Read the Bark’s guide on how to identify warning signs and prevent teen suicide.
redwood high school ● 395 doherty dr., larkspur, ca 94939 ●
According to a September Bark survey, 21 percent of students reported having experienced suicidal thoughts and 17 percent of students have lost a loved one to suicide. But suicide is more than a statistic. It is an issue that touches teens, adults and children daily.
Continue reading on p. 6.
Measure B: An affordable solution for urgent needs
By Annie Burlingame and Cora Champommier
Amidst many conversations about Bond Measures passing in Marin school districts, the one word consistently repeated is “urgency.” After missing the necessary 55 percent approval for Bond Measure A last March by just one percent, the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) is urging voters to think again in hopes of passing the new and improved Bond Measure B, which will appear on the Nov. 5th ballot. The latest proposal has cut the initial 517 million dollars almost in half; Measure B comes in at 289 million dollars and will help critical facility improvements that cannot be funded by the state.
Redwood is ranked 36th in California High Schools by U.S. News Ranking; this prestige should not be overshadowed by a lack of funding and support from the community.
The state legally mandates construction in the next two to five years to maintain a safe and modern school. Senior Charlie Scott, youth advocate for the Measure B Bond, has been particularly vocal, as he feels it is necessary for not only the district in general but specifically Redwood. If Measure B does not get passed, resources will have to be cut from other programs to fund the necessary improvements.
“We certainly need upgrades. This is our chance to do it because if we don’t [pass Measure B] now, [the upgrades] are going to cut into our budget for teachers. We have to replace [them to meet state standards]. The roofs are failing and we legally have to replace them. So then all of a sudden, you have to start laying off teachers and the school falls apart,” Scott said.
won’t see the effects of Measure B passing, he feels the need to use his student voice for the future generation, specifically his younger sister. Scott’s concern was prompted because of the similarities he saw in a much smaller bond measure his freshman year.
“I remember when I was coming into Redwood as a freshman, there was a similar bond measure called Measure M [and] I was really worried about what would happen to class sizes and all that stuff if it didn’t pass,” Scott said.
While Measure M was able to pass, the same concern is being transferred to Measure B.
“It’s important to look at [the bond] for your community and that’s exactly what this is,” Scott said.
Also on the state ballot is Proposition 2, which proposes $8.5 billion for K-12 school renovations, allocated through matched grants by the state. If both Prop 2 and Measure B pass, TUHSD will receive additional funding from Proposition 2 on top of the 289 million dollars from Measure B.
Across the spectrum, students, teachers and parents alike have recognized the immense impact Measure B could have on student life and education. TUHSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Corbett Elsen, has had a large role in the project, as has worked on both Bond Measure A and Bond Measure B.
We live in a community that has a lot of wealth [that] sometimes forgets the importance of putting what they can towards public education.
Lauren Vaughn Committee member
“A bond measure in California is the only real viable way for schools to upgrade their facilities and we’re all here resting on the shoulders of our community passing the bond measure 20 years ago and 40 years ago. Bond measures [are] a once-in-ageneration endeavor, and now [it is] our turn,” Elsen said.
As a mother and Measure B committee member, Lauren Vaughn emphasizes how important it is for our community to have such highly established public schools.
“We live in a community that has a lot of wealth [that] sometimes forgets the importance of putting what they can towards public education,” Vaughn said.
Scott also mentioned the effect that the school’s infrastructure has had on his learning experience, especially during lunches.
If passed, the 289 million dollar bond would fund essential projects like roof repairs and upgrades to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems (HVAC). Other projects like new classrooms for the arts, a larger cafeteria, new turf on Ghilotti field and replastering the pool would all happen with a 103.3 million dollar allocation going specifically to Redwood High School. The construction would not heavily impact student life, with the bulk of it being done in the summertime. If it is not passed, teachers may be laid off, programs, like Bark, could be shut down and variety in class offerings will be diminished to fund construction needs.
Although Scott is a current senior and
The last facilities-focused bond measure was passed in 2001; the money from which is still funding TUHSD’s programs, like seven period days that offer more curriculum opportunities to students.
To the naked eye, Redwood’s campus may look fully functioning, but projects have been pushed for far too long. Improvements are no longer cosmetic but instead are urgent safety concerns.
“The safety of our students and staff is the only thing more important than the teaching [and] learning process. So it’s important that we’re ahead to identify what things don’t have dedicated funding with [the] bond, and would trigger major budget cuts to students and staff,” Elsen said.
“One of the biggest things is the cafeteria. You go into the cafeteria, it’s in the winter time, and no one really likes to sit in there. [When] you look for a place to sit for juniors and seniors, it’s easy; just go sit in your car. For freshmen [and] sophomores, they’re sitting in the hallways on the floor and [that is] no good space to eat,” Scott said.
