The Pearl Post September 2018

www.thepearlpost.com

Sept. 21, 2018

Volume 10 Issue 1

Zero-Tolerance policy separates families

Special Reports 7

THE

PEARL POST

Daniel Pearl Magnet High School 6649 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406

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News 2

The Pearl Post

Sept. 21, 2018

Enrollment for school year may eliminate teaching position Rudraj Koppikar and Julissa Rangel

Managing Editor and Entertainment Editor

A teaching position in the English department risks closure as the district has rejected the reported enrollment of 340 students, citing absence of a single student as a reason.

“I got a call on Sept. 18 from the district’s Human Resources department that they were not acknowledging our 340 as one student has been serially absent including on Norm Day,” Principal Deb Smith said. “ I wrote an appeal to Superintendent Nacorda next door and to the H.R. department.”

Enrollment was reported to be 340 students, exactly at the norm limit needed for the district to pay for a teaching position. The student in question had not been in attendance for over 10 days and Smith was unaware that a serially absent student would not be counted towards the enrollment of the school.

Smith stated that the school would have to either pay for a new teacher out of pocket, essentially draining the school’s general budget, or completely scramble students’ schedules if the appeal is rejected. Journalism Adviser Adriana Chavira may also be asked to pick up an English class and have several of her Journalism 1 classes combined.

“If they don’t approve the appeal, with some help from next door, superintendent Nacorda, we could use all of our remaining budget in an existing general account and pay out of our own account to hold a teacher,” Smith said. “ That means that there’s really no funding that would give us a little bit of a cushion, for example it allows us to maybe do more field trips or

Graph by Rudraj Koppikar The enrollment for this school year reached the expected 340 students, meaning there wouldn’t be a possible loss of an English teaching position. However, the number isn’t valid due to a serially absent student who hadn’t returned by Norm Day. purchase some additional iPads or laptops or substitutes.”

However, another student may save the school. A student who joined on Sept.

14, Norm Day, was not scheduled to begin classes at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School until the following week. Smith has stated that she is in contact with that student’s old principal in order to resolve the confusion. Since that student was not supposed

to start that day, he was not in the school’s attendance rolls. Smith is hoping that the district will concede and count that student in the enrollment, thereby keeping the reported enrollment steady at 340.

The school is hopeful and is currently interviewing prospective teachers to fill the English position at risk. The position was staffed by Magnet Coordinator Leah Pevar last year and is currently being filled

by a substitute. Smith has also stated that schedules will not be changed unless as a last resort and that English classes will not be blended under any circumstances.

Instagram: @red.rudy.2 Twitter: @ju11issa

LA Press Club award rescinded due to submission error Kirsten Cintigo Print Editor-in-Chief

Back in late June, The Pearl Post print publication took home first place for “Best High School Newspaper” at the 60th annual Los Angeles Press Club awards. However, in early August, it was announced that the award was to be taken away.

The Pearl Post was nominated for two awards, “Best News Website” and “Best High School Newspaper.” The online publication did not place for “Best News Website” with the winner being Cal State Northridge’s website The Sundial.

In the student newspaper category, The Pearl Post was up against The Accolade from Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton for the second consecutive year, with The Accolade winning first place last year.

This year, the judges commented to say The Pearl Post displayed “...a college-level effort. Well written, pleasing layout and photography and even their own news poll!” This was the seventh year in which The Pearl Post had been named finalists by the LA Press Club.

Photo Deb Smith LA Press Club’s President Chris Palmeri poses with Print Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Cintigo and Online Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidbachian after accepting first place for Best High School Newspaper.

As in previous years, the June 24 ceremony took place at the Millennium

Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.

And the award for “Best High School Newspaper” was given to The Accolade instead. The reason behind the award change was due to an error in submission

by The Pearl Post staff.

According the LA Press Club, the awards this year were to only be given to content from the year of 2017. But the submission from The Pearl Post for the Student Newspaper Category was for a newspaper issue published back in March of this year. This incident was reported to the LA Press Club, whose Executive Director Diana Ljungaeus admitted to the Press Club’s mistake.

“I still think our publication is great and the staff did impressive work last year,” Journalism Adviser Adriana Chavira said in an email to last year’s staff explaining the occurrence.

To read the full story please check out it on our website: https://www.thepearlpost.com/

Twitter: @kzzizlee

Sept. 21, 2018

The Pearl Post

New school lunches now cooked on campus

News 3

Shannon Sullivan

Staff Writer

After seven years of trying, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) is finally serving fresh lunches in the cafeteria.

Despite having a fully working kitchen, DPMHS was one of the only schools in this section of management to still serve pre-packaged lunch. The budget for the new food items was approved by the current Food Service director Manish Singh, who was pushing for the change to be made before assuming his position five months ago.

“We do look to to provide fresh, nutritious and healthy meals daily,” Singh said in an email.

Since it takes seven hours to cook the lunches, breakfast in class will still be pre-packaged, now that the lunches are being served fresh, the cafeteria hopes to gain more students. Sophomore Trinitty Bayardo agrees that the recent switch should ensure this.

“It’s much better,” Bayardo said. “It actually tastes like real food.”

Prior to the recent change, the cafeteria made fresh salads and sandwiches for the past three years. Now, they can serve fresh chicken from Tyson, cucumbers, celery sticks and even whole pizzas. Many of the products come from Costco, Jennie O, Don Lee and other contracted vendors.

Principal Deb Smith, Food Service Manager Kathy Mrasz and a few others were trying to switch the school over from the Newman Nutrition Center, to prep lunches. The Newman Nutrition Center was where the food was originally made and packaged. The reason the change took so long was due to an issue with spacing for food on trucks and the lack of some kitchen equipment.

