EYE ON EDUCATION A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District
15110 CALIFORNIA AVE., PARAMOUNT, CA 90723 • TEL: 562-602-6000 • FAX: 562-634-6029
OCTOBER 2009
A Safe and Los Cerritos is on a Civil School is Teaching Odyssey the Foundation for Success!
On August 20, 2009, Frank J. Zamboni Middle School spent the day focused on creating a “Safe and Civil School.” Teachers and support staff attended an all-day training on the tenets of the Safe and Civil Schools program. It is a comprehensive program that allows schools to develop a base for a safe, nurturing and respectful environment on campus. Zamboni Middle School formed a comprehensive team to lead the charge of being safe and civil while striving for academic excellence. The team has been proudly named “The Foundation Committee.” It consists of administrators, teachers and support staff who will collaborate with all stakeholders to establish an effective school-wide and classroom management plan. The committee will help prevent misbehavior while also molding our
students into proud scholars who are respectful, responsible, motivated and highly engaged in college preparatory work. Our team is excited about this program because it encompasses the need for data-driven decision making that will involve the entire team in improving to support student success. During the summer, the Foundation Committee met for several days to create a training module for teachers and staff on the effective implementation of the Safe and Civil Schools Program. The training started off with an icebreaker we called “Are You Cooler than a Middle Schooler?” Without a doubt we learned that Zamboni teachers are just as “cool” as our middle school students. After the icebreaker, the Zamboni team reviewed our strengths and areas of growth, and began the
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES October 14, 2009 - October 28, 2009 Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public
Los Cerritos Elementary started the 2009-2010 school year ready to soar to new heights and begin their “Teaching Odyssey”. The staff gathered together for their first day meeting energized and ready to make their mark. They were greeted with a meeting decorated and designed for their Odyssey. The quote “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon!” was displayed throughout the room. There was an excitement in the air. The staff had a new feel with the new kindergarten through fifth grade configuration. There were many familiar faces and a few new. The first day of school would also bring many new families to the Los Cerritos campus for the first time. This added another level of excitement to the school year. This school year, Los Cerritos students will be taken on a “Teaching Odyssey.” Students will be given opportunities to explore, experience, and excel, ensuring success for all. Educational success is a collaboration of parents, teachers, administrators, and students. Candice Navarro, a new third grade teacher, said it best. She stated, “Our odys-
process of aligning and clarifying our School Vision to align with the District’s Mission and Vision. The Foundation Committee also covered topics such as positive incentive programs, procedures to correct irresponsible behavior and effective supervision in the common areas. Zamboni Middle School teachers and staff ended the day by completing the process of the Foundation’s Improvement Cycle. We created and adopted our first school-wide policy. The day was spent working as seasoned members of a championship team, though many had just met that same day. This positive energy carried over into the first day of school as students were greeted to a warm and nurturing environment. Teachers introduced the students to the expectations, policies and procedures. We continue to implement the foundations improvement cycle and move forward with redefining what is a Safe and Civil School at Frank J. Zamboni Middle School. Caroline Lopez & Wendy Settles
sey has put me right on track to reach the goals at the end of the year”. That is exactly what the “Teaching Odyssey” is intended to do, help teachers and students reach their goals.
We want all partners, teachers, students and parents, to join us on our “Teaching Odyssey” and to know that they are instrumental in the Los Cerritos students’ success at school.
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Superintendent’s Message:
Improving Student Achievement in Paramount Unified School District Higher California Standards Test Results!
CST English/Language Arts Results CST Mathematics Results • 2nd grade45% 2nd grade60% • 3rd grade29% 3rd grade65% • 4th grade47% 4th grade69% • 5th grade43% 5th grade52% • 6th grade43% 6th grade39% • 7th grade45% 7th grade41% • 8th grade47% 8th grade52% • 9th grade40% 9th grade27% • 10th grade32% Geometry19% • 11th grade25% Algebra II45% I am very proud to announce The percentage proficient of students in English/Language Arts increased in every grade (2-11), and by 10% and celebrate with you the continu- or more in grades 2 and 6. Also, the students scoring proficient in Mathematics increased in every grade (2-8), ing increase in Paramount Uni- and by 10% in grade 6. The District’s top priority is raising student achievement. The mission of the Paramount fied District’s achievement on the Unified School District is to ensure learning and success for each student by providing a quality education. I California Standards Tests (CST) want to thank all the dedicated teachers and staff who work every day to realize the mission of the PUSD! Thank in English/Language Arts and you to all of the parents who support the schools and their children! The charts identify the increase in student mathematics. The following are achievement in the past years in grades 2-8. the results for grades 2-11 which reflect the percentage of students David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. who scored proficient and advanced Superintendent on the CSTs. (Kindergarten, first and twelfth grade students are not Great Things are Happening in Paramount! administered the CSTs.)
Basic Math Facts at Mokler School
Eye On Education is a monthly Publication of the Paramount Unified School District Board of Education Sonya Cuellar, President Alicia Linden-Anderson, VP/Clerk Linda Garcia, Member Vivian Hansen, Member Tony Peña, Member District Superintendent David J. Verdugo, Ed.D.
