Tag: poly

  • The Truth About Thanksgiving

    Most of us have heard the story of the pilgrims as kids. As we have been told, the pilgrims were immigrants from England who traveled to America seeking religious freedom. An English-speaking Native American named Squanto helped the pilgrims find food and learn how to use the land so they could survive in the new world. As thanks to the Native Americans, the pilgrims held a feast with a turkey, united together as one people to show gratitude for their bountiful harvest and good friends.

    Today, however, many of my friends are against the celebration of Thanksgiving because they believe that we are not celebrating friendship, but instead the oppression of the Native Americans. By coming to America, the first settlers brought diseases to the native people, attacked them, and stole the land that was rightfully theirs. Therefore, to celebrate Thanksgiving is to support the slaughter of the “real Americans” and forceful takeover of their homeland.

    However, many historians believe that this story that we have been told about these first settlers is indeed false. For one, the pilgrims did not come to America seeking religious freedom. According to the Plimoth Plantation, a museum dedicated to preserving history of the Plymouth Colony, the pilgrims had already fled religious persecution from England by immigrating to Holland. While there, they had complete freedom over what religion or church they followed or associated themselves with. No, they didn’t come seeking religious freedom, but instead because they feared they would lose their culture. Many of their children had begun to move away from their families and associate themselves with the Dutch culture. To preserve their identity as an English people, they decided to take the journey to the Americas.

    Most of the rest of the story is true. There was indeed a Native American named Squanto that helped the pilgrims, and they did have a three-day feast of Thanksgiving with each other where they ate and hunted together. But you also might not know that the epidemic that killed Squanto’s people had come and gone before the pilgrims arrived. They had nothing to do with that slaughter that so many people attribute the first Thanksgiving with.

    It is undeniable that our country has some corrupt, bloody history. But that first feast of the pilgrims was not symbolic of any of that. Even if we are wrong about the pilgrims, that doesn’t mean that the holiday is corrupt. For years, Thanksgiving has been celebrated by sitting down with family and friends for a meal to show gratitude and joy for each other’s company. It doesn’t matter if that feast actually took place or not. You can still give someone a gift on Christmas without believing in Christ or go trick-or-treating without believing in ghosts or spirits, so it is perfectly okay for you to give thanks this holiday season and share a good meal. Just don’t forget the pie.

  • Royal vs. Jokers

    The rally stage. The infamous rally stage that houses the butts of seniors during lunch and nutrition, is indeed the throne to kings and queens: seniors, the rulers of the kingdom we call Long Beach Polytechnic High School. The little, itty-bitty specks we call “freshman” perhaps would be named as “the jokers”. Their lower status prevents them from being able to rest even a pinky on the brick steps of the almighty rally stage. Even at twenty arm lengths away, just the thought of one of these jokers on their rather dirty and cold stage creates a fire hot rage for the kings and queens of Poly High School.

    One day in the Kingdom of Poly High School, a brave group of freshmen – I mean, jokers – were getting ready to eat their grub. At the rally stage, the kings dined fancy with their Hot Cheetos bags, every last crunch of processed cheese flavor bringing them closer to a bad case of diabetes, while the queens ate their lunch out of perfectly crafted Tupperware. As the jokers innocently pause in their steps to sit on the rally stage – I mean, throne – of seniors, the kings and queens were enraged at the sight of a lowlife joker on their beloved cathedra. The royals got up in a fury, walking almost a mile to the other side of the stage, catching their breath as they got to the jokers after their long trudge. A good workout, I might add, after all the Hot Cheetos, but that’s besides the point. The jokers trembled in their little boots as the royals huff and puff and blow them off the stage. The royals laughed in their victory, thinking they will never see or hear of the jokers on their stage again. Or so they thought…

    The next day, the kings and queens change it up and are instead fine dining on sweet and spicy Takis, satisfied with the lack of jokers around them that would contaminate their air. As the end of lunch grew closer,  more jokers, left and right, surrounded the stage with their new weapon: a sign. The sign read, “Freshman (Jokers) Welcome Here”. Their sign, a flag representing their will to fight the system created by the royals, waved high and proud over the stage, the blue and green markers bleeding through the paper due to the damp air. A great inspiration for all jokers and for those to come. A symbol of their strength and the f’s they don’t give. The royals, taken off guard soon begin to realize the persistence of the jokers, but prepare to fight back. Ripping the war flag off the catwalk, the seniors take back their turf. However, the jokers didn’t even blink, they didn’t give one rat’s ass. Instead, they sat right back down. Cheek to cheek, they sat their cheeks on the throne.

