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The Thunderbolt
Comparisons to Other School Districts
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How SMUHSD Administration Expects Year to Play Out
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Jordan Hasty Staff Writer
uring these current unprecedented times, several changes to the typical school agenda have been made. Many aspects of day-to-day student/teacher life have also been drastically affected; school is now held strictly online, workouts are socially distanced, and the bell schedule has been modified. In regards to the 20202021 school year, the administrators expect challenges, but hopes are high that both staff and students can use this as a positive learning experience. Administrators have also had to tackle obstacles such as Material distribution day, which required massive coordination due to the absence of Library Media Technician, Ms. Schroeder. Luckily, with the staff’s comprehensive effort, distribution day ran smoothly and all issues were resolved. Vice Principal, Lindsay Schlax stated: “Mr. Gomez worked very hard to get the master schedule made,” emphasizing the commitment embedded in this event alone. Following material distribution, staff offered a second round material(s) drop-off/pick-up + school ID photo held outside, in the Mills student parking area, on August 26-28 and September 2-4. This served as a great opportunity for students to gather any old, unneeded books to return, as well as pick up missing items they needed. Regardless of the circumstances, faculty aims to put forth consistent effort in hopes
of making this school year as easily adjustable as possible for students. On Wednesday, September 9th, flex time was now deemed optional. While students are not required to attend, they are given more liberty to meet with their teacher at that time or during office hours, which serves to benefit many. Furthermore, Wednesday’s bell schedule has been slightly adjusted, allowing students a 10 minute passing period, rather than 5, to gather materials and prepare for the next class. According to Vice Principal, Lindsay Schlax, “There will be no further schedule changes though the board may [possibly] vote Wednesday’s as asynchronous.” Ultimately, determining Wednesday’s scheduling as asynchronous or synchronous is not ruled by Mills administration, and the decision will be up to the SMUHSD board, affecting every school within the district. The following day, the Governing Board finalized the current status of distance education - for all instruction to be held virtually for the remainder of the semester (through December). Moving forward, dministrators are working towards opening up Mills’ campus for students who need a different working environment than their homes. Students will be socially distanced and strictly monitored in small pods. The sole purpose is to provide students whose at home surroundings interfere with their education with an alternative, productive environment
to learn effectively. While these are taking place, staff intends on maintaining proper safety measures to ensure the safety of all parties. “The pods are only outdoors because the health of those around you is number one” Schlax said, further strengthening the importance of responsibility and safety in these times. The initial start date for the workshops was said to be Monday, September 14th, but due to the critical air conditions the date has been pushed to the following Monday, the 21st. If interested in attending the learning pods, please visit our school website for more information. Campus is also now open to athletes to participate in workouts, while remaining six feet apart. Once cleared, each athlete will receive an email from Mr. Keller, containing the time and location in which conditioning will be held. Through the current challenging times, staff members are implementing their best efforts to ensure the safety, health, and overall prosperity of students. Mills High School is also offering several services to those who may require it during this time, including: tech support, college help, homework programs, flex time, hotspots, and chromebooks. Many of these can be found on the website or have been sent in an email with information to students. Health, happiness, and education of students are valued at Mills and will continue to be shown through the conscious efforts of Mills Administration.
Rita Li Staff Writer
his semester, different school districts around our area have adopted different methods to handle the new socially distant school year. While the San Mateo Union High School District has adopted a fully online fall semester, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Sequoia High School District have given students different options to choose between distance learning and physical school. Ultimately, each school district is trying its best to ensure safety during these unsafe times. In Mercy High School, students will soon have the choice of staying completely online and doing a Hybrid Cohort ABCAB model. With the hybrid system, students attend school physically on Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays, depending on what group they have been placed in. All students have to stay home and receive distance learning on Wednesdays. The A days have four 80 minute classes while the B days have 3 classes with an additional advisory collaboration period: a time for students to study at the end of the school day. There will be safety standards, as this hybrid model gives students the opportunity to talk to their teachers in-person and have a more interactive experience. Students who want to opt out of the hybrid model in the future may instead choose a completely online learning experience. The students at St. Ignatius, a private high school located in San Francisco, are still in the distance learning phase because the campuses have not been cleared for physical learning yet. The current school schedule requires students to attend their first four periods on Mondays and
Thursdays and periods five through seven on Tuesdays and Fridays. Each period is one hour and fifteen minutes. When the St. Ignatius students have the choice to switch to the hybrid model, Group A will attend physical school for four days on week A and Group B will attend physical school on week B. There will be two groups because it is optimal for reducing transmissions of the virus. Desks would be arranged three to six feet apart, all facing the same direction so students won’t have to face each other. The Palo Alto Unified School District, which consists of Addison, Barron Park, Duveneck, El Carmelo, Escondido, Fairmeadow, Herbert Hoover, and Juana Briones High Schools also provides a similar hybrid model with a combination of distance and in-person learning. To ensure safety, the school sites have determined desk spacing and airflow management. Signs have been posted on campus to remind students to wear face masks, wash hands frequently, avoid unnecessary contact, and not go to school if experiencing COVID symptoms. This school district is currently using Schoology, a user-centric learning management platform that helps students manage day-to-day activities. It is also a platform being used by other high school students who have chosen a blended learning system. The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD),which consists of Balboa, Burton, Philip, Sala, Downtown, Galileo, and Independent High Schools are currently developing a phase 2-Hybrid model, which will replace the distance learning program they currently have.
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Justin Condevillamar The Thunderbolt
DISTANCE LEARNING: Most schools have not reopened.
News
The Thunderbolt
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Critical Approach to Racism Town Hall Recap
Katelyn Chang The Thunderbolt
TOWN HALL: The ARC ran this town hall event.
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Katelyn Chang Staff Writer
n September 2nd, Millbrae’s newly formed Anti-Racist Coalition (ARC) hosted its first ever “Critical Approach to Racism: Understanding Your Position: Town Hall”. The ARC was formed following the protests over George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor’s deaths this summer. Consisting of Millbrae residents, the town hall aimed to bring our community together to listen, learn, and talk to each other to make sense of these tragic events. This followed Millbrae’s August 6th
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Leanna Yu Editor-In-Chief
he new Wishing Wallimplemented at the Millbrae History Museum is a safe place for residents to showcase their social justice hopes for Millbrae. The Millbrae
town hall that partnered with the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center to gauge where Millbrae was as a community in terms of racism. Then, the Millbrae ARC followed up with the September 2nd town hall to discuss the racism each community member has experienced or contributed to as well as identifying our own power and how to use it. This town hall aimed to continue uncomfortable conversations in a safe space, increase awareness and create a common language around racism, understand what it means to be an anti-racist, and to establish an understanding
Event organizer, Mills Parent, and ARC co-founder, Karen Chin, further explained that “I think it was a great discussion on educating each other on some common language around racism and how we may have all contributed to racial bias. Everyone walked away with something tangible they could do tomorrow, big or small, to become less racist and to create a more safe and welcoming community for all.” Chin went on to further elaborate that she hoped that everyone now understands that they all possess their own unique power and privileges that they can use to advocate for themselves and for others. Mills Senior and facilitator of the ARC, Lilian Chang, delineated the success of the breakout rooms; “We had some very productive conversations. It really helped me gain a better perspective of the experiences of Millbrae neighbors. It was really important that we reflected on our own actions and took note of both our unconscious and conscious biases. It’s
great that we’ve begun to have conversations in our community and confront the reality of racism in our city and country as a whole.” Mills Sophomore and Town Hall Attendee, Jessica Sy, concurred with this statement when she said, “The Town Hall provided me with the ability to share my opinion in a safe space. I learned about what it meant to be an anti-racist and heard other people in my neighborhood’s experiences with racism.” Through this community event, Millbrae residents were able to develop a deeper connection with each other by realizing their own power and privilege while also listening to the stories of other people who may not have had the same privilege. Although there are no confirmed dates for future town halls, Chin stated that upcoming events could circle around topics such as policing and policy in Millbrae and our schools, strategies to combat racism when you are the target or a witness, how to have uncomfortable conversations, and the
New Millbrae Museum Wishing Wall (Millbrae ARC), a nonprofit organization of local residents educating the community through events and projects on the sysmematic oppression and racism towards BIPOC to promote anti-racism. The idea for the Wishing Wall was intro-
Leanna Yu The Thunderbolt
WISHING WALL: Addition to the Millbrae Museum.
Museum is located at 420 Poplar Ave, directly across from the Millbrae Public Library, where community members can take a tag, write their wish, and tie it onto the Millbrae Museum fence. The art installation for the Wishing Wall was brought by the Millbrae Anti-Racist Coalition
of the audience’s power and to create solutions. With ARC member, Dawn Lee, moderating, the town hall housed over 100 Millbrae resident attendees. Other educators and administrative members also attended this town hall, including Mills’ Principal Duszynski, Mills teacher, Ms. Arge, Superintendent Skelly, and Meadows Elementary Principal, Daina Lujan. During the town hall, participants were split into several breakout groups each led by an ARC team member. In these groups, everyone was asked to discuss three questions: “We have all been racist or experienced racism. What microaggressions, unconscious or implicit biases have you either participated in or experienced?”, “Understanding your position (power and privilege). What types of privileges do you have?”, “Everyone has individual power. What power do you have?”, and “Where do you want to see change? How can you use your power to create solutions?”
duced by a member who suggested that they provide a platform for people to write their social justice wishes on tags. One of Millbrae ARC’s members, Amy Lauer, stated, “As we explored the idea and how to bring [the idea] to life, we researched Wishing Trees— a long standing tradition of hope and
wellness.” The first wishes were made and displayed at the start of Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 6th after being approved by the Millbrae Historical Society and plans to continue showcasing the Wishing Wall for as long as the Millbrae Museum allows. The tagged picket fence was chosen as a symbol of the ultimate form of the American dream–– a happy family that lives in a modest residential home with children, pets, and a sense of community safety. On the Millbrae ARC’s Instagram page, the Coalition describes the significance of the Wall: “Everyone’s idea of the American Dream is different. And everyone in our community should have the opportunity to achieve their American Dream. The Wishing Wall is a place where you can put your hopes for the community to strive toward that equality.” Millbrae ARC believes in Art-In-Action as a way to express what is difficult in words and to
bring the community together through reflecting on the world around us. Lauer proclaims, “Authentic reactions spark the exchange of ideas, and overtime, shared understanding. This is another reason we nurture the Wishing Wall.” Another
fence with positive social justice messages. As a note to the Mills community, Lauer encourages everyone “to think about your wish for our community’s future and share on our Wishing Wall. You are our future, and we want to make the necessary
Leanna Yu The Thunderbolt
WISHING WALL: People can tag a wish to the fence.
instance of Art-In-Action includes the “Chalk Out Racism” events that can be seen at City Hall, although other locations at Taylor, Rotary Park, Broadway, and Sawyer Camp Trail have been washed away. The Millbrae Wishing Wall has grown since early September, with over 30 tags covering the side
changes so everyone has the same freedom, justice, and safety to be who they are, wherever they are.” The Millbrae Anti Racist Coalition intends to continue providing tags, pens, and many other materials for the Millbrae community to participate in the growth of the Wishing Wall.
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The Thunderbolt News Wildfires, Pandemic, Smog, Protests, and Power Outages
SMOG:
Pamela Duszynski, Mills Administration
On September 9th, smoke from wildfires across Northern California caused the skies in the Bay Area to glow orange.
