MAY 2019

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7

May 2019

PIN TREE POS Pinetree Spirit Week: Where’s your school spirit?

Sexual Education: Are we being taught enough? An inquiry into the direction of sexual education in Pinetree.

Climate Strikes: Pinetree students take action.

INDEPENDENCE Source: Greenpeace

2 FIRST GLANCE P.4: LIFESTYLE

P.6: SCHOOL

The Pinetree Post

STAFF

FOUNDERS Russell Kim, Felix Guo EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Briana Ho, Katherine Liu, Raymond Gao

Sexual Education

P.8: SCHOOL

Spirit Week and Spring Thing

P. 10: OTHER

ARTICLE EDITOR Briana Ho CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Liu, Noemi Galdamez, Amy Lee, Sophie Zhao, Sunny Liang, Raymond Gao, Chenille Wong, Cindy Liu, Elisa Korner, Tina Cao, Maria Diment, Julia Ye, Jennifer Shui, Harim Chang, Kaleigh Morrow, Zoe Liu, Yoonsik Jung, Eiko Maki, Clover L. Fowlie, Natalie Jiang GRAPHIC DESIGN Katherine Liu ONLINE CONTENT Katherine Liu, Julia Ye SPECIAL THANKS TO The Pinetree Administration, Rachael Pan, Mr. Lau, Ms. Hopkin, Ms. Browne, Ms. Ikeda

Vancouver Climate Strikes

Guest Comic of May

GET INVOLVED IN THE PT POST! Although we at the Pinetree Post try our best to represent the voice of the everyone at Pinetree, we are only a small group of students. To find the most pressing topics and interesting avenues to explore, we rely on input from readers to curate relevant content only. Anyone is welcome to suggest a topic or provide an opinion for Pinetree Post writers and

contributors to look into further. Do you have something to say that needs your voice? The Pinetree Post also welcomes guest content, any time, of any kind. Feel free to submit an article on a topic you are passionate for, a comic you think everyone deserves to see, maybe even a letter to the editor!

You can submit your original content to us at thepinetreepost@gmail.com.

Have a question or a request? Contact us at: facebook.com/thepinetreepost

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First Glance EDITOR’S NOTE

Rise Up

Inner peace is the key

Standing on your own two feet.

Briana Ho, Raymond Gao Editors-in-Chief

Hi Pinetree!

We have less than a month left of school, and for some students that brings their entire high school career to a close. We aren’t out of the woods yet, though! Finals are coming up whether we’re ready or not.

Since many of us will be free over the summer and left mainly to our own devices (literally and figuratively), our topic for this month is independence. Now, some students at Pinetree are more selfreliant than others, but everyone grows at their own pace. We are in the middle rift between childhood and adulthood and are trying to spread our wings. This is a constant, developing process as we stumble our way through the teenage era of our lives filled with excitement and anxiety. Regulating our own studying, extracurriculars, and overall use of our time is only one portion of growing up through school. How we choose our friends, our passions, our career paths, what subjects we choose to investigate or pursue - these are all important decisions that we must make ourselves.

There are many Pinetree students who have chosen to participate in clubs and extra courses that, for the most part, require

them to be reliable, driven, and self-sufficient. Others come to events put on by some of these student groups, bringing spirit and support (2019 June Calendar, page 10) . Both kinds of people demonstrate a sort of independence in their actions by deciding to use their time to get involved. The music department’s annual Small Ensembles concert (Small Ensembles, page 5) and Pinetree Leadership’s spring events (Spirit Week and the Spring Thing, page 6) are just two examples of students voluntarily working to make something great happen. Sometimes, a passion is so great that one would choose to go above and beyond for its cause, which is the case for some outstanding students (Climate Strike, page 8). Independence can also come in the form of having control over your own education, whether that be choosing your courses or questioning the taught material (Sex in School…?, page 4).

Being self-reliant can be hard (Independence Comic, page 11), but there is so much to learn from trying to do things by oneself.

That isn’t to say that one should never ask for help!

Know yourself and find your limits.

Sincerely, Briana Ho and Raymond Gao Editors-in-Chief

4 LIFESTYLE INFORMATIVE

Sex in School...?

Sexual education - or the lack thereof.

