A Northwood High School Publication Volume XXIII, Issue I: August 19, 2021
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The Pack is Back: Welcome back, T-wolves
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Furry Friend Tales Accent
Mandatory Testing Viewpoint The Northwood Howler
T O G E T H E R AT L A S T : A S B a n d P T S A o r g a n i z e a w a r m r e g i s t r a t i o n d a y t o n e w a n d r e t u r n i n g T- w o l v e s . -
News Editors
While the start to every school
all across campus to resume their
chance to be fully in-person for the
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Irvine Swim League Sports
out with their new show “FantasWith the entire school present -
some safety precautions remain in
ences is probably one of my favorite
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Tech-Free Learning Junk
Simply a-Mei-zing: Meet the newest Howler Editor-in-Chief -
Editor-in-Chief
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this year is an opportunity to set a
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The Northwood Howler
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between our monthly physical serial-
M E I T H E F O R C E B E W I T H YO U : S e n i o r M e i O n o lead s T he Howle r into it s 2 3 rd year of publication .
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August 19, 2021
ACCENT/A&E Get ready, set, goal! The Northwood Howler
Accent Editor
There’s no better way to transition back to normalcy after an absolutely chaotic year than by setting strategies to attain them and working step-by-step towards them. For more common goals, here are some tactics that you can hopefully put to good use. Dear Howler, I want to branch out in high school by going to more social events and making new friends, but I’m not sure where to start. To socially branch out, get involved in clubs and electives, get to know the people in your classes and don’t be afraid to reach out to someone to become friends. It can be extracurriculars with school events, so stay updated on upcoming school events by following @nhstwolves or downloading Integral, through which you can also view club meeting times, the weekly bulletin and class schedules. Plan ahead and complete projects or essays beforehand to peacefully enjoy your fun. Dear Howler, I feel like I’m not retaining any information while studying for hours on end. How can
Rachel Gunawan The Northwood Howler
If you’re having trouble managing your time or getting burnt out from long stretches of work time, try using the Pomodoro technique of working for 25 minutes, taking a break for 5,
repeating the cycle and taking a longer 15-30 minute break after 4 cycles.
out and review your subjects through active recall across multiple days to better remember the content. Try the SQ3R technique (survey, question, read, recite, review) for productively reading passages. Exercising before studying, studying for a few hours each day and eliminating distractions will undoubtedly help you focus and retain information. The following Chrome extensions and websites can help you set limits on app usage and block distracting sites: Mindful Browsing, Focus Keeper, Freedom and Focus To-Do. Dear Howler, with the neverending list of things I have to do, I feel like I’m always running out of time. How can I live a healthy life while Taking care of your health should be at the very top of your priorities. Create worthwhile daily routines and portion your time to account for regular exercise and sleep. Not getting enough sleep is nowhere near reminder app to help you follow your routine, such as Google Keep, Reminders, Todoist or Any.do. Aim for a balanced and healthy diet, avoiding junk food and fast food and veering towards fruits and vegetables. Find what strategies work best for you, and good luck to everyone trying their best to achieve their goals, no matter how trivial; we’re rooting for you!
Irene Lee performs with NYO A&E Editor
When Yo-Yo Ma smoothly bowed his way through yet another solo on the radio, then 5-year-old piaby the cello. She began by perfecting her musical skills in Northwood’s VAPA program for several years and performed with the prestigious National Youth Orchestra (NYO) this summer. Beginning in Philharmonic Orated the passion Instrumental Music Director Ben Case brought to each class. She recalled that his love for music inspired her to feel the same way, so she believes in the importance of art programs at school. “Arts programs are continuously being cut in order to pay for other core subjects’ supplies, but the fact that we still have the ability to play music in a school setting is pretVAPA teachers devote to maintaining
the successful program, so I’m thankful that I’ve been given the opportunity to be a part of it.” Although she thrived in orchesopportunities to perform with other cellists with the same drive for music. that led to where she is today, including her recent opportunity to perform NYO is a summer program run tute with a residency at a college in New York. Students must go through a highly selective application process with recommendation letters and a personal essay in addition to the audition video with excerpts and a solo. This year, cellists from the entire country competed for 11 spots. “The program’s inherent prestige and the thought that I’d be able to play with musicians just as addicted to their instruments as I am made NYO an incredibly attractive opporThe program consisted of a busy schedule with several 90-minute
blocks of rehearsals every day in addition to faculty or jazz concerts the students attended. Performing with NYO and using her free time to rehearse with fellow cellists allowed what the pandemic had taken away. “Meeting everyone in New York brought me out of a slump I fell into due to COVID-19; I was able to remember what it was like being on said. “It’s a sensation that transcends the material world—impossible to describe but also tangible, and I know everyone felt it when we recorded Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 because we were all crying at the end.” Although she doesn’t know knows that she won’t be quitting cello anytime soon. Whether it be through community service or her studies at college, music will continue to be a prominent part of her life. “After a dozen years of living and breathing cello, I can’t imagine my life without music in it. I guess you could say music is my heartbeat.”
