PUSD News A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District 15110 Ave., Paramount, CA 90723 • Tel: 562-602-6000 • Fax: 562-634-6029 June 2015 Paramount Unified School District A Mathemagical Night! Celebrates Teacher of the Year

On May 13, 2015, school and district staff and members of the Board of Education met to cel- ebrate each school’s Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year recognition honors the positive effect teachers have on the lives of students each day. The Board of Education awarded each of the 20 recipients a plaque to honor their contribution to Paramount’s students and community. Schools select one outstanding teacher to represent their school for this honor. In making this selection, teachers give careful consideration to the person who best meets all of the following The Graciano family (with Lakeshore representative, Jessica criteria: Thudium) poses with their raffle winnings at Family Math Night.

• Shows commitment to professional growth • Supports his/her colleagues to develop their skills • Pursues educational activities beyond the school day • Delivers high quality instruction • Communicates positively with students and parents

After a selection committee chooses the District-wide Teacher of the Year, he or she has the op- portunity to apply for the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition. This year Michelle Soto, Special Education Teacher from Paramount Park Middle School was selected to represent PUSD as the district wide Teacher of the Year. We congratulate Ms. Soto, her students and her school for this outstanding honor! Paramount Unified School District’s 2015-16 Teachers of the Year Early Childhood Education - Belen Cabral Mokler School - Lori Stahl Ms. Yessenia Orozco plays Rush Hour with Lincoln students at Alondra Middle School - Andrea Carr Paramount Park Middle School - Michelle Soto Family Math Night. Collins School - Lashonda Toston Roosevelt School - Eric Martin Varela Abraham Lincoln Elementary School’s Annual Family Math Gaines School - Sofia Silva Tanner School - Sheri Wilson Night was a phenomenal success! Over 125 students and families Hollydale School - Vanessa A. Mabini Wirtz School - Teresa Reno came out to enjoy the games and fun. PTA supported the event and families by selling pizza and drinks. Over twenty-five raffle Jackson School - Maria Lourdes Gamez Zamboni Middle School - Mandy Butler prizes were given away, and children and adults alike had a fan- Jefferson School - Maria Angela M. Parkin Paramount High School-West - Michael Almada tastic experience! Keppel School - Hakeem Davies Paramount High School - Andrew Yonaki Lincoln Family Math Night featured sixteen stations that Lincoln School - Yessenia Orozco Buena Vista High School - Hector Ramos offered math games and fun for the entire community! Lincoln teachers and staff pulled together and volunteered their evening to Los Cerritos School - Marysol Renteria Rivera Paramount Adult School - Renee M. Aguilar help man the different stations. Activities included games such as Shut the Box and I Sea 10! (addition and number sense games), an estimation activity to guess Principal Jones’ height in Tootsie Rolls, and the student favorite, Rush Hour (a logic game to help A Gold Star Battalion a trapped car escape traffic gridlock). This spring, Paramount High sentations that aimed to explain tion involved, the results yielded Lincoln families enthusiastically came out to support the event! School select JROTC members all leadership roles within the were impressive. A final score With dinner taken care of by the PTA pizza sale, families were entered into the Sonora Sports program. Mr. Kosareff, principal of 98.75% was announced and free to enjoy the activities without worries. Students received competition and earned 1st place at West Campus and Dr. Dragos, Paramount obtained the highest raffle tickets at each station and a game log to mark their partici- in overall competition. Team assistant principal at senior cam- score achieved throughout the 8th pation. Parents were encouraged to play alongside their children. members, under the guidance of pus, along with the 8th Brigade Brigade which is responsible for Throughout the night, prizes generously donated by Lakeshore and Colonel Guild and Sergeant Bray- commander conducted the overall ROTC programs in Washington, Lincoln teachers were given away in random drawings. Excite- boy, diligently practiced countless inspection. The full day inspec- Oregon, Montana, California, Ne- ment grew as winning names were called out every 15 minutes hours to prepare for the intense tion began with a PowerPoint pre- vada, , Hawaii and . and students took home gift cards, various math games, and even team sport competitions. Larry sentation that explained all of the This high honor in the Paramount a Minecraft Lego set! Porter, a member of the competing roles and duties of cadets within Brigade allowed the program Volunteers, students, and parents all felt jubilance at the suc- battalion, stated, “…we all had the Brigade. The panel members to transition from blue star to cess of Family Math Night