THE RAMBLER - Long Beach Unified School District

Millikan High School PTSA
33rd District
California State PTSA
Cathy Korody, President
THE RAMBLER
R O B E R T A . M I L L I K A N H I G H S C H O O L
2 8 0 0 S N O W D E N A V E N U E
L O N G B E A C H , C A 9 0 8 1 5
W W W . L B U S D . K 1 2 . C A . U S / M I L L I K A N
J E F F C O R N E J O A N D D O N A L D K E L L E R , C O - P R I N C I P A L S
Millikan
Graduation
Thursday
June 14, 2007
7:00 pm
Veterans Stadium
Graduation
participation
requirements
!" 220 credits
!" Pass the California
High School Exit
Exam (CAHSEE)
!" Pass Algebra 1/2
!" Complete 40 hours
of service learning
2 0 0 6 , I S S U E 5
Satinder Hawkins, Teacher of the Year!
N O V E M B E R , 2 0 0 6
On September 29, 2006, Satinder Hawkins of Millikan High School was honored as a Los Angeles
County “Teacher of the Year” during a luncheon at the Sheraton Universal City Hotel. I had the
pleasure of accompanying her to the luncheon and finding out more about her as an educator and a
person. Satinder is both a Millikan teacher and parent. She has a high regard for the quality of the
teaching staff at Millikan and plans to have her younger children attend Millikan, also.
Satinder’s preparation for a teaching career included earning a BA degree and teaching credential
from CSULB, followed by an MA degree in Multicultural and Sociological Foundations from CSULB.
She is now in the culminating stages of earning her Ed.D in Educational Leadership from UCLA. She
is a National Board Certified teacher who began in the Los
Angeles Unified School District but moved to the Long Beach
Unified School District later. She was a middle school
teacher at Rogers Middle School and is presently in her
fourth year at Millikan as a teacher in the QUEST program.
She appreciates students who display curiosity, an interest in
the world, and are willing to take risks. Among the rewards
of a teaching career is knowing she can make a difference
in the lives of her students.
Satinder came to the United States from India when she was
four years old. She loves the United States of America and
sees her teaching, in part, as being repayment for the gift of
being able to live in the U.S. Thanks to Satinder Hawkins for
her contributions to Millikan High School and its students!
By Mr. Keller
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
PTSA Board 2
New Teachers! 3
RAM Polo! 4
Meet MBA! 5
AP Scholars 6
KIUP 7
Global Tech 8
Pathways to Higher Education by Mrs. Mullen
Millikan High School is always looking for innovative ways to strive for academic excellence, and
the Pathways to Higher Education Program proposal is doing just that. In an effort to provide the
same array of academic opportunities as other Long Beach Unified School District high schools,
Millikan has developed a proposal that will bring approximately eight more teachers to our campus.
One of the goals of the Pathways to Higher Education proposal is to increase the percentage of
students who graduate having met their four-year university entrance requirements (a-g requirements).
Also, Millikan wants to strengthen the existing connections with local universities and colleges.
Another goal of the proposal is to bring discussion of post-secondary education into the
classroom. Additionally, the proposal seeks to enhance communication between school and home
regarding post-secondary education. Finally, and most exciting, the Pathways to Higher Education
Program will offer Millikan students the opportunity to take a nine week
college preparedness course. This course will include topics such as college
admission essay writing, financial aid, choosing colleges, and interviewing
skills. At this time, the proposal will be presented to the Board of
Education in November, and hopefully approved in time for implementation
in the fall of 2007. For more information on the Pathways proposal, please
contact Jessica Mullen, Millikan High School counselor, extension 4110.

2
Long Beach
Councilwoman
Gerrie
Schipske
(5th District)
will be the
guest speaker
at the
January 18
PTA meeting.
Bring your
questions and
comments!
PTSA
Meeting Dates
Millikan Cafeteria
6:30 pm
* * *
January 18
February 15
March 15
April 19
May 17
Classified Edition for School News
Classified employees play a critical role in the success of a school. Millikan is blessed to have
outstanding and conscientious classified staff members who perform their jobs superbly.
