La Mirada Blog
Articles by Tony Aiello
La Mirada High Parents Forming New Group to Focus on Academics
As Seen in the La Mirada Lamplighter; Concerned Parents Battle Convoluted Reputation of School
La Mirada~Hoping to provide fresh new ideas, and keep La Mirada school kids in La Mirada, about 30 parents conducted a meeting at La Mirada High School this past Thursday night, attempting to form a new club, focusing on academics.
"We have a booster club for all the sports and other groups on campus, but none for academics," said Edward Eng, who along with teacher David Drago is spearheading an effort with other members of the school's Shared Decision Making Committee (SDMC) to form the Academic Booster Club-a group made up of parents, teachers, and students who hope to fill the perceived gap between the high school and the community.
The meeting was also attended by Principal Bill Seals and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District (NLMUSD) School Board member Chris Pflanzer.
Hoping to place more emphasis and focus on academics and achievement, the group wants to propose new initiatives, and concentrate on four areas: have La Mirada High become a California Distinguished School (there are only two in the district); look for grant opportunities; implement an Annual Career Day; and create a broader outreach program to middle schools in La Mirada-to retain students.
According to the Department of Education website, in order for a school to be eligible to apply to be a California Distinguished School , "schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements."
The unit also wants to form a committee to plan and execute student activities, to raise funds, inquire about donations/grants, and sponsor future school and community events.
"When my child was attending Los Coyotes (Middle School)," said Eng, "It was amazing to hear all the constant announcements about the success of the soccer team, or the track and field team, but nothing ever about the success we had there in academic competition."
The issue is, according to many who attended the meeting, is that La Mirada High School lacks the incentives and not sufficient enough to retain academically aggressive students, currently attending middle schools in La Mirada.
La Mirada Students Shine in the Municipal Spotlight
La Mirada~This year's version of the La Mirada Youth in Government again featured some of La Mirada High School's best and brightest students at the City Council Meeting this past Tuesday night.
Established in 1960, the city's Youth in Government program partners with the La Mirada Ebell Service Club and La Mirada High School to give students an opportunity to work with city officials and learn about municipal government. These students are given the assignment of reviewing community issues or existing programs and services, and then developing alternatives and providing recommendations for enhancing services and programs.
As part of the Youth in Government program, the Student City Council and staff are paired with their city counterparts at a special La Mirada City Council meeting where they conduct business just as a regular city council meeting would be conducted, serving as mock City Council members and staff, presenting their reports on local issues.
In the past, the Youth in Government program has actively contributed, and has seen recommended projects come to fruition, including the development of the La Mirada Community Gymnasium and the installation of left-turn signals at busy intersections.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Ruth Perez was on hand to watch the student give their presentations, along with School Board members Jesse Urquidi, Chris Pflanzer, Ed Hengler, and Daryl Adams.
This year's group of youngsters recommended two projects for review and discussion: utilizing social media by creating a mobile app for the city's website to better communicate and serve its residents and; upgrade La Mirada playgrounds to meet new ADA standards.
Each year, members of Congress and the State Assembly and Senate recognize the efforts of the Youth in Government students at the program's annual concluding ceremony.
This year's Youth in Government participants included Sunny Khokhor, Priscilla Lee, Sam Khattar, Jessica Duron, Matthew Alvarez, Brooklynn Ackerman, Olivia Tang, Janice Jang, Justin Rhee, Mark Sologuren, Breanne Flores, Christy Pflanzer , Eva Gaye, Mauricio Pavano, Mario Matal, Kevin Lim, Jorge Martinez, Nathan Decker, Marina Alvarez, Leticia Fonseca, Vanessa Ramirez, Uzair Mumtaz, and Brian Hanst.
Photos by City of La Mirada: above, 2012 Youth in Government Participants, right, Christy Pflanzer makes presentation with Marina Alvarez looking on.
Giant Rock’s Path Will Take it Through La Mirada
Mammoth Marvel Will "Park" in La Mirada Monday March 5th
La Mirada~The Great Granite is coming to La Mirada!
The 340-ton granite megalith that will form part of Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is scheduled to arrive in La Mirada in the early morning hours tonight after traveling through the Whittier Hills, down Colima Road during the night.
It will be “parked” at La Mirada Blvd and Leffingwell Road all day Monday, March 5th.
Then, late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, the Great Granite will continue its trek, continuing westbound on Leffingwell Road, turning left and traveling southbound on Valley View Avenue, then making a right at Rosecrans Avenue. It will travel westbound on Rosecrans, turn southbound on Carmenita Road in Norwalk, then on to its next “parking spot” in Cerritos.