With inconsistent weather patterns most of the school year, it seems both functional and expected to have a working cafeteria for students to find refuge, which would be created with the bond measure.
One advantage of the publicity from Bond Measure B has been the surge of involvement from teachers and community members, which parent and Measure B committee member, Cari Dauphinain, has
noticed.
“I think people are feeling passionate about [the Bond], particularly the teachers. I think they feel that the amount of courses in the seven period day is so critical to a really strong high school education. When people see that [it’s] potentially at risk, people have [really] felt the need to get involved,” Dauphinain said.
In addition to parent involvement, students who are 18 or older can get involved by voting on Measure B. Those who are not old enough to vote can do their part by spreading word of mouth to those who can, and staying educated with the true facts from credible sources. With a bond measure that covers numerous projects, it’s easy for things to be lost in communication or for questions to arise. For transparency, anyone can access the Measure B website, various social media pages and directly ask anything on their mind during the Virtual Measure B Information Sessions. Additionally, below is a list of frequently asked questions and common misconceptions. Voting for Bond Measure B will take place on Nov. 5th, 2024.
bark@redwoodbark.org
Infographic by Skyla Thomas
Photos by Graham Weir
Marin takes action: New Nalaxone vending machines unveiled
By Ellie Braggs
To mark National Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 30, Marin County installed eight more naloxone vending machines, including three established over the summer by OD Free Marin. These machines support the goal of combating
the growing opioid crisis with increased naloxone availability.
Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, is a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses. Each machine and Naloxbox dispense free naloxone kits containing nasal spray and fentanyl test strips. Senior Alex Sumski, co-chair of the Youth Action Team at OD Free, highlights the benefits of this method of distribution.
“Vending machines have been really great because they provide an easy and free way for people to get life-saving substances,” Sumski said.
With the installation of these machines, there have been 290 nonfatal overdoses in 2024, a significant decrease from the 463 recorded in 2023 in Marin. Todd Schirmer, director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in Marin, explains that increasing the availability of free Narcan kits is part of the broader approach to reducing the high number of overdoses.
“Part of the strategy is to increase the availability of naloxone throughout the county and to make it easily accessible, to ensure that as many people as possible have kits readily available to them so that if they do encounter someone who is experiencing an overdose, they are ready and able to intervene,” Schirmer said.
While the number of nonfatal overdoses has decreased, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Marin residents 55 years and younger. To combat this, the machines have been installed in targeted locations, such as San Rafael Kaiser Permanente medical offices, to support those most at risk. However,
Colyn Heimerman, the youth coordinator at OD Free, explains the machines are not just for emergencies. More importantly, they guarantee that anyone can have easy access to life-saving medication before a crisis occurs.
“We really want to destigmatize carrying [naloxone] and having it on hand because it's really about keeping everyone safe and keeping everyone alive,” Heimerman said. “I sometimes compare [Narcan] to a fire extinguisher: you never want to have to use it, but it’s there in case you do.”
By establishing Narcan as a vital tool for overdose prevention, OD Free plans to encourage open conversations about Narcan’s role in saving lives.
“People accepting the use of Narcan means that they're accepting the fact that there is a drug problem. There is a fentanyl problem, and it has to be changed by learning how deadly it is. [Education] really changes how people view these stigmas,” Sumski said.
Redwood Wellness Center has Narcan on hand for any student. This judgmentfree access to Narcan is crucial to reducing overdoses. Normalizing and breaking the stigma of having naloxone on hand helps to create safer environments where everyone can safely get the help they need.
“For teens, it's a way that you can save your friends' lives, your family member’s life, or even just somebody that you see on the street,” Schirmer said.
While there is always a desire to install more vending machines and Naloxboxes, OD Free, frequently distributes at select
farmers markets and informational panels throughout the year to continue educating teens and the community.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, the Redwood Wellness Center is open during school and has counselors available. For additional information on naloxone and how to obtain Narcan spray, please visit the Redwood Wellness Center or OD free Marin.
ebraggs@redwoodbark.org
TUHSD proposes new plan for restricting phone usage
By Wyatt Levine
On Sept. 5, a plan for a phone ban implementation was proposed at the Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) board meeting. The proposed phone ban would use Yondr phone pouches, which students would lock their phones in at the start of the day. The pouch would stay in students' backpacks instead of teachers using phone jails. As students leave at the end of the day, they would unlock their phones using teacherprovided magnets. If passed, the phone ban would be implemented in the 2025 spring semester, according to a timeline made by the district.