New Recreation Activities In Millbrae
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Katelyn Lam Staff Writer
n late March, the Millbrae City Council approved several virtual recreation plans to offer to residents. On the City of Millbrae website, the virtual recreation center provides activity guides and programs with plenty of options ranging from virtual tours to arts and crafts. This virtual recreation center will not be a replacement for the recreation center, but instead, a unique place to find something interesting to do during lockdown. According to the City of Millbrae, “Our Virtual Recreation Center will bring these programs resources right to you and your family with the hope of making it easier for you to prioritize your health and well-being.” The virtual recreation center offers fun and easy D.I.Y. art projects for kids, such as melted crayon art, stained glass, and easy step-bystep painting tutorials.Additionally, families can watch live otter feeding streams offered by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. For adults, an exercise program is readily available: Yoga With Adriene, a Youtube channel with videos on healing stress through yoga. Yoga, unlike other forms of exercise, focuses more on the physical and mental wellbeing of a person and can even help with improving balance and flexibility. They also have indoor fitness court workouts, which are great
Denise Dreyer The Thunderbolt
WILDFIRES: A thunderstorm on August 16th caused major damage to homes and started fires.
for reducing stress and staying active without risking the safety of yourself or others by going outside. Members of the Millbrae Rotary are also offering phone calls to seniors to chat and check in on how they’re doing during the pandemic. Online videos are also provided to teach seniors virtual line dancing, which is a great way to remain active without being exposed outside. Over the summer, there were also virtual classes specifically geared towards seniors, helping them to improve flexibility and strength from the San Mateo Adult & Career Education. The City of Millbrae also partnered with the Millbrae Lions Club to present the movie “Onward” at Millbrae Square on Friday, September 25th in a drive-in style movie experience. Attendees were required to register in advance and adhere to social distancing guidelines. All proceeds from donations and snack pack sales were used to support Millbrae. The next community drive-in is expected to be on Halloween, featuring Hal-
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Katelyn Lam The Thunderbolt
ACTIVITIES: The center links online activities.
Leanna Yu The Thunderbolt
PANDEMIC: Students abide by social distancing rules on photo day
Bob Riha jr CNBC
PANDEMIC: Frontline workers are required to wear PPE for safety.
Justin Condevillamar The Thunderbolt
RECREATION:The city website links activities.
Leanna Yu The Thunderbolt
DRIVE IN: Residents drove in to see a movie.
The Thunderbolt
News The State of California in 2020
RECAP OF This Year’s Wildfires & HOW They Compare to Previous Ones
Joshua Choe Staff Writer
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he effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have incorporated itself into every life around America, with California receiving a large portion of cases, and the state government bringing about many changes in a mutual effort to stifle infection rates. A six feet apart rule has been instituted around many businesses and quarantine rules as well as a four step system involving isolating infected, informing those who were near the infected individual, cleaning and disinfecting the affected area, and notifying those who were in the general idea. Different cities in the Bay Area had businesses that have been shut down which has led to an overall decrease in public livelihood. Recent wildfires have also been burning throughout California. Fires such as the August Complex fires and the CZU Lightning Complex fires have caused California governor, Gavin Newsom, to declare a state of emergency. Millbrae, a usually vibrant city with a very active local communi-
ty has receded into a more docile and regressed state. Just taking a walk around Millbrae in recent weeks has shown the significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air particulate levels have reached record highs of 453/m3 (10/m3 is the safe limit), and the high levels of smog were dense enough to block out sunlight. On Wednesday, September 9th, thick smog from surrounding Bay Area fires, such as the Bear fire, caused the skies in the Bay Area to have an orange hue, and two days later, the Bay Area recorded record levels of air pollution. Due to the ever-increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Bay Area, the San Mateo Union High School District has unanimously decided to shut down and engage in online learning. Businesses and other public areas have also instituted policies to ensure a decreased chance of disease transmission. Although residents are miffed and displeased about their current situation, they understand why this is happening. James Pazowtski, a local worker at Safeway, comments,
“It’s really frustrating to be able to have to go through all these precautions and everything, even though I know it’s to prevent infection. My workflow’s kind of stiffed.” Precautions, as well as policies, have significantly affected everyone’s lives. Workers must distance themselves from customers, utilize masks and gloves, and take temperature checks when clocking in for the day, as well as clocking out. A limited number of customers are allowed in a public building at a time and masks are required. Additionally, Christine Chan, a Millbrae resident, comments on how her lifestyle has come to a halt due to the unhealthy air quality of the fires. “I always, always go out for a walk in the morning with my dog, and the air’s stopped me from doing that and I hope that it improves soon.” Fires are not new in California and a number of past similar events in 2017 and 2018 can be compared to the current fires. The California wildfires had always affected life in our community, but in recent weeks, the in-
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uth Bader Ginseburg’ passing on September 18th, 2020 has led many women around the country to mourn her loss and reflect on her impact as a litigator, feminist, and equal rights advocate. This article serves as a place for Mills’ female staff to recount on RBG’s impact on their personal and professional lives. (Add something to fill out the bottom)
When did you first hear about RBG and what were your first thoughts about her? “I had heard of her for a long time, but the moment that sticks out in my mind is when someone came up with the nickname Notorious RBG. This nickname was a testament to everything that she had accomplished that was above and beyond, but also presented a feeling of rebellion. As a kid in the 90s, I grew up with Notorious BIG and it intrigued me that the nickname took off like it did. Then I watched the documentary on her and the movie On the Basis of Sex and really grew to appreciate her.” -Rebecca Leung, English Teacher
creasingly larger and deadlier wildfires have had a greater effect on the Mills community. Back in 2017 and 2018, fires also ravaged California, spewing smoke across the whole state causing a dip in air quality and even forced some schools to be shut down for a few days. Mills High School was amongst those schools, and was shut down for a day due to concerns about student health. In 2018, an-
5 other influx of fires, such as the Mendocino Complex fire, spread across California, burning a near two million acres (1,890,000) of land. These fires were even more serious than the ones in 2017 and broke a new record for the most destructive wildfire season. Air quality during the 2018 wildfires declined to the point where Mills, and other schools in the area had to cancel classes.
Anjuli Niyogi The Thunderbolt
SMOKE: Orange skies were caused by dense smoke
Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg By Anjuli Niyogi, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Why is it important for young females to have figures like her? “I do believe that it is important for young females to have figures like RBG in every career because it makes it normal for women to have leadership roles and positions of influence. When young women and girls see female CEOs, politicians, superintendents, managers, engineers, etc. it seems normal to have those jobs. It demonstrates that those jobs are attainable for women.” -Margaret Peel, Math Teacher
How do you feel she has shaped this country? “We are so fortunate for her. She was a fighter in all regards: she fought hard for her own “successes”: To get into College, to get Jobs, to Teach at College. She fought to help her sick husband, while raising one of her children, while attending Law School. Once she became a Lawyer, she fought cases for equal rights for all people and was thankfully selected for the Supreme Court. She gracefully fought for her own health. She continued working despite her health issues. She is an example of selflessness.” -Hope Price, English Teacher
How and in what ways has she affected your life? “As a person who identifies as female, her ability to shatter the glass ceiling has provided great opportunities for me as an equal human being. I have a choice in how I want to regulate my decisions around my body, my finances, my profession, etc.” -Kelly Alberta, English Teacher “So much of what I am able to do as a woman in the United States was made possible because of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am able to be a mother and teacher (with equal pay to my male peers).” -AnneMarie Montani, Special Education Teacher
Anjuli Niyogi The Thunderbolt
NOTORIOUS RGB: Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired many women.
To read more quotes from Mills’ female staff members, visit millsthunderbolt.com
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MEET THE MILLBRAE CIT
Q&A
Q: What values and plans do you have that separates you from other candidates? Emphasize how your plans differ from theirs.
Anders Fung: I’m running to be your next Millbrae City Councilmember for one simple reason: I am a parent raising two kids here in our town. When I talk about public safety, education, transparency, or any other issues that I see here in Millbrae, I speak because, like you, I have a personal stake in these matters. As the only candidate raising their kids in Millbrae, I take the responsibility of properly representing our town seriously. That’s why, way before entering politics, I spent my time as a member of the Millbrae Lions Club, and as director of the Peninsula Chinese Business Association where we helped raise money for schools and provide scholarships. But I’m not just running because I recognize issues in Millbrae. What is more important to me is that I feel I have real, serious solutions. I spent the past year serving as Millbrae’s Planning Commissioner, a position I earned after a career spent in real estate development. During my time, I listened to the concerns of citizens, many of whom identified the same set of issues plaguing Millbrae: rising utilities expenses, a stagnant tax base, and under-utilization of valuable real estate (particularly in our downtown area). Upon further exploration, I’ve come to believe that all these issues spill over into one another. Therefore, the best approach to alleviating these issues is through a holistic and unified approach to expanding and developing our town—the very issue I’ve spent my life working on. I have no doubt in my mind that my experiences as commissioner and a developer make me uniquely qualified to tackle this issue as a councilmember. In my mind, there is a right way and a wrong way to develop—I’ve done my homework and I hope to use my experience to help Millbrae grow in a positive, sustainable way. Gina Papan: My combination of experience as an elected Councilmember and Mayor, Deputy Attorney General for the State of California, Nonprofit Director for local organization John’s Closet, and regional transit representative give me a unique perspective in this race, and at City Hall. Now, more than ever we need experienced leadership. I have the tested and proven experience to make a difference. I understand the challenges of the job and have effectively championed such goals as increasing our disaster preparedness, community health, public safety, quality of life services that protect children, families, local businesses and economic vitality, particularly in light of the challenges with COVID-19. During this unprecedented time, I have worked every day with fellow elected officials, dedicated community members and agency professionals to keep our city safe and healthy. I have ensured emergency food distribution, senior safety, planning for childcare and assisted remote distance learning. I have continued efforts to provide healthcare professionals and essential workers with PPE, funding small businesses with emergency grants and finding ways for Millbrae to endure and come back from the economic impacts of the pandemic. My plans to ensure are future are to continue supporting local businesses and move our economic recovery with responsible developments that do not increase traffic or burden local schools; increase childcare, programs for seniors and youth, repair of our crumbling streets and infrastructure, and provide housing working families can actually afford. I will also continue to ensure Millbrae is readiness for any health or 911 emergencies, so our communities and families receive the help they need, anytime they need it. I am also continuing to plan for Millbrae’s future, at the forefront of funding and replacing our recreation center, which will break ground this week and is scheduled to open in 2022.
MILBRAE CITY COUNCIL *All responses are copied directly as written by each candidate in this voluntary questionnare.
READ THE FULL Q&A ON OUR WEBSITE: millsthunderbolt.com
Ann Schneider: I am trained in environmental science and my world view is protecting the environment is a part of every action a city takes. When we delayed repairing our sewer, stormwater and water delivery systems during previous economic downturns we first passed the cost to future generations and we also in the long run increased the cost to maintain critical City systems. So, I believe we spend money for long term maintenance. I also know that there will never be enough money to do everything our residents want us to do, or that we should do to improve our economic base. To do this we need to all work together. We need more “public private partnerships” to spread every public dollar as best we can. Many of my plans I’ve outlined below, but I think the main difference I have with the other candidates is I have worked in economic development and in creating and running public projects. I bring that philosophy with me as my world view and in planning projects or supporting your funds in city projects. Now onto a much more difficult topic. I was bullied by my fellow councilmembers and by a group called Better Millbrae who used every tactic to make me recuse from voting for the project currently under construction on the east side of the Millbrae Station. This project “Gateway at Millbrae Station” would have been a 2-2 split vote had Better Millbrae’s horrendous bullying against me worked. But it did not and the project, once completed will bring in needed property tax, sales tax, transient occupancy taxes (TOT known as hotel tax), and new residential and commercial customers to our restaurants and retail establishments. It will also bring in 400 new housing units, 20% are in the affordable range and 80 of the units set aside for Veterans Preferred. Now, I am going to say this loud and clear, this behavior, the tactics used by Better Millbrae are wrong and they are active in this current election telling lies, and bullying Millbrae residents who are asking questions about a specific candidate. This candidate has not stopped his supporters from bullying others or from telling lies. This candidate has signed the election Code of Ethics but will not respond to members of the public to whom his followers are bullying. This is not the way candidates should behave. And if this is how they behave during the election, how will they behave should they get elected? This is a real threat to Millbrae’s future just as threatening behavior has become a National issue. I will tell you now, I do not tell lies. I will take the time to meet with and speak with anyone and everyone, and I will take the time to explain issues and how I have come to the decisions I have made. I will never treat anyone the way I was treated by Better Millbrae. There is ugliness in Millbrae, and it is our duty are citizens and residents to tell the truth and not bully those who disagree with us. We can respectfully disagree with each other. We must
TY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
The Thunderbolt
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demand the truth. Underhanded tactics should not be tolerated. Quieting public comment is wrong. Free speech is an American right and it is the duty of all of us to defend that right, even when we disagree with what is being said. Your elected officials need to be good examples not just to young people but to all. It is reflected in how we treat each other and the public. It is reflected in the amount of homework we do on issues. And I will tell you the issues are not simple and homework and asking questions is an important part of being your elected official. I count on you holding all of us accountable. Always feel free to call me or email me. I want to speak with you. You You Xue: *Response has been edited by Thunderbolt Editors as per candidate request.* I am one of the only candidates who is making lowering water bills a topic priority for this election. Water bills are out of control and they are still rising. I have come up with new ideas, like the implementation of smart meters, to reduce operating costs and past savings onto residents. I also want to deliver a fairer billing system in the form of a tiered metering system. In other words, if you use less water, you should expect to pay less fees. Right now, the majority of water bills are consumed by expensive fixed charges, leaving some residents paying $800-$1000 on their monthly bills. I am a strong believer in advancing social justice in government. We have the power as a local government to address many of the larger inequities plaguing our country. I want to empower young people, women, and people of colour to run for office by reforming our campaign finance laws to stem the incessant flow of dirty special interest money, and I want to adopt lifetime term limits to ensure new voices can be heard at the highest levels of government. One of my opponents believes the opposite, that the way to get into politics is to cosy up to the establishment - in other words, play the game and kiss the rings. I believe this type of politics only excludes great people. It’s this type of politics that is shutting out politicians that are inspirational to me, like Bernie Sanders and AOC. I am the only Millbrae business owner to run for City Council in a generation. We all know that Millbrae’s downtown needs improvement and it needs it quickly. We cannot afford another term of politicians promising to take action to improve our downtown but making it a non-priority once they get into office. I have a long-term plan for our downtown district that I want to implement on day one. I believe that my plans will give merchants the stability they’ve been asking for, and will give our residents the confidence they needed to continue spending money in support of our small businesses. I believe in investing in our community’s mental health. This issue has vastly been ignored in our local political dialogue, but I think that we have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in our residents’ lives. I want to start in our schools and increase access to anonymous and effective counselling for students experiencing difficulties with their mental health. I will then move on to making sure we have properly trained law enforcement officers who are capable of diffusing situations involving those experiencing psychiatric emergencies, not escalating them. Safety in our community can not continue to be one-dimensional, in other words, more cops = more safety. We need to view it in a more holistic way and I am committed to doing that. I will bring issues important to young people to the forefront of Millbrae’s government. I am literally half the age of the next youngest candidate. I left Mills just a half decade ago. I know what young people are going through because I live through it everyday. I know what it means to not be able to afford to live on your own and buy your own home. I know what we need to do to build a city that works for all demographics and ages, not just those who have traditionally controlled our politics. I see local politics as a conduit in which young people can really have an impact. I am personally disheartened by the fact that we have two presidential candidates who both require me to question their mental health and fitness to lead. Our Congress is led by those in their 80s, this is outrageous and is the result of the establishment propping up people way past their expiration date. I think that the more we can make local leadership relevant to young people, the more responsive our government will be to the needs of younger generations.