Good things are happening in Paramount Schools
Eye On Education Editor-Nancy Smith Paramount Unified School District 15110 California Ave., Paramount, CA (562) 602-6000 • Fax (562) 634-6029
Basic Math Facts have swept Mokler School! Math fact families in addition and subtraction, as well as multiplication and division line the hallways and doors of our school. Students who memorize the facts are welcome to come to the math office at recess or lunch to be named “math fact helpers.” After restating the facts, students are given stickers with the fact family to wear. Second and third graders are the most frequent visitors and are especially excited to participate. The basic math facts program is an essential component of mathematics success. When students can recall facts quickly, their minds are free to focus on algorithms and procedures of a more complex nature. We will host parties when classes attain 100% on the test. Cookie parties will be held for addition. Popcorn parties will be held for subtraction. Ice cream parties will be held for multiplication. And finally, pizza parties will be held for division. Basic Math Facts at Mokler School is definitely one of the ways we will succeed this year! Theresa M. Diaz, Math Coach
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Home Boys Industries
Eye On Education
Hollydale School is Abuzz!
Hollydale School - “Home of the Hornets” - is abuzz with excitement about the 2009-2010 school year!
We are very proud of Hollydale’s achievement results on the spring STAR test. Hollydale School met the AYP and API goals in all subgroups. Congratulations to our students, teachers, and parents for all of their hard work. By working as a team, we ensure the success of all students in their journey to reach their highest potential. There is a new look to the middle school program this year for our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. We have two new state-of-the art science labs for our science program as well as locker rooms for the boys and girls when they dress for physical education. A new positive behavior support program, “Safe and Civil Schools”, will be implemented this year which focuses on establishing a culture of mutual respect among all stakeholders within a safe environment. In addition, students who qualify may take elective courses in technology and the arts. Hollydale School is proud to support the
district’s goal of preparing our middle school students for the high school experience. At Hollydale the partnership between home and school is critical to the success of our students. We look forward this year to having our parents and community become active participants in the life of the school by attending events such as Back to School Night, Open House, Parent/Teacher Conferences, and Parent Nights. Parents are also invited to become involved in our various school councils and committees including School Site Council, English Learner Advisory Committee, and GATE Parent Committee. Join us! In closing, I am proud to represent a community of stakeholders which works together as a team to make our school the very best it can be. Go Hornets! Susan Marilley, Principal
WALKING SAFELY Buena Vista recently hosted an assembly for all its students and a sprinkling of visiting students from the West campus. The assembly was a presentation that Joey Ray of Homeboy Industries gave. He came to represent an organization that helps youth that are involved in gangs. The host, Joey Ray, was a guy that used to be gang related. He told us about his gang-affiliated experiences. Joey Ray was locked up because law enforcement charged him with carrying a weapon at a crime scene when he was 9 years old. He was released from this first lock up after nine years. Unfortunately, they found a weapon on Joey at another murder scene while he was partying with his friends. For this, he went back to jail when he was 22 years old for a murder he didn’t commit. When he got out the second time, he decided to change his life. At this pivotal point in his life, Homeboy Industries helped Joey Ray. He started to value his freedom and loved ones. Finally, to give back to society, Joey decided to work for Homeboy Industries to help out people who are in gangs or the gang life. He gives lectures at schools, churches, jails, and prisons to enlighten people to change their lives and to make better decisions for themselves. Joey Ray is an inspiration and a beacon of light for the Homeboy organization, and for all the young people who are looking for “jobs, not jails.” By: Elizabeth Diaz
These student safety guidelines were developed by Paramount Unified School District. Please review the following safety precautions with your children: • 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 school authorities and the Paramount Sheriff Station at (562) 220-2002, Lakewood Sheriff Station at (562) 623-3500, Long Beach Police at (562) 570-9800 (Collins School) or South Gate Police at (323) 563-5400. Please remind your children to be careful and constantly aware of their surroundings.
Pirate Coaching Staff Remains Stable in Turbulent Times One of the strengths of the PHS athletic program and reasons why it enjoys success is the stability of the coaching staff year in and year out. The school is blessed with dedicated and loyal coaches who love working with Paramount kids and the payoff is the positive high school athletic experience for the kids and the relative success of the overall program. 2008-2009 was a banner year for PHS athletics: nine Varsity league championships (more than any other
league school) and twelve overall; four Division I college signees, a first-ever playoff appearance for boys’ volleyball (including a playoff victory), a return to the playoffs for girls’ volleyball for the first time in a decade, both tennis programs capturing league titles, and all but two programs reaching CIF playoff competition. Both track teams, Pirates baseball, boys’ soccer, and boys’ swimming are working on adding to consecutive league title winning streaks. The head coaches
responsible for this success are: Boys’/Girls’ Cross-Country: Joe Peterson Girls’ Volleyball: Anna Yasuhara Boys’/Girls’ Tennis: Curtis Mu Boys’/Girls’ Water Polo: Eduardo Osorio Football: Mike McCarthy Boys’ Basketball: Mark McGarry Girls’ Basketball: Rosheka Polk (new) Boys’ Soccer: Juan Navarro Girls’ Soccer: Doug Tirado Wrestling: Don Wakefield Baseball: Cameron Chinn Boys’/Girls’ Track and Field: Chris Barboza
Boys’/Girls’ Swimming: Roberto Guerrero Boys’ Volleyball: Jimena Vargas Softball: John Guggiana PHS looks forward to another highly competitive year in the San Gabriel Valley League. All of our athletic teams appreciate any support the school and community can give. Go Pirates! Mark Kemp Athletic Manager