Briana Ho Writer Sex. What a word. Such importance, such complexity, yet usually a bit of an awkward topic to bring up. Time and time again the school system has drilled into our heads “Use a condom” and “Abstinence!”, but is that really all they think we need to know? After we graduate high school there probably isn’t going to be anyone holding our hand in the real world, so who is going to answer the questions we have about sex when it actually matters? Asking one’s parents, unfortunately in many cases, is an uncomfortable situation that most would rather avoid. How about the internet? Good luck. Not to say it is impossible, but there are dark corners of cyberspace that are best left untouched.

British Columbia’s new curriculum has moved the famous (or infamous) Sex Ed. from Planning (Career Life Education) to the Physical Education department with vague instructions to teach “healthy sexual decision making” from grades 8 to 10. Mr. Adair, the head of Pinetree’s P.E. department, believes the broad instructions leaves a lot of room for flexibility. “We used to have a guest speaker come in,” he said, “but now we’re doing it ourselves.” He says that sex education at Pinetree is in a transition phase, where grade nine P.E. starts it this year and grade 10 P.E. begins it next year. According to Adair, in the past the material used to be very factual, including “gross pictures of STDs”, naming the sexual organs, and the typical condom talk. This knowledge matters, but they plan to head in a more general direction.

The Physical Education course was never about sports; it’s about health, and Adair says that they are focusing more on positive relationships and healthy decisions altogether, whether they involve drugs or, as the curriculum advises, sex. He said that if a person is happy, then they most likely will not make bad decisions. “Sex is a wonderful thing, but you have to do it for the right reasons,” Adair explained, “All behaviours can be good or bad.” He used eating as an example, where if he were to eat a regular amount of food because he was hungry, that would be fine. If he were to eat frequently, by himself, in a dark room to make himself feel better about an emotional problem, that would not be so fine. “Everyone knows that having sex without a condom is

bad, but we want to teach students how to define their sexual decisions.” Adair believes that “less is more” in a sense that he could teach an outlined sexual health curriculum for weeks, going through technical terminology of all the bits and pieces, but students would get bored. He prefers to focus on the bigger picture and teach healthy decisions that can carry through to every aspect of life. Additionally, we have to know how to recognize emotional warning signs such as anger, guilt, and fear at any time. We also need to know what it should feel like to be safe, loved, and happy. Adair clarified that he isn’t saying emotions are the only deciding factor when it comes to anything, for there are still other values to consider such as one’s family, age, and more, especially since teenage emotions and hormones can be pretty wacky sometimes.

Adair recalls that when he was a student, a “60-year-old” male counselor would talk to the boys about the birds and the bees while a female counselor would do so for the girls.

There was no co-ed, but now Adair believes a combined male-and-female class is important because it helps teens practice being brave enough to ask questions and acting mature enough to help others feel comfortable. He says that this practice ties into talking to one’s partner about sex, which is absolutely something everyone should do.

As his final comment on the matter, Adair said that “[Sex is] a life thing that teachers can’t just do a PowerPoint on and check it off the list.”

LIFESTYLE

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INFORMATIVE

Small Emsembles

Source: Sophie Zhao

Pinetree’s Musical Talents Sophie Zhao Writer Pinetree’s 2019 Small Ensembles Concert was thrilling and fascinating thanks to the hard work of the music department students and teachers. As its name suggests, this annual event features students playing, singing, or dancing to the musical pieces of their choice. This year, the concert fell on May 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. These small ensembles ranged from solos to small bands and from dances to instrumentals.

The wide range of abilities and music was a joy for both the musicians as well as the audience. For this year, the performances included Bohemian Rhapsody, Beethoven: Two Duets, Howl’s Moving Castle Main Theme, and many more.

Along with the variety of dances and songs, the layout for the audience was also a vital part of the experience. The school cafeteria was transformed into what looked like a version of a restaurant. Tables covered in colorful tablecloths were set up with decorative napkins, flowers, and small candles. Each table was also given small bowls of cookies and candy. For seven dollars for one person or ten dollars for two,

the parents, students, and other audience members could enjoy such an aesthetic yet comfortable setting with the music. There were even a number of students who would serve each person cheesecake and drinks in between songs.

For the many years of Pinetree’s small ensembles, the unique experience has been made possible by the music department as well as the supportive audience. Enchanting voices, fun performances, and beautiful music accompanied by cheering and genuine laughter make the event greatly enjoyable.

