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Breaking Ground at Crozier Middle SchoolBoards Approve LocalEducation Agency PlanOn May 28, 2003, the Board ofEducation approved the InglewoodUnified School District’s Local EducationAgency Plan (LEAP), a requirement of thefederal No Child Left Behind Act. TheLEAP was approved by the State Boardof Education in August of 2003. This fiveyear plan, which undergoes a revisioneach year, has five major goals:Goal 1 - All students will reach highstandards, at a minimum attainingproficiency or better in reading andmathematics, by 2013-2014.continued from page 2Thanks to the Measure K team’scontinued diligence in making use ofoutside funding, the State ofCalifornia’s Office of Public SchoolConstruction will fund 50% of theconstruction cost and has alreadysupplied 15 portable classrooms forCrozier’s temporary housing.Construction will take placethroughout the school year. Duringthis time, parents can be assuredthat student safety is our numberone priority. All state and federal environmental safety standards arebeing observed. The portable classroom village is separated from construction by a barrier fence, and allremaining demolition will take placeduring hours that school is not insession.“We are looking forward to our newstate-of-the-art school,” said PrincipalBeverly Pye, who is in the meantimevery pleased with the portable classroom village. “It will be a new beginning for Crozier Middle School.” 4Left: Schoolstarted onSeptember2nd, asscheduled, forCrozierstudents.Photo byEsther Aguilar,grade 7,Crozier.Above: Crozier Middle School, September2003. On the left is the interim classroomvillage, surrounded by the new play area. Thefenced-off construction site is visible top right.Goal 2 - All limited-English-proficientstudents will become proficient in Englishand reach high academic standards, at aminimum attaining proficiency or better inreading/language arts and mathematics.Goal 3 - By 2005-2006, all students will.continued on page 10Measure K School Construction UpdateHighland SchoolThe Division of State Architect is expectedto approve plans soon for the new 2-story,48-classroom building at HighlandElementary School. In the meantime,additional land for the site wasrecently acquired, with 50% of the fundscoming from the State of California’s Officeof Public School Construction. The MeasureK team anticipates breaking ground within the first few months of 2004.Centinela SchoolPhase I - 100% complete (March 2003)Phase II - 40% complete(Sept. 8,2003)Phase II, in which a new kindergarten building and multipurpose facility (pictured above) are beingbuilt, is moving along ahead of schedule.Parent SchoolPhase I - 100% complete (January 2003)Phase II - 96% complete(September 8, 2003)Phase II, consisting of modernization repairs and upgrades to existing buildings, is far ahead of schedule.The grand opening is soon to be announced.

Contrary to Stereotypes,A California Mission Comes to Inglewood“We Care,” Says Top GradRuins of missions dot the California coastline. Founded by Spaniards in the 1700’s, the mission settlements quickly came to mean a newway of life for the Native Americanswho had lived off the land for thousandsof years. The mission system spreadChristianity throughout California, setting the stage for later secularization byMexico and the United States.Consequently, it follows that a tour ofthe missions scattered up and downthe state would be a wonderful—butexpensive—way to bring the topicalive for students.Teenagers get abad rap. That’sthe messagethat InglewoodHigh School’sThis past spring, however, fourth gradtop 2003ers at Bennett-Kew Elementarygraduate,School had the opportunity to experiAntonio Vallejo,ence a California mission right at hometried to getin Inglewood. Instead of going to a misacross—both inthsion, a mission came to them—in the-gradersstudyToday,California4his interview andform of a 72-foot big rig truck knownmissions as a part of their state sohis valedictoryas “Mervyn’s Moving Mission” from thespeech. “As adolescents we care aboutcial studies curriculum.the community,” he said.Autry Museum of Western Heritage.Furthermore, taking issue withThe Moving Mission is an “exhibit-onthe portrayal of Inglewood Highwheels” with murals, photographs,School (IHS) as an “unstableand replicas of artifacts from Califorenvironment,” he added, “thisnia missions. Each 4th grade classyear we have proven that wespent two hours learning about misare not just getting intotrouble—we’re succeedingsion life and about the cultures andPer Board of Education Policy, student photosacademically.”traditions of Native Americans whocannot appear online without written consent bywere affected by them.An excellent example himself ofa parent or guardian. Some photos havethe academic success IHStherefore been removed in the online version ofWhen it was their turn, a group of