Category: News

  • Banker Blues

    Banker Blues

    With the AP test payment storm now complete, many Poly students have now interacted with the new banker, Lynne Amyx.
    For the past few years, Poly students have faced what seems like an ever-changing banker and system.
    It has confused many students and done little to assuage potential concerns about the organization of the high school’s financial system.
    According to Brett Alexander, Yearbook and Speech and Debate teacher, Poly was “spoiled” by the previous banker, Lovinia Ilog.
    Ilog worked as a banker at Poly for over 25 years, and had an efficient approach honed by years of experience working with the system.
    She was a “well-oiled machine” as described by Alexander and many students.

    After she left about a year and a half ago, the Poly community got a new banker by the name of Andrea Sanchez.
    Sanchez was enthusiastic but “notoriously slow” according to sophomore Jason White.
    Her hiring came at a time of a transition in Poly’s banking system from paper-based to electronic.
    This transition proved difficult for her, which may have partially caused the long lines to pay for dance tickets and AP tests that plagued the school last year.

    Several people said that at one point Sanchez left a vendor payment check for around $30,000 unsent, and it was found later on the bottom or a pile of papers.

    In addition, she also failed to deposit over $200 in personal checks that were intended for an academic program.
    Sanchez applied for a position at Wilson High School and was hired, leaving Poly.
    Alexander believes that this was largely due to better alleged opportunities at Wilson than at Poly.
    With the new electronic banking system well in place, new banker Amyx is well-positioned to succeed at Poly.
    It is in the high school’s best interest to have a well-organized and thorough banker to keep the school and students in good fiscal order.

     

    Update: A previous version of this article stated that Sanchez was transferred, however she applied for the transfer, interviewed, and it was approved.

  • 2019 C-SPAN Competition

    The 2019 Student Documentary Competition, C-Span’s StudentCam winners have been announced!
    Poly had four winning teams this year for the cable news channel’s StudentCam Competition.
    One out of the four teams earned the 2nd Prize, which is highest award Poly’s ever received compared to previous years.
    What exactly StudentCam is? C-SPAN’s “annual national video documentary competition”, according to their website, which requires students to think more in depth about issues affecting our communities and our nation.

    Students are given the platform in order to express their views on whatever topic is given for the yearly competition.
    The topic for this year was “What Does It Mean To Be American?”
    One of the requirements was to choose between a constitutional right, national characteristic, or historic event and explain how it defines the American experience.

    Competition was open to students from grade levels 6-12.
    There were middle and high school categories.
    Students could have chosen to compete individually, or in teams of either 2 or 3 members. Including clips either supporting or opposing C-SPAN video, relating with the topic.

    The length of the documentaries ranges from 5-6 minutes.
    There were about 150 winning entries announced on Wednesday March 13, according to their website calculating their votes.
    Students were asked to pick their favorite documentary out of the entries, submitted by January 20. Voting was open from Monday February 25 to midnight Sunday March 3.

    C-SPAN plans to attend Poly on April 18 to congratulate the students who earned awards. The ceremony will be held possibly in room 310 or the library, it’s still in the works.

    They as well travel with a gigantic bus across the country, where they showcase the winning entries.
    To give an idea of just how gigantic this bus is, Jeff Montooth has stated their has been “trouble fitting it anywhere at Poly”.
    The 2nd place team from Poly, awarded $1,500m was Hamid Torabzadeh, Katherine Padilla & Pia Hao, with their video titled “Retained by the People- The Promise of America”.

    There was quite a few, honorable mention winners, awarded with $250.
    The honorable mention winners consisted of students Grant Atwood, Justin Rosu and Jacob Jacoub in their video “We Didn’t All Come on the Mayflower”; Samantha Williams and Inanna Khansa, with their video “The Press and the People”; And lastly, Audrey Song with “One Person, One Vote”.

  • Microsoft Welcomes Minority Students!

    Microsoft Welcomes Minority Students!

    Polytechnic High School was cordially invited to attend Microsoft’s annual Minority student day.
    This is the second year it is held in Southern California, but worldwide has been an event for 29 years.
    According to Microsoft’s Diversity and Inclusion Blog, 4.1% of workers are African American, 1.8% are Latino or Hispanic, and .5% are Indigenous.

