Paramount High School Modernization “Your Bond Dollars at Work”
A little more than a year ago, Paramount Unified School District launched its plans to modernize Paramount High School with the proceeds that were established by Measure AA “Campaign for Kids” Bond Referendum.
During the month of November, Paramount Unified School District will begin demolishing the old “Pirate Stadium” and begin construction on a new state of the art sports facility, football stadium and track. The plans call for a new 6,000 seat stadium, a new artificial turf football and soccer field as well as a new all-weather track.
This project will be just the beginning of the Board of Education’s plans for modernization at Paramount High School that will also include a new Science and Health building, a new expanded library facility, a new mini gymnasium and other auxiliary projects. The project will no doubt take time but in the end our students will benefit from the newly constructed facilities designed to improve and enhance our students’ high school experience.
Our Board of Education is truly committed to providing the “very best”
Stadium
for the students and families in Paramount Unified School District. It is with a great deal of pride and appreciation to the citizens we serve that we say thank you for your support as we begin our
journey into the future at Paramount High School.
I have added several artists/architect renditions of our new high school buildings. I think you will agree we are
all excited about this new venture. David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent
Enroll at Los Cerritos Preschool!
At the Los Cerritos Preschool, our goal is to provide children quality early childhood education and care to help them be better prepared for kindergarten and beyond. We strive to create a positive learning environment that supports and enhances growth in the following developmental areas:
• Language, such as listening, following directions, communicating, reading readiness, writing, alphabet knowledge, vocabulary, and phonemic/phonological awareness.
• Intellectual, such as matching, sorting, classifying, patterning,
counting, colors, shapes, assembling a puzzle, and building a lifelong interest in learning.
• Social-Emotional, such as feelings, self-awareness, self-control, interaction with adults and children, cooperation, and sharing.
• Motor, both gross motor skills (ex: running, balancing, and bouncing, catching, and kicking a ball) and fine motor skills (ex: manipulating small objects and holding a pencil or crayon).
Our preschool also utilizes Open Court and Growing with Mathematics curricula, which are
developmentally appropriate for preschool-age children.
To enroll in the Los Cerritos Preschool, your child must be four years-old by March 2, 2008 and live within the Paramount Unified School District boundaries. The Los Cerritos Preschool is located at 14626 Gundry Avenue. Please call 562-602-6913 for more information or to make an enrollment appointment.
Kim Cole, Director Special Education
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES
Library Expansion Science/Health Building
Jennifer Florimon Recognized by NHRP
As Paramount High School senior Jennifer Florimon took the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), she never imagined that in a year’s time she would be recognized as a scholar by the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP).
The NHRP identifies the outstanding Hispanic high school students who are the highest scoring on the PSAT. Being recognized as a scholar sets students apart, for their name is placed on a scholar list that is sent to prestigious colleges for recruitment. There are also scholarship opportunities as well. To be recognized by NHRP, students must identify themselves as at least one quarter Hispanic on the PSAT, receive a high score of the combination of the three parts, and have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Jennifer was one of the few students around the United States to win the Scholar Award and the only one from Paramount High School. She was notified in mid September via mail about her great achievement and then received the award through her counselor.
This award is, without a doubt, a great accomplishment for Jennifer. She felt proud of herself and said, “I was both excited and happy to know I was one of the few students to receive the award and was glad to know the hard work and effort paid off.” Jennifer’s future plans are to attend UCI and major in chemistry.
Jaqueline Medina 12th Student
Collins Students Celebrate STAR Results!
The students of Captain Raymond Collins School are very proud of meeting the school’s API and NCLB targets. They participated in a school-wide STAR Rally celebration shortly after the state released the official results. The rally began with a celebration cheer by the Collins Colts cheerleaders, followed by an inspirational song, “There is No Choice but Success” written by Larry Houston. Student’s shared and discussed test taking strategies they used to assist them on the STAR Test. Staff members, teachers, and the community had an opportunity to acknowledge the
progress students made in Language and Mathematics.
The entire Collins’ community will continue the celebration at an upcoming barbeque that is being planned by a committee of Collins’ teachers. We expect students, parents, and staff members to share school spirit in recognition of their hard work during the previous school year.
Fourth- through eighth-grade students will be setting their goals for this year’s test within the next month. They are motivated and focused on learning!
