Issue 1, 9/18/15

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PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL 50 EMBARCADERO RD. PALO ALTO, CA 94301 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAI D PALO ALTO PERMIT #44

The Campanile

Vol. XCVIII, No. 1

Palo Alto High School • 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301 • www.palycampanile.org

Friday, September 18, 2015

Hanover Research evaluates PAUSD course alignment

ASB introduces new night rally for Spirit Week SUSANA CACHO

Grading policies found to have discrepancies

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

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CLAIRE DENNIS

NEWS AND OPINION EDITOR

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anover Research, an independent firm hired to report on course and department alignment in the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), released a report of its findings, highlighting areas of success and potential for improvement. Hanover reported back to the district in July after conducting research on Palo Alto High School and Henry M. Gunn High School during the 2014-15 school year. Research tactics included surveys for students, parents and administrators, a series of student focus groups and comprehensive reviews of course documents such as syllabi and homework calendars. Hanover’s main goal was to evaluate alignment in PAUSD courses and departments by comparing the workloads and levels of difficulty of similar interschool courses and those taught by different teachers within the same school. Hanover discovered that the Math departments at PAUSD high schools had the best levels of alignment, while the Social Studies departments were the least aligned. This finding was supported by document review of grading policies, assessments and homework practices. Despite noting similar course formats between the two high schools, Hanover found discrepancies between grading policies at Paly and Gunn. Gunn math teachers require students to have 90 percent in a class to receive an A, while most Paly math teachers require students to have 88 percent in a class to receive an A.

Despite noting similar course formats between the two high schools, Hanover found discrepancies between grading policies at Paly and Gunn. According to Paly math teacher Herb Bocksnick, the Math department attributes its alignment to frequent communication between instructors. Teachers teaching the same course assign the same homework and alternate writing assessments to ensure alignment. Science courses within Paly appeared to have similar course documents, comparable work loads and remained consistent with what PAUSD outlines in its homework policy. However, the Science and Math departments were found to underestimate the amount of time students spent completing homework assignments, which students claimed, on average, to be over three hours in actual work. In English and Language Arts, Hanover noted differences in course setup in underclassmen courses. Gunn offers two semester English courses for ninth and tenth graders, while Paly offers a single, year-long course for ninth and tenth graders. Also, Gunn students typically read three to four books per semester in their English classes, while Paly students tend to read only one to two books per semester. These discrepancies, however, subside in HANOVER

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JACKY MOORE/THE CAMPANILE

Paly alumnus James Franco works with Bay Area high school students to revamp the script at the first of eight workshops.

Franco leads first film workshop Forty high school students selected to attend professional filmmaking class CLAIRE DENNIS AIVA PETRICEKS ALICE ZHAO

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alo Alto High School alumnus James Franco began the first out of eight film workshops for 40 local high school students on Sept. 13 in the Media Arts Center. Throughout the workshops, which meet once a month, students will be working in small groups to film, edit and direct scenes that will eventually culminate in a feature film to be entered in film festivals. Franco has been teaching film courses at the University of Southern California (USC), University of Los Angeles (UCLA) and California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) at the graduate level for over six years. However, much like the courses he teaches at the graduate level, many

film classes available to high schoolers today are limited to those who already are proficient in filmmaking. There are very limited chances for students who are not necessarily committed to filmmaking to take film courses. Feeling his opportunities for creative expression were limited in high school and even in college, Franco decided to create a workshop similar to his classes offered at the graduate level for high schoolers who are interested in filmmaking. “When I was younger... all these programs, like film writing programs or creative writing programs all required some sort of audition or application process or weren’t available,” Franco said. “When I was at Paly we had nothing like this. I always felt like I was on the outside and there where all these things I wanted to do but I didn’t have access to. So now that I have been making movies for

almost 20 years, I want to give opportunities to other people and give the opportunities I would have wanted at that age.” However, Franco envisions that teaching a course to high school students may present different challenges compared to the ones he faced while teaching more experienced graduate students. To make up for the potential lack of experience, this course will focus more on the technical side of movie making. Nonetheless, Franco intends to keep the core of his teaching style the same. Franco advocates for project-based learning, where students work towards an end assignment or goal that is applicable to the real world. “One of the things I try to do as a teacher is always make my classes project based,” Franco said. “We FRANCO

