Author: adviser

  • The Parking Fiasco

    The Parking Fiasco

    Poly’s baseball parking lot underwent a much needed makeover during the summer. The district’s call for this remodel was long overdue, according to assistant Activities Director Virginia Agredano-Perez, who stated that she couldn’t recall the last time the lot was worked on.

    The renovation included a new walkway along the baseball field, which provided an easier way for pedestrians to move across the lot if necessary and for drivers to get to their cars. However, what was not implemented in the new structure’s plan was a drop-off zone for parents.

    The amount of students that get dropped off outweighs those that can drive themselves. Each morning on Jackrabbit Lane, 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Street is a nightmare with these parents blocking the road. How are students expected to be on time to class when the traffic stops them from parking immediately when arriving at school?

    Senior Kayla Gibson states that, “in order to comfortably get a parking spot, [she] has to get to school early.” Gibson, who parks on M.L.K. Street everyday, was unable to get a parking permit, another downside to the lot’s “improvement”. The total amount of permits distributed this school year was 173, around eighteen less than the total available last year.

    “I don’t understand why they got rid of a whole row of spots,” senior Katie Pream pointed out, noticing the decrease in spots did not ease the difficulty faced when leaving school.

    With the decrease in spots, students have to resort to parking on M.L.K. Jr. Street, 15th Street, and even 17th Street. An issue with parking on the street is twice a week street sweeping eliminates parking spots.  Last school year, the times changed to 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

    Gibson explained that the change in street-sweeping days has been extremely inconvenient, and she has seen students running late to class from having trouble finding parking spots on those two days.

    Photo by David Moore
  • A Day of Remembrance: 9/11 Memorial

    A Day of Remembrance: 9/11 Memorial

    Photos by David Moore

  • Time for City Corps

    JROTC is preparing to start off strong this year with their City Corps competition coming up on October 4 at Cabrillo High School. City Corps is an event between four schools: Lakewood, Paramount, Cabrillo, and Long Beach Poly. At the event, the top four cadets will be interviewed by all the instructors from each school.

    The commanders have chosen their top four cadets to represent Poly, which will be senior Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Justeny Arias, senior Cadet Major Shaina Tudayan, senior Cadet Major Matthew Sann, and junior Cadet Command Sergeant Major Carina Ayala. These four cadets will be answering questions to see what position they will be able to hold on the Junior ROTC Staff.
    “This is nothing they can really study for,” Senior Army Instructor Sergeant Major Wright explained. “It’s just gonna be military knowledge on how they would handle certain scenarios.”
    As for cadets being chosen, they were carefully picked to represent Poly.

    “The cadets are very dedicated to the program of ROTC and the needs for Poly High School,” Wright said.

    Junior Cadet Carina Ayala explained how she is very excited to be attending and feels honored to be the only represented junior out of the four chosen. Ayala dedicated her 3 years at Poly to Junior ROTC and is looking forward to potentially hold a higher position for her senior year. “I love ROTC because it has pushed me to be the full potential version of myself, and as well, I know I will do great in the competition,” Ayala said.

    After this event passes, JROTC’s next event will be the Veteran’s Parade on November 11.

  • Recycle Now!

    Recycle Now!

    Facts are important, extremely important. When Intensive Studies teacher Tonia Schwichtenberg voiced the controversy surrounding Poly’s recycling program, it was apparent that there were many misunderstandings.

    During certain periods of the day, students with intellectual disabilities can be seen picking up and recycling bottles and cans.
    The point Schwichtenberg has been trying to get across is that the students participating in this program are choosing to participate.
    “It’s a school-wide program that is their choice to be a part of,” Schwichtenberg said. “It is NOT trash pick up. I need everybody to understand that.”
    To clear up any confusion and end the recycling program’s negative connotation, a list of facts was included and discussed by Schwichtenberg herself.

    Schwichtenberg’s List of Facts:
    1. The program is not a trash pick up. The students recycle cans and bottles, and it is called Recycle Now.
    2. Recycle Now was designed by and for students who have intellectual disabilities.
    3. Students involved in Recycle Now use the bottles and cans recycled each day to create reusable products, such as backpacks and rulers.
    4. Recycle Now is a paid job for students who are interested.
    5. Students that choose to be a part of the program have to go through an application process to be picked for the position. 6. Schwichtenberg and her students began Recycle Now around 19 years ago and have proven the success of the program each day. The students that have this job recycle around 3,000 pounds of bottles and cans on the Poly campus each year, and Recycle Now has been honored with various awards from the City.