“There’s been a change to the menu over years,” Mrasz said. “That’s why we were insisting on switching, so you guys have better quality food.”

Instagram: @ shaon_sully

Photo by Rosa Lemus This year, the school’s cafeteria began to serve fresh cooked food.

LAVC Math 240 teacher, Syuzanna Aghazaryan teaches to students on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Photo by David Eskichyan

New math classes prompt problems Farah Faiza and Alexis Gutierrez

Staff Writers

This new school year introduced two new, unconventional ways of teaching math in high school: one is online through the program Edgenuity and the other is a college class brought on campus from Los Angeles Valley College.

“I feel that it’s giving students the best of both worlds,” counselor Martina Torres said.

Last year, at a School Site Council meeting it was announced that the funded Title 1 position held by math teacher Anna Felix would be closed. This led to the struggle of fitting all the needs of students into just four periods with the remaining two math teachers.

The original plan had been to keep Daniel Cramer and Leslie Hicks, but to add in an auxiliary teacher and a college teacher. However, Cramer moved to a different school during the summer and only one

math teacher remained.

To resolve this issue, Lori Seo was hired for the vacant math position. And instead, an LAVC 240 pre-calculus math class was made available and Edgenuity was provided for those students who wished to take pre-calculus but did not want to take a college course.

In the past, Edgenuity had been used for online classes like AP Spanish Language and Culture and Spanish 2. On-campus, college classes were also previously available but those courses were optional.

While not required to take these classes, students are encouraged to take four years of math as it looks better when applying to colleges.

Through Edgenuity, students teach themselves with an online program and although there is no teacher present, math teacher Sunita Maxwell from Mulholland Middle School comes into the class to help supervise during period 1. Much of the material includes instructional videos,

with students moving at their own pace with practice and review problems. For students who aren’t strong independent learners, it can prove to be a problem.

“I think for some students, it might be challenging, thrust into a new environment that’s not what they’ve been used to or what they’ve experienced,” junior Marjina Haque said. “I really do think it depends on the student. For some students, it’d be easier as they get to go at their own pace and for some students, it’d harder as they fall behind.”

The college course began the third week of school with Syuzanna Aghazaryan and proved that it would be a greater challenge than most students were accustomed to. The class moves much faster and there is an actual professor, yet students had to pass the placement test in order to be enrolled. Nevertheless, students will earn applicable college credits.

Instagram: @Alexis.g.16

New year, new plan for restorative justice Mahali Sanchez

Staff Writer

The year’s restorative justice program will officially kick off on Sept 21. Unlike previous advisory’s, each session will now start off with ice breakers and include group activities.

The program was implemented last year at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) due to the district’s push for it to be used as a model for discipline. However, not many students participated in group sessions.

“Our goal is to get students comfortable with the advisory group that is given,” science teacher Stephen Schaffter said.

Before the program came to DPMHS, Schaffter spent two years learning the pro-

gram. During the training, he saw an opportunity to implement it at school.

However, he and science teacher Jim Morrison have modified the program in order for it to fit the smaller school setting.

Instead, advisory will be held every third Friday of each month except when it lands on Fiesta Friday.

Like last year, fourth period will finish 20 minutes early for the advisory to take place. The meetings will be held in the house’s courtyards and each house will have an activity after the meetings for everyone to be apart of.

“We really do hope that everyone gets along in advisory and has fun with the activities that will be created,” Morrison said.

Photo by Julissa Rangel Last year, Matthew Munoz, Dean Khazanov and Paola Erazo participate in a Restorative Justice session on Sept. 20.

Instagram: @mahalisanchei

Features 4

The Pearl Post

Sept, 21, 2018

Principal Deb Smith skiis her way to retirement Martin Garcia

Staff Writer

Principal Deb Smith sits with newly promoted Magnet Coordinator Leah Pevar, School Administrator Assistant (SAA) Lubia Gutierrez and school psychologist Eliana Lichtman at the round table in her office eating Lean Cuisine despite thinking she shouldn’t.

This school year will be Smith’s last at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School. But the mood in the room isn’t one of sadness.

“Sometimes people delay retiring because they don’t have a plan. They don’t know what they want to do when they retire, so they’re afraid,” Principal Deb Smith said. “I’m doing the work. I got the plan in motion and I want to do it.”

If anything is true, it’s that Smith is hardworking. Not only has she worked in education for 41 years, throughout those years she’s gone teaching from school to school, so much so that a list would be better than saying it outright. And the students can see it.

“She’s given me advice about school and four year colleges, about paying attention and learning and don’t take anything for granted,” junior Melissa Almendarez said. “Sophomore year, when I started, we (her and a friend) came really late. She showed us around like a mini tour and took us to Mr. Schaffter’s class.”

If you haven’t experienced other high schools, you might not realize how non-standard the principal experience is.

Photo by Jade Capmbell This school year will be Principal Deb Smith’s last year at DPMHS, as she plans to retire at the end of this year.

After retiring, Smith will be living in “I might go volunteer over at a school “I’ve worked in different schools and always see the principal’s office is kind of Mammoth Mountain, CA, where she’ll be and maybe read stories to kids, work in the hiding,” office technician Lupe Osorio said. teaching skiing, biking and kayaking to dis- library or help in the office,” Smith said.

Regardless of what Smith will do after “But with Mrs. Smith, her door’s not only abled military veterans under the Woundopen to students but parents or any other ed Warriors Project. In between summer retiring, she has left a permanent spot at and winter, Smith plans to live in Texas and DPMHS. faculty and she can do it right away.”

“Students will really miss her and so It’s clear Smith is loved by her school buy houses that need to be repaired and fixed. will the staff,” Pevar said. “She’s been a and the love is mutual.