You can follow the Bodacious Boulder's every move and get some great viewing tips by utilizing the excellent “Gawker's Guide” from the LACMA, which provides continuous updates.
After months of delays, the mammoth marvel left its quarry in Riverside County on February 28th and will make its way across four counties, 22 cities and 110 miles of s
urface streets to its home at LACMA. The journey for the rock will take a total of eleven nights, traveling about 8 miles per hour and only during the hours of 11:00pm and 5:00am.
The Rock will also be tweeting while it moves across the area, providing you with traffic updates and looking for things to do while it is not in transit during the day!
You can follow on Twitter @LACMARock to interact with the megalith or simply use the hashtag #LevitatedMass.
Photo LACMA
Motorcyclist Killed in Traffic Mishap
La Mirada~A motorcyclist was killed in a rush-hour accident at Valley View Avenue and Bora Drive in La Mirada yesterday morning about 8:00 a.m.
The motorcycle was traveling southbound on Valley View Avenue when it collided with the van, driven by Virginia Gomez. of La Mirada.
Gomez was making a left turn from eastbound Bora Drive to northbound Valley View Avenue.
The southbound traffic on Valley View was backed up, as it usually does at busy times, from the Rosecrans Avenue traffic signal.
Gomez said traffic was letting her through when she was hit by the motorcyclist broadside.
We have still been unable to obtain the victims name, however we have unconfirmed reports he was a local man.The man appeared to be in his 50's.
One of our La Mirada Blog tweeters Kat (@torirosey), reported he was due to get married this summer.
Neighbors at the scene say this has long been a very dangerous traffic spot, with many similar incidents happening over the years.
A makeshift memorial is now at the scene, put there by family and friends.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Norwalk Sheriff's Station at (562) 863-8711.
Photo left: Makeshift memorial now at scene; right, photo by La Mirada Blog tweeter (@moonsunstaroflm) moments after incident.
UPDATE: LAPD Guns Down Murder Suspect in La Mirada Neighborhood
BREAKING
"Hail of Bullets" Rattles La Mirada Neighborhood; We Have Exclusive Video with Eyewitness to Shooting
La Mirada~A man,allegedly a murder suspect, was shot and killed this morning in a quiet La Mirada neighborhood by LAPD.
The incident hap
pened about 8:43 a.m. at the corner of Escalona and Chesire.
Escalona School was temporarily placed on lock down.
We have exclusive video from an eyewitness here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SEK9Nhk0Js
UPDATE: The LAPD/FBI Task Force were serving warrant for November double-homicide in East LA area. The suspect fled out of his home and jumped on the roof of a neighbors house, and according to police, began firing at them with his firearm.
Photo by Tony Aiello: 12:34 030112-Authorites continue to collect evidence
Truck Crashes into Frontier Park
La Mirada~A delivery truck veered out of control and crashed into Frontier Park Wednesday afternoon during rush hour traffic.
Nobody was hurt at the park, and the driver was hospitalized with moderate injuries.
A firefighter on the scene said the man was "very lucky to be alive."
An unidentified employee at the Frontier Park Community Center said she heard others say the conscious driver did not know what happened, saying he just lost control of the truck.
The truck came to rest just short of an unoccupied picnic bench, slamming into a pine tree and disenegrating the front of the vehicle.
Luckily, even though the park was busy at the time, nobody was injured.
See a short video of the incident on our YouTube channel here: http://tinyurl.com/7b3hvf8
See an additional picture of the crash here: http://twitpic.com/8npq2m
All New Teen Battle of the Bands Schedued for This Years La Mirada Carnival
La Mirada~In what has become the premier event in La Mirada to showcase local music talent, the 4 La Mirada Kids Carnival, reaches for a new and exciting level this year.
The 18th edition of the fair will feature an all-new Teen Battle of the Bands, hosted by the La Mirada Community Foundation and the La Mirada Youth Council. Bands will compete for a $500 first-place prize.
The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 20th and 21st, the first two days of the carnival, on the grounds of Benton Middle School in La Mirada.
Junior High School and High School age bands are eligible to compete. To participate, bands must have a minimum of three members (two must play instrument through majority of performance), and all members must be ages 13-18.
Judging will be calculated using three methods, each counting for 33.3% of the possible vote: a panel of judges on site will use a point system; attendees to the carnival will vote by ballot at the event; and on-line voting will take place on the La Mirada Blog website.
