THE
SBHS
FORGE
VOLUME 97, ISSUE 9
PHONE: (805) 966-9101 ext. 332
EMAIL: STAFF@SBHSFORGE.COM
April 8, 2011
Principal Becchio graduates to SBHS Recently appointed SBHS principal for the 2011-2012 school year, John Becchio, is ready to embrace his new position but also the challenges that Sophia Spann come with it. Staff Reporter A phrase he often tries to work by is “to make new mistakes,” which he believes means “we’re all going to mistakes but learn from the mistakes we make and don’t repeat them,” he says. In upholding Santa Barbara High School’s rich tradition, he hopes to approach his position with an open-mind and conquer the challenges that come his way with the help of the entire Dons community. “I believe that the students are at the center of everything we do… and I believe in the assumption that the teachers and staff members are there to do what’s in the best interest of kids,” Becchio says. He explains his philosophy of education, most notably that he will organize the school around a student base. As he takes the reins as principal Mr. Becchio believes that his, “primary job is to support teachers and staff members that are supporting students.” He feels he is kind of a “support staff.” Does this mean he won’t be closing the campus or cracking down on tardies? As much as he places the students at the center of the school, he also expects responsibility and respect from
them. “If students are being responsible,” Mr. Becchio alleges, “then lunch shouldn’t be a problem.” Similarly, in response to tardy issues, “If there is a bell, and you’re supposed to be there, then you should be there,” says Mr. Becchio. Mr. Becchio’s scope of management, he believes, will triple as he moves from being the principal at the Junior High to the High School. “We’re talking about an organization three times the size in almost every way shape and form in terms of the type of budget, the staff members, and students.” Even though his new Dons home will be quite bigger than where he currently is, he still hopes to be able to utilize his greatest strengths, which he believes are “personality and communication skills.” “I get energy off of interacting with kids and so I really believe I’ll still find the time to be in the hallways, and be out front, go to the games and interact with kids. If I can’t do that I feel like I’m missing out on quite a bit in the job,” he adds. In discussing the socio-economic gap we hear so much about at Santa Barbara High, Mr. Becchio states that he indeed has ideas to close the gap. Academically speaking, the Junior High has suffered similar ways as SBHS in regard to the achievement gap. Mr. Becchio shares that he successfully closed part of the academic gap at the Junior High and considers, “some of those ideas would be worthy of looking at over CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Mr. Becchio observes unique problems, sets out on a new path to solve them.
Gang injunction introduced in an effort to curb crime
The proposed “safety zones” the injunction outlines are illustrated above.
On March 16, Santa Barbara city leaders released a 50page civil complaint against 30 local gang members. The injunction is essentially Erika Turk a restraining order Staff Editor from the city to the 30 defendants who have been identified as “troublemakers” and consistent problem causers in Santa Barbara. Should the injunction be approved, which could take up to six months, it would ban the aforementioned gang members from certain parts of the city. These “safety zones,” as they’re being called, include the Eastside, the Westside, downtown, all school campuses, and many local parks. The safety zones also include much of Santa Barbara’s beaches and waterfront areas during special events like the Fourth of July and Fiesta. These areas have been identified as places of significant gang activity or gang violence, and have also been
What’s Inside Center Spread:
SBHS 1960’s to now
Entertainment: Lady gaga: Born that way? SPORTS: Boys golf dominates
chosen in an effort to reduce the claiming of “turf.” Should any of the identified gang members be found in the banned areas, they will be arrested. The injunction would also ban gang members from interacting with other recognized gang members, being in possession of firearms or other weapons, consuming alcohol or drugs, spraying graffiti or being found with any tools for graffiti, or doing any kind of gang recruitment in the safety zones. One of the big points of the injunction is an attempt to reduce or stop the recruitment of Santa Barbara’s youth into gangs. The complaint names 17 Westside gang members and 13 Eastside gang members; all of who will be presented with papers notifying them of the pending injunction. The gang members included in the injunction are only 30 of an estimated 250 local known gang affiliates. Some of the named members include: “Kartoon,” “Psycho Mike,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 7