Lifestyle
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Local efforts to help environment
Students and teachers on campus take steps to reduce the damage caused by the climate crisis BY SEAN TURNER
W
sturner.gazette@gmail.com
ith natural disasters like the Australian wildfires becoming frequent, the climate crisis has become an even more urgent issue in the minds of many. New studies every day are showing record high temperatures, and disastrous effects like mass glacier melting are exceeding scientific predictions. “The consensus in the scientific community is that we need to change immediately,” said science teacher Elizabeth Henderson. “We have been staring this problem down saying we’ll handle it later (...) every year we increase our emissions it gets worse.” Henderson said that from a scientific perspective, there is a level of emission reductions that needs to be met, and each year it is missed. Though reversing the effects of global climate change will take a united international effort, some have taken action on a local and individual level in order to help. “My mom and I do small things like recycling cans and plastic bottles,” said sophomore Denali Lasko, co-leader of the High School Democrats of America club on campus. “I never throw clothes away ... if a shirt or something is beyond repair, I cut them up and use them as cleaning rag.” For many like Lasko, reusing materials and buying second hand products is an easy way for anyone to help prevent pollution. Fashion is one of the major polluting industries in the world, as it is responsible for 92 million tons of solid waste dumped into landfills each year according to the Copenhagen Fashion Summit. “I support the Sacramento Tree Foundation,” Henderson said. “Trees are one of the best carbon adsorbents we have (...) and planting trees
can be the fastest and easiest way to help.” But for Henderson, it’s not only what you choose to do in helping the environment, it’s what you choose not to do. “I question what I consume and think mindfully before I purchase” Henderson said. For her, eating a plant based diet and avoiding single use plastics or other pollutants can be important steps to take, because it pulls support directly from industries that are often the worst polluters. While helpful toward the cause, individual action can be a difficult long term solution as climate change is a global issue containing approximately 7.7 billion individuals. “I think political effort is the most effective way to solve the problem,” said senior Rathip Rajakumar. “Politicians set the narrative for the country … and can inspire people to work harder toward a solutions, solving both industrial and personal hurdles to achieving a sustainable future.” Political action through laws and taxation can often be much faster in solving an issue than a cultural movement to inspire individuals. The issue of global warming is one with a time limit, and the deadline approaching. There are only 11 years left to prevent irreversible climate damage to our planet according to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. For many, the goals and regulations set by current United States politicians aren’t enough, fail to meet minimums established by the scientific community. ‘’I don’t see governments responding nearly fast enough,” Henderson said. ‘And I do not have faith in the ability of the free market to solve the issue in time… so far it hasn’t been an effective strategy.”
Gazette illustration/ MAYA SNOW
Granite Bay Gazette wFriday, February 7, 2020
Q: What is the best thing about being a teacher? A: Being able to be around teenagers all day. I think teenagers are one of the most fascinating groups of human beings to exist. There’s a quote online that talks about how raw, honest, vulnerable, hilarious and amazing teenagers are so that’s why I got into being a teacher. I love being around kids, getting to watch them grow up, mature and be better human beings.
FACULTY focus Christy Honeycutt
Compiled by May Lin
Administration deals with changes GBHS searches for a new assistant principal
? Gazette illustration/SHREYA DODBALLAPUR
BY ASHLEY LUCIA
A
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s assistant principal Jessup McGregor transitions into a new position at West Park High School for the 2020-2021 school year, Granite Bay High School is in search of a new addition to the administrative team. Principal Jennifer Leighton said the process includes a posting of the job, a screening for qualified applicants, and a review with two interview panels. One consists entirely of students and the other teachers and staff members. “We then compare our rankings, and I make the final decision and call our candidate,” Leighton said. GBHS is familiar with this process as they have seen an increase in administrative openings in the past couple years. In fact, the class of 2020 has encountered a new addition to the GBHS administration team each year. Senior Ellen Taylor believes this may have hindered students’ ability to connect with the team. “If someone creates a relationship with one, they’re likely to be gone in the next couple of years,” Taylor said. “I’m sure that many students feel as though there’s no point in creating bonds with admin because they know they’ll leave soon.“ Junior Maya Seagraves agrees that there is a benefit when administrators choose to remain at GBHS for extended periods of time. “It feels like the administrators care about the students and the campus and it’s not just another job until the next,” Seagraves said. Although, the lack of consistency in administration can be frustrating for some, Leighton believes the inpermamncancy of the team is a sign of a stronger skillset. “The strongest (assistant principals) want to be principals and eventually move on,” she said. They are essentially in training to become principals, so it makes sense that they would not stay in this role forever.” Although a strong team is essential, some also
believe that a teaching background should be a larger factor in determining one’s candidacy for the position. “Admin should have more teaching experience because some of them don’t know how to control students without being too mean or strict,” Taylor said. The majority of the GBHS current administrators hold just a few years of teaching experience, and many from a charter school background. Meaning, they lack experience working in a public school setting prior to coming to GBHS. “Those who have a great teaching record are most desireable; however, the years in the classroom (do not) matter as much as the overall skill set,” Leighton said. Leighton also acknowledged teaching experience not being a number one determinant due to a certain skill set they seek out. “Recognizing and leading good instruction is very important, but there are many other skills that are required in administration as well,” she said. “So it can’t be (the) final, deciding factor.” Segraves agrees that there are many other components that have to be acknowledged in the process. “ I think it would be good to have people on the team that have been teachers,” she said. “But I don’t think they need teaching experience for them to be a good administration member.” Although the GBHS administrative team has faced a multitude of changes in the last few years, Leighton is certain one thing will remain a constant- her own position. “There have only been three principals in the 24 years that GBHS has existed,” she said. “This is my sixth year, so I’m clearly committed to staying. As Leigton looks forward to more years as the GBHS principal, students are hoping to find similar qualities in the new assistant principal as McGregor exhibited. “McGregor really reached out to all the students and I think we need someone who has the same quality of really caring about students on a personal level,” Seagraves said.
