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
April 2013
Zamboni- A School to Watch
O
n Friday, February 22, 2013 more than 1,000 students, teachers, staff, parents, and guests celebrated Frank J. Zamboni Middle School as it received one of only twelve “Schools to Watch” awards in California this year. Zamboni, or “the Mighty Z” as proud staff and
teachers sometimes call it, received the award from The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Donis Kelly, a Special Education Instructional Aide said it was fascinating to hear that Zamboni was one of seventy schools nationwide to receive this award.
The Schools to Watch award is given to schools after a rigorous process including a detailed application, a committee visit to every classroom, and interviews with teachers, staff, students, parents, district leaders, and community members. The criteria include academic excellence, responsiveness to the challenges
Zamboni Middle School Receives State Recognition! Schools to Watch is a recognition program, similar to California Distinguished Schools, that recognizes middle schools that are academically excellent, socially equitable and have a culture of strong collaborative leadership. It is a highly selective process and few middle schools are given the Schools to Watch status. In September, 2012 Zamboni Middle School submitted an application to be considered for the State’s Schools to Watch – Taking Center Stage recognition program. Zamboni was visited by the California Department of Education as the second phase of the application process. The CDE sent a team of five educators who spent a full day observing classrooms and interviewing students, parents, community members, administrators and teachers. As the result of the high quality educational programs that Zamboni Middle School provides students they earned the award of being a middle
School to Watch. Zamboni is one of only twelve middle schools in California and the only middle school in Los Angeles County to receive this award this year. On February 22, 3013 the school held a ceremony to honor their accomplishment which was attended by all 900 students, many parents, Zamboni staff, Board of Education members, city officials and Mr. Richard Zamboni. In late February Zamboni
principal Elizabeth Salcido and her team received an award presented at the National Middle School Conference held in Sacramento. In addition, they gave a presentation on their work which was attended by teachers and administrators from schools throughout the state. Zamboni Middle School’s recent accomplishment is one of the many great things that are happening in Paramount!
of adolescent development, and social equity. Deb Meyers, Teachers Association of Paramount President, commented that many schools in Paramount are striving to meet these criteria, but that the lower class sizes at Zamboni due to the Quality Education Investment Act allow Zamboni teachers and staff to implement them effectively across the board. Additional guests included representatives of the Zamboni family and corporation, community leaders, and all five members of the Paramount Unified School District’s Board of Education. Dean Vogel, President of the California Teachers’ Association attended and visited classrooms after the event. Many parents, PUSD administrators, and others were present as well. Two former Principals of Zamboni School were also in attendance; Delores Stephens and Richard Morgan. Eighth grader Paola Silva led the Pledge of Allegiance and the celebration’s Master of Ceremonies was Eloisa Carlos, a 7th grade student. Music was provided by the excellent Zamboni band and choir directed by Randall Reza. Zamboni cheerleaders and the Paramount High School JROTC added to the excitement felt by students who waved red and blue pompoms and applauded at every opportunity. PUSD Superintendent David Verdugo welcomed the
enthusiastic audience and Board of Education President Vivian Hansen also offered her congratulations. Speakers included Student Council President Elisa Gallardo, parent Angela Betton, and PreAlgebra teacher Marya Hughes. Also representing parents was Alberto Villegas whose 8th grade son Daniel translated for him. Elisa pointed out that teachers gave credit to the students and students gave credit to the teachers for earning the Schools to Watch award. RSP teacher Ashley Luchessi said of Elisa “her speech was touchingespecially everything she said about family.” The award was officially presented by Dr. Irvin Howard, the President of the National Forum who, according to Erick Duarte, 7th grader, “was so proud he almost started to cry.” Dr. Howard told the crowd that the whole Schools to Watch team knew immediately after the visit in December that Zamboni would be selected, and that the only question they asked was “why didn’t we know about this sooner?” Elizabeth Salcido, Principal of Zamboni Middle School, accepted the award and expressed her appreciation for all the hard work of teachers, staff, and students. Presenters and invited guests enjoyed a reception catered by PUSD food services after the ceremony. Teresa Kugler Teacher
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES April 24, 2013 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