Potter ala Paramount
Harry Potter wasn’t the only wizard working this summer. While the young wizard’s captivating tales set sales records worldwide, the young Harry Wirtz Wizards were setting some records of their own.
When classes for the primary grades began August 15 th , teachers and students at Wirtz were welcomed back with some big news. No loose dragons or broomstick matches for these wizards; the news concerned the school’s recent test achievement data. Wirtz School met its API and AYP benchmark for the 20062007 school year! What brought on such a great improvement? Harry Potter himself might even shy away from such a feat. Ingredients in the spell included (but were not limited to): daily interventions, after-school tutoring programs targeting essential state standards, off-track and summer programs, and lots of dedication from faculty, students, and parents!
Scores haven’t been the only record numbers being discussed at Wirtz. A record number of memberships have been collected by the Harry Wirtz Parent Teacher Association this year. The PTA president Sylvia Sullivan did a great job recently of motivating students, parents, and faculty alike with the selling of a new wizard wardrobe (also known as t-shirts). The stylish, navy blue shirt has the school’s wizard logo on front. The staff shirt has the school’s “Reach for the Stars” motto on back. They sold very well and, like the Potter books, set a record for the PTA.
Sonya Cuellar,
Tony Peña, Member
A new principal, Kelly Williams, has waved her wand and started the new year off with a promising outlook. Principal Williams and assistant principal Teresa Kugler did a great job of getting their little “apprentices” excited about another school year. Wizard Dollars made their appearance on campus as an incentive for good behavior, as did school-wide incentive charts for classes with perfect atten -
dance (filled charts will prompt a party).
This year’s Principal’s Breakfast on the 21 st of September was also a great success. One student from each class was chosen to eat breakfast with Mrs. Williams and their teacher. What magic!
And as the “magic” kept pouring, so did the tea. Mr. Caruso, Ms. Hartel, Mrs. Romero, Mrs. Ramirez, and Mr. Rasmussen welcomed parents back with a tea party (iced, of course!) the first week of school. Parents came and read with their children, since the week’s theme was “Enjoying Reading.” Many students and parents brought their own porcelain teacups, which added to the atmosphere.
A recent field trip to Paramount’s 50 th Celebration Fair was no less adventurous than your average Harry Potter movie. As third grader Rachel Amelie Varela put it, “My favorite part was watching them cut the sheep’s hair.” The school also participated in the fair’s Pennies for P.E.P. drive in which Mrs. Orozco’s second grade came out the winner. Congratulations Mrs. Orozco’s class!
As you can see, the Wondrous Wizards of Wirtz have begun another exciting year. They look forward to many more fun and exciting learning experiences on their journey as citizens (and often magicians) in the city of Paramount.
Stacy Hartel
Superintendent’s Message:
New Staff
Appointments
Now that the school year is well under way across the entire school district, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the new administrative appointments for the 2007-08 school year:
Mercedes Gomez – Assistant Principal-Los Cerritos School:
Mercedes served as a summer school principal, classroom teacher and English Language Specialist in the Azusa Unified School District.
Cordiya Butler – Assistant Principal – Zamboni School:
Cordiya served as a resource teacher, tutorial lead teacher and as a
language arts content leader in Compton Unified School District.
Alex Verduzco – Assistant Principal – Hollydale School:
Alex served as an elementary teacher and technology site mentor in the Wiseburn School District.
Alondra Dolphins Present “Best Friend Mentorship” Program
The “Best Friend Mentorship” program is designed to give students a mentor who will help in their guidance throughout the year. Mentors for this program range from the school’s principal to the cafeteria staff. The students benefit from receiving one-on-one time with their mentors, assisting with homework, developing a strong relationship with adults, and having someone to help increase self-confidence and motivation in their academic learning. Students are chosen for this program by their teachers and school counselor. The students who would benefit the most from having a positive role model are chosen to participate in the program.
The “Best Friend Mentorship” program has a monthly breakfast where students, parents, and their mentors gather before school and share a wonderful feast. Students and mentors are treated to pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, and orange juice. Mentors and students are encouraged to engage in conversation during lunch, provide tutoring during free time together or engage in a friendly board game to get to know each other. As a result of this program,
Lynn Butler – Principal – Alondra School:
Lynn served as the assistant principal at Mokler School and has been a classroom teacher and Open Court Coach in the Paramount Unified School District and Open Court Coach.
