PUSD EDUCATION NEWS A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District 15110 AVE., PARAMOUNT, CA 90723 • TEL: 562-602-6000 • FAX: 562-634-6029 NOVEMBER 2012

ROOSEVELT SCHOOL Pirate Pride Fall sports at Paramount the summer and fall months; No- High School kicked off to a great vember marks playoff time, so start when the varsity football thank you for all of the support team opened up their season as you have cheered the pirates STUDENT LEADERS with a 4-1 record, and ended on throughout this season. their preseason games with an The excitement for winter exciting win against Troy High sports is around the corner. School for a celebratory home- The wrestling squad has grown coming game! Their determina- significantly and has taken ad- tion was evident on the field at vantage of all the new resources when they in the field house and the main swept the gladiators in their first gym to prepare for their intense league game. The varsity girls’ meets. Both the girls’ and boys’ tennis team entered league play basketball teams have trained with a phenomenal undefeated diligently and have benefited record and continued to battle from the amazing new practice match by match to prepare for gym adjacent to the main gym the San Gabriel Valley League which has helped the 11 gym- Tournament. The boys’ water based sport teams to maintain polo team continues to work their training and conditioning countless hours in the Paramount programs. With brand new city pool and their16-9 win bleachers, score boards and other An important role for schools is to develop student school leaders and to provide opportunities for stu- against Savanna High School modernizations to the main gym, dents to perform in leadership positions. gave them momentum as they you must book your calendars This year Roosevelt School instituted a Student Council comprised of students in grades 4 and 5. The entered league play. to cheer on the pirate basketball Student Council consists of a President, Vice President, Historian, Secretary, Treasurer, and classroom rep- October 1, 2012 marked teams and see the new facilities resentatives from each fourth and fifth grade class. the first day that Paramount during the winter months. The Principal Mrs. Marilley and the classroom teachers introduced the concept of Student Council to the Athletics was able to utilize girls’ soccer team looks forward students at the beginning of the school year. Students who were interested in participating in the leadership the newly renovated main gym. to serving as a host site this group were required to write an essay which they presented to teacher advisors Mrs. Baltierrez, grade 4, The excitement reached a high winter break for the local Bell- and Mr. Varela, grade 5. Academics and attendance were also considered for potential candidates. Students as girls’ volleyball opened the flower tournament and the boys’ participated in the campaign process which included posters and making speeches in front of their peers. gym doors to welcome fans in soccer team hopes to charge on Elections were held on September 26th and the results were announced by the principal that afternoon. their first league match against as they have paved a way for Roosevelt School is pleased to announce the following officers and classroom representatives for our . All three great success as a championship 2012-2013 Student Council: levels were victorious and they team year after year. The pirate experienced great pride in being athletic programs have so much President Angelina Rivera (Mrs. Bias, 5th) the first pirates to compete in to be thankful for as they look Vice President Jesus Ruiz (Mr. Varela, 5th) the new gymnasium. The Cross at all of the resources available Historian Samantha Ochoa (Mrs. Baltierrez, 4th) Country team has competed in to support their success. Most Secretary Monica Caldera (Mrs. Baltierrez, 4th) several invitationals in prepara- of all, it’s the pirate pride that Treasurer Rosa Patino (Mrs. Bias, 5th) tion for League Clusters and CIF fuels all of the energy that makes Representatives Alexa Angel, Sonye Garcia (Mrs. Baltierrez, 4th) Prelims. Each fall-sport team a great Julian Martinez, Anthony Amaya (Mrs. Black, 4th) has devoted time and energy over place to be! Go Pirates! Emmanuel Reyes, Melody Valenzuela (Mr. Lane, 4th) Monica Payares, Destiny Barragan (Mrs. Wedrall,4th) Albert Dominguez (Mrs. Caero, 4/5 SDC) Daphny Ayala (Mr. Tryon, 4/5 SDC) SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES Chealsy Espinoza, Dalia Fregoso (Mrs. Bias, 5th) Kemoriae Font, Stella Sancho (Ms. Baltazar, 5th) November 14, 2012 Isabella Villalobos, Esther Perez (Mr. Varela, 5th) Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Congratulations to all of our fourth and fifth grade students who participated in the election process. Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Mrs. Susan Marilley, Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public Principal, Roosevelt School E2 PUSD Education News Lincoln Lions Grizzlies Prowl Witness A Moment the Hallways in History! There are bears in the hallways Gaines. The Green Grizzlies have of Wesley Gaines, grizzlies actually, made trustworthiness, respect, re- Green Grizzlies to be exact. The sponsibility, caring, fairness and Mission 26: The Big Endeavour Green Grizzlies are a student group citizenship their formative and guid- formed last year as a student service ing principles. The students selected organization. Their motto: Green this year were chosen because they Grizzlies Help the Earth. exhibit the traits of Grizzlies that Last year, the Green Grizzlies understand that Character Counts. organized campus clean-ups, tutored These students will once again pro- emerging readers in kindergarten and vide valuable services to their school assisted NDA’s with equipment at and will also lead by example, show- recess time. Groups of Green Griz- ing others how Grizzly Character can zlies prowled the campus in an effort help the school and the Earth. to make Wesley Gaines a clean and The 2012-2013 Green Grizzlies inviting place for all. Pairs of Green are being guided by our wonderful Grizzly Tutors spent their donated Wesley Gaines counselor, Shannon lunch recesses helping our Little Patterson. Her energy and enthusi- Grizzlies (Kinder students) learn asm is spreading through our Green their High Frequency Words. When Grizzly ranks. When you visit Wesley it was recess time our Grizzly leaders Gaines and come across students in would help to make sure that equip- green t-shirts, you will know that ment used for play was organized and you have encountered a... Green ready for the next day. Grizzly. This year, the Six Pillars of Char- acter Counts are at the forefront of Jeff Bowers behavioral expectations at Wesley Principal Women in School Leadership