Errol Zshornack
You You Xue
Ann Schneider
Gina Papan
Anders Fung
Errol Zshornack: I believe that being in public service is a great responsibility because it involves trust. The constituents of Millbrae have to trust you. I don’t believe in spending so much just for the campaign to earn the people’s trust. The people have to like you, trust you, when they know who you are. Lawn signs, banners and flyers can only do so much. I have the fewest and also the smallest lawn signs. I have gone house to house introducing myself to the residents of Millbrae. I believe I am the only one who has made a pledge to myself to spend no more than $1,000. When you look at what the position of city council member pays, it’s ridiculous to even think of spending more than $10,000 for a campaign. It’s not sound for business, so it makes one think that there could be a “return on investment” when a candidate spends huge amounts of money either on his own or by means of donations to win a seat on the council.
Q&A
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MEET THE MILLBRAE CIT
MILBRAE CITY COUNCIL candidATES
Q: How would you suggest addressing racial inequalities in schools/communities? Anders Fung: Many of these issues must be forcefully met at the national or state level. For education, schools should be encouraged to enact anti-racist teaching sessions for administrators and educators. Governments must also make a greater effort to provide technology access to students — digital literacy is increasingly important, yet some communities are being left behind without a chance to pursue these lucrative careers. Policing must also evolve. In Millbrae, I have maintained constant communication with the San Mateo County Sheriff, Carlos Belanos, and have discussed ways to change how policing works locally. I am an advocate for rethinking the way Millbrae is policed, including a focus on community efforts such as neighborhood-watch. I believe this issue is important to Millbrae, as Chinedu Okobi was killed by officers here a couple years ago, a fact that has only recently become more widely known in our community. I’ve said from the start that I want to build an even closer relationship between our local police and our citizens—a goal of mine that will be reflected in my actions if I hold office. I’ve also personally tried to address racial inequalities in my campaign. There definitely exist bad faith perpetrators of racism; there also exists the daily, subtle perpetrators of racism. I’ve tried to address both in my campaign. I’ve been unabashed about my Asian-ness. This is for a specific reason: representation is sometimes a buzzword, but proud representation (using my Chinese name in advertisements, openly putting second-language posts on my website, etc.) forces others to reckon with the fundamental humanness of myself. As an Asian American, I hope that my campaign will act to push my community further. Young Asian Americans are growing up in a time of increased political awareness without correlated increases in API elected representation. This is a pressing issue; pessimism is the enemy of growing working coalitions. I strongly believe this issue is accentuated here on the Peninsula, where Asians are a large population yet are still historically marginalized. Gina Papan: By expanding and enhancing the education in our schools and communities society will be more compassionate, able to prosper and make our world a better place for everyone. But we must address where our efforts have fallen short. Racial inequalities in schools and communities need to be met with education and accountability to raise awareness, understanding, and to abolish the impacts racism and intolerance. Classrooms should have to meet the criteria of equity in teaching social justice, having materials accessible for the disabled, and having culturally competent materials that help students build impactful relationships in their learning environment. They should also be provided the funding to do so. Lastly, we must better bridge the gap between technological inequities. Especially in this era of COVID-19, the digital divide has provided a stark reminder of the inequities many students face. We must do better. Our curriculum should also be evaluated and reassessed for adequate historical representation in order to reflect the narratives of all the individuals that encompass the United States. Our success depends on all of us coming together, being involved, and being the change we wish to see in the world. Our schools, and the generations to come, continue to inspire my faith in the future. Ann Schneider: The City can work with San Mateo Unified High School District and Millbrae School District in creating the space to talk openly and freely about racial inequalities that exist in Millbrae. We’ve already
done this with our first Town Hall meeting on Racism and Bullying. And have been and am working with Millbrae’s new Anti Racism group to identify structure problems within our government that we need to eliminate to become a more just government. I would also open the conversation up to bullying and harassment in general. The City will continue to work with the Sheriff’s Department to remove racial profiling and other forms of discrimination against people of different races. We will also continue to push the County Health Department and the Sheriffs Department to develop new protocols for dealing with people who may be suffering from a mental health issue or a drug issues and get them the help they need rather than taking more aggressive methods of subduing people like tasers or guns, or chokeholds which have already been banned by the Sheriff’s Department. The City cannot tell schools what to do. We are separate entities. But I would encourage our school districts to look at how disciplinary actions are handled differently based on race. How encouragement is given out differently based on race. And I would ask that our school districts do much more to stop in person and cyber bullying. One of the reasons Cities are required to build more housing is to reduce the cost of housing and the portion of a family’s income that must be spent on housing. In our area, people making good livings still qualify for “affordable housing.” When housing takes so much of a family’s income, they have less to spend on food and clothing and that can lead to the inability of students to concentrate and can make it harder to succeed in school. And that can lead to being bullied by other children who may just think this student isn’t trying hard enough or isn’t bright. Finding affordable housing also means some families must move more often, their children changing schools more often. Being the new kid in school can be scary and can subject new kids to social segregation. Part of creating a more equitable society is ensuring we have housing for all income levels and that all income levels have access to the internet and devices to be able to connect via the internet. This is not just during COVID-19 but in general. Access to technology is critical to all in the 21st century. COVID-19 has made the need so much more apparent. I serve on a COVID-19 recovery team working on infrastructure and our first project was working to bring the internet and technology to all members of our greater community. You You Xue: I’m a founding member of Millbrae’s new Anti-Racist Coalition (ARC), an organisation that put together Millbrae’s first-ever Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest, a protest that attracted a crowd of over 500. One of my opponents has avoided these protests and any affiliation with BLM like the plague. It’s not surprising considering his wife is on private WeChat groups spreading articles from Breitbart about Black on Asian crime. I remember being attacked by one of these groups when I was helping to organise the first BLM march, and one of the participants asked, “Where’s the march for Asians that are getting robbed by Blacks?” I believe there is a lack of understanding in our communities, especially my community (East Asian) about what structural and systemic racism means and looks like in everyday life. Racial inequities are the reason why we see the demographics we do at Mills, because underprivileged populations are priced out of the area. ARC is taking action to ensure that the curriculum in our schools is not only accurately portraying the racist history of this country, but also anti-racist in a way that doesn’t lend credibility to those who are seeking to divide us with false
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The Thunderbolt
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information about race. You have wackjob teachers like B.C. who are trying to put their own spin on state curriculum, so I suppose a large part of addressing racial inequalities in schools involves students speaking up as well and taking action into their own hands. I do have to acknowledge the words of President Obama, who said (I’m paraphrasing here) that we shouldn’t forget that the reason our generation (I’m 23, class of 2015) takes certain civil liberties almost for granted, like the right to marry who you love, or the right of women to vote, is because of years of formidable action by activists. I think we should empower more students and promote more civic education in our schools. We should have political clubs on campus that are dedicated to mobilising students for and against causes that enhance equality in our communities. Even in the wider community, the focus has been on education. ARC has helped put together town halls where people can learn more about the experiences of others and how we as individuals can take action when we see something wrong before us. If I am elected, I would be only the third non-Caucasian to be elected to Millbrae public office in a City that is majority non-Caucasian. I believe that a huge part of solving racial inequalities is electing governments that look like their constituents. This applies both locally and at all higher levels. I support the adoption of district elections (instead of at-large elections) to help the voices of people of colour be heard at the ballot box. Errol Zshornack: That’s a tough one! It seems that even our country is struggling to put an end to racial inequality and discrimination. People need to be educated about this. People need to be urged to make a commitment to end racial inequality.
2020 MILLBRAE CITY COUNCIL FORUM ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD AT 4PM
Watch live on mctv.tvm, Youtube, & Cable 27
Q: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city in any way possible, what would you build or invest in?
Anders Fung: If I received this grant, I would create a fund that allows for equitable technology access for students. The Bay Area is the global center of innovation, and we should be channeling this ethos into our education system. Not being able to afford laptops or having unstable internet should not prevent students from pursuing good careers in any field, particularly those in technology. I take this issue pretty closely to heart, and so I believe this would be successful if it manages to help students. Gina Papan: With a one-million-dollar grant, I would expedite the building of the recreation center to include more community benefits. Ultimately, I would let the community decide how to invest such a generous grant. Ann Schneider: Great question, sadly a million dollars isn’t a huge amount of money. For example, to update our sewer treatment plant to process wastewater that is currently treated to secondary standards and bring it to tertiary, so the water could be reused to water Green Hills Golf Course, will take $30,000,000.00. There are so many things that need to be repaired or replaced in Millbrae, a million dollars is a drop in the bucket. Cities have been starved of revenue for decades, that is why for example, our streets look so bad. OK I’ve set the stage, so I would say our number one priority is climate change. And the number one issue we can do city wide is to complete our urban forest inventory/health study, compare it to the new heat island studies (parts of a community heavy with asphalt and limited tree cover creating very hot parts of town that become dangerous to seniors, young children and people with health issues). Then I would spend the money doing massive tree planting through out Millbrae in all neighborhoods and use the money to cover the cost of new trees, watering the trees and maintenance. That way the million dollars is spent in every neighborhood and will provide long term carbon sequestration, cool the city by providing shade, slow traffic (yes street trees have been shown to slow speeding on city streets), and raise property values (up to 10% for trees planted in front yards). I grew up in Meadows, granted I am older than all of you, but in my day, every house in Meadows had a flowering plum tree. Most now are gone. I now live in the lower Millbrae Highlands neighborhood that used to have many more sycamores. The City is trying to replant trees lost in this neighborhood with London Plane Tree, a sycamore variety that is less susceptible to disease. I would like to bring each neighborhood together and have them participate in choosing one or more tree species so each neighborhood can add to their own special feel, their own identity. And bring the community together by hosting community workdays where we come together to plant trees. And I’ll still go searching for grant funding so we can modify our sewage treatment plant to create reusable water. That will leave more “potable water” for residential and commercial purposes (like restaurants). You You Xue: This is a slightly silly question because one million dollars is nothing for a City. Just to be clear, we have spent nearly a million dollars preparing to build a community center, and not a single brick has been laid. If you want great returns, I would invest it in index funds like SPY or QQQ and just let it grow in reserves. If you want to spend the money in a way that impacts the most people, I would use the money to host downtown events. I believe that the money can be spent on outdoor dining benches, tables, and furniture, as well as heating and lighters. We can help raise the community’s spirits whilst supporting struggling merchants at the same time. A recent anecdote: Millbrae was asked for a $100,000 donation from the San Mateo County Strong fund which was giving out $10,000 grants to any businesses that applied for it (first-come, first-served of course). I opposed the decision, because the $100,000 could go to any business, including those who didn’t actually need the money. I proposed investing the $100,000 into our downtown and giving grants to certain merchants, for example, restaurants and cafés who wanted to build outdoor dining facilities but didn’t have the initial capital to do so. We could’ve sponsored an outdoor dining space as a City, or we could have provided case-by-case targeted grants. I believe that it isn’t wise for the City to dish out money without measuring the results, so I appreciate the second part of the question which asks about the criteria used to assess the utility of any money spent. Errol Zshornack: I was so tempted to say use it for the construction of the rec center, but there are funds already for that. I would study the feasibility of the city acquiring motion senors and cameras in bulk from the manufacturers of these products which may in turn be given or sold to the residents in order to help fight and deter crimes.