TUNING IN: Senior Irene Lee skillfully bows Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme at a competition.
Chloe Song The Northwood Howler
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VIEWPOINT/SPORTS 7 The benefits of mandatory COVID-19 testing in IUSD The Northwood Howler
August 19, 2021
district-wide COVID-19 testing of all school-age children would be much more logistically complex and restrictive in terms of student autonomy than a simple masking requirement. However, these drawbacks are cially as the Delta variant spreads and case rates slowly climb higher. IUSD is no stranger to COVID-19 testing administration either, as it was provided to student-athletes in high-contact sports last spring. Widespread testing provides a measure for school leaders to determine whether contagion is widespread enough to warrant school closure, and also allows for contact tracing between people who have been in close proximity to an infected individual. Taking into account how successful the testing program has proved so far in LAUSD, as well as multiple unknowns such as fully reopening schools in-person for the
By euGenie chanG Viewpoint Editor
After the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases, California Gov. Gavin Newsom mandated weekly testing or vaccination of school staff to combat the rapidly evolving virus and its variants, most notably the highly transmissible Delta variant. District (LAUSD) has taken its COVID-19 protocols one step further, implementing a mandatory testing program regardless of vaccination status for all of its staff and students. It would be in IUSD’s best interest to adopt a similar testing protocol for the school year, especially in elementary schools where students may not be eligible for vaccination. LAUSD’s mandatory testing program includes baseline testing to determine community transmission of the virus, as well as periodic testing throughout the school year. Students who refuse to participate in the testing program will not be allowed to return to school in person. Compared to other school districts across the United States, many of which are going mask-optional this school year, LAUSD no doubt has one of the strictest COVID-19 policies in the nation. But this policy has been extremely effective, since through baseline testing alone LAUSD caught more than 3,600 cases of COVID-19, a testing positivity rate of about 0.8 percent. Mandatory COVID-19 testing clearly offers more security to unvaccinated indi-
anjana naRasimhan The Northwood Howler
0**1 23+%*$%(#./+9 /'5)/"/'5%#+$#2"'+%'& $/" :'()#;'/50%%,/'0)4"'$(1,"("#+"3'()#3)+%& ;' and the new Delta variant, it is clearly <=>?@ .AB'+"/+$#C'1%,$5$"/:')#3'?D!@'/0%2,3'-%,,%6'+0"$&',")3'+%'"#/2&"'+0"'/)-"+;'%-'/+23"#+/8 important to take additional cautions viduals as well as catches COVID-19 cases before students have a chance to infect others. “Early on it was said to just give testing to people who have had contact with people who were infected and symptomatic,” Anthony Fauci said in an interview for CBS News. “Now it is very clear that you have to go beyond that. We know now from experience that you will have people who are asymptomatic who get into
contact with an asymptomatic person who is infected, and there will be more infections that otherwise would have gone undetected.” Additionally, the testing policy prevents further spread of the virus among the unvaccinated population, including in elementary and middle schools where a majority of students are too young to receive any of the authorized vaccines thus far. “Many schools serve children
Diving into summer with ISL By Rachel Gima Sports Editor