On Friday, September 21st, at 12:45 in the afternoon, Lincoln students experienced a moment in history as the Endeavour Space Shuttle, perched on top of a Boeing 747 aircraft took its final flight over California before landing at LAX airport to be transported to the California Science Center. Visit www.californiasciencecenter.org to learn more. Students at Lincoln marveled at the site of the Endeavour as it flew over our Lincoln field twice before beginning its descent toward LAX. At such low altitudes, the Endeavour was easy to identify. Students cheered in amazement as the aircraft, accompanied by two fighter jets flew close enough to almost touch! Our school librarian, Toni Jackson, captured the moment as students, teachers, and even the principal were awestruck! In the words of our 4th grade Lincoln students: “When I saw the space shuttle it took my breath away. I couldn’t breathe. Mrs. Naruko, my teacher, saw it too. We all ran to see the Space Shuttle. Everybody was so excited!” Andrea “On Friday, September 21st all fourth and fifth graders witnessed history. It felt amazing to be part of history! My friend and I were just waiting in line for our teacher to pick us up, and bam! We saw the Endeavour Space Shuttle.” Valerie “I thought that the Endeavour was awesome! Being able to witness history felt pretty cool. The Space Shuttle flew right over Lincoln School. It was so amazing!” Audrey Recently, a select group of administra- rent County and District superintendents, “It was cool to see the Space Shuttle fly over Lincoln School for the first time. Ev- tors and District office staff were extended teachers, judges, to keynote speaker, Nancy erybody was running toward it, except for the staff and me. I got a good look from far the opportunity to participate in the 2nd M. Dahl, President of Lifetouch. away.” Nathan Annual Association of American School This year’s attendees included Assis- Administrators (AASA) and The Asso- tant Superintendents’ Myrna Morales and ciation of California School Administrators Debbie Stark, Principals Lynn Butler, Jean PUSD Education News is a monthly Publication of the (ACSA) Women in School Leadership Fo- Law, Topekia Jones, Yuki Mio, Patricia rum, a two-day conference that took place Brent-Sanco, Beatriz Spelker-Levi and Paramount Unified School District in Newport Beach. Pamela Williams and also District Office The AASA and ACSA Women in School Executive Assistants Isela Preciado and Board of Education Leadership Forum is a premier networking Ofelia Larios. Linda Garcia – President and educational experience designed to Principal Yuki Mio commented that Vivian Hansen – VP/Clerk Great things are happening in Paramount Schools engage, enlighten and empower women “The Leadership Forum was powerful and Alicia Anderson – Member school system leaders from across the coun- poignant! It was inspiring to hear women Sonya Cuellar – Member try. Focused on leadership excellence, the leaders speak candidly about their experi- PUSD Education News forum helped build skills, share solutions, ences, those challenging moments, and the Tony Peña - Member Editor - Isela Preciado strengthen professional networks, and paths they took to make such an impact for Paramount Unified School District sharpen the attendees career planning. This children and our future. It provided an oppor- District Superintendent 15110 California Ave., Paramount, CA year, there were over 200 attendees from the tunity to collaborate across districts, embrace David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. (562) 602-6000 • Fax (562) 634-6029 various states throughout the United States. our team from Paramount, and reaffirm what Various speakers included retired and cur- we do each day to make a difference! PUSD Education News E3 Structured Play Superintendent’s Message: Thanksgiving Wishes

