EDUCATION BRIEFS: Gardena schools develop math strategies, Palos Verdes High adopts Murchison ES, Two Carson charters win national prizes

Education Briefs from The daily Breeze |http://bit.ly/cRl7Ow

11/22/2010

GARDENA: Schools develop math teaching strategies

The new Gardena family of schools got a jump-start last week, with fifth- and sixth-grade teachers meeting to discuss math strategies across the elementary and middle school divide.

The event, held at Peary Middle School on Tuesday, is part of a new effort by officials in Los Angeles Unified Local District 8 to improve academics in Gardena public schools.

The initiative is intended to increase collaboration between teachers at different schools and improve student "articulation" from one campus to the next. It was prompted in part by the Public School Choice process at troubled Gardena High School.

A meeting for fifth-grade and sixth- grade math teachers is set for Jan.25.

PALOS VERDES ESTATES

School's best and brightest adopt LAUSD elementary school: The Palos Verdes High chapter of the California Scholarship Federation - a statewide honor society that recognizes high school academic achievement and community service - has adopted an LAUSD campus in East Los Angeles for a community service project.

Students at Murchison Elementary are able to shop at the school's annual Christmas Store, now in its 23rd year, for holiday gifts. Students earn points toward purchases through good behavior, attendance and academic performance.

The Palos Verdes High students will donate items to the store from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10.

On Dec. 8, members of the Palos Verdes Estates school community can purchase handmade scarves. Proceeds will go toward items for the Murchison store.

CARSON: Charter school team wins math contest

A team from Magnolia Science Academy 3 in Carson received first place at a math competition earlier this month, the school announced.

The charter school's MATHCOUNTS Team won a competition on Nov. 14 organized by the National Society of Black Engineers at Stanford University.

The team was composed of eighth-graders Michael Simpson, Robert Butler III, Roy Valesquez and seventh-grader Michael Adeniyi.

CARSON: Students win awards for leadership, community service

Two 11th-graders at New Millennium Secondary School, a charter campus in Carson, have been honored recently.

Raemi Thomas last month accepted the 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award on behalf of Scripps College Academy, a leadership-focused initiative for young women in which she participates.

The award was given in person by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.

Junior Rachel Logan was given the Congressional Award by Rep. Laura Richardson's office for volunteering with the Salvation Army, helping the elderly and other activities.

The award is given to students who complete a rigorous program, including a total of at least 200 hours of community service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration projects.