    The previous story is based on true events at Poly High School. The arrogance expressed by the seniors that inspired this tale is not necessary. Don’t kick poor freshmen off the stage. Poly is supposed to be a place where we welcome everyone. Seniors, sit down!

  • Choice Night

    Choice Night

    Poly pathways, sports, and clubs showed off their accomplishments so far in the year for potential incoming freshman on Wednesday, November 20 at Poly.

  • SAT/PSAT Study-a-Thon at the College and Career Center

    October, characterized notoriously for the horrors and goosebumps, took another form of scary on October 15; this time in the form of a test. A test that lasted for a treacherous five hours.
    The Scholastic Aptitude Test (most commonly known as the SAT) was administered to seniors while the PSAT was administered to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. This year, all Poly students were confronted by a gloomy, foggy morning as they trudged to their assigned classroom, wishing that the grim morning would not foreshadow the day. However, despite the dreary environment, there was hope: this year, many students took advantage of the Study-A-Thon at the College and Career Center.
    The coordinators of the SAT Study-A-Thon were Alaa Shhub and Roc’Kale Bowman. They described the “Study-A-Thon [as] an event and place for students to study for the SAT using Khan Academy…in order to improve their scores.” They stated that an astounding amount of students showed up: approximately 100. With the success of the Study-A-Thon this year, they will be hosting it again during the spring semester.
    Students who took advantage of the College and Career Center were ecstatic. They were lured in by the advertisement of an increase of 90 points, and of course, pepperoni and cheese pizza.
    Leann Namuco, an 11th grader in the PACE program, said, “This was a welcoming experience and comfortable. Yet although it was pretty loud and was sometimes a little difficult to study, it is still beneficial and would recommend suggesting to other people because it was more fun to study in groups. Not only that, you will learn better than being alone. Plus there was pizza.”

  • What’s New with the CARE Center

    High school is stressful for even the most successful of students. Whether because of the schoolwork itself or something else happening at home or between relationships, the CARE Center in Room 205 provides a safe place for students to talk with a counselor (Michael Gray) when they are stressed, overworked, or struggling. Gray aims to help students develop good habits along a healthier mindset to face and work out problems in their life.
    This year, the CARE Center is working on a project to “elevate the importance of mental wellness skills equal to Algebra and essay writing,” Gray said. Academic topics are held at the highest standard on terms of importance, where “mental wellness is barely existent in terms of what percentage of students feel strong in their mental wellness skills. We don’t even teach mental wellness skills.”
    Daily emails have been sent out to students via Schoolloop, called “Stronger 2gether,” to help students learn these skills, such as planning your day, keeping a “gratitude journal,” and self-reflection exercises.
    “Developing Future Mental and Behavioral Health” is a class offered periods 1-6 as a capstone of the MEDS pathway. Students are able to help and talk to other students, similar to how Gray does.
    “We basically talk a lot about how to solve conflicts,” Laura Clemons, a junior in the fifth period class, said. “We talk about what we can do to help better ourselves.” An example of this is how Gray has been teaching her is that we need to stop “should-ing” ourselves: when we tell ourselves we “should” do something instead of how we are going to do something, we tend to procrastinate more often.
    Gray is also requesting video ideas/concepts from students for Stronger 2gether. For anyone interested, talk to Mr. Gray in Room 805 before school, at nutrition, and at lunch.

  • What’s Your Ride?

    Poly seniors and juniors drive to Poly in their cars each morning in 2019. Each student has a unique car, ranging from imports to American cars. The students are between 16-18 years of age, old enough to drive on their own.
    All the cars the seniors and juniors own are mostly 99% automatic transmission. This is easier on the beginners and easier to drive on a daily.
    Some seniors and juniors have learned to drive a manual, however. “It was hard at first, but as soon as you learn it, you’ll enjoy it,” said Poly student Alex Zarate. He owns a white 1991 Honda Accord in a manual transmission with a car bra on the front and lots of modifications on it. He said Hondas are one of the most reliable cars. They are good on gas, and there’s also a lot of aftermarket potential. In Kelley’s blue book website, it has 4.5 out of five stars for reliability, so it’s one of the best cars to start out with if you’re a new driver.
    Devin Martinez owns a 1996 Toyota Supra with a manual transmission like Zarate’s Honda Accord. Instead of using a four cylinder engine, it uses a 3.0 six cylinder engine. It’s a two door coupe and is classified as a sports car in Car Gurus. Many car enthusiasts like Martinez adore the Supra because of how legendary it is and the tuner potential it has. “It’s definitely my favorite car,” said Martinez. His car has aftermarket rims, coilovers, a front lip, and an aftermarket exhaust system that makes the car louder. Since it’s a Toyota, the reliability is there, Martinez said. He wouldn’t recommend it as a first car, though, because it is expensive. He paid $39,850 for his. Not too many high schoolers have that much money yet. But if you have the money to support it, the Supra is a great car to get.
    The Honda Accord and Toyota Supra cars are both imports, which tend to be better than American cars. A study in 2014 by Toyota of Murfreesboro concluded that Ford’s highest mpg was 36.8 while Toyota’s was 44.2. But at the end of the day, it’s your choice whether you want an import or an American car. Everyone has different taste, and each car will have its ups and downs.

