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
MAY 2010
Wesley Gaines School Recognized as a California Most Distinguished School for 2010 Wesley Gaines School officially became a California Most Distinguished School on April 19th. The lengthy process leading to excellence and validation began in November. Gaines School was invited to complete and submit a most Distinguished School Application based on the school site meeting several rigorous criteria: • First, a school must have an API of 796 or higher, Gaines had achieved 828 on STAR 2009. • Second, Gaines met all 2009 AYP criteria, and closed the achievement gap for all of our sub-groups in Language Arts and Math. • Third, there must be strong academic indications that the Achievement Gap between significant sub-groups has been decreased. The next step in the process leading toward validation was for Gaines to highlight two Signature Practices that were affecting the school’s outstanding student achievement. Collaboration and Intervention were earmarked as our site’s two most noteworthy practices. These practices were described in detail. The completed
document appears on the California Department of Education’s Most Distinguished Elementary Practices 2010 web page. The final step in the process was to have a Validation Team visit the school site to observe the signature practices; interview teachers, staff, parents and community members, and validate that all of the cited practices, values and school culture and climate were verifiable as stated in the Application. The team validated and applauded our successes on February 26th. State Superintendent, Jack O’Connell personally called Principal Stevens to congratulate her and the entire staff on their journey to excellence and achievement of the status Most Distinguished for 2010. Paramount Unified School District’s Board of Education congratulated all members of Gaines School at the April 27th regular board meeting. The State of California’s official Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 4th at the Disneyland Hotel. The State Superintendent will present Principal
Stevens with a Most Distinguished plaque and flag to display proudly at the school site. Gaines Teachers have completed a six-year journey leading to
Academic Excellence for students. By rigorously pursuing a strategic and targeted restructuring plan, Distinguished status has been achieved. Such dedication and
commitment for each Staff member and parent of this school community needs to be applauded. What a tremendous and deserving honor!
Paramount High School’s 3rd Annual Black Family Forum
Rain and cold air did not stop the 3rd Annual Black Family Forum from taking place on Saturday, February 27, 2010. For the last six months parents from the Black Family Forum (BFF) and students from the African American Cultural Club (AACC) met to discuss and plan this year’s conference which was yet another great success. Conference participants started the cool day with a delicious breakfast prepared by none other than PUSD’s Nutrition Services, followed by a Student Voices
activity where AACC students selected poetic pieces from their favorite authors. Passionate Keynote Speaker, Corliss P. Bennett-McBride, Director of USC’s Black Student and Cultural Studies Department, challenged the audience to become a College Going Culture. Gregoire Francois, Assistant Principal at PHS, addressed the parents with a workshop focusing on how parents can support students academically, socially, and emotionally by providing parents with specific strategies. Shervaughnna Demiraz from the Los Angeles Office of Education focused why education matters. She was followed by none other than Lance Robert from the 100 Black Men of Long Beach, a mentoring organization for
young males. Mr. Robert inspired attendees by instilling a sense of pride and self love and respect. Dr. Eugene Allen from Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care shared the story of the journey that has brought him to become a success story in our community. Finally, PHS Counselors Patricia Jacobo, Ariana Bates, and Anjel Gutierrez discussed NCAA and college entrance requirements to students. The day ended with lunch, an outstanding performance by JROTC, informational booths, and an African American Inventions display including priceless handmade quilts by Ms. Elizabeth Reece. Lourdes Talamantes Counselor & AACC Advisor
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES May 11, 2010 & May 25, 2010 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