Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 02.23.2017

At the February 23, 2017 meeting, members and guests met to hear Ms. Mariana Astorga-Almanza, Visual & Performing Art Coordinator, for the Lynwood Unified School District (LUSD.)  Ms. Astorga-Almanza is charged with advancing, building and fostering arts education in Lynwood, to include such activities as:  art, music, dance, theater, etc.  She talked about some of the programs and activities that she is coordinating and promoting with the LUSD. 

Sitting in front of the club attendees, Mariana held the attention of all attendees, as she described her experiences.  Growing up in Bell Gardens, with parents from Mexico, who wanted a better life for their children, she explained that on weekends she lived in Lynwood with extended family.

She has played the flute for 20 years. While in high school in Riverside she decided she would be a music teacher, and wanted to go to USC to be in the USC Band.  She enrolled at USC in 2002, marched in the USC Band, to include the Rose Parade.  After USC graduation in 2006, she obtained in 2013 her Master’s Degree from CSULA, followed by her doctorate at UCLA.  Her first experience as a classroom teacher started in 2007 at Joseph Leconte MS in Hollywood, while living in South Pasadena.  Leaving her classroom teaching, she noted how she missed her children, like they were a part of her family.  She started with LUSD in Oct 2016, as a coordinator in Visual Arts.  With 14,000 students in LUSD, Mariana supervises 24 art educator teachers.  Examples of art related programs include:  at the 2^nd grade, visual arts, music, and theater in 3 10-week sessions.  In the 5^th grade there is a partnership with a dance instructor.  At the middle school level, there are 4 new music teachers.  As a part of this teaching, Mariana described equipping them with instruments.  In the Spring there will be a arts competition from ES students, with judges from Lynwood HS.

Before the presentation, President Ramon Rodriguez, mentioned again the District Breakfast on Tue, Feb 28.  (See the description in the Cover Page attachment.)  Also he mentioned again the District Conference at Lake Arrowhead, May 7-10.  At the District Conference, the Lynwood Club will be recognized for the club’s financial support for Polio Plus.  The club has acted to contribute $26.50 per member (14 members) which amounts to $371.00.

 Also President Ramon mentioned that at a previous meeting, the Rotary visitor from a Rotary Club in Kentucky, Dr. Earl Menzel, would like to receive a small Lynwood Rotary banner, in exchange for his club banner as a donation to the Lynwood Club.

 Daniel circulated photos from last week’s mailing on Feb 16, which shows members standing below the new Rotary sign on a Display Bulletin sign board, at the Long Beach Blvd. Green Line Station.  (Thank you again, member Victor Gomez, an employee with Display Bulletin, LLC.)  Daniel also recognized Block Watch Captains in attendance, Maria Viera and Ana Barraza.  Daniel also recognized and greeted Marvin Aceves and a fellow employee from Marvin’s construction company.  Marvin stated he will transfer his Rotary membership to the Buena Park Rotary Club.

Daniel and Ramon mentioned that the Lynwood Rotary Club will have a table at the Grand Opening of the Lynwood Union Gallery, Saturday, March 4 event from 10am to 3pm, at the historic Lynwood Depot, which will house The Lynwood Union Museum and office.    Daniel and Barbara Battle will staff the table, and Ramon said he will be able to come for two hours around noon.  Daniel encouraged more club members to volunteer, since additional club members at the table makes a good impression for all the participants in this community event.  Daniel mentioned that Rowland Becerra has requested from Mark Flores, Head of the Lynwood Recreation Department, for a table and some chairs.

  Daniel Miller / Omar Franco / Rowland Becerra –