Junior Julian Roth learned about the proposition while attending the board meeting on Sept. 5. Roth quickly made a petition against the ban, getting approximately 477 signatures from students in just one week. The petition has continued to grow, amassing 1000 signatures as of Sept. 18.
Roth supports getting students off their phones, but he would rather have a solution that doesn’t forcibly take phones away from students, like buying more lawn games for students to use during lunch.
“Have you seen the spikeball [games] at lunch? [Students] get off of their phones and they want to go play. Can you imagine $200,000 invested in things [like this] that would take kids off their phones?” Roth said.
Roth’s biggest issue with the phone ban is that money from TUHSD’s general fund, which is used to pay for school supplies like textbooks, Chromebooks, lab materials and teacher salaries, would be allocated to funding the Yondr phone pouches.
“They would take some of that money
that is supposed to be going towards supplies [for our schools], and have it go toward funding the pouches,” Roth said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Sept. 23 that requires schools to have a plan to restrict or ban phone usage at schools by July of 2026, noting that phones interfere with the educational purpose of schools. It’s unclear if Redwood’s current phone policy using a phone caddy is adequate in following the new bill, so Roth questions if Redwood still needs to improve the phone policy by implementing Yondr pouches in order to follow Newsom’s new policy.
“There is another issue with the phone pouches: they are super easy to break into. There are hundreds of videos online that say, ‘Top 40 ways to break into a Yondr pouch.’ You can buy an $11 fishing magnet and unlock it every single time. You can hit it really hard and it can pop open. Everyone is going to buy magnets and then suddenly
that $200,000 is a complete waste.”
Before COVID-19, calculus teacher Jessica Crabtree used Yondr pouches in her classroom to reduce distractions and keep students on task.
“They were very effective [at keeping students productive], but I disabled them. I was using them just for my class, so what was happening was I had 150 kids opening and closing them day in and day out, so mine broke early on,” Crabtree said.
While the issue of the pouches breaking is prevalent, Crabtree does not expect this to be an issue.
“I think if we assign one pouch to one kid, it will reduce the chance of them breaking down compared to what was happening with mine,” Crabtree said.
At Tamalpais High School (Tam), during a TUHSD board meeting on Sept. 24, Roth and two students from Tam, along with a concerned parent spoke opposing the proposed phone ban. They expressed
concern with the safety of locking phones up, considering the rise of violent threats targeting schools across the nation. In response, Superintendent Tara Taupier added that the unlocking magnets would be present in every classroom, so students would be able to unlock their phones in an emergency.
Although the plan is already in place, the motion to implement pouches is expected to be approved at a future TUHSD meeting, due to a 52 percent parent approval rate according to Tara Taupier. However, she added that more parents would be in approval of the phone ban if students were allowed access during lunch. Until the final decision is made, Roth and others in the Tam district community continue to express their concern and spread awareness about the district's plans to restrict phone access
INSTALLED IN FOUR locations across Marin, each Naloxbox holds 2 nasal sprays.
Photo by Ellie Braggs
Infographic by Skyla Thomas
TUHSD’S YONDR TIMELINE shows implementation of phone restrictions on a month-by-month basis.
Infographic by Skyla Thomas
Admin rolls out new regulations regarding e-bikes
By Ben Mueller
On Aug. 29, Redwood High School released its new regulations regarding e-bikes. The rules require students to register with Dean of Students, Tyrone Robinson, in room 115, where they can obtain an e-bike permit ID tag. Students will only be able to register class 1 and class 2 e-bikes, the two legal types for children under 16. The decision came after recommendations from the County of Marin and the Marin County Bike Coalition (MCBC).
Robinson clarified that the policy was not made solely by Redwood, but came from outside recommendations.
“[The new policy] came from the county and local law enforcement also had something to do with [the policy]. They saw an increase in the number of e-bikes and also accidents in [Marin] related to e-bikes. The [MCBC] also had a lot of guidance that came out around e-bikes,” Robinson said.
Gwen Froh, the Marin Safe Routes to School Director and MCBC director of Education and Encouragement, added that the policies were not only in response to rising e-bike sales and accidents but also from misleading advertisements of the bikes.
“There’s a problem with [e-bike] manufacturers putting out devices that aren’t e-bikes, but actually e-motorcycles. Data from the Department of Public Health has shown that these [e-motorcycles] are most dangerous for students ages 10-15 who have had severe injuries and crashes,” Froh said. “The most popular [e-motorcycles] in Marin are class 2 throttle devices. In correlation with that, you have students ages 10-15 on these [e-motorcycles] who are five times more likely than any other age group in [Marin] to crash.”
Froh compared the severity of e-motorcycle crashes to those of conventional motorcycles being driven on roadways, with severe injuries occurring in these accidents.