  • Gooooood Morning Jackrabbits!

    Gooooood Morning Jackrabbits!

  • Spilling the Tea on the AP Cafe

    Spilling the Tea on the AP Cafe

    The AP Cafe is now open for business periods 7 and 8 and after school until 4 p.m. on the second floor of the 100 building.
    The AP Cafe first opened last school year as a safe place for AP students to relieve stress, get tutoring, or work with partners for homework or group projects. Last year was a bit of a “beta test,” as AP coordinator Jason West, seen on the right, called it, but this year it has returned with a larger variety of supplies, resources, and treats for AP students (including West’s famous assortment of tea).
    One student told West that she really liked the space because it made her feel like she was cared about. The atmosphere and decor of the room have been specifically designed for this effect, and West is happy that students have taken a liking to it. He aims to maintain a space where students that are challenging themselves can relax and have a comfortable place to go for help. “You can’t just make the assumption that the kid is eating or taking care of themselves,” he said, hence the supply of refreshments available for the students.
    “We’re very down to business here, and they give you help straight on,” CIC student Marco Menes said. “They actually helped me get my grade up in physics. I had a D originally, and I got it up to an A-.” Thanks to one of the tutors, Vasil “Vasco” Gucev, Menes was also able to raise a failing grade in geometry to a B.
    The Cafe is a lot busier this year than it was previously, but that means that more tutors are needed to help out. West is specifically interested in hiring students with unscheduled periods 1 and 2 so he can make the Cafe available during those times, as well.
    Gucev said that the desire to help others is what makes a good tutor. There are other more efficient ways to make money or improve a college resume, he says, but one of the greatest feelings in the world to him is when a struggling student leaves with a clearer understanding because of what he was able to help them with. “That’s what a tutor does: he reiterates something again and again and again in multiple different ways…they change the way you look at the picture until it makes sense.”
    This year, West has started the AP Cafe Club to organize fundraisers for future resources and treats. He would also like to see systems set in place for the Cafe to continue over the years. “Beyond your years at this school, beyond my years at this school, I want this place to last,” he said.
    While the Cafe is mainly targeted as an aid for AP students, West would describe it as a club rather than a VIP lounge. Students are welcome to invite friends outside of AP courses, as well.
    West would also like to remind students that rules for the AP tests have changed from last year. AP students should have been registered for the exam in class, but there will be no penalty if they do not pay and do not want to take it. Once the test is paid for, students will be charged $40 if they do not attend. Many resources and practice tests are available on the College Board website for studying purposes.

  • Oil and Instructor Changes

    The Long Beach Poly automotive classes are under new instruction, as the previous teachers have retired.
    Michael Schenkelberg is the new instructor, and this is his second year at Poly. “The class isn’t just to learn about cars, it’s a life skill,” he said.
    The class helps you learn about basic information about cars, which helps you perform work on everything to do with automotives. Daniel Castillo, a JUSTICE junior who is new to Poly this year, said, “Auto Shop is very important, and the class is helping me get my license.”
    BEACH sophomore and second-year automotive student Osvaldo Gonzalez said that the class was very beneficial. It led to him having a greater understanding of cars and how to fix them.
    The class is very useful for all types of things, not just an interest in cars. As Schenkelberg also teaches AVID at Poly, the class this year focuses more on being successful and teaching through hands on experiences. The class has helped many students with their own cars over the past two years.

