First Week of School Issue 2021-2022

Students, staff participate in summer activities

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Palo Alto Unified School District Henry M. Gunn High School 780 Arastradero Rd Palo Alto, CA 94306

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Permit #44 Palo Alto, Calif.

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Students return to new safety guidelines, bell schedule Raphael Semeria News Editor

After a year of online classes, Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) schools are reopening at full capacity, welcoming new and familiar faces back to the hustle and bustle of in-person school. Students will return to campus, experiencing the many changes made to the 2021-2022 school year compared to previous years—notably, adjustments to the safety protocols, bell schedule and learning options.

Despite the relaxation of safety measures in various communities, COVID-19 remains prevalent in most areas. According to The New York Times, an average of 295 COVID-19 cases are reported in Santa Clara County daily, more than double the amount reported in March 2021, when PAUSD in-person instruction first resumed. With the increasing presence of the Delta variant, vaccinations are imperative for all populations.

Updated safety protocols Back in February, when campuses first opened to PAUSD students, safety protocols on campus were strict: six feet of social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing, daily screenings and more. In this upcoming school year, however, safety protocols have been reduced to just indoor mandatory masks. “Whatever the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Santa Clara County tell us is mandatory, so we mirror it,” PAUSD Superintendent Don Austin said. “Some school districts started making up their own rules. We never did that. We follow the CDC and county explicitly.”

Safety protocols encouraged by public health officials remain essential to ensure the safety of everyone on campus, especially as COVID-19 cases are back on the rise. “We’re ensuring that everyone is masked indoors,” Assistant Principal Leonel Argumedo said. “Outdoors, it is optional, but PAUSD highly encourages that everyone remains masked whenever possible … [and] that people maintain a safe distance when they’re socializing or eating.”

CDC wrote.

Although vaccinations are not legally mandated, over 80% of the county is vaccinated, according to the Santa Clara Public Health website. Furthermore, most district employees have received their respective doses. “As it stands, we’re over 95% [vaccinated],” Austin said. “If the state says K-12 schools need to have all employees vaccinated, then we’ll work through it.”

Thus far, the safety protocols set in place have proven effective despite the increase in cases. Throughout the summer, over 600 students simultaneously attended summer school on campus—three times the number of people that had previously taken classes in-person in the spring. Assistant Principal Courtney Carlomagno, who also served as a summer school principal, observed the efficiency of current safety protocols.

“Students really did great with the masks and wore them all the time indoors,” Carlomagno said. “Classrooms were very much operating and looked just like previous school years. The only difference was that students and staff wore masks indoors.

The best part is that we had in-person instruction for six weeks and [had] zero COVID-19 cases.”

Clair Koo

For youth eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine who are attending in-person learning, vaccination is especially important; without it, the risk of putting themselves as well as others in danger increases significantly. According to the CDC, vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic in K-12 schools. “Promoting [it] can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports,” the

bell schedule changes

The new bell schedule, announced early this year, is another change this year. Following a modified A/B format, classes will meet every other day. On Mondays, or anchor days, all classes will meet for 45-minute periods. On “A” days—Tuesdays and Thursdays—students will attend their first through fourth period classes. On “B” days—Wednesdays and Fridays—students will attend their fifth through seventh period classes. After seventh period, Titans Changes—p.2

Sophie Fan

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First Week of School Issue

THEORACLE 780 Arastradero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 354-8238 www.gunnoracle.com

Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Jessica Wang Managing Editors Julianna Chang Catherine Chu News Haley Pflasterer Raphael Semeria Forum Lise Desveaux Mia Knezevic Features Carly Liao Jessica Zang Centerfold Katie Shih Rebecca Wu Sports Hila Livneh Safina Syed Lifestyle Annika Bereny Arjun Shah Online Paul Garofalo Sophia Stern Photo Editor Mia Knezevic Graphics Editor Sophie Fan

Staff Business/Circulation Sophia Stern Jessica Zang Graphics Artists Madeleine Chen Clair Koo Michelle Koo Mihika Sane Chinyoung Shao Adviser Kristy Blackburn

