INSITES
Program-Wide News and Updates
April 24, 2013: ASES Prep Hosts After School's Got Talent 2013 at Excelsior Auditorium
The 3rd Annual After School's Got Talent Competition was held at Excelsior Auditorium in the City of Norwalk on Wednesday, April 24th, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. The show, which featured the Top 12 winners from each ASES Prep program, Saturday Dance Academy, and MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, Poreotics. The show also featured a live house jazz band led by Gary Mendell.
This year's judges included Vice Mayor for the City of Norwalk, Marcel Rodarte, NLMUSD Superintendent, Dr. Ruth Perez, NLMUSD Board Vice President Margarita Rios and NLMUSD Board Members, Jesse Urquidi and Karen Morrison.
The event, which is hosted every year, is part of the program's overall mission to increase accessibility to the arts by providing students with transformational experiences that build self-esteem and character. More than 70 students participated in this year's show.
Congratulations to all of the performers!
1st Place, ASES Prep Johnston
The Awesomes
2nd Place, ASES Prep New River
Nerds Around the Block
3rd Place, ASES Prep Edmondson
Joseph Nunez
April 12, 2013: 5th Annual ASES Prep Stakeholders Showcase
The 5th Annual ASES Prep Stakeholeders Showcase, held at Glazier Elementary School, was a tremendous success. Attendees included:
- Superintendent, Dr. Ruth Perez
- Director of Federal and State Programs, Rosa Carreon
- City Council Member, Mike Mendez
- NLMUSD Board Members, Karen Morrison, Jesse Urquidi, Chris Pflanzer, and Margarita Rios
- LACOE Consultant, Dr. Andi Fletcher
- Principals, Dr. Maribel Galan and Kristine Cvar
The event, which showcased the transformative work being done at the 12 elementary after
school programs, particularly with regard to the program's shift into social justice education and project-based learning, served as a catalyst for meaningful conversations around the true purpose of education and the capacity for after school programs to serve as vehicles for social change.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Andi Fletcher, who is a consultant at the Los Angeles County Office of Education and leading proponent of in after school legislation, shared her "love of the program," highlighting the importance of social justice education for young children.
The 5th Annual Showcase also served as a cele
bratory event, as ASES Prep was honored with the prestigious Golden Bell Award at the beginning of the academic year. Program Supervisors, Mark Hernandez and Sue Jin Kim, along with the entire ASES Prep Leadership Team, continue to share their enthusiasm and are humbled by the recognition, but recognize that there is much more work to be done.
January 16, 2013: ASES Prep Hunger Walk: Ending Hunger One Step at a Time
ASES Prep Morrison, Moffitt, and Glazier, have teamed up to host a Hunger Walk on February 9, 2013 at Norwalk High School. ASES Prep Students, families, friends, are invited to participate in this walk to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger.
The walk will consist of four laps where students, family, and friends will come together to walk around the track. During the walk there will be community resource booths consisting of available resources to community members in and around Norwalk. Resources will range from health care providers, hunger relief programs, LA county fire department and many more. There will be baked goods for sale, games, entertainment and raffle prizes.
100% of the proceeds will directly benefit families in need in the community of Norwalk.
For more information, email asesprephungerwalk@gmail.com.
December 21, 2012: CST 2012 Results and Analyses
CST results are in. ASES Prep compiled and compared CST scores from last year to the year before to reveal the following information:
The comparative analysis was compared to a control group of students in 3rd and 4th grade, who did not participate in the program and began at similar proficiency levels to those in our program. Sample sizes were determined according to the number of students in each ASES Prep classroom in each program.
At 9 out of 12 ASES Prep programs, Prepsters outperformed students that did not participate in the program by an average of 12%. The greatest growth was achieved at ASES Prep Johnston, whose students outperformed non-ASES students by 31%.
Data will continue to be monitored throughout the academic year to ensure students are making progress. ASES Prep's academic goal for the 2012 - 2013 year remains to be 70% of students performing at grade level in ELA and no child at FBB.
November 14, 2012: Straight Talk Launches Group Counseling Services at Phase 1 Schools
Nuffer, Sanchez, Foster Road, and Edmondson, are among the first four schools to receive counseling services from Straight Talk La Mirada. Straight Talk, which offers counseling, substance abuse treatment, and prevention services partnered with ASES Prep earlier this year to provide social-emotional support to the students in the after school programs at all 12 schools. Services will include group counseling and one to one support for high need cases. Students that are referred for these services will participate in counseling groups once per week during program hours.
October 30, 2012: Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Wins Golden Bell Award!
(Norwalk, CA) – Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District will be honored in the 33rd Annual Golden Bell Awards program of the California Schools Boards Association.
The award was won in the Closing the Achievement Gap category for
ASES Prep, the District’s highly regarded elementary after school program, under the direction of Mark Hernandez and Sue Jin Kim.
The highly respected Golden Bell Awards will be presented at a special ceremony during CSBA’s Awards Luncheon at the Westin Saint Francis Hotel in San Francisco, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from noon to 2:30 p.m. The event is held in conjunction with the California School Boards Association’s Annual Education Conference.