There’s a variety of things Smith great leader, she’s so knowledgeable, she “I really enjoy working with the students at our school and I have great mem- wants to try out when she retires and a lot has so many years of experience and she ories of the kids that came here and left,” of it centers around helping and teaching knows what to do in so many different sitpeople. uation.”

Smith said.

New school year brings new faces and changes to DPMHS Itzel Luna Staff Writer

As the school year begins, many changes occurred in Daniel Pearl Magnet High School’s previous unfluctuating staff as new teachers and a new magnet coordinator started their first year at DPMHS. After working as a magnet coordinator at DPMHS for seven years, Nicole Bootel was promoted and will now oversee special-ed programs for several elementary schools as an assistant principal. Leah Pevar has been hired to replace Bootel.

Pevar previously worked as a ninth grade English teacher for three years at DPMHS. “I know all the classroom stuff,” Pevar said. “The in’s and out’s, all of that. This is the other half of that. It’s like learning all of the behind the scenes work.”

Many teachers have also left the school, including math teachers Anna Felix and Daniel Cramer and social science teacher Brent Abelson.

The new additions to the staff includes math teacher Lori Seo, social science teacher Francisco Ortega, Spanish

Meet the new staff: Read our other stories We asked new about the LAUSD teacher strike, Kirsten Cintigo’s experience at J-Camp and a club calendar on our web“Best part of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School is my students,” mathematics site. teacher Lori Seo said. thepearlpost.com

teacher Marta Rodriguez and new nurse Cari Philpott. Philpott will work at DPMHS every Tuesday. The open spot for a new ninth grade English teacher still hasn’t been filled.

After being the only Spanish teacher at DPMHS since 2009, Glenda Hurtado is unsure of how long the new Spanish position will be open. The school hired a new Spanish teacher, Magaly Orejarena, in 2016 but the position was eliminated the following year because of the lack of enrollment.

“I’m hoping that Ms. Rodriguez remains and that we keep our enrollment and are able to continue to provide students with new teaching methods,” Hurtado said.

Sophomore Maria Strake who has both Seo and Ortega as teachers this year believes that they are having a smooth and nice transition.

“It’s been good because everyone is really welcoming,” Strake said. “They’re handling things really well.”

Instagram @ _itzelluna_

staff what their favorite part

“The students here form more of a community than any other school I’ve ever been at,” social science teacher Fransisco Ortega said.

“My favorite aspect of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School is the staff truly and sincerely care about the students,” Spanish teacher Marta Rodriguez said.

Photos and interview by Jade Campbell, Alexis Gutierrez and Christopher Sarenana

Sept. 21, 2018

The Pearl Post

Features 5

Upcoming senior deadlines Rudraj Koppikar

Managing Editor

Photos by Cassia Ramelb Freshly made shrimp enchiladas with red sauce, refried beans and rice are among the many options offered on the menu at Salsa and Beer.

Restaurant Review: Salsa and Beer

Cassia Ramelb

Social Media Editor

Salsa and Beer cooks up made-to-order authentically rustic Mexican cuisine at its location in Lake Balboa.

Originating from Jerez, Zacatecas, Salsa and Beer was established by the Huerta Family in 1998. Since then, the restaurant has created a bright, bustling environment with lines swarming out the door. Along the walls and windows of the restaurant paints a vibrant desert canvas portraying Mexican culture. However, its location in North Hollywood invites guests to sit out on the colorful patio deck with a ranchero architectural design.

Ranging in price from $5 to $14, the plates are largely portioned and well seasoned, leaving no customer unsatisfied.

Servers start each table’s meal with

an original bean dip with a dash of heat, an assortment of salsa choices and unlimited refills of chips.

One can order the taquito trio appetizer combo and be greeted by crispy chicken, beef and potato taquitos topped with freshly made guacamole, finely diced pico de gallo, chipotle sauce, a spicy green sauce and a dollop of sour cream for $6.99.

For $9.99, the shrimp enchilada features a red-sauce drenched tortilla stuffed with cheese, pico de gallo and a hefty amount of shrimp encased in a bed of rice and refried beans sure to bring life to tastebuds.

Sizzling pans of seasoned steak, chicken and shrimp fill the restaurant with flavorsome smells encourage sending customers to order their specialty fajitas priced at $13.99.

Similarly popular, the tortilla soup soaks zucchini, potatoes, carrots, celery, cheese, chicken, pico de gallo and most importantly tortilla stripes in a flavor-filled broth sparked with a drizzle of cilantro all at a low price of $3.99.

To close the deal, Salsa and Beer plates a flan and deep fried ice cream dish opening a field of sweet flavors into its savory spices.

6740 White Oak Ave,.

Lake Balboa, CA 91406 Hours of Operation: Mon. - Sun. 11 a.m. –10 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.

Instagram @cassiaramelb

of DPMHS is. Here is what they had to say:

“My favorite part is how respectful the students are and how they interact with each other,” LA Valley College trig professor Syuzanna Aghazaryan said.

“I love working with teenagers, it’s so “The students as teenagers is my fanice because you’re all young adults,” R.N. vorite thing, growing up young people,” school nurse Cari Philpott said. “I like that School Administrator Assistant (SAA) Luyou’re all so smart.” bia Gutierrez said.

Photos and interview by Jade Campbell, Alexis Gutierrez and Christopher Sarenana

As the year draws on, seniors have to pay attention to the deadlines for their tests, college applications and financial aid application. Here are some deadlines for seniors to make note of.

SAT The registration deadline for the Oct. 6 SAT has passed but the late registration deadline is Sept. 26. Students can pay the $29 late fee to register or those with fee waivers will have their late fees waived.

