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2014-08-PUSD Ed News PUSD EduCATION NEWS A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District 15110 California Ave., Paramount, CA 90723 • Tel: 562-602-6000 • Fax: 562-634-6029 August 2014 “Preparing for the Future” On Tuesday June 3rd Alondra Middle School students participat- ed in the second annual 8th grade Exit Interview Process. Exit inter- views provide 8th grade students with an opportunity to reflect on their achievements during their middle school years. It is also a time for students to assess their strengths and weaknesses in order to set goals for high school. Alon- dra students worked diligently to archive their work in portfolios since the beginning of the school year, and used the accumulated products as part their reflection portfolio. Each student was given a 5 minute interview led by Alondra Middle school staff, community volunteers, and even our own Su- perintendent Mr. Herman Mendez. During the interview students were able to showcase the knowledge learned from each of their core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science), as well as their elective classes and These include: good eye contact, enjoyed dressing for success and the job market after high school,” Standards. With an understanding extracurricular activities. proper interview attire, formal embraced the opportunity present stated Alondra Middle School of what lies ahead, these 8th grade “The goal of the interviews body language, effective articulate themselves in a professional man- teacher, Mr. David Carser. students are now able to move is to get students thinking about dialogue, and even the importance ner. It was a valuable learning ex- The 8th Grade Exit Interviews forward into their high school ca- college and their future. By partici- of a firm handshake”, mentioned perience for all students who par- are just one of the ways that Alon- reers with confidence and a clear pating in this process, our students Alondra Middle School teacher, ticipated in the interview process. dra students are beginning to be understanding of the expectations get the opportunity to bring closure Mrs. Nadya Nieto, who began the Many gained an understanding and prepared for college and career of the future. to their middle school years, while interview process for the first time insight into what will be expected readiness, the driving focus behind gaining valuable interview skills. last year. “Many of the students of them when they venture out into the newly adopted Common Core Nadya Nieto, Teacher New Murals Beautify the Wirtz Landscape added his wave art throughout who participated in the mural the scene scape. painting. This was followed This great Mural Project by a 5th grade student ‘jam could not have happened with- session’ with artist and musi- out the tireless efforts of Erick cian Tim Kerr. The day ended Caruso, 5th grade teacher at with the 5th annual 5th grade Wirtz. It was because of his Art Showcase. Students’ art desire to help foster a sense of work representing each artists’ community amongst students style was on display in the caf- and to promote a love of the eteria. Winners were named in arts, that this mural project each category. We truly have came to be. Mr. Caruso also a talented group of students at received great support from his Wirtz elementary. fellow 5th grade teachers Mrs. The weekends’ event, fol- Cheri Lujan and Mrs. Martha lowed by the Art Gallery Show- Mural artists are pictured with 5th grade students from Wirtz Elementary School. Top row from left: Hi- Ramirez. Together they have case was a great way to cap Dutch, Yusuke Hanai, Dustin Klein, Tim Kerr, Rich Jacobs, Kota Toyoda, and Koji Toyoda. brought a total of six murals off a school year that has been The weekend of May 31, Yusuke Hanai, Tim Kerr, Rich with each other. This scene is to Wirtz Elementary School - filled with much hard work, 2014 was a busy one at Wirtz Jacobs, and Kota Toyoda, Hi- followed by Yusuke Hanai’s forever changing it’s landscape. student success and commu- Elementary School. Artists Dutch. Each artist’s rendering glimpse inside his communi- This weekend of hard work nity support. Thank you to from around the world met here represented a scene that exists ties’ homes as doors are open was capped off on Monday, everyone who participated in for two days to complete work within a community. Each to greet guests. As we leave June 2nd by an Art Gallery this event. We are proud of the on a mural project entitled: scene blended into the next as this community, we are then Showcase. The day began community spirit we foster here Communities Do Not Need To the artists incorporated their able to visit a colorful repre- with a grade level meet and at Wirtz Elementary School Be Homogenous To Coexist signature styles into each oth- sentation of the famous Watts’ greet with all of the artists through events like these. – We are Free To Enjoy Each ers’ work. Towers, by Tim Kerr. Artist Other’s