ASES Prep serves approximately 1,100 students at 12 of NLMUSD’s Title I elementary schools, providing academic and social-emotional support after school. Through the integration of social justice education and standards-based instruction, the program aims to develop solutionaries for a better future.
The CSBA Golden Bell Awards program promotes excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. The Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of the education programs necessary to address students; changing needs. The goal of this awards program is to contribute to the development and evaluation of curriculum, instruction, and support services.
For more information on ASES Prep, visit www.nlmusd.org/ases.
CSBA is a nonprofit association representing more than 1,000 K-12 school districts and county offices of education throughout California.
September 12, 2012: ASES Prep Finalist for Prestigious Golden Bell Award
ASES Prep is a finalist for the California School Boards Association prestigious 2012 Golden Bell Award which recognizes exemplary programs in 22 major categories which are essential to teaching and learning.
Now in its 33rd year, the program promotes excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs necessary to address students’ changing needs.
ASES Prep has been recognized for outstanding programming in the category of Closing the Achievement Gap. Official winners will be announced on December 12, 2012. Congratulations to all of the transformative educators that serve in the program.
September 4, 2012: Leadership Welcomes the ASES Prep 2012-2013 Cohort of Educators
Congratulations to the 2012-2013 cohort of educators for completing Institute! Have a fantastic first day of school and we look forward to seeing you at October's "Backwards Planning" Institute.
Watch Leadership's Welcome Videos here:
August 10, 2012: Making the World a Better Place, One Project at a Time
Program Supervisors, Sue Jin Kim and Mark Hernandez, began efforts in 2011 to push the after school programs into the direction of service and project-based learning. As a result, ASES Prep programs throughout the District reinforced their efforts to bridge their instruction to long-term projects that involved work with and for the community. Projects included "Letters to Obama," where 2nd grade students at ASES Prep Moffitt wrote letters to the President spreading awareness about the importance of after school programs, canned food and recycling drives at ASES Prep Glazier, and partnerships with local nursing homes at ASES Prep Johnston where students took monthly walking field trips and performed for the residents.
Plans for the 2012-2013 school year are to standardize Service Learning and Project-Based Learning in ASES Prep. By focusing on projects that revolve around social justice, students will engage in learning activities that not only align with the new Common Core Initiative, but also draw from what is content that is meaningful to them. Students will be assessed not only through traditional benchmark examinations, but also through culminating projects and presentations to stakeholders where they will demonstrate their knowledge of a greater social problem and solutions they have uncovered through their research. In addition, students will present a final Capstone project at the end of the year, and defend their learning to a panel.
"There are no humans on the planet more concerned with Social Justice than kids," says Program Supervisor, Sue Jin Kim. "They care the most about whether or not others around them are being fair, whether or not people are following the rules, or what is right or wrong." They are our greatest sources for changing the world."
The idea behind the new Social Justice Initiative is to teach students how to be advocates for others, and through that process, learn what it means to be advocates for themselves.
"More than anything, this is about making the world a better place, and everyone involved, whether it is the students, educators, or program leaders, must be committed to the idea that they can change the world," says Program Supervisor, Sue Jin Kim. "If each ASES Prep, that's 90 human begins, dedicated themselves to one social injustice, I'm positive they could make great headway, while simultaneously showing students that learning has a direct impact on the world around them. Now multiply that by 12 schools."
With more and more research being published around social-emotional learning and its role in academic achievement, it is no wonder more schools and programs across the country have incorporated similar initiatives into the school day.
August 8, 2012: ASES Prep Adopts New Logo
ASES Prep officially adopted its new logo, displayed to the left, on August 8th, 2012. The new logo, and new colors, violet and turquoise, represent the program's evolving nature and dedication to reflection and action.
The logo is considered a "step-up" from the previous logo which is said to have been "Blair-witch-esque with random school supplies." What do you think?
June 18, 2012: Sanchez Earns Title as ASES Prep's 1st Soccer League Champions
Cerritos College- ASES Prep's first venture into a district-wide soccer league proved incredibly successful with more than 240 stu
dents across the District who participated. Led by Program Supervisor, Mark Hernandez, the league culminated with the final game held at Cerritos College on June 18th. Players from all 12 programs were bused to the college to watch the most anticipated game of the season.
All 12 ASES Prep programs participated in more than 20 games across the city. Over $2,000 in soccer equipment and gear was donated to the program in support of the endeavor from the Norwalk Youth Soccer League and the Union de Ligas Independientes Inc. Every student who participated in the league was awarded a certificate and medal.
ASES Prep plans to continue the soccer league for the 2012-2013 school year with the inclusion of another undisclosed sport.
For more information on ASES Prep's Soccer League or The City of Norwalk's Youth Soccer League, please contact Mark Hernandez at (562) 926-2645.