and are already looking forward to fun playing the sports we love… were able to ask questions which gold star honors. With 1st place next year’s event! we brought a lot of energy to each led to the Student Learning pre- honors and gold star inspection event.” The squad’s energy paid sentation. In this segment of the earnings, the true service from Joyce Taylor, Math Coach off when they received first place inspection, students presented the the Paramount High School must awards in volleyball, soccer and mission of the JROTC program be recognized. The hearts of gold tug of war with 2nd place awards and provided details of student- in each member who dedicates in football and basketball. driven community service proj- countless hours of service at all SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE The most challenging part ects such as campus-wide clean of the Paramount High School of preparing for the competition ups. Next, the panel individually events is exemplary. Congratu- June 10, 2015 * June 24, 2015 was concurrently preparing for a interviewed all cadets to verify lations to the Paramount High program formal inspection. Dr. that their work in the battalion School JROTC program for their Buckner, principal at Paramount was as reported and supported by accomplishments and kudos to the Board of Education meetings are held at High School, gave feedback to the instructors. program for continued service to 6:00 p.m. and are open to the public students as they practiced pre- Through all of the prepara- the community. E2 PUSD Education News

A Day at the Capital The Bug Bus Comes to Hollydale!

Three of Paramount High School’s received good advice from adult supporters. students were nominated as leaders to I felt confident to speak up and to make eye attend the Day at the Capital event, in Sac- contact.” He aims to help other foster youth ramento. The opportunity was made avail- students and wants each to know that there able by the California Youth Connection, are adults who care and who can help. One a nonprofit organization, which provides leader felt that she learned to present herself leadership and educational opportunities in a professional way. She states, “Listen- for current and former foster youth. Their ing to other youth’s stories was a rewarding goals include empowering foster youth to experience.” She was empowered to share advocate for themselves and other youth her own story because she felt that the other in the system through their “Our Voices, youth could really understand her. The best Our Future” slogan. part of the trip, however, was flying! She The students spent three days in work- loved flying at night to look out and see all shops learning leadership skills, commu- of the city lights below. nication skills, and the legislative process. While at the State House, the leadership During the evenings, social events were held group was able to meet with Congressman including a poster contest, a movie, a talent Patrick O’Donnell, who taught social sci- show, and dinner out with peers. The last ence at Paramount High School. He took day was spent at the Capital, speaking to leg- the time to speak with each of the students islators about a proposed bill and the rights individually, let them know they can always of pregnant and parenting foster youth, with reach out to him if there is anything he could the aim to find a sponsor for the bill. help them with, and provided each leader his The pirate leaders reflected on their ex- contact information. perience and one commented, “...the whole With faculty leadership guidance from event was amazing! The Day at the Capital Judy Morrison, Foster Youth Services Co- gives former and current foster youth knowl- ordinator, Anna Martinez, the Foster Youth edge about the foster youth system and a Counseling Liaison and co-club advisor, and voice to change the system through legisla- Patricia Gonzalez, a teacher and co-advisor, tion.” Most of all, the leaders in attendance this leadership club meets once a week to Hollydale fifth graders recently motorhome. The “Bug Bus” is were inspired to make a difference. Another discuss advocacy topics and strategies rel- leader in attendance stated, “I was compli- evant to college, career and future financial experienced the VecMobile, a “Bug decked out with four study stations mented for my participation in activities and advocacy and readiness. Bus” sponsored by the Mobile Sci- carefully designed to allow students ence & Vector Education Foundation to practice scientific inquiry. Clear of the Greater Los Angeles County directions at each station allowed Vector Control District. Its aim is to students to work with each other to educate Los Angeles area students accomplish tasks, independent of Jefferson School Selects about the science of mosquito anato- adult intervention or coaching. my and behavior, the risks mosquitos Not only was the Bug Bus fun for present, and practices for preventing students but it also helped to develop New Teacher of the Year their growth in our neighborhoods. their scientific inquiry skills. At the Jefferson School recently selected Parkin