school years, Raul has been diligent in his studies knowing that pursuing a higher education would be his key to a better future. He commented, “Ever since my dad passed, (I’ve thought to myself) I have to make it. There were doubts when I felt helpless. I wanted it bad; I worked hard. It goes to show it was worth it.”
Winning this award has also brought peace of mind to Raul, for the Gates Millennium Scholarship provides academic funding including graduate school. The
scholarship covers the cost which is not met by FASFA. This may include tuition, books, and room and board.
This fall Raul plans to attend California Institute of Technology (Caltech, Pasadena) where he will study electrical engineering. In his future, he hopes to create the next leading microprocessor. Raul continues to follow by the words of his late mathematics teacher, Mr. Cantrell, whose favorite words were, “All you need is ganas!”
Sports Stars Shine at Mark Keppel!
Lunch time sports tournaments have become a hit at Mark Keppel School! Bocce Ball, Flag Football, and Basketball, these are just some of the sports which students and teachers have played during our Lunch-time Sports Tournaments. Under the direction of 6-8 Teacher, Mr. Doug Weller, these tournaments have become very popular with our students (contestants and spectators alike).
Students and teachers form teams and compete against each other in rounds of play until the field of teams is narrowed down to two. Some of our past winners have included:
Bocce Ball: Victor Pompa & Sergio Navarro
Flag Football: Girls– Carolyn Marquez, Irma Favela, Dulce Farias, Samantha Nelson, Arleth Flores, Jackie Martinez & Erika Cervantes Boys—Luis Fajardo, Tommy Osorio, Rafael Arellano, Jose Jaramillo, Zachariah Lavenant, Edgar Muñoz & Fernando Leon.
Basketball: Samantha Nelson, Sopheada Tun & Carla Garcia/Fernando Leon, Luis Fajardo & Tommy Osorio
Thank you to Mr. Weller and all the students and teachers who participated and helped to make this activity a success!
Kindergarten and New Student
It’s here! Enrollment for incoming Kindergartners, as well as any students 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,
Enrollment
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. For questions, please call your school site.
Cal-SAFE Girls Attend High Tea
Students from Paramount High School’s Cal-SAFE (California School-Age Families Education Program) course enjoyed a High Tea sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Puente Hills and Gloria Mitchell Bail Bonds.
This was the 4th Annual Luncheon for Cal-SAFE pregnant teens and teen moms held at the Industry Hills Expo Center in the City of Industry. Program facilitator, Mrs. Hess took a group of thirty-one girls. Also in attendance were Cal-SAFE students from various areas surrounding the City of Industry.
In addition to a traditional tea menu of petite sandwiches, scones, tea, and dessert, there were also a few speakers motivating the girls to succeed. Mary Ann King, (a.k.a. Miss Mary Ann) former host of the children’s television show Romper Room, greeted the young ladies with inspirational words and peered through her “magic mirror.”
Soroptimist secretary Janet Ahntholz encouraged the girls to have goals. She said, “You need to have goals to make your dreams real.” Ms. Ahntholz stressed to the girls the importance of them finding people they could recruit to be their sponsors through life, “I don’t know where you are going to find your motivation, but it’s out there. They’re all over; look for them…You are responsible for getting your own sponsors.”
There was also a testimonial from Candace Morris, a twentytwo year old young lady who, herself, was a teen mom at 16 and is now a college graduate. She talked about the difficulty of being a teen mom but stressed the fact that it is possible for the girls to achieve their goals. She reminded the girls to look into the innocent face of their child to give them strength, “Look at them; you can’t
give up…You are responsible for another life…think about your child and not just yourself.” Ms. Morris’ closing words were, “We are only as successful as the people we surround ourselves with.”