    Caucasians are the majority, 55% of workers, meaning that there is a need for diversity in the technology field.
    Microsoft aims to have a more inclusive image, accepting people of all backgrounds to be successful within their company.
    In attempt to raise the number of minorities, this day hopes to inspire our generation to work within the fields of technology and business management.

    Based on how dependent humans are on technology, there will be an increase in the number of people that need to work in technologically related majors.

    The event exposed students to new technology systems, such as the HoloLens software that mixes virtual reality with the real world.
    These mixed reality systems are the foundation for future architect, engineers, and even surgeons.
    Lauren Reynolds, a senior at Poly, said, “ It was interesting to see how much technology can benefit our future in multiple aspects. It allows us to access information more conveniently by technically being hands-free.”

    Overall, there are many opportunities to benefit all students of color by being able to intern for Microsoft in college.
    The MACH program allows college students to have a head start in getting a job with the company while still being a full time student.
    Even if students are not interesting in pursuing a career in coding, the company promotes those interested in business, marketing, and even engineering to apply to the program.

  • College Courses for High School Students

    High school students taking college courses has become increasingly popular in the last few years as many high schools have been offering free opportunities to attend classes.

    Taking colleges classes as a high school student prepares students for actual college classes and it looks really good on resumes.
    Now, you may be thinking, “Why would a high school student want to add one more class to their already full schedule? And a rigorous class at that?”

    Well, there happens to be many benefits to taking college classes while also being a student in high school, despite how absurd in may sound when you’re already extremely busy.

    For beginners, a lot of these classes are open for all students regardless of financial situation, ethnicity, or gender.
    The classes offered are usually paid for by the school district so you don’t have to have to come up with money to pay for them.
    This saves you tons of money for later on when you’re in college.

    Classes that you can take now for free in high school will cost thousands of dollars later on in college.
    Another reason to take college classes as a high school student is that they prepare students for actual classes and real life settings.
    High school students already have super busy schedules with sports, clubs, volunteering, and assignments due.
    While adding an extra commitment may seem crazy, students will essentially be learning life long lessons such as time management skills, strong work ethic, critical thinking, and maturity.

    Being in a college class seems intimidating but it’s not as bad as it seems.
    You are most likely in class surrounded by people who have the same interests as you.
    Senior Tywanna Mosely, 17, also attends an Intro to Business course at LBCC.

    “I would definitely recommend that high school students take college classes. It’s a good learning experience and you also get used to the college atmosphere. It’s also cool talking to the older students,” Mosely explained when asked about her opinion about college classes.
    Miss Sylvia Womack is a specialist in the college and career center.
    Womack often meets a lot of students who take college classes through the school’s dual enrollment program that allows students to take classes for free and LBCC while still being enrolled as a high school student.
    “I would recommend that students who are confident that they can do well in a college course take college classes as a high school student. Otherwise, if they think that they won’t do that well, I wouldn’t recommend it. Students tend to forget that these classes are actual college courses and they can affect your chances of getting into the universities or colleges that you want,” Womack stated.
    Although the classes seem intimidating at first, the benefits are numerous.
    The opportunity to mature in a different environment, meet new people and teachers, and prepare yourself for your future are just some of them.

    If you know that you’ll have a high chance of getting the grade you want, think about taking college classes!
    Talk to your counselors to see if dual enrollment is good for you!

  • No More Waiting in Line; Pay for AP Tests Online

    For the first time, students at Poly will have the option of paying online for their AP tests online.
    With the high number of students taking AP classes here at Poly, the line for the school banker gets longer and longer the closer we get to AP payment deadlines.
    Those who have taken APs before know ugly that line gets sometimes. Luckily, suffering through that endless torment is no longer required.
    Students can pay for their AP tests online through the Poly website (after they’ve already registered through studentvue to take the AP tests).
    On the homepage, students can access a link to the Poly Web Store, and from here, they can add whichever AP tests they’re taking to their cart and then pay for them.
    A 2.99% non-refundable surcharge is added to all purchases, so this means each AP test price will increase from $5.00 to $5.15.
    For more information, in case there’s any questions or confusion, students can go see AP coordinator, Mr. West, in Room 132 or email him at jwest@lbschools.net.

  • Consuming Meat is Bring in the Heat

    Currently the Social Work and Advocacy in Action classes that Michael Gray teaches are working on something big.
    The reducing of meat consumption, in order to make our environment in better living conditions for the future.
    What exactly is it that students do in the Social Work and Advocacy in Action class?
    Students are given the opportunity to make changes in their community through research and action.

