Tag: Long Beach Polytechnic High School Newspaper

  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

    Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

    “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin. And while many people are afraid of death, almost every American is afraid of the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Through the Long Beach Financial Assistance Center (LBFAC), Economics teacher and site coordinator Dan Adler, along with his students, seek to help vanquish the fear of the IRS in the hearts of Poly and the surrounding community. The LBFAC is a newly formed 501(c)3, or non-profit charity, that features VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Explained senior Danielle Gallandt, “VITA is a program in which Poly students become volunteer tax preparers so they can prepare taxes at no cost to the client. We help individuals and families with low to average incomes who shouldn’t have to pay to get their taxes done.” VITA is a national program sanctioned by the IRS, and volunteers have to become certified to able to prepare taxes. “They come in and take a few lessons with me,” explained Adler about the certification process. “Then I have them do a few paper returns because I think you learn a lot from doing returns that aren’t on the computer. Then they do a series of practice returns on an IRSsponsored website, and then they have to take a test on an
    IRS-sponsored website.” After becoming certified, these students then shadow an experienced preparer and then do a few returns with another preparer watching before doing a return independently, and even then, every return is reviewed by an advanced level preparer or site coordinator. Because VITA is a free tax service, as compared to paid services like H&R Block, its clients are often deeply thankful for its services. “I remember doing a lady’s taxes whose twins sons had just died,” said senior Leonel Tiscareño, a certified preparer in both Spanish and English. “She took on $7,000 in funeral expenses and was extremely appreciative we were doing her taxes for free over a paid site.” Stories like these are not uncommon, and VITA students often are preparing taxes for immigrant families or are preparing upwards of five prior years of taxes for someone who has fallen behind and is faced with serious consequences from the IRS. VITA is not only beneficial for its clients, but the student volunteers also gain from doing taxes. Said junior Kendra Viloria, “I started VITA as a sophomore and the most rewarding part for me was getting to know people and talk about their lives.” Most all preparers agree how incredible it is to be able to actually understand the American tax code.

  • Educational Companies Have a Thing or Two to Learn

    In order to complete certain problems in the new Larson and Edwards calculus book, Calculus of Single Variable, the students in Poly’s most difficult math classes have to go to a buggy website that looks like it has not been updated since before Space Jam came out. This textbook was published and purchased this year.

    This is a pretty common trend in education companies. They skimp on updates and functionality and rely on their pseudo-monopolies to earn them money.

    The College Board is one of the most egregious examples. In order to get into a decent college, a student must take the SAT to demonstrate his intelligence. Poly pays for a student’s first PSAT and SAT, but beyond that the student is on his own to come up with the forty-five dollars (plus an additional twelve if his school of choice wants him to take the essay). Then, because it is their test, the College Board will also receive the revenue from this student’s preparations such as attending SAT tutoring sessions or purchasing an SAT study manual. Then, when the student receives the score he was hoping for, he pays twelve dollars to send the scores to each of the colleges to which he is applying. To clarify, that was twelve dollars per college.

    The same process applies to the APs, which are also College Board tests. At Poly, the fees for these tests are covered (except for the fifteen dollar deposit, ten of which is returned after the student takes his tests) but elsewhere they cost ninety-three dollars.

    So if the average American high school aged student takes a PSAT, an SAT, and one AP, she’s likely to be charged close to two-hundred dollars. All to the College Board for tests that frankly are not that great.

    But what alternatives do these poor students have?

    These problems in the education business are not confined to California. In a recent AskReddit thread where the question “Which major business would you like to see fail?” was posed, Pearson Education and the College Board were named almost as often as the infamous Comcast and loathed Time Warner. The issue has even been the subject of a twenty-minute rant on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He railed against the spread of standardized tests and did his own version of the above rant with Pearson instead of the College Board. In California, we are lucky. We do not have to deal with that multi-headed hydra of terrible tests. In the states they control – I mean “operate in” – their tests are used for everything from kindergarten assessments to GED (adult education) credentials. And of course, like with the College Board in California, students prepare for all these tests with Pearson distributed materials.

