Student Hit and Run

CVUSD Board votes on a final map

Gianna Spiro Ad Manager

On Feb. 19 the Conejo Valley Unifi ed School District school board held their fourth meeting of the year where they made a fi nal decision on a By-Trustee area map, and discussed a possible revision of the “opt-out book” policy.

CVUSD has been in the works of transitioning to a ByTrustee area election system since receiving a letter on June 8, 2018 claiming that the District’s current method of electing board members through at-large elections violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

Th ere were three draft s created by the District’s demographer and legal counsel which placed the fi ve board members in separate electoral zones.Th e maps also included a data table showing the total population, the population of people over the age of 18 and the number of registered voters. Th is data comes from a census done in 2010.

Th e board members voted 4-1 and chose Map 3A, a revised version of original Map 3 that takes into account community suggestions. Many community members favored this one, despite feeling that none of the maps were perfect. “Aft er learning about the maps and considering each carefully, I feel that Map 3A is the most eff ective for the community, and will provide a voice for latinos within the community and school board,” Naomi Centeno, senior at Th ousand Oaks High School, said.

“Aft er reviewing all the maps we support Map 3A… and we think that the implications of the map will bring positive change not just latinos but for everyone,” said Lilian Mendoza, president of Adelante de Comunidad for Conejo Valley.

Board member, Sandee Everett, was not in favor of map 3A due to her belief that it was altered by community members and by a politically associated organization, “Conejo Together.”

“My concern with (Map 3A) and any of the maps presented by Conejo Together is that if the district is faced with a lawsuit it shows that we paid a demographer $18,000 and we chose a map created by community members. Th ey have a Political Action Committee that donated money to three of our trustees. I just don’t know if that’s going to make us look good,” said Everett

During this meeting the members also discussed a possible revision of policy 6161.1, commonly known as the opt-out policy. With about 20 public comment cards, it was quite clear that the community had a lot input to the discussion.

“It seems to me there are just two opinions. One opinion, which in my research I have found there are a number of items that obviously came from CNN T.V. news, they are fake…. Parents have a right to teach their children values...a lot of that comes from literature,” Bill Spangler, community member, said.

“I want to thank the board for reopening this policy. It’s essential that a new alternative assignment is written by curriculum experts, with no trustee infl uence. Th e cenerious elements in 6161.1 must be stripped out of the policy, ” John Cummings, community member said.

In the end, the board discussion resulted in a decision to revise the policy, using a teacher committee and possibly other school’s ideas.

Vote- On Feb. 19, the CVUSD Board had their fourth meeting of the year, deciding on a By Trustee Area map, and the possible revision of the well-known “opt-out policy”. Many community members were in favor of Map 3A, like Naomi Centeno, senior, at Thousand Oaks High School. “ I feel that Map 3A is the most effective for the community, and will provide a voice for latinos within the community and school board,” Centeno said. Gianna Spiro/Prowler

Students’ Election Guide

2020 presidential race Marli Davis/Prowler

Four new candidates join the presidential field

Carter Castillo Staff Writer

Th e past three weeks have seen four new potential presidents throw their hats into the ring as they join an already large democratic fi eld.

Vermont Senator Bernard (Bernie) Sanders, 77, announced his candidacy on Feb. 19. Sanders is a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, and as such many of his policy positions fall to the left of most democratic senators. Sanders is an independent senator, meaning that he is not technically a registered Democrat, however he does caucus with the democrats and is seeking with their nomination.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, 58, announced her candidacy at a rally, met with lots of snow. Klobuchar has been a Minnesota senator since 2007. Klobuchar has the highest staff turnover rate according to Politico, and she told voters in New Hampshire that “Am I a tough boss sometimes? Yes. Have I pushed people too hard? Yes”. Klobuchar has also described herself as the “senator next door.”

Former Republican Governor Bill Weld of Massachusetts, 73, has announced that he is challenging incumbent President Donald Trump for the republican nomination for president. Weld has not held political offi ce since 1997, however he did run for vice president with the Libertarian Party in 2016 with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Weld describes himself as socially liberal and fi scally moderate.

Former Representative of Texas Beto O’Rourke, 46, has stated that he has come to a decision on his potential presidential run. O’Rourke ran an unsuccessful senate bid for one of the two senate seats in Texas, ultimately losing to incumbent Ted Cruz, however he gained over 47 percent of the vote in Texas, but ultimately losing to incumbent Ted Cruz.

TOHS Employee and parent still hospitalized after hit and run

Manas Khatore Staff Writer

Lisa Solis faced a life-threatening situation on Feb. 8. The 50-year-old woman was confronting a 16-year-old about candy that he stole from a concession stand at Thousand Oaks High School when he deliberately hit her with his MercedesBenz. Solis suffered major injuries, including punctured lungs, internal bleeding in the brain and several broken bones. She was immediately taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center and remains in critical condition as of Mar. 1.

According to Sheriff ’s Offi ce Sgt. Eric Buschow, the Westlake High School student fl ed to his car along with four other teens after stealing a chocolate bar. Solis stood in front of the car and told the boy to stop, to which he responded by accelerating and running her over. The teen got his driver’s license the day before the incident, and on Feb. 9, he was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon.