“[E-motorcycle] injuries are so severe for [students ages 10-15] that they result in severe head trauma even though the student might be wearing a helmet, or pelvic injuries where students might have permanent damage,” Froh said. “The problem is that 10-15-year-olds do not
DISPLAYED ON AN e-bike, the new system involves a tag being exhibited.
have the experience or skill set to navigate our roadways and are riding devices that go two or three times faster than a [regular] bike.”
Freshman Rex Kohner said that students need education to have the experience and skill set to navigate our roadways. Kohner’s parents made him take a driver education course before buying an e-bike, but Kohner understands this isn’t always the case.
“I think it would be nice [if parents educated their kids about road safety] but realistically, they aren’t going to educate their kids,” Kohner said.
Robinson agreed with the sentiment that e-bikers,
especially unlicensed youth, should undergo education before being able to ride on roadways.
“If it were up to me, there would be a course that we would mandate. I think getting [an e-bike license] should be something like taking a single course, where you automatically get your license. Then you’ll learn a lot about safety and how to ride,” Robinson said.
For Kohner, the biggest challenge in his mind isn’t the e-bikes themselves, but rather the gray areas and loose laws that apply to e-biking on the road.
“Near Ace Hardware, there is a bike lane and a sidewalk. When I ride in the bike lane, I get honked at. But if I’m on the sidewalk, I get yelled at,” Kohner said.
While many might assume that new regulations were introduced to curtail dangerous behavior on e-bikes, Froh says the recommendations were mainly intended to crack down on dishonest manufacturers.
“There is a lot of confusion about is what’s legal and what’s not legal. It’s important for people to understand that nobody is trying to take your e-bikes away,” Froh said. “We are going after the e-bike manufacturers. In the meantime, while we are trying to get the manufacturers to be accountable, there are a lot of illegal e-bikes. We really care, I really care and I really empathize with the fact that these e-bikes are being purchased unknowingly. Students are not to blame and parents are not to blame.”
Robinson claims the new system will not be enforced immediately, but will begin being introduced later this year by school administrators and police.
“Once [Redwood] has given out all the e-bike permits, we’ll start doing sweeps here and there, probably twice a month. I also believe the police will be coming through just to do a check. Then we will start locking [unregistered] e-bikes with a note that will say, ‘Come to office 115 to register your e-bike’. Basically, it’s kind of just forcing your hand, but all centered around safety,” Robinson said.
bmueller@redwoodbark.org
Marin County approves Oak Hill affordable housing project
By Gabrielle Franklin
On Sept. 3, Marin County approved funding for a major affordable housing project that is expected to substantially impact the lives of Marin public school staff. The project, known as Oak Hill Apartments, is the largest affordable housing development in the underutilized spaces of the county in nearly 50 years. Located on an 8.5acre elevated site on state-owned land along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, the project will provide 250 residential units, including dedicated housing for teachers and staff of the local school districts. The developmental process for the California School Board Association’s (CSBA) advance training is a five to eight-year project. The CSBA helps school districts create policy manuals that comply with state and federal laws while meeting local needs.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors has allocated nearly $5 million from the Marin County Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the project. Additionally, the county has authorized the Community Development Agency to apply for a $2.6 million grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which manages a $53 million fund to match local housing trust funds. The state funds are targeted at projects offering rental housing for households earning 60 percent of the area median income (AMI) or less.
The Oak Hill Apartments will feature two distinct residential communities:
Eden Housing Portion:
This portion provides 115 units of affordable rental housing, with 95 units for low income households and 18 units for extremely low-income households.
Education Housing Partners Portion:
This portion offers 135 workforce rental housing units, specifically for income-qualifying teachers, staff and county employees, with 86 units designated for low income households.
Community leaders and advocates stress that affordable housing is essential for not only teachers but also for the overall stability and diversity of Marin's education system. Brandon Johnson, Director of Educator Diversity at Marin Promise Partnership, as well as a former Redwood Campus Assistant, worries that without this accessibility, schools risk high turnover and burnout among educators.
Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Younger, lower-salaried educators face a similar disadvantage. The report underscores that these groups are disproportionately affected by rising housing costs, which threaten to drive them out of the district.
“Recruitment and retention are becoming increasingly difficult,” Johnson said. “When educators can’t afford to live in the same community where they teach, it creates a disconnect, not just for teachers, but also for the students and families who benefit from long term relationships with these educators.”
When educators can’t afford to live in the same community where they teach, it creates a disconnect.
Brandon Johnson, Director of Educator Diversity at Marin Promise Partnership and former campus assistant
“We’re at a critical juncture,” Johnson said. “If we don’t address the housing crisis, we risk losing our dedicated educators and undermining the quality of education in Marin.”