Summer began with a splash for the many Northwood students and staff who participated as swimmers and coaches in the Irvine Swim League (ISL), an organization that aims to create a fun, safe environment for swimmers to learn and improve over the summer. Twenty-two teams participate in ISL throughout Irvine, and each team is largely based on location, with practices held in nearby or community pools. “ISL has been so much fun,” junior Brendan Birozy said. “I love working with children, teaching them how to swim, developing a bond with so many of them and watching them improve as the season progresses.” The swimmers range from ages 5-18, and compete within their age groups. Many Northwood students begin coaching the summer after their freshman or sophomore year, either as a volunteer or a paid coach. However, oaches often pull double duty and compete as well, giving them the opportunity to excel in both spheres. “Coaching and swimming was really fun but was also very tiring,” junior Jenna Dedicatoria said, “especially running around and making sure that the kids don’t bump on ISL, there are lots of beginning swimmers and many at a more advanced level, so it’s hard switching between roles.” While doing both does come with some challenges, the coaches are more than happy with and capable of their jobs, as is evident by the smiles, hugs and support given to them by their swimmers, especially as they swim their races. Swimmers are all the more excited to cheer on their coaches during their races, especially since many of the coaches are high-level, accomplished athletes, making the high-speed races
matthew DimaanDal The Northwood Howler
!"#$%&'!%()*+ !",!-(#./+ !"#$%&' !$(&)#' *)+",' %-. -"&/' 0",1-2,' )34$5"' )#3' /211%&+' +%' )' /6$(("&' 7"-%&"' 0"&' &)5"8 exciting to watch. “I was able to coach this summer, and I was also able to compete at meets, which was a new experience for me,” senior Ethan Chen said. “One meet this season, my relay even broke a team record, which was really cool. It was an enriching experience being on part of a relay that broke a years-old record. It’s even cooler because our head coach, Kyle Kim-E, actually was part of the relay that held the previous record.” Kim-E is also a Northwood alum, teacher and Water Polo coach, exemplifying the deep connections that Northwood staff and students have through ISL. These relationships last into the school year and build the Northwood community that aligns with ISL values. While ISL is a
competitive swim league, the heart of the program focuses on fun activities and team spirit. Swimmers cultivate long-lasting swimming skills, life lessons, leadership skills and strong friendships. “ISL helps keep communities of people active and social through friendships with teammates and competitiveness with friends on other teams,” Birozy said. “Everyone loves seeing their school friends at meets and events outside of school.” ISL is already planning for Summer 2022, with the season tentatively planned to run from June 6 to Aug. 13. Northwood students and staff are already planning on continuing their positions on their respective teams next summer, spreading the T-wolf spirit throughout the community.
under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination at this time,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states. “Therefore, this guidance emphasizes implementing layered prevention strategies to protect students, teachers, staff and other members of their households, and to support in-person learning.” IUSD currently only requires staff and students to be masked indoors, and it is true that arranging
while navigating these unfamiliar waters during this school year. Administering a new COVID-19 testing policy would leave students and parents alike with greater peace of mind as they head back to school to catch up on the hours of education and interpersonal interaction that has already been lost to the respond to requests for an interview regarding their COVID-19 protocols for this school year.
