PUSD EDUCATION NEWS A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District
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Buena Vista High School – “School of Excellence” Superintendent Verdugo and the Board of Education presented Buena Vista High School Principal and staff with a plaque recognizing their commitment and dedication to the students and for their recent “School of Excellence” Award. This award identifies and recognizes outstanding programs of high quality schools that can be visited by other schools and serve as models. In order to qualify for this award, the school must demonstrate exemplary effectiveness in school management, curriculum, instruction, climate and
Principal Jean Law pictured with the Board Of Education, Superintendent & Buena Vista High School.
counseling services. Buena Vista was visited by a team of experts in the field of alternative education who spent the day observing and interviewing teachers, students and
Pictured with Chris Borrayo is his mother and father, Board Member Tony Peña, Superintendent Verdugo, Principal Dr. Buckner and Coach Howard. Matt Howard, who eloquently spoke about Borrayo’s exemplary character traits as a teammate, player, student and future collegiate athlete. His powerful words clearly inspired Borrayo’s football teammates as they buzzed with a hope for their own athletic futures. As Howard excitedly listed Borrayo’s numerous athletic accomplishments including being named the 2012 San Gabriel Valley League Offensive Player of the Year and receiving Press Telegram Dream Team honors, it is evident that Borrayo’s future as a Cal Bear is incredibly bright. Howard’s exhilarating and inspirational speech lead up to the moment when Borrayo was called to sign his National Letter of Intent. Chris stood by his parents, Enrique Borrayo and Angelica Mata, who both gleamed
Frank J. Zamboni Middle School “School To Watch”
Principal Salcido with the Board of Education, Superintendent Verdugo and students and parents of Zamboni Middle School
parents. Buena Vista will now be recognized at an awards luncheon and make a presentation at the California Continuation Education Association conference in Los Angeles in May.
“National Letter of Intent Ceremony for Paramount Football Player Christopher Borrayo” February 6, 2013 marked a momentous day in Paramount High School history and for senior athlete Christopher Borrayo as Superintendent Dr. David Verdugo, School Board Member Tony Peña, family, friends, teammates, classmates, teachers, coaches and administrators gathered together to honor Chris as he signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the University of California, Berkeley on a 100% football scholarship. Fans surrounded Borrayo to take photographs and to congratulate him on this well-deserved accomplishment. Coaches reminisced about his seasons past, former teachers recalled him as a young student at Lincoln Elementary School and his family glowed with pride as they reflected on his achievements as both a scholar student and as an elite athlete. As the Associated Student Body Commissioner of Athletics welcomed all for attending the ceremony and celebration, the excited crowd grew silent to listen to Principal, Dr. Greg Buckner, deliver an opening speech. Through his words, it became quickly evident that Borrayo had not only reached his goal to play football at an academically and athletically prestigious Division I University, but his journey as a student athlete was product of his commitment to reach competitive greatness and a willingness to reach his goals through determination and perseverance. Dr. Buckner then proudly introduced Head Football Coach,
MARCH 2013
with pride knowing that their son had fulfilled his dreams. The brand new Paramount High School Hall of Champions was filled with an energy that exemplified the pride that the Paramount community has in student athletes who go above and beyond the call of duty to reach their goals. Borrayo was called to the podium to speak and was received with a roaring applaud from all who came to wish him well. Chris humbly expressed gratitude to his beloved family and went as far as to call up both of his grandmothers, Margarita Borrayo and Leticia Cuadros, to share in the celebratory moment. His heartfelt embrace of each grandmother who stood on either side of him was indicative of how this young man continues to demonstrate
Principal Salcido with the Board of Education, Superintendent Verdugo and staff of Zamboni Middle School Superintendent Verdugo and the Board of Education presented Frank J. Zamboni Middle School Principal and staff with a plaque recognizing their commitment and dedication to the students and for their recent “Schools To Watch” Award. Schools To Watch is a recognition program similar to California Distinguished Schools that recognizes middle schools that are academically excellent, socially equitable and have a culture of strong collaborative leadership. It is a highly selective process and few middle schools are given the Schools honorable character traits as an athlete and as young man. The Paramount High School community is very proud to have Christopher Borrayo as a model student athlete and know that Chris will remember the, “once a pirate, always a pirate” motto as he journeys to his next collegiate endeavors. Chris Borrayo continues to impress his fans as he extended his accomplishments beyond football when he won the San Gabriel Valley League (SGVL)
To Watch status. This year only 12 middle schools were selected and Zamboni was the only middle school in all of Los Angeles County. Zamboni Middle School will serve as a model school for other educators to visit to observe effective middle school education. Zamboni Middle School had a formal recognition for their accomplishment with District administration, officials from the Department of Education and the Schools to Watch at Zamboni Middle School on February 22, 2013. Wrestling Championship and shortly thereafter clenched the CIF Southern Section Championship in his weight class to qualify for Wrestling Masters under the guidance of head coach Don Wakefield. It is obvious that Paramount Athletics has played a significant role in Chris Borrayo’s life and his accomplishments are now an integral part of Paramount History. Anna Yasuhara PHS Athletic Director
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES March 13 * March 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