Photos courtesy of Catherine Chu and Hila Livneh

Left: Art teacher Mark Gleason prepares the computer lab for students on Monday. Middle: Seniors receive second-day T-shirts in front of the Student Activities Center on Tuesday afternoon. Right: Freshmen look at their groups for new student orientation on Monday afternoon. will attend Personal Reteaching, IntervenThe administration hopes the application the default. Students who select that they’re tion, Mentorship and Enrichment period of longer periods will, in fact, enable more not going to be attending classes in-person (PRIME) on Wednesdays and Social Emo- flexible teaching plans for teachers and en- are supposed to have medical reasons.” tional Learning and Functionality (SELF) on gaging opportunities for students. “The lonContrary to distance learning this past Fridays. ger periods really allow teachers to either year, PAUSD teachers will not be instructPRIME will be a period where ing the students enrolled in the RIS students can choose what activities program. Rather, non-PAUSD eduthey want to attend depending on the "It’s going to be different for everyone; we’re all cators on K12 Stride will be teaching week. For instance, on a given week, going to have to adjust. We’re not really sure what the classes. “We want our teachers students will be given the choice of to be teaching students in-person,” the impacts will be, but it’ll be interesting to see." checking in with one of their teachAustin said. “What we can’t have is ­­—Principal Wendy Stratton another year of dividing our teachers. ers or attending a wellness activity.

On a different week, students will be For students that really need to have given a different selection of activities a remote option, it will be provided.” to choose from. “PRIME lends itself Moreover, compared to the disdo some out-of-the-box projects with [their] to this notion of having a variety of uses,” students or build in that reteaching and in- tance learning option all PAUSD students Principal Wendy Stratton said. “Primarily, tervention time for all students,” Carlomagno had last year, the independent study prowe’re looking at it as an academic support said. gram will have significantly fewer synchrotime with targeted support. It is a sort of reMany have different opinions regarding nous meetings and course options. “If people teaching opportunity where students won’t the new schedule. Despite that, there is still think that selecting distance learning is gosee brand new content and won’t be held ac- a lot of flexibility when it comes to altering ing to look like last year, they’ll be very discountable academically.” the schedule in the future. “We’ll definitely appointed,” Austin said. “It’s not going to be Another change to the 2021-22 bell sched- seek feedback,” Austin said. “Nothing in bell like that at all.” ule is the implementation of a later start and schedules is permanent.”

While the program meets all baseline refinish time. While classes meet at 9 a.m., quirements, various honors, AP, elective they will usually finish anywhere from 3:30 and sports classes will not be taught by K12 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. depending on the day. “The Stride. “This is a district that has high level process [leading up to the implementation classroom instruction with a lot of options of the later start time] included representaOn July 20, in an email sent to all PAUSD for courses,” Austin said. “We can’t replicate tion of students, parents and staff at all of the parents and guardians, Austin introduced a either of those two things through a thirdsecondary level schools,” Stratton said. “It’s new learning option available to all PAUSD party distance program. It would be more of going to be different for everyone; we’re all students: the Remote Independent Study a minimum-level program.” going to have to adjust. We’re not really sure program (RIS). Slated to operate as soon as This raises equity concerns that students what the impacts will be, but I think it’ll be school starts, the program provides an alter- with medical conditions will not have the interesting to see what the pros and cons turn native to in-person learning for students who same access to education as other PAUSD out to be.” otherwise can’t attend classes on campus and students. “Right now, with the offerings that So far, students have had mixed opin- one that students can opt in to, or out of, at are being created through the partnership ions regarding the decision to have longer, any time. with an outside vendor, the district will do 90-minute periods. “More class time means The alternative is primarily tailored for everything they can to make sure services are more work can get done, thus less of that be- students with medical conditions, though provided to the students and that their needs comes extra homework,” junior Aaron Novick students who do not feel comfortable on are met,” Carlomagno said. “For students said. “However, I wouldn’t want a teacher campus can still enroll. “The governor, presi- who have more documented needs, we will that just lectures for 90 minutes because I dent and health departments all want stu- continue to provide the additional services wouldn’t be able to focus for that long.” dents back on campus,” Austin said. “That’s through different departments.”

new Learning Options

Faces in the Crowd: what is your opinion on the new Bell schedule?