Interested bands must fill out an entry form and submit it to the La Mirada Community Foundation before 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2012.
For entry forms, a complete list of rules and regulations, or more information call (562) 943-7277.
The three-day carnival was created in 1994 as a way for community/youth groups in La Mirada to raise funds annually, and is attended by thousands. There will be rides, locally prepared food, and entertainment-including school performances.
Culture and Traditional Rhythms of Africa for Young Audiences
La Mirada~La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts continues its 2011-12 Programs for Young Audiences series with Boxtale Theatre Company's Jambo, Watoto!. This innovative 60-minute play is recommended for audiences ages 4 and up.
Tickets are on sale now and performances are Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Come enjoy the loving homage to the rich and wonderful cultures of Africa featuring stories and traditional rhythms from many different regions.
The stories include the Akamba tale of Brother Sun, Brother Moon and the Pretty Girl, the Donso story of The Hunterman and the Crocodile, The Lion's Whiskers from Ethiopia, and How Ananse Gained a Kingdom of Knowledge from a Grain of Corn from the Ashanti people.
Audiences of all ages will enjoy the traditional rhythms like The Czar, Adoonde, Mandjiani and Linjin (The Crane Dance) played on bells, djimbe and djoon djoon drums. Incredible masks (made by Lindsay Rust) and energetic movement (choreographed by world renowned theatre director Eva Magyar) accent this wonderful collection of stories and African music.
La Mirada Theatre's Programs for Young Audiences is designed to give children exposure to a diverse mix of national and international touring stage acts.
All seats are $8 for children and $12 for adults. Subscriptions are available or $24 for children and $36 for adults. Tickets are available online at www.lamiradatheatre.com or by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310. The theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada, CA. Parking is free. Wheelchair access and Hearing Assist devices available.
La Mirada Kiwanis Offering Scholarship Money for Area High School Seniors
La Mirada~Scholarships of are now available for area high school seniors students who are interested in continuing their education after high school.
For over 30 years, The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada has offered the scholarships; open to all current high school seniors. Scholarship amounts will be awarded in the amounts of $500 and $1000, totally at least $10,000.
To qualify, students must reside in La Mirada, but can be attending ANY high school. Applications are now available from school counselors at the following high schools: La Mirada, John Glenn, El Camino, Whittier Christian, and La Serna.
Students must return completed application packets by April 13th, 2012.
The La Mirada Kiwanis Board will conduct personal interviews with all the candidates on Saturday, May 5th, 2012.
La Mirada Kiwanis Scholarship Chairperson Lou Piltz says the applicants will be judged on “merit, grades, school activity; along with community involvement and accomplishments, and their financial situation.” Piltz added, “We wish good luck to all the applicants.”
Winners will be notified by a letter, and will be presented with their awards at either their graduation, or other school ceremony.
Interested students may get more information at their respective high school counselor office or by calling (714) 521-0996.
Matadore Boys Head North; Girls Soccer Will Host Playoff Opener
La Mirada~The CIF-Southern Section basketball playoff match-ups were announced yesterday, with both the boys and girls teams of La Mirada High School playing on the road in the first round.
The Lady Mats, (13-12, 6-6), under second-year coach Nicole Hyde, will play at No. 10 seed Wilson High School (Hacienda Heights) Thursday in a Division 3AA first-round contest beginning at 7 p.m.
Junior Lexi Vanzuillen (avg.13 pts. a game), and senior Kalena Glover (11), lead the Matadores who enter the playoffs as a Suburban League at-large entry.
They will face a tough opponent in Wilson (20-6, 10-2), who finished second in the Valle Vista League and are riding a four-game win streak.
The boys will have a more scenic route, heading 200 miles up US-101 to Arroyo Grande High School, which is a couple of blocks from Pismo State Beach and just south of San Luis Obispo.
The Matadores (17-11, 8-4), bring a modest two-game winning streak along for the ride, finishing as the Suburban League third place team.
Led by first-year head coach Bryce Jones, the Matadores will face a very tough Arroyo Grande squad. The Eagles (18-8, 11-1), finished first in the Pac-7 League. Start time for the Division 3AAA game is 7 p.m.
You can follow both games on our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/lamiradablog.
In Girls Soccer, the playoff brackets were announced today. The Matadores, one of the premier teams in the area, finished in first place in the Suburban League and will host the Division 3 post-season opener Friday against Cypress, a very familiar foe from years gone by. Game time is 3 p.m. at La Mirada High School
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