stugraduates are enjoying, Antoniothe newsletter. To request a printed newsletter,dents from Deborah Woods’ 4th gradenow attends UCLA on a Blue &please contact emarciniec@inglewood.k12.ca.usclass spent their first hour exploringGold Scholarship. Leading up toor call 310-419-2756.the Moving Mission (left). In one activthis achievement were years ofity, they role-played archeologists andspecialized classes andstudied replicas of real artifacts foundprograms—including collegeat California missions. They sketchedclasses offered on the IHScampus by West LA and Elthe artifacts, discussed what theyCamino colleges, two years ofmight have been used for, and used aAdvanced Placement (AP)map of the La Purísima Mission toclasses, and the summerpredict where they would have beenAcademic Boot Camp at UCLA.continued on page 9At Inglewood High School,Antonio discussed books and poetry asInglewood Graduate Sets a Powerful Examplea part of the Literary Round Table. Hehe salutatorian of Inglewood High School’s Class of 2003was a member of the Science Club andexcused herself in the middle of her interview to help aEarth Club, co-captain of the varsityfellow student with her college application and, in so doing,volleyball team, and historian for the IHSdemonstrated unequivocally where her priorities lay. It was thechapter of MEChA, a Chicano studentsecond-to-last week of school, and Fayma Ishaq remainedgroup.devoted to her peer counseling duties until the end.Although he is not 100% decided aboutFayma now attends the University of California, Berkeley, andhis career plans, Antonio has loftyplans to major in economics. A graduate of Hudnall Elementaryeducational goals; at 17-years old, he isand Crozier Middle schools, Fayma hopes to one day give backalready thinking about pursuing a PhD.to the community by helping to establish more after-schoolAt UCLA, Antonio plans to major inprograms. “We might fail at times,” she said in her graduationInformation Systems Management.speech, “but we must always remember to get back up and.continued on page 105keep going to achieve our dreams and goals.” PHOTOT

Faith Inspires Morningside Graduate to Strive for GoodnessIf there’s one thing that’s striking about Victor Olade, the 2003 salutatorian ofMorningside High School, it’s his moral convictions. “Have a vision before you,” headvises, “a good vision that isn’t just beneficial to you but also to all those aroundyou.” Pulling out his Bible, he read, “Whatever things are true, whatever things arehonest, whatever things are just think on these things” (Philippines 4:8).Victor’s career goals are equally well intentioned—hehopes to one day own a corporation involved in filmmakingand publishing. However, unlike much of today’s media, hisproductions would be filled with positive themes that “reallyencourage people and give them hope and peace.”Victor now attends California State University, Long Beach,and majors in Graphic Arts and Design. Victor is most proudof his “consistency in achieving excellence in [his]education,” and he owes it to his hard-working parents andsiblings, whose good example he has followed. Above all,he thanks God, who he says “revolutionized my life, gaveme something to strive for, and put a vision before me.” Take Time to Smell the Roses at Woodworth Elementarychool should be like home awayfrom home. After all, it’s no secretthat students learn best in a warm,welcoming, school environment.Sto find a bouquet of flowers on theirdesks in the morning, and studentsregularly visit the garden as part oftheir science lessons.Walking into Woodworth ElementarySchool, you first notice the sweetscent of flowers. The flower garden isalso the first sight you see when youwalk through the school’s main entrance. Roses of every color climbthe fence by the office, and birds ofparadise, morning glories, and liliesdecorate a well-manicured stretch oflush green grass.“At Woodworth, we work as a teamto make a better environment forthe students,” said Juan.This spot was not always so lovely.In fact, it was little more than a patchof dry grass when Campus Supervisor Juan C. Nolasco askedfor permission to lend hisgreen thumb to the job. Afterfinding water hoses and asprinkler at a garage sale,Juan started planting. His colleagues donated money forthe roses.Now, four years later, Juancontinues to do more than hispart to make sure thatWoodworth students, parents,and staff feel right at home.“Yesterday I had a beautifulyellow rose,” said Juan. “A parent asked if she could have it. Inever say no.” Teachers are6 often pleasantly surprisedAs Campus Supervisor, Juanworks hard every day to make sureWoodworth is a safe, well-disciplined campus. Yet in his sparetime, he contributes his special gardening talent to the family atmosphere at Woodworth ElementarySchool, cultivating the colorfulsights and scents of the school garden for the benefit of all who visit. PHOTOGraduate to Follow in theFootsteps of Her TeachersMorningside High School’s 2003valedictorian, Adriana Zuñiga,plans to become a teacher one day—and if it’s at herAlma Mater,even better.