According to a recent report by Marin Educators for Equity Initiative (MEEI), the high cost of housing poses a major obstacle for teachers, especially those from Black,
In addition, English teacher Diane Waite highlights that a teacher's proximity to their job allows them to more easily become involved in their communities.
“One benefit [to this project] is that teachers would be more likely to live in the community where they work. This is great because it means teachers can attend school events more easily," Waite said.
Marin County is also considering a 2024 ballot measure that could significantly bolster affordable housing efforts. If approved, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority bond measure could generate between $350 million and $700 million for Marin County, with a portion allocated to affordable housing.
Ken Lippi, the Senior Deputy Superintendent at Marin County Office of Education, shares his hope towards local initiatives such as the Oak Hill apartments.
“Residents would be able to stay for seven to ten years. Hopefully, during that stay, we can help them save money and maybe even help them save enough to make a down payment on a house,” Lippi said.
As Marin County navigates these challenges, the push for affordable housing for teachers and working families is gaining momentum.
“We really hope to make this work, and maybe it will make it easier for other projects like this one to follow,” Lippi said.
Photo by Ben Mueller
VIEWS from future affordable housing apartments being built at Drakes Cove.
Photo courtesy of the Oak Hill Apartments Workforce Housing Update
opinion
More than a label: The real impact of being called “whitewashed”
By Emily Garcia
I’ve always been incredibly proud of being Latina. I never thought that there could be a wrong way to be my own race. Living in Marin County for most of my life has made me accustomed to not seeing much diversity within the community. This was displayed in my elementary and middle schools, both predominantly white. However, more students of color who looked like me began transferring into my school during my middle school years. I was ecstatic, as I thought there would now be more people that I could relate to. Regardless of the fact that we were similar in so many ways, they didn’t like me. I could never figure out why until one day someone told me, “You’re whitewashed.” I was shocked and confused. Was it possible for me to act white? The term “whitewashed” needs to stop being thrown around as it is harmful and degrading to people of color and can negatively affect their sense of identity.
According to an article by Pennsylvania State University, “whitewashed” means having dissociated oneself from one’s ancestral culture by adopting or attempting to adopt a white American lifestyle. It can also mean to change something about a person in a way that favors or caters to white people.When targeted at people of color, the term can have harmful effects as ancestral origins and culture hold very important places in many people’s identity.
They didn’t like me. I could never figure out why until one day someone told me, ‘You’re whitewashed.’
to a 2021 Pew Research Survey, 55 percent of Black adults and 54 percent of Hispanic adults said their origins were central to their identity.
creates inner conflict within a person, especially when confronted with accusations concerning their relationship with their culture or race.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), “The ‘acting white’ accusation (AWA) is a cultural invalidation commonly experienced by people of
It is time to honor advanced music students
By Tessa DeLay
The music room at Redwood is never quiet. At any given moment, you can find a drummer working on a fill, a pianist practicing a solo in the studio or a band rehearsing during their lunch break. Tucked away in the art hall, the music department often goes unnoticed by other students – as well as the gradebook. High level music classes should have honors level weighting in order to reflect the rigorous coursework and commitment required.
Advanced Performance Workshop (APW). Students must either audition or gain teacher approval by demonstrating their proficiency in intermediate/beginner classes in order to enroll in either of the courses. I am in my third year in the program and my second year in APW. My time in the music program has allowed me to express myself creatively while growing as a musician and person, yet this would not have been possible without a tremendous amount of work. In all Redwood music courses, the expectation is for students to
rehearsing with the group, not for practicing your own part. As a result, students have to put time and effort into learning, memorizing and perfecting their parts outside of class. In the advanced courses, the music and pace of the classes are much more demanding, with students often working together outside of class to ensure they can be successful for assessments and performances. The time I have spent working on material for APW has at times exceeded that which I have spent on other honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
Senior Zac Viola is in his fourth year of Symphonic and Jazz band, an eighth period class offered once weekly. Viola highlights the commitment required outside of the classroom in order to be successful in the program.
“Our homework is to practice, and we play hard stuff so we have to practice a lot,” Viola said. “I [spend] as much time practicing [for band] as I do doing homework for other classes.”
Lack of honors weighting can discourage students from joining the program altogether. According to a September 2024 Bark survey, 87 percent of students take honors weighting into consideration when selecting their courses. Students may feel the need to take other courses with honors weighting in order to boost their GPAs in an attempt to increase their chances of college admission.