The SAT will also be offered on Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. The deadline for these tests are Oct. 5 and Nov. 2 and their late registration deadlines are Oct. 24 and Nov. 20.

The SAT costs $47.50 and $64.50 with the essay.

SAT Subject Tests SAT subject tests are offered the same day as the SAT and have the same registration deadlines. As such, one cannot take both the SAT and the subject tests on the same day. Language tests with Listening is only available in November, for example. The registration fee for the test is $26 and an additional $22 for each test taken.

ACT The ACT will be offered on Oct. 27 and Dec. 8. The deadline for the October test is Sept. 28 with a late registration deadline of Oct. 14, and the deadline for the December test is Nov. 2 with a late deadline of Nov. 17. The registration fee for the ACT is $42.50, $58.50 with Writing.

Common Application The Common Application opened in August, and students can now complete the Common Application through Naviance using their LAUSD provided email. . Since the Common Application serves over 700 private colleges and universities, there is no one date that the application is due.

Instead each institution sets their own due dates for applications. Students can visit their preferred college’s website to find their due dates.

UC/CSU Application University of California (UC) applications are open now and California State University (CSU) applications open on Oct. 1. Both applications close on Nov. 30 and students must submit their applications before then. The filing period for UC applications is the whole month of November while the filing period for CSU applications is from October to November.

FAFSA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application will open on Oct. 1 and will close on June 30, 2019, but should be turned in before in order to qualify for Cal Grants students should submit their FAFSA application before March 2, 2019.

Instagram @red.rudy.2

Special Reports 6

The Pearl Post

Sept. 21, 2018

Graphic Design by Rudraj Koppikar See the interactive timeline on our website under Special Reports

Sept. 21, 2018

The Pearl Post

Special Reports 7

Immigration policy leaves hundreds separated Alliana Samonte

Staff Writer

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to stop separating families at the U.S border, yet as of this month 12,800 children are still being held in detention centers and are not sure when they will see their parents again.

The “zero-tolerance” policy was enacted on April 19 and ended on June 20.

This policy had immigrant parents separated from their children ages five to 17 at the U.S. border, as reported in The Washington Post. They are still waiting to be reunited with their parents since the policy ended. Trump has now given families another chance to seek for asylum and will go through a series of interviews and arguments in order to go back to their home.

“I think it’s quite cruel,” senior Jared Medrano said. “Nobody takes into account the amount of damage that can be done to these individuals who are separated from their parents.”

Medrano is a first generation child of a family who immigrated to the United States and is one of many who feels sympathy for the children separated. Many other students at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School have parents who migrated to this country and are furious as to what the government has done to traumatize the children being held in detention centers.

“It’s not right,” freshman Chareena Pascua said. “Why should the government separate kids from their parents, when no one separated their parents from them?”

Photo by Sarahmirk The Women Disobey protest on June 26 in Washington D.C. against the “zero tolerance” policy separating children at the U.S. border.

Children who have not been reunit- with their families have had various reacThere was a report made that a child died soon after she and her family left ICE ed with their families within three days tions because they believed their parents detention center in Dilley, Texas. Not a are later sent to a shelter filled with im- had abandoned them at the border and lot of information had been released and migrants and receive aluminum foil as others were left traumatized from being ICE denied that a child died in their care. something to keep them warm at night, taken away from their mom and dad unHowever, the cause of the minor’s death according to a story in ABC7 WJLA. At the expectedly.

“Families need to be together and was due to “negligent care and a respira- same time, children have to be their own tory illness she contracted from one of the attorney in court, defending themselves in they have to learn from each other,” sophomore Jacqueline Prava said. other children,” according to the Chicago their own deportation proceedings.

Children who have been reunited

Instagram: alliana.faith Tribune.

Opinion:

We shouldn’t be tolerant of Trump’s zero-tolerance policy Itzel Luna

Staff Writer

After being separated for three and a half months, a Honduran mother is finally reunited with her 3-year-old son only to come to the agonizing realization that her child is traumatized, crawling away from her open arms.

This is in result of the family separation policy, better known as the “zero tolerance” policy, enacted by President Donald Trump’s administration back in April.

This policy targeted migrant families who came to the United States border seeking asylum and separated almost 3,000 families since it started, according to the Health and Human Services (HHS).

Currently, even though 2,157 families have been reunited, the number of detained migrant children in more than 100 shelters around the U.S. has significantly increased from 2,400 children in May 2017 to 12,800 children this month.

As more and more people heard the news and protested this horrible policy, Trump found himself forced to sign an executive order that would keep families together at the border. It would also return the already separated children back into the hands of their desperate and worried parents.

The frozen and non-emotional responses given by the children as they are reunited with their parents clearly shows the significant trauma they endured.

from his wife and 3-year-old son back in May and suffered a mental breakdown. He was found dead on the floor of his jail cell on May 13 after committing suicide. Many

“The frozen and non-emotional responses given by the children as they are reunited with their parents clearly shows the significant trauma they endured.”

The Trump administration was beyond careless when enacting this policy.

They failed to think about how these families would be reunited or the health issues that would surface because of it.

The policy is detrimental and these distraught parents have gone to extreme lengths as a result of their children being taken away. One father was separated

children are afraid to be taken away from their parents again.

A young girl was reported dead on Aug. 1, shortly after being released from a detention center in Dilley, Texas. The child’s name and age have not been released. Although a cause of death hasn’t been identified, Mana Yegani, a Houston immigration lawyer, tweeted that the tod-

dler died because of a respiratory illness that she caught from another child at the detention center.

The policy began as a way to limit the amount of families that try to cross the border illegally. Although seeking asylum is legal, Trump says that asylum seekers are trying to invade and break into our country.

