Raven Report Sequoia High School
Volume vi, Issue 2
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1201 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062
october 24, 2012
Propositions hold high stakes for schools and teachers By LILY HARTZELL Feature Editor Propositions 30 and 32 will both be on the Nov. 6 ballot and directly affect the students and teachers of California. Prop 30 proposes to temporarily increase income taxes, primarily on the rich, to prevent a $6 billion cut to California Education. It would also increase sales tax by .25 percent to prevent budget cuts from programs like Special Education. “It won’t save education in California all by itself, but it’s a necessary temporary fix to lead to ongoing financial reform,” social studies teacher Marc Crownover said. If Prop 30 is not passed, the Sequoia Union High School District will lose over $3 million in state funding in the middle of the year. Class sizes could increase, and there could also be fewer electives. “Clearly [special education and electives] are not programs we are able to or want to cut, so we have to make it up somehow [by] looking at eliminating school days, [maybe] up to 15,” Superintendent Jim Lianides said. Proposition 32 proposes to prevent unions from taking dues directly from their members’ pay checks, which could make administration difficult. It would also make it illegal for them to contribute to Political Action Committees (PACs) or to support a candidate. However, companies would still be able to contribute to PACs and campaigns. “Organized labour would lose its voice overnight if this passed,” Crownover said. “[Proposition 32] would gut [union] finances, mute their voice and watch them wither.” There are several opportunities for students to campaign for both of these propositions. Door knocking and phone banking sessions are being held by organizations around the state, and there is information in the Student Activities Center about specific local events “The more students out there, the more likely we are to convince people to vote. If we don’t care, why should they help us?”said junior Yaser Rodriguez, who has been involved in the Proposition 30 campaign. Polls have shown support for Proposition 30 wavering around 50 percent, which is the majority needed for the initiative to pass. “If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass and 32 does, school districts will be slammed, and they will have no voice with scared teachers who won’t support unions,” Crownover said. “Districts dependent on the state will be creamed, it will be a baseball bat to the head.”
Opinion:
Photo by mark bauhaus
Sammi Gembala mentors her team after being named the Bay Division’s Most Valuable Goalie last year.
Senior Gembala leads team from inside the net By LAUREL DEARBORN Sports Editor Sammi Gembala makes sure her team is awake and in the pool at six in the morning. There is no time to fool around when you’re in the top division and facing water polo powerhouses. There is no time to waste when you’re trying to make it to your third CCS tournament in a row and seven seniors have graduated. Every minute is precious. Gembala, the second-year varsity senior, helps her team from inside the goal, instructing and guiding them on towards opportunities and openings that they cannot see on their own. “As a goalie, you’re the eyes and
Deferred Action and Trust Act offer new opportunities to undocumented students By GLENN BILLMAN Staff Reporter For undocumented students, relief from uncertain situations came in the form of Deferred Action, announced in June. It is designed to help undocumented students become temporary citizens, achieve higher education, and get work permits and driver’s licenses. However, some do not
Sports:
think that the government is doing enough. “I just want [the government] to help undocumented immigrants. We just came here. We give to the country, we aren’t taking anything away. We aren’t getting any help,” sophomore Alexandra Soto said. Without Deferred Action and the DREAM Act, it is difficult for undocumented students to go to college or work legally.
By the Numbers
Five Guys vs. In-N-Out JV football performs Haka
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the ears of the team,” Gembala said. told me to go get a green packet, “As much as it’s a team sport, there fill it out and turn it in. I showed has to be somebody that’s going to up for practice the next day.” be there and tell you what to see. Knochenhauer still rememYou have to be there for your team bers that day and is thankful and be able to back them up because that he spoke up when he did. you’re the last line of defense.” “Our team was not very large and Looking at she was anthe senior now, “When you win something like that other person it may come as it isn’t about just what you’ve done. that didn’t a surprise that It’s about the fact that you have a drown and team behind you that trusted you.” Gembala alcould swim,” —senior Sammi Gembala most didn’t try he said. out for the wa“She was ter polo team her freshman year. always athletic, so I knew she “I ended up walking onto the would be a good addition.” pool deck to watch a water polo Last year, during Gemgame [one day] and Coach Dave bala’s first season on varsity, [Knochenhauer] said ‘why aren’t you she earned the title of Most Go to GEMBALA, page 8 in the pool?’” Gembala said. “He
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students ride their bikes to school each day.
“Over the years, I have seen [undocumented] students work so hard to be successful and to pursue their education, and then be denied access to college,” DREAM Club adviser Jane Slater said. “For these students, what is most unfair is that they did not make the decision to come to this country, their parents did.” Deferred Action tries to address Go to DEFERRED, page 2
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bikes can fit in the new bike rack.