Dear Parents and Friends of Para- mount Unified,

On behalf of our Board of Education Linda Garcia-President, Vivian Hansen- Vice President, Alicia Anderson, Sonya Cuellar, and Tony Peña, I wanted to take this opportunity to extend to everyone our best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving Day. and loyalty to our School District, our At this time of Thanksgiving, we teachers, school counselors, adminis- can all pause to count our blessings. trators, classified employees, and the Thanksgiving is incomplete without a countless others who make Paramount moment of reflection. One of the joys Unified School District the special of Thanksgiving is the opportunity to place it is. reflect and rejoice on our good fortunes Our best wishes for a Happy by showing one’s gratitude for life’s Thanksgiving! little blessings during these difficult and challenging times. I particularly want to express my David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. sincere appreciation for your confidence Superintendent Parent Involvement at Hollydale School

As a Safe & Civil School, we participate rie with their classmates. One student said, in structured play. The wonderful staff of “I like playing teatherball with my friends Collins School used the first eight days of from class.” school to lay the ground work for how we Using our one-liner at the end of recess, play appropriately on the playground. All “Stop, Freeze, Take a Knee” allows students the activities available on the playground to transition from recess to lining up by were taught and practiced, such as; soccar, “City Walking” (walking really fast) and teatherball, wall ball, four square, basketball, getting ready to return to class for learning. swings, and the play equipment. We needed This has assisted us tremendously in return- to take this time to run through each area in ing to class in an efficient manner. Thank a structured manner. Visual cues are used to you to all the staff for making this work! assist students with knowing were to begin. During first recess, classes play in their assigned areas to assist them with direct Bea Spelker-Levi physical play along with building camarade- Principal, Collins School

One Ninth Grader’s Point of View Research shows that parent involve- ment improves school performance. As my first five weeks of high school clubs that were offered were the sports club, come to a close here at Paramount High college club, and the club of 2016. Students There are many ways that parents can School West Campus, I can say that I eagerly were also offered the opportunity to create support their children at home, by read- await what is to come for me with anticipa- their own club should they be able to sign ing to them, helping with homework, tion. From athletic tryouts and games to up eight members and find a teacher who engaging in interesting discussions, Homecoming, there are plenty of events and would be willing to serve as advisor. and taking trips to educational places. activities that invite student participation. ASB also hosted its first Pirate Lunch Some parents choose to be even more So far, I have nothing but positive things for teachers and students. Teachers were involved in their children’s education, to say about my high school experience as encouraged to invite a student from any of and Hollydale School is very fortunate a freshman. their classes to come and attend a Hawaiian to have many of these parents. Over the summer, I attended Summer themed lunch provided by ASB. Both teach- This year we have provided added Bridge for incoming freshmen at PHS West ers and students were welcomed to the West Campus and ran with the Cross Country Campus Library to enjoy a delectable meal support for our dedicated parents by team at the Senior Campus. I also attended which consisted of gourmet pizza, bread setting up a Parent Volunteer room. a summer camp of sorts for incoming As- sticks, chicken wings, salad, and drinks. This room provides a comfortable place sociated Student Body Leadership students. Teachers had the opportunity to sit down where parents can support teachers by During the camp, leadership students and converse with their selected student in a constructing decodable books, copying learned how ASB functions as well as their very enjoyable atmosphere. Considering this and collating student work packets, roles and responsibilities as members of was only the first of many Pirate Lunches, I laminating instructional materials, and West Campus’ student body leadership. believe it was a complete success. doing anything else a teacher may need. By the first day of school, I was more Currently, I have A’s in all of my classes; In addition, it provides a place for PTA than prepared for high school. I quickly I am the ASB president and serve as the members and leadership to carry out number has doubled to about twenty. made friends with other students and West Campus student representative to the adapted to my high school schedule of Paramount Unified School Board. Addition- their projects. Having the Parent Volun- We have no doubt that as word spreads Geometry, World History, Language ally, I am a member of the Cross Country teer Center allows parents the flexibility about our new center, more and more Arts 1 Honors, ASB, Biology, and Cross team and a member of the West Campus to come in and help at times convenient parents will become involved each year, Country. The teachers and staff at the Chess Club. High school here at the West to them, and without having to interrupt resulting in more and more support for West Campus were more than welcoming Campus has been a dream come true, and I a classroom in order to help. our school, our teachers, and the aca- and the classes provided a rigorous and am very grateful for having been given the Last year, according to our PTA demic progress of our students. academic ambience. opportunity for success. officers, there were about ten parents Moreover, ASB was off and running this regularly involved. This year, as a re- Kevin Longworth year as it hosted the annual club rush dur- Avery De La Cruz sult of the better accommodations and Principal ing lunch in September. Among the several Student, PHS-West increased scheduling flexibility, that Hollydale School E4 PUSD Education News Homecoming at PHS Jackson School Celebrates its STARS with a STAR Party

STAR students celebrating their achievement are Mauricio, Michael, Alan, Albert, and Miguel.