“Immigration must be based on merit,” Trump tweeted on June 24. “We need people who will help ‘Make America Great Again!’”

However, many of these asylum seekers are ‘invading’ our country to pursue a better future for themselves and their kids. The negligent care given at the detention centers has caused a lot of harm to asylum seekers who are simply looking for a higher quality of life.

The Trump administration must appoint someone to deal with the reunification of the separated families exclusively and all families involved with this policy must have access to both physical and mental help after the horrible experience they were forced to go through.

Instagram: @_itzelluna_

Opinion 8

The Pearl Post

Editorial:

Sept. 21, 2018

Editor speaks proudly of online publication Michael Chidbachian Online Editor-in-Chief

With a new staff in charge, the online publication of The Pearl Post is set to thrive with stories published at least three times a week.

An issue we have always encountered in the past is making sure to update the website with current information.

Creating new polls, banners and updating sports scores has become a higher priority as we constantly need to present topical news.

We also hope to increase our presence on High School Insider, a forum hosted by the Los Angeles Times where high school students can post stories they’ve written. This allows our student journalists to get their work read by people from a multitude of different schools, expanding their audience.

For the past five years, The Pearl Post has worked on and off with PBS Student Reporting Labs, a team that works with students to hear about STEM-related stories pertaining to their community.

By the end of the year, we hope to have increased our use of multimedia posts, including new ways of presenting stories and images. Making more quizzes, an idea brought up by the previous year’s staff, is also a goal of ours.

Despite it only being the first month of the new school year, our staff has given us high hopes for the future.

Instagram: @michaelvchid

Photo by Jade Campbell Online Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidbachian leads the 2018-2019 staff.

Photo from Flickr.com A photo from one of Drake’s concerts in 2016. The “In My Feelings” challenge, inspired by his new song, became a social media trend.

Unsafe social media trend leads to tragedy Cassia Ramelb

Social Media Editor

Forget the Mannequin Challenge and the “Dame Tu Cosita” challenge. The “In my feelings” challenge from this past summer sparked a social media craze sending people of all ages to jump out of their cars.

“I think the challenge is popular because of the beat and it’s Drake,” senior Taylor Devlugt said. “You might be doing it in an open road but it’s so dangerous because you never know if an accident could happen.”

Hip-hop artist Drake released the hit song “In My Feelings” from his album “Scorpion” in July. Following, comedian Shaggy posted a video of himself dancing

to the intro of the song causing the outbreak of the challenge.

With new trends buzzing every month, each has its own set of dangers along with them. The importance of a life should be more heavily weighed than the count of your followers.

Back in January of this year the “Tide Pod” challenge influenced kids to bite into a Tide Pod while others like “The Kylie Jenner” challenge, motivated people to damage their mouth for the appearance of bigger lips. Comparatively, the “In My Feelings” challenge involved people jumping out of a moving car to start dancing.

“I think it’s the idea of wanting to go viral on social media,” sophomore Stephanie Pynes said. “People will do anything

for 15 seconds of fame.”

Still, letting a car roll unattended is a safety hazard. Crazy enough, people filmed themselves on highways, bustling streets and private roads. Dancing on roadways has caused some participants injuries and in some cases, hospitalized. As a precaution, all necessary actions to promote motor vehicle safety should be practiced.

According to Edgar Snyder & Associates, the average record of car accidents due to electronic usage is nearly 4,000 reports a year and the challenge only adds on to the amount.

Therefore, it is best when participating in upcoming trends to be precautionary of the dangers at hand.

Instagram: cassiaramelb

Editorial:

Editor-in-Chief ready to lead staff to victory Kirsten Cintigo

Print Editor-in-Chief

As the school year starts off comfortably, The Pearl Post staff members for the 2018-2019 cycle bring hope of a higher quality paper.

With the year ahead of us, our newest editors show potential to create new page layouts and have a more creative approach to solving issues that have constantly arisen in previous years. One of these issues was a lack of communication between staff writers and editors. In turn, this created a hostile environment as staff members felt lost and confused on assignments. However, our current editorial board is filled with individuals who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure deadlines are met and that staff writers are in a friendly environment.

As the print publication moves more toward a magazine design rather than a traditional newspaper, it has become a crucial aspect for us to make sure we publish our best work. In order to do this, we plan on placing an emphasis on story pitches, copy editing and early deadlines.

We have also established an improved system to make sure all staff writ-

Photo by Jade Campbell Print Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Cintigo leads the new staff for the 2018-2019 year. ers will gain multiple skills. By the end of the year all staff members will have experience in video recording, editing, writing and photography. Our publication will also continue to submit content to PBS NewsHour’s Student Reporting Labs. And as the distrust in media grows in today’s political climate, it’s even more important for student journalists like us to come together and fulfill our common goal of reporting the truth. Our newsroom, in particular,

values laws such as the California Ed Code 48907 that helps protect our First Amendment rights. With every story, issue and post online, we employ our right to be objective student journalists.

We also encourage the student body to give us feedback on our work as the year progresses. Ideas, suggestions and other thoughts can be submitted via our social media or email.

Instagram: @kirstencintigo

Sept. 21, 2018

The Pearl Post

Opinion 9

The Pearl Post

Cartoon by Christine Valenzuela At SeaWorld, orcas are treated like domestic fish in fish bowls. There have also been reports of other animals being abused.

The amusement park from hell Casey Wanatick

Staff Writer

Every day, SeaWorld parks across the country have thousands of guests who come to watch the orcas, who look like they are in good shape, but are actually suffering in their undersized living conditions.

