SYLMAR : Firm Attracted to Math/Science Magnet

It’s a case of having a pacemaker company in the right place.

A Sylmar biomedical electronics company that “adopted” Sylmar High School last year has found itself in a good position to help the school’s new math/science magnet get off the ground.

Siemens Pacesetter Inc., a 900-employee German company that makes heart pacemakers, adopted Sylmar High last fall as part of the district’s Adopt-a-School program. Now, the school and its adopter have more in common than ever.

“It lends itself to a terrific partnership,” said Jim Esterle, director of personnel at Siemens. “We’ve just begun to explore the potential of this relationship.”

Esterle said the company will continue to provide the school with guest speakers, outdated computer equipment and other supplies, but will also coordinate programs that allow students to spend time at the facility.

The math/science magnet is one of 10 new magnet schools in the Valley.

Sylmar’s magnet coordinator, Debbie Steinert, said because the new magnets were not included in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s brochure, which was distributed in the spring, recruiting students for the program has been difficult.

She said the program is still accepting applications.

The curriculum will concentrate on math and science and integrate them into other subject areas.