“I like that it starts at 9 a.m., because then I can get more sleep. I feel like teens usually sleep later, so getting up later would also be helpful. But also school goes until 4 p.m., and I have some after-school classes that I would have to move.”

Rhea Josyula, 9

“I think it will be very exhausting having 90-minute periods because teenagers’ attention spans aren’t really that long. I am a little concerned about the 4 p.m. end time, but as long as most school activities are accommodating of how much later school is ending, I’m not too worried about that part. Overall, I don’t think it’s that bad, but I am most worried about the really long periods.”

Maya Perkash, 10

“I am cautiously optimistic about the new bell schedule because I think it’s nice to have alternating days, and it should be easier to memorize. I personally did not like the previous bell schedule because it would be different every day. To me, that was kind of annoying, but I’m hoping that this works out.”

Owen Fong, 11

“I would say this schedule affects me much less because I don’t have any fixed extracurriculars outside of school.

I would imagine that people who have outside-of-school dance at 4 p.m. are not going to be able to make it with this new schedule. This is where you see united opposition among most of the students to this schedule, and I think it’s justified.”

Scott Hwang, 12 —Compiled by Safina Syed

Photos courtesy of Owen Fong, Scott Hwang, Rhea Josyula and Maya Perkash

First Week of School Issue

Friday, August 13, 2021

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students give advice on dealing with the upcoming year Freshmen Congratulations, class of 2025!

You made it to high school. This is the place you’ve seen countless times in movies and TV shows, back when you were wondering what it would be like to finally make it. Let me tell you, even though my freshman year was different because of the pandemic, I had a great experience with the little time I had on campus.

Being a freshman is hard. The Gunn campus can be intimidating, but a good way to feel more comfortable is to meet up with friends and

Sophomores Class of 2024: like many of you last year, I logged into my first Zoom class with absolutely no idea of what the year of learning would entail. What followed were two chaotic semesters filled with endless Zoom meetings and change. As you all prepare for your first in-person school year, it is crucial that you receive some guidance to help navigate sophomore year.

While teachers have been more flexible during the past year of virtual learning, expect stricter deadlines for sophomore year. assessments packed into one week. To help manage this in-

creased workload, try using a planner to organize all of your academic, extracurricular and social activities. I’d recommend using a technique called “time-blocking,” which is essentially the practice of outlining what you will be doing for every hour of the week.

In addition to “time-blocking,” you should also write down a list of tasks for a given week so that you can remember to do them and feel a sense of accomplishment as you gradually check them off your list.

As you enter sophomore year, you may feel increasing pressure to participate in extracurriculars for your college applications. Instead of participating in activities for the sake of

Juniors Welcome back, class of ‘23! The last time most of you were on campus was almost two years ago, so I’m sure junior year terrifies you. Junior year is tough, but news flash: it’s not the end of the world.

You’ve probably been told that you won’t get accepted into colleges unless you’re the president of seven different clubs, run a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and have cured polio by your senior year, but that’s a lie.

Choose a few extracurriculars you actually enjoy and stick with them. Someone once said that a jack of all trades but master of none is still better than a master of one.

In the long run, however, it’s far healthier to be a master of the one or two trades you truly love. Remember, you only have 24 hours in a day, and you need at least 16

Seniors Welcome, class of 2022, to senior year. I’ll start off with a surprise: this article isn’t about college applications.

You’ve already worked hard enough— the last hurdle is writing essays about that work, and honestly, it’s the easiest part. Instead, here’s some advice on the life part of it all.

Let’s start with some basics: how do you make it through first semester?

Practice self-care. Don’t just sit on the couch crying over essays. Develop an exercise routine that gets you outside every day, even if that’s going on walks to see the sunset. Maintain connections with your friends (or reach out to create new ones) and check in regularly, because this time is tough for a lot of people. But don’t stress too much—I promise it’s all going to work out.

make new ones. Setting up a time and place to meet with friends between classes and at lunch will make you feel less awkward, and I am certain that there will be students with similar interests and hobbies in your classes. Even if you feel like you don’t have the courage to go and talk to people, I can guarantee that with time, you will start to bond with other students. There’s also a large variety of clubs at Gunn, for any and all interests, where you can meet students with the same passions as you. Plus, if there isn’t a club that speaks to you, you can create one.