Some may even look forward to the music jokes from the hosts during the transitions between songs. Overall, the multiple factors that make up the concert make it loved by many.

For those with a passion for music or those who look for a fascinating event with friends, the Pinetree’s Small Ensembles Concert is the perfect option for future years.

6 SCHOOL STUDENTS

Pinetree School Spirit Spirit Week and Spring Thing Maria Diment Writer, Interviewer As the last long weekend of the school year rolls around, Pinetree Leadership decided to make the fourday break even more special. Monday through Thursday, each day of this fun week had a theme of its own.

Starting off Spirit Week was Pyjama Day; arguably the comfiest way to attend school, especially on a Monday.

Tuesday and Wednesday were dedicated to Twin Day and Meme Day, filling the school with matching outfits and humour. Lastly, Thursday’s Jersey Day lead the way to the week’s grande finale event: the Spring Thing.

PP: What do you think about the Spring Thing event? Do you like it?

R: Uh, it is organized well, just I would say-- Hey, I didn’t really expect I had to pay for the food.

PP: Do you like it more than previous events?

R: This is my first one.

PP: You didn’t go to any earlier events, like the dance last year?

R: No I didn’t go to the dance last year. I actually was very oblivious to it [and] to this type of stuff.

Overall, Spring Spirit Week 2019 turned out to be great week. Read what some fellow Pinetree students (and a member of Pinetree Leadership) have to say about it.

Ryan, Grade 11 PP: Did you participate in Spirit Week?

R: Not really, except for Twin Day. PP: Who did you twin with?

R: I twinned with one of my classmates, Michael.

PP: Is that the only day you participated in?

R: Uh, yeah.

PP: What about Meme Day? R: I didn’t have anything to turn into a meme.

PP: No? Okay.

Mr. Wong, the DJ for the event

Source: Raymond Gao

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School PP: What was your favourite part of Spirit Week?

PP: Did you participate in Spirit Week?

R: Uh, wish I could participate more if I could, but like Twin Day, walking around with my friend [was really fun].

A: Yes I did.

PP: Yeah that must’ve been really fun.

A: I participated most on Pyjama Day, that was of course the easiest one. Um... now I forgot what days we even had. Oh, I also participated on Twin Day. I twinned with Mazen [(April’s boyfriend)], we wore the same Pinetree sweater. And then today I couldn’t cause I had to dress up for my law class and then yesterday I didn’t cause I didn’t really know what to do for Meme Day to be completely honest.

Madelyn, Grade 12 PP: Did you participate in Spirit Week?

M: Yeah I did. I did Pajama Day. PP: Just Pajama Day? M: Yeah, just Pajama Day. Cause everything else was really hard to do because-- like Meme Day [it’s] kinda hard to dress up for Meme Day. PP: What do you think about the Spring Thing event? Do you like it?

M: Yeah I like the Spring Thing I mean I like how it’s named because it’s kinda like “Oh, you going to the Spring Thingggg”… euh, does that make sense?

PP: Kinda vague, right.

M: But like [the] bubble tea line is so so frickin long, do you see this? This is the line for bubble tea.

PP: What was your favourite part of Spirit Week or the Spring Thing?

M: Um, Spirit Week or Spring Thing– Um, I think Spring Thing was my favourite out of the whole Spirit Week thing cause, like, Thursday, Jersey Day, even though I don’t have a jersey that’s fine but then you know it’s, like, right after school, it’s like “Oh, come to this Spring Thing” and it’s like there are so many posters allll over the place. It was like, you could like run into a wall and there’d be a Spring Thing poster there.

April, Grade 12

PP: What days?

PP: Yeah that was a hard one.

PP: What do you think about the Spring Thing event? Do you like it?

A: I really like it. I do kinda miss the spring dance we had last year because that’s what I’ve had for the last couple of years at Pinetree but I think it’s probably really fun for grade 9’s especially cause it’s a good way to kinda be around everyone and it’s a lot more interactive for people who don’t actually enjoy dancing.

PP: What was your favourite part about Spirit Week or Spring Thing?

A: Definitely my favourite part about Spirit Week was wearing pyjamas to school, that’s always nice and it’s a really nice, comfortable start to a Monday. And for the Spring Thing it really does include a lot more people because some people feel very uncomfortable dancing or they feel kinda out of place and also we have really great food for the Spring Thing.