Millikan’s front office is a positive and efficient environment thanks to Susan Cuff (Office
Supervisor), Mary Lou Hall (School Support Secretary), and Jenny Grippando (Office Assistant). Susan
is in her eleventh year, fifth at Millikan, following six years at Poly. She is the mother of Hillary, a
teacher at Marshall. About her job, Susan said, “I like being in the front to help parents, students, and
teachers. I like people.” Mary Lou Hall is in her third year at Millikan and wears two hats – employee
and parent. “This is a perfect fit for my child and me, “stated Mary Lou. Jenny Grippando is in her
fifteenth year at Millikan. Both of her children, Amber and Darren, graduated from Millikan and currently
work at Ram Hi.. Jenny said, “Every day, I still love coming to work. I enjoy my job.”
Marcellous Elder is 6’5” and 306 pounds. As imposing as he
appears, he is a very popular CSO (Campus Security Officer) among
student and staff at Millikan. He grew up attending Whittier, Lincoln,
Twain, Marshall and Poly before moving on to the University of
Colorado at Boulder on a football scholarship. The former high school
football All American enjoyed his four years at Colorado although it
snowed seven months a year. He returned to Long Beach following
his college days and has been at Millikan the past nine years. Family
is important to Marcellous, the son of Robert and Gwendolyn Elder.
Marcellous has two brothers, Mario and Jerell. Jerell was the star
point guard
PTSA
on last year’s
Board
champion
of
Millikan
Directors
basketball team.
2004-2005
Marcellous Elder
Marcellous's son, Marcellous, attends Cubberly. Regarding Millikan,
Marcellous said, “I look forward to coming to work every day. I enjoy
counseling and my friendships. It’s the best staff in the district.”
David Swenson is Millikan’s Plant Supervisor, responsible for about fifteen employees
including custodians, locker room attendants, the stage technician, pool attendant, and engineer. David
attended Millikan, graduating in 1965. His longest LBUSD job stint was at Carver prior to coming to
Millikan eighteen years ago when Wendol Murray was principal. David describes his career at Millikan
by saying, “Overall, staff and students have been good to me over the years.”
PTSA Board of Directors 2006-2007
President....................................... Cathy Korody ..........................961-8241
Program (1st VP) .......................... Elizabeth Nash........................431-6459
Fundraising (2nd VP) .................... Tracey McCrabb .....................420-2208
Membership (3rd VP).................... Cindy Diaz ..............................421-2006
Hospitality (4th VP) ....................... Trish Moyer.............................421-5866
Lisa Noble...............................421-3827
Newsletter (5th VP)....................... Susie Hipp ..............................429-8150
Parliamentarian............................. Shelby McNeil........................594-0229
Historian........................................ Sandra Scott ...........................489-0485
Treasurer ...................................... Teresa McNeil.........................594-0229
Financial Secretary ....................... Rena Berry..............................420-1538
Recording Secretary ..................... Gina Decker............................421-9405
Auditor........................................... Pam Gibbons ..........................421-1608
Corresponding Secretary .............. Devon Nixon-Day....................430-3058
Red Ribbon Week Coordinator ..... Open .......................................
Reflections Chairperson................ Open .......................................
Earthquake Preparedness ............ Open .......................................
T H E R A M B L E R N O V E M B E R , 2 0 0 6

2 0 0 6 , I S S U E 5
Freshman Year - PEACE Academy
3
The 2006-2007 school year marks the first year that the
PEACE Academy is a specialized program. The year is off to a
great start with a group of intelligent and motivated students! This
is also the year that the students will start creating a digital
portfolio of their entire four-year experience at Millikan high
school. The students are beginning to design a custom power
point presentation that includes aspects of academics, arts, extracurricular
activities, service learning and personal reflections. The
students had a great time creating the template of the portfolio. It
was supposed to be a representation of their character and their
beliefs. From there, they will be attaching pictures, I-movies, and
projects they will collect throughout their time in high school. In
the end, they will end up with a beautiful show of so many
accomplishments, memories and reflections. Don't you wish that
you had one from your high school life? The portfolio can be used
for college interviews, internship applications or just a keepsake
for years to come.
