Tag: students

  • How much has online learning affected how students live in their rooms?

    How much has online learning affected how students live in their rooms?

    Due to students being stuck in their room for months on end, the condition of their workspace has taken a toll on them. It has been a drastic change, and students have been forced to transition from physical in-class schooling to online learning with virtual classrooms. How much has this change affected how students live in their rooms?
    Many students have reorganized the layout of their room in order to improve productivity. Joseph Diress, a senior at Long Beach Poly, had stated that he’s “in the process” of a room makeover. With Diress being involved with Poly’s drama team and other on-campus activities these changes have greatly influenced his creativity. So far he said that he’s done “a lot of rearranging,” learning how to manage space while making his room more “roomy.” Through this process he has added things like a rug, bookshelf, alarm clock and other “nicknacks to help [his] workflow.” Although he’s made little changes so far, he’s said that they’ve already “helped with the workflow and creative process.”

    This presents another relevant idea among students, many make their room more comfortable in order to accommodate for their time spent on their computers. Aasha McLyn, another senior at Long Beach Poly, rearranged her room by moving her desk to her wall near the windows in order to allow her to look out her windows during zoom calls. This change of furniture among other small changes such as candles and hanging lights has helped her “mentally” she said, making her “room feel like a more comfortable space to be in for more portions of the day.”

    Alongside both Joseph and Aasha, I have felt many of the same experiences. With my involvement with various on-campus activities such as leading Poly’s Black student union, devoting hours on the track at track practice and spending extra time in various teachers’ classrooms, the change to online school has taken a toll on my highschool experience. In order to both increase productivity and feel more comfortable, I have made big adjustments to my room. Ranging from buying Funko pops to getting a new desk and rearranging the layout of my room, I’ve spent a lot of time and effort toward making my room more suitable for online schooling and comfort. This is because I’ve learned that the condition of my room affects my mental state and that investing in my workspace is investing in myself.
    Students have made these accommodations, both big and small in order to succeed throughout online school. “It’s kind of a barrier,” Diress said concerning the challenges of learning at home. “physical school helps with mental health and many other things.” Making changes can help overcome that challenge, as McLyn said about her room, proclaiming that as a result of the changes in her workspace she has become happier while in it. These changes for students that are active socially and on campus have played a key role in their online schooling experience this year.

  • What should LBUSD do with $100 million? Students have ideas…

     

    The Long Beach Post has reported that Long Beach Unified School District is set to receive $99.4 million in federal funds from the December 2020 relief package. The money is based on LBUSD’s low-income and otherwise disadvantaged Title 1 student population. LBUSD spokesperson Chris Eftychiou told the Long Beach Post in an email that the district has been using federal funds from the earlier relief package for “technology, professional development, nutrition of students, distance learning and personal protective equipment.” 

    But what do Poly students think the district should use the money on? Our panel of writers made some suggestions.

     

    Xandria Hines

    With the grant of 99.4 million dollars given to the Long Beach Unified School District through the government’s relief funding, a lot of betterment can be done to the schools that LBUSD resides over, as well as those who work and learn there.

    With everyone stuck within their own homes for the time being, possibly until the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022, using that amount of money to tear down and rebuild some of the worst areas of the older schools would be a possible endeavor that could be done with the money. Allowing the schools to remain closed until the autumn/winter semester of 2022 would give the school board enough time to plan, budget, and rebuild some of the worst buildings that could become hazardous.

    If the reconstruction of hazardous areas is not a priority, however, the money could still be used for the reconstruction of schools, changing some of the unused, and more unused bathrooms into “sanitary stations”. With Covid-19 back on the rise in early 2021, schools may need to push back in-class schooling until the vaccine is distributed regularly and avoid of more severe effects, but for those who simply will not wait for such a time, having stations within the school where children and teens can pick up gloves to replace their ripped ones, pick up or refill their hand sanitizer, or replace masks they might accidentally throw away or break would help everyone stay safe at school.

    Using that money to redo anything about the standing school (repainting, cleaning, new desks, new supplies, etc.) would be a positive change for any high schooler that would be going back to school when it’s finally safe to do so.

     

    Chansochata Thon

    As an LBUSD student, I believe the most important area in which the budget can go is investing in better laptops for the students who cannot afford their own. First of all, the chromebooks that the school provides are not guaranteed to work well. Many of my friends and myself have a chromebook from school, and we have faced many issues. My chromebook, in particular, cannot handle having more than three tabs open when I am using zoom. This is a problem, because teachers usually require us to have multiple tabs open, whether it be a google doc, website, or peardeck. When I do have my zoom and more than 3 tabs open, the zoom becomes laggy and I cannot access the websites quickly, and at times I get disconnected. This causes stress, especially if the teacher gives a timed assignment. In addition, when I do get disconnected, I struggle in refocusing when I rejoin.

