Vital Signs
820
October 13, 2010 Volume XIV Issue II
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School
What is Your Halloween Costume This Year? collected by Nelly Olivares
Bravo’s Big Step by Amanda Lopez
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet had many obstacles to overcome this past 20092010 school year. Not only were there more students than ever before roaming Bravo’s halls, there was also an unprecedented amount of new staff members. However, despite what may have seemed a school year doomed from the start, the test scores were higher than ever at Bravo. On a scale of 200 to 1,000, Bravo earned an API score of 820, higher than any other comparable school with a population of over a thousand students. An API (Academic Performance Index) score is a measurement of academic growth and performance. During the past school year Bravo was home to 1,852 students, another record high for the 20 year old school. It seems oddly appropriate that an annual mile stone was hit for the school the same year history was made with its test scores. Twenty years ago, Bravo was only seen as a way to reduce the population of inner city schools, such as Roosevelt and Garfield. In the infancy of our school many saw the need to transfer out because they judged
Bravo celebrates another year of having an API score above 800. it on the basis of ethnic demographics and not on the potential of this five-floored building could have. As if to prove its worth, the school has risen beyond any other in the district, not including others who count the scores of kindergarteners in their API. Bravo was the only 9-12 grade school that managed to achieve such heights. This raises a few questions: Why is this so important? And what do we gain from this? The answer is simple; the CST (which the API scores are based on) are the external and objective proof that the school performs to the level it claims to be. It has often been stated that if you take any Bravo student to another school they will excel in it with ease. The curriculum at
Bravo compared to other schools is significantly more challenging. An A at another school, for example, is not the same as an A at Bravo. The CST and the API scores certify that making a huge difference to the class of 2011 when applying to colleges. This year’s senior class really contributed to the school’s newfound success, with their last year of contribution. This contribution will benefit them during their collage application process. Not only is an 820 score extremely exciting for the school but also beneficial to the students. So for the classes of 2012-2014, keep up the good work and these benefits may extend to even greater heights for you.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Remains in Effect
“A pirate because pirates are my ninjas and because that is the costume I have at home.” - Leticia Hernandez (‘14)
“I’m going to be a Japanese geisha this Halloween! I bought a red silk kimono at Little Tokyo and decided just recently to use it for Halloween.” - Monica Roque (‘13)
by Jorthana Torres
Gay rights supporters faced another setback when the U.S. Senate rejected a bill to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. This provision, started under President Bill Clinton in 1993, prevents gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. Should a service member come out of the closet or ask another member about their sexuality, they’ll be immediately discharged from the military. Those opposed to DADT, like Lady Gaga, say that this policy is unjust and unpatriotic towards gay Americans. It also violates their 14th Amendment, Right to Equal Protection of the Law, the same way that many African Americans were denied their rights in the Jim Crowe South laws. Many The most vocal opposer to the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, Lady Gaga, speaks at a openly gay people argue that not being rally in Portland, Maine on September 20, 2010. able to defend their country based on their sexuality goes against the very principles rights. Perhaps after the midterm elections that America was founded on. After all, it’s are over, this issue could be revisited. Only what the soldier does, not who they are, 60 votes are needed to approve the bill that that matters in combat. Republicans, like proposes the repealing of this unreasonSenator John McCain, and some Democrats able law. argue that gays have a “negative” impact on Unfortunately for those in favor of the straight soldiers, which could affect them in repeal, many have already predicted that combat. This claim by Republicans is based Republicans will gain the majority of the on a study conducted by the Pentagon, House of Representatives, and maybe the which led to the approval of the policy. Senate, which means that they won’t be However, this defeat for the gay com- sympathetic towards repealing DADT. Only munity is mainly due to political strategy. time will tell whether Congress and the Midterm elections are looming, and those rest of America will come to realize that up for re-election in November don’t want discriminating against a certain group of to risk their position in the Senate by voting people can have a negative impact on our upon a controversial issue such as gay national security.
“I am going to be taking on the role of a zombie this Halloween, because it gives me an excuse to stalk people, be dirty, and bite human flesh. Who wouldn’t want to be one?” - Hansen Hossein (‘12)
“Richard Ramirez because it was by popular vote the best costume out there. And we have the same last name so might as well.” - Allan Ramirez (‘11)