    And these tests are awful. Multiple teachers have come out against them. One Florida educator by the name of Rick Roach took a test designed for tenth grade high school students and was labelled a poor reader, despite his multiple Masters Degrees. In Texas, a poet  found she was unable to answer questions about her own poems on a standardized test. It is a mess.

    And students are all but powerless in this situation.They just want to get to college, so they tolerate the crumby websites with poorly written code, crumby tests with poorly written questions, and crumby companies with poorly written morals. Maybe Mrs. Devos can do something about… oh, who am I kidding?

  • Boys Need Love Too

    Boys Need Love Too

    Lately I’ve noticed a wonderful thing happening: women demolishing the stigma of body imperfections. All around me in school, at work, and in the media, I see women who have struggled with the embarrassment of not having a “perfect body” learning to love themselves and each other. One of the ways they do this is by dismissing the crude verbal abuse of misogynistic men. And it’s nice because I see a lot of disrespect from men and it makes me wonder, Why the hell are boys like this? Then, after close observation, it occurred to me: they do this to cope with their own poor self-image.

    It’s easy to put a girl down by pointing out her weight, body hair, bra size, how her makeup looks, etc.; and it is just as easy to put down a boy (especially a teenage boy) by pointing out how short he is, how fat he is, how weak his muscles look, or the modest size of his reproductive organ. Every guy can relate to at least one of these issues, you just won’t hear most of them talking about it because they’re afraid of expressing emotion. One thing you need to understand is that masculinity is a very fragile thing. Young men face so much ridicule when they show emotion, and it comes mostly from other guys.

    That’s the difference between males and females. The reason many girls are becoming less concerned with their looks is because they support each other. Males, however, ridicule one another for showing that kind of concern, or any kind of emotion. I know because I have been a victim of this ridicule my entire life. A sensitive child, I was incessantly abused by my peers and scorned by the older men in my life. They were always frustrated by their inability to pose as strong role-models. Apparently I’m not masculine because I show emotions and I don’t mock females.

    I’m fine with that. If being a man means you aren’t allowed to have emotions or show respect, who the hell wants to be a man?

  • What Happened To Driver’s Ed?

    Everyone drives. Driving is essential for transportation. Driving is essential for living in LA. But when do you have time to learn how to drive? When are you going to set aside your studies and focus on operating a whole different entity aside from yourself?

    Driver’s education is the first step in learning how to drive. But why is such an essential set of skills not learned in schools? Driver’s ed should be taught in school so it allows students to equally improve their academic and their life skills. Years ago, most districts canceled driver’s ed classes as a victim of budget cuts or because of an increased emphasis on college admission requirements. The behind-the-wheel portion was eliminated mostly because of liability reasons. A few might still offer online classes.

    Poly used to offer driver’s ed as a class, however The Varsity Driving Academy (VDA) of Long Beach Poly officially closed its physical location and transferred to Irvine, California. Now they only offer online courses. How are we supposed to learn to drive if Poly’s driving academy moved to Irvine? Drive to Irvine? I don’t think so. For students of Polytechnic High School, the VDA does in fact offer free pick-up and drop-off for behind-the-wheel training sessions with direct pick up from school, study groups, practices, you name it. This has allowed some students to complete their driver’s ed, but  it has been limited to students with online access. What about the ones without? Or students who learn better in person?

    In some schools, driver’s education is required to be offered, but the local school district governing board may, according to the California Education Code (EC) Section 51225.3, determine if it is a required course for graduation. A driver’s education elective course may be applied toward meeting minimum graduation credits without requiring driver’s education for graduation.

    For living in the state of California, where driving is a vital skill, driver’s ed should not only be offered at Poly, but should be emphasized. Many students complain that school does not teach effective life skills. Well, here you go— an everyday skill every student should have access to.

