School offers rap class to build community

ANEW HIP-HOP PROGRAM geared towards music-driven students is taking place on Tuesdays at Palo Alto High School.

The new initiative is led by Anthony Pineda, the creator of Creatrix Institute, an organization centered around the art

Grant Avenue housing approved

CONSTRUCTION at 231 Grant Ave. will begin following the Palo Alto Board of Education’s approval of Mercy Housing, an affordable housing organization for Palo Alto teachers.

Grant Avenue will be the first affordable apartment complex for Palo Alto teachers and staff, with the district receiving 29 out of the 110 housing units.

“Buying a house around here is not even a reasonable dream,” Palo Alto High School Spanish teacher Trevor Crowell said. “I know a lot of people choose to live far away so they can trade a commute for some extra saving or spending money.”

by ANNA GHEREGHLOU

of rapping, and uses hip-hop to help kids connect with themselves.

The voluntary 90-minute class started on Jan. 31, and students must be recommended by teachers and selected by Pineda himself after an interview process to join.

Both Principal Kline and Pineda said they have high hopes for this initiative.

“My goal is to show the students the power of their voice,” Pineda said. “My other goal, really, is to help the students build their community here at Paly.”

by DIVYA GANDHI

Prom venue revealed at winter rally

RAPTUROUS RALLY — Palo Alto High School senior Isai Pulido dribbles in the seniors versus staff basketball game at the Feb. 1 winter rally. After a controversial staff victory, the Associated Student Body announced the 2023 Prom location as Cityview at the Metreon. “This years prom location has a really wonderful view of the city which I think will add to the liveliness,” senior Charlie Merkel said. Photo: Cate Graney

Edited and designed by GOPALA VARADARAJAN

Palo Alto High School

administrators are encouraging students to participate in CAASPP testing this spring following low participation rates last year.

According to Assistant Principal Erik Olah, CAASPP participation rates affect Paly more than students may realize. Last year, students who did not participate were given a zero, affecting the school’s overall score.

“The state requirement is that 95 percent of juniors participate in CAASPP testing,” Olah said. “Anything below 95 is like a zero. We had really good scores for the 51 percent that took it … but when you look at the state dashboard and how it’s reported to the state it plummets.”

This year, administrators hope to increase participation by better communicating to students the impact of the test, which will take place on March 20 and 21.

“This expectation, this responsibility, has never been communicated,” Principal Brent Kline said. “In the past, people knew that it didn’t really matter, but now it does.”