Inglewood Unified School District

LACMA

(Inglewood, CA . . .). . . Recently, 25 eager Beulah Payne Elementary students spent the afternoon at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) where they received an interactive learning experience about the basics of Visual Arts. The course includes drawing in LACMA’s permanent collection gallery as a way to learn about composition, color, technique and personal expression. Instruction is aligned with state content standards for history, social science, language arts, and the new core curriculum. Students practiced the elements [line, color, form and shape] by analyzing and sketching Spanish surrealist Joan Miró’s playful abstract painting, Animated Forms, as a way to raise students’ powers of perception and stimulate interest in the visual arts and our vast multicultural heritage.

The class was the first in an eight-week, college-level art course that introduced Payne students to LACMA’s treasures while encouraging them to create original artwork in a university lecturer setting.

During the first hour of the visit, students were guided through many diverse galleries featuring various paintings and sculptures. The second hour was focused in a hands-on art room, where the class was challenged to use construction paper and oil pastels in creating abstract art of their own. In subsequent weeks, they will also experiment with other genres and media.

Upon completion of the program, each student will receive a complementary LACMA membership that is good until age 18, allowing them to visit the museum with one adult at any time. This is the second year that Payne is participating in the program, which is fully funded by the museum.

“We are grateful for this exciting collaboration,” said Payne principal Karen Horowitz. One student put it when we were already on the bus back to school, “It went too fast, I can’t wait until next time.”

For more information on the Beulah Payne Elementary LACMA learning experience, contact 310.680.5410.

Over 190 students Make the Honor Roll
 Monroe’s 2016 4.0 GPA Honor Roll Students

(Inglewood, CA . . .). . . . Monroe Middle School recently held its Annual Honor Roll Assembly acknowledging the academic achievement of over 190 students who have maintained a 3.0 or greater grade point average. One by one, these students crossed Monroe’s stage rallied on by their parents, teachers and invited guests to receive honor roll certificates and achievement medals.
However, none was as full of pride as their Principal Brent Tilley who shook the hand of each student while giving them encouragement and hope for continued success beyond k-12. “As many of our staff can attest, you now sit in seats that were occupied by students who have gone on to attend every UC campus, every CSU campus, and several colleges in and outside of this state. Those who came before you had the same teachers and the same level of expectations. You’ve had big shoes to fill, but you have already shown us that you are more than capable of filling them. I look forward to great things from you, keep your expectations high and continue to work hard.“
IUSD Director of Secondary Education Dr. Reginald Sirls was also on hand to acknowledge Monroe’s top achievers. He presented awards to a cross section of Monroe students that not only included Monroe’s magnet students, but also core curriculum and EL students as well. “The honor roll assembly at Monroe was fantastic! It was great to see a huge number of students who were recognized for their academic achievement. Principal Tilley and his staff did an outstanding job in putting the program together, allowing for parents and family members to be a part of this celebration. We are very proud of the students for their hard work and of the teachers who facilitated the learning process. We look forward to more continued success at Monroe.”
Following the ceremony, amid a room filled with camera flashes, was Jose Moya, father of Monroe student Daniela Moya, who is an 8th grade 3.6 GPA award recipient. Moya patiently waited for the opportunity to take his daughter to lunch to celebrate her commitment to hard work. “I am so very proud of my child. And I am also so very proud to see how many children actually received awards here today. I feel really good about my child’s education here at Monroe and I plan to keep her in the Inglewood Unified School District.” Moya says Daniela has plans to begin high school next year as a Morningside Monarch.
Monroe Magnet Middle School boasts one of the most rigorous MESA programs in Los Angeles County. Their students have continuously competed in an array of science competitions and brought home numerous awards in several categories. “I am not surprised that a third of our students are here receiving awards today for their achievement efforts,” added Principal Tilley. “Monroe’s curriculum is 21st Century. We are the only school in the area that offers MESA and Project Lead the Way.” Area residents are taking a second look at Monroe. For more information on Monroe Middle School contact 310.680.5310.