Differences. Each The first scene by Koji Rich Jacobs welcomes us into artists’ mural represented a Toyoda depicts a community his community of chimney SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE neighborhood scene created in during both day and night, stacked homes. Our com- their own personal artistic style. while a boy and girl rest un- munity walk ends with Kota August 13, 2014 The artists who donated derneath an apple tree. Next, Toyoda’s abstract renedering Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the their time and talent to support artist Dustin Klein, depicts of his community filled with our 2014 Mural Project were an inviting row of homes as homes, animals and a man Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Avenue, Koji Toyoda, Dustin Klein, community members interact in a top hat. Artist Hi-Dutch Paramount, and are open to the public E2 PUSD Education News PUSD Mathematics Club HOPE Gives Hope to Students at PHS Professional Development in the Common Core Standards Throughout the school year, the passionate in seeking help for their own Hope Club has participated in a variety or their peers’ relatives. These students of events, some of those which were a participate in a variety of walks, donation contribution of their time and efforts to collections, and fundraising in order to support those who are in need. Health contribute to the medical research to aid Career Academy teacher and Hope Club society fight cancer. Advisor, Ms. Rodriguez, began the Hope Led by Hope Club President Lis- Club as a means to pay her respects to her sandra Vega, Vice President Baudilla own family members and for relatives Ruiz, and Treasurer Vanessa Soto, the of her students. This includes a great Hope Club recently participated in the number who have been diagnosed with Lozilu Women’s Mud Run. Lozilu is a cancer or have passed away because of 5k mud run dedicated to young women cancer. Hope Club advisor, Ms. Rodri- who have been diagnosed with cancer. guez, confesses that she was a bit hesi- The run is filled with invigorating athletic tant about the success of this club, but obstacles for each woman to endure and to her surprise over 300 students showed love. Hope Club advisor Ms. Rodriguez up to the very first Hope Club meeting says “this has been one of the most chal- in 2012. Not only was the Hope Club a lenging, yet entertaining runs we have great success, Ms. Rodriguez saw the en- done yet.” Although this particular run thusiasm and eagerness from Paramount was especially enjoyable to all Hope Club High School students, which motivated members who participated, The Hope her even more to dedicate a great amount Club accumulated a total of about $2,000 of time towards this club. The Hope Club in a brief period of time as a donation is a collaboration of students who are towards Lozilu. Celebrating Athletes The Paramount High School Athletic Judith Barragan Today’s students are preparing to enter a critical thinking, giving students opportu- Department proudly serves 50 sport teams Lizette Martinez world in which colleges and businesses are nities to explore and investigate concepts, and is powered by nearly 80 coaches and Gabriel Rivera Leon demanding more than ever before. To ensure and leading classroom discussions where over 900 athletes. Winning on the court, Shams Haque all students are ready for success after high students construct arguments and critique field, track or course is a wonderful feeling Ulises Reyes school, the Common Core State Standards each other’s thinking. and accomplishment, but success in the Jose Enriquez in Mathematics establish clear guidelines Furthermore, in order to prepare for classroom is the ultimate win for our student Nester Plascencia for what every student should know and be the District’s implementation of these new athletes. In the 2013-2014 school year, Rubeen Guardado able to do in mathematics from Kindergarten standards, Curriculum and Assessment De- over 250 student athletes received Scholar through 12th grade. velopment Teams have been formed. These Athlete awards for earning a 3.5 or above Freshman Athletes of the Year In order to facilitate the transition to teams of dedicated teachers participated grade point average. Fourteen seniors were Na’Tori Nelson these new standards, K-12 teachers and in a rigorous review of new state-adopted awarded a maroon and white cord to wear Leon Polk administrators in Paramount Unified School math textbook programs aligned to the new at graduation indicating that they earned a District have been learning about instruc- standards. Having recommended new K-12 3.75 grade point average or above on their Sophomore Athletes of Years tional practices that are carefully designed math programs that were adopted by the transcripts while balancing involvement Nicholas Hudson to better prepare students to be “college Board of Education, these teachers are now in after school sports.
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