Story by Noah Kuhn Associate News Editor Illustration by Alicia Zhang Staff Illustrator The SPHS Planned Parenthood Peer Advocates will host its online LGBTQ+ campus inclusivity panel on Tuesday, Apr. 21. The discussion will feature four experienced LGBTQ+ educators who will answer questions and advise participants on how to make their school more LGBTQ+ inclusive in […]
ASB reveals 2020-2021 Commission election results
Story by Haelee Kim Associate Opinion Editor Photo by Oscar Walsh Photo Editor ASB announced its 2020-2021 commissioners on Saturday, Apr. 18 after online voting closed on Friday. This year a total of 18 students competed for a commission position, each campaigning and delivering their speeches online due to L.A.’s safer-at-home order. Candidates began campaigning on Monday, […]
SPUSD faces ‘significant’ budget cuts as state reduces school funding
Story by Noah Kuhn Associate News Editor Photo by Oscar Walsh Photo Editor South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) Superintendent Geoff Yantz is leading the district’s response to anticipated budget cuts to California’s education funding due to the economic downturn spurred by the coronavirus outbreak. Yantz is collaborating with other districts in Los Angeles County to collectively […]
ASB prepares to launch commissioner elections online
Story by Haelee KimAssociate Opinion Editor Photo by Oscar WalshPhoto Editor Candidates for ASB’s 2020-2021 Commission kicked off their week of campaigning on Monday, Apr. 13 in preparation for online elections on Friday, Apr. 17. In light of L.A.’s stay-at-home order, ASB officers have opted to digitize the traditional campaign week, posting recordings of Q&A sessions […]
Annual ‘Grad Nite’ officially canceled
Story by Kimberly Hsueh Staff Writer Photo by Jeremy Thompson Contributor The Grad Nite committee announced that its annual senior Grad Nite from June 3 to June 4, has officially been canceled. The eight-hour event originally planned to send seniors to Disneyland’s California Adventure, giving students free access to any functioning ride in the park to […]
Students advance to History Day state competition
Story by Cloe Maurer Associate Feature Editor Illustration by Alicia Zhang Staff Illustrator Juniors Miles Bernath, Zoe Albornoz, and Justin Toshima earned three of the four spots on the Los Angeles Department of Education’s (LACOE) Senior Historical Paper State Team. The three students competed against 230 other entries across the Los Angeles area as part of […]
SPHS counselor Marilyn Garcia returns from leave
Story by Adam Kwoh News Editor SPHS counselor Marilyn Garcia has announced her return to SPHS on Friday, Apr. 10, after taking a personal leave of absence in January. Her original replacement, Joyce Ku-Rodriguez, will remain in her position until the end of April. Garcia announced her personal leave of absence from the SPHS staff, originally […]
SPMS Principal David Kubela leaves for new position at Acton-Agua Dulce
Story by Noah Kuhn Associate News Editor South Pasadena Middle School (SPMS) Principal David Kubela announced he will be leaving his position effective on Thursday, Apr. 30, to fill his new role as principal of Acton-Agua Dulce Middle School. SPMS Assistant Principal Carlos Kassam-Clay will take over the position temporarily until the district finds a replacement. […]
School board passes emergency grading policy
Story and photo by Noah Kuhn Associate News Editor The South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) School Board unanimously passed an emergency district grading policy in a special board meeting on Thursday, Apr. 9. The new structure impacts elementary, middle, and high school grades in addition to senior graduation requirements and the district’s late work […]
Superintendent Yantz hopes ‘to finish the school year on a positive note’
Story by Noah Kuhn Associate News Editor Photo by Helena Fu Contributor California’s decision to close schools amidst the coronavirus outbreak’s growing implications has left a trail of new challenges for the South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) and Superintendent Geoff Yantz. As SPUSD faces a community-wide quarantine through the end of the school year, the district […]
Senior class faces disappointment as year-end events cancel
Story by Haelee KimAssociate Opinion Editor Photo by Oscar WalshPhoto Editor SPHS Principal Janet Anderson released an email apologizing to the senior class on Thursday, Apr. 2, in light of the coronavirus outbreak. California’s widespread pandemic has led to the shutdown of all schools for the remainder of the school year, leaving many graduating seniors with lost […]
SPUSD closes schools until end of school year
Story by Lilian Zhu Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Photo Editor SPUSD announced it will close school campuses for the rest of the school year on Wednesday, Apr. 1, under the discretion of the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools and state officials. Students will continue to learn at home as the district plans to implement […]
SPUSD outlines guide to online learning program
Story by Adam Kwoh News Editor Photo by Oscar Walsh Photo Editor SPUSD updated students and parents on the structure of its upcoming Independent Study Distance Learning Program (ISDLP) on Monday, Mar. 30. Teachers and students will be expected to complete work from home on a weekly basis using online services such as Google Classroom, Seesaw, and […]
Students honored with Scholastic Art and Writing National Awards
Story by Lilian Zhu Staff Writer Photo by Bailey Negrete Contributor Four SPHS students and four SPUSD teachers were honored with national gold and silver medals from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Senior Yvonne Ma won a gold medal for her digital artwork, “Library in a Train,” while senior Bailey Negrete took home a silver medal […]
Senior class Yosemite trip called off in consequence of coronavirus threat
Story by Adam Kwoh News Editor Photo by Alicia Alderete Contributor SPHS’ annual end of the year senior class trip to Yosemite National Park has been canceled in response to the coronavirus threat. The trip’s non-profit, NatureBridge, announced the cancellation of all its programs until June 5, 2020. The organization provides outdoor education programs to students through […]
SPHS Alumni Association to offer scholarships despite school closure
Story by Lilian Zhu Staff Writer Photo by Tiger Staff The SPHS Alumni Association (SPHSAA) is continuing to offer its annual scholarships for high school seniors who hope to pursue any higher education — including community college, four-year colleges or universities, and vocational schools. In light of SPUSD closing all schools until May 5, the association […]