    In addition, the school can direct some of the money in helping students transition to a life with COVID-19. By this, I mean helping students cope and learn what to do when a family member is hospitalized. For me, when my dad was diagnosed with COVID-19, my family and I struggled in knowing what to do when he was sick, especially when his condition worsened. There seemed to be a lack of clarity of what to do, especially when we called an ambulance they would not take him to the hospital. So we had to take him to a hospital ourselves but did not know whether to go to urgent care or the emergency room. Furthermore, when he was admitted to the hospital, we had difficulty in learning how to pay bills. This caused immense stress, interrupting my motivation to learn. I believe some resources that may help include available/well known hot-lines or places that can aid families with bills, grocery, and information. In addition, these resources should also provide access for those whose first language is not English.

    Lastly, a resource that can directly help students during distanced learning is one-on-one tutors or a mentor who can track their grade and provide them support; this can be a tutor who students check up with or just someone who can be relied on for advice. These tutors should go towards the students who are evidently struggling the most with online school and want help (because if they need help but do not want it there will be lots of resistance on their part). This program could assure that the students who do not have the support at home can have access to what they need through Poly.

     

    Sierra Brott-Hunter

    I think that LBUSD SHOULD use the money on giving the students cord baggies filled with mask, hand sanitizer, thermometer. They also should provide better food. This is a good idea because if the students do not have a clean mask at home they have a mask in the bag. Another reason this a good idea to spend the money on the baggies is so students have hand sanitizer with them at all times and it would be easy to get out their backpacks they can also use it if they are in a rush between classes. A third reason this a good idea that should use the money on is the students have a thermometer to see if they have a fever before they go to school to let them know if they should stay home or not. I also think that LBUSD should use the money on better food. This is a good idea because the school food now is okay, but it is not the best food.

  • My New Normal: Kelly Rodriguez

    When I first wake up I get my Chromebook to start my first period without getting ready. Sometimes I sleep in my class or watch youtube when my teachers are not talking or when I am done with my work. My son (dog) always wants to play while I’m in class so I go outside with him while I’m in class and let him run around or just throw his toys so he can get it.

    Also, I have some reasons why I don’t like online school. One of them is I have a lot of siblings in the house. There is nowhere in the house that you can be by yourself. Also, my mom tells me to pick up my son’s (dog’s) mess or to clean up or help her with the kids because she doesn’t know how to work the Chromebook. It’s just hard to learn when there are a lot of people in the house. A lot of my teachers don’t know how to give examples of how things work online or how to work some of the apps they tell us to get on. Sometimes I don’t feel like being on zoom with them.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Why Saturday School?

    Saturday school has been more of a serious matter, this school year.
    In what the purpose of saturday school serves, is for students to make up “work and also days of absences”, stated by Robert Shock.

    The range between freshman to seniors, may be considered to go.
    They’re given the opportunity to catch up and ensure that their grades will be stable.
    This could be considered a new awakening, more specifically to seniors, as if you do NOT attend saturday school and/or miss them intentionally, there is the possibility of getting your privileges taken.
    Such as graduation and maybe even certain senior activities.
    Especially since Seniors are currently going towards a path that staff is “concerned about”. And for Juniors this is a very “important year for them”. Saturday school is made to be “academic based”.

    As for if saturday school is working for students, Shock says that “those taking advantage of it” are the ones benefiting.
    They can also be given the chance to have a space to do their work as they provided chromebooks, books and whatever they need, in order to catch up.

    Saturday school is assigned through the district based on multiple absences.
    At least twice a month Saturday school is in session, and it is said May will be the last month for Saturday school.
    Shock also stated at PAAL they have saturday school almost “every saturday”.

    Many students are unsure of the consequences. The district is looking for what to do and is unsure.
    It is said that for Seniors if they miss school, especially towards the end of the semester, there will be some sort of consequences set in place.
    The purpose behind saturday school isn’t to “penalize students” but instead “try to help them”.

  • It’s Fashion Time!

    On Wednesday, April 17, Poly will be holding its first fashion show, where clothing designed by students are then modeled by other students participating.

