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 2015
Paramount High School JROTC Tanner School Engineering Receives JROTC Program of Excellence Girls at The Beach “Honor Unit with Distinction”
Board of Education members, Co-Interim Superintendents Mrs. Stephens and Dr. Verdugo pictured with PHS & PHS-W principals Dr. Buckner and Mr. Kosareff, Col. Guild, Sgt. Brayboy and PHS JROTC Cadets.
During a recent Board of Education meeting, the Paramount High School JROTC program was recognized by the Board of Education and Co-Interim Superintendents Mrs. Stephens and Dr. Verdugo. The JPA: The Army JROTC program is accredited by AdvancED as a Special Purpose Program and as such is committed to continuous improvements. AdvancEd requires that the Army JROTC program meet five standards of quality. • Teaching and learning • Professional development • Collaborative activities • Assessment • Continuous improvement efforts On March 5, 2015, the PHS JROTC
program was inspected to gather information and evidence to support the continuous improvement of teaching and learning in the JROTC program. The JPA school visit is designed to assess the unit primarily in the areas of teaching and learning. The visit was comprised of accreditation criteria that include cadet participation and the assessment of the instructor portfolio. The Paramount High School program received a score of 98.5%, establishing the school JROTC program JROTC Program of Excellence (JPE): Honor Unit with Distinction, (Gold Start). Congratulations to Col. Guild, Sgt. Brayboy and the PHS JROTC program.
Paramount High School West Campus Ends March Madness Attendance Month with Carnival
Over 950 freshmen participated in the second annual Attendance Carnival on Thursday, April 2 on the West Campus field. All freshmen who had perfect attendance during March Attendance Madness or had cleared their attendance in March by going to Saturday School attended the event. Freshmen had an amazing time playing carnival games, inflatable games, mini soccer, and basketball games. Students chose from an array of carnival games like Monster Blast, Duck Toss, Rollerball, Hook the Horns, Hammer Time, and Monster Teeth. Moreover, ninth graders had an assortment of inflatable games which included the Cannon Blast, Hoop Challenge, Soccer Blast, and Pony Races. The big hit with students and staff was the Pony Races where students and staff raced on a mini track four at a time to the finish line on child-sized horse hoppers. Students were also treated to a gourmet hot dog meal during the fourth period and lunch time event. Assistant Principal Gwen Yates, who organized and coordinated the event with Activities Director Frank Bignami and the support of Princi-
On Friday, March 20, 2015, forty Tanner School third, fourth, and fifth grade girls were invited to attend an exciting day at California State University, Long Beach. The event was hosted by the Society of Women Engineers to promote engineering and science as alternatives for girls to consider when they pursue higher education. This was an opportunity for our female students to see and participate in some fascinating, fun, hands-on activities and to start thinking about future careers that include sciences. The girls had the opportunity to listen to the President of the Society of Women Engineers, Lita Cahuana, and Cheryl Osborn, a successful building contractor and owner/CEO of Casco Contractors. They were very inspirational and motivated the girls to think about choosing a career in the sciences. The girls also got to meet an inspiring montage of young women from the College of Engineering who surely instilled a great amount of enthusiasm for science among them. All participants were also able to attend two one-hour workshops that included: Lemon Battery (electrochemistry), Mechanics in Daily Life (mechanical engineering), LEGO robotics(robotics), Complicated Machines (civil engineering), Foam Gliders (aeronautics) and Making a DC Motor (electrical engineering). These activities gave the participants an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, skill, and scientific knowledge. The girls were all very excited to show off the products of their own creations! After a wonderful pizza lunch, the girls participated on a variety of hands on activities set up by Engineering students. It was very exciting to see the girls come back to school with mini rocket ships, bouncing rubber balls, magnetic slime, structure building and lava lamps. They were even able to make and taste their own ice cream. It was rewarding to see the enthusiasm and joy the girls displayed as they traveled from booth to booth. They came back to school to share about their experience with their teachers and classmates. They were extremely proud of the products of their creation. The Tanner girls’ day at “The Beach” was worthwhile, funfilled, and educational. It is safe to say that all of them will remember this experience for a long time!
Maria Loredo, Math Coach
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATE pal Morrie Kosareff, was excited to see students having a wonderful time on a beautiful spring day. Academic Coach Alicia Megofna stated, “With over 900 students on the field, our Attendance Carnival was a hit. Students had great fun
playing a variety of games.” Students also danced with their friends as a DJ played music on the softball field. One ninth grader commented, “I had so much fun at the carnival. I was able to be with friends and play games and dance.”
May 13, 2015 * May 27, 2015
Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. and are open to the public May 13 – Progress Park Plaza, 15500 Downey Ave, Paramount, CA May 27 – District Office 15110 California Ave, Paramount, CA