Schools
Norwalk-La Mirada Middle School Students to Perform With La Mirada Symphony
La Mirada~30 Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District middle school students will showcase their musical talents at 10 a.m. and noon Tuesday, April 19 when they perform with the La Mirada Symphony at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
The annual music program highlights the District’s stellar visual and performing arts program. Two NLMUSD music teachers – Vanessa Trevino and David Yamamoto – will serve as guest conductors. The 1,000-student audience will include advanced band, orchestra and guitar students from District middle schools and the entire fifth-grade class.
The District offers every NLMUSD student the opportunity to take a music class upon entering sixth-grade. These performances with the La Mirada Symphony will allow potential VAPA students to experience the benefits of the program and inspire them to take advantage of the education opportunity.
In other Symphony news, their upcoming American Masters POP concert this Saturday night will feature revered works from George Gershwin, Morton Gould, and Leroy Anderson. They're also thrilled to premiere two new pieces from modern composers, Chris Anderson and Cody Gil.
For tickets to Saturday's performance and more information visit the Symphony's website here.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.
Escalona Elementary Emphasizes Giving Back During Red Ribbon Week
La Mirada~Escalona Elementary will be hosting several events for Red Ribbon Week that allow parents, students, and staff members to "give back" to the community.
Each day, the school will have a dress-up day that corresponds and encourages ways for students and others to give back.
MONDAY: On the 26th, the school we will be hosting a blood drive in coordination with PIH Health from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Also, students are encouraged to wear red and a “Just Say No” assembly will be held in cooperation with La Mirada Public Safety.
TUESDAY: Students will be wearing red, white and blue and writing letters to soldiers.
WEDNESDAY: Crazy Hair Day. Several students are either donating hair previously cut or cutting their hair in front of the school. The hair is being donated to the "Wigs for Kids" organization.
THURSDAY: Crazy Sock Day. Students are bringing in a pair of new socks to donate to a local shelter.
Contact Renee Ivy at rivy@nlmusd.k12.ca.us for more information or to sign-up to donate blood.
Dulles Elementary Selects Student of the Month
La Mirada~Often, being called into the principal’s office means you’re in trouble. However, Norwalk-La Mirada’s Dulles Elementary is turning that stigma around.
This month, first-grader Nicolas Diomedes said he enjoyed being called to the principal’s office to be highlighted as the Student of the Month.
The reward program, coupled with the Staff of the Month award, is part of Dulles’ Positive Behavior System to employ recognition to foster good student behavior and recognize the work of teachers and staff who have made a “Dulles Difference” by contributing to a supportive learning environment.
Norwalk-La Mirada Schools to Hold 4th Annual College Fair
Norwalk~The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District is inviting students and parents to attend its annual District College Fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the John Glenn High School gymnasium.
NLMUSD Board President and Glenn alumni, Jesse Urquidi will kick off the event at a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolically opening the door to an exciting future for all students.
The fair is open to the public and will feature more than 50 college representatives and several college workshops in both English and Spanish.
John Glenn High School is located at 13520 Shoemaker Avenue in Norwalk.
Follow-up: More than 4,000 students in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District attended the District’s fourth annual College Expo on Oct. 21 at Glenn High School – nearly doubling last year’s attendance.
The Expo was part of an expanding stable of District programs aimed at boosting college- and career-readiness for students. Students and families met with more than 50 college and university representatives, attended workshops and learned about career pathways.
Interactive exhibits featured the District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Project Lead The Way programs; a VIP reception was catered entirely by Norwalk High’s Culinary Arts students using a mobile kitchen designed and built by Norwalk High’s automotive class.
La Mirada High Students Honored at SkillsUSA Championships for Skilled Workforce
Louisville, Ky~ Students from technical education programs in area high schools and colleges won the nation's highest awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference here last week.
Industry leaders representing more than 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for demonstrating excellence in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All competitions are designed, run and judged by industry using industry standards.
Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. Many also received prizes such as tools of their trade or scholarships to further their careers and education. The SkillsUSA Championships is for high-school and college-level students who are members of the 360,000-member SkillsUSA organization.
For La Mirada, Team MF (Vanessa Lechuga, Dalia Nute, Alyssa Perez), was awarded the High School Gold medal in Career Pathways - Human Services.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Graduations Celebrate Academic Excellence
Norwalk/La Mirada~Nearly 1,500 graduates from the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Class of 2015 received diplomas as family members cheered their academic achievements during six commencement ceremonies held throughout the District this week.
Each ceremony featured student speakers who recounted the joys and struggles that constituted their scholastic journeys, and expressed appreciation to the friends, family and instructors who kept them focused on their studies and on the path to success.
Southeast Military Academy and Law Enforcement High held the first of the six commencement ceremonies on June 15, followed by John Glenn High that evening with 320 grads. On June 16, El Camino Continuation High celebrated its 91 grads and La Mirada High held a ceremony for its 510 grads. On June 17, Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School held commencement exercises for 54 grads followed by Norwalk High with 460 grads.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Selects New Superintendent
Norwalk~The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Board of Education on May 18 appointed veteran educator Dr. Hasmik Danielian as the new district superintendent.