June 13, 2012: ASES Prep Johnston Wins Galan Award for Program of the Year
Commerce- The 2012 ASES Awards Gala was held on June 13th, 2012, at Steven's Steakhouse to honor all of the dedicated educators in the program. Distinguished guests included NLMUSD Superintendent, Dr. Ruth Perez, Board Members, Margarita Rios and Karen Morrison, Director of State and Federal Programs, Rosa Carreon, and Principals, Maribel Galan and Maureen Bixby.
Program Supervisors, Mark Hernandez and Sue Jin Kim, hosted the black tie affair to appreciate all ASES Prep's 72 educators as well as 14 key stakeholders that have contributed to the success of the program. Special recognition was given to Christina Hernandez for Educator of the Year, Adriana Hernandez for Site Lead of the Year, and ASES Prep Johnston (pictured to the left) for Program of the Year.
The ASES Awards are awarded to Educators and Programs based on a nomination and voting system. Members of ASES Prep's Leadership Team nominate and vote for Educators and Programs that have demonstrated excellence and innovation.
The prestigious Galan Award is named after Dr. Maribel Galan, former Program Coordinator and Founder of ASES Prep. Her transformative leadership from 2008-2010 earned the NLMUSD's elementary after school programs merit within Los Angeles County as well as the State of California. Programs that earn that Galan not only demonstrate significant gains in students' academic achievement, but also innovation in instructional practices and holistic support. Dr. Galan continues to serve the community of Norwalk in her current assignment as Principal at Sanchez Elementary School.
Past recipients of the ASES Awards include Trisha Turigliatto, Educator of the Year 2011, Norma Garcia, Site Lead of the Year 2011, and ASES Prep Johnston, Program of the Year 2011.
*Photo L to R: Dr. Maribel Galan (Principal), Luanne Lujan (Supervisor), Dr. Ruth Perez (Superintendent), Karen Morrison (Board Member), Mark Hernandez (Supervisor), Margarita Rios (Board Member), Sue Jin Kim (Supervisor)
View more photos from the ASES Awards here.
April 26, 2012: ASES Prep's Soccer Leagues Receives Substantial Donations from the Union de Ligas Independientes Inc.
Sanchez Elementary - Sergio Gomez, President / Field Coordinator of the Union de Ligas Independientes Inc. met with ASES Prep's Leadership Team on April 26th to formally announce his partnership with the program. His organization will be donating jerseys, shin guards, and cleats to our soccer leagues, as well as working with our program to obtain goal posts and referees for games.
The ASES Prep Soccer League is currently underway with games every Tuesday and Thursdays after school. The soccer league is part of the program's expanding efforts to provide students with more opportunities to feel and be successful while promoting outdoor physical activity and team work.
We are incredibly thankful for Mr. Gomez and his organization and look forward to our continued partnership next year!
For more information on the Union de Ligas Independientes Inc., email uniondeligas@yahoo.com.
March 9, 2012: The 4th Annual ASES Prep Stakeholders Showcase
Johnston Elementary School - ASES Prep's entire Leadership Team, comprised of 12 Site Leaders, 9 Grade Level Team Leads, and 2 program directors, met with some of the most notable stakeholders in the City of Norwalk to discuss the impact of after school programming on students' academic achievement.
Guests included the Mayor of Norwalk, Cheri Kelly, City Council Members, Leonard Shryock and Marcel Rodarte, NLMUSD Superintendent, Dr. Ruth Perez, NLMUSD Board Member, Jesse Urquidi, and more.
The showcase, held at D.D. Johnston Elementary School, enabled policy makers, teachers, educators, parents, and community members, to come together and address the importance of after school programming, and provide feedback to ASES Prep on program practices.
The event was a huge success, as participants shared their overwhelming support and gratitude for the program. Keynote speaker, Mary Jo Ginty, Regional Lead for LACOE's After School Technical Assistance Unit, shared that ASES Prep ranked in the top .05% in program quality in the State of California.
Direct Links:
Keynote speaker: Dr. Ruth Perez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHDUm7Jpks8&list=UU0_Q9OnGshVOrB6zGiWwVcg&index=10&feature=plcp
The Stakeholders Discussion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaIulHsU2ok&feature=relmfu
February 22, 2012: Stakeholders Meet to Discuss the Future of After School Programming
NLMUSD’s Elementary After School Programs Host the 4th Annual ASES Prep Showcase
Norwalk, CA
– Superintendent, Dr. Ruth Perez, along with stakeholders from throughout the community, will gather together March 9th at Johnston Elementary School from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, to discuss the impact of after school programming and how it can be used to help close the Achievement Gap in K-12 education. The 4th Annual ASES Prep Showcase hosted by After School Education and Safety Preparatory, NLMUSD’s elementary after school programs, will highlight the work currently taking place after school to reinforce content taught during the regular day and provide a space for stakeholders to observe, discuss and inform the trajectory of programming in the future.
“After school programs are often undervalued and underrepresented in the dialogue that takes place around student achievement and support offered by schools and districts,” says Program Director, Sue Jin Kim. “There is a dangerous stereotype associated with after school programs as they are often associated with day care or babysitting services. The truth is these programs are a powerful resource that reinforces content taught during the regular day while simultaneously building students’ self-esteem, self-efficacy, and promoting a life-long passion for inquiry.”