The keynote speaker for the tea was Christy Turek from San Gabriel Valley YMCA-WINGS. WINGS is the acronym for Women in Need of Growing Strong, an organization developed to assist women who have been abused. Ms. Turek gave a strong speech informing the girls of the subtle characteristics of abuse. She stated that statistics reveal that 1 in 4 teenage girls will sometime in her life be a victim of domestic violence. The cycle of violence has phases: in phase 1, the girl is walking on eggshells making sure “he” is okay; phase 2, the abuse; phase 3, honeymoon phase (making up-everything is okay; then back to phase 1. Ms. Turek encouraged the girls to take heed of the warning signs, and left the girls with the statistic that out of 100 men going through an anger management program, only 1 is changed.
At the close of the program a $500 scholarship was awarded to one girl from each school. Senior Sarah Zaragoza was the recipient from Paramount High School. This scholarship was also sponsored by Gloria Mitchell of Gloria Mitchell Bail Bonds. In addition, each girl received a gift bag of items for their child. Everyone who attended enjoyed the event. One student commented, “They gave us inspiration to go forward and make a better person out of ourselves.”
“The quote on the back of the event’s program sums it all, “A woman is like a teabag. It’s only when she’s in hot water that you realize how strong she is.” Former First Lady, Nancy Reagan
Theatre Arts Department Presents Love! At the Café!
Love! At the Café!, a musical in two acts by Karen Sokolof Javitch and James Spicer Conant, was presented to standing-room only audiences by the Paramount High School Senior Campus Theatre Arts Department during its successful run March 19-March 21, 2008.
Produced by special arrangement with Heuer-Publishing LLC of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Love! At the Café! proved to be a rousing musical comedy harkening back to the 1950’s. Choreography included synchronized dancing and numbers performed on top of “Bonnie’s Café” counter! The ensemble danced and sang to great audience response while balancing serving trays with intricate steps. Members of the Ensemble shared that they rehearsed every chance that they could arrange it, whether the rehearsal be three or four students mastering a number.
The audience enjoyed the 1950’s characterizations, including impersonations inspired by Sha Na Na, Marilyn Monroe, to name a few, and even characters from Guys and Dolls. I Love Lucy...Audrey Hepburn...James Dean... pocket combs...and the young Marlon
Brando were incorporated into the fun.
The performances clearly took time and effort. A department ensemble team effort has been developed. Under the direction of Ms. Elizabeth Aldave, the ensemble and performance selection builds under the sequential, Visual and Performing Arts Standards foundation with each production.
The department involves a fully operational Production Staff in charge of direction, choreography, dance captains, vocal coaches, light board operators, sound board operators and assistants, spot lights, hair/make up/costuming, and an entire House/Box Office Office Management Staff.
The Production Staff supported the Company Members in performing the 17 songs. The audience was requested to stay by both the Production Staff and the Company Members at the finale for the first annual Red Carpet Awards.
Awards were distributed with Department Members with a final Achievement Award presented to Ms. Elizabeth Aldave for her dedication in developing the Theatre Arts Department at Paramount High School, Senior Campus.
BUENA VISTA’S OUTSTANDING ARTIST
When most of us at Buena Vista think of Alonso Macias, we picture a student who is hard-working and dedicated to his studies. Not only is Alonso a passionate student of pre-Columbian Latin American history, but he is also an individual who excels in artistic endeavors. Once in a while you can find Alonso busily sketching in his drawing notebook, which is filled with masterpieces. When Buena Vista staff approached Alonso about participating in various art competitions, he casually replied that he would work on submissions. Along the way, he has not only brought great honor to himself, but also to our school community.
Every year, the Traditional Artists’ Guild of Paramount hosts an art show with pieces created by professionals as well as students. For this particular show, Alonso submitted a drawing of Geronimo. The attention to the stoic pose as well as the fine detail work in the face and clothing was outstanding. In recognition of this great drawing, Dr. David Verdugo, Superintendent of Paramount
Superintendent’s Message: Congratulations Paramount High School Class of 2008
On behalf of our entire Board of Education, President Vivian Hansen, Vice President Sonya Cuellar, Members Alicia Anderson, Linda Garcia and Tony Peña, I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the Paramount High School Graduating Class of 2008.