“The teachershere atMorningsideinspired me [towant to teach],”said Adriana.“All of myeducators havebeen morethan teachersto me; they’ve been counselors,coaches, and mentors. They’ve reallyinfluenced my life, and I’d like to dothat for future students,” she said.PHOTOIn particular, Adriana credits ReidGuill, her Algebra II and Trigonometryteacher, for sparking her interest inmathematics. “Math is not my favoritesubject,” confessed Adriana—yet, shewill major in mathematics at UCLA. “Itis the challenge that [math] poseswhich keeps me intrigued andinterested in it,” she said.A graduate of Worthington ElementarySchool and Monroe Magnet MiddleSchool, Adriana was involved innumerous school activities, includingthe Academic Decathlon, JROTCColor Guard, French Club, ClassRepresentative, and AssociatedStudent Body Treasurer. On her owntime she plays golf and works in herfamily’s restaurant. AtUCLA, Adriana plansto be a part ofoutreach programsthat offer tutoring andcareer awareness tostudents at inner cityhigh schools.Adriana advisesundergraduates to “beserious aboutcollege, starting in 9thgrade.” One way to dothis is to startresearching collegesearly. “All you have todo is jump on thecomputer [to.continued on page 10

Parent Elementary School Marches Forward—Boot Camp Stylen Friday, September 5, 2003,students couldn’t help but wonder at their camouflage-clad teachers—or at the larger change in the airat Parent Elementary School.Ohowever—6th-8th graders who weartheir school uniform daily for fiveweeks will get to attend a schooldance, and this time, the studentscan come dressed in camouflage.attitudes around here,” said CarolynJackson, who has two 5th-graders atParent. “We’re going to have a goodyear,” added Sandra Whaley, who alsohas a 5th-grader at Parent.The camouflage had to do with thestart of “Boot Camp Month,” and it wasno coincidence that the annual behavior and expectations assemblies wereheld that day. Just what a school uniform is supposed to look like, how tobe prepared to be high-achievers, andwhy respectful behavior is mandatorywere a few of the topics reviewed withstudents by Brenda Watts, ParentSchool’s new Acting Principal.You don’t have to go to The Gap toknow that camouflage is in style. “[Theteachers] look nice,” said 8th-graderChris Washington, well aware that theBoot Camp theme is “so we can havediscipline, do our work,and get honors.”Teachers dressed in camouflage nodoubt add fun to a student’s day. Yet atthe same time, Ms. Watts has made herpoint: “We’re serious about discipline.”There’s “a new general in town,” wroteOffice Manager Carolyn Patton, andthe first order of duty is discipline. Themessage came with a happy catch,.continued on page 8For Brenda Watts, theoverwhelming teacherparticipation is a pointof pride—and a factthat has not gone unnoticed by parents.“You can feel the difference in the air and ing Online.in InglewoodEl Camino College Inglewood Center101 N. La Brea Ave.Open lab: Mon 9:00am–1:00pm;Tues–Thurs 9:00am-1:00pm; 3:00-6:45pmID required. Computer classes available.For more information, contact: 310-330-4898.Rogers Park Recreation Center400 West Beach AvenueComputer classes available in English and Spanish.For information, please contact: 310-412-5504/5508.Offered by the City of Inglewood Parks and Recreation.Inglewood Main LibraryThe Inglewood Unified SchoolDistrict cordially invites you to visit our new and improvedwebsite, where you can find important information, download jobapplications, read up on the latest school news, and much more.Where can I get on the Internet?Fortunately, the city is rich in technology resources. If you are noton a school campus, you can use the internet at the locationslisted to the right. Please call to confirm hours of operation.I don’t know how to use a computer.That’s not a problem. The Inglewood Community Adult Schooloffers introductory computer classes; call 310-330-5225 to sign up.Or, check the list at right to find out about other classes offered.101 West Manchester BoulevardGeneral computer use: Mon-Thurs 10:00am-8:30pm;Fri 10:00am-5:30pm; Sat 9:00am-6:00pm; Sun12:00-5:00pmGates computer lab: Mon-Fri 2:00-5:00pmValid library card needed. Classes available in English/Spanish.For more information, contact 310-412-5380.Morningside Park Library3202 West 85th StreetLibrary hours: Mon 10:00am-2:00pm; Tues-Wed 10:00am-6:00pm;Thurs 10:00am-8:00pm; Sat 10:00am-4:00pmValid library card needed. For information: 310-412-5400Crenshaw-Imperial Library11141 Crenshaw BoulevardLibrary hours: Mon 10:00am-6:00pm; Tues 10:00am-6:00pmWed 2:00pm-8:00pm; Fri 10:00am-6:00pm; Sat 10:00am-4:00pmValid library card needed. For information: 310-412-5403.Are you an organization offering public access to computers? Please emailemarciniec@inglewood.k12.ca.us and we will add you to this list.7