The freshman class is preparing itself for a year full of
character building, skill perfecting and an introduction to giving
back to a community that has already given to them. As an
academy, they will not only learn the standards through rigor and
diligence, they will learn to be local and global citizens.!
Notes from the Nurse
Perhaps you find yourself unsure whether to send your child to school on
some mornings. Here are some hints to help you make that decision.
We suggest that you keep your child home if he/she has any of the following:
!" A fever of over 100. Do your family a favor and buy an inexpensive oral
thermometer for your home. Your child should not be in school unless his/her
temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours.
!" A rash on the body. Get this checked by his/her doctor.
!" Has had diarrhea or vomited during the night or in the morning before
school. His/her body needs some time to rest and liquids to recover.
!" Complains of a persistent headache or stomachache. This could be the start of
something more serious.
!" Any persistent cough – especially if it produces green or yellow colored
sputum. That indicates an infection that will need antibiotics. A coughing student
keeps everyone from being able to concentrate.
!" Any green or yellow colored discharge from the nose or eyes. This is an
indication of a bacterial infection needing antibiotic therapy. Pinkeye presents itself
this way.
!" Wheezing or breathing problems. This is especially true if your child is an
asthmatic. Please call if your child needs an inhaler at school. I will be glad to
send the medication for home so he/she can use it or any other medication here.
!" Any injury that keeps the child from using his/her arms/legs in the normal
manner. Send a note to me for his/her Physical Ed teacher if you think he/she will
need to be released from P.E. that day. Your note will cover 3 days. If more is
needed, a doctor’s note will be required.
The most important thing that you can do to prevent the spread of
colds and flu is frequent hand washing, after touching mouth or nose, before
meals and after using the restroom.
You know your child better than I, but if you have any questions or
are in doubt - call. I’m here every day from 7:30 until 3:00 p.m.
Pat Erlandson
Millikan School Nurse, Extension 4113
Welcome!
Millikan High School welcomed twenty-two new
certificated staff members to Millikan this year.
Alphabetically, they are:
!" Shawn Abbate (English)
!" Maria Alvarez (Spanish)
!" Christine Bradfield (science)
!" Jeff Breuklander (PE, basketball, and baseball)
!" Irina Christodorescu (science)
!" Glen Fisher (history/social science and football)
!" Jennifer Goldman (Spanish)
!" Jason Hazel (science)
!" Karen Harrison (technology)
!" Andrea Itson (art and soccer)
!" Ron Keester (technology and baseball)
!" Farah Mamnoon (science)
!" Carrie Manning (English and volleyball)
!" Jessica Mullen (counselor)
!" Karina Meza (math)
!" Lance Thayer (Opportunity class and football)
!" Lydia Torres (Spanish)
!" Jeremy Touzel (math)
!" Megan Fletcher (special education)
!" Jennifer Waters (dance)
!" Katie Williams (English)
!" Terri Young (special education)
* bolded teachers attended Millikan as students!
Go
Rams!

4
WANTED
Service Logs
Millikan RAM Polo Takes the Lead!
The Millikan natatorium was filled to capacity on Thursday, October 5th. The bleachers were
packed with fans cheering for Millikan and Wilson varsity water polo players. "The fans were
screaming so loud you couldn't even hear the cheerleaders!" laughed Millikan student Kallie Berry---
And for the first time since 1986, Moore League was left wide open by Millikan's defeat of Wilson; 8-
6.
“In the third period, Wilson had a strong quarter,” stated Head Millikan Water Polo Coach, Tim
Fredericksen. I felt our boys did a great job of regaining their composure and finishing the game
strong.” When asked to what he could attribute their success, Fredericksen stated, "Scotty Butler
really lead our team with scoring goals and Dylan Wood, our goalie, came up very strong with some
key blocks. It was a team effort, he continued, but I attribute those efforts to our win.”