This year’s senior class of over 600 graduates is an example of the effort and determination to not only successfully complete their high school experience, but also represents their preparation and plans to take the next steps toward a bright future.
I have no doubt that the Class of 2008 will continue to carry that special “Pirate Pride” into their lives and careers. The Class of 2008 has many individual stories of achievement and
effort that border on heroic. I know that they will not forget the devoted staff, counselors, coaches, teachers and administrators who provided the support and skills to make a real difference in their future and the future of our communities, state, nation and world.
David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent
A Peek at Preschool
Unified School District, selected it as the “Superintendent’s Award” winner for the show. Alonso was awarded a certificate and prize for his efforts, and was also honored at a Paramount USD Board Meeting.
In March, Alonso received word that one of his drawings, a largescale black-and-white montage, won highest honors at the Los Angeles County Office of Education Student Art Show. With hundreds of entries from all over L.A. County, Alonso’s art stood out from the crowd. His piece was chosen to hang at LACOE Offices on permanent display. In recognition of his achievement, he was honored at a LACOE Board Meeting and given certificates as well as prizes.
Despite being in the spotlight for his artistic ability, Alonso remains humble and perseveres with his academics. He is destined for greatness and Buena Vista High School is very proud of his past and future accomplishments.
Mrs. Law, Assistant Principal
The preschool programs in Paramount Unified School District helps children make a successful transition from home to preschool and then on to school. Through active involvement, children attempt to make sense of the world around them. They learn by observing what happens when they interact with materials and other people. They engage in activities such as block building, painting, or dramatic play, adding pieces of information to what they already know and thereby generating new understandings. Children learn simple concepts and then use the concepts to grasp more complex ideas.
In preschool children are encouraged to talk and to listen,
to tell about their experiences and ideas, to play with words, to experiment with rhymes and alliteration, to hear and repeat stories and songs and poems, including nursery rhymes. The preschool program focuses on promoting phonological awareness and building alphabetic skill-letter identification. The program provides a wealth of literature experiences and opportunities for letter play, letter identification, and there are plenty of opportunities to write.
For more information about the Preschool Programs, please contact the Early Childhood Education program at 562.602.6900 or stop by the office at 7340 Jackson Street in Paramount 90723.
Young children learn by doing and there is plenty to do and learn in Preschool.
Jefferson School’s Project Lean on Me
Research has shown that adolescents excel in environments that support their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development. Jefferson school administrators, middle school teachers, and the counselor have adopted Project Lean on Me for 6-8 students to meet their unique needs.
The goal of this mentoring program is to foster positive relationships among middle school students and adults to improve middle school students’ social, emotional, and academic growth. This program provides students with the opportunity to form relationships with adults who understand them and who are willing to support their development.
Select students are grouped with one adult whose primary goal is to get to know his/her students well in order to identify and counteract any negative influences that may impact a student’s overall well-being. A monthly luncheon is held to give students and their mentors the opportunity to connect in an environment that is supportive and free from
judgment or criticism. Constructive discourse takes place among students and their mentors during the luncheons in order to guide students in their problem-solving capabilities and to develop their self-esteem.
Project Lean on Me has allowed the educators at Jefferson School to be responsive to the unique needs of 6-8 students and to tailor the middle school program to meet those needs. This powerful mentoring program has been embraced by all involved including parents who have contributed their great support.
At Jefferson School, we believe that adolescents deserve an education that addresses the developmental characteristics unique to them and through Project Lean on Me, our middle school students get a chance to excel at being themselves!
Lisa Nunley Assistant Principal Jefferson School
Hollydale Kindergarten Students Show Patriotism
The kindergarten students of Hollydale School had an opportunity to show their patriotism on April 17th when they participated in their “Red, White, and Blue” parade.