    Recycle Now has been beneficial for students with disabilities, and the program will continue to thrive. There is always more than what meets the eye.

  • Fourth Quater Heartbreak

    Fourth Quater Heartbreak

    Long​ ​Beach​ ​Poly​ ​football​ ​played ​Mission​ ​Viejo​​ ​on​ ​Friday,​ ​September​ ​15, ​at​ ​Veterans​ ​Stadium. The Poly football team was adorned in their all black uniforms and the Poly fans supported them by wearing black as well.

    The​ ​Jackrabbits​ ​lost​ ​12-7.​ ​Poly​ ​now​ ​has​ ​a​ ​2-1-0​ ​overall​ ​record this season and ​Mission Viejo​ ​now​ ​has​ ​a​ ​4-0-0​ ​overall​ ​record. When​ ​asked​ ​his​ ​thoughts​ ​on​ ​the​ ​game​, senior ​Raymond Graham said,​ ​“We had the game in our hands and we let them take the momentum of the game.”

    During the first quarter, Poly defense held it down and blocked any advances towards the end zone.​ In the second quarter the Jackrabbits were not as successful and Mission Viejo scored the first touchdown of the game. Poly came back refreshed after halftime and Graham scored a touchdown for the Jackrabbits, making the score 7-6. In the midst of the fourth quarter Mission Viejo grabbed control of the game via a pick 6 and didn’t let go, despite Poly’s valiant efforts.

    This​ ​was​ ​Poly’s​ third​game​ ​this​ ​season.​ ​They​ ​had​ ​a​ ​game​ ​on​ ​August​ ​25​ ​against​ ​Los​ ​Alamitos. Poly​ ​won​ ​the​ ​game​ ​28-10.​ The ​Jackrabbits​ ​also​ ​had​ ​a​ ​game​ ​September​ ​1​ ​versus​ ​Narbonne.​ ​The game​ ​took​ ​Place​ ​At​ ​El​ ​Camino​ ​college.​ ​Poly​ ​won​ ​again​ ​(14-10).

    The​ ​game​ ​was​ ​for also a part of the​ ​Touchdowns​ ​Against​ ​Cancer.​ ​Touchdowns​ ​against​ ​cancer​ ​is​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​raise money​ ​to​ ​help​ ​fight​ ​childhood​ ​cancer.​ ​High​ ​school​ ​football​ ​team’s​ ​across​ ​America​ ​participate​ ​in this​, all​​ ​September.​ ​$16​ ​is​ ​pledged​ ​per​ ​touchdown, and all​ ​the​ ​money​ ​raised​ ​goes​ ​towards​ ​St. Jude​ ​Children’s​ ​Research​ ​Hospital.​ ​So​ ​far​ ​530​ ​touchdowns​ ​have​ ​been​ ​scored and​ ​$74,488 has been​ ​raised.​ ​Touchdowns​ ​against​ ​cancer​ ​was​ ​created​ ​by​ ​MaxPreps, Pledge​ ​It​ ​and​ ​St.​ ​Jude​ ​Children’s​ ​Research​ ​Hospital. ​ Long​ ​Beach​ ​Poly​ ​also​ ​has​ ​two​ ​upcoming​ ​games​ ​this​ ​month against Millikan and Wilson. Poly will be playing Millikan at Millikan on September 22 and is expected to be a good game due to their similar season statistics of two wins and one loss. Poly will play Wilson September 29 at Veterans Stadium.

    The​ ​first​ ​upcoming​ ​game​ ​is​ ​against​ ​Millikan,​ ​and​ ​it’s​ ​Poly’s​ ​first​ ​conference​ ​game​ ​this​ ​season. Poly​ ​is​ ​away​ ​and​ ​it​ ​is​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​good​ ​game​ ​based​ ​on​ ​both​ ​the​ ​teams​ ​similar​ ​season stats.​ ​When​ ​asked​ ​their​ ​thoughts​ ​on​ ​the​ ​upcoming​ ​game​, Junior​ ​Ulises​ ​Godoy​ ​said​ ​“Look good,​ ​feel​ ​good,​ ​play​ ​good.”​ The​ ​second upcoming​ ​game​ ​is​ ​against​ ​Wilson.​ ​Wilson’s​ ​record​ ​is​ ​1-3.​ Poly​ ​is​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​take​ ​1st​ ​place​ ​in Moore ​league​ ​again​ ​this​ ​season.