"#$%&'()L'(+#$, &'- .#L#/
By Ms. Wood
Seniors:
Did you get your “40?”
Completion of your
service hours is a
graduation
requirement.
If you’re planning on
graduating and walking
with your classmates
you must complete and
turn in your service
hours prior to May 1,
2007.
Any questions or
inquiries:
Contact Mr. Harper in
room #328 or call
425-7441 ext. 4272
Check the service
learning web page for
current opportunities at
www.millikanhigh.com
under the academics
tab.
The Millikan Varsity Boys Water Polo Team consists of: Captains Greg Freed and Santiago
Bryan-Zwick, Ben Koff, Kevin Huiza, Scotty Butler, Dylan Wood, Nic Urey, Trevor Larson,
Trevor Tautolo, and Eli Moynahan. SPORTS PHOTOS BY RAY: 949-472-8224
Support for STELLAR Academy Students
STELLAR Academy staff provides two critical interventions for our students. The school
year opened with almost immediate support for our students who struggle by providing period 7
and after-school tutoring and by monitoring attendance.
Mrs. Jan Law, algebra teacher, did the “footwork” to get the STELLAR Study Center up
and running Tuesday through Friday. Mrs. Law, along with Mrs. Anja Orbach, ELD teacher, and
Mrs. Phyllis Price, Language! teacher, organize the center which serves from 20-25 students during
period 7 and after school. Together, with the assistance of college aides, teachers provide
students with tutoring in all core subject areas: English Language Development, algebra, science,
social studies and health. Assisting college aides are: Erin Bates, Cathleen Kim, Diana Quan,
Omar Ruiz, Alex Ulloa, and Mirna Vidaure. Many students attend the STELLAR Study Center voluntarily
while STELLAR academy teachers assign others.
Mr. Jan Hopp, science teacher, assisted by college aide, Maria Razo, organize our attendance-monitoring
program by tracking absences and making phone calls home in English and
Spanish. Mr. Muyhong Khim, community worker, makes home contacts in Khmer. Parent contacts
are made twice weekly for students who are absent from classes. Additionally, these staff members,
along with Mr. Guillermo Jimenez, assistant principal, and Maria Madrigal, community
worker, help to set up parent conferences at the request of teachers. STELLAR Academy staff
members are commended for doing a stellar job at supporting and instructing our students.
T H E R A M B L E R N O V E M B E R , 2 0 0 6

2 0 0 6 , I S S U E 5
5
QUEST RAMSET is a Lean Green Energy Machine by Khaliane Sou, Grade 10
RAMSET, which stands for Robert A. Millikan Student Energy Team, is a brand new QUEST “team” or club on campus which
was established in the 2004/05 school year when one determined teacher, a group of freshmen, and one junior set out to educate the
younger generations about energy in the local elementary schools. Inspired by our science teacher and partner, Mr. Woody Williams,
we immersed ourselves in the content of energy conservation, energy alternatives, and lesson planning as we put ourselves to the
task on instructing elementary students at Emerson, Gant, and Kettering. The challenge of teaching these bright young kids created a
bond among QUEST RAMSET students and many of us not only empathized with our own teachers, but were inspired to become
teachers ourselves.
By the beginning of the 2005/2006 school year, QUEST RAMSET was molded as a team and, as our membership increased,
we continued to teach in the elementary schools as well as in the greater Long Beach community. We also entered into a new project:
the construction of a solar-powered boat. Sponsored by the Long Beach Water and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California, our goal was to build and enter a solar powered boat in a race against 36 other California High Schools at Lake Skinner in
Temecula in May, 2006. At the “Boat Building Day” we realized what a daunting task this would be. Our weekends were filled with
technical confusion, mishaps, and triumphs as we struggled to master the knowledge and application of solar cells, rudders, drills,
drive shafts, and solar powered panels. When we launched our boat we had many adventures, like when our batteries died and our
drivers got stalled in the water. Twice we had to be towed in by our RAMSET ‘Rescue Team’. We learned valuable lessons about always
being prepared with the most basic of energy forms: elbow grease and a water paddle! But we prevailed and on May 19 th
through the 21 st our beautiful boat, christened “The Sun King”, successfully participated in the three day race. We are proud to say
that our boat was the fastest until the batteries gave up in the end and we came in twelfth place. However, we won third place for our
boat design, thanks to our visual display, which demonstrated how to conserve water by
using solar energy.
