All students in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s 17 elementary schools now have access to music education as part of a program made possible under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and listed as a priority in the District’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The music program, which started this academic year, allows elementary students to attend one music class a week. The classes are led by interns who are receiving their teaching credentials, but overseen by classroom teachers.
Glazier and Gardenhill elementary schools have launched Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a STEM program that has achieved resounding success at Norwalk-La Mirada middle and high schools. PLTW is the country’s leading provider of STEM curriculum that teaches students through projects and problem solving. The elementary-level PLTW program, titled “Launch,” aligns with the Common Core State Standards for math and English Language Arts, Next Generation Science Standards and other national and state standards. At Gardenhill Elementary, the program will be provided to students in kindergarten through fourth grade. At Glazier Elementary, students in first, third and fifth grade will participate. Eventually, the district will phase in PLTW to all elementary students. Media contact: Christina Cardenas, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
La Pluma Elementary School teacher Kathy Jo Gutierrez was honored on Sept. 19 by the Los Angeles County Department of Education at the annual Teachers of the Year luncheon. Gutierrez has been with the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District most of her 19-year career. She currently teaches a first- and-second-grade combination class.
Two new principals will begin work at Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Schools, including Glazier Elementary and Waite Middle School. Susan Newcomb will begin her leadership of Waite beginning Thursday, Sept. 4 while the Board of Education chose Jean Rebholz as new principal for Glazier.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District officials will ask voters in November to approve a $375 million general obligation bond that would go toward improving education and every school in the District. The Board of Education voted Monday, July 21 to approve the ballot measure, which – if passed by voters – will go toward building infrastructure to support technology, performing various renovations and modernizations to all District sites and providing electronic devices for all classrooms. Media Contact: Christina Cardenas, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Twin sisters Youstina and Marina Salama will serve as John Glenn High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, after receiving the Class of 2014’s top grades. The Salama sisters are also headed to UCLA in the fall to study medicine. While the two joined the same clubs, sports and attended the same AP classes during high school, these bubbly twins are very different. Graduation at John Glenn takes place on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Excelsior Stadium (15711 Pioneer Blvd., Norwalk). Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Two teachers at Los Alisos Middle School are among an elite few in the country who were chosen to be “Master Teachers” with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. Angelica Gunderson and Kelly Garcia will spend a few weeks this summer training teachers from around the country the PLTW curriculum, which has been recognized by colleges and universities, Fortune 500 businesses and several other organizations. PTLW programs are utilized in 5,000 schools across the country, including those at Norwalk-La Mirada Unified. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Follow-up Story: Ahead of the March 28 release of “Cesar Chavez,” a biopic of the civil rights leader, the grandson of the real-life icon, Andres Chavez, was at Corvallis Middle School in Norwalk, where he was guest speaker at the school’s annual Career Day on March 14. Photos are available. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Nearly 800 children at Morrison Elementary School are getting patriotic as the Norwalk Lions Club hosts its annual Flag Day Celebration on campus on Tuesday, Feb. 25 beginning at 9 a.m. While Flag Day is typically celebrated in June, after students are on summer break, the Lion's Club traditionally celebrates with Morrison students in February. The full patriotic program will kick off with a musical prelude by the school’s nine-piece string-instrument band, followed by the presentation of the colors by students from Southeast Academy, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s military and law enforcement high school. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Corvallis Middle School band will play “The Star-Spangled Banner” and two members of the Lions Club will perform two patriotic readings. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Follow-up Story: Morrison Elementary School fourth-grader Leilani Lafarga won first place for a photograph of her younger sister drawing at the annual PTA "Reflections" regional competition, landing her a spot in the state finals. Leilani was honored Tuesday, Feb. 25, along with 41 other Norwalk-La Mirada Unified students whose artwork was part of the “Reflections” themed art show —“Believe, Dream, Inspire.” Leillani's photograph is currently being showcased at the California PTA office in Sacramento. Students participating in "Reflections" used film production, dance choreography, literature, music composition, photography and visual art to bring this year's theme to life. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