Ever since the controversial film “Blackfish,” a documentary about the orcas at SeaWorld came out, there have been ongoing reports of how the animals are treated at SeaWorld. The orcas, for example, are kept in tanks that can only fit one orca. But SeaWorld squeezes in three to four whales per tank, which gives them little room to move around.

SeaWorld mistreats their animals and

Pearl Voice:

we are supporting it by watching the animals suffer in their lackluster homes.

The animals at SeaWorld are captured from their homes in the ocean. The captured whales are all sent straight to their new homes at SeaWorld and the injured ones are used for breeding.

According to an interview, National Geographic did with a former trainer, SeaWorld will not release the inbred whales because they are hybrid whales and are not suitable for the wild. So the animals are crammed into their puny tanks. There have been multiple incidents at SeaWorld where the animals are fighting each other in their cages just for more living space.

A spokesperson from SeaWorld refused to answer questions about the Orca breeding program when they were con-

tacted on Sept. 14.

SeaWorld is not just hazardous to the animals, it’s also a hazard for the trainers who work with them daily. Back in 2010, trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed while performing with an orca.

The amusement park makes millions of dollars every year because of the rare exotic animals they have to display to the public. SeaWorld has been breeding new animals year after year to make sure they don’t lose their money, but they finally announced that they will stop the breeding of the sea creatures and let the current generation of orcas and dolphins die out so they can act better upon the situation.

See full opinion online.

Instagram: @casey_902

Should people boycott SeaWorld?

“Yes because I have read articles and newspapers about the animals and mammals being treated not so fairly,” freshman Jessica Melkohyan said. “I don’t think that’s right.”

“They shouldn’t boycott because there’s a lot of kids that go there to have fun and just to see the different types of animals that are in the sea,” sophomore Natalie Castillo said. “If you take that away from them, then they are not going to get educated.”

“No because most of their animals that they get are rescued and they mostly save and take care of them,” junior Joshua Fleisher said.

Photos and interviews by Alliana Samonte

Print Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Cintigo Online Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidbachian Managing Editor Rudraj Koppikar Features Editor David Eskichyan Opinion Editor Angel Van Horn Entertainment Editor Julissa Rangel Sports Editor Alondra Nuno Tech Editor Parampreet Aulakh New Media Editor-in-Chief Steven Guzman New Media Editor Maria Ruiz Social Media Editor Cassia Ramelb Photo Editors Jade Campbell, Rosa Lemus Copy Editors Zachary Gephart-Canada, Christopher Gorospe, Karina Mara, Christine Valenzuela Staff Writers/ Photographers Farah Faiza, Harlow Frank, Martin Garcia, Alexis Gutierrez, Tylin Jarrett, Itzel Luna, Alliana Samonte, Mahali Sanchez, Christopher Sarenana, Shannon Sullivan, Samuel Torres, Casey Wanatick Adviser Adriana Chavira The Pearl Post is an open forum for student expression as allowed by California Education Codes 48907 and 48950, committed to excellence in reporting, writing and photography.

The newspaper strives to inform and educate students and faculty on events affecting Daniel Pearl Magnet High School.

The thought and opinions published in these pages are the work of journalism students and do not represent the position of DPMHS, its administrators or the Los Angeles Unified School District.

An unsigned editorial is the opinion of the Editorial Boards, which is comprised of the Editor-in-Chief and the editors. Signed opinions in the Pearl Post reflect the views of the authors. A signed cartoon reflects the view of the cartoonist.

The Pearl Post welcomes letters to the editor. They should be 250 words or less and may be edited for length. Letters with profanity and obscenity will not be printed.

Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published. Letters may be submitted to Ms. Chavira’s mailbox in the main office, in Room 22 or emailed to thepearlpost@gmail.com.

The newspaper is published monthly and is the official campus newspaper of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School. The newspaper is also posted online at http://www. thepearlpost.com.

Free copies are distributed to magnet students, teachers and staff. The school is located at 6649 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91604-5529.

Entertainment 10

The Pearl Post

Artist of the Month:

Sept. 21, 2018

Jazzy R&B singer Jorja Smith is “Lost & Found” Cassia Ramelb

Social Media Editor

Jorja Smith’s rich, soulful sound generates R&B pieces reminiscent of Amy Winehouse.

At just 19 years old, Smith was featured on Drake’s 2017 record “More Life,” Kali Uchís’ 2017 single “Tyrant” and English rapper Stormzy’s “Let Me Down.”

Other collaborations include Kanye West, Young Thug, 2 Chainz and Travis Scott. One of her most impressive collaborations is with Kendrick Lamar in “I am,” written for the Marvel action film “Black Panther.”

Smith fights back against society’s harsh realities with her album “Lost & Found” released earlier this June.

Smith simultaneously questions why innocence can negatively affect the viewpoints of life and how maturity can ruin the minds of most.

Smith frames delicate thought and vulnerability in lyrics illuminating her feelings of growing up and experiencing the world. She converts misery to grace into whimsical “Goodbyes,” bittersweet “Tomorrow” and “Wandering Romance.”

Although her album focuses more on societal issues, songs like self-love anthem

Photo from Flickr.com Jorja Smith, 21, performs at Neumos in Seattle, Washington on April 27. Neumos was one of many shows Smith played this spring.

“Teenage Fantasy” reflects on her journey refutes her lust for love with the lyric, “I mistakes and her hope for new beginnings. to learning to put her well-being and com- need to grow and find myself before I let Don’t miss Smith’s smooth voice this fort before love as an adolescent. somebody love me because at the mo- November, Smith at a two-night concert at She writes, “When we are young we ment I don’t know me.”

Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theater. all want someone. Who we think is the Throughout previous songs, Smith one, just to fit in.” Later in the song, Smith describes of the purification of her past Instagram: @cassiaramelb

Prepare to be horrified by venomous sci-fi thriller

Samuel Torres

Staff Writer

In the next Sony and Marvel origin story, moviegoers and comic book fans alike rejoice with the new film “Venom” coming to theaters on Oct. 5.

“Venom” follows protagonist Eddie Brock, (played by actor Tom Hardy,) a gritty professional reporter who contracts an alien parasite, referred to as a “symbiote,” from a secret experimental lab. As the storyline progresses, Brock becomes the anti-hero Venom.

The sci-fi film, directed by Ruben Fleischer, is a thrilling origin story that will portray the struggles that Brock faces as he gains superpowers and becomes Venom. Antagonist Dr. Carlton Drake, (played

by Riz Ahmed) is the founder of the Life Foundation, the lab responsible for testing out various alien parasites, including Venom. The film not only introduces Venom but other symbiotes like Riot, Phage, Agony, Scream and Lasher.

While Brock is infected with venom, he takes on a sinister persona as well as alien powers, which include super strength, durability, shapeshifting capabilities and healing abilities. When he completely turns into Venom, his morals seem to disappear and often has dark intentions, of which he has little control of.

Brock must battle the Life Foundation and its many other malicious symbiotes to reveal the sinister truth of the symbiotes.

Michelle Williams portrays Anne

Weying, Brock’s love interest. There has been a fair amount of controversy surrounding the film’s PG-13 rating due to scenes that feature gory graphics. There is also talk of a possibile Marvel Cinematic Universe Spiderman crossover.

An uncommon mixture of horror and sci-fi, “Venom” promises viewers a sensationally unorthodox origin story.

Instagram: @torres.sam.jpg Screenshot by Julissa Rangel Kevin Hart produces and acts in comedy film Night School,” premieres Sept. 28.

Kevin Hart returns to high school in new comedy Steven Guzman

New Media Editor-in-Chief

Screenshot by Julissa Rangel Tom Hardy plays protagonist Eddie Brock in the new Sony movie “Venom.”

After failing to finish high school, newly unemployed Teddy Walker, played by comedian Kevin Hart, must attend night school in order to receive his general education diploma in the new comedy “Night School.”

Following an explosion that destroys his grill shop, Walker is left struggling to find another occupation. Though multiple people, including “Parks and Recreation” star Ben Schwartz and “Saturday Night Live’s” Taran Killan, try to help him, his lack of a high school diploma significantly limits his job options.

His first day of continuation school,

Walker realizes he and his instructor, “Girl’s Trip” and “Keanu” star Tiffany Haddish, won’t get along well and eventually lands a job at a Christian-themed chicken restaurant.

Among his classmates dropouts such as Mila, Anne Winters, who is being forced by her family to complete high school, Theresa, Mary Lynn Rajskub, who got pregnant during her teenage years and comedian Rob Riggle. Walker now has to put up with the troubling group of adults in order to get his life back together.

Rated PG-13, “Night School” premieres on Sept. 28.

Instagram:@strykemedown

Sept. 21, 2018

The Pearl Post

Tech 11

App of the Month: IntoLive Rosa Lemus

Photo Editor

Photo by steamX0 You can now swing through New York or acrobatically take on hoards of villains on the new Spider-Man game for PS4 and PS4 Pro.

Spider-Man swings only onto PS4 Christopher Sarenana

Staff Writer

After a four year wait, Marvel and Sony finally released a new and improved Spider-Man game for the PlayStation 4 and PS4 Pro. This year’s concept doesn’t follow the storyline of the recent Spider-Man movie, “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, as previous video games had, but rather focuses on both the perspectives of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Parker a 23-year-old who just graduated college begins to figure out how to manage his personal life while also being the protector of New York.

At the time the game is set, Parker has been Spider-Man for eight years so he has mastered his craft and is well aware of his abilities while he saves the city from

Wilson Fisk who runs a criminal empire under the alter ego Kingpin.

Marvel’s Spider-Man is an action adventure open world game played in the third person perspective. Insomniac adds refined and improved web slinging into the game with the ability to wall crawl as well. As environmental combat, quick time events and stealth will be big factors in the game along with new combat mechanics such as finishing moves, spider sense, reflexes, and aerial combat.

With a new storyline, developers and studio working on this PS4 exclusive, it has become one of the most anticipated games of the year. Insomniac Games are the masterminds behind “Sunset Overdrive”, “Spyro” & “Ratchet & Clank” to name a few, as they’re notorious for their

single players games.

With Insomniac taking over fans have huge expectations for this years game as the previous two games lacked in story development, graphics and various glitches found all throughout the game.

The past two videos games made by video game company Beenox “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” didn’t resonate well with fans of the original Spider-Man games made by Treyarch.

There are three suits that each have different powers that you unlock for preordering the game. You can unlock more suits for playing the game and completing missions.

Turning your favorite videos into your lock screen is now easier than ever with “IntoLive.”

IntoLive, created by ImgBase Inc. was first released on Dec. 4, 2015, as the trend of live photos became increasingly popular with iPhone users. The app is designed to turn your ordinary videos and gifs into live photos, which would be able to be used as your lock screen.

IntoLive has many features including being able to add a background color behind the movie along with adding filters and speeding up the movie.

However, there are some extra features to the app. For example, to get additional patterns and filters you are given the option to purchase IntoLive Pro for $2.99. The pro version also allows you to repeat your movie up to five times and does not include ads.

As you finish editing your movie, there’s an option that says “save live photo.” After clicking on this a 30 second ad will appear. Then, your movie will be saved onto your camera roll as a live photo.

IntoLive is available for IOS 10.0 and later and can be purchased on the App Store.