Also, don’t be scared to talk to your teachers! They are here to guide you

­­—Desveaux, a sophomore, is a Forum Editor.

filling up your resume, try different activities to find what interests you. Once you have found a few activities that you genuinely enjoy, it will be easier for you to succeed; participating in these activities won’t be a chore, but rather a fun way to spend your free time.

I wish you the best of luck as you begin this new journey. I encourage you to face the new challenges in your future with an open mind, and if you ever need help, do not be too afraid to ask for it. ­—Shah, a junior, is a Lifestyle Editor.

of them for school and sleep. Speaking of school, for many of you, this may be your first year taking Advanced Placement classes. They’re definitely going to be difficult, but they’re not impossible. Also, they’re weighted! Even if you don’t reach the grade you want, it will still be counted as the letter grade one step above. If you get a C, it’s a weighted B; a B is a weighted A; and an A is where students start to go above the 4.0 mark.

A word of warning: while I’m sure you all have procrastinated on studying in the past, it will only hurt you this year. Study while you learn concepts to cement them, and watch review videos on YouTube.

At some point in the year, you’re going to want to compare yourself to your classmates. Why aren’t they struggling in this class? How did they get that on their first SAT? Is it me? Am I not smart anymore?

So we’ve got the first semester covered. What about the second? My advice would be to do three things: find a hobby, go somewhere exciting and do something stupid. For the hobby it can be anything that brings you happiness outside of school and extracurriculars. (I’ve always been partial to ice-skating.) The “somewhere exciting” doesn’t have to be far; take a Caltrain to San Francisco, or bike to Shoreline. Experience a new place. As for the “something stupid,” I want to be clear that I’m not condoning any illegal activities. Just do something that you wouldn’t have done before without overthinking the pros and cons.

Dye your hair a new color, or bike to the Dish at 5 a.m. to see the sunrise. Make a memory that you won’t forget.

And, of course, throughout it all—and particularly during essay season—we have to answer one last question: how do you decide what you want to do with

through the curriculum, so never hesitate to ask for help. They have resources such as PRIME if you need help, and I greatly encourage you to use these given times. In addition to teachers, counselors, advisors and admins are great resources to talk to. Use them if you need them.

I know we are still in uncertain times with the pandemic, but I really hope that you will have at least a semi-normal school year. Freshman year is an important time to you can get to know yourself and others, so make the most of it! Welcome to Gunn, and good luck!

your life? The answer is simple: dream of something worthwhile. You’ll always have the option to sell out, to become a Goldman McKinsey Amazon financial developer consultant or whatever, but at least for now, desire something better than living off of exploited workers’ labor. That doesn’t mean you can’t apply to be a Computer Science major (like me). It just means that when you build your trajectory and choose programs to apply to, imagine using that major in an exciting way (like building data visualizations for the New York Times!). It’s scary being 17 and even having to think about this question, but as long as you have big dreams, you can always adjust them going forward. Good luck. I hope you have a wonderful time—I’m rooting for you.

—Suzani is a member of the class of 2021.

Stop it.

This thinking will never get you anywhere. It will just make you want to roll up into a ball and cry about how college is a scam. This year, more than ever, will try to convince you that your worth is defined by your academic achievements, but repeat after me: “I am more than my grades, and if colleges disagree, they’re shallow anyways. No amount of pretty neo-Gothic architecture can change that.” Finally, enjoy being an upperclassman. You’re one of the big dogs now, and that comes with perks. Spend your free period getting food. Go all out for dress-up days. Talk to new people in all of your classes. Junior year will be hard, but it will also be over in the blink of an eye; make the most of it.

—Bereny, a senior, is a Lifestyle Editor.

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hile it might not have a Restricted Section or any “Monster Books of Monsters,” the librar y is a great place to study, relax and hang out with friends.

Reserve a private study room or check out the outdoor Acorn Lounge, where you can eat and study beneath the shade of an oak tree.

T

his is the place to go if you need help with mental health, want to relax with friends or meet new ones. If you want a quick snack, you can head here, too.