  • What in the World???

     

    Record-Breaking Earthquakes

      Hurricane Harvey and Irma have been all the talk in the United States press and media. Still today, residents of Florida and Texas are losing everything because of the natural disasters.

    However, Mexico has been dealing with two of its most destructive earthquakes in the country’s history.

    After the Category 1 hurricane, Katia, struck eastern Mexico, the southern coast felt the brunt of the strongest earthquake in 100 years for the country, according to Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto. The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1, and ABC news announced on September 11 that 96 citizens have died.

    Chiapas and Oaxaca were the most affected states of Mexico by the quake because of how close the two states were to the earthquake’s epicenter. Around 5,000 homes were destroyed in Chiapas, and 11,000 homes were destroyed in Oaxaca.

    To make matters worse, a tsunami warning has been issued to citizens because of the increase in ocean-wave size.

    More recently, on September 19, Mexico City was struck with a 7.1 earthquake.

    Unfortunately, it was on Septe

    mber 19 that Mexico City was honoring those that died on that day in 1985. In 1985, an 8.1 earthquake struck Mexico City killing around 6,000 citizens. 32 years later, the 7.1 earthquake shook Mexico City for a second time.

    Citizens had to be evacuated from buildings and into the streets because of the endless destruction.  After a couple of hours, the City announced that the earthquake had already killed 100 people and destroyed multiple buildings.

    To help those affected by this earthquake in Mexico City, visit the Red Cross Mexico.

      *Information from ABC, CNN, and The LA Times was used for the creation of this article.*

    Hurricane Dogs

      Hurricane Harvey has been tormenting Houston citizens and their families for weeks now. What about the animals left behind?

    On September 5, Southwest Airlines created a system to fly homeless animals from the destruction and wreck Hurricane Harvey to safety.

    The animal shelters in Houston were overpopulated with homeless dogs and cats that were left behind during the hurricane.     Southwest Airlines came up with a plan to help.

    The airlines teamed with an animal shelter in San Diego, California to transport the homeless animals from Houston to the San Diego shelter.

    Around 60 cats and dogs were rescued and brought to safety in San Diego.

    The animals that were transported are now being taken care of at the San Diego shelter, Helen Woodland Animal Center.

      *Information from Today News was used for the creation of this article.*

    Cholera Outbreak in Northeast Nigeria

          Cholera is a disease that infects foods and drinking water, and once these are contaminated and consumed, the individual can be killed within a few hours without treatment.

    A cholera outbreak has contaminated and infected individuals near northeast Nigeria dwelling in camps run by the organization, Boko Haram.

    The Boko Haram is a militant Islamic group in Nigeria.

    Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, is where the outbreak began.     However, the disease has spread to neighboring towns such as Monguno and Dikwa.

    Professionals have been travelling to northeast Nigeria to help cure those infected by cholera and give vaccines to citizens to protect them from the disease.

    Already, 2,600 people have been infected by cholera, and 48 individuals have died.

    Professionals and workers from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have been campaigning to vaccinate the people of northeast Nigeria, and if carried through, the vaccine will be given to 900,000 people for this week.

         *Information from Thomson Reuters Foundation News was used for the creation of this article.*

  • Who Cares? Poly Peer Counselors Cares

    Do you ever feel like you need to talk to someone about something that’s bothering you or you just want to get it off your chest?

    Poly has a place where students can do exactly that, and it is called the CARE Center in room 205. Mr. Gray is the counselor, and the hours are from 7:30 AM to 1 PM Monday through Friday.

    Students can go there for personal concerns, family problems, academic problems, to improve relationships in school or at home, child abuse, sexual abuse, depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, student-athlete issues, or anything they are struggling with.

    If students need help, they can tell their teacher during class, and get a pass to the CARE Center. The center is not an excuse to get out of class. Other options, besides going to the center during class, is to go during nutrition or lunch.

