Poly's Own Fab Four Student Orators Impress Packed Audience

March 20, 2015

WINNING Poly’s Own Fab Four ORATORS – Participants in the When the touring show "In My Life - A annual Concerned Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles" returns to the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro on African American April 19, be on the lookout for two quartets – Parents Oration not just one. Contest proposed The Poly High School string quartet will positive solutions join the professional actors on stage. to societal issues Poly juniors Elizabeth Robinet, Erin Osman, such as homeless- Timothy White and Sofia Salcedo will join the ness, cyberbully- band for the songs "Eleanor Rigby," ing and littering. "Yesterday," "A Day in the Life," "Hello The students Goodbye," and "Hey Jude." In a special touch, earned certifi- (Continued on next page) cates, prizes and goodies. Poly Excels at UCLA Student Orators Impress Packed Audience Business Contest The contest judges carefully monitored eye History Month. Poly High School students earned high hon- contact, inflection, depth of knowledge and rel- Participants received certificates and gift ors at the semifinals of the annual Project evance of topic as they listened to 18 students bags containing goodies and passes provided ECHO High School Entrepreneur’s Business deliver speeches during the recent Concerned by local vendors. First, second and third place Plan Competition this month and will advance African American Parents annual Oration winners earned gift cards. The orators were: to the finals on April 12. The Project ECHO Contest at the Teacher Resource Center. (Entrepreneurial Concepts Hands On), contests Students from grades three to 12 responded Grades 3-5 are hosted by the Harold and Pauline Price to this year’s theme inspired by Ida B. Wells, Eric Brannon, Holmes (first place) Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and UCLA the famed journalist and social activist who Kalin Lindsey, Holmes (second place) Anderson School of Management. once said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn Antonio Eastland, Holmes (third place) The competition provides more than 500 the light of truth upon them.” Devean Brown, Holmes Southern California high school students the Students confidently shared troubling issues Benjamin Jackson, Bixby opportunity to pitch their new business ven- they had witnessed, and in some cases been Gregory Lewis, Holmes tures to prominent members of the local busi- victims of, cited data on their subjects and then Jadyn Myers, Longfellow ness community who serve as volunteer ven- detailed their plans for positive solutions. ture capitalist judges. This year, about 100 Participants impressed the packed room of Grades 6-8 teams from 16 high schools and academic path- parents, family members, school district Caleb Jackson, Nelson (first place) ways are competing in this two-part competi- administrators, teachers and community leaders Joshua Henderson, Marshall (second place) tion. Several Poly teams earned first place in with their insights into current issues such as Jacqueline Brown, Bancroft (third place) the Retail and Tech divisions of the competi- cyber bullying, smoking, littering, the need for Sean Berry, Lindbergh tion. View the full list of Poly’s semifinal hon- unity, use of the “n” word, homelessness, nega- Kyle Slaughter, Newcomb ors at lbschools.net under the “Poly Excels at tive perceptions and education. (Continued on next page) UCLA Business Contest” headline. The judges were Board of Education Vice President Felton Williams, Stevenson Elementary School Principal David Zaid, COOL CAT – CAAP Founder Ninette Richardson, and Cal The Cat in the State Long Beach’s Director of University Hat (Long Beach Outreach and School Relations Valerie Rotary President Bordeaux. Brian Russell) vis- Former Board of Education President its preschoolers Bobbie Smith praised the students and donated during a Read-In two of her famous, freshly-baked sweet potato at LBUSD's North pies for the drawing in celebration of Black Child Develop- ment Center. Each child select- Employee of Year ed a new book to keep. Rotary has LBUSD employees who know outstanding raised more than colleagues deserving recognition may submit $470,000 for liter- nominations for the annual Classified acy programs Employee of the Year Award by Monday, over the past 16 April 20. years. View more Instructions, award criteria and nomination photos at forms are available under “Employee of the Year (Classified)” in the A-Z index at lbschools.net. lbschools.net. • Student Orators SCHOLARLY MUSICIANS – (Continued from first page) Poly High School Grades 9-12 students Erin Basheera Ali-El, Poly (first place) Osman, Elizabeth Dominique Leggett, Cabrillo (second place) Robinet, Timothy Prince Mays, Millikan (third place) White and Sofia Jasir Jones, Lakewood Brooke Ribet, Wilson Salcedo will join Lauryn Slaughter, Poly professional per- formers during an April 19 musical tribute to the Recently Adopted Beatles. The students maintain 4.0 or better GPAs Math Books a Plus while participating Teachers and parents reviewed math text- in sports and vol- books and instructional materials before the unteering with the school board’s recent approval of the materials, Long Beach which will support K-12 instruction. Here’s a Symphony. sampling of their feedback: “I am so happy to see skills/activities that are developmentally appropriate and aligned to the CCSS (Common Core State Standards),” • Poly’s String Quartet Performs with Pros parent Yvonne Spitzer-Velasco wrote regarding the kindergarten materials. Regarding fourth (Continued from first page) the country, and they are always highly func- grade materials, she continued, “I think it’s "Yesterday" is played as a scene in which the tioning, college bound kids,” said Andy Nagle going to be beneficial for my daughter to have Paul McCartney character plays the song for of the La Jolla Booking Agency. “The Poly bullets with simple strategies listed at the top the first time for Beatles producer George kids are extraordinary even for quartet kids. of her practice book for reference. Overall, I Martin, with the songwriter explaining that he I don’t know about you, but I didn’t form a am very impressed with this adoption. Thank envisioned a string quartet accompaniment. 