Susan Marilley – Principal – Hollydale School:
Susan served as the assistant principal at Hollydale and was also a curriculum specialist and classroom teacher.
Topekia Jones – Principal – Paramount Park School:
Topekia served as the assistant principal at Zamboni and a Open Court Coach as well as a former classroom teacher.
Kelly Williams – Principal – Wirtz School:
Kelly served as the assistant principal at Keppel and Wirtz schools as well as a teacher.
Scott Law – Assistant Principal – Paramount High School-West:
Scott served as the Instructional Media Center specialist and as a teacher and coach at PHS-West.
Jean Law – Assistant Principal – Buena Vista High School:
Jean served as the teacher on special assignment at Buena Vista and as a teacher at PHS-West.
Manuel San Miguel- Coordinator, Alternative Education:
Manuel served as the principal at Wirtz School before coming to the District Office.
We all would like to welcome and congratulate all of the administrators to their new school sites and positions within the Paramount Unified School District.
David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent
Measure AA Bond Projects
students have someone who they can trust at the school with their concerns, problems, and any other challenges they may face in their academic success and/or social interactions.
Our students are gaining knowledge and insight into their education and social lives through positive communication with their mentors. This program has definitely had an impact on many of the students involved. The “Best Friend Mentorship Program” excitement is sweeping the school. You can see teachers and other staff sharing stories and life experiences with their students. Students are gaining a new-found respect for their mentors and other adults because of the positive exchange this program is producing.
At Alondra School we are proud to offer programs to students to help them with their academic and personal/social success. We plan to continue the “Best Friends Mentorship” program due to the great results we have seen in the overall outcome of student behavior.
Pirate Athletics Prepares for New Facilities
As the 2007 Fall athletic season winds down and Winter looms, the PHS athletic program is preparing for a tremendous future due to the generosity of Paramount voters and the hard work of PUSD administrators, led by Dr. David Verdugo, in working to get the facilities bond passed last November. In just a few weeks, the long-awaited project will begin, and its immediate impact will require adjustments and cooperation among different programs and District sites.
For example, the demolition of Pirate Stadium will require Pirate boys’ and girls’ soccer to both practice and play elsewhere this winter season. The boys’ program will practice at PHSWest and Roosevelt Elementary while the girls practice at Wirtz Elementary. Both programs will play home matches this season at Roosevelt. Certain spring sports are also adjusting. Pirate baseball will practice at PHS-West and the two
lower-level teams will also play there in 2008. The Pirate Varsity, fresh off a league title in 2007, is looking for suitable venues for its 2008 home schedule. Pirate Track and Field will practice at Alondra Elementary and have all of its home meets away this Spring.
The Paramount coaching staff would like to recognize and express appreciation to all PUSD personnel involved in preparing interim venues for both practice and games this Winter and Spring, especially Operations Director Cindy DiPaola, Assistant Director Ken Reavis, and Operations/Grounds Supervisor Roger Ramirez. We know how hard you are all working to help the coaching staff keep Pirate Athletics functioning at a high level during the construction process. Our hats are off to you.
Wendy Settles, Counselor Alondra School
These two architectural drawings represent the new nine lane all-weather track and sports complex and the new mini-gym.
Kemp, Athletic Director
What is Engineering?
Paramount High School senior Eddie Bañuelos had a golden opportunity this summer as he was a participant of an engineering program sponsored by John Hopkins University.
The program entitled, “What is Engineering?” was held at Cal State Long Beach for high school juniors, seniors, and incoming college freshmen who have an interest and talent for science and math. Students were provided with the opportunity to explore engineering disciplines while receiving college credit.
“What is Engineering?” is a creation of the Whiting School of Engineering, which is an institute at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. This program touched over mechanical, civil, aerodynamic, chemical, and robotic engineering. During the five-week course, teams of students took part in simulations and laboratory experiments, attended college lectures, carried out team projects, went on field visits, and learned from professional engineers about careers, college choices, and internship opportunities.
Eddie explained that he learned how to think critically in intense and planned situations. In addition, he took to heart that almost any structure, such as a bridge, could be built by the simplest elements, for example spaghetti. Due to the fact that students were instructed to turn in a five-page report the next day in regard to a lab, Eddie learned not to procrastinate.