The event, originally geared towards administrators, is reaching out to members throughout the community to share its best practices and receive feedback on program enhancement. The event also intends on raising awareness on upcoming legislation that directly impacts funding that directly impacts after school programming.
“This showcase plays an important role in the development of our after school programs in the District,” says Program Director, Mark Hernandez. “It provides us an opportunity to share our efforts with the community while obtaining crucial feedback on future program measures and implementations.”
ASES Prep provides supplemental academic support after school to over 1,100 elementary school students throughout the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District at no cost to its participants
in an effort to help close the Achievement Gap in K-12 education. Since its inception in 2008, it has maintained a strong academic focus by providing students with standards-based instruction through the incorporation of research-based pedagogical models and meaningful learning opportunities.
State test scores also demonstrate that students enrolled in ASES Prep during the 2010-2011 academic year moved into higher proficiency levels in English Language Arts from the previous year compared to students who did not receive supplemental support.
For more information about ASES Prep elementary after school programs, visit
www.nlmusd.org/ases. If you are interested in submitting an RSVP for the 4th Annual ASES Prep Showcase, contact Sue Jin Kim at skim@nlmusd.k12.ca.us or 562/926-2645.
February 5, 2012: McKinney Vento Donates Backpacks to ASES Prepsters in Need
The McKinney Vento Program and ASES Prep have partnered up for the 3rd year to provide additional support to students living in the transition. Last week, the McKinney Vento Program donated 12 backpacks full of supplies and food to ASES Preparatory to be given out to students in need.
Rosa Barragan, Family Liaison for the McKinney Vento Program, and her staff, provide families living in transition throughout the District with support in the form of transportation tokens, enrollment into the free and reduced lunch program, automatic enrollment into schools of closest proximity, and access to shelters and counseling.
ASES Prep staff also volunteered last December at McKinney Vento's Toy Drive where they wrapped hundreds of Christmas gifts that were donated to the program and selected by parents to give to their children.
ASES Prep is honored to work directly with the McKinney Vento Program to increase accessibility for all its students.
February 5, 2012: Chavez Prepsters Visit Biola University
On Thursday, February 2, ASES Prepsters from Chavez Elementary School visited Biola University for the first time. Site Lead, John Jimenez, and his team of educators, Mayra Rojas, Amanda Perez, Asuncion Guzman, and Wendy Miramontes, visited the university as part of their effort to expose their students to higher education.
"It was really cool because last year they didn't visit a college, so this was the first time for many of the students to see a college first hand, and see there is a university that is so close where students from all over the country go to," said John Jimenez, Site Lead at ASES Prep Chavez. "The people leading leading the tour were from different states and countries. Knowing that people from all over the world are striving to go to college, and one that is so nearby, really stuck with the students."
Prepsters toured campus landmarks, such as the student union, cafeteria, the gym where they met and saw the Women's Basketball Team, and even sat in a lecture hall. At the end of the day, they did college activities where th
Congratulations ASES Prep Chavez for helping to make college a reality for our Prepsters!
January 23, 2012: Teach for America Recruits Our Own, Trisha Turigliatto!
Congratulations to our 5th Tutor Lead,
Trisha Turigliatto, for her recent acceptance into
Teach for America! Trisha has been with our program for over a year, providing exemplary service and instruction to the students at ASES Prep Glazier - Gladiator Academy. Her efforts have led to her invitation to be on ASES Prep's 2011-2012 Instructional Leadership Team.
Thank you for all you do, Trisha, and we wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!
January 18, 2012: Project ELLI Hosts ELL Institute
Project ELLI, ASES Prep's first English Language Learner Initiative, hosted its first Institute on Friday, January 13th, at the District office. Members of the initiative, Norma Garcia, Sandra Sandoval, Alicia Garcia, Kelly Calderon, Ashlee Verdugo, Gabriela Reyes, Jissela Torres, Yvette Macias, and Sue Jin Kim, developed the training module which included:
1) Statistics on ELLs
2) Truths and Myths about ELLs
3) SDAIE Features
4) Graphic Organizers
5) Language Frames
The ELL Initiative, or Project ELLI, is part of ASES Prep's mission to increase the academic success of students in the after school program through the sharing of best practices, leadership development, and cultivation of a professional learning community.
Immediately following the training, educators broke out into grade level team meetings, let by ASES Prep's Grade Level Team Leads, and discussed grade-specific issues and instruction.
Project ELLI plans to continue its work this year in disseminating up to date, research based instructional practices to further enhance the quality of learning taking place in the program.
ASES Prep also plans on launching the Math Initiative, where educators in the program will develop the math instruction and support offered in the after school programs.
