MILLIKAN HIGH SCHOOL

2800 Snowden Avenue, Long Beach, California (562) 425-7441

http://www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/millikan/

January 24, 2005

Dear Millikan Family and Friends,

The end of the first semester is just around the corner, but before we can get to Spring semester we need to take care of the finals. The first day of finals, period 8 and 6, will be on Tuesday, January 25^th. Periods 7 and 5 finals will be given on the 26^th. Periods 1 and 3 finals will be given on the 27^th, and finally period 2 and 4 finals will be given on Friday, January 28^th. Our teachers and students have been working hard all semester and these final exams should not prove to be a problem. Please make sure that your students have plenty of rest and are on time to school. The end of the Fall Semester will be a blue day on January 31^st, and the beginning of the Spring Semester will be a gold day on February 1st. If you ever want information about what is going on at Robert A. Millikan High School please use the Robert A. Millikan activities calendar on our website located at http://www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/millikan/calendars/CalFrameSetAct.html .

Jaunary 14^th was the date of our very successful Winter Formal. The dance was held at the Hyatt in Long Beach and was attended by over 485 students and their guests. The students looked spectacular in their formal attire, and they seemed to have a wonderful time. Special thanks to Ms. Bari Chapman-Stevens on her first big dance as Millikan's Activities Director. She and her ASB (Associated Student Body) members did a great job and their efforts are appreciated by one and all!

Last weekend the Millikan Varsity Cheer Team pulled through and scored a phenomenal first place win in the USA Regional Competition in Temecula. Our Cheer Team put in a solid two weeks of practices in preparation for this tournament. Since they earned a Superior Award, the team has reserved a position to complete with the best at the USA Nationals. The Cheer Team under the direction of Ms. Mary Massich continues to impress all who have an opportunity to see them perform. I literally have never seen young men and women fly so high!

Wrestler Adam Hase won the Most Valuable Player honors at the Alta Loma Invitational. The 189 pounder won four of his matches via first period pins. Hase pinned his opponent in the 189-pound weight class final in just 37 seconds. Millikan's 125 pounder, Derek Takeshita, took second place in his weight, and our 130 pounder, Jared Stain, took third. Millikan's 215 pounder, Doug Swayne, placed fifth. The RAMS team was awarded 7^th place in the tournament.

During nutrition on January 21^st, Mr. Kamram Salem was in the cafeteria. This is when the teacher of handicapped students and Millikan football coach noticed a student choking on a breakfast sausage. The student was unable to cough and clear his airway when Mr. Salem performed the Heimlich Maneuver. The level headed and fast acting teacher was able to clear the student's airway. Thankfully the student is fine. Congratulations and thanks to Mr. Salem for using his training and acting quickly.

Finally, on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. the Parent Teacher Student Association meets in the Teachers' Dining Room. I attended the last meeting on the 20^th of January I want to invite you to the next meeting on February 17^th. I also want to share a bit of information that was shared during that meeting.

First of all there were approximately 10 members of the PTSA in attendance and one of them was a student representative of the Young Black Scholars Club. I want to applaud the efforts of our PTSA, but ladies and gentlemen they need our help. Our school has over3,800 students and their parents, approximately 180 credentialed staff members, and numerous support staff. Unfortunately, the PTSA only has 189 members and 100 of them are teachers.

The PTSA is looking for a flood of new members. I know that many of you would join if you just knew how. Please send a check for either

· $ 6.00 for a standard membership

· $10.00 for a silver membership

· $20.00 for a gold membership.

Send your check to Millikan PTSA, (Attention Mary Lou Hall) 2800 Snowden Ave., Long Beach, CA, 90815. Please include your return address and your students' name/names and grade level. A membership card will be sent to your home or placed in your teacher's mailbox if you are a Millikan staff member. We look forward to seeing you at the next PTSA meeting.

Best wishes from one very impressed principal,

Jeff

More money is put into prisons than into schools. That, in itself, is the description of a nation bent on suicide. I mean, what is more precious to us than our own children? We are going to build a lot more prisons if we do not deal with the schools and their inequalities. Jonathan Kozol - author/social activist