Paramount Unified celebrated a new cosmetology program during a ribbon-cutting event at the Paramount Adult School on Oct. 11. PUSD dedicated a new building for the program, which partners with Compton College to allow students to receive college credit toward Compton’s program and ultimately become licensed cosmetologists. Photos are available
Approximately 1,500 Paramount Unified K-12 students and their parents learned how to plan for higher education at the District’s second annual College Fair, held Sept. 26 at Paramount High School’s Senior Campus. More than 30 colleges provided information on academic opportunities, financial aid, scholarships and the admission process.
Paramount Unified’s Raymond Collins Elementary School introduced third- and fourth-grade parents to new technology during a Google Chromebook parent meeting on Aug. 28. Collins teachers and staff presented a tutorial on the laptops to help parents support their children with the devices outside the classroom. District students are receiving the laptops as part of a multi-year technology rollout that will provide every student with an electronic device in grades three through 12 by 2020.
Paramount Unified is offering computer coding curriculum, expanding student access to Google Chromebook laptops and featuring teachers newly certified in Google tools as the District increases access to technology for the 2018-19 school year. The technological tools are funded by the $106 million Measure I, which voters passed in 2016, and which has allowed the District to continually enhance classroom environments.
The newest edition to Paramount Unified, the Odyssey STEM Academy, launched with such innovative practices as discussion groups and the absence of school bells on Aug. 22, the first day of the 2018-19 school year for all 19 PUSD elementary, middle and high schools. The Odyssey opening has been a three-year process, and features a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. When the doors opened to the inaugural class of 144 freshmen they were immediately struck by the school’s fresh approach to instruction.
Two Paramount High School Class of 2018 graduates were recently named National AP Scholars by the College Board for academic excellence. Fernanda Corona and Raymond Rosales were recognized for averaging 4.0 or higher on all of their Advanced Placement tests and 4.0 or higher on eight exams throughout the school year. Corona was Paramount High’s class valedictorian and is now attending Duke University. In December 2017, Paramount Unified was recognized as an AP Honor Roll school district by the College Board for boosting access to AP courses to a broader number of students while maintaining or improving AP exam rates.
Nancy Rivas, Paramount Unified’s curriculum specialist of instructional technology, is one of eight educators across the U.S. recognized for creating digitally accessible lesson plans on online security skills, communication and safety. Rivas was honored by Schoology, which provides the digital classroom management tool. Schoology asked for the lessons as part of a Digital Citizenship Challenge focused on promoting better digital citizenship among students by tackling issues like internet safety, privacy and cyberbullying.
Incoming freshman Blue Phillips won’t have far to look for new adventures when he begins his high school career on Aug. 22 at Odyssey STEM Academy, home to a hands-on curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Phillips is one of 144 students who represent the inaugural class at Odyssey, a three-year District project designed to help students flourish in a growing technological society. When Phillips arrives at the remodeled campus in Lakewood, which features a video conference production room, labs, and 3-D printers, he will find more than enough to satisfy his high energy.
Four students from Paramount High School were honored for heroic actions by Mayor Diane Martinez during a June 19 Paramount City Council meeting. Fernando Melgar, Gabriel Orozco, Juan Garza and Anthony Farias were commended with certificates of recognition from the mayor for assisting injured students during a car accident in March. The injured students were treated and released from a local hospital.
Five Paramount High School student-athletes will continue their paths of excellence in the classroom and on the field when they attend colleges with Division I scholarships this fall. Gymnast Sekai Wright is heading to UCLA, softball standout Brooke Moeai will attend Montana State, soccer player Oscar Sierra is heading to California State University, Dominguez Hills, while twins Ty’Rese and Ty’Rhae Gibson will play football at Montana State.