Parents were invited to attend this annual event which was held at 2:30 p.m. on the kindergarten playground. The students marched around the field, dressed in red, white, and blue costumes. Various patriotic songs were sung as the children stepped to the music and waved to the cheering crowd.
The parade is the culminating activity for the kindergarten Open Court Reading unit, “Red, White, and Blue”. Students learn the meaning of patriotism and read stories which inspire feelings of national pride. The students examine ways they can show patriotism, learn the history and importance of national symbols and holidays, and begin to gain an understanding of what it means to be a good citizen.
“The children look forward to this event every year,” shares kindergarten teacher Susan Moor. “It is so exciting to watch them learn the songs and ac-
companying movements. The parade is a great way to close the unit, and it provides the students with an opportunity to perform as well.”
After the parade, parents and guests joined the students and teachers for refreshments and conversation - a wonderful ending to a wonderful afternoon!
Susan Marilley Principal, Hollydale School
Senior Felipe Hernandez Meets the Governor
It’s not every day that you have a meeting with the governor especially when you’re a high school student. Through the Youth Ambassador Service program sponsored by the Young Center for Academic and Cultural Enrichment, Paramount High School senior Felipe Hernandez had such an opportunity; for he and eleven other seniors from various districts had a private meeting with governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a meeting with state superintendent of public instruction Jack O’Connell in which they discussed the budget cut in education.
Felipe, along with eleven other high school students were selected earlier this year to participate in the Youth Ambassador Service program, which requires each student involved to gather information to present in the meeting with the state officials. This year’s topic centered on the budget cuts in education as well as their proposals as to how they will deal with the issue. Students were directed to gather information and survey educators and students within their respective district. Felipe surveyed district administrators, PHS administrators, teachers, parents, and students to get their opinion on the budget cuts.
Upon arriving in Sacramento, the Youth Ambassadors met as a group to share their findings and calculate the common problems schools face. Each student selected a focus area to represent when presenting questions to the governor and state superintendent. Felipe stated, “Being the only Hispanic male, I decided to focus on the ELD situation because I felt an obligation to represent my people and question those in charge of our instruction.”
In addition to the privilege of having a private meeting with the governor and the state superintendent, Felipe exclaimed that it was the overall experience of researching and interviewing various educators, students, and parents that has made the most impact on him. Through his research, he recognized the importance of being an active member of society, “I learned that it’s important to ask the right questions to the right people and to stand up for what you believe--not just sit around and think about it, but act upon it . Felipe also said, “I realized that our future is being determined by those who don’t ask for our opinion and that we must act now; we must fight for our right to an equal education.”
Lincoln’s Kindergarten Nursery Rhyme Musical
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick!
Jack Jumped Over the Candlestick!
This classic nursery rhyme along with many others such as Hickory, Dickory Dock and The Itsy Bitsy Spider were part of Lincoln School’s Nursery Rhyme Musical presented by the kindergarten students to a packed house on Thursday evening, May 1, 2008. Parents were delighted to see the children beat drums, clap hands, and dance while chanting and singing to a variety of rhymes.
Nursery rhymes have been shared from generation to generation and are a perfect way to teach to children how to read. Young children enjoy the humor, rhythm, rhyme and colorful characters that nursery rhymes provide. They also include a variety of subject matter and have a simple story line. They can be repeated over and over without boredom,
provide an opportunity for drama, and are so easy to remember.
Learning nursery rhymes is a part of the Kindergarten Open Court Reading program. Through nursery rhymes, students gain important knowledge about language through chanting and singing. Rhyme activities help students focus on and manipulate sounds. Words are made up of specific sounds that can be taken apart, put back together or changed to make new words. As children learn to manipulate the words of nursery rhymes, they are indeed emerging as readers.
Thanks to Mrs. Figueira, Ms. Lindsey, and Mrs. Tanner, Lincoln’s Kindergarten students twinkled like little stars.
Cheryl Figueira Michael Naruko