    Counseling groups consist of personal development, stress and anxiety, and grief and loss. It also has groups to help support parents and teachers.

    “If a student is ever scared to go to the CARE Center, you should know that everything you talk about in there is completely confidential,” Senior Lily Brossus said. “No one will know what you share, not your parents, friends, or teachers. It’s a safe environment, and if you have problems, I encourage people to go if they need help.”

    The CARE Center is a safe place, and Poly students are encouraged to go seek help. All of the counselors are supportive, and the center helps approximately 1,500 students each year.

    “Everyone should know that it’s okay to talk about your problems, because us peer counselors are students at Poly just like all the kids who come in,” Senior Zenita Leang stated. “We’ve experienced things like some of the people who come in.”

    “It’s a really safe place where you can meet new people who really care about you and want to help you with your problems or whatever you have going on in your life that’s bothering you,” senior Abby Rubin explained.

    The CARE Center has helped people with all kinds of problems, no matter how big or small. The counselors are there to listen, give advice, and guide students while they are struggling. They are also there to make students feel better and like they are cared about.

    “As a freshman and sophomore, I learned that the CARE Center was a place where you could go for help,” Leang said. “I realized that it’s a very useful and valuable resource to have and it was something I wanted to be part of to help fellow students out and make them feel better.”

  • Hit the Books at the Michelle Obama Public Library

    Hit the Books at the Michelle Obama Public Library

    The Michelle Obama Library celebrated its one-year anniversary on September 10th, 2017. The library is about 5.2 miles away down Atlantic Street from Poly.

    Ana Villalpando has been an assistant librarian at the Michelle Obama Library for over a year. She makes sure that “patrons have a satisfying experience” by tending to their library needs. Villalpando has her BA in philosophy and is currently enrolled at CSULB for her MA in social and cultural of education. Villalpando would like to inform the Poly community of the library’s vast resources.

    “The library has Mac computers equipped with Photoshop, Adobe, and Final Cut Pro (video editing software) programs. All computers have Excel and Microsoft Word,” Villalpando said. “Some computers have database software for any student looking to strengthen their SAT, ACT, or any standardized test skills. iPads are also available upon request for students.”

    The library provides many opportunities to win special prizes. The community can enter for the chance to win two movie tickets if they sign up for a library card. For the chance to win $100 dollars in movie tickets, dress up in a Teen Titan costume, upload the photo to Instagram and tag the Long Beach Public Library. These offers end in September.

    Villalpando explained the various study rooms in the library available for students.

    “There are two designated study and quiet rooms available to students upon reservation. These rooms are enclosed and have tables and chairs,” Villalpando said. “The study rooms have a TV available that can connect to the student’s device. Quiet rooms also contain white boards.”

    The rooms are the perfect place for a group project or study group to meet. Villalpando also explained that there are several comfortable “booth” like tables with outlets for students to use.

    Villalpando is very enthusiastic about the library’s homework help program for students.

    “Students who would like assistance with their homework can utilize the library’s Family Learning Program,” Villalpando said. “The program hours are the same as the library’s hours.”

    The library offers many events throughout the year. The library also hosts college talks for high school students every Wednesday in September starting at 4:30 PM. Kim Turrisi, initial producer of web series Pretty Little Liars and author of Just a Normal Day is holding a book talk on October 4th. Editor and publisher for Wannabe Press Russell Nohelty will be hosting a graphic novel workshop on October 11th at 4 PM.

    The library owns three 3D printers. Library cardholders are allowed one free print of their choice a month. If interested in learning how to use a 3D printer, ask a librarian.

  • Summer Bummer

    Most people have a favorite season, especially when choosing between the polar opposites summer and winter. A good majority of students prefer the sunny, school-free former over the cold, depressing latter.

    But as for me, well… I just do not know. I am not the type of person to be going out everyday, but at the same time I can relate to the feeling of being over school just as much as the next person.

    However, I have now gotten to the point where I’m not completely sure I agree with the majority, because like many people I know, without school my weekdays are pretty bare of plans.

    I am Mexican, so that means I am going to be getting up just to clean and turn on my loud banda songs and after that, I’ll only be sitting on the couch eating – which is not good because of the huge amount of weight I will inevitably gain.