  • Poly to Eliminate Justice Pathway

    Poly to Eliminate Justice Pathway

    On September 23, Principal William Salas sent out an e-mail informing the Poly community that JUSTICE would no longer be a pathway.
    Due to a recent decrease in school enrollment throughout the district, administration was faced with the task of eliminating one of the seven pathways. Initial discussions began in April, and on June 19, the Instruction Leadership Team (ILT) (consisting of the principal and assistant principal, department heads, pathway lead teachers and counselors), held a meeting where they collected and analyzed data regarding each pathway.
    After months of deliberation, on September 4, it was collectively decided that the JUSTICE pathway would be discontinued. The remaining issue was what to do with the current JUSTICE students.
    JUSTICE teachers were faced with two options: they could keep the amount of students they already had or disperse them into other pathways.
    The latter option was chosen as it would give the students an opportunity to finish their high school career in the pathway they started in. It would also be unfair and more complicated to disperse them at this point.
    While the decision may not affect students academically (as they will suffer no changes in their course of study), JUSTICE faculty fear a great asset is being taken away.
    “Justice is the only pathway that highlighted and showcased injustice,” said history teacher Michael Tinsley, who believes it important for youth to have a venue for awareness.
    Pathway lead teacher Daryl Holmlund also believes it is unfortunate that students and teachers are losing this resource.
    “Some teachers were very passionate about the social justice element of the program and I’m disappointed for them,” said Holmlund, “but also for the students who wanted to be in the pathway and are no longer able to.”
    Students chose JUSTICE because it reflected their passion and interests, so they find it unfair that others will not be able to have that same experience.
    “It’s unfair because a lot of people who were interested in law won’t be able to get this foundation for college,” Mireya Delgado, a JUSTICE senior, said.
    “If students are interested in social justice or being an activist,” said JUSTICE freshman Isaac Betancourt, “they should be able to come to Poly and be part of a pathway that supports that.”
    English teacher Amy Stuht understands the concerns this decision creates, but prefers to maintain a positive outlook.
    Stuht said, “This decision does not mean the death of JUSTICE aspirations, but only the closing of an organized pathway.”
    JUSTICE will no longer be accepting incoming freshmen, and will transition out over the next four years. In the meantime, current JUSTICE students will continue to take advantage of what the pathway has to offer.

  • Horror-Scopes

    Aries: DO NOT WEAR BLACK. Your entire day will be filled with bad luck. Stick to light colors and you should have a happy Halloween!

    Taurus: During your Halloween plans, you will come in contact with your ex, so I suggest you look as good as you possibly can.

    Gemini: Your two personalities are likely to make several appearances throughout this day (as always). You will receive the best news of this entire month and the worst news of the entire year.

    Cancer: This will be your last good Halloween of your life, so make it the best Halloween possible.

    Leo: No matter how old you are, DEFINITELY go trick or treating this year. You will receive lots of treats.

    Virgo: Whatever you do, don’t go out past 9 pm. You will have several eggs thrown at you.

    Libra: You will meet the love of your life while you’re trick or treating.

    Scorpio: Today is your day to let your demon out. Play thousands of tricks on whoever, wherever. This may very well be your best Halloween.

    Sagittarius: You’re going to end up staying home and watching scary movies all night.

    Capricorn: Tell your crush that you like them today. They will surprise you with something special on Halloween night.

    Aquarius: Stay home.

  • Freaky Fits

    Individual
    Mummy: Put together a fun D.I.Y. costume by wrapping yourself up in toilet paper from head to toe!
    Athlete: If you’re on a sports team, you can find an easy way to turn your team uniform into a costume and go out with that.
    School Student: You can easily pull off going out as a student by wearing “nerdy” type clothes and wearing your backpack, using it to place all your candies in it.
    Food: Taco, hot dog, pizza, dress up as your stomach’s greatest craving.
    IT: Since everyone claims themselves to be a clown, why not dress up as Pennywise?

    Group
    Winnie the Pooh: Bring this show to life by having you and your friends dress up as the popular furry friends
    Avengers: Bring together the marvel team with your buddies by dressing up as a couple of heroes such as Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor, Captain America, etc.
    Shrek: Something underrated and overrated at the same time, bring this unique fairy tale to life by having your group dress up as Shrek and his companions.
    Stranger Things: With this Netflix series being so popular, it’d be cool to have you and your friends feel like a part of the show by dressing up as the characters on the spookiest night.
    M&M’s: Have you and your friends wear some plain colored t-shirts and slap an “M” on them, going out as a pack of M&M’s!

    Couple
    Peanut Butter and Jelly: This very typical costume idea may sound boring, but it’s all up to you two on how you’d like to spice things up and let your creativity show.
    Angel and Devil:The darkness and light both need each other, your partner and you don’t necessarily have to always be one in the same.
    Princess and Prince: What’s wrong with sticking to something a bit cliche? It’d be nice to bring something very overrated back, no?
    Thing 1 and Thing 2: With a red onsie and a simple sign on front, have your soulmate and you
    both be Thing One and Thing Two.
    Romeo and Juliet: With Halloween here who’s a better person to die for than your partner.