The teen made his fi rst appearance at the El Rio courthouse on Feb. 14 alongside defense attorney Ron Bamieh. Bamieh stated that the teen is a good student and feels remorse for Solis. According to Bamieh, the incident was largely due to panic and inexperience behind the wheel. Deputy District Attorney Maureen Byrne provided a rebuttal for this argument, stating that the teen deliberately used the car to seriously injure Solis. Superior Court Judge Kevin McGee decided to keep the teen in juvenile hall, potentially facing a sentence of seven years in state prison.

Solis is the activities assistant for TOHS and conducted the school’s morning announcements. CVUSD Superintendent Mark McLaughlin issued a statement showing his concern for Solis and her family. “Mrs. Lisa Solis…is a dedicated member of the TOHS team and a parent of CVUSD students. Please keep Lisa and her family in your thoughts and prayers,” McLaughlin said.

The CVUSD community has seen an overwhelming amount of support for Solis’s family. Vanessa Hernandez, Solis’ sister, set up a GoFundMe page titled “#stayingstrongforlisa” the day after the incident occurred. In less than a week, the fundraiser gathered over $30,000 from community members. “We are overwhelmed by this outpouring of love for our sister, wife, mother, daughter and friend. Your words have truly comforted and helped us,” Hernandez said.

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NHS recognizes students at annual award ceremony

Kessa Chavez DPS Editor

Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Th ese are all things that make a student one of character in the eyes of our school’s National Honors Society (NHS). Th e cafeteria fi lled with students and their proud families as the annual ceremony for Students of Character began on Feb. 1. Th e event took place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For two years, Richard Bradley, co-advisor of NHS and social science teacher, has worked alongside Anne Alvarez, co-advisor of NHS and special education teacher, to promote the club’s values.

Despite having only co-advised NHS for a couple of years now, he has participated in the Students of Character awards every year. He insists that the ceremony reaches beyond academic success, “For me, it’s special because a lot of the time the students who get recognized aren’t your valedictorians. I always try to (award) the students who are quiet leaders, people with moral character, integrity and compassion,” Bradley said.

Hannah Neiyer, senior and NHS president, received her fi rst Student of Character award her sophomore year. As president, she has spent much of her time planning for several of the club’s events alongside Alvarez and Bradley.

She especially enjoys this ceremony for several reasons, but her favorite part is, “hearing all the staff members speak about each student because it is really heartwarming and is a really special moment for those students and their families,” she said.

Carol Garcia, senior, received a letter about a month ago in her third period class which notifi ed her of the ceremony and her award.

Award recipients were not aware of which teacher nominated them until the night of the ceremony. Aft er weeks of contemplation, Garcia learned that Lorena Caulfi eld had recognized her as a student who goes above and beyond, in and outside of the classroom. Garcia said she felt “very happy listening to the nice things she said to (her).”

Students of Character is one of the many events hosted by NHS that brings together not only students but also the community.

“My favorite part of the ceremony is just seeing how diverse character is… It shows you that there is no defi nitive defi nition of character. It’s very diverse, you just know it when you see it and I like seeing the joy in the parents because it’s not just about the students, it’s about the families too,” Bradley said.

Model Students-odel Students- Mary Harold, sophomore, was awarded with the Student of Character by Lynn Baum, the health teacher. Students and their families gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate the student’s recognition with a dinner award ceremony. “They have demonstrated qualities like trustworthiness, kindness, and compassion. They have the courage to do the right thing, and set a good example for other students on campus,” Hannah Neiyer, president of NHS, said. Student of Character is annual award ceremony that is held by NHS. Jessica Zhou/ Prowler

Thousand Oaks stands together

Marli Davis News Editor

On a brisk Monday morning hours before the start of the school day, Conejo Valley students gathered together protesting the Westboro Baptist Church’s presence outside of Th ousand Oaks High School.

Th e Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), an Old School Baptist Church located in Topeka Kansas, was there protesting the “sins” of the Th ousand Oaks Community. Th ey preached that the recent California tragedies were due to God’s wrath.

Dressed in rainbow and carrying signs advocating for love and equality, approximately 100 students stood on the corner of Moorpark and Avenida de las Flores at 6:30 in the morning. Police and school administration kept the two groups far from each other to avoid any type of confrontation.

“I went because I wanted to show my support for TO and everybody that the WBC is against. I think I gained a new appreciation for my community because I went,” Mina Schwind, senior who attended the protest, said.

It was important to many people that attended the event to show that the beliefs of the WBC will not be tolerated in our community. We love our community members, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, are Jewish or Muslim, are veterans, or are anything else that the WBC hates.

“Standing up for yourself and your community is one of the most important skills to have in my opinion,” Shannon King, another senior who attended the protest, said.

Students, parents, college students, and community members came to the protest to show the love they have for the Th ousand Oaks community.

“So many people from all diff erent walks of life came to show their support and it made me so happy and proud to see that. I think the church and their beliefs are absolutely disgusting and that they have no place in our world today. Th ere’s really no excuse for being so hateful and harmful to everyone who doesn’t exactly conform to their image,” Schwind said.