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Features
The Thunderbolt
Meet Your 2020-2021 Associated Student Body! President Clara Shim
ASB President Clara Shim is very optimistic about the school year despite her limitations. As President of the ASB, her job is to make sure the student body is hopeful about having the best year they can possibly have. She does have one main goal, however, to “make sure everyone gets the assistance they need due to COVID-19, and to make sure everyone feels connected and engaged with Mills!” Along with that, Shim highlighted the fact that students this year deserve to have a memorable experience regardless of the obstacles. When it comes to public events, she is still very unsure when the community will be able to come together again. Shim emphasized the seriousness of the pandemic, stating “...we will not be going against social distancing; however, we are all trying our best to come up with fun and chill events that students can engage in….” Although it is almost certain there will not be any in-person events this first semester, Shim will make sure to send updates to the students of Mills about any new events and looks forward to collaborating with others on event brainstorming.
Vice President Warren Kuang
Secretary Treasurer Ryan Kwong Ryan Kwong (12) was elected to be the Treasurer and Secretary for the student body. Ryan is a very experienced student body member, which was a motivator for him to become the Treasurer for this year. Along with his experience, his other goals include “[providing] fun activities for students and making experiences all of us will remember from high school.” His job as Student Body Treasurer is to “help manage the funds of our student body— whether it be for school dances or spirited t-shirts, I pass the forms needed for these expenses.” Ryan is very confident in his ability to make sure the money used to run the student body is handled the right way, and hopes the students of Mills have an excellent school year!
Rally Commissioner David Cortez Although rallies won’t be happening this fall semester, Rally Commissioner, David Cortez (12) is still dedicated to promoting the Viking spirit. Cortez wants to stress that it is his last year at Mills and wants to make it the best year possible. He elaborates on the topic saying, “I want to make the biggest impact I can. It’s pretty important and you best know that I’m definitely going to make it a good time for everyone.” With the uncertainty of COVID-19, rallies may not take place even next semester due to social distancing and public gathering guidelines. Despite the circumstances, both are still sticking towards achieving their goals. Cortez wants to assure the student body that, “the goal is to get everyone involved as much as possible, to get the most interaction. I want more people involved.”
Rally Commissioner Tiffany Wong Tiffany Wong (12) is this year’s other Rally Comissioner. Wong shares the same sentiment as Cortez in making this year one of the best years possible and hopes next semester will be jam packed with rallies and school events, if safe to do so. She stresses the fact that she “can’t really give [us] an answer yet” as to what next semester has in store. In such uncertain times, it is difficult to keep a positive school spirit during distance learning. Wong understands this, and the pair are still “coming up with fun activities and events to keep everyone engaged.” This year’s Rally Commissioners promise they will do their best to keep the school spirit alive during these unprecedented times.
By :Misa Gomez, Sports Editor
Warren Kuang (11) was voted as the ASB Vice President for this school year. Kuang has many ideas to make his impact for the school year, although he did emphasize the importance of guiding the freshmen as one of his priorities. He understands his role as the ASB Vice President, saying, “every year the Vice President takes a large role in the Freshman Class Council election process and the activities they do after [their] formation.” The end goal is to make sure the new students are guided the right way and “connect their entire grade through activities and fundraisers and create a unique and memorable [high school] experience when we go back [to school].” Additionally, he has the job of ensuring President Clara Shim has all the help she needs to succeed in running the student body. Kuang assured that he will be “providing support and stepping in when she has too much in her hands and [they will] together to come up with new ideas for the school year.” Kuang pledges to do his best to make the students of Mills High School as comfortable as possible throughout the school year.
11 Students for Social Justice
Features Appreciating Mills Frontline Workers
The Thunderbolt
Maxwell Zaninovich Staff Writer
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Maurine Seto Mills High School
HARDWORKING: Facilities Staff Lou Rivera maintains high spirits in face of tougher working conditons
Magdelene Ko Staff Writer
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hile students are learning online, essential personnel are still going to school, making sure students have everything they need, and meeting with them in person, if necessary. Administration, teachers, and janitorial staff are keeping our school running, even in the midst of a global pandemic. The Mills administration is dedicated to facilitating students’ online learning experience as much as possible. They go to school everyday, keep the website updated, monitor students’ attendance, and meet any other needs. Principal Duszynski reflected on her change of duties: “The most significant difference is that in order to connect with teachers and students I have to visit them in Zoom classes, but I do this as much as possible. My day doesn’t feel right if I don’t get into a class.” Despite not having students on campus, Ms. Duszynski still works in her office and virtually visits
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different zoom meetings. Ms. Tipton, who helps parents and students coming into the front office said, “since the pandemic now, I only see about 20-25 teachers and staff per day.” The number of people the office staff work with has been greatly lowered since the pandemic, while temperature checks, social distancing, and masks have been added. The administration solves problems that might arise from a new method of schooling, such as technology issues or too much screen time. Despite being allowed to teach from home, some teachers teach at school for better WiFi, a quieter atmosphere, and access to materials such as lab equipment. Mr. Keller, a history teacher, commented, “I see about a dozen teachers, but I don’t really talk to more than four or five in a day”. Teachers stay within their own classrooms, wear masks, and social distance once they step out of their rooms. With such few people on campus, it might be a challenge to teach while alone in an empty classroom. However, with less people on campus, teachers are able to build a tighter knit community. As a chemistry teacher for over twenty years, Mr. Paul notes the change of interaction amongst teachers, stating, “There are very few people here at Mills to interact with, but I find myself more socia
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In previous years, leadership
and yearbook have aided in fostering a positive and motivating culture within Mills High School. Considering the highly interactive dynamic of each class, the switch to virtual learning was an abrupt and significant shift. Though challenging, both leadership and yearbook have efficiently planned numerous events to incorporate more excitement and spirit into the current school year. Leadership is focusing on many exciting projects, such as: a social justice/BLM podcast, video games tournament, broadening mental health awareness resources, and more. Amidst these activities, yearbook is working towards creating an eclectic, unique theme for the yearbook, suiting the unordinary year we’ve had thus far. Apart from that, the yearbook class is aiming towards collecting engaging content which captures a clear glimpse of the way the 2020-2021 school year has played out. Students and teachers alike feel that the switch to
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ble with them than back when school was in full session.” By having less people, teachers are able to expand their social circles past usual limitations. Through the dedication of these teachers, students can learn in an efficient and comfortable environment. A vital part of school staff that is not widely acknowledged is janitorial staff, or the facilities team. They keep the school clean and sterilized, helping those on site stay safe. Assistant Principal Ms. Schlax explained, “Facilities folks are disinfecting restrooms, door handles, railings, and more every hour, overseeing construction on the football field, and making repairs to parts of campus that are in need.” Students can be assured that when they go back to in-person learning, it will be a safe and enjoyable environment to learn. The facilities crew are not often seen around campus, but work constantly to maintain the cleanliness of Mills. The Thunderbolt would like to thank the administration, teachers, faculty members, and crew at school who are working diligently to keep students and staff safe, aiding their online learning experience. Without your help, distance learning and visiting campus would not run as smoothly as it does now. Vikings, remember to thank Mills’s frontline workers for working tirelessly, whether it be through an email or a smile the next time you see them.
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distance education has inflicted a disconnect between everyone, especially in the leadership class. In order to best combat the detachment, the leadership class is in the works of coordinating events to help keep the community connected. They plan to hold digital spirit days, as well as digital game tournaments for all students to participate in and enjoy during these times. Despite the discouragement that seniors attending Mills may be experiencing, Leadership teacher, Ms. Dove stated, “I am hopeful that we will be able to hold an event for the seniors, where everyone can be in the same place at the same time”. In addition, Leadership is placing mental health awareness at the forefront. The well-being of students is especially important considering the challenges they may have faced thus far. A podcast, titled “Vikings Talk: Social Injustice” is being created, focusing on social justice issues around
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fter the murder of George Floyd, the world was lit ablaze with an international social justice movement that could rival the movement of the 60s. People took to the streets to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the current situation in America in a series of protests in many cities and towns across America. Even in our small town of Millbrae, there were protests for Social Justice in June and September after the killings of George Floyd and Jacob Blake. With the social justice movement not showing any signs of slowing down, members of the Millbrae community desired to join the cause and created the Students for Social Justice Club at Mills High School. The club’s goal is to raise awareness and promote anti-racist behavior through education, exposure, and empowerment. During the organization of the June Black Lives Matter march, Mills High School parent Karen Chin was introduced to Mills Alumni Stephanie Wong and Celeste Henry. Chin recalls the conversation where she discussed the idea of a new club with Stephanie and she introduced her to Ms. Dove and current Mills students and sisters Katelyn & Lillian Chang. Former Mills students Celeste Henry (‘19), Herman Peng (‘18), and Stephanie Wong (‘19) were also involved in discussions upon creation of the club. Henry mentions that, “While Mills is a great school, it’s a place that needs some change, and I figured since I had just recently graduated, I thought it was a great place to start my activism.” Club advisor Ms. Dove feels that, “For the last couple of years I have wanted to get involved more in activism, and after the recents deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and now Jacob Blake, I couldn’t just stand idly by anymore.” Current Mills students in the club include Lillian Chang (12), and Katelyn Chang (10) as well as
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the world and highlights the BLM movement. Leadership student Vananh Tran (12), who is part of the BLM group in Leadership, and aided in putting the podcast together, said it is meant to, “Educate those unaware of the injustices that occur in our world. We’re hoping to influence real change within our community and uplift student voices.” Each episode is meant to encourage Mills students to take a stand, and speak their mind on important issues that need to be addressed. Simultaneously, they hope to shine light on the struggles minorities face daily. Ultimately, creating a safe, welcoming, and empowering environment within the student body is Leadership’s top priority. At the moment, students are working collaboratively with each other to map out plans to design and construct an appealing, compelling yearbook which represents
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Ann Dang (10). Their collec tive goal is “to raise awareness and promote anti-racist behavior through education exposure and empowerment.” The club’s most current project, as reported by Chin, is developing a survey to gauge the racial inclusivity at Mills. The survey will be posted in a couple of weeks, so keep an eye out for it and make sure to fill it out. The upcoming goals for the club include continuing to have meetings every Friday, helping organize a town hall for the Millbrae School District, and planning the establishment of a sister school relationship with Berkeley High School. In a typical cub meeting, discussions are held on “issues impacting students at Mills and in Millbrae at large. We also converse over our goals for helping to end racial inequality. We love to exchange ideas like kayaking trips, gaming tournaments, or Mock Stock challenges with Black and Latinx students as well as ideas on how we can make positive change at Mills and in the community.” The club is fervently fighting for social justice for all people, but specifically for heavily oppressed minorities in America. They are looking for new members to help them in their fight to make change. You can join by contacting anybody on the team, talking to Karen Chin, or attending a club meeting. The first official club meeting will be held at the end of September, but new members are always encouraged to join anytime. Students can follow their Instagram (@mills. sfs) to be kept up to date with club meetings, activities, and events. The Thunderbolt commends these students for tackling social justice issues and encourages other students to get involved in any way that they can.
this academic year accurately. Though this year has taken various twists and turns, there is no denying that encapsulating our memories is more important now than ever. As Yearbook teacher Ms. Mullins mentioned, “50 years from now, students will look back at their yearbooks and reminisce about memories they may have forgotten.” For the rest of our lives, we will be talking about the 2020-21 school year, heightening the importance of having a physical copy with each moment that took place amongst the chaos. Expectedly, the content within this year’s version will not include the aspects that you would usually see. This time around, Ms. Mullins emphasizes the importance of, “students and teachers capturing moments of day-to-day virtual learning, for instance school projects, desk setups, [possible] spirit day participants, and more”. Along this course of action, gathering visuals will be made much eas-
ier, ensuring for a well-constructed yearbook. Aside from this, Yearbook is planning various ideas for content that students will enjoy. This year, the yearbook will likely become our most unique and treasured, and the entire yearbook class hopes to make it the most captivating version yet. In spite of COVID-19’s attempt to alter the effectiveness of creating, planning, and executing an interactive, spirited school year, as well as an alluring, content-filled yearbook, both Leadership and Yearbook have managed to pull through. So long as the Mills community comes together to make this year better as a whole, the likelihood of a smooth year will increase. We are all facing these challenges as one, so it is important to recognize that we are in this together. By utilizing the power of social media, and encapsulating this momentous year coherently, both classes aim to make this school year much more unforgettable.