Befuddling Bufoonery Tech-free, worry-free! 8
August 19, 2021
By Rahul Khanna Junk Editor
In response to last year’s challenges with technology in the plementation of the “Tech-Free, WorAug. 15. The initiative seeks to revert all methods of teaching to prehistoric alternatives in order to minimize distractions and alleviate students’ stress. It will take effect immediately at the start of the 2021-22 school year. “If you can think of something that is even remotely modern, don’t expect to see it in your classroom this school year,” a spokesman for don’t even think about using phones or computers in class. Students and staff alike will now communicate can telephone, proven to work at distances of over
pretty obvious that their laziness was because of those cell computers and mac phones.” Teachers like Olden hope that room technology will re-inspire a passion for learning among students following three semesters of online school. However, not everyone thinks such changes are enough. A lone group of radical teachers named the Anti-Advancement League (AAL) is gaining traction for their insistence that only a complete shift to prehistoric times, even outside the classroom, will successfully revert the tech overload from last year. “All I’m saying is I’ve never heard of a student in 2 B.C. blaming bad grades on this illness called ‘stress,’” AAL founder Knota Caren said. “Have you?” Their proposed methodology includes changing cafeterias to hunting grounds, replacing seats with wooden logs and changing stairs to vine-ladders. Perhaps the most sig-
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BACK TO SCHOOL GRAPHIC
In total, the policy contains nearly 200 changes to teaching methods. Rather than doing away with the SaBa naBaeighahRoudi The Northwood Howler using pencil and paper, students will be instructed English language altogether, which to chisel their work on slabs of stone. according to Caren has weaponized Teachers will also refer to cave draw- students by allowing them access to ings in place of whiteboards and will free thought. One student named Barry Garbe expected to substitute educational dener was part of a trial YouTube videos with shadgroup of 100 students ow hand-puppets. that underwent learning The initiative is the through the AAL; he brainchild of Oldis G. Oldwas interviewed for en, the high school English his opinions on the learning style. the correlation between “Awoog ha technology and student laramp grah hah,” ziness. Gardener said. “Hoo “With no offense tohah tee hee ra ra.” wards my lovely students, It still remains to they were unacceptably unbe seen whether this motivated last year,” Olden said. “Since I knew for a fact that my student’s words of brilliancy will inthree-hour Google Slides via Zoom spire educational change in IUSD for were as engaging as it gets, it was years to come.
anjana naRaSimhan The NorThwood howler
3 hot tips for enjoying climate change By Rahul Khanna Junk Editor
ZOOM LINK COMIC nicole cuRtiS The NorThwood howler
The future of the Earth has always been in the hands of this generation, and based on our current treatment of the environment, it’s apparent that we prefer to accept the effects of climate change rather than prevent them (and rightfully so!). To prepare for the imminent, inescapable future, here are some quality tips to help ensure that you are living your best life in a world graced by climate change. 1. Location, location, location. Finding an optimal location is key to living fancy in your fated future. As temperatures around the world hit their peak and become unsuitable for human living, your you’ve always wanted. This is when your negligence towards the environment, disregard for car emissions and compliancy to factory pollution We at The Howler highly recommend “Dead Valley”; this city won’t exist for another couple of years until heat waves eliminate the remaining vegetation in Death Valley, but when that glorious moment arrives, you’ll want to move in immediately. Get ready for some scorching sun rays that will give your face a beautiful burnt-coal look.
If you prefer the sea, consider moving to a coastal location near the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll love looking over the gorgeously polluted horizon as the sun rises behind the scenic murky air, and there’s ample opporto unmanageable levels, assuming you’re healthy enough to do so (why wouldn’t you be?). 2. Looking fashionable. There’s no doubt that you’ll want to look your best when Earth is at its worst. When the air quality becomes too poor to breathe, masks will again become a regular occurrence, and if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that great design is key. Consider trying a beautiful ocean blue design, to reminisce about the times when the oceans were blue. As a supplement to masks, stylish hats are often advertised by fashion experts as a great way to bring out the inner “model” in you. A bright, sunshine-yellow hat will be certain to attract attention from onlookers while simultaneously adding a bit of light into your life, conveniently at a time when the U.S. electrical power grid is knocked out due to extreme weather conditions. However, if you’re unlucky, your beautiful hat a rarity in a world where bees are (thankfully) nearly extinct. In terms of clothing, top ana-
lysts at Harvard predict that fur coats are sure to “bring the heat” when it comes to future fashion trends. Whether this has to do with the predicted increase in carbon-emitting animal corpses within destroyed forests is up to interpretation. 3. Taking entertainment to the next level. ideal location and look your best in the future, perhaps the most important thing is to enjoy the fruits of your labor; after all, you didn’t take excessively long showers or forget to recycle for nothing! If you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll be delighted to know that you longer need to travel to exotic areas to experience Mother Earth at its rawest; you can now enjoy the destructive nature at the comfort of your own home. If you prefer a milder experience, consider taking up camping near northern California. The blaze of a destructive taste of nature that regular, old campThere’s also the ever-fun “Where’s Waldo’s Water?”, a game for the whole family to enjoy. To play, drinking water that isn’t contaminated. As a helpful hint, it won’t be within a ten-mile vicinity of your home. Our generation made sure of that.