December 9, 2011: ASES PREP WELCOMES LEAD TUTORS TO LEADERSHIP TEAM
ASES Prep's Grade Level Team Leads met their teams for the first time at this month's Guided Reading Institute on Friday, December 9, 2011, and Monday, December 12, 2011. As part of ASES Prep's leadership development efforts, two exceptional tutors from each grade level (2nd - 5th), were selected to provide additional instructional support and professional development to over 70 educators in the program. Lead tutors include: Briana Murphy & Carolina Delgado (2nd Grade), Christina Hernandez & Monica Zepeda (3rd Grade), Asuncion Guzman & Jacqueline Ramirez (4th Grade), Alicia Garcia & Susan Barahona (5th Grade) and Trisha Turigliatto (Small Group Intervention).
Congratulations to all the Lead Tutors and welcome to Leadership 2011-2012!
2nd Grade Lead Tutors: Briana Murphy (ASES Prep New River) & Carolina Delgado (ASES Prep Dolland)
3rd Grade Lead Tutors: Monica Zepeda (ASES Prep Edmondson) & Christina Hernandez (ASES Prep Sanchez)
4th Grade Lead Tutors: Jacqueline Ramirez (ASES Prep New River) & Asuncion Guzman (ASES Prep Chavez)
5th Grade Lead Tutors: Susan Barahona (ASES Prep Sanchez) & Alicia Garcia (ASES Prep Johnston)
(Small Group Intervention, Lead Tutor): Trisha Turigliatto
Photos from the Guided Reading Institute, 12/9/12 & 12/12/11
To view more photos from the Guided Reading training, click here.
December 5, 2011: ASES PREP APPLIES FOR 21st CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER GRANT
ASES Preparatory intends on applying for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant this January. If awarded 21CCLC, ASES Prep would expand its services to 84 more students at some or all of the school sites.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program was authorized under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act and amended by the passage of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. State and local accountability for student academic achievement was expanded and the importance of adopting scientifically-based research practices was emphasized.
The state has been given administrative responsibility for the disbursement of funding and for monitoring program outcomes. Program funding is used to support the development of community learning centers established by public schools, consortia of schools, community-based organizations, and/or private schools, with the assistance of community partners. Community learning centers are centers that assist students in meeting state academic achievement standards by providing opportunities for academic and cultural enrichment opportunities to students and their families during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session.
For more information on 21CCLC, go to: www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ba/cp/funding.asp, or contact our main office: (562) 926-2645.
November 30, 2011: Empower Up Open Mic
ASES Prep elementary after school programs, for the Norwalk La-Mirada Unified School District, hosted the first of its new Empower Up Open Mic Series on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Sanchez Elementary School. Over 60 students and families from ASES Prep programs throughout the city attended the event which included art work and live performances by students and tutors. Featured performances included the musical stylings of "Water for Elephants," consisting of Barbara Diaz, Ben Ceja, and Tomas Conseco, music by Daniel Alday and his partner, and a special performance by the Esperanza Flores Dance Company.
Students from 1st to 5th grade, shared their talents, ranging from singing, impromptu dancing, cheerleading, to spoken word. One 3rd grader performed her rendition of the "Figurative Language Rap," which was undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy performances of the evening. As the night progressed, more and more students galvanized the courage to enter the limelight, as they observed their peers perform. "There were so many students at the end of the night that wanted to perform that we ran out of time," said Norma Garcia, Site Coordinator at ASES Prep Johnston.
"This event is about empowerment, not just of students, but also the community. Students are empowered by other students, when they see their teacher's performing, and reciprocally, teachers are empowered when they see their students perform. Even spectators begin to feel empowered through the experiences. The Empower Up is about transforming a community," said Sue Jin Kim, Program Director for ASES Prep.
The Empower Up Open Mic is part of ASES Prep's long-term initiative to provide academic intervention that is student-centered and holistic in nature, addressing students' social and emotional needs while preparing them for the academic rigor of college. By providing meaningful opportunities for students to express themselves in a safe and encouraging environment, they will garner confidence and self-worth that will transcend into the other aspects of their lives. In addition, the Empower Up is a space for students, families, community members, and educators, to address the areas of need in education and use art as a vehicle for social change.
ASES Prep's Empower Up Open Mic Series takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Sanchez Elementary School in the City of Norwalk. For more information, please visit
www.nlmusd.org/ases, or call the main office (562) 926-2645.
October 25, 2011: Johnston and Glazier ASES Prepsters Experience a Day In the Life of a College Student
ASES Prep Johnston and ASES Prep Glazier recently took their students on field trips to "I'm Going to College" events hosted by UCLA and Whitter College.
On Saturday, October 8, Johnston Site Lead, Norma Garcia, and her team of dedicated educators, (Zuleyma Funes, Mike Tran, Heidi Guerrero, Alicia Garcia, and Vanessa Camorlinga) took their students on a field trip to UCLA's "I'm Going to College Event" in Pasadena, CA. Over 50 ASES Prepsters attended the exciting event where they met and spoke with UCLA athletes, got their autographs, and ate dinner at the Fun Zone. The event ended with all the participants going to the nation's most famous football stadium, the Rose Bowl, to watch the Bruins play their way to victory against Washington's Cougars with a final score of 28-25. Go Bruins!!! ... and future Bruins!