T

hese grand steps are a great place to talk to friends, eat lunch and hang out before class.

us

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Friday, August 13, 2021

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nfortunately, we don’t have any broom-flying classes or Quidditch tournaments, but our track, named after track coach Hal Daner, is where physical education classes and football games take place.

L

ocated in the middle of the school, this theater is nearly impossible to miss. Rumor has it that there’s a pool on top. (I’m just yanking your wand. There isn’t really.)

—Compiled by Katie Shih Madeleine Chen

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First Week of School Issue

Back-to-School Fashion: Staffers share their Go-Tos

At school, my outfits are a reflection of my attitude; I put in the most effort to look nice on the first day, but as the year goes on, my motivation to dress up diminishes. However, since I haven’t had many opportunities to show off my favorite clothes in the past year, I am looking forward to picking outfits for school.

I have two staple outfits for my two moods at school, each of which can be customized with accessories, jackets and shoes. For days when I feel more motivated, a nice pair of jeans with a white tank top is one of my go-tos. If I want to look like I put in effort, I add lots of jewelry, a headband or patterned jacket. Another outfit I have been into recently is matching my skirt and top. The set looks really put-together but doesn’t require much thought or effort.

For days when waking up is tough, though, I turn to a pair of sweatpants or leggings. I put on a graphic T-shirt or one of my favorite hoodies, and I’m pretty much ready for the day. The sweatpants look is one of my favorites during finals week, when my fashion is the last thing on my mind.

On any given day, black is an essential part of my style choice. No matter the season, a black shirt or jacket is the perfect starting point for any outfit, not to mention the classic black leggings that can never go wrong. I’ve even started wearing black shoes to complete the look. Recently though, my style has upgraded to wearing The Oracle sweatshirt at any given time.

For the rare occasions when I want to add variety to my wardrobe, I will accessorize with a scarf or a headband. Ever since fourth grade, headbands have integrated themselves into my daily life, leading me to show up in one almost every day. Over time, I have learned that metal headbands hold my hair up better, but silk ones are more comfortable for my ears.

Furthermore, plaid scarves are my favorite.

Finally, my backpack is still the generic Jansport one I’ve had since eighth grade, and my emotional attachment to it makes me turn a blind eye to its slowly fraying straps.

To pick out an outfit for school, I begin with bottoms. My primary consideration for choosing clothing is the weather; I add or subtract layers depending on the temperature. On colder days, I usually opt for pants. Recently, I have been into different styles of jeans—my favorites being my mom’s Levis jeans from the 1980s—as well as colored corduroy pants. On warmer days, I opt for a floral or pleated skirt or plain jean shorts.

After choosing bottoms, I select a top that complements the color scheme of my outfit. Some of my favorite styles and prints include polka dots and argyle sweater vests. Additionally, color-coordinated jackets are practical and often necessary for colder mornings, although they can be difficult to carry around in warmer afternoons.

Finally, I accessorize with simple jewelry, such as a pearl necklace or bandana. I add my backpack, which is a neutral gray, to finish out a minimalist look. Inside my backpack is my lunchbox, a simple black-and-white patterned bag to match any outfit.

—Written by Catherine Chu

—Written by Mia Knezevic

—Written by Sophia Stern

Fast, easy homemade lunches TO pack for school Leftovers

Instant noodles

sandwich You can never go wrong with a sandwich. As long as you have the ingredients—which, of course, are totally up to you—a sandwich can be made and packaged in under three minutes.

Some common and delicious options are a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a ham and cheese sandwich or a BLT with chipotle aioli. Pair it with some fruit, and you’re good to go!

For the lazy student, instant noodles can be a delicious lifesaver. Although they are not the healthiest option, instant noodles are easy to make. Pop them into the microwave or quickly cook them in boiling water. When finished, place the noodles into a thermos so you can pack it easily. If you’re looking to spice your ramen up, consider adding soy sauce, an egg or some brown sugar for a richer experience.

Pre-packaged Salad If you’re looking for a nutritious meal that skips the lengthy preparation process, pre-packaged salad is for you. Green, leafy and somewhat appetizing, pre-packaged salads fit easily into your backpack or lunchbox and are easy to come across at any grocery store, such as Trader Joe’s. With ranch or a simple vinaigrette, you can turn a box of leaves into a hearty meal.

