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
SEPTEMBER 2008
Paramount High School Welcomes the Class of 2011
Paramount High School held it’s first annual Sophomore Pirate Orientation on August 13th and 14th. Paramount High School Counselors Patty Jacobo and Maria Talamantes coordinated the event as a kickoff in implementing systematic interventions for the 2008-2009 school year. Mrs. Jacobo mentions that “the goal was to introduce incoming tenth grade
students to the senior campus in a way that showcased our Pirate Pride!” A total of 826 incoming tenth-grade students actively participated in the event and were involved in three main sessions. The break-out sessions included Registration, Path to Graduation, and Pirate Olympics and were all facilitated by current teachers and
counselors. Students submitted all necessary school forms during the registration process, committed to personal goals during the Path to Graduation session, and interacted in numerous team-building exercises with our Track and Field Coach Chris Barboza during the Pirate Olympics that were judged by our Chemistry teacher, John Teeples.
The event was assisted with the incorporation of various student leaders from various campus clubs and organizations. Eleventh-grade student-leader Lizbet Ordaz mentions that “the Pirate Orientation showed the students that we are here to support them through their high school journey. The students will know where to go when they need help or assistance.” Lizbet further explains that the Sophomore Pirate Orientation experience will help the incoming tenth-grade students be more comfortable and prepared for the senior campus when they arrive later this month.
Ms. Talamantes mentions that “the event allowed for students to not only connect with other students, it allowed for them to feel a sense of belonging to our school culture.” She further explained that it gave students an opportunity to team build within their own grade level. When asked how she felt about the Pirate Orientation, incoming tenth grade student Adriana Herrera mentioned that “it was fun; it was a good way for us to get to know one another and communicate better.” Greg Francois, Assistant Principal Paramount High School
PARENTS ATTEND PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION
Nervous parents, of first time preschool students, attended parent orientation meetings in August. They were anxiously waiting their
child’s teacher and were able to catch a glimpse of what their child’s day would look like. Parents were encouraged to participate in the classroom along with their children. Preparing a child for school can be stressful and confusing for parents. The preschool program is designed to help parents prepare children to be successful in regular school. The preschool programs teach pre-kindergarten readiness skills using the Open Court Pre-K curriculum. This curriculum aligns closely with the Districts Kindergarten curriculum. Higher expectations in kinchild’s first day of school. dergarten and the primary For most of the children, grades now require chilthis is their first school dren to enter kindergarten experience. The parents better prepared than ever were able to meet with their before for new learning
and skill development. The preschool programs help children make a successful transition from home to preschool and then on to kindergarten. The District offers two types of preschool programs. Although most of the preschool classes are half-day (with either morning or afternoon sessions) there is also a full-day preschool program for working parents. The half-day preschools are located on the
Alondra, Collins, Hollydale, Gaines, Mokler, Keppel. Wirtz, Zamboni and Los Cerritos campuses. The fullday child care preschool program is located at Gaines school. This program offers full-day childcare for children ages 3 to 5 years of age from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information, please contact the Early Childhood Education Office at (562) 602-6900 or visit the office at 7340 E. Jackson Street.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES September 9, 2008 – September 23, 2008 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