Paramount Unified’s Odyssey STEM Academy – set to open in fall 2018 – solidified a partnership with AltSchool, an education and technology organization that personalizes learning through teacher-built and student-driven platforms. The system will feature lesson plans tailored for individual learners, long- and short-term goal planning and easy access for parents and teachers to communicate.
Paramount High School senior Fernanda Corona is among 30 high school students from across the Southland to receive $40,000 STEM college scholarships from Edison International. Corona, who is co-captain of the school’s cross-country team, plans to pursue biomedical engineering.
Paramount resident Teresita Zamudio did not hesitate to enroll in a seven-week support workshop that would provide additional resources to help her children succeed in school. As part of Paramount Unified School District’s inaugural Factor Parent Engagement Academy (PEA) class, Zamudio joined nearly 300 parents for graduation ceremonies held at Paramount Senior and Paramount West high schools on March 20 and 21.
Paramount Unified’s Hollydale K-8 School hosted South Gate Mayor Maria Davila among other community members on March 26 to celebrate its 2018 California Schools to Watch listing. Hollydale is one of 22 schools in California, and one of two in Paramount Unified, to be lauded for boosting student achievement and improving campus relations.
Paramount High School senior Steven Hurtado had never set foot on a golf course, but on March 11 he found himself walking step for step with Hall of Fame golfer Vijay Singh at the Toshiba Classic professional tournament in Newport Beach. Hurtado wasn’t shadowing as a fan, but as a videographer and working member of the media. He was one of five PHS seniors who received a paid internship to work the event through the school’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Media Pathway program.
More than 500 Paramount High School students and community members are expected to come together at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 17 for the District’s eighth annual Unity Day, which provides resources for LGBT students while discussing suicide prevention and anti-bullying. Attendees can enjoy music, food, short films and yoga on the school’s campus, 14429 Downey Ave., Paramount.
Follow-up Story: Paramount Unified has received the 2016-17 Risk Management Pays Award and an $8,000 grant from the Alliance of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Programs for the District’s efforts to minimize safety risks through faculty training. Funds will go to improve the identification system of visitors on school campuses and for safety devices that automatically lock doors at schools and facilities in emergencies.
Follow-up Story: Raymond Collins Elementary School first-graders enthusiastically shouted answers to math problems thrown their way by Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Brian Jordan, who turned a day of reading into an impromptu multiplication lesson. Jordan tested the students in between reading from “Yo! Yes?” on March 2 in celebration of Read Across America Week, the annual reading awareness program.
Paramount High School recognized exceptional African American students in language arts, math, leadership and other areas of excellence at the 11th annual Black Family Forum Student Achievement Awards Night on Feb. 23.
Follow-up Story: Two Paramount Unified middle schools were honored in January at Staples Center after one won a robotics challenge and the other finished second place in the Los Angeles Clippers Read to Achieve educational program. The Paramount Park Middle School Panthers Robotics Club took first place over nine other teams in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) Robotics Challenge middle school division.
