EYE ON EDUCATION A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District 15110 AVE., PARAMOUNT, CA 90723 • TEL: 562-602-6000 • FAX: 562-634-6029 JANUARY 2007

Paramount High School Students Participated The Nightmare in Author’s Day at Lynwood High School AfterWith the Christmasholidays behind us, it is important to focus on the responsibil- ities that come with the gifts that some of our children have received. In the old days, this was not a major concern. Nowadays, with the age of electronics upon us, it has become a major issue. Students are now in a position where a gift can make them, potentially, vulnerable. As I was driving to work this morning, I noticed several students, from various communities, walking to school with Ipods, and cell phones with music features. It was obvious they were really into their music, but it was even more obvious that they were totally oblivious to their surroundings. In addition to the potential risk of becoming a victim of a vehicular acci- dent by not being in a position to react due to the preoccupation of their hear- ing senses, the potential for criminal victimization is a more serious con- cern. The cost of most electronic devices is easily beyond the $100 range, with many reaching upwards to $300 or more. This is a fact that, unfortunately, does not go unnoticed in Author Gary Soto signed copies of his books for the students. the criminal community. It is difficult to accept that your child may become a victim of theft or robbery, but it would ver 300 be much more difficult to accept that students attended Author’s Day at your child became a victim of a serious Lynwood High School to hear physical assault resulting from strong- award-winning young adult novelist and arm robbery. Criminals choose their Opoet Gary Soto. victims. A student that is flashing a Students were captivated as Mr. Soto valuable item, and is oblivious to their told humorous stories of growing up in surroundings, is a criminal’s dream. Fresno, California. Although he lived an What is a parent to do? First of all, impoverished life often working in the a parent must set parameters in regards fields picking whatever fruits and vegeta- to all electronic devices. They must bles were in season, his writings depict the educate their children about the evils of humor and sadness found in everyday life. society. If they don’t learn the hard facts These experiences have been his inspira- from parents, whom will they listen to? tion for writing and are told in his various As parents, we have a vested interest in books. the welfare and safety of our students. It At Author’s Day, Mr. Soto also read is important that our children under- passages and poems from some of his stand that no one is exempt from crimi- works and answered many students’ ques- nal activity. It’s a harsh reality of life, tions. Students were also able to purchase and with our experience as parents, it is books at below retail price (only $5) and Paramount High School students and teacher Lori Chamberlain had an opportunity to meet important to relay information that will have Mr. Soto autograph their copy. author Gary Soto. raise their level of understanding, and to Author’s Day is part of the operate in a cautious manner when they Accelerating Academic Literacy project are away from the home. sponsored by the University of California, opportunity to attend this event. many awards including a Before The schools drive this message to Irvine, in which several language arts Mr. Soto’s books, which are mostly Columbus Foundation 1985 Book Award, the students at every opportunity. teachers from Paramount High School are geared towards junior high and high the Discovery-The Nation Prize, the U.S. Students will conceal their electronic involved. Students who have a teacher school age, have immense popularity Award of the International Poetry Forum, items so they will not be confiscated involved in the UCI/CPEC project had the among their readers; and he has even won and The California Library Association’s due to school regulations. That is the John and Patricia Beatty Award. He has reason that I appeal to you as a parent also written several books for children, his to talk to your children about this issue. most famous being Too Many Tamales. The next hard question is, should a SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES Paramount High School students child even be placed in a position to enjoyed the experience of Author’s Day, become a victim in the streets. The and also discovered that many people answer is obvious, but yet, it is still a February 13, 2007 • February 27, 2007 have rough years; but with enough inspi- parental choice. Make the right call! ration, anyone can overcome difficulties. Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Efren Sifuentes Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Evelyn Garcia Coordinator Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public Student – 12th Grade Student Services PHS-Senior Campus E2 Eye On Education Howard Tanner School’s Leadership Module Students Encouraged to “Be the Change”

Seventh grade students worked cooperatively to design their team logo. Eighth grade students participated in an icebreaker activity and created a human bulldozer.