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melissa catpo
using your privilege for the greater good
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ecently, there have been more people interested in taking part in activism to fight alongside the Black community against police brutality and racial injustice. We see celebrities posting about this issue, going to protests, and donating to the movement and its victims, but what can the Millbrae community do? Sure, we can post a Black screen on our Instagram page or repost stories to spread awareness, but what can occur off of social media — away from the public eye — to make an even bigger impact? The first step is to identify and acknowledge your privilege. Keep in mind that having racial privilege isn’t something to be ashamed of, as you have no control over it. Privilege comes in many different forms, such as race, wealth, and access to education and healthcare. Think about what you can do with your privilege and say that others cannot. You may notice that even in your everyday routine, you may use items catered to a specific race. Band-aids, hair products, movies, and even some stores cater to the physical traits of white people. These examples are only the tip of the iceberg, as racial privilege can even be found in America’s criminal justice system and law enforcement. For example, Black people are up to 6 times more likely to get killed as a result of unprovoked police brutality. (“Black People are up to 6 times more likely to be killed by police, Harvard study says”) To educate yourself further, you can also read literature, watch movies, and hear speeches about the racial injustices Black people are facing. Some examples of informative films and movies are: 12 Years a Slave, Seven Seconds, Selma, and 13th. Examples of educational books about race are: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria, The End of Policing, The Hate U Give (which also doubles as a movie), and So You Want to Talk About Race.
ACTI VISM
staff writer
Now that you know what privilege is, use it to stand up for and educate others. If you hear someone saying racial slurs or racist comments, don’t be afraid to call them out. Intervene and respectfully explain the great measures of hurtfulness that are translated through their comments. It’s essential to remember your values and be upfront and honest with them about their racist behavior. Educate your friends and family on the mistreatment, abuse, and discrimination African Americans have endured for centuries. If the person refuses to change their actions or just brushes it off, it may be time to reevaluate if they are beneficial to you and your growth as a person. Reconsider if you want to surround yourself with people with racist beliefs and ideas. Whenever you’re in a conversation about race, make sure to speak up for those who are often unheard and remember that no one gets a “pass” to be racist. Take time out of your day to sign petitions and make donations in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Another concept to be aware of is stereotypes or racial assumptions. It is easy to believe stereotypes heard from the media, peers, or even your family. Acknowledge how harmful these stereotypes are to people of color and educate yourself on the truth of these hurtful assumptions that our society has become far too accustomed to believing. Lastly, do not support people or corporations that perpetuate racism or are against social justice for Black people. Regardless of who you are, you are capable of making a difference in our community by standing up against racism as often as possible. One of my favorite quotes that demonstrates this is by Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” We live in a tragic reality that some have more power than others solely based on the color of their skin, which is why it is crucial to defend those who go unheard and continue to fight for change, no matter how long it takes.
CREDITS: hands up, don’t shoot -> thenletitbe | tumblr the fist of resistence -> british vogue | hannah peters activism collage -> unknown | Pinterest
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-MAHATMA GHANDi peoples’ lives are not a trend, peoples’ rights should not be up for debate.
STAFF WRITER
MAGDALENE KO
activism: quarantine style
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OVID-19 has put a stop to many everyday activities—a large one being advocating and protesting with others outside while standing for our beliefs and change. Despite being in lockdown, such issues are still relevant now, and although protesting is no longer allowed, there are still many ways to take a stand and fight for reform from home.
Not only can social media be employed to raise awareness, it can also be used to reach out to acquaintances who you wouldn’t normally reach out to, urging them to go on virtual strikes or discuss how society needs to be improved. Reaching out through social media is an effective way of circulating news to others quickly without physical interaction.
One way to become a better activist from home is to read up on the topics that need change. Reading the websites of foundations, watching historical movies, and researching other organizations that support the same cause are all great ways to educate oneself. With an enhanced understanding of the issues plaguing America, it’s easier to inform others and incite a passion for change. One can research different problems, while also learning about previous successful activists. By learning what others have done in the past and how they achieved their goals, current advocating strategies can be modeled after them. Through research, the knowledge and plans of lobbyists can be improved to reach everyone in America.
Another way to support different beliefs is by reaching out to those around you. Talking over current issues with friends or family is a pleasant way to get others involved. One can learn more stories and points of view, especially from people of different ages and with different experiences. Discussing various activism viewpoints is a fun way of hearing other opinions and reasons regarding problems in our society while brainstorming new ways of solving them. Learning the feelings of the community is vital to shaping activism methods.
Another quick and effortless way of spreading word about different activism stances is through social media. Hashtags are a user-friendly method to make a statement on social media and promote one’s beliefs. #BLM, #FridaysForFuture, #MeToo, and #IceBucketChallenge are all examples of how far hashtags can spread. These hashtags bring people together from all over the world in worldwide movements to fight against sexism, racial injustice, and much more. Virtually anyone with access to the platform can use them to spark change and get the momentum started. Additionally, social media is an easily accessible way to share news articles, statistics, and stories to raise awareness. A post can quickly go viral, informing society about what needs to be addressed and changed. Upcoming protests, strikes, and petitions can also be posted to invite people to join.
Taking action is just as important as talking over activism rationale. If a friend or family member wishes to go out and protest, a simple way of assisting them is to help them out with other home tasks, therefore removing a bit of extra stress from their plate. Another form of showing support is by providing protesters with personal protective equipment, food, and water. Any extra supplies would be greatly appreciated, especially during the pandemic. Helping protesters is a simple and safe way of remaining an activist from home. COVID-19 has forced everyone to reimagine everyday life. People can no longer congregate and fight for change in society and government. However, there are still plenty of ways to ignite awareness and take action against injustice. Whether you go out to protest or not, remember to social distance, wear masks, and stay safe!
14
Opinions
Does Mills Have an Inclusivity Issue?
The Thunderbolt
Katelyn Chang Staff Writer
Duringthisdifficultandstressfultime,theMillscommunityhasbeenrockedwithincident after incident of insensitivity and racism, following a national conversation about race. You’ve
And recent social media trends have dug their way deeper into our school community p r o b a while also giving way to exposing the underlying problems of inclusivity at Mills. bly heard A TikTok trend that was recently started was to create drama or someone say, ‘tea’ pages for different high schools, where an anonymous user creat- “I don’t see ed an Instagram page dedicated to exposing students based on sent-in color,” when tips; Mills was no exception. My curiosity peaked and I visited the it comes to race, page, but I didn’t see much gossip; rather, I saw many of my classor maybe, “I don’t mates mocking members of the LGBTQ+ and Black communihave a racist bone in ty by making offensive remarks such as the f-slur and n-word. my body.” While on The page owner went as far as reporting one of the surface, these statethe commenters to an administrator via email, who ments may seem like a eventually called the student about their behavior. What was even more disturbing, however, was the step towards racial equality, fact that an hour later, the same student posted on their private Snapchat story citing that they didn’t see anything wrong with their behavior at all, and cursed the person who had ‘snitched’ on them. this mindset is actually quite The alarming accounts of racism among students from our very own school begs us to ask the ques- harmful and even counterprotion of whether or not we can consider Mills to be an accepting community. Can we be inclusive when ductive. When someone fails to there are so many examples of students making offensive and hateful remarks to their own peers? “see color,” they fail to see deBeing in the Millbrae and San Mateo County education system since Kindergarten has rendered me some- scrimination and segregation. People what oblivious to racism, but I have come to realize that our “bubble” is just as flawed. US News reports that we may think that not seeing race means have an 88% rate of minority enrollment at our school. At a first glance, it seems like nothing but a positive - everyone is equal in their mind, but it and it is. But that doesn’t come without problems of it’s own. While I, a cisgender, straight Asian-Ameri- turns a blind eye to real issues in the world can, would consider our school community to be welcoming and inclusive to others like me, my opinion that are oftentimes failed to be addressed. varies from someone who looks different than myself. But whereas I have more or less been around Many people get confused when it comes the same people for the entirety of my school years, it’s now more important than ever to take the to taking race into account and being completely perspective of a stranger, when they become inserted in the community I’ve grown so used to. “colorblind.” Going into situations not taking race As an Asian American, I remain a part of the majority of the Mills demographics. My own into account may be beneficial when it comes to hirexperiences with racism in the school environment have been miniscule compared to my peers ing an employee, or finding a future partner, but not in who reside in the minority. While the black population at Mills stands at only 0.3%, it would bigger situations involving more people. When there are be extremely ignorant to completely disregard their experiences. As recent events have many people involved, patterns start to appear, and someshown, a vast amount of racist encounters that occur at Mills is directed towards the Black community, specifically with the flippant use of the n-word by many non-black students. one who “doesn’t see race” is unable to see these patterns. The n-word has a history of insitutionalized racial discrimination against Black For example, if a poor neighborhood’s population consists people that has yet to be eliminated from our society. When it is used by non- of mostly minorities, a person who is “colorblind” is unable black people, the slur still has a history of racism and oppression that continues to see this pattern, and thus the problem. We cannot solve social to affect Black people to this day; oppression that includes income inequali- inequalities if people do not see a problem to be solved. This is ty, high criminalization rates, murders, and mass incarceration. Regardless the exact reason we have an argument over Black Lives Matter and of intent, when you choose to say it, you show your ignorance to all of All Lives Matter: many people do not believe that black people are these issues that have been dehumanizing Black Communities for cen- oppressed, so when the Black Lives Matter movement began, people turies. And at the end of the day, if you aren’t Black, it isn’t your place rallied against it. All Lives Matter oppresses and silences black people by to decide whether or not it’s appropriate for you to say the n-word. trying to include all races in the movement, when in reality, not all races are So when we reconsider, the Mills Community can- suppressed, so they do not to be included. The Black Lives Matter movement not be considered inclusive when the minority of our stu- was made to combat racism, and since white people cannot face racism, there dent body continually has offensive remarks and com- is no need for a movement to include them. However, someone who is colorblind ments made either directly or indirectly towards them. would not notice the inequality and brutality that black people (specifically) face. But rather than proclaiming hopelessness and calling a When others state that they do not have a racist bone in their body or, argue that dream of a perfect, all-accepting community a delusion, we they “are not racist,” they are simply removing themselves from the problem without should take action to ensure that this dream can be formed taking further action. Yes, it is better to be not racist than racist, but being not racist could into reality. The most important tool we have at our dissimply mean that someone is a bystander in this ever growing issue. Saying you are not part posal to combat racism on our campus is with eduof the problem does nothing. In order to fully combat racial inequality, we must be vocal and cation, and educating others can start with you. By informing your family, friends, and classmates you get involved with real problems that need to be solved. Acknowledging our wrongdoings is can start informing them of why their behavior is very important, and saying someone cannot be racist implies that they are perfect and do not need both harmful and hurtful. And by teaching oth- to change, when in reality, there is always something that people could learn and improve upon. So how do we combat this issue? The first step is acknowledgement. Know when you have ers, we can ensure that together as a community, we can grow. But as for those of us who privilege, where there is a problem, and where you stand in this issue. A white person has more privrefuse to learn from mistakes, and continue ilege than a black person, and recognizing this allows us to move forward and get over petty conflicts to exhibit disregard for respect by con- such as Black Lives Matter vs All Lives Matter. The next step is starting conversations. Understand your tinuing to make racist and insensitive privilege. Black parents have been talking to their children about racism and police brutality for years: afjokes, it’s past time that you realize ter an innocent black man gets shot on the street because they looked “suspicious,” black parents are forced that it’s necessary to take account- to explain to their children that they will meet people who dislike them because of the color of their skin. On ability for your actions. And we, the other hand, white parents often feel the need to shield their children from social inequalities to “protect as a part of the Mills Commu- them from the real world.” In other words, these parents don’t want to burden their children with racial inequalnity, need to call out behavior ity. They are refusing to take note of what is happening, so when their when it is due, by utilizing children grow up, they grow up colorblind. The final step is taking what platforms like anonymous you know about your privilege and applying it. For example, in recent alerts. Growing from our Black Lives Matter protests, the white protesters often stood in front of mistakes in the past the black protesters when the police approached, because they knew that and taking the approthe police would not be as harsh on the white people than the black people. priate steps forward To not have to think about race is a privilege. If you know you have privilege, is the only way we can create instead of being ignorant, use it for good by educating and protecting others. It is change. And not enough to say that we are not racist; instead, we must be anti-racist and fight for only with justice and take responsibility for our actions. While the end goal is to see everyone as change can equal, we cannot do this until we simultaneously agree that certain people are oppressed we reach and choose to face the issue together. And maybe one day we will be able to simply see peothe ulti- ple as people and be colorblind, but until all races are equal, we must take race into account. mate goal Madison Wong of
Why Racial Blindness is a Harmful Ideology Opinions Editor
Opinions
The Thunderbolt
15
Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation Bianca Reyes
Center Spread Editor
Sravya Attaluri Instagram
In a world rich with a variety of different
cultures, it only makes sense that people crave to learn about cultures different from their own. When done correctly — meaning when one earnestly seeks to learn about and explore a different culture with no intention of disrespect — the action is dubbed as cultural appreciation. For example, if a non-South Asian maid of honor to a woman who is South Asian wore authentic henna to her wedding, then the henna design would be seen as an act of cultural appreciation because it holds cultural significance to the occasion. There is a thin line, though, between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Let’s build off of the example stated above to help elaborate on the difference between appreciation and appropriation. The case that was described previously would be deemed cultural appreciation due to two major facts: the henna design was done by an artist who was South Asian and the henna design is seen as a sign of respect at South Asian Muslim weddings. However, if someone were to get
a henna design done by another person who is not of South Asian descent at Coachella simply for aesthetic purposes, it would be deemed as cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is defined as, “the adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture or identity.” The biggest issue that minorities have with cultural appropriation is how, a majority of the time, it’s people that are from more privileged communities (i.e.: people who are white) who tend to cherry-pick certain aspects of cultures without bothering to learn the cultural significance behind the aspects that they are appropriating, sometimes even going so far as to making a profit off of a culture that they are not a part of. An example of this would be dreamcatchers, an item to be considered sacred in Native American culture, which is crafted using a willow hoop and an intricate string design. It’s a common occurrence to find non-Native street vendors in major cities selling cheaply made dreamcatchers. This case would be considered cultural appropriation, due to the fact that
Injustice anywhere is a threat to
justice everywhere
-Martin Luther King -Martin Luther King Jr. Jr.
