Author: Heidi Sandoval

  • Poly’s Trash Problem

    Poly is a big school with lots of students and a lot of activity, and it’s especially active at lunch. It’s a good thing that our school is so lively and full of energy, but one of the biggest problems our school has is what our campus looks like when lunch is over.This school year, it seems as if the campus has more trash outside and near the trashcans than actually in them, and that’s where the problem starts.

    There are trash cans everywhere on campus, you can’t walk around for too long without seeing one. The question really is: If we have trash cans available, why is there still so much trash on the floor?

    The answer is simply just laziness and lack of concern, and that’s not good enough. If you can put your trash so close to the trash can, you can spend a couple extra seconds making sure your trash ends up in the trash can. I’ve seen whole pizza slices left on the floor, along with trays and juice boxes and bags of chips. The trash that is left on the floor causes so many other problems, like the seagulls that fly around during and after lunch is over.

    The seagulls that fly around here are looking for food. The food they find is our leftovers that are left on the floor. I don’t know about you, but I think the chances of being pooped on by a bird on the way to fifth period is too high. That chance could easily drop if trash was left where it’s supposed to be, in the trash can.

    Poly’s trash problem has an easy fix: put your trash where it belongs, not on the floor. If a trash can is full, go to another one. It really isn’t difficult. The trash left behind for someone else or something else to clean up is unacceptable. We as a school can all do better at keeping our campus clean.

  • Is Kylie Jenner Faking Her Sympathy?

    On February 28, 2022, Russia had invaded Ukraine, killing at least 352 people. Shortly after these tragic events, Kylie Jenner took to Instagram to say, “God protect the people of Ukraine,” and, “My thoughts and prayers are with you.” Here’s where the story should end, but unfortunately it doesn’t. Just 2 hours later, Jenner posted a promotional video for her company’s new range of lip kits and colors. Many people were a bit caught by this. Not liking the idea of self promotion after handing out “sympathy” to others who need it.

    In my opinion, Jenner only posted her “thoughts and prayers” to Ukraine so she could get it out of the way. When you are someone who constantly has eyes on you, any move could be the wrong one. If Jenner went days without posting anything about Ukraine, she would have gotten backlash for a different thing. @ellenaliisa_, a user on Twitter took the time to say, “I hope i’m not the only one annoyed by the fact, that (for example) Kylie Jenner hasn’t shown ANY support to Ukraine today on her social media, and instead just posts about her new lipkits??” Ellen had said that she was quite irritated that Jenner had just been posting and posting about her cosmetics line, and not about Ukraine. This is a perfect example of different perspectives. Jenner would have received the hate anyways. I think she just posted that so people would stop giving her backlash for not saying anything at all. That being the reason she just carried on with her new cosmetics being out.

    Now that Ms. Jenner had actually posted something, why were people still upset? The reason being that she is claimed, by many individuals, to be “tone deaf.” The definition of “tone deaf” is described as “insensitive and offensive as a result of not noticing the current social context.” So many perspectives of this situation are coming out. Many are saying that Jenner could have waited a minimum of 24 hours before posting a promotion for her own benefit. Lavanya VJ on Meaww.Com wrote, “Kylie Jenner has been branded ‘tone deaf’ after she promoted her new range of lip glosses on social media , right after she sent her prayers to people of Ukraine suffering from Russian invasion on Monday.” A user on tik tok also said, “All I’m gonna say is- look up the words ‘tone deaf’ for those of you who are defending someone who will never know you exist.” Jenner has also been called out for faking her sympathy for the Astroworld incident back in October 2021. Everyone learns from their mistakes, but seeing that Jenner did this exact same thing twice says that she’s very ignorant and does not know how to read the room. When people are dying, it is never right to promote yourself higher. Jenner could have donated to the many pages all over the internet to help Ukraine instead of posting a simple “I’m Sorry.” So many other great people are donating money and educating their followers about the situation. There are so many better ways she could have shared how she felt, and so many things she could have done to actually help the people of Ukraine. If her sympathy was completely authentic, she would be doing anything she can to help because we all know that saying a simple two words will not help anyone or anything. Jenner needs to own up to her mistakes and at least attempt to learn from them.