On Friday, October 21, ASES Prep 5th graders and parents attended an "I'm Going to College" event hosted by Whittier College. Site Lead, Yvette Macias and her amazing team of educators(Trisha Turigliatto, Jennifer Posis, Daneve Milam, Sarah Park, and Jacqueline Morales), took 20 Prepsters to the event which consisted of students meeting different professors, walking through the dorms, and eating in the commons with the rest of the college students. The parents that attended the event also sat down with two professors and discussed how they can support their children and their academic ambitions.
ASES Prep is dedicated to making college a reality, not only through college-themed classrooms and events, but also, making sure that all Prepsters experience college for themselves. Find out when your ASES Prep will be hosting their college/university field trip by contacting the Site Lead.
Johnston's Prepsters express their Bruin pride.
October 21, 2011: ASES Prep Presents to the NLMUSD Board of Education
On October 10, 2011, Supervisors, Mark Hernandez and Sue Jin Kim, conducted a 10 minute presentation on ASES Preparatory to the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District's Board of Education as part of the Superintendent's Report. Dr. Ruth Perez, introduced the program by sharing that ASES Prep planned for the year, developing a master calendar and pacing guide that is aligned with the District's Units of Study at every grade level. She also shared that observing the program was as if she was "visiting a classroom during the regular school day."
Mark Hernandez and Sue Jin Kim (both products of the school district), provided an update on the program, sharing that it is an extension of school where students receive supplemental academic support and enrichment. They reviewed ASES vs. non-ASES data, as well as the goals of the program for the year, which include counseling services, leadership development, Math and ELL Initiatives, and community outreach.
After the presentation, several of Board Members commented that upon visiting the program themselves, they were extremely impressed with the curricular alignment, academic activities, and mission of the program. Board Member, Darryl Adams, suggested that ASES Prep be recommended for a presentation at the CSBA conference next year.
Board Vice-President, Ed Hengler, said "Thank you for turning after school childcare into data-driven instruction."
Congratulations to all ASES Prep staff for making this program transformative!
Click here to review the Board Meeting minutes:
September 9, 2011: ASES vs. Non-ASES CST Data
The After School Education and Safety Program recently released promising data around the academic achievement of ASES students compared to non-ASES students on the recent California Standards Test. Findings show that a greater percentage of students moved into higher proficiency levels after one year of participation in the ASES program, compared to students that did not receive the supplemental instruction.
Figure 1a below sows the percentages of students moving into higher proficiency levels on the CST from the previous year. Nine out of twelve ASES programs showed positive results such as Johnston's Roadrunner Academy where 37% of ASES students moved up compared to 26% of non-ASES students. 40% of Lampton's Dolphin Academy students moved up in proficiency compared to 26% of non-ASES students.
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
September 7, 2011: ASES Institute Focuses on Social Justice
On August 26th, ASES launched their first ever week-long Site Lead and Tutor orientation training called, Institute. This endeavor was a result of the feedback received from ASES staff in June of 2011, requesting greater preparatory support for Site Leads and Tutors. In response, Supervisors of the program, Mark Hernandez and Sue Jin Kim, developed a comprehensive 2-week staff and leadership development series.
The first week of Institute, known as "Lead Week", offered training to Site Leads in their role as program directors. In addition to reviewing the administrative and instructional components of the program, Site Leads were challenged to think "outside the box" with regards to their programs serving as vehicles for Social Justice. Site Leads observed the community, including the "One Ways," Norwalk Town Square, "Motel Row," and the neighborhoods surrounding their schools to gain greater perspective on the challenges facing the students they serve. Site Leads also worked together to create the official Mission Statement for the program and developed the training modules for Tutors.
Week two of Institute was dedicated to the Tutors. Tutors received training by Site Leads on classroom management, lesson planning, objective writing, Directed-Reading Thinking Activities, centers, and curriculum tools. In addition, they also conducted field observations in the community and participated in discussions around the Achievement Gap, data, and relevant research on disadvantaged communities.
Below is some of the feedback received during Institute:
What are some main ideas you took away from Institute?
"There was so much! Program understanding, goals, aspirations. Lots of practical ideas. Great organization and fun, too!"
"Be motivated, driven to lead and inspire."
"LISTEN to students, tutors, and parents for academic success."
"Students should always come first. I also learned that in order to be a strong Site Lead, it's extremely important to listen."
"Some main ideas I took from Lead Week was just how to have a strong foundation before starting my year, and I also took away the importance of listening to our staff and community. Also, the importance of getting the community involved."
ASES Supervisors, Sue Jin Kim and Mark Hernandez plan Institute, 2011
Leadership team building activity, "Empowerment"
Institute Day 1: Team Building
Cadre Classroom: Centers Training
June 20, 2011: SDA's End of the Year Recital
On Saturday, June 18, 2011, ARCC and ASES students representing different programs came together to perform at Saturday Dance Academy's End of the Year Recital. Guest performers at the event included Celia Navarro & Ishmael Ochoa (Salsa), Fernando Magana (Salsa), and a surprise performance by SDA Instructors Kimberly Futch and Sue Jin Kim (Ballet).