the dreamcatcher wasn’t made by someone who is Native and none of the profits would go to any causes that help Natives. The only case wherein it would be considered appreciation would be purchasing a dreamcatcher from an authentic Native American business. Cultural appropriation is also quite rampant in pop culture: dreadlocks and cornrows are used on white models when walking the runway, Native American headdresses are used for Halloween costumes, and even cheongsams started being worn as prom dresses by white women. These set of instances, while still examples of cultural appropriation, presents a different problem — one that is directly rooted in the discrimination against minorities. The issue here is that white people can walk around freely wearing culturally significant clothing and hairstyles without worrying about being discriminated against. The same cannot be said for the minority groups that these aspects originate from; e.g.: black women are still seen as “unprofessional” in the workplace for wearing such hairstyles, all while white models and designers are getting praised for “making a fashion statement.” People’s culture should not and cannot be reduced to a mere fashion statement. There are, however, ways to properly wear articles of clothing from other cultures while still maintaining respect. For instance, when Angelina Jolie visited Pakistan as an ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), she wore a hijab. She did not use the hijab as a means of making money, nor did she wear it because it looked nice with an outfit. Jolie wore the hijab in order to demonstrate respect towards Pakistani culture. Therefore, it’s more so viewed as appreciation rather than appropriation. There is a very fine line between cultural appropriation and appreciation. It mostly depends on the context in which it happens — sometimes the situation calls for it and other times it can be viewed as disrespectful; and this goes for both white people and people of color. Hopefully, one day we will live in a society where people will be educated and understand that cultural hairstyles and clothing have deeper meanings behind them and shouldn’t be taken at face value. Until that day comes, remember to keep educating yourself and to not choose ignorance.
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Opinions Debate: Why We Should Return to School Angela Dimaano and Justin Condevillamar
The Thunderbolt
ACT/SAT Ruling Justin Condevillamar News Editor
Features and News Editors
One of the largest debates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening of-
public facilities is on whether students in the United States should be allowed to return to the classroom or continue an online distance learning program. Most states currently have plans for students to either partially or fully return to the classroom, which has received widespread criticism from teachers and parents over health concerns. Despite these concerns, the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) has supported a return to the classroom, with various protocols being set for student and faculty safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also shown support for schools reopening, arguing that the benefits of the classroom environment outweighs the student infection risk. The first major supporting argument for the return to the classroom centers around the limited effects of COVID-19 on children and young adults. The CDC reported that in the United States, around 7% of COVID-19 cases are from people under the age of 18 and less than 0.1% of all related deaths are from children. These numbers are similar to the number of flu related deaths among children, with the flu killing around 37-187 children on a seasonal basis and Covid killing around 64 out of 74 million children currently living in the United States. Current scientific studies such as one from the National Center of Immunization Research and Surveillance (Australia) suggest that transmission between students may be low which is supported by low rates of infections between students and teachers or students and family members. These rates are further mitigated when proper procedures are taken to protect student health in the classroom. The chances of a student being infected in a classroom setting are low enough under the proper precautionary program that health organizations such as the CDC view a return to the classroom not only viable, but also necessary. A student’s education is significantly altered when they are placed in a distance learning program. These changes give students more freedom to learn and work at their own pace, but it also results in certain problems: primarily concerning quality of education, but also in student accountability. A survey done by the University of Washington found that one in three districts were upholding academic standards during the pandemic, which skews towards districts in low income communities. Many low income families do not have the capacity to facilitate distance learning and have to rely on district resources, which can often be inconsistent. This results in a worse version of the “summer slide” effects where students lose learning progress when outside of school for an extended period of time. Students with disabilities have also had difficulties with distance learning as a result of reduced interactive and supplemental education. This has led to fears that the achievement gaps between wealthier and poorer school districts will widen as wealthy school districts can support better quality distance education than their low-income counterparts. There are certain aspects of student education that distance learning cannot fully replicate, and some of the secondary benefits of a school environment are completely lost. Schools provide a stable and secure environment for developing social skills and peer relationships. At school, students learn how to develop and maintain social relationships with people outside of their family, and can more easily access support programs to help them maintain their physical and emotional health. Such interpersonal interaction is very difficult to replicate online without a strong social and technical foundation. Extended school closures also can increase the probability of a student having higher levels of depression, social anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. This is further strained by the social conditions created by the pandemic which further increases student stress and demands for wellness resources that distance learning programs may not have. Schools also provide a safe environment for students who live in unsafe homes and/or neighborhoods. The Department of Health and Human Services reported that school faculty have accounted for 1/5 of all child abuse reports, which has signifigantly decreased since the beginning of the pandemic. Student health beyond infectious diseases has also become a concern among experts as reduced access to affordable healthy food provided by schools combined with no physical activity from PE classes or school extracurriculars will likely result in an increase in childhood obesity, as modeled by Washington University (St. Louis). The services that a school provides go beyond just technical education; schools allow students to develop social skills, provide explicit and implicit resources for student needs, and help keep developing children both physically and mentally healthy. The value of a physical classroom comes not just from what the school provides, but the actual school itself. The classroom environment fosters physical, social, mental, emotional, as well as educational growth for all students from all backgrounds at all income levels. Eliminating the school from education results in reductions in all aspects of student development, which can be more unhealthy and dangerous than catching a disease that has a similar infection and death rate to the flu. The risks involved with returning to the classroom aren’t being eliminated, but being replaced with worse ones which affect students from less privileged backgrounds more. Returning to school isn’t ideal, but it may be the thing that protects society from fully falling apart.
On September 1st 2020, an Alameda County Su-
perior Court judge ruled that the University of California, or UC, must immediately suspend all use of SAT and ACT test scores for admission and scholarship decisions. The ruling came from a lawsuit from an alliance of minority, low income, and disability advocacy groups who argued that the previous test-optional admissions policy was biased against low-income and disabled students who did not have as much access to testing facilities and opportunities because of the pandemic itself or other socio-economic barriers before the pandemic Supporters of marginalized groups have considered this a major victory for the underprivileged, while certain student groups have opposed this ruling, citing bias against high achieving students, and the overall devaluation of individual college applications. At Mills, the general reaction to the ruling has been mostly positive. The majority opinion was that the elimination of SAT and ACT scores makes college applications less biased for all students, however there is some dissent among students who believed that the SAT was an integral part in the college application process. In a questionnaire sent out to Mills seniors, the consensus was that the SAT or ACT was a valuable part of their college applications before the pandemic, with many students dedicating significant portions of their time and money towards preparing for the SAT/ACT, and taking it multiple times over the span of two years. However, with the arrival of the pandemic, uncertainties over the availability of testing sites have caused students to become concerned over their ability to achieve their optimal SAT/ACT score, or for many, simply getting a score. Most universities accommodated by making their application process test optional, which made students doubtful of the overall value of the standardized tests, but ultimately still put a significant amount of time and effort into prepping and rescheduling their canceled tests. However, the ruling significantly changed the value of the SAT/ACT scores relative to other aspects of the college applications. Students who had a significant time and economic investment towards the SAT/ACT now can’t use their scores in their UC applications, and have to focus more on other aspects of their college applications and accept the money spent on SAT/ACT prep as a loss. This loss was especially hard-hitting for parents, as many of them financially supported their student’s SAT/ACT prep efforts. One parent who opposed the ruling stated,“We spent all the effort to prepare for the test that is now not useful. We could have used that time to prepare for other things; now it’s unclear what the admission is looking for.” Students who have already taken the SAT/ACT and had spent money on preparation services were split over their opinions on the ruling: some students fully supported it, as gave students who weren’t able to prep or take the test a better opportunity to get into college; some supported the continued used the SAT, but understood the challenges that some students may have due to the pandemic and their background; and some fully opposed the ruling, generally viewing that the removal of the SAT/ACT would eliminate a showing of a significant portion of a student’s abilities. Some believe that the decision would give a significant advantage to underachieving students from disadvanContinued on the next page
The Thunderbolt
Opinions Debate: Why We Should Not Return to School Angela Dimaano and Justin Condevillamar
17
Features and News Editors
Throughout
the Coronavirus pandemic, the United States has had to deal with numerous obstacles critical to whether the cou try would prevail or lose the fight against COVID-19. One of these obstacles is the issue of reopening schools. Counties across the country have had to implement various plans to begin the school year. Some schools have elected to have full online learning for the time being, such as the San Mateo Union High School district. Some schools have decided on a hybrid learning situation where children will only attend select days a week and attend school online for the rest of the time. Some schools have even gone back to in-person learning with coronavirus precautions such as social distancing, and mask wearing. Although the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have both shown support for reopening schools, teacher unions all over the country, school personnel, such as janitors and maintenance workers, parents, and students alike have displayed displeasure at returning to the classroom. Rates of infection at any given school varies on a case by case basis, but in certain instances, spikes can point to possible overall trends. The University of California Berkeley, not far from our own school district, has cited around fifty new cases stemming from fraternity parties. A school in the Georgia School District was forced to quarantine over 1,000 of their students due to a confirmed possible case. For more broad examples of coronavirus spikes, California, which went into a statewide stay-at-home order in March of this year, was forced to pull back reopenings due to an increase of cases and high hospitalization numbers. Cases continued to rise after the 4th of July holiday, when 37 of California’s 58 counties saw their COVID cases double. But, even with case numbers in mind, let’s say that children are able to go back with social distancing measures. Even though protocols for safety may be put into place, beginning with distance learning is viable. In the case of another spike, there
will be no need for a transition back and forth between distance or in-person learning. There is never a guarantee that there won’t be a COVID-19 outbreak in the school or the surrounding area. The return to “normalcy” would have made, but quickly taken down by the reality of the pandemic. Even if regulations, such as social distancing and masks are put into place, there is no guarantee that all protocols will be followed. Take the anti-mask gatherings in various states that contemplate or have a mask mandate in place. In such an individualistic country, there is an alarming lack of concern for the wellbeing of others. People would much rather preach and take the risk that masks do not work rather than try to wear masks that wouldn’t even cause considerable harm to themselves. The reality is that not everyone will follow such mandates and regulations, indicating a high probability of a spike in cases in places that reopen schools. Children, especially, will have a hard time sitting still, six feet away from each other all day whilst resisting the urge to adjust their masks every five minutes. School officials will not be able to monitor each and every student the entire school day, so many infractions of protocol can easily take place. Pictures of students packed in tiny hallways, in schools that have reopened, with little to none of them following the mask or social distancing protocol set out by the CDC have been spread all over social media platforms. Taking the issue of breaking protocol to the high school level, how many times have you seen students doing
something against school rules? Countless times I bet. Students with a lack of concern towards anyone else will probably break protocol and put others in danger. Another argument in the debate on reopening schools is the moral side. Sure, data points to a lower amount of children contracting the virus and an even lower hospitalization and death rate, but what happens when their parents get sick? Their grandparents? Anyone that is at higher risk? What happens when one of their loved ones dies, all because the asymptomatic child contracted the virus unknowingly from being at school and passed it on? What will we say then? If we open schools too early, without the necessary precautions, we won’t be able to regret the decision until tragedy strikes. COVID-19 is still a new virus and with no vaccine available, no risk of anyone’s life should be taken, until safety can be guaranteed. Overall, there have been many factors in deciding whether school districts should institute in person or distance learning. These factors make the decision that much more difficult, but after a review of all factors, the answer to this debate is clear. From case studies on the virus, to moral reasons, schools should not open until the safety of each and every person on site is guaranteed. An issue of this magnitude will continue to evolve as cases fluctuate in number across the country and hopefully, school boards can make the responsible decision of protecting their students and teachers. Returning to school should not be a calculated risk, but one with concrete protocols and a guarantee of safety.