Additionally, both the visual arts and drama departments offer AP and honors courses, including honors ceramics, honors photography, honors theater production
definitions, such as covering up historical details or altering a story by casting white actors. While these definitions have the ability to raise awareness of the sugar coating of historical actions, people should still be conscious of the environment they use it in and who they say it to, to avoid creating feelings of judgment or
“Whitewashed” is not just an innocent description or label of a person. Here in Marin and specifically at Redwood, we are all influenced by everything around us, including communities, culture and more. No one should solely be defined by one simple word. Through increased recognition of the immense harm the term “whitewashed” causes, we are one step closer to fostering a more accepting and diverse environment without feeling the need to question or defend our cultural identity.
egarcia@redwoodbark.org
and more. The dedication of advanced music students should be reflected in the grade book just as it is for visual arts and drama students.
Some may raise the concern that the subjective and creative nature of the courses can make it difficult to evaluate students in the same way that more traditional academic honors classes do with clear and standardized evaluations such as tests and essays. While there are some music theory tests in the advanced courses, the majority of evaluations, which are typically performances, assess skills such as collaboration, leadership and communication - which are just as, if not more important to success beyond high school as what may be tested in traditional academic courses. In APW, this often looks like musical directors forming bands, writing charts, planning rehearsals and communicating with band members. Projects can have high stakes as being unprepared reflects poorly on the entire band and performing in front of an audience adds increased pressure that is unique to the program. Ultimately, advanced music classes require students to demonstrate skills that can’t be measured on a standard test but are critical to student success outside the classroom.
Redwood’s advanced music students deserve to be recognized for their dedication and excellence. The rigorous coursework, outside commitment and soft skills required to succeed in high level music classes should be reflected with honors level weighting.
Illustration by Zach Dinowitz
Convenience at a cost: The problem of self checkout
By Tallulah Knill Allen
In theory, the premise of self-checkout
self-checkout entirely from 300 stores; the self-checkout technology will be overseen by workers at the remaining 9000 stores.
according to a 2024 survey by Redfield and Wilton.
Along with the technical downsides Association. It makes sense, then, that the promise of a more “personalized” shopping
tknillallen@redwoodbark.org
Parking panic: the importance of first come first serve spots
By Matthew Milan
and parking permits assigned for the entire year, many feel that the current system is unfair. As more students drive to school, competition for spaces intensifies and some are left with no choice but to park in spots off campus such as “Sophomore Row.” This system creates unnecessary stress and leads to underutilized parking spots. It's time for Redwood to switch to a first come, first served parking system, a change that would benefit students and the school.
Redwood currently assigns parking spaces for the entire school year under its permit system. While this guarantees many students with spots, it also leads to inefficiencies. With the rise of online learning, parking has become inconsistent. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that around 30 percent of high school students now take at least one online course, further contributing to disorganization in parking use throughout the day. Students enrolled in online classes do not need to be on campus for the entire school day, which means many parking spots remain empty during certain periods creating parking inefficiency. Senior Enzo Agustin believes that the current system should be altered to better accommodate these inefficiencies.
“I think that students who have a zero period and wake up earlier should be able to get a guaranteed spot,” Agustin said.
Agustin also shared his frustrations with the current system, recounting one stressful experience.
“Last year, I got my spot taken by someone else, so I parked in another person’s spot and ended up getting called into the office for it,” Augustin said.
the rules.
Agustin’s experience is not unique.
According to a 2024 Bark survey, 19 percent of students have had their parking spots taken by another student during the school day. This statistic further shows the issues with the current system and the need for a better solution.
Many tech companies, such as Google, use open parking systems that allow employees to park wherever they
designed its campus to enhance employee experience, as “reducing barriers to entry, including parking frustrations, enhances productivity.”
Adopting a similar first come, first served model at Redwood could alleviate parking frustrations and create a more efficient environment for students ultimately improving their overall experience on campus.
By allowing students to park in any
valid concerns. They might worry that competition for spots could lead to chaos before school. Such a scenario might create more frustration among students. However, potential chaos in the morning can be managed easily by implementing clear guidelines. For example, encouraging students to show up early can create a fair and organized experience for everyone. It's also worth noting that Redwood uses a first come, first served parking system for the first few weeks of school each year and this has not resulted in any significant issues.
A first come, first served system would not only ease the parking problem for students but also improve the utilization of available resources. Throughout the day, I frequently see available spots that students cannot access, forcing them to park in inconvenient locations such as “Sophomore Row” or Piper Park, which are far from campus and require long walks. Allowing students to use any open space would significantly enhance the overall experience at Redwood by reducing stress and ensuring that parking resources are used effectively.
The parking situation at Redwood needs to be seriously reevaluated, to properly accommodate and improve the needs of students. Transitioning to a firstcome, first-served parking system would alleviate frustrations, improve the use of available spaces and contribute to a more easily accessible school.
Why can teens use phones better than frying pans?
