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 2014
Transition Student Turns into Marquee Star
Enrique has been a student in the Paramount Adult Transition (PAT) program since 2010. All his efforts and all his hard work have paid off in many ways, culminating with being hired over the Christmas break by Elisa Castañeda, the manager of Chuck E. Cheese’s in Lynwood. PAT is designed for non-diploma track students ages 18-22 years. Located on the Paramount
Adult School campus, the program focuses on teaching life skills. A major component of the curriculum is for students to obtain work training through the WorkAbility program. Over the past four years, Enrique has gained valuable work experiences with various businesses that have partnered with the school district. Smart & Final, TJ Maxx, CVS, Walgreens, Casa Gamino, Café
Corleone, PETCO, and Habitat Restore are just some of the many companies that have given our students opportunities to get real hands on experience. We thank them for this valuable contribution to our community. In the last two years, four other PAT students have undergone open interview processes and been hired at Smart & Final and TJ Maxx.
Mr. Mu Receives “Best Coach Award” from Former Players
Mr. Curtis Mu is in his first year of retirement from coaching varsity tennis as well as completing his last year of teaching Math at Paramount High School. He has been an educator and coach for 30 years. Earlier this school year, a group of his former players from his 2011 and 2012 League Championship teams invited Mr. Mu to come watch them compete in the USTA Southern California Sectional Championship. The USTA is the United States Tennis Association, which governs all levels of tennis ranging from youth tennis to the U.S. Open. The
former players were competing in a USTA Fall Doubles League. Mr. Mu shared that “it was nice for me to see that they continued in the sport after graduating and are still competing.” But what made attending the match even more memorable was that these players surprised Mr. Mu with a plaque afterwards, celebrating their appreciation of the dedication he has displayed towards students and players during his career at PHS. Mr. Mu adds that their presentation of this plaque “was touching, and it let me know
that I did make a positive impact on their lives.” The five former players presenting Mr. Mu with this plaque are Ivan Rodriguez, Edgar Munoz, Joshua Echevarria, Eddie Rosas, and Eduardo Rodriguez, pictured from left to right. Perhaps the only thing better than seeing these former PHS players still competing in tennis is noting the quality of character these young men displayed with such a thoughtful gesture towards their former coach and teacher. Jeff Beahn
Enrique is just weeks away from turning 22 years old and exiting the PAT program. All the more reason to congratulate him as he takes this next step in his journey to independent living. What a great example for his fellow students and the ones who will enter the transition program some day. Now his name will be one that fills in the blank when teachers and aides say to their
students, “keep working hard and you can get a job like I did!” As for now, Enrique is looking forward to taking part in another tradition: getting his first non-WorkAbility paycheck so he can invite his job coach and teacher out for lunch…and pick up the tab! Jerry King – Assistant Principal Renee Aguilar - Teacher
Safe & Civil Schools The District is currently providing on-going training with practical programs and inspiring staff development services through Safe & Civil Schools Positive Behavior Intervention Services for K-12 educators. The purpose of the training is to provide educators with skills to: • Develop better behavior management strategies in schools. • Learn effective classroom management procedures. • Implement school wide Positive Behavior Support and Response-to-Intervention for Behavior. • Design and implement a better school improvement plan. The program is designed to help foster respect and responsibility in students and improve school climate and school culture. Staff in grades K-5 are making data-driven decisions on a school wide level in classrooms and with individual students. Sites are developing proactive, positive behavior support strategies tailored to the classroom, school, and district. Kimberly Cole Director Special Education/Early Childhood Education
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE February 12, 2014 * February 26, 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