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
FEBRUARY 2013
Lincoln Lions Love Learning! Lincoln students shine through their many accomplishments and successes. Basic Math Fact Mastery
One of our school goals this year is to increase our students’ mastery of the Basic Math Facts in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. Mastery of these facts allow students to solve more complex math problems more efficiently, without taking additional time to solve basic math operations. In our Lincoln Computer Lab, our Lincoln Lions love learning math facts using the Mad Minute Program to practice Basic Math Facts. Our school goal is 80% mastery or higher at each grade level. Students who become “Masters of the Basic Math Facts” are highlighted in our classrooms and in our school cafeteria. To celebrate our students’ success, we post the names of all children who have mastered the Basic Math Facts.
Lincoln’s “Masters of the Basic Math Facts” 2nd Grade: Subtraction – 88% Mastery 5th Grade: Addition – 93% Mastery 5th Grade: Multiplication – 89% Mastery
4th Grade: Addition – 92% Mastery 5th Grade: Subtraction – 87% Mastery 5th Grade: Division – 83% Mastery
English Language Development & Academic Success
In October, approximately 300 Kindergarten through 5th grade students took the California English Language Development Test as English Language Learners. The state target for passing this test is 57.5%. Lincoln students exceeded the state target with an overall passing score of 66.7%. In addition, 46 of our 3rd through 5th grade students were reclassified as Fluent English Proficient based on their test scores, as well as their strong academic performance in school.
The Dream @ 50 Art Contest Winners
On Monday, January 21st, three 4th Grade Lincoln students were honored as Los Angeles Semi Finalists at the California African American Museum of Art. Their artwork was a visual representation of the message conveyed in the I Have a Dream speech of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are so proud of their artistic abilities as well as their award! Congratulations to these students, their families, and their 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Suzanne Naruko. Each student received a free art kit filled with art supplies that will help them continue to express their creative talents and artistic talents. Way to go Lincoln Lions! Nathan Endo – Men With a Dream (Art Medium – tempera) Jared Navarro – All Men Are Created Equal (Art Medium – marker) Audrey Ortega – I Have a Dream (Art Medium – mixed media) Pamela Williams – Principal
Dr. David Verdugo to Retire as Superintendent of the Paramount Unified School District
Paramount Unified School District Superintendent David Verdugo announced that he will retire at the end of this school year. An educator for 40 years, Verdugo concludes eight years as Superintendent of the 16,000 student Paramount Unified School District. As Superintendent, Dr. Verdugo has been instrumental
in leading the school district’s many significant accomplishments. These achievements include dramatically raising the College and Career pathways for students establishing Professional Learning Communities, a resurgence of the arts, leading the effort to build new school facilities and transform existing ones; and most importantly, raising the level
of academic achievement of students to an all-time high. Dr. Verdugo is highly respected throughout schools, the community and the education field. He is known for his strategic approach to major decisions, his communication to all stakeholders and his efforts to build a culture where individuals care about each other which results in a dramatic difference for students. His communications and work during the State’s budget crisis resulted in galvanizing everyone to work together so that we can continue our efforts to benefit children, families and employees. In a message to staff regarding his retirement, he humbly shared that “it has been my honor to have served with such an incredible group of learning leaders. Our Board of Education, managers, teaching and classified staff are the very fin-
est I have worked with in my 40 years as an educator.” Superintendent Verdugo has been an educator for 40 years, formerly serving three uniquely different school districts: Spokane District in Washington, El Rancho Unified School District, and Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, spanning grade levels K-12 and as assistant superintendent. Dr. Verdugo received his B.A. from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, his
M.A. from La Verne University and his Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Southern California. He was recognized as the 2008 ACSA Region 14 Superintendent of the Year, the California State University of Long Beach Superintendent Leadership Award for 2012 and was selected as a National Governing Board Member for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). He currently serves as President of the highly respected Southern California Superintendents’ Association.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES February 13 * February 27, 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