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 SEPTEMBER 2008 Paramount High School Welcomes the Class of 2011 The event was assisted Ms. Talamantes mentions with the incorporation of that “the event allowed for various student leaders from students to not only connect various campus clubs and with other students, it allowed organizations. Eleventh-grade for them to feel a sense of be- student-leader Lizbet Ordaz longing to our school culture.” mentions that “the Pirate She further explained that Orientation showed the stu- it gave students an opportu- dents that we are here to sup- nity to team build within their Paramount High School students to the senior campus counselors. Students submit- port them through their high own grade level. When asked held it’s first annual Sophomore in a way that showcased our ted all necessary school forms school journey. The students how she felt about the Pirate Pirate Orientation on August Pirate Pride!” during the registration process, will know where to go when Orientation, incoming tenth 13th and 14th. Paramount High A total of 826 incoming committed to personal goals they need help or assistance.” grade student Adriana Herrera School Counselors Patty Ja- tenth-grade students actively during the Path to Graduation Lizbet further explains that mentioned that “it was fun; it cobo and Maria Talamantes participated in the event and session, and interacted in nu- the Sophomore Pirate Orien- was a good way for us to get coordinated the event as a kick- were involved in three main merous team-building exercises tation experience will help the to know one another and com- off in implementing systematic sessions. The break-out ses- with our Track and Field Coach incoming tenth-grade students municate better.” interventions for the 2008-2009 sions included Registration, Chris Barboza during the Pirate be more comfortable and pre- school year. Mrs. Jacobo men- Path to Graduation, and Pirate Olympics that were judged by pared for the senior campus Greg Francois, tions that “the goal was to Olympics and were all facili- our Chemistry teacher, John when they arrive later this Assistant Principal introduce incoming tenth grade tated by current teachers and Teeples. month. Paramount High School PARENTS ATTEND PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION child’s teacher and were able and skill development. The Alondra, Collins, Hollydale, to catch a glimpse of what preschool programs help Gaines, Mokler, Keppel. their child’s day would look children make a success- Wirtz, Zamboni and Los like. Parents were encour- ful transition from home Cerritos campuses. The full- aged to participate in the to preschool and then on to day child care preschool classroom along with their kindergarten. program is located at Gaines children. Preparing a child The District offers two school. This program offers for school can be stressful types of preschool pro- full-day childcare for chil- and confusing for parents. grams. Although most of dren ages 3 to 5 years of age The preschool program is the preschool classes are from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. designed to help parents half-day (with either morn- For more information, prepare children to be suc- ing or afternoon sessions) please contact the Early cessful in regular school. there is also a full-day pre- Childhood Education Office The preschool programs school program for working at (562) 602-6900 or visit teach pre-kindergarten parents. The half-day pre- the office at 7340 E. Jackson readiness skills using the schools are located on the Street. Open Court Pre-K curricu- lum. This curriculum aligns closely with the Districts SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES Kindergarten curriculum. Higher expectations in kin- September 9, 2008 – September 23, 2008 Nervous parents, of first child’s first day of school. dergarten and the primary time preschool students, For most of the children, grades now require chil- Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the attended parent orientation this is their first school dren to enter kindergarten Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California meetings in August. They experience. The parents better prepared than ever Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public were anxiously waiting their were able to meet with their before for new learning E2 Eye On Education Don’t Forget – Fill Out Your Student Meal Benefits Application Starting All Over The Student Nutrition Services De- 09 will be included in the student in- partment encourages all families who formation packet students receive on have students enrolled in Paramount the first day of school. The cafeteria schools to complete a new 2008-09 meal manager will be glad to answer any benefits application and immediately questions or assist with filling out the return the application to school. A new application. School meal benefits are of- meal benefits application must be filled fered to all families who qualify. If you out each new school year. Families only have any questions or need assistance need to fill out one family application in completing the application, please even if they have children at more than contact Student Nutrition Services at one school. Your student’s current 562-602-6031. lunch/breakfast pin number will con- Remember to make healthy food tinue to work in the 2008-09 school year, choices. whether they stay at the same school or transfer to another Paramount school. Chris Stamm, Director Meal benefit applications for 2008- Student Nutrition Services Tranquil Summer at Gaines School The four-week Summer School Negrete was thrilled indeed when she Adriana Hernandez stood along- over has been the greatest challenge Program passed quickly for the 24 sec- applied for the Scholarship for summer side her grandmother and cousin on of my life,” she recalls. ond and third grade students enrolled lessons at Paramount’s Iceland and a late spring afternoon and watched Adriana’s strength and determi- here at Gaines School. The program received it! We’re all looking forward the crowd filter into Progress Park nation have continued to lead her focused on strengthening students’ skills to seeing her feats of accomplishment Plaza. This brick building sur- toward her dreams. She focused in Language Arts, Math, as well as to out on the ice. A big thanks goes out rounded by jacaranda and eucalyp- on her education and took more develop an appreciation for the Visual to Paramount Iceland for providing tus trees held more than people, it classes: Pronunciation and Speak- and Performing Arts. our local students with these first time held the next milestone in the new ing, ESL Multilevel, Intermediate Students had an opportunity to visit experiences. life she had been creating. High ESL, Distance Learning, and the Getty Museum and study the work Also, if you’re in the neighborhood “I came back to the U.S. and left even computer classes like Win- of Artist Maria Sibylla Merian and her of Gaines School, check out the beauti- my family behind because I know dows XP. daughters. Students also visited the ful Title I Academic Achievement mural hands-on Art Center and were able to proudly displayed on the outside wall that here, being an American citi- All this brought Adriana to that draw and color various insects and bugs adjacent to the school office. Our entire zen, would give me more opportu- special day at Progress Park Plaza. that flourish in botanical gardens. Stu- school community is most proud of this nities with my educational career,” The large crowd included not only dents appreciated receiving an Invitation Academic Recognition bestowed upon she pointed out recently. her two family members but also Card to return to the Getty with their par- our students for outstanding achieve- Adriana was born in Compton the PAEC principal and a member ents for another museum experience. ment in both Language Arts and Math- to proud parents Salvador Her- of PAEC’s office staff. Everyone Gaines’ first grade student Xiara ematics. nandez and Gloria Martinez in was there to celebrate her recogni- September 1989. Three years later, tion as a scholarship award recipient she and her family moved back to presented by Soroptimist Interna- Panthers and Parents Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico. She tional of Paramount. visited the U.S. in the summer of Adriana’s presence and smiling Partnering Together 2002 and came back for good in face is truly missed here at PAEC. September 2007 after she gradu- She continues to follow her rigor- At Paramount Park School, the Part- taneously. By using the strategies during ated high school. ous schedule, but now at El Camino ners in Learning Committee have com- the workshop, parents really understand Then she decided to pursue her College in Torrance mitted to partnership with parents to how response boards and thinking-pair- studies—and her dreams for a new “There are many more things support students at school as well as at share helps the students to take ownership life—at Paramount Adult Education to learn,” Adriana states, “but home. The academic coaches, with the for their intellectual development. Center (PAEC). what I’ve learned has brought me support of the committee members, have The Partners in Learning committee In September 2007 she signed to where I am today. It has been conducted several learning workshops provides more than just general informa- up for a Beginning Low ESL class, almost two years now since I first which covered topics such as: Effective tion. They share the latest learning tech- where her talents and interest to came back to the U.S., and I have Way to Support Homework Practice, niques, and research based strategies to Understanding the Importance of Number promote the idea that learning is a life-long excel were immediately apparent not looked back, nor do I get dis- of Sense, and Building Comprehension commitment.