Sheriffs lock down campus
The school was on lockdown from approximately 2:10 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 29, as a result of a student’s social media post that seemed threatening and was reported to administrators.
Administrators ordered the school to be put on lockdown and reported the situation to the sheriff’s department, who then agreed to the procedures to be sure that students on campus would be safe. Oak Avenue Intermediate School was also on lockdown at that time. The next morning, administrators called all staff to a meeting to discuss the details of the threat before they attend their weekly department meetings.
Changes to AP Tryout Process
Principal Dr. Jennifer Lashier started conversations with teachers last year about simplifying or possibly eliminating the AP and Honors tryout process, planning to incorporate it in the 2019-2020 school year.
Many parents and students have supported the elimination of tryouts, but others believe that the current process is the most effective.
“A concern that I have is that if it is easier to get into AP classes, it provides more pressure on students to take AP classes,” AP Physics teacher Mr. Kevin Slattery said. “I already see some students really stressed out because they have too many things on their plates.”
Once the new tryout process is finalized, teachers plan to announce it to students and parents at the AP Parent Night on Wed., Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
German 3/4 classes get PCC credits
Since German students already received a full year of high school credit for completing their online courses, Dr. Lashier informed the German 3/4 classes of an opportunity in second semester to obtain college credit from Pasadena City College.
Starting Feb. 20, a German professor from PCC will come after school on Mondays and Wednesdays to teach students who sign up for this class.
In order for this program with PCC to take place, at least 18 students must sign up.
Those who choose not to be a part of the program will remain enrolled in their current period for German 3/4 for the rest of the school year.
As they already have attained high school credit for the course, it will become a guided study hall period.
Yosemite field trip moves forward despite government shutdown
The Yosemite trip is scheduled to proceed from Feb. 17 to Feb. 22.
Those on the trip plan to depart two days after the 3-week reopening of the government bill ends. If the government does not reach a compromise, they will initiate another shutdown.
While English and Photography teacher Mr. Savay Lieu does not expect much of the trip to change, he believes some activities run by federal workers will be altered or removed, such as visiting the visitor’s center or attending lectures held by park rangers.