taged background, as those students often had other accommodations such as more counseling time and lower testing standards, and that their backgrounds gave them more of an advantage in the student essay portion of the application, as they faced personal challenges that other students couldn’t replicate. Another major concern over the removal of standardized testing from the UC college applications is that students would now have to focus on their GPA as their main academic strength in their college applications. Keefer Yip (12) shared concerns over the increased valuation of the GPA, stating that “This also only puts more pressure and anxiety on future applicants to do better in school and strengthen their GPA, which doesn’t account for many factors such as stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.” GPA isn’t the only aspect of college applications that is being more heavily weighed by colleges, as most students are now dedicating their time towards their essays. Students who had previously valued the SAT/ACT less were more accepting of the ruling and were able to focus more of their time towards maintaining their GPA or working on college applications; many were also appreciative of the ruling, as they personally viewed the standardized testing system as more advantageous for some students and not reflective of the full abilities of them. Sophia Baltasar (12) shared her concerns over the traditional testing structures, stating that “it’s hard already for someone we’ve never met to evaluate us, and having a single test ‘define’ part of our being was not very efficient.” These concerns over the accuracy and fairness of the SAT made up a significant portion of the overall supporting opinion towards the landmark court decision. Supporters of the the removal of the SAT/ACT from the UC applications commonly cited the advantages some students had over others concerning test prep: wealthier families could afford to have their child dedicate more of their time towards academic studies, rather than maintaining household stability though a job or spending significant time helping family members, and they were also able to afford expensive SAT prep services, such as C2 and Princeton Review, that many other students couldn’t afford. Among the students who valued and dedicated resources towards studying for the SAT/ACT, but ultimately supported the ruling, they concurred with the opinion that the SAT/ACT is inherently advantageous for upper class students. Vivian Kwan (12) had previously taken the SAT and used SAT prep, but currently holds her opinion, “I do feel that the SAT/ACT was good for college admissions and helped students show their academic ability, but I understand why people may choose to abolish it.” Students who valued the SAT/ACT, but supported the ruling often had strong academic backgrounds outside of the standardized tests, and were active in extracurriculars such as clubs, volunteering, and sports. What is agreed on is that the SAT/ACT has decreased in value since the court ruling, and that it is no longer worth the time and effort to study and take the test unless they were applying to schools outside the UC system. All students who were questioned have valued the SAT/ACT less or gave no value to them at all. Vivian Kwan (12) adds that “it feels a bit like I’ve wasted my time now,” which is shared among many students who dedicated time and money towards SAT prep. Most seniors this year have shifted their focus from preparing for the SAT/ACT towards writing their college application essays, with many of them now valuing the essays as the most vital component of their college applications this year, with extracurriculars and GPA also being significant to students. Many seniors also see future students outright not doing the SAT/ACT at all in the future, as the court ruling has been a part of a period of colleges also devaluing the SAT/ACT on student applications. Whether or not students at Mills valued the SAT/ACT seems to be determined by a combination of their personal beliefs combined with how they prepared for the tests.
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Sports
The Thunderbolt
The Influence of Black Lives Matter on the NBA By: Angela Dimaano (Features Editor) & Justin Condevillamar(News Editor)
In
response to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, NBA players, staff, and administrators have all shown support for the movement, and have actively been involved in the fight for social justice. This activism is spotlighted by the actions done by players and in how the NBA bubble is orientated to become a platform for Black Lives Matter. With the recent Milwaukee Bucks protest, the league has become a beacon of hope against the fight for justice and an inspiration for people all over the world to join the fight. On May 5th 2020, George Floyd, an African American man, was killed during an arrest by Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer after he kneeled on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. After videos of the arrest and killing became public, widespread protests across the United States and the world took place, in which many NBA players became active in their support or participation in them. Steven Jackson, a retired NBA veteran and longtime friend of George Floyd, led a protest on May 29th at the Minneapolis City Hall with Karl Anthony-Towns and Josh Okogie against police brutality and racial profiling. Jaylen Brown and Malcom Brogdan led a march in Atlanta, and Dennis Smith Jr. and Tobias Harris participated in protests in Fayetteville. Other NBA players such as Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony have expressed outrage over the killing and the treatment of African Americans in the United States. Coaches such as Doc Rivers and Dwane Casey recounted personal experiences with racism and every NBA team organization has shown support towards BLM. NBA commissioner Adam Silver in an internal memo to league employees stated that “Racism, police brutality, and racial injustice remain part of everyday life in America and cannot be ignored.” Negotiations between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) over the continuation of the NBA season began to include demands for the allowance of social justice symbolism in the Orlando bubble over concerns about media attention being diverted away from BLM and the fight for social justice. The league concurred and agreed to a series of changes to support player advocacy; this included a reversal on the NBA anti-kneeling stance during the anthem, the text “Black Lives Matter” being placed on practice shirts, busses, facilities, and official game courts, players being allowed to replace their names with around 600 approved statements from the league on their jerseys, and the exclusive use of African American artists for the national anthem. Many of the players including leading activist Lebron James and NBPA president Chris Paul were set on resuming the season in Orlando, but some players opposed the return for social justice reasons, such as Kyrie Irving and Dwight Howard. Other players have also opted out of the bubble, but it was mainly due to personal and family health concerns. In the days before the NBA restart, Donovan Mitchell and Jrue Holiday planned to use their opening game, the Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans, as a way to send a message. Both teams planned to kneel in solidarity during the national anthem, which soon was adopted by every NBA team. Every player, coach, and team staff member kneeled during the anthem, with notable exceptions being Johnathan Issac, Meyers Leonard, Gregg Popovich, and Becky Hammon. NBA coaches can be seen wearing a pin that reads “Coaches Against Racial Injustice” during games and player game sneakers had messages such as James Harden’s “Ready For Change”/”Say their Names” sneakers. The players and coaches also dedicated their media time towards spreading the message, using their time during game and off court interviews to speak about racial injustice and the need for action, putting an emphasis on Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed during a residential search by Louisville police officers. Both of the NBA’s major broadcasters, Turner Network Television (TNT) and ESPN/ABC, have used their widespread media presence to promote player activism and conversations on racial injustice. The Steam Room, which is aired on TNT, has seen guests, such as analyst Maria Taylor, discussing the platform that NBA players have on speaking up for social justice. Taylor discusses how basketball is more than just the sport and that its players can’t just “shut up and dribble” with everything going wrong in the world. ESPN/ABC has also utilized their social media accounts to promote stories of athletes taking steps to bring more awareness to racial injustice such as individual teams meeting to discuss what their own social justice message would be and how to execute their plans.
Sports
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The Thunderbolt
Fall Sports Conditioning
General
Written By: Max Zaninovich, Staff Writer
conditioning workouts for fall have begun until December 11th. Wrestling, Cross Country, and JV and Varsity Football have already started conditioning to prepare their athletes for the winter season. All workouts are held after school from Monday through Friday and start times range from 3:30pm to 4:15pm. Although Wrestling, Cross Country, and JV/Varsity Football are the only sports currently conditioning, other sports are also scheduled: Boys and Girls Tennis, JV and Varsity Girls Basketball, and Spirit Squad. Each sport is assigned three days for players to
workout in separate cohorts, but the expected schedule can fluctuate depending on the amount of students participating in each sport. While Spirit Squad has not begun workouts yet, the estimated number of members has led to a reduction in workout days to twice a week. Due to the extensive check-in process at various locations in the school, all students must arrive on campus 15 minutes prior to the official conditioning start time. New San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) restrictions require sports groups to be broken into “sessions.” Each session is 3 weeks long, in which student athletes are only allowed to workout in the same session after attending the first week. If students fail to attend a workout in the first week of a session, they will not be permitted to attend the entirety of that session. The next session begins next week on October
5th and will run until October 19th. In order to participate in the workouts, students must also complete the fall SMUHSD conditioning contract form and be medically cleared on SportsNet. Student athletes are still required to turn in their yearly physical from their healthcare provider, but are now allowed to be checked virtually without having an in-person visit. New protocols have also been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including mandated masks upon entry, temperature checks, and social distancing guidelines. However, Cross Country Captain, Madison Wong (12), expressed her concerns about the safety of conditioning, stating, “I don’t know how long [conditioning] is going to last because I honestly don’t see it working out.I see a lot of kids around town without a mask, who then go to their conditioning workouts. For cross country, [following safety precautions] has been pretty good, but for other sports, like basketball, it is a lot harder to social distance and wear a mask. Because of how easily [COVID-19] can be transported, it is a possibility that the district could shut down all sports if one person contracts it.”