    Poly hasn’t had driver’s ed in the curriculum for some ten years due to budget cuts. Adding in driver’s ed as an elective to Poly’s curriculum will only ensure a safer highway for everyone. The state law suggests that driver’s education as a course should be offered in grades nine to twelve, seeing that this is the range for students’ licensing age. Many districts are offering driver’s education instruction along with health education, since some course topics, such as alcohol, drugs, and driver fatigue, are discussed in both courses. Understanding this interrelationship is important since the leading health and safety issue among teens is associated with traffic collisions; the number one killer of teens in the state.

    Any opportunity we have to educate students about the responsibilities of driving, we should take. Hands-on experience will only benefit your skills in the long run.

  • The Bachelor: Season Finale

    The Bachelor: Season Finale

    On March 13, the Bachelor Nation eagerly awaited who Nick chose to give his final rose to and if he was going to propose.

    We were all hopeful that Nick would FINALLY find love on his fourth go around on reality TV. The finale was shown live when it was actually filmed a while ago, so whoever was actually proposed to had to keep it lowkey.

    The final date took place in Finland where the two final contestants, Vanessa Grimaldi and Raven Gates, officially met his family and got to have one-on-one time with them. Raven did so well with his family, she just fit in and it had nothing to do with the fact that she had already met them briefly. His parents said she seemed genuine, which I 1000% agree with.

    Raven is the sweetest and most deserving gal ever. Vanessa just seemed guarded and awkward the whole time. On Vanessa’s last date, they went horseback riding, then she got to meet Santa, and she voiced some of her concerns with Nick where she just annoyed me. She questioned if it would work while Raven was confident and sure of their relationship. I would kill for a date like Raven had. Nick and her went ice skating, then he brought her three, I repeat, THREE husky puppies. I wanted to snatch them right out of the screen.

    At last, the long anticipated decision time had come. Raven was positive that Nick was going to propose and Vanessa was weary and unsure. Nick had a tough decision to make, especially since he has felt three times how devastating it is to make it all the way to the end just to get turned down.

    He ended up choosing Vanessa, but it pisses me off that he led Raven on the way he did. He probably broke up with her in the worst way. He kept saying, “I’m not IN love with you” which probably ripped her to shreds. In all honesty, I’m glad to be done with this stupid season and excited to watch Rachel as the new Bachelorette and watch Raven have another chance at “love” at “Bachelor in Paradise.”

    At least Vanessa and Nick had adorable engagement photos together and I hope they do stay together, which is totally unrealistic for most Bachelor/Bachelorette couples with all but probably two exceptions.

  • Poly’s JROTC Competition

    Poly’s JROTC Competition

    On Saturday, March 18, from 7 A.M. – 3 P.M. Poly’s first Battalion Army JROTC program, a leadership program whose mission is, had their annual Army Navy Competition against Cabrillo and Lakewood on our school’s campus both have a Marine and Navy junior JROTC. The schools compete in sit-ups and push-ups, drill, and rifle-twirling. Students in JROTC were ranked in these activities and were rewarded for their participation in this event. The Jackrabbits also tried to win back the big trophy from the Cabrillo Jaguars. The Cabrillo Jaguars had won the trophy from the Jackrabbits for the past two years.

    All students
    participate in some sort of fashion, there were many pads which are specific areas in which activities take place. The ninth graders during the whole day were judged by their cadets. The cadets are usually seniors for the fact that thse students are more experienced than other new students in JROTC.

    Master Sergeant Denmark had great confidence that Poly’s JROTC would have the chance to win back the trophy from Cabrillo, which they had won since 2010. As she stated “We have been preparing

     

    the students to do their best in the competitions, so I have hope that we will win back our title.” However, things did not go as planned, the jackrabbits did not win back the big trophy, but they did get some rewards for their great participation in the Saturday event.

     

    BC Commander, Senior Ashley Huendo states, “I was pretty excited but it was also really terrifying and mostly for my cadets that had this experience for the first time.”

  • Intercultural Week

    Intercultural Week

    The Intercultural Fair is a long-standing Poly tradition. The fair follows a week filled with dress up days and fun activities. This year’s theme is “Poly Meets World.” Activities Director My Nyoc Nguyen described the theme, “It’s appropriate because we’re talking about cultural appreciation, kind of like a world vision.”