For mornings when cooking is not an option, leftovers are a great choice. Dinner leftovers are often healthier and more filling than other lunches, and they are a great way to clear space in the fridge without being wasteful. Whether from a recent hearty breakfast or yesterday’s dinner, leftovers can be easily packaged and transported.

—Compiled by Julianna Chang Chinyoung Shao

First Week Of School Issue

students, staff participate in unique, educational activities over summer

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Friday, August 13, 2021

Summer break provides time for adventures with friends, family

ankitha raman: Interning at biotech company Nowadays, internships can be found with just a quick Google search; at least that’s what happened to senior Ankitha Raman.

Raman interned at a biotech company called Bio-Techne after sending in her résumé. “It was my first real job other than being self-employed,” she said. “I’ve taken the biotech elective at school, and I started a biotech club at Gunn. So it was nice to be in the workplace and see how real biotech companies run.’’

Even though Raman is just a high schooler, she was able to get hands-on experience. “In the beginning, I got to do organizational and inventory tasks like sorting things, and then I got to shadow some other actual lab scientists,’’ she said. “Then, in July, I got to do my own miniature project where I got to stain human liver tissue samples and evaluate the RNA content of the

tissues.’’

Upon completion of the internship, Raman learned a lot in a real company lab. “I liked the independence I got because I had the freedom to learn at my own pace, and no one was micromanaging me or pushing me to do anything,” she said. “I was at my own will to go and ask for help and shadow other scientists.’’

Though the internship was just for the summer, Raman plans on doing more lab work at businesses in the future. “I think it’d be nice to go to other biotech companies to see what they're doing because the biotech field is really extensive, so every place has its own specialty and does different kinds of work,” she said.

—Written by Haley Pflasterer

reina kodama: Volunteering at a nonprofit Summer boredom is a common problem for high school students.

Relaxing at home watching Netflix, eating and hanging out with friends all day are often too enticing to pass up. Sophomore Reina Kodama, however, found an enjoyable, productive and charitable way to spend her days by volunteering.

Kodama volunteered with Students Against Period Poverty (SAPP), a local, student-run nonprofit that aims to make menstrual products easily accessible and to decrease period poverty through education, volunteering and advocacy.

“What we do is have fundraising events to raise money to buy menstrual products for the homeless,” she said. “We make care packages and donate them to shelters.”

Kodama joined the Palo Alto chapter of the nonprofit, which has multiple chapters across the Bay Area, as a secretary. “I thought it

sounded like a really fun and interesting thing to do, so I decided to take the offer,” she said.

Kodama, who has always wanted to volunteer for homeless shelters, found this experience to be a positive one. “I think it was a really productive way of spending my summer, especially with the whole COVID-19 situation,” she said. “I don’t have many things going on, so when I was able to be productive like this, I felt like I was doing something good for the community.”

Kodama hopes to continue volunteering for SAPP by putting together and sending out care packages. “We’re planning to expand our fundraising events and to ask people if they want to volunteer for service hours to make the care packages,” she said.

—Written by Safina Syed

Katherine Ja: Traveling To spain After several months at home, many Gunn students and staff took the opportunity to travel over summer. English teacher Katherine Ja visited Barcelona, Spain, with the study abroad program Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).

Despite waning public concern about the pandemic, there were still a few COVID-19 safety guidelines in place when Ja traveled. “I think the main restriction is they require a COVID test to come back to America,” she said. “It has to be done 72 hours before the flight. The other thing is, before leaving from the U.S. to Spain, you have to go online and enter some information, and they’ll give you a QR code. That’s it.”

Once she arrived in Spain, Ja visited Casa Mila, a building designed by the famous Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí. “I think my favorite part was just the amount of foresight Gaudí had,” she said. “He preplanned every single thing. Every

design has to do with nature; there’s a mountain in the background of one terrace, and the terrace mimics the shape of the mountain. Everything is super detailed.”

While Ja enjoyed the sights around the city, the highlight of her trip was the Spanish classes she sat in on with CIEE. “I observed a little bit of the class, and the teacher was just so energetic,” she said. “It was the students’ first day in person, and it almost seemed like they’d been in class for a whole month because they were just really getting along with each other. I think it’s because of the teacher’s energy, which was very inspiring to me.”

