Story by Katie Hohman Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Abigail Silver Contributor The district has delayed its grades TK-2 return plan indefinitely after state officials released new restrictions on Thursday, Jan. 14 that prohibit L.A. County schools from reopening due to record coronavirus cases. SPUSD elementary schools had previously been approved to reopen in January, but […]
Vaccine distribution brings hope, frustration
Story by Zoe Schlaak Staff Writer Illustration by Alicia Zhang Staff Illustrator Photos courtesy of Anne Michels M.D., Jose Cervantes M.D., Josh Albrektson M.D., & Jehni Robinson M.D. Contributors Community members expressed relief and annoyance about vaccine distribution as South Pasadena approaches 1,200 coronavirus cases. California organized the vaccine distribution into Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2, and they are […]
Athletic Director announces second postponement of athletics
Story by Ellie CampbellStaff Writer Photo by of Sarah LeeStaff Photographer SPHS athletic director Anthony Chan announced a second postponement of all SPHS athletics on Monday, Jan. 11, due to recent escalated coronavirus case numbers. Season two sports are now set to start on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the earliest. The SPHS athletics department is continuing […]
Coronavirus surge results in greater restrictions
Story by Zoe Schlaak Staff writer Illustration by Alicia Zhang Staff Illustrator Record high coronavirus cases have prompted L.A. County public health officials to establish new stringent restrictions, including the prohibition of all gatherings that include more than one household, starting on Monday, Nov. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 20. Besides faith gatherings and protests, which […]
SPHS athlete tests positive for coronavirus
Story by Zoe SchlaakStaff Writer Photo by Sarah LeeStaff Photographer SPHS paused football training on Friday, Nov. 13 due to a J.V. football athlete testing positive for coronavirus three weeks into season one practice and conditioning. While all other sports have continued practicing, the athletic department has planned to shut down football training until Tuesday, Nov. 17. […]
Local residents embrace early voting, half have already cast ballots
Story by Quinn Manzo Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer South Pasadena residents are stepping up to vote in the 2020 election by mailing in and dropping off their ballots and voting in person. As of Wednesday, October 28, roughly 48 percent of those registered in South Pasadena had returned their ballots. Data collected on […]
SPUSD lays off librarians over budget cuts
Story by Quinn Manzo Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Selena Baydaline Contributor SPUSD cut the elementary school library programs and laid off the librarians in July after the coronavirus pandemic caused significant state budget cuts. Before their termination, the librarians expected that they would continue connecting with students and parents as they did during fourth quarter […]
Local and countywide coronavirus caseloads slow, restrictions remain
Story by Kahlen Miao Staff Writer Illustration by Alicia Zhang Staff Illustrator The City of South Pasadena reached 242 coronavirus cases and 26 deaths on Monday, Aug. 24, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. This is an increase of 12 confirmed cases and one death within the past two weeks. The South Pasadena […]
School board opts against TASP proposed secondary model in special meeting
Story by Georgia ParsonsStaff Writer Photo by SPUSDContributor The school board decided against adopting the Teacher’s Association of South Pasadena’s (TASP) instructional secondary model during its emergency meeting on Saturday, Aug. 8. After voicing concerns over the adopted instructional model, TASP representatives proposed their own model that would eliminate Friday instructional periods; the board concluded […]
School board recommends total distance learning to begin, passes hybrid models for future implementation
Story by Kahlen Miao Staff Writer Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor The South Pasadena School Board advised Superintendent Geoff Yantz to begin the 2020-2021 school year with 100 percent distance learning at its meeting on Thursday, Jul. 16. The board also approved hybrid instructional models for both the elementary and secondary levels that will be utilized when […]
Tournament of Roses 2021 Parade cancelled over coronavirus concerns
Story by Zoe Schlaak Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer The 132nd Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day Parade was cancelled on Wednesday, July 14, due to safety concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. After discussing with the USC Keck School of Medicine, parade officials concluded that there is no plausible way to operate the […]
Coronavirus case increase prompts statewide reclosing of businesses
Story by Eddie Zhou Staff Writer Photo by Oscar Walsh Staff Photographer California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a revised order requiring the immediate closure of moderate-risk businesses after a recent uptake in coronavirus cases — effective Monday, Jul. 13. Additionally, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced its plans to hold instruction strictly online come August in […]
School board discusses health measures for a potential return to in-person learning
Story by Charlie Betts Staff Writer Photo by Ella Jayasekera Photography Editor The South Pasadena School Board discussed the health protocols necessary to safely reopen schools in August at its meeting on Thursday, Jul. 9. Dr. Michael Smit, an infectious disease expert, recommended safety guidelines to the Board in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The […]
The pitfalls of hustle culture
Story by Eddie ZhouStaff Writer Illustration by Alicia ZhangStaff Illustrator People are conditioned to believe that constant productivity is a requisite step in order for one to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. In turn, many attempt to overexert themselves in order to match perpetual productivity idealized by the media. This resulting external pressure manifests […]
Discovery of life-saving drug coincides with L.A. County’s increase in coronavirus cases
Story by Janice Park and Lenise Diaz Contributors Illustration by Alicia Zhang Staff Illustrator This week California reported a record-high increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in a single day, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to enact an order that mandates face masks in all public areas. Also, researchers from the University of Oxford found a way to […]
City schedules more reopenings, prepares for outdoor dining program
Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer The City Council prolonged the local state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic for 60 more days and approved workplace reopening protocols at its meeting on Wednesday, June 17. A local emergency was first proclaimed at a meeting in mid-March, however, it […]