Now the school year is nearing its finish line. Our only senior will be graduating
and all of us are growing up. It’s an amazing thing. When we look at pictures and review
our old lesson plans we see such change. We have come such a long way in such a short
time. Last year we taught 500 students. This year it’s up to 1800 students. In June, QUEST
RAMSET was honored in Washington D.C. as the Top Senior High School Energy Team
by the National Energy Education Development Project. We are so proud of our accomplishments
in the field of energy conservation and our success as a team. Never has a
team been so devoted to a cause and to supporting one another. As the summer approaches,
we will have time to reflect on our adventures, comical mishaps, and triumphs.
There’s no stopping RAMSET now! 2007, here we come! Stay strong and stay green!
Millikan Business Academy - New Name, New Members, Refined Focus
The Millikan Business Academy is here! Formerly known as the Ultimate Success Academy (USA), the teachers decided
over the summer that the name Millikan Business Academy, or MBA, was a more appropriate name for our focus. This
year we are pleased to add several teachers to our academy, including Mrs. Mamnoon, Mrs. Hernandez and Ms. Goldman, all
with the perfect combination of excellent teaching credentials as well as experiences in the business world. Our mission, more
refined than previously, is to support all students in their academic pursuits and to connect their “job” as a learner to their
future as an earner. We still offer a college prep, a-g, centered curriculum, and we infuse business related applications whenever
possible. Also, we are still preparing our students for our capstone class, Virtual Enterprise, which is a year-long business
simulation focusing on marketing, business law, business ethics and effective business communication.
Some of the curriculum connections we have made with business are also connections between two or more classes.
For our current 9 th graders, we are focusing on business letters and writing in both Computer Applications and English. For 9 th
graders who currently have Science and Computer Applications, they are researching current events in science and seeing the
impact those events are having on the world, their nation and themselves. In December, students in Computer Applications will
apply their computer skills to a simulated small business and compete for market share based on their abilities. Students in Intermediate
Algebra or Finite Math are learning to maximize profit using linear programming. As a representative of an elective, students
taking Italian are learning how to budget money and time and how to set goals effectively.
On Friday, October 13 th , as a continuation of our “Taking Care of Business” program, we invited all of our students who
had earned a 3.0 or higher from the last semester of last year. These students were treated to a root beer float and entered a
drawing for an iTunes gift card. Several teachers helped scoop ice cream and offer congratulations to the successful students,
including, Mr. Archbold, Mr. Fielder, Mrs. Mamnoon, Mr. Harper and Mr. Jacobson. Diana Miranda, Taylor Bell and Elizabeth
Olomos were winners of the iTunes gift cards. We are planning on expanding the program and offering business related field
trips an other prizes. The next event will be based on the first quarter’s grades and will be held in the 3 rd week of November.
The Millikan Business Academy is looking for parents who would be willing to help with a variety of events. Also, because
Millikan is being evaluated as part of WASC accreditation this year, we are looking for help from parents who would be
willing to help provide dinner for some of the visiting committee members. Please contact John Jacobson, MBA Lead Teacher, if
you have any questions or would like to volunteer. (x4442)

AVID: Representing Diversity!