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ollowing the conclusion of freshman elections and Spirit Week theme voting, Associated Student Body (ASB) has started planning a revamped Spirit Week and the homecoming dance. According to ASB President, senior William Zhou, there is much to look forward to in these upcoming months, including new events such as a night rally. “For the first time [in recent years], there’s going to be a night rally during Spirit Week, and this year’s homecoming is shaping up to be the best it has ever been,” Zhou said. This year’s new night rally has been inspired by Henry M. Gunn High School’s night rally and will give students the opportunity to be more engaged. “Every year, we go to Gunn’s night rallies to judge their air bands and they’ve always been a blast,” Zhou said. “We’re always looking for new ways to make Spirit Week more fun and exciting and we think the night rally can do that. If all goes to plan, expect to see hamster ball races among other new games at rally.” The night rally will replace the Thursday after-school rally since the Big Gym is no longer available. Senior Kate Abed thinks that the night rally will be a positive change and will encourage more students to participate. “It [the night rally] will be more engaging for a larger group of students rather than those who are good at or enjoy basketball,” Abed said. As of now, ASB does not have a theme for the homecoming dance but with the Small Gym unavailable, ASB will have to find an alternative location for the dance. “Since both of the gyms are gone, this year’s homecoming will be off campus,” Zhou said. “I don’t think I can share the venue yet, but trust me, it’s really good.”

CCC provides admissions guidance programs to seniors Events planned in order to prepare seniors for the upcoming college admissions process JEREMY FU

ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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alo Alto High School’s College and Career Center (CCC) has a number of upcoming programs for seniors looking for guidance in the college admissions process. Representatives from many colleges around the country have begun their visits to Paly. To sign up for these events, students can visit Naviance for dates and times. College Advisor Sandra Cernobori believes that these visits provide students with valuable insight into colleges and the programs they have to offer that is not delivered online. The CCC is also hosting events to help with the college application process for schools that do not use the Common Application and University of California (UC) schools. “For non-Common Application schools that require paperwork, school reports and transcripts, there will be two workshops, one for the early round and one for regular decision.” Cernobori said. “I also do a UC application essay case study where we go through example essays and break down what the UC is looking for.”

This year, the annual Palo Alto College Fair will be held at Paly’s library and student center, as the big gym which has traditionally housed the event is undergoing demolition in preparation for a new complex. The fair will be on Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. “Seniors should target specific colleges to help build a list, or just to ask some questions. For juniors, it is a good time to investigate,” Cernobori said.

The CCC also provides counseling to help seniors form college lists, review essays and discuss strategies for early action or demonstrated interest.

JEREMY FU/THE CAMPANILE

Students listen intently to a college representative in Paly’s College and Career Center.

During College Awareness day, which is on Oct. 14, seniors can receive help with the California State University or UC applications, Common Application, community college applications and financial aid. “There is a whole host of events for seniors,” Cernobori said. “In terms of essay specific workshops, the English department also hosts workshops for students.” The CCC also provides counseling to help seniors form college lists, re-

view essays and discuss strategies for early action or demonstrated interest. Cernobori recommends all seniors meet with their college counselor at least once to discuss plans. “For students who haven’t met with us [college counselors] yet, we would strongly recommend that they do.” Cernobori said. “We keep track of people who have made meetings and at some point we will call in students who have not had a meeting to check in.” Cernobori also offers advice to parents who are helping their kids through the process. “Try and set a tone that is accepting of a wealth of your student’s

choices,” Cernobori said. “I feel like the tone that they set will set a tone for their children.” Cernobori also believes that it is important that parents are involved in the college application process, but are also sensitive to their student’s emotional well-being. “Be aware that this can be an emotion-filled time and be sensitive to how it impacts you and your own child,” Cernobori said. “Parents, be involved in the process. Do not — for the lack of a better word — nag your students. Maybe set aside an hour every week to check in about college apps, so your students do not feel like they are always being asked about it.”

LIFESTYLE

SPORTS

NEWS

INSIDE

N e w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 1- A 5 Opinion............................A6-A8 L i fe st y l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B 1- B 3 , B 8 Spotlight...............................B4-B5 StudentsLife.....................................B6-B7 S p o r t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C 1- C 6 , C 8 Sports Opinion....................................C7

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Check us out at www.palycampanile.org

SPOTLIGHT

Drug Dealing

The Campanile delves into Paly’s hidden culture of student drug dealing. PAGE B4-B5

Kanye West

Hip-hop’s rise in U.S. politics with Kanye West as its figurehead. PAGE B1

College Football

Which team is projected to win this year’s National Championship? PAGE C4-C5

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS

Parking Permits

The City of Palo Alto enforces a new parking policy in residential areas. PAGE A2


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