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
PSUD 2012
Los Angeles Airport Police Department K9 Handling Team Visits Frank J. Zamboni Middle School On Thursday, February 2nd, a K9 Handling Team from the Los Angeles Airport Police Department visited Zamboni Middle School. Officer Alonso Lagos and his K9 partner, Belgian Malinois Brandy, were guests of the Zamboni Middle School Animal Club on this day. Officer Lagos shared that Brandy is an explosives detection dog. Brandy originally trained years ago at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Before joining the airport police three years ago, Brandy was an explosive detection K9 with two other police departments. During her visit to the school, Officer Lagos hid a demonstration container in a cabinet. Brandy was able to detect the location of the container within moments. This scenario mirrors what would have occurred in the real world. Officer Lagos then shared how rewarding and
challenging a career in law enforcement has been for him. At 11 years old, his K9 partner Brandy is nearing the completion of her career as an explosive detection dog. As a reward for her love and dedication to her
K9 career, Brandy will retire to the Lagos home as the family pet. To close the presentation, the Animal Club members were given the opportunity to come pet and take pictures with Brandy. Every
student was given a baseball to our school and providing card with Officer Lagos’ our students this incredible and Brandy’s picture. Zam- learning experience. boni Middle School and its Animal Club would like Rose Mary Mendez to thank the Los Angeles Teacher Airport Police Department Frank J. Zamboni for bringing this K9 team Middle School
PUSD Student Ruby Solache Receives ACSA Award
When Ruby Solache enrolled at Buena Vista High School in her Junior year, her academic record showed that she was not on-track to graduate. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to complete her diploma requirements and she was juggling the responsibilities of being a teen mother. In Ruby’s own words, “I used to have a bad temper.” Ruby became a mother to a baby
girl named Sara in the middle of her sophomore year. Ruby often missed school and continued to struggle making positive decisions. While her family was supportive when they could be, Ruby had to work independently to get her priorities straightened out. A life-changing opportunity arose when Ruby was transferred to the Buena Vista continuation program.
In her first semester at Buena Vista High School, Ruby earned an impressive 3.38 GPA, taking advantage of a grueling 8-period schedule. She also signed up for an El Camino College class, earning additional credits toward graduation. While attending Buena Vista, she reflected the characteristics of a resilient and focused young woman who put the needs of her daughter above her own. She prioritized her academics and she has learned to put past conflicts aside and approaches situations with maturity. She was selected as a Student-ofthe-Month three times while at Buena Vista High School and feels inspired by her experiences at this school. Teachers reported that Ruby is a pleasure to have in class, who is polite and models exemplary behavior. She intelligently tackled assignments and would set
the tone for others with her self-directed approach to her education. For the Spring semester, Ruby has returned to Paramount High School to graduate in June with the Class of 2012. She has worked extremely hard to put her life back on track and her daughter is always on her mind. On February 27, 2012, Ruby was awarded an “Every Student Succeeding” certificate and scholarship by Region 14 of the Association of California School Administrators. She was
the one of only nine students in the region to be recognized for this great honor. Ruby thanks those who supported her along her journey: Ms. Allen-Hess from the Cal-Safe program; Mr. Ashabraner, Ms. Lopez, and Mr. McCullough (Buena Vista teachers); and her school counselor, Mr. Mendez. Ruby would like to pursue a career in law enforcement or social work so that she can provide services to others who may have life circumstances like hers.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES April 25, 2012 Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public