family resides in Long Beach. The Bug Bus was as fun as it was end of the program, students were Maria Parkin, aka “Cha Cha” to represent Mrs. Parkin comes from a whole fam- informational. able to continue doing research by the school as Teacher of the 2014-2015 ily of educators. Her four brothers and two In the classroom portion of the examining and eliminating their School Year. Maria is a local gal who was sisters are all involved in education. One program, students learned how to backyard breeding sources at home, born in Lynwood. She graduated from Saint of her brothers was a principal at Los Cer- look for and eliminate mosquito- fill out a form and send it back to the Joseph High School and then went on to ritos and Wirtz. breeding sources. They discussed any Mobile Science & Vector Education Long Beach State, where she received her Maria teaches 2nd grade at Jefferson. current-events involving vectors with Foundation. Students who complete Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies. She She believes that people and students have a VecMobile instructor. Finally, stu- this project will receive an award for continued her studies at Mount St. Mary’s success through hard work and dedica- dents viewed an extensive collection helping to control mosquitoes. All college where she received her Master’s tion. Maria herself is extremely dedicated of insects from around the world. Af- of the fifth grade students enjoyed in Education. to her job. Jefferson School is pleased to Maria lives with her husband, John have such a devoted, professional teacher ter reading clues on identifying types learning on the Bug Bus and look and her daughter, Caterina Elizabeth, age as Maria Parkin to represent our staff for of insects, they completed an activity forward to other extended learning 20, and her son, John Joseph, age 17. The this school year. sheet identifying country of origin for opportunities. each specimen in the collection. The VecMobile portion of the Lisa Nunley-Macon PUSD Education News is a monthly Publication of the program took place in a converted Principal Paramount Unified School District Board of Education Alicia Anderson - President Tony Peña - VP/Clerk Sonya Cuellar - Member Great things are happening in Paramount Schools Graduation Dates Linda Garcia - Member Vivian Hansen - Member PUSD Education News Editor - Isela Preciado Buena Vista High School * June 9, 6:00p.m. District Co-Interim Superintendents Paramount Unified School District Delores Stephens 15110 California Ave., Paramount, CA David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. (562) 602-6000 • Fax (562) 634-6029 Paramount High School * June 11, 6:00 p.m. PUSD Education News E3 Paramount Unified School Superintendent’s Message: District Counselors

Paramount Schools Honored with California Gold Ribbon Award Paramount Unified School District is proud to announce that Alondra Middle School, Zamboni Middle School, Paramount High School-West and Paramount High School have successfully completed the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program application process and have been recognized as part of the state’s 373 California Gold Ribbon Schools for 2015. This award is a direct reflection of the dedication, hard work, and vision of the Paramount Unified School District educational community. The Gold Ribbon Schools Award honors California schools that have made tre- Paramount High School Counselor Patricia Jacobo presenting information to her colleagues. mendous gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education for all students. The schools went through In every school of the Paramount Unified School District students have the sup- a rigorous application process earlier this year. They were then selected to receive port of dedicated counselors to support their social emotional and academic success. site visitations to validate the application. The schools were notified of their selection Counselors meet monthly to learn about current information on school counseling and in early May by Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “These share successful approaches. This year, middle and high school counselors identified schools are academically successful, vibrant, and innovative centers of learning and topics they were interested in learning more about, researched these topics and then teaching,” Torlakson said in a press release. “They provide great examples of the presented them to their counselor colleagues. Some of the topics covered include: things educators are doing right—embracing rigorous academic standards, providing excellence and creativity in teaching, and creating a positive school climate.” • What type of software can counselors use to inform students and parents of school events? On May 22, 2015, schools were recognized in San Diego by State Superinten- • What do counselors need to know about the new Common Core Standards? dent of Schools Tom Torlakson at the 2015 California School Recognition Awards • What are effective resources for supporting students who experience crisis? Reception. • What do counselors need to understand about the