SDA's Jazz & Ballet Ensemble, under the direction of Kimberly Futch, performed to "Better In Time," by Leona Lewis. Jazz/Ballet students, which ranged from pre-school to 4th grade, began learning jazz and ballet fundamentals in March of this year. This was their first official performance.
SDA Hip Hop, under the direction of Sue Jin Kim, also performed at the event. This, their second performance of the year, included a new routine (choreographed by Yeojean Cho) to the music of "Yeah" by Chris Brown.
Saturday Dance Academy will resume programming in the Fall with plans to offer more dance classes, in addition to music.
For more information on SDA, or if you are interested in being a guest choreographer or volunteer, please contact the ARCC/ASES main office at (562) 926-2645.
June 15, 2011: The 1st Annual ASES Awards
The 1st Annual ASES Awards held on Tuesday, June 14, at Steven's Steakhouse in the City of Commerce, honored ASES Tutors and Site Leads for their outstanding contributions to the students and community of Norwalk.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE ASES AWARD RECIPIENTS AND NOMINEES!
ASES Award for Tutor of the Year - Trisha Turigliatto
4th Grade Tutor at Gladiator Academy, Glazier Elementary School
ASES Award for Site Lead of the Year - Norma Garcia
3rd year Site Lead at Roadrunner Academy, Johnston Elementary School
The Galan for Program of the Year - Gladiator Academy
Glazier Elementary School, Yvette Macias (Site Lead), Sachelly Ramos, Trisha Turigliatto, Vanessa De Leon, Jacqueline Morales
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Congratulations to the entire 2010-2011 ASES Team for an amazing year!
The ARCC and ASES programs cordially invite you to Saturday Dance Academy's End of the Year Dance Recital on Saturday, June 18th at Sanchez Elementary School. There will be performances by SDA Jazz & Ballet, and SDA Hip Hop as well as special guest performances by professional salsa dancers Celia Navarro and Israel Ochoa, as well as Fernando Magana.
The event is in celebration of the hard work and dedication exhibited by the young dancers and their families who have devoted their Saturdays to dance training.
May 23, 2011: After Schools Got Talent 2011
The ARCC and ASES programs hosted their 1st Annual After Schools Got Talent show on Wednesday, May 11th, 2011, at Norwalk High School, showcasing and celebrating student talent from all 12 elementary school sites. The event was a huge success with over 400 in attendance including special guest judges, Dr. Ruth Perez (Superintendent), Rosa Carreon (Director of Federal and State Programs), Maribel Galan (Principal), Brenda Villa (3 time Olympic Medalist), and Ron Roberson (CNN Correspondant).
The "Top 12," each competed in a preliminary round of competition at their school sites before representing their after school program at After Schools Got Talent. The talent ranged from singing and dancing to martial artistry. The event is one of many efforts by the ARCC and ASES programs to promote the Visual and Performing Arts in and after school.
1st Place: Carissa, (Gladiator Academy)
2nd Place: "Morrison Dulcimers" - Abbygail and Zenrick (Tiger Academy)
3rd Place: "The Famous Boys" -
Joe, Jonathan, Fidencio, Adrian, Jeffrey, Bruno, Cristobal, Enrique, Angel, Ricardo, Francis, Terry (Bobcat Academy)
March 14, 2011: The 3rd Annual ASES Program Showcase
On March 11th, Sanchez Elementary School hosted The 3rd Annual ASES Program Showcase for the 2010-2011 school year. The event was a huge success, bringing together stakeholders from throughout the community to observe, discuss, and inform the trajectory of after school programming for the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District.
ASES Program Site Leads and Supervisors
The event marks the third official year of the program since its inception in 2008 by former coordinator, Maribel Galan. The showcase, originally geared towards Administrators in education, reached out to members throughout the community to highlight the important work that was being done after school to help close the Achievement Gap and spread awareness as to the importance of after school programming. In anticipation of Proposition 49 being re-introduced on the 2012 ballot, the event also raised awareness on upcoming legislation that directly impacts funding that supports expanded day learning.
Rosa Carreon (Director of Federal and State Programs) & Chris Forehan (Assistant Superintendent)
Guest speakers, including Mark Hernandez (ASES Supervisor), Sue Jin Kim (ASES Supervisors), Rosa Carreon (Director of Federal and State Programming, Maribel Galan (Principal at Sanchez Elementary), and Chris Forehan (Assistant Superintendent), shared information on the history of after school programming in the district, as well as the goals that have been accomplished this year including the implementation of Guided Reading and the monthly ASES Professional Development series.
Mark Hernandez & Sue Jin Kim (ASES Supervisors)
Following the presentation, guests conducted a walk through of the ASES program at Sanchez Elementary, observing mini lessons, centers and small group instruction, Directed Reading Thinking Activities, and Study Island in the computer lab. After watching instruction, they returned to discuss their observations and areas for development.