  • Taking off the mask, good idea? Or not?

    As Covid-19 rates die down, CoDC officials say we’re approaching an end to the global pandemic, at least in the nation.m m s/ Therefore, on February 28, California Governor Newsom announced starting March 1, the outdoor mask mandate will be lifted for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Adding on, it was announced that most indoor settings such as schools and any childcare facilities would no longer require masks from March 11. Schools could have their own update on policies about the requirement of masks after the mandate lift goes into effect.

    LBUSD posted an update of their policies on February 28, after Newsom’s announcement. The update of the policies state the new guidance would take effect on March 12, meaning from then on, masks are only strongly recommended at school but not required. This obviously causes a lot of controversy on going back to “normal life” or just continuing to personally use a mask.

    In my opinion, I don’t see life ever going back to before masks off because it just doesn’t seem normal anymore. Adding on, as we saw during winter break, Covid cases surged throughout those months reaching numbers we’ve never seen before. Who’s to say during spring break cases won’t start increasing again?

    I personally really don’t see the cons of wearing masks, they help with so much. Not only do they protect others and yourself, it helps with anxiety, not wearing makeup or covering a zit, hiding facial expressions, and so much more. Masks have always been controversial for whatever reason, so we will see how many people take advantage of the lifting of the mandate.

    I’m honestly really curious to see how it goes and who participates in it, just for fun. I wonder if teachers will also partake in the mask lift.

  • Humans of Poly: November 5, 2021

    Humans of Poly: November 5, 2021

    Photo by Jessenia Alvarado Vasquez

    “I love how Poly can be very cheerful, supportive, open, creative and fun. I dream on becoming and architect because I like to be creative and I’ve always been a fan of math and I also wanna build a family in the future.”

    – Erick Flores

     

    Photo by Molly Flynn

    “I’m really excited to be back on campus after a really hard year online. Having to adjust to a completely new environment was really hard for me. I was used to seeing my friends every day and having real interactions, and having it all taken away was hard. Being back has made it easier to complete my work and communicate with my teachers and friends like I used to.”

     

    Photo by Leyna Holly

    “My most comfortable relationship I have is with my best friend. We met in sixth grade in a history class and instantly clicked. Over time we became close friends and had some downs, but we bounced back from them and became stronger. We were close in freshman year, but over quarantine we became inseparable. Like completely inseparable. We bonded and found more things in common than we thought, and became extremely comfortable with each other, more than we’ve ever been with ourselves. She is my best friend.”

     

    Photo by Hugo Navarro Vargas

    “I want to finish high school, then hopefully go to a good college. Something I want to work hard on is achieving a scholarship and working hard for it. I would like to join a nursing school and hopefully become a nurse. I want to become a nurse because I want to help people feel better and learn about the diseases that run through my family history.”

    Photo by Dayvon Sierra

    What helped you throughout your first year of high school?

    “A good schedule will solve 90% of your problems, find a way to balance and find time for your classes and extra curricular activities and you’ll be set.”

  • Students Return to Poly’s Campus After Over a Year At Home

    Students Return to Poly’s Campus After Over a Year At Home

    The students of Poly High School returned back to in-person instruction on August 31 after an entire year of online learning due to Covid-19.

    After a school year of distance learning, students have mixed feelings about the transition into the new school year. Some students have found it difficult to return back to school since they have gotten used to the more independent environment of online learning, yet others are enthusiastic about being able to socialize in the classroom once again.

    Most students have not been at Poly for in-person instruction since March 13, 2020 when the district sent students home due to growing concerns regarding the virus. Instruction was moved online and students were forced to navigate their way through a new system of online schooling.