    On the bright side, my stress levels will experience a plummet that mirrors the Xcelerator ride at Knotts, and my sleep habits will return to normal, aka hibernation. So, I guess summer shouldn’t be too bad.

  • Plastic Wrap Couples Be Like:

    I hate clingy relationships soooo much.

    For instance, when you are no longer able to hang out with a friend because they’re with a new person who is practically controlling their lives.

    I can’t even list on two hands the amount of friends I have lost because they got in a weird relationship which consumed their lives (ok fine, I might be exaggerating, but you get the picture).

    Then of course, after they break up they all of a sudden are able to hang out with the ones they left friendless and abandoned, as if nothing ever happened, as if they’ve done more than wave hey to you in passing! Ha, haha, –  I don’t think so!

    Nope, not today sister! Why not go crawling back to your boyfriend – you know, the one you left us for? Oh, what’s that?… you say it didn’t work out? We are in high school sweetie. I could’ve predicted that!

    Especially now during my senior year when I see clingy behavior between people who won’t live in the same time zone in about three months. Sorry not sorry! They are, and I say this with 99.99% certainty, NOT the love of your life. In fact I bet $20 you will not even talk  to each other 10 years from now.

    So, to the people who ditched their friends for ‘soulmates’ throughout high school and have found themselves without a companion in sight, I say this: LOL.

    But seriously, your lover isn’t the only person in your life who loves you, so act like it.

  • Why Am I Here?

    As a senior, my number one priority is leaving high school. And yet, the school year is still going…Yikes.

    Most high schools start halfway through August and continue until the end of May. This is because a very important part of high school is Advanced Placement (AP) classes and exams. The exams always take place the first two weeks of May, after which most school years are finished.

    But not here. School ends an entire three weeks after AP exams. These extra weeks are just an excuse for teachers to assign final projects, some of which are completely irrelevant and are simply busywork to fill time.

    After students spend all year preparing for AP exams, it seems a little bit useless to still attend school afterwards. AP classes are solely focused on preparing for the exams, so after the exams are done, these classes have nothing to do. Teachers are forced to come up with extra things so that their classes still have assignments.

    And this isn’t only about schoolwork. Most summer jobs I looked at had a start date of early June, a time at which I am still in school. I can’t skip school for a job, but I want a job, and most employers say that if you can’t start at the given date, don’t even bother applying.

    I may be wrong, but honestly, just get me out of here.

  • Can’t Break Away from Kimmy Schmidt!

    “Unbreakable, they alive dammit!” These are the opening lyrics of the theme for the hilarious Netflix series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt written by Tina Fey that get my heart racing. That combined with the upbeat drum and the swat team member’s hand that seems to pop out of the screen reaching towards me makes me fall in love again with each episode!

    No, I am not crazy. But the characters in one of the greatest shows to ever be filmed certainly are. Each season of the comedy contains 13 episodes,  and while some are over in a flash, others seem more extravagant in production and hilarious as you go on.

    The first season took me about a month to fully watch (twice) and digest. Then, they made me wait a full year to finally continue onto the second season, which satisfied my itch after an intense cliffhanger.

    After I finished the second season, which felt at most two seconds long and ended on another monumental cliff-hanger, I had to wait another year for season three! Obviously, you can tell how dedicated I am to this show.

    Why? Because each season introduces new love interests, hilariously outrageous conflicts, and a Titus Andromedon music video.

    In my opinion, the third season was the funniest out of the three because in seasons past, not all of the characters were equally funny. Titus would usually be the only one whose jokes made me LOL. But  thankfully, everyone has material that makes not only me, but my family as well, laugh.

    So here’s the low-down [SPOILER ALERT!]:  Titus covers songs from Beyonce’s Lemonade album like “Hold Up” and “All Night” after breaking up with his first love and getting scurvy. Kimmy goes to traffic school to become a crossing guard but can’t because she is married to her kidnapper and Lillian becomes the local representative and falls in love with the guy whose reputation and career she is trying to destroy. And Jacqueline gets married to her comatose boyfriend and changes the Redskins offensive name and logo.

    This is also the season with the most innuendos referring to real-life conflicts such as unwanted deurbanization, racism in sports leagues, and the many definitions and practices of feminism in college.

    Overall, despite the final cliff hanger of Kimmy getting an amazing job at a new successful business, I think this season was a complete success, even if Nia disagrees with me.