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 2014
Paramount Park Middle School’s MPR Grand Opening Great things truly are happening in Paramount! Our newly renovated Multi-Purpose Room here at Paramount Park Middle School was recently unveiled to school personnel and students. The Grand Opening took place on Thursday, February 6, 2014 with a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony. Upon entering the building, students and staff were instantly transported to the lush, tropical jungle habitat of our beloved mascot, the Panther. The room is swathed in wall-to-wall murals, intricately festooned with whimsical renditions of the vegetation and wildlife one would expect to encounter in such a landscape. Joining us for this celebration of renewed Panther Pride were the artists and technicians from Arete Digital Imaging, the company which brought the vision of a jungle setting to fruition. This particular motif is visible all around our campus on basketball backboards, archways, and handball walls. We were especially proud to welcome our Maintenance Director Cindy DiPaola and our Director of Nutritional Services Chris Stamm, both of whom were instrumental in the success of this remarkable campus renovation, from the planning and the logistics, to the actual funding. Among the other esteemed guests
from the district office were our Director of Human Resources Rosemary Green, our Vice President to the Board Alicia Anderson, and Board Members Tony Peña and Linda Garcia. Even our school
mascot slinked out of its den to join a select group of distinguished Panthers representing our student body. This group included student council, MESA, and the athletes from our site’s sports teams.
As difficult as it can be to impress middle school students, the excitement was evident in all of our Panthers’ faces as they took the opportunity to experience their new surroundings. These additions
have helped to build school spirit and morale amongst teachers and students. As many of us spend a great amount of time on campus, we are fortunate to have such a bright, vibrant location to enjoy.
PHS Choir Does it Again Upon competing in the annual Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA) festival, the Paramount High School Advanced Choir earned a grade of “A” for the third consecutive year at Glendale High School. The PHS Choir impressed the judges with songs being delivered in English and Samoan languages. The all girls choir (Corsaires) also performed well in earning a “Superior” rating for the second consecutive year, while competing at Lake Forest High School. During the SCVA, each high school choir attends on a different day, at different locations, and are judged for their performance in both a classical and an educational setting. Choirs are required to select and perform music from a variety of time periods and cultures ranging from early Medieval to current cultural music. Participants are required to utilize live, unplugged instruments (pianos, percussion, etc.), and are encouraged to sing A Cappella in a foreign language. The choirs are judged by professors that have extensive backgrounds in choral and international music. They are specifically trained to grade with the same standards regardless of location or experience level of each choir, in which all choirs are graded on choral tone, intonation, musicality, interpretation, diction, and appearance. Sandra Wilson-Espinoza, PHS Choir Director
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE May 14, 2014 * May 28, 2014 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