Webster’s Dictionary defines change: peer influences, gossiping, and bullying, to make different in some particular; to to deeper issues such as social bound- make radically different; to give a differ- aries, racism and various forms of dis- ent position, course, or direction to. On crimination and oppression. “Change December 18, 19 and 20, a group of 7th must start with me” was a consistent and 8th graders did just that. Based on theme during their discussions and their leadership potential this select group throughout the workshop. of students was nominated by their teach- On the final day, students visualized ers to participate in the “Be the Change” what their perfect school would look like, Leadership Workshop. Inspired by a examined current obstacles and developed quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “We must an action plan for change. All three be the change we wish to see in the actions plans (eight graders split into two world”, the goal of the Leadership teams) will be presented to administration Workshop was to empower a diverse and 6-8 teachers. Our “Be the Change” group of students with the awareness, leaders will be collaborating with adminis- knowledge and skills they need to pro- trators and teachers through the remainder mote respect, improve human relations of the school year to plan and implement and create a safer school community. their action plans. As a testament to their commitment Of their experience one eighth grad- to self-improvement and creating a safe er stated, “I’ve learned that there are a lot school, these students voluntarily spent of different people and yet we are all the Students shared their discussion on bullying with other members of the Leadership part of their winter break engaging in same. Also, I can help make this school Workshop. team building exercises and discussions better for everyone. That we as students in order to develop a greater understand- have some control of what is around us. ing and respect for each other’s cultural, That there are a lot of things going on in mind…once I became a part of [the lead- world.” It is evident that his message of ethnic and racial identities. For inspira- this school that I didn’t even know about, ership workshop] my whole point of view peace and social justice still rings loud and tion, our students examined the work of things that I didn’t take the time to think shifted. I will take all of my experiences clear in the hearts and minds of the stu- great leaders before them including Dr. about. I’m going to change and stand up to use in life.” dents at Howard Tanner School. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Mother Teresa; for what is right.” Another said, “..being All students agreed that they would Cesar Chavez and Mahatma Gandhi. in the leadership program was a privilege want to participate in another leadership Caroline Lopez With open minds and a focus on solu- for me. This experience taught me many workshop. Mahatma Gandhi said “we Counselor tions, student discussions ranged from things like don’t be afraid to speak your must be the change we wish to see in the Howard Tanner School December is Tournament Time in Pirate Athletics as League Play Looms Pirate basketball, soccer, and nents available and our Pirate teams held ment before jetting off to Phoenix for the North Torrance, Yorba Linda, Long Beach wrestling teams carried the maroon and their own in playing such vigorous tourna- Nike Tournament of Champions after - every weekend the Pirate wrestlers are white flag near and far in December as ment schedules. Christmas. They closed their pre-league somewhere in Southern California compet- they competed in numerous tournaments Lady Pirate basketball played both the schedule with a solid win over Moore ing at the same time they are involved in a in preparation for league play in January. furthest and the nearest among our winter League power Long Beach Wilson at league schedule in January. Truly a sport From as close as Norwalk to as far as teams. Opening at Hacienda Heights home on January 4; the ladies opened for the physically and mentally tough! Phoenix, Pirate athletes traveled to test Wilson, the ladies then moved just down league on January 10 at home against We are proud of all of our winter their teams against some of the best oppo- Rosecrans to the Norwalk-Glenn tourna- always-tough Lynwood. teams and their coaches! Pirate boys’ basketball journeyed to In alumni news, three of the starters Palm Springs for their first tournament, on Cerritos College ladies’ basketball team then returned to the area for the Sonora are grads of Coach Ernie Hill’s program - Eye On Education is a monthly Publication of the and Whittier Christian gatherings, where Genesis Lewis, Colleen Cooley, and Paramount Unified School District the young Pirates finished fifth. They Shontay Delpit. Long Beach City’s start- also hosted Lynwood on January 10. ing point guard is Lady Pirate alumnus Board of Education Lady Pirate soccer played in tourna- Jessica Quintero, and Marilu Orense, who ments at Artesia, Norwalk-Glenn, and started for the Lady Pirates for four years, Linda Garcia, President Good things are happening in Paramount Schools Lancaster, where the ladies finished fifth out starts at point guard for Cal State-East Bay Vivian Hansen, VP/Clerk of sixteen teams. Pirate boys’ soccer jour- (formerly Hayward). Alicia Linden-Anderson, Member neyed to Paso Robles and the Orange County Congrats to our Pirate winter teams Sonya Cuellar, Member Eye OnEditor-Nancy Education Smith Championships at Cal State Fullerton before for a great tournament period in Tony Peña, Member Paramount Unified School District opening league play with a 1-0 shutout of December, and all the best in league play! 15110 California Ave., Paramount, CA Gahr on January 5 in overtime! Go Pirates! District Superintendent (562) 602-6000 • Fax (562) 634-6029 But Pirate wrestling, as usual, holds Mark Kemp David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. the record for tournament travel - Pico Athletic Director Rivera, Downey, Riverside, Rosemead, Paramount High School Eye On Education E3 An Icy Celebration Superintendent's Message: that Warms the Heart Dear Parents and 63 Alondra Students Achieve English Proficiency Community Members It’s 54 degrees outside, gloves are on Torres, Ricardo Trejo, Kathleen Uribe, hands, black clouds are threatening, jackets Benjamin Valdivia, Kimberly Valdovino, Healthy Students zipped up to the neck, and people are shiv- Jesus Valencia, Johnny Valencia, Matthew ering everywhere in Paramount, but 63 Valenzuel, Erick Vega, Priscilla Yepez, and With all the attention being placed Alondra students and their guests are Sarah Zambrano. on health and nutrition on TV and devouring ice cream sundaes on January 17 To attain the rank of the English