Sailing to Greatness:Freeman Elementary is Named a “High Achieving School”.continued from page 1succeed; that staff take part in continuous training; that programs like“Gifted and Talented” and “SpecialEducation” are effective; that eachstudent’s needs are met; and that theschool works together with parentsand the community. Under the leadership of Principal Sammie Young,Daniel Freeman Elementary Schoolexcelled in all of these areas.No Child is Left BehindAt Daniel Freeman,teachers team upregularly tostudy test results andkeep trackof students’progress.Studentscan take partin tutoring after school, onSaturdays, orduring the summer.For those who haveother needs—such as counseling, anger management training, orspeech assistance—there are special programs to help. The school’sphilosophy is that if all the child’sneeds are met, it will help him or her“to achieve on all levels.”students—from the federally-funded“Reading is Fundamental” book giveaway to school and district-basedprograms like “Peace Builders” (students learn peace-keeping techniques); from university-sponsoredprograms that teach students andparents to make good nutritionalThese 1st-graders practice their letter sounds duringDaniel Freeman’s summer program.choices to programs made possibleby local partners, such as Jet PropulThe Making of asion Lab’s computer donation programHigh Achieving Schooland mentoring with the Inglewood PoWhen Principal Sammie Young arrivedlice Department.at Daniel Freeman in 2001, she found“We’re not leaving anya “high achieving school” already in thebody out,” said 2ndmaking. ““The test scores had alreadygrade teacher Vidastarted to go up,” she said. “I justHenderson. “Evbrought in some ideas as to how toeryone has apush them up a little more.”place and aDaniel Freeman joins the swellingchance to be inranks of Inglewood elementaryvolved.”schools that have been recognizedParents Getin recent years for their outstandingachievements. For the future, “thePoints forGetting Involved sky is the limit,” says Ms. Young, whohopes to increase parental involve.And that includesment and community partnerships atparents. As a part ofDaniel Freeman’s new “Parent the school as Daniel Freeman staffand students continue to “sail toPoints Award Program,” parents earngreatness.” points for attending school activities.At 500 points, they can win a dinnerParent Elementary School Marchesfor two at a local restaurant. “ParentsForward—Boot Camp Styleare the child’s first teachers,” ex.continuedfrom page 7plained Principal Sammie Young.Brenda Watts is happy to be back in the“Their teaching has to continueInglewood Unified School District, wherethroughout the school years. Parentsshe did her student teaching in 1972,have to know what’s going on inand where she served as Assistantschool so they can reinforce it atPrincipal (Morningside High School) ahome.” Thus, many parents are partfew years ago. Within five years, sheof PTA, Freeman Dad’s Club, andhopes to lead Parent to becoming aschool advisory committees.California Distinguished School.PHOTOPHOTOThat’s why Daniel Freeman offers along list of specialized programs forPHOTO8This 2nd-grader uses blocks to work outmathematical “fact families.”Opening Children’s Eyesto the WorldAt Daniel Freeman ElementarySchool, students who work hard anddo well in school are rewarded withthe chance to go on an extra field trip.The school also hosts assembliesand activities to broaden students’ horizons. Program Coordinator SuzanneSimmons is always on the lookout fornew grants to provide extra opportunities for students.“Education is my passion,” said Ms.Watts. “I’ve been in it 30 years. I couldn’twait for school to start this year—andthat’s the kind of enthusiasm I want thestudents and the teachers to have.”The enthusiasm in the air is contagious.With supportive staff, clear goals inmind, and, not to mention, a mix ofbrand new and newly renovatedfacilities, Parent Elementary School ismarching forward into its educationalrenaissance—in straight lines worthyonly of Boot Camp itself.

Inglewood Grads Grace Harvard, Stanford.continued from page 1she now pursues a Master’s Degreein Teaching and Curriculum.Graduated 3rd in his class in 2003,Inglewood High School’s AlexanderGarcia (below) also headed for newterritory—for him it was northward tothe highly esteemedStanford University,and he carried with hima 15,000 scholarshipto boot. At Stanford,Alexander will studyeconomics, with plansto pursue a Master’sDegree and ultimat

Inglewood High School this year. Despite their age differ-ence, however, Erika Ramirez and Alexander Garcia have two major . High School, and the Inglewood Community Adult School were awarded a combined 21,000 to help launch them on their college careers. Inglewood Scholars Receive 21,000 Send-Off