needs of Foster Youth Students? Please join us in congratulating Alondra Middle School, Zamboni Middle School, PHS-West and Paramount High School for achieving their Gold Ribbon Award. They are an excellent representation of the great things that are happening in Paramount. Thank you to the staff, teachers, counselors and administration of these schools for Spring Sports at your continued dedication of guiding our students towards excellence. Dr. David Verdugo and Delores Stephens Paramount High School It is hard to believe, but the 2014- rates struggled in league play, but 2015 school year is coming to an will return 7 starters for the 2016 end. Paramount High School athlet- season. Next season promises to be ics are winding down with all spring a much improved team with a goal sports coming to a close. In boys of qualifying for the CIF playoffs. and girls track & field, boys tennis, Baseball is currently in first place in and boys and girls swim, some ath- league with three games remaining. letes will be competing in the CIF The team has been playing their best individual playoffs in events that baseball late in the season. They are Pictured from left to right are: Alondra Middle School Assistant Principal Kelly they qualify by finishing in the top 5-2 with one game against Downey Anderson, Board President Alicia Anderson, State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Co-Interim Superintendent Delores Stephens, Principal Lynn Butler and LACOE tier in their respective league finals. and two against Warren left on their Assistant Superintendent of Educational Programs Dr. Cuahtemoc Avila. The San Gabriel Valley League fi- schedule. If they win two out of nals for these sports happened in the the next three games they will be first week of May. In our next edi- crowned San Gabriel Valley league tion, we will be recognizing those champs. Results of those games and individuals who not only qualified their performance in the CIF play- for CIF, but made Pirate athletics offs will appear in our next edition. proud. There are a number of ath- The Paramount High School letes who have the potential to go athletic department is proud of all its deep into the individual playoffs. athletes who competed throughout Paramount High School Principals Greg Buckner and Morrie Kosareff, Board We look forward to cheering on all the entire school year. With over President Anderson, Co-Interim Superintendent Delores Stephens, and Paramount of our athletes has they begin their 800 boys and girls competing in High School staff pictured with State Superintendent Tom Torlakson and LACOE individual competitions. twelve different sports, participa- Assistant Superintendent of Educational Programs Dr. Cuahtemoc Avila. In the sports of baseball, softball, tion was outstanding and many and boys volleyball, these seasons student athletes and their teams did finished up in the middle of May. very well against great competition. The boys volleyball team had an Every year the pirate players and outstanding season. They complet- coaches try and represent to the best ed the regular season with an overall of their abilities and this year was record of 15-7 and a league record of no different. Best of luck to those 4-4, good for third place in the tough athletes still competing in both team SGV league. They entered the divi- and individual sports. Once again sion 3 playoffs in the middle of May. the Pirate family would like to thank Results of their playoff run will ap- the community for the continued pear in the next edition. Softball is support and for coming out and Pictured from left to right are: Zamboni Middle School Principal Elizabeth Salcido, finishing up their season with three cheering at all Pirate athletic events. Board President Alicia Anderson, State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Co-Interim games remaining against Lynwood, Superintendent Delores Stephens, Assistant Principal Scott Law and LACOE Assistant Downey, and Warren. The lady Pi- GO PIRATES!!!! Superintendent of Educational Programs Dr. Cuahtemoc Avila. E4 PUSD Education News Project Based Learning At Mark Keppel School

One of the capstone prac- tices at Marvelous Mark Kep- pel School is Project Based Learning. Project Based Learning, PBL is an instruc- tional framework, which integrates academic content with hands on representa- tions of learning. Students are able to work individu- ally or as a group to produce projects that show case the learning that has taken place in a lesson or curricular unit of study. Throughout the school year, students have created meaningful projects at Mark Keppel School on a variety of academic topics. “The Science Fair Museum” was the most recent topic changes, and third grade munity members, Paramount forward to their summer take this summer to expand their for our school wide projects. students explored the solar District Office personnel, home project. The focus will knowledge of how to incor- Students in each grade level system. Fourth grade students parents, and students all be on geography. Students porate this type of hands on were able to create represen- shared their