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Hiking Spots Near You dam, with the rest containing a path through trees in dense forests. Animal sightseers will not be disappointed, as there are many to be found. Amongst many other animals, the most common you may see are birds, ducks, and deer. Far away from the highway, no traffic sounds will interfere with a hiker’s experience, and amenities such as bathrooms are provided at the start and middle positions of the trail. Taking the direction north, however, will bring you across the San Andreas trail, located next to Highway 280. With a length of seven miles, this trail will provide a clear and broad view of the San Andreas lake, complimented by an occasional deer trotting by. Likewise to Sawyer, this is a beginner course, suitable for all ages. Bathrooms are located at the beginning and middle of the trail for hikers’ use. Due to the trail’s close proximity to Interstate280, hikers can expect much traffic noise. And though this trail is not pet friendly, it still makes for an enjoyable, scenic hike. Located in the heart of downtown Millbrae, next to Taylor Middle School and Mills High School, the Spur Trail is a 2.4 mile long trail that opens multiple options for exercise—as along the trail, you can find exercise equipment (though you may want to refrain from using them during the pandemic). As it is level and short, the Spur Trail is a novice’s trail that is perfectly accessible to all ranges of hikers. Dogs kept on a leash may hike along the trail as well. With many trees covering the way, the Mills section of the trail is well shaded, whilst the Taylor section is open to the sun. As you walk along the trail, you can sightsee all the neighboring houses! COVID-19 hinders many options for outdoor exercise, hiking being one of your best bets as you can get some exercise, fresh air, and easily stay safe and six feet away from fellow hikers. As long as social distancing is kept, these are all great spots to get an escape from the four walls of our
ike many cities across the country, the Millbrae community has been greatly affected by COVID-19 restrictions and safety guidelines. Outdoor activities and indoor athletic facilities alike have both been significantly restricted. Any groups larger than the “Social Bubbles” of twelve people or less (of different/same households) may not gather outside, six foot distancing must be maintained between individuals in public spaces, and face coverings must be worn at all times. All these restrictions place hiking as a highly viable option for outdoor activity, as it is not as strenuous as other activities, thus lessening the stifling effects of a facial covering. Hiking does not require any special equipment and provides a way to get out of the house to breathe fresh air, as opposed to at-home workouts. Even in the city of Millbrae, numerous hiking spots are available for community members to explore. Taking Hillcrest Boulevard, the North Trailhead of Sawyer Camp Trail is located south-west of Millbrae, right next to the San Andreas Lake. The Sawyer Camp Recreational Trail expands over eleven miles, cutting through wilderness next to the lake and forests. As this trail is a beginner course, all ages are welcome—the only contingency being to wear a facial covering, as you should in any public setting. The beginning half of the course displays a scenic view of the lake, even passing over the
Joshua Choe staff writer
The Thunderbolt
Sports
Tennis Courts Now Open for Students
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Written By: Rita Li, Staff Writer
The Mills tennis courts have now reopened after months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Students can
now request the tennis courts through the school district website Mondays through Fridays, stretching from 3:30 to 8:30pm. Additionally, students can reserve the stadium tracks at any San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) school through that schools website. Athletic Director, Tim Keller, spoke more about the importance of slowly reopening high school fields and courts. The reopening of the Mills tennis courts will allow athletes to enhance their tennis skills and get back into shape. Students are required to bring their student ID or class schedule to confirm their status as a SMUHSD student, wear a face covering prior to check in, and will be health screened upon entry. Although the tennis courts will be open, it is still undecided how long the specific time slot is reserved. Mr. Keller backed the idea, stating, “I don’t Staying know, but I bet the time slots are for one hour each.” Realistically, this one hour time limit will allow students enough time to play tennis and get aquadate aerobic Active During exercise. Along with these benefits, it will help these athletes get one step ahead Quarantine from their competition at other schools who might still be in vacation mode. Written by: Karine Chan The SMUHSD’s decision to reopen the sports facilities was based on Editor-In-Chief the fact that the tennis courts are a safe space for students to be outside, hough public gyms have been healthy, and active. By taking the proper precautions to admit students into the track and tennis courts, Mr. Keller believes, “It is a good idea forcibly closed down for many to open them up. The school is following the guidelines set out by months due to rising COVID-19 casthe District office.” He reassures the idea that “the district is meet- es, that’s no excuse to become inactive ing or exceeding all guidelines set out by the San Mateo Coun- during quarantine. As we’ve all become ty Health Office.” While guidelines are being followed by the sitting ducks, it is increasingly easy to fall District, students must continue to stay socially distanced into unhealthy habits—mentally and physiand follow quarantine guidelines while using the facilities. cally. But fear no more, as there are many simple and safe ways to stay active during this time. As Mills Vikings we are responsible for our personal health, safety and athletic spirit. Mr. Keller addressed the impor- While wearing a mask and practicing proper social tance of re-opening the tennis courts, along with the distancing of course, going on bike rides and hikes safety precautions Mills is ensuring. The Mills Thun- can serve as an amazing way to stay active. Getting out derbolt hopes to see students active and outside soon! of the house is a great way to clear your mind and take a refresher from our computers. Taking just thirty minutes out of your day to walk, run, or bike can change your entire mood for the day. And your body will thank you for the cardio!
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Another great way to stay active is by going for a swim. If you have a pool, this is a great time to put it to use! In the safety of your home, swimming is a phenomenal way to incorporate physical activity into your schedule. If I haven’t struck your fancy with the activities mentioned, I raise you this: a virtual dance party. Grab some friends, a digital device, and some good music. We’ve been blessed with technology such as zoom to connect us with friends and loved ones each from the comfort of our own homes—use it to your advantage! Who says you can’t enjoy eachothers company through the screen? Additionally, with work and school starting up again, you may feel as if there is simply not enough time in the day to get some physical exercise in. But on the contrary, as there are many exercises you can take part in while tied up in virtual meetings. Lifting small, hand held weights is a nearly effortless way to move around your body, and you can easily do it without missing out on your meeting. Walking up and down a flight of stairs is also a substantial way to incorporate some exercise into your day, your computer can serve as a makeshift weight! It is difficult to stay motivated to be productive and active while living through a pandemic, so do not fret. Being active everyday is not a necessity. Some days your motivation levels may be lower, and that is a-okay. Take time to nourish your body and cater to its specific needs every single day. Be kind to your body and mind, it needs to rest to serve you well. I hope you’re all staying safe, happy, and healthy!
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The Thunderbolt
Entertainment from home
popularized media during quarantine TW: mentions of sexual assault
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uarantine has been in full swing for just over six months now, leaving everyone with more free time than ever. Some have chosen to occupy this downtime by making baked goods, while others have decided to get back into the habit of reading. (To the Harry Potter side of TikTok: I’m looking at you!) However, a majority of the population have carried on doing what they know best—binge watching! The most popular shows that seemed to dominate the Netflix “Top 10” chart over quarantine were fictional ones, and with good reason too; their picturesque worlds provide an escape from our somewhat dystopian reality. One TV show that seemed to garner attention was the mini-series Hollywood, created by mastermind Ryan Murphy. (Yes, that Ryan Murphy. The same person behind shows like Glee and American Horror Story.) While Hollywood doesn’t feature characters spontaneously breaking out in song and dance, nor does it contain any horror elements in the traditional sense, the main aspect that seemed to allure audiences was the captivating storylines. Taking place during what’s considered to be the “Golden Age” of Hollywood, Hollywood follows the lives of several different characters, all of
whom are trying to make it to the big screen—but not without facing some conflict first. It tackles heavy subjects, including (but not limited to) racism, homophobia, and sexual assault. Given that this is a mini-series, there aren’t any plans for a second season—so all seven episodes are available to stream only on Netflix. Although fictional shows with real actors can be a good distraction, some prefer to take their diversion from reality a step further by watching animated shows. Arguably the most popular cartoon over quarantine was the Nickelodeon hit series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Jam packed with action and gripping storylines, Avatar: The Last Airbender follows a group of teenagers in their journey to defeat a tyrannical nation in a world where certain gifted individuals have the ability to bend and control the four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. The writing and dialogue is top tier, the characters are well fleshed out, and the world building is excellent making it a must-watch for anyone, no matter the age range. Despite binge watching being a term that’s typically used to describe the act of watching a lot of episodes in one sitting, it’s also commonly used for binge watching an entire movie series at once. And, of course, what’s a better
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movie series to watch than the most popular movie series of all time? The Harry Potter series has begun to rapidly regain popularity within the past few weeks, and it’s a no brainer as to why! The detail that went into the movies’ characterization and setting truly made it feel as if one was walking down the corridors of Hogwarts alongside Hermione, Harry, and Ron. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, Harry Potter is centered around Harry Potter (as you probably could’ve guessed) and his friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Each of the seven movies has a different premise, and it all culminates in the seventh and final movie with a large-scale battle between good and evil. Though none of the movies are currently available to stream for free, you can rent each movie for around $4 each on multiple streaming platforms such as YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. Quarantine admittedly hasn’t been the most enjoyable period, but it has led media engagement for shows and movies to soar high. These fictional worlds provide an escape from the reality that we’ve been forced to live with for the past six months. Don’t be afraid to branch out beyond your comfort zone, you might actually end up finding a new show you never thought you’d like!
graphics Drawn by karine chan editor in cheif
Bianca Reyes, Center Spread Editor
New V shows n’ Movies & akeover Of New Games W
ith Coronavirus keeping us all cooped up at home, video games have found themselves to be the goto entertainment for many. Countless games have been released in the past six months, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and NBA 2K21, but true popularity explosions have come from four immersive games: Minecraft, Among Us, Valorant, and Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Minecraft (MC) was first released more than ten years ago— May 17th, 2009 to be exact. As an open sandbox world game, players were able to fight, build, and mine their way to the game’s initially set conclusion of defeating the Ender Dragon. In the game’s current state, players have taken Minecraft’s simple premise and expanded far from the original gameplay. From Modifications made through coding to Minigames on multiplayer servers, Minecraft has truly stood the test of time and regained its popularity. In such an uncertain time, Minecraft brings a sense of comfort and nostalgia to many players, especially
Angela Dimaano, Features Editor
Gen Z who grew up on playing the game. Minecraft content creators on platforms such as Youtube, have fallen and risen with the popularity of the game. Recently, Youtubers such as Dream have gained millions of subscribers through their Minecraft game plays and continue to dominate gaming videos. If the calmer nature of Minecraft doesn’t suit you, perhaps the intensity of our next game will grasp your attention. Our next game that has very recently burst into the spotlight is a mafia style game called Among Us. Initially released on June 15, 2018, Among us was not too popular due to the lack of media attention on the game. Allegedly beginning with streamer Sodapoppin, countless content creators have hopped onto the Among Us bandwagon and skyrocketed the game to its peak popularity. The premise may be simple, as players do their tasks and deduce who the Imposters (killers) are, but there is a whole psychological manipulation aspect to the game that makes it enjoyable time and time again. Among Us has helped friends keep in touch while simultaneously “destroying” friendships in the process. Close friends throw away all their loyalties to each other and accuse people of being the Imposter for just walking
“weirdly” or not hanging around groups. Deception only gets worse as everyone becomes better at the game and trust issues develop from mis accusations. As of late, the developers announced that the sequel Among Us 2 would be cancelled and instead improvements would be made to the original game. As with Minecraft, Among Us has helped push Offline TV’s Disguised Toast, 5up, and other youtubers to new heights of popularity, while feeding our seemingly everlasting boredom. After an intense game of Among Us, what a (not so) perfect way to calm down than with an equally, if not more intense game of Valorant! Valorant is an online, multiplayer five versus five match that utilizes guns to defeat the other team. What makes Valorant different from other 5v5 games, such as Counter Strike Global Offensive, is that it incorporates character abilities into the game, comparable to Overwatch. The character Jett, for example, has a dash ability that is unique to her character. Valorant, first released as a beta on April 7th, 2020, officially dropped on June 2nd and dozens of players flocked to begin playing. A beta release is when the game may still have some bugs, but allows a select amount of people to play the game to discover those bugs. In con-
trast to Minecraft and Among Us, Valorant’s release has led to the signing of professional Valorant players on Esports teams such as Team SoloMid (TSM). These professionals tend to stream on the platform Twitch and compete in competitions for monetary prizes. To wind down after a long day of grinding wins on Valorant, our final featured game is sure to give you a boost of Serotonin. The most recently released game on this list is Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Playing as a colorful blob looking character, players make their way through party style minigames, such as an obstacle course run or soccer match. The end goal is to be the sole winner at the end of all the rounds. Fall Guys was released on August 4th of 2020 and has been gaining traction since then. The simple, yet fun premise of Fall Guys draws all kinds of play-
ers. A unique feature of the game is the seemingly “broken” physics of the characters. With a horde of players rushing towards the end of the course, your character is constantly jumping and falling over to get the advantage over others. From those who make everything a competition to those that play to have a good time, Fall Guys has something for everyone. Similar to the others, Fall Guys has attracted Twitch streamers, such as XQC, who have racked up hundreds of wins in their countless hours of playing the game. Even if you don’t really like to play video games, these four games give a great range of entertainment to enjoy. From the light hearted nature of Fall Guys to the intensity of Among us, we sure will have many games to keep us company going forward. With all these fantabulous releases, excitement and anticipation builds for the next hit games.