    Student clubs sell various cultural foods to represent the diversity of the world and this school. Some well known​ favorites include hots links from JROTC and cheesecake from Speech and Debate. Teacher Brett Alexander, supervisor of Speech and Debate explained the cheesecake tradition, “People like it, and I don’t have to fix it. Once you establish yourself, it’s something people get used to.”

    In addition to food, the fair also involves entertainment on the Rally Stage. The lineup includes performances from Seoul of K-Pop, T-Lost, DJ ME, Theatre Arts, and Jazz I, as well as many other student entertainment groups.

  • International News Tidbits

    20 Ghanainans Die After a Freak Accident

        In a popular waterfall spot in Kintampo, Ghana a tree fell over during a storm and killed those swimming in the water. About 20 Ghanians were killed, most of them being students and many more were injured. Kintempo is in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana.

    The site at Kintampo is one of the country’s top tourist destinations, drawing large numbers of local and foreign visitors. Emergency officials called the incident a “freak accident”.

    A representative for the Fire Service said that 18 students died at the scene,  two others later died in the hospital and 11 others were still receiving treatment. They are receiving treatment at the Kintampo Municipal hospital.

    US Man Held For Sending Flashing Tweet to Epileptic Twitter

          In December of last year John Rayne Rivello, a 29 year old from Maryland, sent a tweet to Kurt Eichenwald of an image with a flashing light

    The image contained text reading “You deserve a seizure for your post”.

    Eichenwald who is a senior writer at Newsweek magazine and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair is well-known to suffer with epilepsy. Rivello had sent messages to other Twitter users trying to coordinate a virtual attack. He allegedly said “I hope this sends him into a seizure” and “Let’s see if he dies”

    This is retaliation to Eichenwald frequently criticizing of President Donald Trump on Twitter.

    The case will be heard in Eichenwald’s state, Texas and Rivello has been charged with criminal cyberstalking and could face up to a 10-year sentence. Research is being done about virtual causes of epileptic seizures.

    Four Dead After Terrorist Attack Near the British House of Parliament

    Shortly before 15:00 GMT(8:00 AM PST) on March 22, a car was driven over Westminster Bridge. This car hit and injured multiple people.

    After this attack a man with a knife continued the attack and allegedly “tried to enter Parliament ”.

    Four people were killed and 40 more were injured.

    Eight victims are being treated at Kings College Hospital. Two of them are in critical condition while another two are in stable condition.

    Authorities have still not identified the attacker.

    The victims included London Metropolitan Police Constable Keith Palmer, 48, a 15-year veteran who was a husband and a father. Palmer was stabbed at the House of Commons and died despite the efforts of doctors and a passing government minister to save him.

  • HEADS UP! WATCH FOR TRAINS.

  • R-Word Gets Re-evaluated

    R-Word Gets Re-evaluated

    Currently, Poly’s intensive studies program and Best Buddies club are making changes to the terminology and protesting against current government policies in special education. Tonia Schwichtenberg, an intensive studies teacher, explained that the new Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, has revealed plans to repeal bills and programs that place a large importance on least restrictive environments.

    As Schwichtenberg explained, least restrictive environments are climates where students are “able to participate in general ed classes and being able to be with their typically developing peers.” Potential policy is threatening these rights and opportunities.

    In special education, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA, guarantees the rights Schwichtenberg stated and protects schoolchildren with any kind of disability.  Thus with more researching, it was found that current President Trump and Devos, do not realize the importance of IDEA and are willing to repeal it, replacing it with something else, possibly for personal gain. Poly’s special education programs are making it a priority to speak out against these potential repeals.

    As for the Poly community, special education classes are standing up for all students with disabilities in the “spread the word to end the word” movement. Schwichtenberg explained, “We don’t want to use the word ‘retarded.’ ‘Special needs’ or ‘intellectual disabilities’ is what we say to spread the word to end the word.”