work on ecosys- had the opportunity visit the will be able to choose from kinesthetic learning into their tations of what they learned tems, and fifth grade students science museum. All of the 15 exotic locations to re- classroom instruction. Great in science. Kindergarten and formulated representations visitors commented on how search and then create a vi- things are happening at Mar- first grade students created on the bodies’ circulatory much effort each student put sual representation of “their velous Mark Keppel School. projects on plants and plant system. All of the student into making their project dream vacation”. life. Second grade students work was displayed in the great. The students and staff Teachers at Mark Kep- Patricia Brent-Sanco, displayed work on earth “Science Museum”. Com- of Mark Keppel School look pel School will be working Principal Buena Vista’s Awards Night Paramount On May 19, 2015 at the Para- Award Title Student Recipients Supports the Arts mount Park Community Center, 2015 Principal’s Award Stephanie Alonzo Buena Vista High School, a Model 2015 Principal’s Award Kyrice Thompson Continuation High School, recog- 2015 Student of the Year Yadira Flores nized 34 students for their determi- 2015 Student of the Year Elizabeth Gurrola nation and excellence. Buena Vista 2015 Citizenship Award Isaac Lauano High School is an outstanding small 2015 Character Achievement Olegario Flores learning community for students 2015 Character Achievement Guiel Escobar to learn and graduate from high 2015 Outstanding Attendance Ramon Palacios school. We have smaller class sizes, 2015 Outstanding Attendance Ricardo Rios and dedicated teachers and staff 2015 Soaring Eagle Robert Garcia members who support students with 2015 Academic Excellence Ariel Mansion their learning. Students at Buena 2015 Fitness MVP Guillermo Pena Vista overcome the obstacles that 2015 Fitness MVP Lizzeth Gonzalez Paramount Unified School District (PUSD) continued its sup- have caused them to become credit 2015 Health Achievement Daniel Valle port of the Arts and Arts’ education this year by partnering with deficient and meet their goal to 2015 Algebra Achievement Brenda Lopez Arts for All through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission graduate from high school. 2015 Achievement in Math Applications B Angel Manriquez on an arts action research project. The project involved Robin The following students were 2015 Achievement in Geometry A Ana Rodriguez Kiss, PUSD’s artist in residence for the past five years, and three selected by their teachers, coun- 2015 Achievement in Geometry B Vanessa Melendez fourth grade teachers. The teachers were Mickie Hazlewood from selor, and administration for their 2015 Achievement in Language Arts 1B Fantaijah Herring Lincoln, and Elaine Hoffman and Stephanie Nutall from Mokler. resiliency, dedication to learn, posi- 2015 Achievement in Language Arts 2B Ricardo Solis The research project addressed the question, To what extent tive attitude, and work ethic. Along 2015 Achievement in Language Arts 3A Janice Thomas do the visual arts experiences enhance the quality of students’ with our students’ proud parents, 2015 Achievement in Language Arts 3B Kristal Gonzalez writing? The project consisted of 17 culturally relevant art les- we were joined by Board members, 2015 Achievement in Language Arts 4A Baleria Rodriguez-Ruvalcaba sons during which students focused on descriptive writing as they Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Hansen, Mr. 2015 Achievement in Language Arts 4B Darien Simon created their art projects. The teachers used a rubric to measure Peña, and all of the District’s Ex- 2015 Achievement in English Language Development Adrian Lozano the improvement in their students’ writing and collaborated with ecutive Cabinet. MAPS, Rotary 2015 Achievement in Biology Raul Ayala WestEd, an educational research agency, to analyze the results. Club, Schools First Credit Union, 2015 Achievement in Physics Jesselle Montoya On average, students demonstrated significant improvement in and the Dr. David J. Verdugo 2015 Achievement in World History Analiz Parra their use of descriptive vocabulary in their writing. Scholarships were presented to 2015 Achievement in US History Maura Hernandez-Gonzalez The three teachers expressed satisfaction with the partnership Stephanie Alonzo, David Becerra, 2015 Achievement in Economics Daniel Herrera and collaborating with the artist in residence and WestEd. They Yadira Flores, Elizabeth Gurrola, 2015 Achievement in American Government David Becerra were especially pleased with the improvement in their students’ and Kyrice Thompson. Please join 2015 Art Achievement Vanessa Lopez writing. The attached picture is student created sugar skull masks me in congratulating all of our stu- 2015 Achievement in Sociology Kevin Pineda from Mokler students. dents on their awards. We are very 2015 Achievement in World Geography Jonathan Rivas proud of them and look forward to Dr. Randy Gray, Director-Curriculum & Instruction/Projects hearing about their bright futures! Dr. Andrea Aguilar-Nuno - Assistant Principal