Schools
EXCLUSIVE: School District Superintendent Reflects with La Mirada Blog
Dr. Ruth Perez, The Superintendent of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District for the five past years, recently announced she is leaving the district to become Deputy Superintendent at the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the Nation with an enrollment of over 600,000 students.
Her first day at LAUSD will be September 15th and her last day at NLMUSD will be September 11th.
She came to NLMUSD in 2009 after a nationwide search to replace Ginger Shattuck who retired after 15 years on the job.
She served as chief academic officer at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District in North Carolina the previous three years.
In her new role she will work directly under the tutelage of LAUSD Superintendent Dr. John Deasey and will oversee area superintendents in the district and will be in charge of instruction and leadership.
Perez spoke with me over the telephone Wednesday morning.
Decision: “I didn’t seek out this position. The opportunity came to me. It really wasn’t about the money. Financially, it’s not much difference. This is a lifetime opportunity. When in a lifetime do you get a chance to have an impact on 650,000 kids? It took me a while to decide after prayer and reflection. I truly loved every day I showed up work here (NLMUSD). This is a phenomenal district. It’s hard to leave; I have a good gig here and I love serving the two communities.”
Accomplishments: “We have a hard working, emotionally-connected, dedicated staff that has achieved a lot these last five years. As a leader, you provide the focus and everyone else does the work. Our graduation rate has continued to climb, the dropout rate continues to decline and our English Learner Program is one of the top performing (in the State) at 84% (efficiency). I feel so good about our district.”
Future: "I am honored, and go into my new job humbly. I’m leaving a wonderful district, but look forward to new challenges. It’s all about giving to needy kids. I know from personal life experience that a solid education is the ticket to get out of poverty; to turn kids into contributors. That’s how our country works.”
Voters Will be Asked to Fund New School Bond Proposed by NLMUSD
Norwalk~Voters in La Mirada and Norwalk will have a chance on November 4th to decide the fate of a $375 million bond that will upgrade all district schools, after the Norwalk-La Mirada board approved the issue by a 6-0 vote this past Monday.
Member Ana Valencia was absent reportedly due to illness.
The measure, which would need a 55 percent voter approval rate, calls for the repair of “classrooms, leaky roofs, school security upgrading, fencing, fire safety, science, math and computer lab technology, and physical education and athletic facilities and also calls for the removal of asbestos and the repair of educational facilities to improve education at every school.”
In addition, the ballot measure, which – if passed by voters – will go toward building a “new performing arts center, infrastructure to support technology, performing various renovations and modernizations to all district sites and providing electronic devices for all classrooms.”
Proposals for new football stadiums at Norwalk and Glenn High ($44 million each) are included, along with $9 million earmarked for Goodman Stadium improvements at La Mirada High.
“The District has been diligent in asking for and receiving input regarding this prospective bond measure, and what our stakeholders expect from it,” said NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez.
“All funds are earmarked for classroom and school improvements as we continue with our mission to ensure Norwalk-La Mirada students are accomplished 21st century learners and are successful in college and their prospective careers.”
La Mirada High’s Brooks Will Not Return as Coach
Norwalk~Kim Brooks, the embattled head coach of La Mirada High baseball will not return as coach or athletic director, the La Mirada Blog has learned.
Brooks was recorded by a person, believed to be a student but never confirmed, on April 26th as he conducted a profanity-laced tirade at his team.
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District released a statement this morning indicating the investigation of the incident was complete and appropriate personnel action would be taken.
The district's statement fell short however of what that action would be, citing California privacy laws.
The La Mirada Blog learned a short time later that Brooks will not return.
It is unclear at this time if Brooks will continue as a teacher at the school.
NLMUSD Board to Vote on Facilities Bond for November Ballot
Norwalk~The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education is scheduled to vote on whether to place a bond measure on the November ballot that, if passed, will provide $375 million for classroom repairs and improved instructional facilities.
The District says it surveyed more than 500 likely voters in the NLMUSD area and found that 64 percent would support a bond measure in the November 2014 election. A bond measure would need 55 percent approval to pass. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m.
072314 13:12 UPDATE: The NLMUSD Board of Education on Monday voted 6-0 to place the bond issue on the Nov. 4 election. Board member Ana Valencia was absent.
NLMUSD NEWS: Top Students, Valedictorians to be Honored at Board Meeting
Norwalk~The top students from each of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s high schools and adult school will be recognized before the Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 9 at the District Office beginning at 5 p.m.
