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 participated in the second annual 8th grade Exit Interview Process. Exit interviews 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. Alondra 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 Superintendent 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 extracurricular activities. “The goal of the interviews is to get students thinking about college and their future. By participating in this process, our students get the opportunity to bring closure to their middle school years, while gaining valuable interview skills.
These include: good eye contact, proper interview attire, formal body language, effective articulate dialogue, and even the importance of a firm handshake”, mentioned Alondra Middle School teacher, Mrs. Nadya Nieto, who began the interview process for the first time last year. “Many of the students
enjoyed dressing for success and embraced the opportunity present themselves in a professional manner. It was a valuable learning experience for all students who participated in the interview process. Many gained an understanding and insight into what will be expected of them when they venture out into
the job market after high school,” stated Alondra Middle School teacher, Mr. David Carser. The 8th Grade Exit Interviews are just one of the ways that Alondra students are beginning to be prepared for college and career readiness, the driving focus behind the newly adopted Common Core
Standards. With an understanding of what lies ahead, these 8th grade students are now able to move forward into their high school careers with confidence and a clear understanding of the expectations of the future. Nadya Nieto, Teacher
New Murals Beautify the Wirtz Landscape
Mural artists are pictured with 5th grade students from Wirtz Elementary School. Top row from left: HiDutch, Yusuke Hanai, Dustin Klein, Tim Kerr, Rich Jacobs, Kota Toyoda, and Koji Toyoda.
The weekend of May 31, 2014 was a busy one at Wirtz Elementary School. Artists from around the world met here for two days to complete work on a mural project entitled: Communities Do Not Need To Be Homogenous To Coexist – We are Free To Enjoy Each Other’s Differences. Each artists’ mural represented a neighborhood scene created in their own personal artistic style. The artists who donated their time and talent to support our 2014 Mural Project were Koji Toyoda, Dustin Klein,
Yusuke Hanai, Tim Kerr, Rich Jacobs, and Kota Toyoda, HiDutch. Each artist’s rendering represented a scene that exists within a community. Each scene blended into the next as the artists incorporated their signature styles into each others’ work. The first scene by Koji Toyoda depicts a community during both day and night, while a boy and girl rest underneath an apple tree. Next, artist Dustin Klein, depicts an inviting row of homes as community members interact
with each other. This scene is followed by Yusuke Hanai’s glimpse inside his communities’ homes as doors are open to greet guests. As we leave this community, we are then able to visit a colorful representation of the famous Watts’ Towers, by Tim Kerr. Artist Rich Jacobs welcomes us into his community of chimney stacked homes. Our community walk ends with Kota Toyoda’s abstract renedering of his community filled with homes, animals and a man in a top hat. Artist Hi-Dutch
added his wave art throughout the scene scape. This great Mural Project could not have happened without the tireless efforts of Erick Caruso, 5th grade teacher at Wirtz. It was because of his desire to help foster a sense of community amongst students and to promote a love of the arts, that this mural project came to be. Mr. Caruso also received great support from his fellow 5th grade teachers Mrs. Cheri Lujan and Mrs. Martha Ramirez. Together they have brought a total of six murals to Wirtz Elementary School forever changing it’s landscape. This weekend of hard work was capped off on Monday, June 2nd by an Art Gallery Showcase. The day began with a grade level meet and greet with all of the artists
who participated in the mural painting. This was followed by a 5th grade student ‘jam session’ with artist and musician Tim Kerr. The day ended with the 5th annual 5th grade Art Showcase. Students’ art work representing each artists’ style was on display in the cafeteria. Winners were named in each category. We truly have a talented group of students at Wirtz elementary. The weekends’ event, followed by the Art Gallery Showcase was a great way to cap off a school year that has been filled with much hard work, student success and community support. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. We are proud of the community spirit we foster here at Wirtz Elementary School through events like these.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE August 13, 2014 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