PP: That’s true. And since you’re part of leadership, what made you want to do this event rather than dances? I know it’s about inclusion but is there anything else?

A: I think that was mostly it. We’re trying to gather as many students as we can cause we want to create a big community experience for everyone.

PP: Thank you :)

8 SCHOOL STUDENTS

Vancouver Climate Strikes Pinetree students take matters into their own hands Elisa Korner Writer, Interviewer

While many people want to help the environment, how much do most of us really do? On May 3, a group of Pinetree students took action and participated in a Climate Strike. Read about their experiences below in an interview with Environmental Club leader, Eroniko Puevas.

Eroniko Puevas, Grade 11 PTP: What specifically were you striking?

E.P.: We were striking for City Council to take on climate action, as well as make climate change a priority. One of the more specific requests, was for city council to adopt a plan to ensure the [greenhouse gas] emissions stay below reduction targets (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report). Sustainabiliteens outlined seven key items that we were striking for: Emissions Reductions, Separation of Oil and State, Just Transition, Environmental Rights, Indigenous Rights, Biodiversity, and Protection for Vulnerable Groups.

PTP: Why is this such an important issue?

E.P.: I wouldn’t call climate change just an issue, it’s a crisis.

In the past, global warming [or] climate change was debated to be a myth. It’s time to change that because the climate crisis is very real. Many people don’t realize that it’s happening now! In addition, many choose to ignore and purposely neglect this crisis. As of this moment, our Earth is in a critical and vulnerable state. Climate change affects and impacts everyone and everything, not just the animals and nature itself, but our own health and quality of life too!

Right now, the most obvious impacts of climate change are the fluctuating weather patterns and natural disasters such as the flooding in Florida, U.S. In addition, the percentage of people with asthma keeps increasing each year due to the immense amounts of pollution in the air caused by weak regulations made by the government. Therefore, companies

and businesses have been able to profit, without worrying about their carbon footprint. Not much action is being taken by our world leaders, and it is constantly being overlooked.

Declaring a climate emergency is the first step to recognition of this crisis. There’s no more waiting, the science has been here for more than 30 years now and so are the solutions, yet as a nation, we have continued to neglect this crisis! So, if our leaders refuse to act, then we must become our own leaders and take this crisis into our own hands.

PTP: How many people were involved? How many from Pinetree?

EP: Around 10 people from our school, many of them went on their own (not a part of the Environmental Club) which was very cool to see. [There were over 3000] youth and adults from the Lower Mainland, the majority were students.

PTP:How many people are in the Environmental Club compared to how many participated in the strike?

EP: Our Environmental Club has around 15 members. Four of our Environmental Club members went to the strike compared to the 3000 plus students there. Disclaimer: Our own Environmental Club members attended this event with parental permission as well as full knowledge and understanding of risk, personal and educational. In no circumstances would we force a member to attend without their consent and/or leave their duties.

PTP Have you or the Environmental Club participated in a climate strike before? Do you think you will again?

EP: Environmental club has had a couple students attend the Site C and Kinder Morgan Pipeline strikes, which were a few years ago.

Yes! We will definitely go to another, there might be a strike happening in the fall this year (2019).

PTP: What about the experience of participating in the strike did you like? What didn’t you like? What surprised you?

EP: I thought that because this impacted each person in a different way, that I would give you some testimony instead:

School “I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of support and passion everyone had at the strike. We felt like we weren’t alone, like one connected family. The students from Pinetree that I talked to afterwards were all super motivated and all had the best time. Good vibes. I feel like this experience impacted each person in a different way, whether it was from the speeches or the rally. Personally, I was more impacted by the rally. “Climate change has got to go, hey hey, ho ho,” was my favourite chant from the strike” -Karman Phuong “I really liked the energy from the crowd, especially being around people the same age with the same beliefs. It felt like we had a clear mission. I also loved that just being there to chant made you feel involved and being present really fulfilled the experience” -Eroniko Puevas “It was very empowering to see people around me that [care] about the same thing I [do] Personally, I’m a person that is not exactly smart, and even I know that climate change is here. [They] were focussing on one thing [during the strike, based on the chants] and that [was] climate change and that is an amazing feeling” - Beatriz Puevas “I liked being a part of fighting for something so extremely important and I loved that it was with a bunch of people my age. I also loved looking around and seeing everyone smiling because they felt the same way. I didn’t like how there was one guy at the protest saying that climate change wasn’t real because he’s so incredibly ignorant [and] he felt the need to show up to a protest run by a bunch of teenagers with a sign with racist and offensive messages. [Nonetheless] the amount of kids that were willing to leave school because they realized how our future depends on it it surprised me in a good way. Also how a lot of them were so young and were able to realize how important the issue is” -Hayley Stevens “It was a very empowering experience. It was something indescribably special knowing that I wasn’t the only one afraid of the Earth dying, that I was one of many, who thought just being there could change something, which it did. Everything felt possible amongst the crowd of youth. For a second I dissociated and forgot why we were there because the present moment was just so exhilarating”- Antea Zivanovic