As a member of Paramount High School’s MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement), Eddie was fortunate enough to find out about this program through the club’s advi-
sor, Mr. Reed, and Ms. Sava, advisor at Cal State Long Beach. The only requirements for participating in the program were membership in MESA and the determination to learn. MESA paid for all the expenses.
Eddie exclaimed enthusiastically, “It was amazing; something new, a new different world. I know that engineering is for me.” One of Eddie’s favorite experiences was constructing a robot because he got to use logic circuits, design it on a computer, and program the robot to perform a specific task. The second was when his team distilled petroleum and had to calculate the sixteen different stages of the process.
In the near future Eddie hopes to double major in architecture and civil engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. From there, Eddie plans to transfer to MIT to pursue a career in civil engineering and earn a doctorate (PhD) in forensics engineering.
Felipe Hernandez 12th grade Student
Coaching Stability/ Facilities Change Mark Beginning of Athletic Year
As the 2007-2008 school year begins, Paramount High School’s athletic department anticipates the beginning of the long-awaited facilities plan to swing into action. The veteran coaching staff begins the year largely intact, with one notable exception. This year’s head coaches are:
Cross-Country: Joe Peterson
Football: Mike McCarthy (new)
Girls’ Tennis: Curtis Mu
Girls’ Volleyball: Anna Yasuhara
Boys’ Basketball: Mark McGarry
Girls’ Basketball: Ernie Hill
Boys’ Soccer: Juan Navarro
Girls’ Soccer: Doug Tirado
Wrestling: Don Wakefield
Baseball: Cameron Chinn
Boys’ Golf: Jason Sewell
Boys’ Tennis: Curtis Mu
Boys’ Volleyball: Jimena Vargas
Softball: Bill Barton
Swimming: Roberto Guerrero
Track and Field: Christine Barboza
Training and Equipment: Roy Ward
Growing “Highly Effective” Students
On September 24th, our middle school students stepped out of their “comfort zone” and into their “courage zone” when they participated in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens® workshop from Franklin Covey. Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Sean Covey and the No. 1 bestselling business book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, our students were given a set of proven tools to deal successfully with real life.
not control their own destiny someone else would.
With the exception of Coach Mc Carthy’s staff, most of the assistant coaches in the program are also back.
The coaching staff will face considerable adjustments as the facilities projects begin, with the baseball, soccer, and track programs having to find different venues for both practice and competition this year. But they could not be more excited about the prospect, over the next three years, for the transformation of Paramount’s athletic facilities made possible by the bond measure passed by the community last November. We look forward to those changes and to working with school and District personnel to make the new facilities as beneficial as possible for all of our student-athletes. It’s a great time to be a Pirate!
Mark Kemp Athletic Director Paramount High School
Students learned the difference between “Proactive People” who take initiative to make things happen and look for solutions versus “Reactive People” who wait for something to happen to them and focus on problems and barriers. Our students were taught how to develop long and short term goals. After attempting to walk with their eyes closed while listening to the directions of others, they realized that if they did
Tanner students learned how to prioritize their “Big Rocks” by planning ahead and putting what is important in their life first. Most importantly, our students learned how to effectively communicate their needs. They recognized that conflict resolution always ended in a “Win-Win” and that by trying to understand the other person’s perspective before expecting them to understand yours was the best approach. Our students reflected on their individual principles and how these principles could guide them in making life decisions.
Tanner students walked away from the workshop with a plethora of tools and life lessons that they will continue to use here at school and in life as they work on becoming Highly Effective Tigers!
The Class of 2011 Pirates is here!
The Class of 2011 has arrived at West Campus. Students were treated to a schoolwide assembly where information about academics, athletics, and activities were presented to the 1,200 freshmen. The counseling staff shared the counseling services & career and vocational planning for ninth grade year such as A-G requirements and SB813 four year plan. Autumn Lovin, ASB Leadership advisor informed students about the positives of becoming involved in their school. The students learned how to participate in lunch activities, intramurals, and clubs. The Green Club, MESA, Percussion Club, and Guitar Club were shared with the students, and further suggestions on how to begin a club of their own interests. Pictures of current pirates in action were shared for students’ enjoyment. Lucky pirates who were on top of their game won raffle prizes by answering West Campus trivia questions. Upcoming student events were announced at the conclusion of the assembly
Caroline Lopez, Counselor Tanner School