Known for her passion and commitment to academic excellence for all students, Danielian comes to the district after serving as Superintendent of Brawley Union High School District in Imperial County for the past four years. She will begin in her new post July 1.
"Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has earned the much-deserved reputation for providing remarkable educational programs for all students in an exceptionally supportive community environment,” Danielian said. “It will be a privilege to serve as the Superintendent of NLMUSD with such an established culture and tradition of excellence."
Before serving at Brawley Union, Danielian was associate superintendent and assistant superintendent of secondary schools at Hacienda La Puente Unified, which experienced significant gains in student achievement at all secondary schools during her tenure.
She got her start in education at Glendale Unified, where for 17 years she served as a teacher, dean of students, high school assistant principal in charge of special education and state and federal categorical programs, and high school principal. During the period when she served as principal of Glendale Unified’s Toll Middle School, the campus was named a California Distinguished School, National Blue Ribbon School and Title I High Achieving School.
Student Government Achieving at Cerritos College
A Message from the President of the Associated Students of Cerritos College, Miles Aiello
Ever wonder what the Associated Students of Cerritos College (ASCC) have been doing at Cerritos College for students and student life this past year?
Remarkable and unprecedented efforts have been made that should be heard and noted by those who are associated with the college and community. Efforts include: avocation for Veterans, professionalizing the Student Affairs Office, along with community engagement, sustainability and student life in g
eneral.
We launched a new Veterans Day event that attracted over 300 people. It was emotional, powerful, and most importantly, served as a true reminder to the precious and delicate lives that are lost every day; lives that fight bravely and selflessly to defend our Nation so that we may enjoy all that we have and cherish.
Additionally, as a student body, the ASCC made strong efforts to reinvigorate a professional office atmosphere and refaced our campus perception. Further, we established a good rapport with a local nearby church; giving students the opportunity to provide much needed help and assistance to the less fortunate.
Moreover, we have been simultaneously pushing for Hydration Stations and other campaigns that relate to green technology and sustainable living. Hydration Stations currently passed and now for the first time ever, students at Cerritos College will provide fresh clean accessible water in pivotal locations around the campus for ALL who wish to hydrate themselves.
Hutchinson Student Wins Outstanding Witness Award in Mock Trial
La Mirada~Norwalk-La Mirada Unified seventh-grader Kiana Jones is being hailed for her performance as T.M. Little, a key witness in People vs. Shem, a hypothetical criminal case in which the defendant was accused of stealing a valuable painting.
The activity is part of the Los Angeles County Mock Trial Competition, which helps students learn about the judicial system, improve analytical and communication skills, and grow in their understanding of civic responsibility.
Sixth- through eighth-grade students in Hutchinson’s program, now in its fourth year, met three times a week after school and several Saturdays beginning in September to prepare for the December competition.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will recognize the Mock Trial winners during a reception Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Board of Education recognized Kiana during its meeting this month.
Board Appoints Interim Deputy Superintendent; Begins Search for Permanent Superintendet
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District is moving forward with the search for a permanent Superintendent, while also appointing an Interim Deputy Superintendent who will assist in the day-to-day District operations during this time of transition.
The Board of Education tapped Ginger Shattuck, retired Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Superintendent with a 40-year history with the District, to serve as Interim Superintendent after former Superintendent Dr. Ruth Perez left the District for a position as Deputy Superintendent at the Los Angeles Unified School District.
However, state retirement law limits the number of hours Shattuck can work, which will reduce the number of hours she can be compensated for. Beginning in January, she will spend two days a week in the office.
To help with District operations, the District appointed Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Wayne Shannon to the post of Interim Deputy Superintendent, effective Feb. 1.
“I’ll be somebody who can help with day-to-day decisions necessary to operate the District,” he said.
“Decisions that have long term implications, those regarding the District’s vision, mission, or higher level board decisions will still be routed through Interim Superintendent Shattuck.”
The Board of Education on Jan. 5 met with search firm Dave Long & Associates to launch the superintendent search process and to establish qualities the Board wants in a new leader for Norwalk-La Mirada Unified.
“This is an exciting time for our District,” Board of Education President Jesse Urquidi said. “The Board is focused on selecting a strong leader who will continue to support the District’s mission to provide the best educational opportunities for all students.”
In the meantime, Shattuck and Shannon will work together to ensure a seamless transition so Norwalk-La Mirada students continue to have access to a rigorous instructional program that prepares them for their futures.
“Mr. Shannon and I have a strong working relationship and l am confident that we can continue increasing student achievement and success in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified, while also collaborating with staff, teachers, parents and our Board of Education to achieve our goals,” Shattuck said.
Shannon joined the District in 1996 as a substitute teacher, when Shattuck was serving as Superintendent. He became a middle school teacher, assistant principal and principal before being promoted to director and ultimately assistant superintendent of human resources.
He is not receiving a salary increase for serving as deputy superintendent.
“This gives me a great opportunity to serve the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District,” Shannon said. “I couldn’t be happier that the Board has shown their confidence in me to serve in this capacity.”
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