Millikan’s AVID team represents the SLC diversity on our campus. This year,
we welcome back: Tiffany Alexander (History/Global Technology) as our newly
appointed AVID Coordinator and 12 th grade elective teacher; Jeff Dobra (English/Global
Technology), 11 th and 12 th elective teacher; Janet Turner, (English/KIUP), 10 th grade
elective teacher; Loretta George (English/PEACE), 9 th grade elective teacher; Synthia
Kaitanjian (Health-MBA/PEACE), 9 th grade elective teacher; and our new AVID team
members: Mark Santucci (Science/Stellar), 11 th grade elective teacher; Brett Wiley
(Science/COMPASS), 10 th grade elective teacher; Kristen McCluskey (English/PEACE),
10 th grade elective teacher; Tylene Quizon, (English/Stellar), 10 th grade elective teacher;
and, Elizabeth Meza, (English/Stellar), 9 th grade elective teacher.
AVID has had an amazing 2005-2006 school year and we look forward to a
more academically prosperous 2006-2007 school year. Last year, our Senior AVID
students’ accomplishments were outstanding: 78% of the AVID Seniors completed AP
courses, which was 30% more than the 2004-2005 school year. 98% of our AVID
Seniors completed their “A-G” requirements. Additionally, 82% of our AVID Seniors
were accepted into a four-year college or university, while 18% applied to two-year
colleges.
We are very proud of our AVID students’ successes over the past year and we
are as equally excited about the current and future endeavors of the Classes of 2007,
2008, 2009, and 2010.
Finally, to promote AVID awareness and understanding among our parents and
community members, AVID held its annual Parent Information Night on October 17 th at
6:30 p.m. in Millikan’s Library. We shared our mission with parents and friends.
Seek Solutions
Millikan High School
prides itself on being a
safe and secure campus
where students display
harmonious personal
relationships and tolerance.
This is a campus
which fosters and provides an environment
conducive to learning. Millikan
students are expected to act maturely
if disagreements arise with other pupils
and seek solutions as alternatives to
fighting. To avoid fighting through mediation,
students are encouraged to
visit the Care Center, talk to a parent,
or contact a teacher, counselor, staff
assistant, administrator, or other adult
if they believe physical violence may
be imminent. Fighting is dangerous,
disruptive, and not allowed! Students
who engage in mutual combat or
fighting at Millikan will receive severe
consequences.
AP SCHOLAR AWARDS 2006
Fifty-seven students at Millikan High School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the
College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement
Program (AP) Exams.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take
challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced
placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 18 percent of the more than
1.3 million high school students in 16,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed
at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.
Students took AP Exams in May 2006 after completing challenging college-level courses at
their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student’s
performance on AP exams.
At Millikan High School, two students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average grade of 4 or
higher on a 5-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. These students are
Rhett Jones and Regena Ngeam.
Sixteen students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP
Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are Jaqueline Aranda, Shelley Brown,
Jennifer Diaz, Deviyani Gurung, Gregorio Gutierrez, Karen Ly, Jesse Rothstein, Dylan Russell, Steven Shilling, Kyle Smith,
Layhannara Tep, Deylin Thrift-Viveros, Molly Traub and Amanda Utzman.
Eleven students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP
Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Carlos Casian, Michael Ewoldt,
Anthony Filer, Michael Hill, Katie Johns, Marcos Lopez, Christina McCarthy, Christopher Nixon, Douglas Swayne, Shannon
Thompson and Arthur To.
An additional 30 students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or
higher. The AP Scholars are Avis Atkins, Sophia Cathcart, Robert Comito, Karyn Cullingham, Gregory Ferreira, Margaux
Fitoussi, Jennifer Gordon, Camille Granger, Leonella Gudiel, Scott Hampton, Justine Harris, Karen Hayashi, Iliana
Hernandez, Peter Jarzomb, Nicolas Johnson, Suza Khy, Greg Lilley, Rosalyn Ly, Mindy Manzo, Milo Mitchell, Gregory
Morales, George Murillo, Jodi Nakawatase, Jasmine Phillips, Grace Santos, Christina St. John, Laura Stanton, Layhearn
Tep, Dennis Truong and Anthony Ung.
Of this year’s award recipients at Millikan High School, 16 are juniors. These students have one more year in which to
complete college-level work and possibly earn another AP Scholar Award.
Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance
of the AP Exams. More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit (sophomore standing) to students presenting a sufficient
number of qualifying grades. In 2006, thirty-five AP Exams were offered in a wide variety of subject areas, each consisting of
multiple-choice and free-response (essay or problem-solving) questions (except for the Studio Art exam which evaluates students’
original artwork).
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2 0 0 6 , I S S U E 5
KIUP
KIUP - Key Interactive University Preparation is a Millikan SLC (Small Learning Community) that focuses on math and
science. It is an SLC that allows students to meet high school graduation requirements while also preparing for admissions to four
year colleges and universities. For more information about KIUP please access the Millkan homepage at www.millikanhigh.com
and click on the KIUP link. Plans are in motion to have junior and senior KIUP students available to tutor freshmen and
sophomores. KIUP students can show their SLC pride by purchasing specially designed KIUP shirts at the student activities office
for $10.
Our KIUP faculty set a goal for the 2006-2007 to build a positive culture of trust and collaboration to improve student
achievement. The teachers will be working across the curriculum to reach that goal. Below is a summary of what our KIUP
students are currently involved in:
9 th Graders: The core teachers for the Freshman year are Mrs. Atkinson (Science) Ms. Schwarz (Health), Ms. Grote
(Technology), and Ms. Williams (English). Mrs. Atkinson's class is beginning their 'Animal of the Future' project where students will
do research about our current environmental problems. As they predict how Earth's environment may change they will be creating
an animal that could evolve from a current day species. The final project will include a 3-D model, a written natural history of the
animal, and an oral presentation to the class. The assignment was due Nov. 6th. Students in Ms Schwarz's class have become
acquainted with each other through 'Bio Poems' and acrostic presentations. Students also developed active listening and note
taking skills while getting to know their classmates. English students are currently completing a unit on short stories and will be
composing their own original short stories - many of which we hope to see published in our Millikan literary magazine in the Spring.
10 th graders: The core teachers are Ms. Lewis-Mackert (Science), Ms. Spence (Modern World History), and Mrs. Turner
(English). Science students are currently working on cells and cell membranes. Look for the 'Eggsperiment' towards the end of
October which will allow them to gather data on cell transport. Be forewarned - this experiment takes at least 60 hours to complete
so students must plan ahead. All of our 10th graders took the PSAT on Oct. 18th - this was a terrific opportunity to get a first look
at the SAT exam. Look for a copy of 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding in your child's backpack. The English class is currently
doing a unit based on this classic novel. Just a note for parents - this sophomore year is critical for college admissions. It's
important that any student who receives a 'D' or lower in an a-g required class make it up before their senior year. Check the MHS
website for more information about college admissions.
11 th graders: The core teachers are Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Brown and Mr. Genovese (Science), Mr. Dobra (English), and Ms.
Anderson (U.S. History). Ms. Anderson’s class is currently doing research for a major paper that will be due in November. The
11 th grade year is an important one for demonstrating academic success – we’re proud that our students are taking a third year of
science and continuing with math.
12 th graders: KIUP students have many elective opportunities during their last year in high school including numerous AP classes.
KIUP students in AP Environmental Science are beginning their ‘Ecocolumn’ projects The purpose of this project is to understand
the interconnectedness of our planet By applying what they’ve learned in class, the students will keep plants and animals alive
within their mini ecosystems. This project runs the entire school year. Congrats to Tiffany Tea who turned in an exemplary project
in Graphic Design and Printmaking. Students chose from 10 words to illustrate and hers was chosen by teacher Ms. Harrison as
one of the best.
KIUP Parent Involvement: Staff members were thrilled with the turnout at Back to School Night. Ms. Schwarz had over 100
parents in her class alone! Thursday, October 19th, was the first meeting of KIUP's parent support group. If you would like to be
contacted about future meetings please contact Mrs. Clark at X4161. Kudos to students in Ms. Anderson’s period 2 U.S. History
class – they earned a pizza party for turning in 97% of their WASC parent surveys.