501c3 (nonprofit) when I was 16 years old.” you, Textbook Services for all that you do! I "In My Life" is the musical retelling of the Quartet member Robinet has been a lifelong really appreciate having the opportunity to Beatles story through the eyes of manager Beatles fan. view the upcoming textbooks for both of my Brian Epstein and features the live music of "My parents are huge fans, and I can daughters.” renowned tribute band, Abbey Road. The pro- remember dancing with my mother in the liv- “I think the committee made a great duction includes multimedia, period costumes ing room to Beatles music when I was very choice,” wrote Bryant teacher Rose Albanese. and vintage instruments. It has toured for young," said the junior. “The workbook for kindergarten is very similar years, receiving rave reviews. Erin Osman, who maintains a 4.45 grade to what we have now, but I think it will be eas- The Poly quartet members also perform point average and was a founding member of ier for the children to handle. I like the indi- with their school’s Chamber Orchestra and the nonprofit, public benefit corporation called vidual chapter teacher guides. I also love the have been selected each year of high school to Long Beach EcoScholars, grew up loving assessment guide with chapter tests.” perform with the All District Honors Orchestra. Beatles music. The newly adopted materials will be used in In addition to maintaining 4.0 or better grade "My mother and I would play and sing local schools starting in September. point averages in the school's college prepara- Beatles songs at the piano when I was a little tory PACE program, the members help operate kid," she said. "It's going to be an amazing a non-profit, public benefit corporation that experience to perform their music." brings ecologically friendly school and office The quartet also performs at weddings and Dates to Remember supplies to educational institutions. They vol- other events under the name “Calithos Quartet” unteer as ushers with the Long Beach and may be hired by emailing calithosquar- April Symphony Orchestra, and their quartet has [email protected]. National Autism Awareness Month 1 April Fools Day opened for a Long Beach Symphony Orchestra “In My Life” plays at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00— “Arbor concert. Robinet, Osman and Salcedo run 19 at the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th Day/Earth Day,” Grades K-3, ed.tv 8 2 International Children’s Book Day cross country and track at Poly, and White Street (at Pacific) in San Pedro. Tickets are 2 9:30, 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— plays varsity tennis. $20 to $40, plus ticket fees, and may be pur- “Adventures in Poetry I,” Grades 3-6, ed.tv 8 The producers of "In My Life" approached chased online with at tix.com (search “In My 3 LBUSD Recognition of Admission Day — Holiday Andy Osman, a 30-year music teacher at Poly Life”) or by calling 800-595-4849. Tickets 6 California Poppy Day (and quartet member Erin’s dad) looking for a purchased at the door will be cash only. 6-10 Spring Recess 12-18 National Library Week talented ensemble that could hold their own Poly has been selected six times by the 13 Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday with a rock band in front of an audience. GRAMMY Foundation as a GRAMMY 14 Third Quarter Ends “We hire high school strings from all over Signature School, and twice as a Signature 14 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 2:00— “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Grades K-5, “Gold” school, recognizing it as one of the top ed.tv 8 high school programs in the nation. 15-16 Holocaust Remembrance Day 15 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00; 16 - 9:30, SCHOOL BULLETIN 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30; 21 - 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 2:00; 22 - Official publication of the Long Beach 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00; 23 - 9:30, Unified School District issued bi-weekly 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30; 29 - 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00— “Adventures in Poetry II,” during the school year from the Office of School Nurse of Year Grades 3-6, ed.tv 8 the Superintendent of Schools, 1515 Hughes 17 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “You Can The Long Beach School Nurses Association Refuse,” Grades 5-8, ed.tv 8 Way, Long Beach, California 90810. 18 Anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride (562) 997-8000. www.lbschools.net is seeking nominations for the School Nurse of 19-25 Administrative Professionals Week the Year for 2014-15. Each year, the associa- 22 Administrative Professionals Day CHRISTOPHER J. STEINHAUSER tion recognizes one special nurse for outstand- 20-24 Public School Volunteer Week Superintendent of Schools 21 John Muir Day ing contributions to the health and well-being 22 Earth Day BOARD OF EDUCATION of Long Beach Unified School District stu- 23 William Shakespeare’s Birthday 23 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day DIANA CRAIGHEAD, President dents. 24 National Arbor Day FELTON WILLIAMS, Vice President To nominate a school nurse, request a 24 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12;30; 28 - 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 2:00— MEGAN KERR, Member nomination form from Nancy Suzuki at “Cinco de Mayo,” Grades K-4, ed.tv 8 JOHN MCGINNIS, Member [email protected]. 29 International Dance Day The deadline for submission is Monday, 30 9:30, 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “The Paper JON MEYER, Member Crane,” Grades K-3, ed.tv 8 May 11.