PTP: What else does the Environmental club do? Why?

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EP: Each year, we fundraise for a goal that is environmental oriented. Two years ago we’ve fundraised to adopt a whale.

This year our campaign is focused on the Amazon Rainforest.

Our goal is to buy an acre of the forest.

Recently, we organized a Shoreline Cleanup at Lafarge Lake.

This was in collaboration with the Charles Best Force of Nature Club and Gleneagle Green Team. Together, we picked up over 600 pieces of waste. It was surprising to how much waste there was, especially cigarette butts! We were able to send the soft plastics to London Drugs, where they collect soft plastics to be recycled, instead of directly going into landfills right away. Everyone genuinely had a great time and community members were clapping and vocally appreciating our cleanup.

There were good vibes all around.

Currently, we’re asking for donations for our Garage Sale, which is on June 1, 2019. We’ve almost fundraised enough money to reach our goal, buying the acre. However, we’re hoping that the garage sale will make enough funds to complete our campaign.

PTP: Is there anything else you would like to add?

EP: Environmental Club is held Mondays at lunch and we are always looking for students to join! This is a collaborative platform, encouraging all members to participate with their own strengths and willingness to develop new strengths.

The only way for us to take care of our future is by letting our voices be heard, and holding the government accountable for taking action on climate change. The [worst] thing we can do as youth is stay silent, because it’s our life and health that will suffer and be hurt from the impacts of climate change.

We would like to thank our sponsor teacher, Ms. Darychuk for all her help and support in our initiatives and activities! We really appreciate it!

PTP: If you were to participate in another climate strike what would you do differently? The same?

EP: Next time, we would let more people know about it.

Spreading the word, to get even more people from our school to come next time. The same, [we will] shout our hearts out for this awesome cause!

The members of the Enviromental club attending the climate strike

10 OTHER Calendar by Julia Ye

SCHOOL

TRI-CITIES

TRACK SCHOOL EVENTS AND TRI-CITIES ACTIVITIES

2

BIGGEST DOG MEET UP VANCOUVER

12:00am – 4:00pm

@ Lafarge Lake

BUBBLE TEA SALE – OPERATION SMILE

BUBBLE TEA SALE – HOPE FOR

TOMORROW

JAPAN MARKET EARLY SUMMER FAIR 11:00am – 6:00pm

@ Robson Square

AWARDS LUNCHEON

WYNS SALE

12:30PM – 3:00PM @Cafeteria

KRISPY KREME SALE – DEBATE CLUB

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BUBBLT TEA SALE – SDC

10:00am – 2:00pm

KRISPY KREME SALE – KINGSLANGLEY

7:00PM – 9:00PM @ Pinetree Secondary school

@ Driediger Farms Market

GRAD DINNER

YEAR END CONCERT 7:00PM – 9:00PM @ Pinetree Secondary school

DANCE RECITAL

ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

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ENGLISH PROVINCIAL FREE JR GOLD DAY

10:00am – 12:00pm Academy

@ Westwood Plateau Golf

NUMERACY ASSESSMENT NUMERACY ASSESSMENT

PORT MOODY COMMUNITY FAIR

FREEZIE SALE – KEY CLUB DANCE RECITAL

11:00am – 3:00pm

7:00PM – 9:00PM @ Pinetree Secondary school

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8

9:00am – 1:00pm

CYS YOUTH BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

@ Fraser Heights Recreation Centre

@ City of Port Moody

COMMENCEMENT

MAIN STREET CAR FREE DAY

LARFAGR LAKE FISHING DAY @ Lafarge Lake

LAST DAY FOR SCHOOL

Other Comic by Amy Lee

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