KELSEA SEYMOUR
by Mr. Keller
One of the outstanding players on this year’s womens’ volleyball team at Millikan is Kelsea
Seymour. Kelsey is a junior who has been on Millikan’s varsity team for three years. She is considered
one of the best “setters” in the league having been named All Moore League last year as a sophomore.
She is a member of the small learning community, KIUP, and carries a grade point average just shy of a
4.0.
Kelsea has had some injuries to overcome the past two years. Last year, she was involved in a
car accident and lost her spleen. She was hospitalized for a week and remained out of school for three
weeks. She has no lasting ill effects from the accident. This year, she severely sprained her ankle and
missed some league games.
Kelsea, a captain on this year’s team, is optimistic about Millikan volleyball. Her team has won
two tournaments this year. She feels the Rams have the talent to beat anyone.
One of the Millikan volleyball coaches, Greg Kautz, was very supportive of her during her recovery
last year. This year’s head coach, Matt Ryan, said, “Kelsea has been an indispensable asset to our team
this year. As a setter and captain, she helps run the team. She’s a great leader and someone I count on
every day.”
Her future plans? Kelsea has already heard from several universities. She is most excited about
Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. With her excellent grades, volleyball skills, and
leadership abilities, she’ll be a great addition to any program she selects! Good job, Kelsea!
7

Global Technology Academy
The Global Technology Academy, in conjunction with the Business and Technology
Department, offers Millikan students a wide variety of technology based classes in
preparation for college and careers. Whether students plan on college or career after high
school, Global Tech strives to provide classes that are high in interest and provide students
the needed skills to be effective in a technological society.
Ninth grade students take the required computer applications course which trains the
student in word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet research. Following their freshmen year,
students presently take Photoshop and PageMaker, which trains the student in page layouts
and photo manipulation. The 11 th grade program presently teaches the student computer maintenance 1 st semester and web
page design in the 2 nd semester. As seniors, students have a choice of technology electives. This includes graphic arts and
printmaking, architectural design, auto, Cisco 3-4, virtual enterprise and video production.
One of the important skills that the 11th grade students in Global Technology will be fine tuning this year is the skill of
writing. First they are analyzing grammar rules through homework every night and through assessment after each unit. They
are improving their essay writing skills. This week they turned in two paragraphs that are the model for the response to literature
essays for the rest of the year. Later, after finishing each play or novel, they will use this format when writing their essay; the first
one is to be completed after the conclusion of The Crucible. When they are introduced to American Revolutionary literature they
will also be introduced to the expository essay and will be practicing for the EAP (Early Assessment Program) essay each 11th
grade student will write in the Spring. Eleventh grade students will be able to type drafts of these essays in their computer
technology class, using the different skills they have learned in their Global Technology courses since 9th grade.
To receive a medallion for graduation the global tech student must complete one technology class per grade level and
maintain a 2.0 GPA.
The first quarter awards luncheon for the top performing students at each grade level for Global Tech was Friday,
November 17 th . The first quarter grading period ended on November 7 th .
We have several new courses being developed and anticipate approval for next fall. Some of these classes are aimed
at meeting UC credit standards. These classes include aviation science, video game development, artificial intelligence and
animation. The Global Tech team is also developing career pathways, which include Arts, Media and Entertainment, Engineering
and Design, Transportation, Web Media and Desktop Publishing. Expectation of implementation is Fall 2007.
www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/millikan
Go Mimi!
Millikan’s own Mimi Nguyen defended
her Moore League Championship title
for the second year in a row. Mimi
played against Stacy Tan from Lakewood,
defeating her (6-3, 4-6, 6-3).
“I’ve never seen her hit the ball
harder”, states Coach Barretta.
Mimi will continue on to play in CIF
where she took third last year ending
the season in the semi-finals. As a
Quest student, she is dedicated in her
studies. She has helped the team win
the Fall sports G.P.A. award for the
second year in row.
Good luck to Mimi in CIF!
Robert A. Millikan High School
2800 Snowden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90815