OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Panda Pride Press14600 Tyler Street, Sylmar, CA 91342 (818) 367-1071

March 2003 Jean Whitaker, Principalhttp://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Olive_Vista_MS

OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. Hundreds of OV students received award certificates for first semester academic achievement on February 27, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in the Miles hall Auditorium. Mrs. Jean Whitaker, Principal, awarded Olive Vista’s top students the Principal’s Silver and the Principal’s Gold Certificates. The Principal’s Silver Award is for students with a GPA of 3.33 to 3.74 and no D’s, F’s or U’s and was given to 260 students. The Principal’s Gold Award is for students with a GPA of 3.75 to 4.00

with D’s, F’s or U’s and was given to 148 students. Other award categories included perfect attendance, assistant principal’s award, and excellence in work habits and cooperation. These awards were presented by assistant principals, Mrs. Sharon Bolita, Mr. Anthony Davila and Ms. Tommie Ratcliff.

The following students had perfect attendance, earned all E’s and received the Principal’s Silver Award:

German Amezquita Isela Garcia Francisco Marquez Jerry RodriguezAna Angel Natalie Garcia Richard Martinez Irma SantiagoLuis Curiel Ana Hernandez-Noriega Natalie Rivera Daisy TapiaCynthia Figueroa Janet Hurtado Adriana Rodriguez Melanye WawrikRoberto Flores Jr. Cynthia Mancilla Eric Rodriguez

The following students had perfect attendance, earned all E’s and received the Principal’s Gold Award:

Priscilla Alaniz Celene Huerta Yadira Perez Laura Servin-RiveraAdriana Arizon Jennifer Lucatero Richard Pickwoad Jessica TapiaCarla Artega Nancy Martinez Claudia Qunitero Claudia TejedaIris Barragan Mariana Mendez Rodrigo Rinco Jr. Erick TorresMartha Benitez Adelaida Mendiola Jazmari Robertson Jessica VillalobosTanya Cortez Dominique Paisano Astrid Rodriguez Melissa WedaSergio DeLaTorre Jr. Steven Peregrino Maria Rosas Eddi ZepedaChristine Estrada

OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILY READING NIGHT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! On February 19, 2003 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the school library the first OV Family Reading Night was held. Sponsored by the librarian, Mrs. Saletta, the Family Reading Night featured stories for everyone. Parent Education Coordinator, Mr. Petrossian said, “Well over a hundred students and parents came to the library to enjoy good books, hot chocolate, cookies, and prizes.” Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. is the second Family Reading Night staring famed Luis Rodriguez, author of the adolescent literature classic, Always Running. All are invited.

OV’S STUDENT VOICE PANEL DISCUSSES UNIFORMS. Representing Student Leadership Class, eight students met with Principal Jean Whitaker to share thoughts on students wearing uniforms. Overwhelmingly against changing the dress code, Nancy Martinez, an eighth grade student, said that “..uniforms don’t change personalities..or the way you are inside.” Students also shared why they believe parents would or would not prefer their children to wear uniforms. Leadership class members agreed to join a panel with parents for open discussion on the subject on March 27, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. Also speaking to the principal were Cazandra Rubalcaba, Anabel Maya, Sara Lopez, Kristy Nguyen, Maria Rosas, Jaime Gonzalez and Danny Coronel.

OLIVE VISTA’S NEW ATTENDANCE PIZZA PARTY PROGRAM IS A BIG HIT WITH STUDENTS. Olive Vista Middle School began a new school program to encourage students to stay in school and try for perfect attendance. Homerooms with the highest monthly attendance during the first semester were rewarded with pepperoni and cheese pizzas at lunchtime on February 18, 2003. The winning homerooms with the highest student

attendance were: 3, 8, 20, 29, 30, 42, 56 and 61.

THE ANNUAL OLIVE VISTA SHOWCASE AND CURRICULUM FAIR THEME IS “LITERACY ACROSS THE CURRICULUM.” The Olive Vista Showcase and Curriculum Fair are Tuesday, March 25, 2003. The purpose of the showcase and fair is to share student work with parents and guardians. Activities will be presented in Miles Hall Auditorium, Olive Bowl, Gymnasium and classrooms from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Events include:

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Spelling Bee @ Gymnasium5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Entertainment, Performances and Demonstrations @ Olive Bowl5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Food Booths @ Olive Bowl6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Student work Displays @ Classrooms and Miles Hall6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Parent Conferencing @ Classrooms

OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR

March 25 Parent Meeting – Goal Setting District B @ 8:00 a.m.March 26 Parent VolunteersMarch 27 Parent Workshop – Home StudyMarch 28 Title I Meeting Parents Forum District BApril 1 Student Dismissal @ 1:33 p.m.April 9 PHBAO Conferences @ 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.April 10 Knowledge for College – English @ 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.April 14 – 18 Spring RecessApril 22 Student Dismissal @ 1:33 p.m.April 23 Family Reading Night @ 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.April 24 Knowledge for College – Spanish @ 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.