Education News

San Pedro High School has gotten three pieces of unsettling news recently. The principal is resigning, the school got a less than optimal accreditation and new data pins the dropout rate at more than 40 percent. Read more in this week’s Daily Breeze and at The Underdog for Kids blog by columnist Diana Chapman.

The Port of Los Angeles High School is proudly preparing to fete its first graduating class next month. The commencement ceremony takes place on June 12 at the Warner Grand Theatre.

The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce honored local teachers at a luncheon this week. A “teacher of excellence” award was given to one teacher from each of the area’s educational institutions at a ceremony Friday. Honorees are Leslie Acuña, Harbor Occupational Center; David Samuel Barrett, Harbor Community Adult School; Fran Buzzell, Dodson; Pearl Cherry, Willenberg Special Ed; Kathlyn Coffey, 15th Street; Amy DiStefano, Taper Avenue; Kristine Evans, Angel’s Gate High; Myrna Everhart, Rolling Hills Prep; Judy Garcia, Park Western Place; Brenda Hargrave, Bandini Street; Phyllis Kambarian, Holy Trinity; Sharon Laney-Agu, Cooper Day School; Rachel Leatherbury, Renaissance School; Tamara Marino, Dana; Annie Monkowski, Port of L.A. High; Lisa Morreale, Cabrillo Avenue; Brian O’Keeffe, Mary Star High; Nichole Sakellarion, Pt. Fermin; Serralda Spangler, Barton Hill; Charrisse Taylor, Mary Star Elementary; Lucie Thorsen, Crestwood Street; Sheri Trudnich, South Shores Magnet; Kate Kentera Veljkovic, Leland Street; Kristen Wade, White Point; Sandy Wood, San Pedro High; Kathy Yoshida, Seventh Street; and Jacqueline Zuanich, Christ Lutheran.