A record number of students passed the STAR test at Jackson School thanks to the dedication of both staff and students. In order to celebrate the accomplishment of individual students, the Jackson staff, in partnership with the STAR after school program, organized a STAR celebration for the 430 students who passed the test in either language arts or math. The STAR party took place on September 13, 2012 during student lunches. Each student who was invited received a personalized V.I.P. All Access Pass. At the party, students were treated to ice cream sundaes and video games. The STAR after school program set up and manned 4 Wii and 4 Kinect stations for students where they enjoyed Just Dance, Mario Kart and more. You could hear the excitement in the air as students walked into the party zone. Their laughter and cheers drowned out the background music. “The students were very excited and proud to be part of the celebration,” commented math coach Claudia Ramos. Some students in the party had never passed the STAR test before and they were especially proud of their accomplishment. Teachers, staff and administrators came in to congratulate students and par- ticipate in the festivities The STAR party is an example of how the city of Paramount and Para- mount Unified schools can work together to motivate students to strive for excellence.

Rebecca Perez Leona Jackson School

You could feel it in the air... have had in a long time. The halftime school spirit! Beginning October 1st, spectacular included elegant horse- Paramount High School initiated spirit drawn carriages, the presentation of Computers give math students week with “twin day” and the results the court, and a firework finale that were magnificent. As you looked accompanied the announcement of around you were puzzled, sometimes Karla Leon and Andres Gonzalez and teachers a hand! wondering whether this was real or a being named Homecoming Queen & dream. Tuesday was “nerd day”, a day King. Other members of the Home- appropriate for our school since we coming court included Freshmen embrace our inner “nerdiness” every Princess and Prince Jishaly Castillo day by excelling in our classes. Then and Daniel Sosa, Sophomore Princess came the famous “Scrabble Day,” & Prince Heather Hartman and Aldo filling our school up with spirit words Avelar, Junior Princess & Prince and phrases such as “Class of 2013” Irene Castillo and Henry Estrada and and “Pirates.” other Senior Princesses Cindy Her- Walking around campus on Thurs- nandez, Janine Juarez, Juliana Maid- day you could hear “is that a bird? a ana & Alejandra Palma and other plane? No, it’s Superman!” Superhero Senior Princes’ Chris Borrayo, Mario day had PHS students and teachers Castañeda, Brandon DeSigueira and feeling heroic. Friday filled our cam- Eddie Otzoy. pus with maroon, white, black, and With all the excitement of Spirit One very effective computer program used student knows based on their assessment. gray, with each color representing an Week, Wacky Olympics, and the in our schools to support math instruction is The dark color represents all the concept areas entire class. As you walked into the Homecoming Game, the dance was called ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in that have been learned, while the light shaded football stadium for the famous Wacky sure to be a success. To no one’s sur- Knowledge Spaces). ALEKS is a technol- colors show the amount of concepts that still Olympics you could hear, feel, and prise it was nothing less than excel- ogy- based program that can be accessed on have to be mastered. the internet. The ALEKS program has been How has ALEKS helped Paramount’s see the tremendous amount of spirit lent. It was definitely a memorable used in our middle schools at Paramount Park, Students? radiated by each class. night for all. Set amongst the grass and Alondra, Jackson, Hollydale, and Zamboni. Seventy five percent of students using the The freshmen filled the visitor trees of the beautiful Pirate Plaza and Additionally, students use the program at ALEKS program at Paramount’s Community stands in a sea of grey. On the home draped in the light of a full moon, we Paramount High School, Buena Vista and the Day School program passed the California side, the waves of black, white, and enjoyed all the sights and sounds of Paramount Community Day School. High School Exit Exam. In addition, students maroon were mesmerizing. Our school the evening. We created lasting memo- With ALEKS if the student enters a correct who regularly worked on ALEKS performed Alma Mater echoed through the stands ries filled with good music and good response, the program automatically gives the better than their non- ALEKS using classmates to mark the beginning of the games. friends. A truly memorable dance was student a question that is more challenging. on district assessments. Victory by the Senior class would the perfect ending to an amazing week On the other hand, if the student enters an ALEKS is one of the many technology mark the end of the games. here at PHS. incorrect response, it adjusts the next ques- based programs that students greatly ben- tion to one that is not as difficult. By the time efit from in the Paramount Unified School Next was the Homecoming Game the assessment is completed, the ALEKS District. itself. We would eventually defeat Amy Delgado & program has a very accurate picture of what Troy High School, 42-35, in what was Stephanie Chavez, the student’s know and what they don’t know. Durrell Jackson one of the most exciting games we 12th Grade Students, PHS This chart represents all the concepts that a Curriculum Specialist