The valedictorians for Norwalk, John Glenn and La Mirada high schools, Southeast Academy and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Adult School will also be announced.
Brooks Returns to Classroom; No Word Yet If He Will Return as Coach
La Mirada~Long time baseball coach Kim Brooks returned to his La Mirada High classroom today pending a further internal investigation into an incident involving him recently, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Wayne Shannon told the La Mirada Blog.
Brooks was placed on administrative leave by the district over two weeks ago when a recording of a profanity-laced tirade directed at his players surfaced.
Shannon told the La Mirada Blog the district "anticipates completing its investigation by the end of next week."
Shannon said, “They have received preliminary findings that indicate it is appropriate to return Mr. Brooks to the classroom at this time. As such, Mr. Brooks has been taken off paid leave and returned to his teaching assignment.”
Shannon said because the investigation is ongoing, the district cannot comment further at this time.
La Mirada Blog fan Angela Umeres (@angieumerus), one of his students tweeted, "Class felt so great with him back."
At this time, it is still pending if Brooks will be reinstated as head baseball coach or as the Athletic Director for the school.
La Mirada lost 8-0 to Aliso Niguel in the CIF-SS Division 2 Semifinal this past Tuesday with Jim Zurn coaching the team.
copyright La Mirada Blog 2014 | This story first appeared on our Tumblr feed earlier this morning here.
Dulles Elementary K-Kids Host 1st Annual Family Fitness Night & Lupus Awareness Fundraiser
La Mirada~The Dulles Elementary K-Kids Club is hosting a Family Fitness Night & Lupus Awareness fundraiser Tuesday June 3rd from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the school site located at 12726 Meadow Green Road in La Mirada.
This will be the clubs grand finale event of the year and guest speakers include Leo Santa Cruz, WBC World Bantam Weight Champion, Robert Santa Cruz former boxer, now fighting Lupus, & Laurie Gray, from the Lupus Foundation of America.
Leo and Robert will be honoring the K-Kids with their certificates of completion as a surprise at the end of the presentation.
The K-Kids will MC the event and engage the audiences with music, cheer, and dance. There will be food, games, booths, and additional speakers from Cerritos College and the Norwalk/La Mirada School District. There will also belive training demonstrations from Team Santa Cruz and Jitsu studio.
NLMUSD Schools Dominate at Orange County Pentathlon
Norwalk/La Mirada~Students in the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade represented Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District and brought home several medals and placed in their divisions at the annual Orange County Academic Pentathlon, where students throughout the region were tested in their essay, language arts, science and math skills.
Corvallis Middle School eighth-graders placed second in their division with Benton and Hutchinson teams taking the third- through-sixth-place spots. Teams from Los Alisos, Los Coyotes and Waite also placed in their divisions.
Skilled NLMUSD Students Head to State Competition
SkillsUSA regional winners advance to leadership conference
San Diego~Showcasing the vast array of skills acquired at Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District high schools, nearly 90 students will represent the district at the SkillsUSA 47th Annual State Leadership and Skill Conference this weekend, Thursday April 24th through Sunday April 27th.
SkillsUSA, a partnership of students, teachers and industry partners working together to ensure the United States has an accomplished workforce, will test the students’ expertise in a wide variety of career- and technical-education skills that range from automotive technology and welding to broadcast news production and nursing.
Students from La Mirada, John Glenn and Norwalk high schools and Southeast Academy advanced to the state competition after winning in the SkillsUSA Regional Competition that included students from Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties.
This year, the La Mirada High SkillsUSA team expanded to include students in the ACE business academy and APPLE education academy Career Pathways programs, said LMHS Principal Bill Seals. In the past, the SkillsUSA team consisted of only welding students.
“Both first-time competitors and seasoned veterans performed very well,” Seals said. “The competition at the regional level was fierce, but our students showed very well. I’m confident they will pull out all the stops at the state level.”
Students From La Mirada High Will Compete at SkillsUSA 47th Annual State Leadership and Skill Conference
La Mirada~Eleven La Mirada High School students will go on to compete in the SkillsUSA statewide competition from April 24-27 in San Diego.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure the United States has a skilled workforce.
Students competed at the regional level in the areas of Criminal Justice, Speech, Job Interviews, Health Occupations, Entrepreneurship, Web Design, Early Childhood Development, Community Service, Human Services, T-Shirt Design, Manufacturing, Marketing and Welding.
La Mirada High earned 28 gold medals, 23 silver medals and six bronze medals.
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