    Jailyn Lewis, 17, decided to have her own fashion show through Long Beach sponsored by Female Leadership Academy.
    With the help of many students and teachers, Lewis was able to recruit as many as 50 models and 8 designers.
    With only 5 days to practice and get the entire show together, models and designers worked together to have each of their visions come to life.
    As director of the show, it has been pretty intimidating getting an entire fashion show together with only five 5 days to practices.
    But the energy and drive of each of the models and designers encourages Lewis to move forward.
    There were many times where there were setbacks but with the help of Sarah Schol, Jewel Jackson, Patience Randall, and Chuck Taylor, and many others who helped motivate Lewis along the way, building up confident in how the show will turn out for her.
    Unfortunately, in publicize the show in how Lewis intended for it didn’t workout as well, but would be happy if even 10 people showed up!
    The show will feature a lot of talent with singers such as Glena Canete and Robert Chim.
    With dancers including Yael Moore, Emiliano Vasquez Mendez and others. Tickets went on sale Thursday, April 11 for $5 and at the door for $10.

    Support the aspiring models, designers, and brand owners at Poly’s first fashion show hosted by Jewel Jackson and Jailyn Lewis! Thanks to FLA and Schol for sponsoring this event!

  • Depression Amongst Students

    Often times we are told that a depressed person is someone who is quiet, has no joy, and wears dark clothes.  They might be considered rebellious and listens to sad or loud music, but that is not always the case. How can a depressed person display that they are depressed, based merely off of appearance? Even then, if you are close to someone, sometimes it is not always apparent if they are. Signs that suggest someone might be depressed would be feeling helpless/hopeless, loss of interest in daily things, their weight either drastically goes up or down, reckless behavior, angry, and/or has insomnia. Although some of these are based on appearances, the rest are internal and can not be easily shown. These may be signs in which you can look out for, but they might not be accurate for most people. Take for example a student who has good grades, socializes with friends and classmates, and who you see is in a good mood for the most part while at school. Some would assume that their life is good and they have everything set. Well what if this same student, after coming from school, goes home and it’s all just a facade. They in fact are breaking down, overthinking everything, doubting themselves, have parents constantly criticizing them and just a completely different person. You would not know that they suffer from depression. The reasoning behind why they might put up this facade is for many reasons such as, not wanting to fail or be considered a failure. They are often pressured into keeping up with grades, or they don’t want to bring attention to themselves. People should not have to suffer alone or conceal that they are hurting. It might be hard to get help or to tell someone about everything that is going on with them, but it is better to open up, even if it’s just a little part of their life. We, as teenagers have a lot going on and even in our struggles we can find similarities and unity.  We should not have to be alone, we should reach out, create groups where we can talk to each other and be heard, and possibly talk to a trusted adult who would not judge us but instead give us advice in how we can conquer our issues.

  • What High Schoolers Are Really Wearing

    What High Schoolers Are Really Wearing

    Often, the clothing that a typical high schooler chooses to wear is a broader statement of their personality. Being able to personify oneself nonverbally is ideal for the antisocial community of teenagers that overwhelms a school campus. Thrifting has always been an extremely popular way to obtain fashionable clothing for Long Beach Poly kids. Being a student here myself, I can certainly say that about 70% of my closet is thrifted, consignment, or handed down to me. But whether the clothes were $2 or $200, what matters is the person wearing it. Are they comfortable? Do they approve of themselves? Do they care what other people think? Are they dressing that way for someone other than themselves?

    The featured kids above are a few members of the eclectic group of students at Poly high school. On the far left is senior, Clara Donovan, wearing a thrifted floor length floral dress with a black cardigan to cover up from the cold breeze that mocks the 80 degree winter weather we are having.  “Yeah! I look good today!” she exclaimed when I told her she’d be in the newspaper for a fashion article. Clara epitomizes the eclectic, unique teenager that Poly is known for.

    In the center photo, is Scott Volland, a PACE visionary, known for his classic and preppy style he skillfully exhibits everyday. Volland’s Fit of the Day contains a light knit sweater over a button up, collared shirt and beige corduroy pants concluded with some slip on shoes and a modish scarf.

    And finally, on the far right is the girls water polo player, Darby Huff who excitedly said, “Oh! Cool! It’ll be in the newspaper” in regards to my photographing her outfit. Huff is truly a woman of the water, and it’s shown in her notorious Hawaiian shirt, “finest pair of mom jeans you have ever seen,” and faded vans. Huff stated that she actually “got my shirt  in Greece during my month long club water polo trip. I was at a bar with my teammates and there was a band playing and some girl took her shirt off and threw it but it didn’t make it to the stage–only into my hands! I tried to give it back, but I couldn’t find her, so I just kept it!”

    Overall, these kiddos have a keen eye for fashion and know exactly how to style themselves.  In this modern age for recklessness through style, these are a few of the  special ones.