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
Leona Jackson Student Wins Prestigious Art Contest
Leona Jackson School recently received great news as Captain Shaun Mathers of the County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department called to inform us that our 5th grade student, Patrick Gomez-Guillermo had won first place in a special art
contest. The Sheriff’s Department of Fraud & Cyber Crimes Bureau ran a contest titled “The Summer Cybercop Challenge for Kids.” The purpose of the contest was to raise awareness to the dangers our youth face regarding cyber crime. The category for children entering grades 1 -6 involved coloring and designing their Dream Cybercop Car. Patrick’s drawing was selected from nearly 10,000 entries as the overall winner. Patrick was excited to be recognized at a recent Paramount City Council Meeting by Mayor Diane Martinez and her fellow council members. On behalf of the LA County Sheriff’s Department, Lieutenant Mark Stevens presented Patrick with a certificate accompanied with a
check for $1,000. Leona Jackson School was also presented with a $1,000 check for Patrick’s efforts. Patrick explains that he felt that the inclusion and specific labeling of the televisions, speed boosters, and cameras to see the “bad guys” really helped his Cybercop Car to look cool and to really stand out. He goes on to share that “I felt special getting praised by the mayor and being invited to take pictures by everyone including the Mayor, the Superintendent, a Board member, our school Principal, and many others. It feels good to make my family proud of me.” Although Patrick is only in the 5th grade, he has his sights set on potential careers that will highlight his artistic abilities which include being a chef, an artist, or possibly a classroom teacher.
February 2015
The Summer Cybercop Challenge for Kids
During a recent Board of Education meeting, Board members and Superintendent Mendez recognized Patrick Gomez, 5th grade student at Jackson Middle School for his participation and winning the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department of Fraud & Cyber Crimes Bureau’s “The Summer Cybercop Challenge for Kids” contest.
Thinking Maps: Becoming a Common Language Districtwide Last year, teachers and students in grades K through 8 learned to use effective visual tools for life-long learning such as – Thinking Maps. This year, to help build a common language districtwide, the use of Thinking Maps has expanded to include high school 9th and 10th grade teachers and students. The high school Thinking Maps learning experience began with 9th and 10th grade lead teachers participating in a three-day professional development in the summer. During these sessions, teachers discovered in great detail the answers to the questions “What are Thinking Maps?” and “How do we use them?” “Thinking Maps,” the consultant explained, “is a language of eight visual patterns each based on a thinking process (for example, comparing and contrasting, analyzing cause and effect, or sequencing).” In other words, teachers and students use Thinking Maps as visual tools to help clarify concepts and think deeply about topics. The professional development sessions provided high school teachers with many opportunities to learn key information and make content connections while constructing thoughtprovoking maps. Over the course of several months, Thinking Maps lead teachers have used their knowledge and expertise of the maps to teach both students and colleagues. With this new shared learning, Thinking Maps are being used in high school classrooms across content areas. During the follow-up sessions, teachers reported that the maps have helped students to become more independent critical thinkers. When teachers at all grade levels use the same eight Thinking Maps, students have the opportunity to deepen their understanding and strengthen their thinking skills from elementary to high school and beyond. Next year, 11th and 12th grade teachers and students will receive the training, making Thinking Maps a true K-12 common language for thinking and learning in Paramount Unified School District. Debra Bolds, Curriculum Specialist
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE February 11, 2015 * February 25, 2015 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