We need home economics in the classroom
By Leina Khan
Who do you picture as the founder of home economics? Does an image of Martha Stewart come to mind? Maybe a strict lady from the 1950s teaching girls how to be housewives? Despite the stereotypical reputation the class holds, it was actually founded by female chemist Ellen Swallow Richards.
According to Marketplace, she was the first ever woman to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Richards was the first woman to measure the economic value of housework and the amount of physical effort it truly takes. While traditional subjects like math, science and history are essential, Redwood should consider adding home economics as a required class. This subject addresses essential life skills that are often overlooked, providing students with knowledge for everyday living. With a lack of necessity-based education in high school establishments, a home economics course could be the gateway for setting students up for independent futures.
a class that emphasizes lessons regarding independence is a crucial way to prepare students for their futures in college and beyond.
First and foremost, home economics provides students with essential cooking skills. In an age where fast food is easily accessible, many young people struggle with skills to prepare healthy meals. According to Nation Public Radio (NPR), about 35 percent of adolescents are overweight or obese, a prevalence that approaches 50 percent in minority populations. A home economics class would teach students how to cook balanced meals,
A home economics course could be the gateway for setting students up for independent futures.
Despite common misconceptions, home economics teaches valuable life skills for both men and women that extend far beyond just cooking; it equips students with practical knowledge in taking care of one’s own nutrition, budgeting and personal development, which are all essential tools for independence. Teaching
literacy lessons. Students can learn how to create budgets, manage their expenses and understand the basics of saving and investing. According to Mckinsey and Company, student loan debt has increased by 14 percent from 2006
to 2016. With financial instability affecting many young adults today, these skills are more important than ever. By learning how to manage their finances effectively, students will be better prepared to navigate their future, whether it’s paying for college or managing their own households utilizing their skills to track income and
Additionally, home economics promotes essential life skills such as time management and organization. Balancing cooking, cleaning and budgeting requires careful planning and prioritization. In Copper Island, Finland, during their home economics class students engage in harvesting the hydroponics system, a process where plants are grown without soil, to raise vegetables for their lunch salad bar. In order to harvest with a system like hydroponics, students must organize plants by the right species, feed the liquid solution and manage the time needed for each plant species to grow. These skills are valuable in both personal and professional settings as they provide early steps of independence and accountability
in managing a project on one’s own. Learning to manage time effectively can help students excel in their studies and extracurricular activities, preparing them for the demands of college and beyond.
Home economics is not just a class; it is an investment in students’ futures.
Fostering creativity and critical thinking, home economics students have the opportunity to explore various projects from sewing to home design. This allows them to utilize their expressiveness while also solving problems. For example, when students learn to sew, they encounter practical challenges like adjusting patterns to fit their measurements or selecting the right fabric for their project. These tasks require them to think critically about problemsolving and to express their innovation through design choices. By tackling such challenges, students not only develop technical skills but also learn to approach problems with innovative solutions.
In essence, adding a home economics class to our school’s curriculum would provide students with a wealth of practical skills beyond the stereotypical reputation of just housework. By teaching students how to manage their health, finances and time, we are preparing them for real-world challenges and helping them develop into responsible, independent adults. Home economics is not just a class; it is an investment in students’ futures.
lkhan@redwoodbark.org
To the ballots: Why democracy depends on you(th)
By Elsa Sherman
As the presidential election draws ever closer, parties’ desire to secure votes increases each day. In the upcoming presidential election, 40.8 million members of Generation Z will be eligible to vote, and candidates hope to reel in young voters as the race for the presidency becomes narrower. According to the 2024 Harvard Youth Poll, approximately 53 percent of Americans under 30 years of age plan to vote in this election cycle. While this is an increase from the 2020 presidential election, young people have historically had the lowest voting turnout as many youth remain apathetic to their country’s politics. Young Americans should promote voting among their peers and register or pre-register to vote with the goal of creating the change they desire for their country.
Registering to vote means filling out a form on paper at an elections office or using an online service, such as the California Secretary of State’s official website, to be sent a ballot automatically every election cycle. Pre-registration for voting is available to U.S. citizens ages 16 to 18. Pre-registering to vote means that you will be automatically registered as a voter on your 18th birthday and will receive a ballot without having to take further action in the future. According
to the California Secretary of State, this process only requires your full name, address, place of birth and a form of identification. This can be your California driver’s license, California identification card number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
Pre-registering to vote is one of the simplest and most important ways to demonstrate your interest and involvement in your
community. The ability to vote is one of the fundamental rights you hold as a U.S. citizen. Millions of people have fought for this right over many decades, and their efforts are why citizens can vote regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic status. To ignore the tribulations of the people who fought for the right to vote and decide instead to disregard the power of your ballot is doing a disservice to not only those before you but to
yourself. Voting is a way to take a stance and create change as a citizen. According to the Center for Information & Research on Civil Learning and Engagement, the top issues for young voters are gun control, cost of living and climate change. These topics are important, but cannot be properly addressed if legislation and candidates supporting these causes are not supported and voted on.
