Bari Stevens-Chambers is to be congratulated on a very successful Millikan Prom last weekend. According to Bari, management at the Phoenix Club described our Millikan pupils as extremely well behaved. In addition to the “usual” chaperones (Kaisha Irving, Dorian Eveland, Jeff Cornejo, Ben Martinez, Guillermo Jimenez, Bari, our CSOs and me) we had a large number of volunteer staff members present including Nancy Parsons, Pat Erlandson, Susana Stumpf, Lani Arceo, Jason Williams, Steve Benson, Jeff Dobra, Janet Turner, Mariano Aranda, Nader Twal, Matt Johnson, Ingrid Gunter, Paul Jenkins, Syndy Kaitanjian, Todd Osborn, and Eric Lovett.
Diana Michel, a PEACE Academy senior, sang the national anthem at this week’s meeting of the Long Beach City Council. She has one of most beautiful voices you’ll ever hear. She will be singing the national anthem at Millikan’s graduation. Despite her visual impairment, Diana’s natural talent and “can do” attitude have earned her the distinction of being named “Most Inspirational Student” at both Stanford Middle School and Millikan High School.
Bravo to John Harvey and his choral music students for wonderful performances this week at our assemblies and evening performances. His Millikan choir also performed at last night's "Most Inspirational Student" Awards banquet in downtown, Long Beach.
Millikan’s librarian, Sandy Iwai, surprised me this week. She had a library book in her hand as she walked into my office. She was going through books in the library and came upon this one first checked out in 1966 to, believe it or not, Don Keller. I knew I had been to the library at least once while a student here! If you were wondering, the book is entitled, "Drama in the Modern World" by S.A. Weiss with the card catalogue number 808.2W.
Approximately twenty-five staff members, students, and parents spent the day on Thursday preparing a grant application for in excess of $1 million dollars over the next five years! Millikan’s small learning communities (SLCs) are considered the most advanced among the high schools in the LBUSD.
On Wednesday of this week, I had the opportunity to meet with next year’s PTSA president, Cathy Korody, and vice president, Dr. Elizabeth Nash. Cathy is a COMPASS parent. Liz, presently PTA president at Stanford Middle School, will become a PEACE parent. Our PTSA is on the move!
Do you know what I’ve noticed about Millikan staff members? They readily and frequently compliment each other. Time and time again, I’ve heard staff members acknowledging each others accomplishments verbally, through e-mails, at banquets, etc. It’s contagious!
On a large staff, it takes a little extra effort to get to know your colleagues. This afternoon, I had a chat with on of our French teachers, Chris Taxier. We discovered that we taught at Wilson High School together. I also learned that she is flying to Boston this weekend for her daughter’s graduation from Harvard University with a Master’s Degree in Psychology.
Things are getting a little hectic. I know I’m “beyond busy” because I just pulled my lunch from my microwave this morning. It was my lunch from Tuesday! Missing a few lunches is probably a good thing.
Quote: “The sooner you fall behind, the more time you’ll have to catch up.”