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
DECEMBER 2009
CPEC Improving Teacher Quality Grant On Monday, November 9, 2009, the California Postsecondary Education Commission in partnership with the University of Southern California awarded a $993,735 grant to the Paramount Unified School District. The USC and Paramount Unified School District Grant was one of only six grants awarded in the entire State of California. It is designed to provide Middle School Literacy Achievement in Health, Math and Science by strengthening
effective teaching practices that can help every student realize their educational potential. The District had to apply for the grant and go through a rigorous evaluation to demonstrate how this project can affect student achievement. We are all very proud to be a partner with such a prestigious University which will help us address the achievement gap in middle schools. Dr. David Verdugo Superintendent
Paramount High School Recognizes AP Scholars Sixteen students at Paramount High School have earned Advanced Placement Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2009 AP Exams. Paramount High currently offers thirteen AP courses, each providing motivated and academically prepared students the opportunity to earn college credit and stand out in the college admission process. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being highest) typically experience greater a c a d e m i c s u cces s in college than students who do not participate in AP. Three students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 on five or more of these exams. These students are Jose Ro-
driguez, Noe Rodriguez, and Victor Salcedo. Two students earned the AP Scholar with Honor Award by scoring an average of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Gabriela Robles and David Ramirez. Eleven students received the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Adriana Ascencio, Va n e s s a C a s t r o , I v a n Figueroa, Ana Gonza-
lez, Jessica Hernandez, Nidia Lopez, Adrian Madrigal, Juan Martinez, Dennis Ortiz, Nancy Pino, and Gabriel Ramirez. Of this year ’s award recipients, Ivan Figueroa and Juan Martinez are both juniors. These students have one more year in which to complete collegelevel work and possibly earn a higher-level AP S c h o l a r Aw a r d . I v a n and Juan are pictured above. Congratulations to all of Paramount High School’s AP Scholars. Jeff Beahn
Collins School STAR Breakfast
Collins School students were honored with their parents at the Annual STAR Breakfast on September 29th and 30th. Students that scored proficient in Language Arts and/or Mathematics received a certificate and special recognition by Dr. Pamela Houston, Principal. Many students felt a sense of achievement by attending the STAR Breakfast. According to Marijana Bowman and Marina Moran, “We felt honored when we received our STAR Certificate. All of our hard work and energy paid off”. Other students felt excited for achieving their educational goals. According to Jose Salazar and Brian Laimani, they will continue to strive to improve in all academic areas this year. The breakfast motivated students not only to focus on the STAR, but to improve on all assessments to prepare them in meeting future goals. There’s No Choice but Success at Collins School. Our students and teachers are dedicated to do their very best!
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES December 8, 2009 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