    Even during the “calm” after the chaos of figuring out how to begin teaching online for all the students, it was hard for many students to keep up with school. It seemed that there were just too many distractions on the computer, and in the students’ homes. “My grades were [bad] online,” said Poly freshman Javier Pineda Marquez. “I got distracted because my mom played loud Selena Gomez music while she was cleaning. I also played games with my screen off and on mute.”

    Another freshman, Alfonso Martinez said “I got distracted by the T.V and my sister’s class going on right next to me.”

    As conditions improved over the past year, the school district resumed normal in-person classes beginning on August 31, which students have had mixed feelings about. 

    Vanessa Marquez, a junior in CIC, said, “It’s been hard having to wake up early and actually go to school and pay close attention because I’m not really used to it.” Most students were able to wake up later during online school, like Marquez, and are having trouble getting up on time everyday. 

    “It’s been hard doing a lot of work during class and it’s very tiring,” said Angela Reyes, a junior in CIC.

    However, some students are excited about the return to the campus. Malia Ocubillo, a junior in CIC, said that being back in school has been better for her since she is able to interact and socialize with people she hasn’t seen in a long time.

    With students being back on campus, there are rules in place in order to prevent the spread of the virus as much as possible, such as wearing masks at all times. Students are urged to frequently wash their hands and use hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

    LBUSD also required all students that were to return to school register for Covid testing if they hadn’t yet received the vaccines as part of their safety precautions. For the Covid test, Poly High School uses a nasal swab procedure that is painless and lets students test themselves. If a student happens to test positive for Covid or have been potentially exposed to Covid, they will have to quarantine or test negative before coming back to school. 

    Over 60,000 tests have been given to LBUSD students this school year, which resulted in a low positive rate under one percent. “This low rate is a testament to the hard work families, students and staff have put in over the last few weeks,” said LBUSD Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker in the statement. 

    The district also required all staff to have the vaccine or take part in weekly covid testing. According to a district statement, a study even said LBUSD is a model for Covid safety. 

    “I think it’s very nice, the Covid precautions are being taken very seriously…Although I wish we would have gotten back sooner, we know that the district was doing all that they could,” said 9th grader Tika Jonnum.

  • Pretty in Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser

    Poly’s Breast Cancer Awareness Club is holding the Pretty in Pink Campaign this October for breast cancer awareness month at Poly. The Pretty in Pink Campaign is held to help patients, diagnosed with breast cancer, with financial assistance for their medical treatment. 

    To participate in the Pretty in Pink Campaign, students would give their third-period teachers their donations so the money can get collected and counted. Donations will be collected every Friday of October. The teacher with the largest donation amount will get a pizza party. The Breast Cancer Awareness Club will also be at the Pink Out game to collect more donations. 

    “Every year, the Breast Cancer Awareness Club here at Poly raises money in support of a Poly family member whose life has been disrupted by the disease,” Amy Crevino, president of the Breast Cancer Awareness Club, said. 

    Donations to the Pretty in Pink Campaign will be allocated to four groups. 50% of the money raised will go to an individual diagnosed with Breast Cancer to help pay for their medical costs. 20% will be put towards the Lee Denim/American Cancer Society and another 20% will help pay for the cost of mammograms for people without insurance. The final 10% is going towards the Breast Cancer Awareness Club promotional costs.

    There are teachers, students, and students’ parents who go through the battle of breast cancer and undergo financial hardship from the costly medical procedures, said Cynthia Negrete, the Breast Cancer Awareness Club advisor. Negrete expressed, “It’s hard for women that we don’t support each other enough.” 

    This influenced Julie Blanc, alumni of Poly’s dance team to start the Breast Cancer Awareness Club incorporated with the dance team. Blanc started the club because she had someone close to her who faced the struggle of breast cancer. She now has gone successfully in her life and even won the 30 Under 30 Forbes award in 2020. Now the dance team continues her legacy and carries on kindness to others. 

    Supporting such an important cause and doing your part in raising awareness is extremely rewarding when one can see how these donations help people’s lives, explained Crevino.