Jessica Zang In the Bay Area, it’s natural to view the annual summer vacation not as a well-deserved break from schoolwork, but instead as a time to work even harder. We’ve been running ourselves ragged all school year, only to pile on more responsibilities once it’s over. It’s perfectly reasonable to occupy our free time with productive, exciting endeavors, but the pressure to be productive all the time erodes our ability to learn, and consequently, to love learning.

The high school experience can often feel like a consuming never-ending, allyou-can-eat buffet: we’re served heaps of study sessions, tests and schoolwork, slowly filling up our plates until we can’t see past what’s right in front of us. All we do is wake up morning after morning, chugging through another repetitive day. While the work feels endless, it isn’t; we get nine weeks of well-deserved rest every year. But milking summertime for all of the academic potential it possesses eliminates the fun aspect of summer. It just feels like school continues in the summer, causing us to grow tired of enrichment and learning.

This summer, I’ve tried to take as much time as possible to interact with the people around me, recharging for the next year. I haven’t exactly succeeded, as I often find myself rushing from meeting to meeting, and it feels like I’m out of the house more than I’m in it. Consequently, summer’s frenzied nature prevents me from adequately resting in time for next year’s workload. In the long term, I fear missing out on the many memories I could have made during high school.

Many people view their teenage years as one of the best and most carefree times of their lives, with enough freedom to explore but not enough responsibilities to feel weighed down. What if one day I look back at my time here, and I can’t remember anything but work?

We’re only in high school once, and these are the last few years we have left with the people we love. My best advice?

Take advantage of your summers as best as you can by spending quality time with family, making memories that’ll make you smile in your 50s and showing the people around you that you really do love them.

—Zang, a senior, is a Features Editor.

—Written by Carly Liao

Photos courtesy of Katherine Ja, Reina Kodama, Ankitha Raman and Jessica Zang

Sophie Fan and Madeleine Chen

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First Week of School Issue

Humor: experiences to look forward to back on campus The Sound of the Bell

The long trek across campus

Ah, yes. Who can forget one of the most memorable sounds on campus? Just when you finally get back into the groove of taking notes (or not), the bell is always there to interrupt your thoughts. Of course, it also means a break from class, even if it’s just a 10-minute passing period.

When Zooming for school, it was easy to neglect exercising. While some students had physical education class, most sat in chairs all day long. Luckily, returning to campus gives everyone no choice but to get up and walk every 90 minutes or so.

Don’t we all love looking at our schedules and discovering that two classes are on opposite sides of campus?

The weight of your backpack

Getting homework done before class

In addition to the treks from class to class, returning to campus also means working out your back and shoulder muscles. Each class’s binder or notebook, plus the added weight of a computer, can really add up. Bonus points come from the textbooks you’re sure to get in the first few weeks.

Expect to be sore from the return of extra weight on your back.

Now that we’re back on campus, passing period isn’t free time. You can no longer do last-minute assignments from the comfort of your desk. It’s also a lot harder to hide while working on other classwork during class.

Excuses to turn off your camera like “my internet isn’t working” or “I have annoying siblings making faces behind me” won’t help you anymore.

Clair Koo

—Compiled by Katie Shih

3. The monthly 5. On top of Spangenberg 6. Sophomore science (abbr.)

7. Upperclassman dance 8. Where you can find the donkeys 10. “Frosh quad” 12. Mr. Summers’ “symphony” 15. College database 16. Locker room location 18. N-100s 19. Think sin, cos, tan (abbr.)

20. Where you can find 10-foot sunflowers

1. N-200s 2. Gunn student government (abbr.)

3. The yearly 4. Punctuates every class period 8. Our outdoor “cafeteria” 9. For tutoring, or for hot days (abbr.)

11. For second-chance quizzes (abbr.)

13. Library hangout space 14. Track namesake Hal _____ 17. The “newer” gym 19. The weekly (abbr.)

Jessica Wang

the circled letters:

Finished? Stop by Room P-115 during 5th period the week of Aug. 16 with the completed crossword puzzle for a prize!

—Compiled by Jessica Wang