    Students have done surveys, such as what people know about climate change and how they feel about sexual harassment.
    The assignment they are given this time is that of starting a small change that will hopefully spread across everywhere else.
    So far in the project they have conducted a survey in order to gather information.

    One of the questions asked on this survey was, “If you knew that how much meat we consume is making climate change/climate disruption worse, would you make a change in how much you eat?” 58% said yes while 42% said no.

    There was several other questions regarding the choices students make, in order to make them think and chose more carefully.
    Other questions were asking if students knew facts, like how it takes 1,800 gallons of water to make a Quarter Pound hamburger.
    Besides asking if students knew statistics, the survey also asked, if knowing the information you have now, would you choose to switch up your way of eating to benefit our world.

    A small percentage said they would continue their ways.
    Based on the information gathered for the survey, Gray’s classes decided to take it to the next step.
    They decided to contact Long Beach City Council and Food Network to see if either of them are willing to showcase these new changes in order to impact society’s ways on a wider scale.

    Students are helping in different aspects of the project such as: video production, coming up with scripts, sending letters to both the council and tv networks and promoting this issue through advertisement.

    All of this is in the works, and have yet to be set in motion and completed.

  • Is This Weather Ok?

    El Nino has officially arrived, according to National Weather Service, switching the usual warm weather to rainy and cold weather.

    El Nino is the shift of weather patterns and winds that bring warm oceans and much rain to the Pacific Ocean. This weather is unusual and hated by most Southern Californians.

    This change in weather has affected many sports and the capability to perform everyday things.
    Poly Beach Volleyball player Ellie Requejo said, “Practices have been cancelled all week due to the rain and much of our team is unprepared for our first match on Saturday.”

    These inconveniences not only affect sports but just the basic ability to walk around school.
    Sophomore Tomas Hertzog said, “Walking around Poly is almost impossible because the only places that cover the rain are the catwalks, and they are usually full.”
    Many students across campus hate this new weather and can’t wait, now more than ever, for spring and summer to come.

    Much of Long Beach and Poly have been flooded due to the extreme amounts of rain. This flooding makes driving very dangerous especially in large vehicles.
    Due to the fact of heavy rains, the dirt roads near the YMCA Camp Oakes in Big Bear, CA (location of the Poly North) have been deemed unsafe for driving.
    To ensure safety and enjoyment for the Sophomore class, Poly North has been rescheduled for March 22-24.
    There have been cancellations, so their are limited spots are open for $60 at the banker.

  • Model United Nations, Take Flight!

    Photo Courtesy Patrick Gillogly

    Poly’s Model United Nations club and elective hosted by Mr.Gologily accompanied 30 students from February 8th – 10th to Boston, Massachusetts to participate in a simulated United Nations meetings.

    The prestigious model united nations event was hosted by Boston University coined, “BosMUN,” which invited high schools around the world to accumulate the brightest minds to solve the most debated problems.

    The venue took place at the grand Marriott Boston Copley, a big enough venue to contain several high schools and hundreds of delegates.
    At the venue a student or students would represent a country, preson, or place and debate in a committee which pertained to specific topics.
    Students argue from the country or places perspective which requires background research prior to the event.
    How students start and end the meeting, discuss, and dress is all in accordance to the real United Nations meeting.
    For example, the majority of the conference required delegates wear western business clothing which shows the seriousness in the event.
    The four committees that took place for delegates to debate about where The Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN),
    The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), The Disarmament and Security Committee (DISEC) , The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
    Zane Witter, known mostly for being a varsity cross country runner attended the trip in hopes to experience a model united nations with different people from other countries.

    At the trip Zane argued representing Argentine Republic on The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), committee specifically about net neutrality and smart cities.

    After the Bosmun XVII event, Zane along with many other delegates who went on the trip voiced that, “it was an eye opening experiencing,” as they all saw different perspectives and opinions on modern problems and topics that appear in today’s media.
    Bosmun wasn’t the only thing that fueled excitement for the trip as Boston itself offered more than a model united nations conference such as Prudential Center, on Newbury Street.

    The center and street is littered with popular and undiscovered places such as California Pizza Kitchen, Dig Inn, and Davids Tea which all serve modern, healthy alternatives to today’s food.
    Overall, the BosMUN XVII was a successful trip where students learned more about the world and about themselves.

  • The Monarch Butterfly

    Monarch butterflies are in danger! Monarch butterflies are in the Nymphalidae family, the largest butterflies with more than 6,000 species around the world.
    This winter, the Monarchs migrated to Mexico more than a week later than their usual date, October 20th, due to the cold and rain that’s been happening in the United States.
    Other causes for their decreasing numbers are because of pesticides, habitat loss, and fewer native plants (milkweeds are where they lay their eggs).
    According to an article on The Guardian, Andrew Rhodes, Mexico’s national commissioner for protected natural areas, stated that “Once in Mexican territory, the butterflies occupied an area that gives us a lot of hope for the future..,” but this doesn’t guarantee that the Monarchs are out of danger.
    These butterflies are needed because they “help plants pollinate and are a crucial part of the food cycle (they are a food source for other animals),” says Ms. Indira Jimenez, teacher at Poly.
    Luckily, Poly has a garden bed in the Poly community garden dedicated to the Monarchs and this January, 3 caterpillars were found in the garden which is a great start to help them out.
    We can all continue to help Monarchs by planting more milkweeds, avoid using pesticides in gardens, finding a way to stop climate change, and spreading the word.

  • R.OT.C Take It All at Fullerton

    On February 9, 2019, R.O.T.C (Reserve Officer Training Corps) ascend to higher heights by attending their first formal competition for unarmed exhibition, armed exhibition, physical training, map reading and academics at Fullerton Union High School.
    Poly faced several formidable schools such as Western High, Paramount, Santiago, Buena Park, Fullerton, Katella, Mongolia, Sonora, Lorara, and the Army Navy Academy.
    Triumph they did. Starting with unarmed exhibition, known for there pristine taps and crisp formations, commander CPT.
    Khan, Lenny and first segargent CSM. Boonlua, Calvin displayed to Army and Naval soldiers why they’re the best at what they do taking 2nd in exhibition an 8-minute formulated performance and also 2nd in regulation a sequence of marching commands performed close to perfection. Commander CPT.
    Khan, Lenny expressed that they, “performed to their capacity,” and, “proud,” how his senior year as a commander is going.
    Poly didn’t stop there, but also steam rolled the competition when competing in armed exhibition (informally known as the, “Dark Knights”).
    There on the raining, pouring basketball courts did commander CPT.
    Tran, Ryan and first sergeant MSG Corza, Brandon lead their team to exhibit precise and veteran spins with 8.69 pound rifles, a formidable task even for the best.
    They seized 1st in armed exhibition with not a word leave on the drill pad. Commander CPT.
    Tran, Ryan expressed the same emotion as CPT. Khan Lenny as he, “made the most of it,” at his last Fullerton competition
    Putting the cherry on the top, Poly’s physical training team (Known as the, “Raiders”) led by MAJ. Kristine Ordinario placed 1st in the physical training test consisting of 2 minutes of push ups and sit ups and a 1 mile time trial.
    Poly dominated the competition on the track and under the football stadium averaging a time of 6:57 and high 100s for push and low 120s for sit ups. MAJ.
    Kristine Ordinario only a junior learned much from the, “vigorous training and mental test,” that lead up to the competition and also wants to, “fabricate the same performance,” at competitions to come.
    Although Poly did stumble when it came to map reading and academics.
    Map reading led by CPT. Carrasco, Israel consisted of deriving essential information presented by the map such as distance, direction, natural and man-made features, and topographical features.
    After that was academics led by SFC. Vo, Jessica which was based on deep American history. Questions such as, “Who and what did the 26th president of the United States of America do?”
    As the dust settled, Poly placed 3rd in map

    reading and did not place for academics.
    Do not falter as Poly placed 1st overall out-doing 10 schools, one being based on military education.
    We hope the best for our cadets as many more competitions are to come this winter and spring.

  • MOLAA for the Peers

    Students from Intensive Studies program attended a free tour and workshop at the Molaa as part of their community based instruction course.
    Thanks to the generous donations from donors at the Gala in October, Molaa is able to offer free educational programs.
    Students took the public Long Beach transfit and then walked to Molaa to learn sbout trending artist such as chicana artist Edith Hernandez and Long Beach tattoos history/landmark.

  • Dancing Away our Heart and Soul!

    Dancing Away our Heart and Soul!