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 2011
Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs Visits Wirtz Elementary On Monday, March 21st, 2011 music, puppets and live theater filled the cafeteria at Wirtz Elementary. Kindergarteners, first- and second-grade students were all invited to a unique assembly that promoted literacy. The 40 minute show, “Jay and E and the Zig Zag Sea,” was presented by Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs. The show featured four actors, large puppets, music and lots of words for the students to read. The story focused on a boy named Jay who was afraid to read but overcomes his fear with
the help of the audience and his big friendly dog, Libro. Throughout the show students sang, chanted and read words aloud. In addition to the show, the program offered a book share workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday. The book share reinforced the love for reading through fun activities and by simply getting students to use their imagination. At the end of the book share students were given two books to take home. “The show was funny! I love my new book,” said first grader Nayzth Ablana. The program filled the school
with laughter, enjoyment and excitement for reading. First grade teacher Ms. Caseres described the program in three simple words, “Educational, Fun and Inspirational!” Wirtz was excited to host a parent meeting presented by Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. The meeting provided parents with information about the importance of early literacy and techniques on how to make reading fun and enjoyable.
Ninth Graders Dominate Preliminary MESA Day Competition
West Campus Pirates competed at the Preliminary MESA Day competition on March 12 at California State University Long
Beach. Mr. Brent Rummel and his ninth grade students descended on the university campus and plundered the competition taking
home a dozen awards. Through the Preliminary MESA Day competitions, students engage in hands-on activities that expand their understanding of math, science, and engineering concepts. By offering a wide variety of competitions from web design to wind energy machines to bridge building, students explore pathways that can lead to future careers in science, engineering, and other technical fields. The following is a list of ninth graders winners: EggXpress Category 9 –10 3rd Place: Bianca Baker and Leo Silva
Mouse Trap Car Accuracy 2nd Place: Linda Espinoza and Deysi Gomez Mouse Trap Car Design 3rd Place: Jesse Gonzalez and Leo Silva Speak Out 1st Place: Leo Silva, Jesse Gonzalez, and Francisco Nieves Speak Out 3rd Place: Raul Avram, Bianca Baker, and Leah Barker Sponge Activities - Stacking Cups 3rd Place: Sigifredo Gastelum Sponge Activities – Rubrics Cube 3rd Place: Omar Gutierrez Windmill Design and Weight 3rd Place: Raul Avram, Bianca Baker, Leah Barker, and Leo Silva Windmill Electrical 3rd Place: Emmanuel Andrade, Jennifer Ortega, and Ricardo
Mejia Windmill Movement (car) 3rd Place: Raul Avram, Bianca Baker, Leah Barker, and Leo Silva Windmill Over-all 3rd Place: Raul Avram, Bianca Baker, Leah Barker, and Leo Silva Windmill Power 3rd Place: Raul Avram, Bianca Baker, Leah Barker, and Leo Silva These students are all moving on to competing at the MESA Day finals. A c c o r d i n g t o M r. R u m mel the students are very excited and look forward to participating in the final competition.
Partnership for a Healthy Tomorrow Did you know that more than 30% of youth in Los Angeles County are overweight? Being overweight increases a child’s risk of serious health problems. Poor nutrition may also affect a student’s ability to learn. As part of a state and national effort to improve children’s health and learning, Paramount Unified School District, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, is working to provide nutrition education to parents and students of the community. The program is called Network for a Healthy California. The goals of the Network for a Healthy California program are to promote eating fruits and vegetables and to encourage students and their families to be physically active every day. In addition to providing training to teachers, the Net-
mation and conducting taste tests with students and parents using fruits and vegetables featured as the “Harvest of the Month.” Parents can find more helpful information relating to student health and wellness on the Paramount Unified School District website. Parents need only to type the address into their internet browser: www. paramount.k12.ca.us. From the home page, simply select school resources and click on to Health-e Living. More
work provides nutrition education opportunities for parents. During recent District English Learner Advisory Committee and District PTA meetings, Maryam Shayegh, LACOE Nutrition Specialist, taught parents how to calculate the exact sugar content (by teaspoons) in foods and
beverages. Parents were fascinated by many interesting nutritional facts. Maryam shared simple recipes and allowed parents to enjoy a dish which she prepared at the meetings. In collaboration with PUSD Food Services, the specialist also visited school sites sharing nutritional infor-
information about healthy eating tips is also available at www.harvestofthemonth. com. By helping students to make choices for healthier eating, parents join in the partnership to decrease obesity, and increase healthy living and awareness among students in both the school and in the home. Debra Bolds Curriculum Specialist District Office
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES May 11, 2011 & May 25, 2011 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