Instagram: @CleanJumper

Mixed reception from staff on Schoology Jade Campbell Photo Editor

This year, the school made the switch over to a new grading program called Schoology, which left many students and teachers in the dark on how to use the program.

“Schoology is a system that the LA Unified School District pays for and two years ago they started to use Schoology but we kept Jupiter because we had already bought the contract so they let us use it,” Principal Deb Smith said.

At first, many students and teachers had trouble transferring from Jupiter to Schoology. Some teachers have not yet figured out how to maneuver around the new program and are having trouble being assigned their classes. Substitute teachers are having a tougher time with the new change in programs.

“I think Schoology is not really set up for substitutes,” long-term substitute Charity Price said. “They can give me a Schoology account but I can’t connect with any students because technically

Screen shot by Rosa Lemus IntoLive helps turn your videos or gifs into lock-screens on apple and android devices.

2018-2019 The Pearl Post Patrons

Super Patrons

Photo by Wikimedia Commons The adjustment from Jupiter to Schoology has been difficult for both students and teachers. they aren’t in my class. It has not been the “I think Schoology organizes and easiest transition.” syncs many aspects of my studies and While some teachers are having trou- grades and assignments that I normally ble getting used to the change, others wouldn’t have access to with Jupiter,” juhave found Schoology to be very benefi- nior Marjina Haque said. cial. There are new tools that teachers can use with this program that Jupiter didn’t offer.

Instagram: @j_a_d_e

Mary Bower The Spector Family Gold Patrons Ozlem Equils Teal Patrons

Nadia Montiel Sofia Rodriguez

Sports 12

The Pearl Post

Athlete of the Month:

Sept. 21, 2018

Athlete of the Month:

Sepehr Kobacheh laps competition during season

Golfer Lauryn Uhlenberg swings for a hole in one

Itzel Luna

Harlow Frank Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Q: Why did you decide to join water polo?

A: I was a swimmer since I was three years old and I was a club swimmer so I was like why not water polo too?

Q: How does it feel to be athlete of the month?

A: Surprised because many golf players aren’t considered athletes.

Q: Was golf your first choice as a sport, and did you think you were going to get far?

A: Golf was my first choice because it was the easiest to get into and I didn’t have any expectations.

Q: Who introduced you to water polo?

A: My swim coach.

Q: What is the most challenging part of water polo?

A: The most challenging part are the practices. They’re pretty difficult. You need to push to get better. It’s very hard.

Q: How long have you been playing?

A: For two years.

Q:Do you plan to continue playing water polo for the rest of high school?

A: No, this is my last year. This is the only year that we’re really good. Next year we’re not going to be that good so it’s a waste of time. I’ll focus on schooling more.

Q: What do you like about water polo?

A: It’s an aggressive sport so I really like it.

Q: What goals do you have for this season?

A: Winning the championship and making it for state games.

Q: What position do you play?

A: I’m varsity wing.

Instagram: _itzelluna_

Photo by Itzel Luna During water polo practice, junior Sepehr Kordbacheh passes the ball to his teammate.

Photo by Christine Valenzuela Varsity football player Kyle Matson warming up before last year’s homecoming game.

BCCHS moves to new turf on track and field Mahali Sanchez and Farah Faiza

Staff Writer

Students at Birmingham Community Charter High School will be looking forward to a brand new track and field, since the charter went ahead with the remodel that had been planned to take place in the last four years.

“The planning for this project has been going on for a couple of years,” Birmingham’s track coach Scott King said.

“The all weather football field is a major upgrade and makes our stadium the premier high school athletic facility in Los Angeles.”

Construction crews have kept busy these past months as they install the new field turf and track lanes. Previous delays were due to the remodel having to go through the Department of State Architect and Los Angeles Unified School District.

Currently the remodel should be complete by October, and while it misses the football season, it will be available for the spring track season. The design is meant to save both money and water.

While work on the site is being done, students cannot make use of the field to the same extent, if at all, so practice for sports has been transferred to other fields.

Track and cross country athletes have been running laps around the school and using the baseball field during practice, even using nearby parks.

Additionally, there have been no home games at Birmingham for the past

year since they originally planned to remodel last year but did not go through with it. A football game held on Sept. 14 at Cleveland High School was their “home game.” With the field unavailable, it isn’t just games and practice being affected but other events too, for instance, homecoming.

“We’re crossing our fingers, we have an outside chance to get to have a homecoming game on Oct. 26 but we also have to realize that there’s a chance we might not be able to have it,” Birmingham’s athletic director Rick Prizant said.

The project had been met with mixed responses due to how many times it’s been delayed. Not only from students at Birmingham, but also student athletes from Daniel Pearl Magnet High School who play for their teams. Some prefer the old field than the new one that will be implemented, considering that it will be covered with turf.

“I don’t like turf too much as it hurts if you fall, and you get turf burn,” senior varsity football player Kyle Matson said.

“On the other one you just get dirty.”

However, it is being looked forward to and will be beneficial for students in the football and track teams, but also physical education classes and the coaches.

“It is important for Birmingham and Daniel Pearl students to have a championship facility,” King said. “It will be something that we can all be proud of.”

Instagram: mahalisanchei

Q: What inspired you to play golf?

A: My family occasionally played a few games so I was familiar with the sport.

Q: Do you think you will continue playing golf in your college years?

A: Not on a team but probably just for fun.

Q: What challenges do you face while doing school and golf?

A: The games tend to go late into the day and by the time I get home I have less time to do school work.

Instagram: haloharlow_252004

Photo by Alexis Gutierrez Senior Lauryn Uhlenberg strikes a golf ball during practice at the Van Nuys Golf Course.