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
MAY 2012
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Awarded Title 1 Academic Achievement Award! Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in the Paramount Unified School District has been awarded the Title 1 Academic Achievement Award for the second consecutive year. Lincoln was one of only 117 schools in the state to receive this prestigious recognition. Winning schools must meet a variety of criteria and demonstrate that they are narrowing the achievement gap—assuring that all students are learning at high levels. District Superintendent Dr. David Verdugo stated that “we congratulate the students, staff and parents of Lincoln Elementary School for receiving this outstanding tribute, which is a reflection of the school’s commitment
to excellence. Even more exciting is the fact that Lincoln has been recognized for the second time in two years. Great things are happening in Paramount’s schools!” In describing the Title I Achieving Schools Award, State Superintendent of Education Tom Torlakson said, “the progress being made at these schools, which serve our neediest students, should serve as a beacon of hope for California. At a time of fiscal crisis and economic uncertainty, they continue to improve, building a brighter future for their students.” For more information, visit Lincoln School’s website at http:// lincoln-pusd-ca.schoolloop.com.
PHS produces ANOTHER Three Gates PHS JROTC Cadet Millennium Scholarship Winners in 2012! Headed to Annapolis Paramount High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadet Brandon DeSiqueira, has been selected to attend The United States Naval Academy’s Summer Seminar at Annapolis, Maryland. The Summer Seminar is a highly competitive program that can be described as being a fastpaced, six-day experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school. This program teaches students about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing some of our nation’s leaders. In being one of 2,250 total students selected throughout the United States and abroad, Brandon will participate in the program from June 16-24th. As a third year cadet in JROTC, Brandon describes himself as being a former timid and shy student who learned to adapt, change, and grow into being a successful student-leader within the JROTC program as well as the overall school community including our Associated Student Body (ASB). Upon receiving numerous awards and positive recognition, he prides himself on inspiring others within the community to pass on the mantle of success. While in Annapolis, MD this summer, he looks forward to learning new skills and techniques that he can bring back to improve the numerous student-led organizations that he is involved with here at PHS. He further explains that “this program gives me the opportunity to receive a taste of what the actual Naval Academy has to offer.” His future goals include attending The United States Naval Academy upon graduating from PHS in June, 2013 and then pursuing a career in the medical field where his desire is to assist people from historically under-supported communities. Gregoire Francois, Assistant Principal - PHS
Paramount High School is proud to announce three students have won the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS) this year. This is the second time Paramount High School has had three Gates Millennium winners in a single year. Seniors, Jesus Villegas, Paola Ruiz and Maria JimenezAguilar bring the total number of Gates Millennium Scholarship winners to 12 coming from Paramount High School. Jesus Villegas is planning on going to Cal-State Long Beach, Paola Ruiz is considering offers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, and Maria Jimenez-Aguilar is planning to attend UC Davis in the fall of 2012. These three PHS seniors are part of 1,000 students selected nationally each year for this highly competitive scholarship that requires strong academics along with school and community involvement. The student’s accomplishment is especially notable in context of the more than 24,000 students who applied in January making this year the largest and most competitive group of candidates in the program’s history. The application takes three people to complete; the student, a nominator (counselor), and a recommender (teacher). The Gates scholarship reduces financial barriers for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with high academic and leadership promise who have significant financial need. The Gates scholarship also helps increase the representation of these target groups in the disciplines of computer science, educa-
tion, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences, where these groups are severely underrepresented. The Gates Millennium Scholarship renews each year as long as students maintain satisfactory academic progress. Graduate school funding continues for Gates Millennium Scholars in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. The GMS program is so much more than the scholarship funds students will receive. Many GMS programs and activities have been designed for the recipients as resources, to assist them with continued development as a leader and to allow them to connect to the Gates Scholar community in a variety of
ways. One example among the wide range of resources the Gates program provides is the GMS Freshmen Leadership Conference, specifically designed to orient and prepare students for a smooth transition to college and to help them maximize the GMS experience. Other GMS Leadership Development Programs include Academic Empowerment services (ACE) to support academic success, graduate school planning for continued education and a mentoring program. There is also an online resource center and a social networking website that gives students exclusive access to other Gates Scholars, tips on developing good study habits and time management, a calendar
WINNERS on Page E-4
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES May 9, 2012 – May 22, 2012 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