    The main purpose of the movement, explained the Best Buddies club vice president and senior Zephyr Zimmerman, is to “raise awareness of our societies’ use of the r-word and educate people that it is an offensive term used to label people with IDD, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

    In the future, Poly’s RSP teacher of strategies for success, Mr. Smith said, “When we hear students saying the ‘r-word,’ we say ‘hey we don’t say that, it’s not nice to say,’ and just keep preaching that message.”

    Overall, the inspiring triumph of the “spread the word to end the word” movement is successfully impacting and leading the fight for Poly’s special education community.

  • Softball Takes Easy Win

    Softball Takes Easy Win

    The Long Beach Poly softball team made a comeback with a 3-4 record after facing Cabrillo last Thursday March 16, resulting in a win for the jackrabbits. the score was 11-0 which is a mercy, a mercy rule is when a team is up by 10 before the 5th inning.

    The team played well and were working together, on the defense and the offense. The jackrabbits bats were starting to come alive, when 3 year varsity player, Evelyn Sablan hit a game changing 3 run Homerun. Which sparked a hitting streak Evelyn states after hitting the home run, “I had to work on my swing this game and as soon as I saw that pitch I knew I had to take the best hack I could at it.”

    After the home run the jackrabbits began to hit the ball like crazy to bring the game to 8-0. When senior Jaclyn Pangelinan got up to bat eager to hit, she states, “ After being hit by a pitch my first two at bats, I was eager to do more for my team. So when she gave me my pitch I swung with a purpose and it worked.” This resulted in an inside the park solo home run, bringing the jackrabbits even more alive than they already were.

    Cabrillo wasn’t ready for the jackrabbits. Although it was a good game, they still have to face Jordan on Tuesday March 21 in preparation for their rival Wilson on Thursday March 23. As Wilson being the rivals it will be an exciting game. In past years both teams have shared their share of wins and loses, with two good teams facing each other on the field it will be a good game, but the jackrabbits are ready to face their rivals with no problem.

    Devin Linares
    Senior Jaclyn Pangelinan preparing for a hit before she scores another home run for her team.

  • WAS IT THE REFS?

    On Wednesday, March 18, Poly’s girls basketball team lost the CIF State SoCal Regional Open Division Championship game against Clovis West. Although the scoreboard at the end of the game said 53-44, there were many things to be said about the game itself.

    In an interview with Gazette Sports, Coach Carl Buggs commented he “would never blame refs for a loss, but they shot 35 free throws, we shot 11.” Clovis West received 23 fouls in comparison to Poly’s 15, and though the difference may seem insignificant, the free throws added up to make a big difference. Of Poly’s 11 free throws they were only able to score three, while Clovis made 28 free throws to account for over half of their final score.

    Stephen Dachman
    After taking a dissapointing loss, the lady jackrabbits line up to shake hands with Clovis West.

    It may be downgrading to blame the refs for a game, but this just might be the case for this one. Oddly enough, the refs seemed to make the worst calls at the most clutch and momentous occasions. The crowd reacted with boos, and Poly was never able to catch fire.

    In the beginning of the game, the Lady Jackrabbits started off with a turnover and were not able to pick up their energy for the rest of the game. However, the team had a difficult time regaining momentum. Senior forward Kathryn Headspeth commented, “Nobody had energy from the start. The bench didn’t have energy. The people on the court didn’t. Sometimes there was, but it died off.”

    Similar moments have happened in sports, such as the Conference Finals in 2002 with the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers. With an astounding lineup in both teams, the series seemed to be a playoff series for the ages. In the 4th quarter of game six, the Lakers shot 27 free throws while the Kings shot nine. The Lakers took the victory and ended up with the NBA championship, but many people today still believe that the series was rigged.

    Much like the Sacramento Kings, the Lady Jackrabbits may have took a loss that they did not deserve. Due to these calls, the fans for Poly’s team can no longer witness history. Although the Lady Jackrabbits were not able to leave it all on the floor, it can be easily said that everyone knows their potential and that they deserved a fair game.