Below are examples of some of the feedback that was received:
What were your perspectives on after school programming prior to attending this event?
“Homework Club.”
“No substance.”
“I have seen many programs and I must say this was the best. I have seen a lot of physical activities, not teaching.”
“Gone are the days of 60 kids sitting in the school cafeteria.”
“Games, arts and crafts.”
Have your perspectives changed as a result of attending this event?
“I love your curriculum.”
“Yes, Targeting academic at-risk youth is excellent.”
“Yes, it’s magical what is going on in these classrooms.”
“I loved it! Would like for this program to be used in other cities.”
“Yes, the quality of instruction, organization, and engagement, are evidence of a great program.”
Tony Mendoza (State Assemblyman) & Anthony Garcia (Intervention Specialist for the City of Norwalk)
Site Leads (L to R): Yvette Macias, Norma Garcia, Sendy Galvan, Jissela Cortez
Bernadette Fowler, Jissela Cortez, Lisa Patton (Site Leads), Maribel Galan (Sanchez Principal)
Site Leads (L to R): Adriana Hernandez, Sendy Galvan, Alicia Ashenden
SPECIAL THANKS to the following individuals who attended:
Lorraine Neal – NLMUSD Board President
Margarita Rios - NLMUSD Board Member
Karen Morrison - NLMUSD Board Member
Marcel Rodarte – City Council Member-Elect
Tony Mendoza - State Assemblyman
Chris Forehan - Assistant Superintendent
Rosa Carreon - Director of Federal and State Programming
Mi Lee - District TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment)
Rosa Baragan - Director - McKinney Vento / LULAC President
Maureen Bixby - Principal, Moffitt Elementary
Cindy Rayburn - Principal, Lampton Elementary
Jacob Muniz - Principal, Edmondson Elementary
Maribel Galan - Principal, Sanchez Elementary
Michelle Centeno - Principal, New River Elementary
Lupe Rodarte - LULAC Vice President (League of United Latin American Citizens)
Anna Dunham – Retired Teacher, LULAC Member
Ken Menchaca – Norwalk Public Safety Representative
Anthony Garcia – Intervention Specialist for the City of Norwalk
Melissa Fierro - Film Director
Tony T Nguyen - Educator
Van Nguyen – Reporter / Educator
Luis Meliz – Field Representative for Assemblyman, Tony Mendoza
Amanda Dawson – Communications Rep. for Assemblyman, Tony Mendoza
March 8, 2011: VAPA Meets ASES
On Monday, March 7, 2011, Karen Calhoun and Jean Rebholz, facilitated the second half of their Rhythm and Movement training with the ASES and ARCC staff. After school educators learned about Arts Integration and made connections between the cognitive skills required for rhythm and movement and literacy development.
An ARCC educator commented, "I would definitely recommend using VAPA in all grade levels, especially to help those struggling children."
"So far, this is my favorite PD. I learned many interesting things about music, notes, speed, dance, learning abilities, etc.," said a ASES tutor from Nuffer.
*Karen Calhoun is a long time educator for the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District, and currently serves as the District's TOSA for Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum.
*Jean Rebholz has worked in education for 14 years, received her BA and subsequent two Masters degrees in Arts Education. She is currently serving as an Administrative TOSA at Benton Middle School Visual and Performing Arts Academy.
To view more photos from the ARCC/ASES Visual and Performing Arts training, click here.
February 23, 2011: The 3rd Annual ASES Administrator's Showcase
On March 11, 2011, the after school programs will be hosting the 3rd Annual ASES Administrator's Showcase. The event will be highlighting the important work that is being done at the 12 elementary schools to help close the Achievement Gap and compliment the work being done during the regular day.
Administrators throughout the district, including Superintendent, Dr. Ruth Perez, Board Members, Principals, and after school program directors, will be present to observe and engage in discussion about the ASES program's intervention efforts. Participants will also have the opportunity to conduct a walk through of Dragon Academy, Sanchez Elementary School's ASES program.
Confirmed guests include: State Assemblyman, Tony Mendoza, Assistant Superintendent, Chris Forehan, and Director of Federal and State Programs, Rosa Carreon,
February 4, 2011: ASES Students Move Up In Proficiency
Data plays a significant role in the assessment and monitoring piece of the ASES program. After school educators assess student performance bi-weekly on specific standards that are heavily weighted on the California State Test [CST]. Pre-assessments help inform the direction of instruction as well as determine small group support, while post-assessments inform the effectiveness of the teaching. Data conversations are commonplace among after school staff to ensure students are receiving high quality academic intervention.
The data below reflects CST results from our first two years of service. The numbers reflect upwards growth of after school program students into higher proficiency bands on the California State Test. Out of the 775 students in the data pool, 258 moved up in academic proficiency. Students that tested Far Below Basic in 2009 demonstrated the greatest growth with 62% of them moving into higher proficiency bands.
February 3, 2011: Insights From Sites
Our official program newsletter, "Insights from Sites," is now available for download below:
Files:
