Category: News

  • The Government is Going Down

    The government shutdown! What does that mean? The government facilities has suspended their service due to an executive order given by the president. This means services like passport distribution, tax refunds, financial aid, and social security services are no longer running. This by far has been the longest on record in American history. The government has shut down for 22 days, and counting, yet no one knows specifically why this is happening. Trump announced in his public service announcement on January 8th, that he is very concerned about the borders. So until people consider raising money for a wall to be built to protect Americans from “drug smuggling….criminals.”, shutting down the government disables the border from allowing people into the country. Making the issue of immigrants and refugees less problematic for the President.

    The most important issue that interferes with the government shutting down is the impact on the community. The community’s need government assistance for public reconstruction, facilities that are government profit. Workers are not getting paid, so people are not showing up to work, which will sooner or later have a huge impact on government runned systems.

    How doe this affect you? In the long run, important services could stop all together due to lack of funds. The government supplies money each year to the district of Long Beach if the government postpones taxes, that could cause a Domino Effect of events that could lead to insufficient funding for schools. Not only schools, but financial aid for college students as well. The voices of the people are not being heard and California is suffering the consequences.

    A news report from NBC explains how a tree in Yosemite Park, that was one of the oldest, was cut down. Even though it may not seem like a big deal, the need to keep nature reservations is essential to keep a balanced ecosystem. Without these reservations, we would not be able to protect wildlife and essential resources for survival. The rangers blame the government shut down for not doing anything about it. This shutdown is affecting the US on a large scope. This allows the president’s agenda to go unchecked, meaning the voice of the people is not being heard. Corrupt businesses and capitalists are taking advantage of the shut down because there is no order. If this proceeds any longer than it has to, will our government truly be considered a democracy?

  • Letter to The Editor: Mr. Puth Speaks Out About Grad Night

    Letter to The Editor: Mr. Puth Speaks Out About Grad Night

    All In Press
    Dear High Life Editors and Jackrabbit Class of 2019,

    Thank you for expressing your frustration regarding Grad Night (“Goodbye Disney, Hello Universal” published October 15), giving voice to you and your peers. Let me first state that Grad Night has traditionally been a parent-led event and the previous Grad Night Committee disbanded at the end of last year due to lack of parent volunteers. In my earlier loopmail to the class of 2019, I explained the financial issues involved:

    “Two years ago, Disneyland offered Grad Night with a park hopper pass for $90. Last year, they raised the price to the current cost of $139 for the tickets alone. Our Senior Spirit Packs reflects the pricing that is student-friendly for ALL of our activities and has our Grad Night prices starting at $90. With 437 students buying

     senior spirit packs… the senior class would have to cover for $57,970 [more] to keep with our allotted 700 Disney Grad Night tickets.”

    [700 Tickets x $139 = $97,300 /// 437 Spirit Packs x $90 = $39,330 /// $97,300 – $39,330 = $57,970]

    Two areas I would like to clarify: First, students in last year’s class of 2018 did not overspend. Their Grad Night Parent Committee raised money over several years so that when the price for tickets went up last year, the committee decided to cover the missing funding for the class of 2018 to attend Grad Night at Disneyland.

    The parents on that committee had students that graduated last year or earlier, so at the end of last year’s they quit the committee. At the beginning of this school year, there were no parents from the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022 left on the committee, so I realized Activities would have to do something to make it happen this year.

    Disneyland revealed their offer to us with the pricing of $139 per ticket on September 17, 2018 and we had to make a commitment to cover that cost within that week.  Disneyland had the luxury to choose who and when they would offer Grad Night spots to, while we had to move forward with a plan that was best for all of our students right then. It would have been impossible to make up the $57,970 that we still needed to commit to Disneyland.

    Secondly, the Senior Spirit Pack was sold based on the whole package for seniors to have an all around senior experience. Prom, extra graduation tickets, yearbook, a class ring, cap and gown, an ASB sticker, a senior shirt/sweatshirt from senior senate, and grad night. Senior year is already expensive, and making the Senior Spirit Pack more expensive would potentially mean some students wouldn’t be able to purchase it, missing out on opportunities every senior should get to have.

    Third, there have been people who have asked for refunds thinking that they can go to Grad Night at Disneyland on their own. You can’t go to Grad Night at Disneyland without going with your school – they won’t let you in. You could go to Disneyland with your friends or by yourself, but it just isn’t the same: You don’t get to stay after hours when the park normally closes, there won’t be any special events for the class of 2019, and most importantly, you won’t be with all the classmates and friends that you’ve been with during your last four years at Poly.

    Lastly, I thank everyone for doing what Poly is best known for, striving for an open and inclusive campus. While I understand it can be disappointing that we are not going to a more local place for Grad Night, I believe that the class of 2019 knows that it’s always better when we have more Jackrabbits celebrating together.

    Respectfully,

    Vincent Puth

    Activities Director

  • The AP Room is Now Open

    The AP Room is Now Open

    This year Jason West, the new AP Coordinator for Poly High School has turned Room 132 into a study lounge for any student who is currently enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement class.

    This lounge was inspired by a coffee shop as a place where AP student can receive tutoring, study in group, and access a wide variety of resources as well as other non-traditional materials, including a welcoming cup of tea if you bring your own mug. The room offers a warm, relaxing, and welcoming vibe. This will allow students to remain comfortable and focused.  Much like most college campus’, who offer a study room, students must be signed in upon arrival.

    Poly’s AP room is a learning atmosphere where students can join a study group and succeed in their classes, it symbolizes as a badge of honor for all the hard works students have put into their classes. Teachers are always welcomed to visit West for support, resources, materials, and for addressing students needs.

    If students are even in need of supplies, textbooks, study materials, or a spot to study, they are more than welcomed to stop by in room 132 for freebies that West has collected over the 12 years as a teacher.

  • National Merit Finalists

    The National Merit scholarship program provides opportunities for students to be recognized for their phenomenal academic achievements. Students with PSAT scores at the top one percent of scores in the state, with the addition of reflecting transcript records of their score, qualifies them to be semifinalist. There are currently three semifinalist at our school that will compete against students from other states for a $2,000 scholarship.

    Many Ivy league colleges and corporations sponsor these scholarships, potentially giving semifinalist additional scholarships to almost any school they apply to. Pace Counselor Connie Loggins strongly believes the Poly students will “have no problem entering the final round” because of their strong commitment to academics and extracurricular activities.

    Erin Shin, a PACE senior, is one of the semifinalist, and she dreams of going to Stanford or Yale. She hopes to major in neuroscience and one day become a physician. Through her experiences thus far, she believes it is important to be a leader by taking the initiative to help others.

    Shin is persistent in her school work, but makes sure to make time for outside activities. She belongs to a youth orchestra and piano quartet at Colburn School of Music in Downtown LA; works at Kumon and the school cafeteria; and recently began tutoring in the AP Resource Room.

    Despite her full schedule, Erin is persistent in managing her time “by trying to stay off social media” though she admits that “doesn’t really work these days”.

  • Robotics Club Hosting Fundraiser

    Long Beach Poly Robotics Club participated in an off-season competition called Fall Classic and placed first in the competition.

    The Fall Classic is hosted by a company yearly with the objective of having games created for schools to compete with their designed robot.

    The LBP Robotics Club completely redesigned their robot within 4 weeks.

    Although this is their second year as a rookie team they’ve done well with the club and competitions. There are currently 30-35 members active in the club.

    Senior Marine Alais has been part of the club for two years now and said she was recruited by Theana Guttieri, a now graduated Poly student, when Guttieri stopped by the science classes to discuss about recruitment, Alais said it sounded interesting and joined. Alais experience with competitions makes her feel like it’s “a really big community”, with most schools helping each other out and working together.

    The club not only has their focus on competitions but also in community outreach, working on projects, and mentoring middle school students.

    An upcoming fundraiser  for the club will be taking place December 15 at Applebee’s.

    The club is also hoping to create a Vex team and have an upcoming competition taking place during the beginning of January.

  • Poly North: From a Counselors Perspective

    Poly North is an opportunity for sophomores to gain experience in the woods that will dramatically change their lives forever.

    The origin of Poly North started 4 decades ago. It is focused on supporting the students on a more personal level. Anyone can say that the activities, for instance, the mountain hikes and seminars that are introduced to the students, impact everyone including the staff, senior counselors, and students.

    At Poly North, students interact with each other through seminars about topics or problems that Poly or society has and focuses in on solutions that could benefits students on a personal level.

    For instance, Vincent. Puth (Activities Director/Mentor/Poly Alumni/etc) shared his story of the time he went to Poly North and how he went from wanting to do bad things to being Student Body President. His story contributes to the meaning behind Poly North. This opportunity is a life changing experience that Poly believes every sophomore should endure.

    The first camp took place on October 26-28. Once the bus landed at approximately 3:00 pm, the sophomores eagerly waited to be grouped into their seminar groups. Once the seminar meeting ended, both senior counselors and staff members handed out meal cards for the hungry campers.

    In the dining hall, group activities called Warm Fuzzies took place. The game was to pass a softball from one person without using hands. The purpose of Warm Fuzzies was for the sophomores to get close and comfortable with close interactions. Staff members then performed skits in front of the sophomores.

    The last activity on the first day, was the night hike. Temperatures at lowest reached 38 degrees whilst on the night hike, as the hikers looked upon the starry night. Finally, the campers participated in their own cabin talks.

    On Saturday, the second day, campers rose bright and early at 7:30 to breakfast. After eating, seminar groups met up again for a seminar talk and to participate in several outdoor activities. Some activities included rock climbing, hiking, low ropes, and co-op games working their seminar groups.

    The sophomores then headed back to the dining hall for another round of Warm Fuzzies, this time passing a lifesaver between toothpicks held in the mouth.

    After all activities and seminar talks, the sophomores and seniors were then ready to perform their own skits for the staff and everyone else.

    After all the skits were performed by each seminar group and senior counselors, the usual night hike took place and short dance happened.

    On the final day, the seminar groups met up one last time as everyone said their goodbyes. Free time was then administer as the sophomores chose what they wanted to do, such as archery, volleyball, or just hanging out. Senior counselor took the traditional route and all jumped into the freezing lake together.

    After lunch, were the goodbyes. With the cabins all packed up, everyone who attended camp said their final goodbyes and bittersweet farewells.

    The committee for Poly North can  aided with donations – which can be accessed on Long Beach Poly’s school website.

  • Teachers you can trust

    Poly is known for being diverse and making friends is an easy task, with the majority of students being very warm and welcoming towards each other. However, only a certain percentage of those students spread that kindness onto their teachers.

    For the most part students usually interact with teachers when it regards classwork and homework, then each new school year upgrading to a new group of adults who also assign similar classwork and homework.

    For most years it’s the same story, cycling through a batch of students each fall.  Most students don’t usually take the time or interest to form bonds with the adults on campus, while very few others do. We went ahead and interviewed a few students and asked if they had an adult they trusted and why, or why not?

    Senior Guadalupe Bonilla said that she did have a teacher she could trust and confide in, 11th grade English teacher and softball coach Elizabeth Sanches. Bonilla said, “She cares about what’s going on in a student’s life.” Although Bonilla may not visit her as often, she considers Mrs. Sanches to be someone she can count on and talk to.

    Senior Destiny Oropeza has multiple teachers she considers trustworthy, specifically Danielle Sawyer and Daryl Holmlund. Oropeza stated that she can “talk about anything” with them at any given moment.

    Senior Elizabeth Velazquez-Rodriguez’s teacher that she trusts is English teacher Stephany Garcia. Velazquez often visits Garcia, and is a “teacher’s aid for her” currently and has known her throughout her high school experience, since her freshman year. Velazquez has grown to be comfortable around her and often visits Garcia’s class.

    Cristina Clemons’ go-to teacher would be Javier Llamas as she can “talk to him about any problems.”

    It seems most students have a teacher they can talk to easily and carry a conversation with them about almost anything. But there are still some students who feel differently towards teachers.

    Nancy Melena said she does not have an adult she can trust as she “[does not] interact with teachers”.

    For some students, teachers are people you can rely on, and for others, they are only the people who grade your tests.

    Some students have adults they can communicate with or hang in their classes, and hold those relationships close, while others see only other students as proper companions and only view their teachers as just that and nothing else.

  • New Lock Blocks on Classroom Doors

    There was a new lock switch system called Lock Block installed into the Poly high school classroom doors, after a suspect went onto campus armed a few weeks ago, leaving students and teachers in classrooms on campus lockdown. The Lock Block is a stopper device that allows you to keep the door locked but ajar during the school day. Students are able to easily enter or exit the classroom without disturbing others. During an emergency, the door can be closed by simply moving the stopper and allowing the door latch to engage. The Lock Block also allows teachers to have the door locked but open with the lock block when they go do other things.

    This new Lock Block system can help the school be safer during emergencies like lockdowns, and it will also help with other things like coming into the classroom without the teacher or student having to get up and open the door causing disturbance. Different teachers had their own views on this new Lock Block system.

    Poly Pace Coordinator Samantha Lawrence liked the Lock Block. She said this about the Lock Block, “ It’s good because kids can come in while its locked, Also if there is a emergency such as a lockdown we can lock the door from the inside.” Counselor Samantha Lawrence liked the Lock Block and thinks that it’s a good investment for the school and that it will help us in emergencies.

    Poly Geometry teacher Mr. Ly said some things about the Lock Block and does not like the new Lock Block system, stating, “I think it’s stupid, worthless, and a waste of our money.”

    Others felt that the addition was a good idea. Teacher Janice Valentine, takes comfort in the new system. “I think it is awesome, I can go grab some coffee downstairs without me getting locked out but still have my door locked and open with the Lock Block. It prevents us to go outside of the room and lock or unlock the door,” she said.

  • Library Renamed after former Principal

    Library Renamed after former Principal

    Poly’s library has been named after Bob Ellis-July 26, 1924-February 6, 201-, a former student and principal, at a ceremony honoring him. The ceremony was held on September, 11 headed by Mr. Brett Alexander, a teacher here at Poly. Ellis graduated in 1941, a letterman of the debate team. After high school he attended Long Beach City College, Cal State Long Beach, and the University of Missouri. He also served in the navy in WWII and the Korean War. After his service he came back to Poly and became a teacher, counselor, and head counselor, until he became the principal from 1978-1980 to 1985-1986.

    As principal, he founded the Center for International Curriculum(CIC) program, was responsible for moving graduation from the crowded Terrace Theater to Veterans Stadium, built the rally stage, renamed 17th St to Jackrabbit Ln, and during his time here had a three year period where not a single teacher asking for a transfer to another school. At his time at LBCC he helped establish a program in which seniors could take classes at the college.

    He was also a principal at Jordan and Wilson High School, Hughes Middles School, and three elementary schools in the district.

  • 18k Homecoming Dance

    A tradition at high schools all over the country, the big homecoming game and the dance that usually follows is a source of excitement for many students. Despite this, one of the largest schools in the Long Beach school district, Poly High School, has not had a homecoming dance in 10-11 years – that is until Saturday, October 6, when Poly students flocked to the Big Gym to start the tradition up again.

    “It’s just not been something we’ve done in 10 to 11 years. The reason is that there was a low turnout in interest among the students, and I think that’s why we didn’t have one for a very long time,” said Vincent Puth, Poly’s Activities director. There was certainly interest this year.

    The dance theme, “18k Gold”, held a lot of significance for the organizers. “18k stands for eighteen-carat gold, and basically it’s gold and the year twenty eighteen combined,” Senior Senate homecoming dance organizer Dalavy Hak explained. Transforming the gym into the ultimate dance space, Senior Senate was able to snag a DJ, an ice cream truck, food, and of course, tons of people.

    Hak described the challenges of organizing the dance: “As it is our first homecoming dance in a really long time, and it was hard getting everything together. But it’s good preparation for us because the Senior Senate is going organizing prom later on in the year as well.” Hannah Samaniego, another member of Senior Senate, said that the hardest part was making the gym not look like the gym and make it look really pretty.

    “The gym was pitch black with lasers and a loud DJ. They had gold themed decorations such as streamers, gold balloons and a place to take pictures,” Poly freshman Samantha Victoria described.

    While the Senior Senate was preoccupied with planning, the talk around the entire school in the weeks leading up to the event was all about the dance, whether you had

    bought tickets yet, who were you going with, and what you were going to wear. During lunch almost every day leading up to the dance, you could hear the claps and cheers of fellow students as someone held up a poster asking another student to the dance. The line for the banker was long almost every day, as people were trying to buy tickets in advance.

    Samantha Victoria, who went to the dance, said that there were about six hundred or so people in attendance, and added, “Someone said that they sold 700 tickets, but most people showed up later.” Tickets sold out in advance, leaving some students disappointed and unable to attend.

    Poly freshman Sophia Graves said that while she would’ve loved to go because all of her friends went, she was unable. “The tickets sold out before I was able to get one, and I was also swamped with homework on the weekend,” she said, “but from what I heard, it sounded like a blast, and I’m disappointed I missed out.”

    The story was different for those who got their tickets early. Seniors seemed to be especially excited.

    “I was super excited for this years Homecoming Dance, Poly has never had one before so it feels great to be a senior and to experience this for the first time. The theme was also super cute!” Said PACE senior Sandra Berenice Rosas about the dance.

    “I’m happy that Poly finally had a Homecoming dance! I always wondered why we didn’t have one but I’m thrilled to go with my boyfriend. I had fun picking out my dress and getting ready with my friends,” said CIC senior Gladys Salamon Mora.

    “About time! Homecoming was like a breath of fresh air to Poly. It’s exciting to have something new brought to campus. I’ve been to all the dances at Poly and I was super ecstatic to learn that Homecoming was coming to Poly, and it just seems right since all other high schools have one,” said MEDS senior Ashley Salgado.

    It was a new experience for underclassmen, too.

    “I think that HOCO is a great way to bring school spirit, and it [would] probably be a really fun experience. I really liked the HOCO week, so I’m expecting to have fun at the dance too,” said CIC freshman Miya Yasumura before the dance.

    After the dance, Yasamura was somewhat disappointed but still kept a positive spirit. “I was bummed out because I had to pay for the ticket and pay for the food but nevertheless, I still had fun and I’m looking forward to going with my friends next year,” said Yasumura.

    Shafiq Amat, a freshman in PACE described his expectations before the dance: “I thought the HOCO dance was going to be like a regular Hughes dance where you just dance and stand in the corner after you get tired.”

    However, after the dance, he had some advice for those who would go next year. “When I actually went there it was kind of boring because I didn’t have a date. If you want to go to HOCO dance next year, make sure you have a date because you will feel left out. It was kind of fun though, the music was okay,” said Amat.

    Despite some students feeling less enthusiastic, when asked whether she thought the dance was a success, organizer Hannah Samaniego exclaimed with a huge grin on her face, ¨Yes, of course!¨

  • Clubs Sell Goods at Faire

    Clubs Sell Goods at Faire

    Students at Poly High School were dismissed from class 90 minutes early on Wednesday for this year’s Homecoming Faire.

    The faire was a great way for clubs to raise money as well as to boost morale in the students, who were all buzzing in anticipation and excitement for the school-wide event. Many clubs, such as Red Cross, color guard, Gender Sexuality Alliance, German, Chinese, and eSports showed up early to school to set up their booths and prepare for the upcoming event.

    Once the bell rang at 1:10

    Wednesday afternoon, students flooded into the quad, hurrying to get to the front of a line for a booth. A multitude of food, products, and games were offered: cookies, brownies (“sexually liberated brownies,” as the GSA club called them), ice cream, sodas, stickers, sausages, bean bag tosses, etc.

    Some groups had also prepared a dance performance to various rap, hip-hop, and pop songs. There were also two different photo booths available for students to use.

    “This is my 46th faire in a row; I’ve been selling cheesecake for years,” Mr. Brett Alexander, the administrator of the Speech and Debate club, said.

    One club, Model United Nations, had a very unusual service offered. The members had brought in corsages, a white flower bouquet, plastic gold rings, a veil, and fake marriage certificates to

    The event was huge, and many of the clubs were busy with all of the students wanting to participate. Business seemed to get even busier as time went on. The Red Cross club, which proved to serve a very popular booth, was struggling to keep up with

    supply. Team Pink+ reported having waves of students on and off. “It gets…sometimes packed and sometimes not,” Alejandra Nieto said. “I think [the faire is] too short – it’s like 30 minutes away from usual,” said Monse Nieto.

    Some clubs made signs to hold above the large crowd. Gabriel Elal stood next to the color guard booth and danced with a purple flag to advertise and draw in customers. “We’ve seen people have fun,” Yancy Roldan of the STATs club said. “They’re energetic…just having fun by playing the game.”

    “It always beats my expectations as far as, you know, how many people participating and how many people are interested,” said Mr. Puth, Poly’s activities director. “As an adult, you get to see…how creative the clubs are and how creative the students are. But you think you’ve seen it all, you think you’ve heard it all, and then all of a sudden, here they come, and they do something like a green tea boba…I’m excited because I see how the students have come together and put this together.”

    Poly’s commissioner of organization, Senior, Zoey DeYoung, played a huge role in the functionality and organization of the event, Puth says. “I don’t even want to make light of what I’m saying here…she’s spending like hours everyday for the past couple of weeks making sure that, you know, everybody’s needs are met, and then addressing issues that may arise. I’m just guiding her through the whole process.”

  • C.A.R.E Center Cares

    If you or anyone you know need somewhere or someone to talk to, come see the C.A.R.E Center! The C.A.R.E Center is open to everyone and anybody who needs it, you’ll find it located in Rm 205 and available from as early as 7:30 am to 1:00 pm, nutrition, lunch and sometimes even open during 7th and 8th period. What exactly would be a reason to visit the C.A.R.E Center? Well, in just about any kind of situation. Whether you have some troubles as a Student-Athlete, have personal concerns, family related problems, academics, help with improving relationships in school/home, depression, or dealing with any kind of abuse. Don’t be afraid to reach out, they’re here to help. If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed with emotions or need someone to talk to about anything troubling you, you can visit the C.A.R.E Center. When in class let a teacher know you’d like to go to the C.A.R.E Center, and not because you want to get out of class, but because you actually really need the help.