Every voice must be heard, but this cannot happen if so many are unwilling to take the simple steps to sign up to vote. By registering or pre-registering, you are doing your part as a citizen and helping advocate for what you truly believe in. According to a September Bark survey, only 16 percent of students are pre-registered to vote. While the efforts of students to create change through public protests and social media posts are surely impactful, many fail to rise and take action for their causes through their simplest opportunity: their vote.
As famed reporter Sydney J. Harris once said, “Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.” Our democracy can only function if the people who live under it use their voice. The best way to do this is through the power of the vote.
esherman@redwoodbark.org
Illustration by Leina Khan
Illustration by Natalie Vinogradsky
Editorial:
TUHSD needs to stop and educate about suicide
Disclaimer: This editorial includes information about suicide and suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings or exhibiting signs that we mention, please consider utilizing the resources offered at the Wellness Center, reach out to a trusted adult or contact the suicide and crisis lifeline by texting or calling 988.
According to a September Bark survey, 21 percent of students self-reported having experienced suicidal ideations and 17 percent of students reported losing a loved one to suicide. But suicide is more than a statistic. Suicide affects teens, adults and children daily and can be prevented.
In the month of September, a time dedicated to Suicide Prevention, Bark’s three classes of student journalists watched the documentary “Not Alone,” created by former Bay Area High School student Jacqueline Monetta. When Monetta was in high school, her best friend and six other teens lost their lives to suicide. The documentary discussed the severity of suicide within our community and highlighted a need for more attention to the issue at the district level. This documentary broadened the perspectives of our Advanced Journalism class to the reality of suicide prevention and drove us to suggest that the Tamalpais Union High School District’s (TUHSD) schools would benefit immensely from more guided suicide prevention education.
Watching this documentary from the point of view of someone who was once in our shoes opened our eyes and encouraged us to share our take-aways as the student press. The scenes from the Redwood gym and lunch area made these heartbreaking stories all too real to us. In light of our viewing of the documentary, we believe a district-wide viewing of “Not Alone,” with a content warning written by the Bark, would best equip our community to fight
A BITE to racist graffiti. Please stop and learn.
A BARK to Halloween. The only scary thing is our grades being updated.
A BITE to the Chromebook policy. Now everyone is behind on their online shopping.
this issue. We understand that suicide is an extremely intense subject which is why adults in leadership who make curriculum and content decisions district-wide should watch this documentary themselves if they have not. After viewing and reflecting on the film, we hope that these same adults, including the TUHSD School Board, might show the documentary to all of TUHSD.
This documentary is an incredible lead-in to the topic and has the power to educate students with personal vignettes on how suicide affects our community; we are sure it will inspire and inform students to make change. Showing this film in social issues classes or at a school-wide event would keep students informed on the identification signs of suicide and how to support themselves or their peers who are struggling with depression.
Over the past year, TUHSD has addressed issues affecting our community through emails, stop-and-learns and webinars. Suicide should be one of these issues highlighted. Our community needs to come together and discuss how our actions affect each other and find ways to be there for each other. Students should be educated on ways to seek help whether for someone or themselves so they are aware of the available help on campus.
Knowing the warning signs for suicidal ideation is the first step towards prevention. If someone displays signs of depression, loss of interest in activities, or excessive drowsiness they may be at risk of suicide. It is crucial to reach out and show support by connecting them with trusted adults and peers. Reaching out can often feel uncomfortable, but being willing to connect someone to the resources they need is the first step in helping prevent suicide.
There are several methods one can use when seeking help for themselves or for a friend who is expressing suicidal behavior. First, on the Redwood website under the
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A BARK to the 2024 election. The race has heated up so much that it is giving climate change a run for its money.
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A BITE to Logan Paul. You are well past your PRIME.
‘Wellness’ column is a referral form titled, “Wellness appointment request form.” Answer the few short questions on this form to report yourself or a friend. QR codes are posted on the walls of the hallways that take you right to this form if you are unable to locate it on the website. In addition, physical versions of the form are located in the Wellness Center. Simply drop the form in Wellness Coordinator Spencer deWoody’s office, and your tip stays anonymous.
Second, students can speak directly with a trusted and trained professional such as Spencer or any wellness staff member, who can maintain anonymity while ensuring that critical information is reported for the student’s safety. The wellness staff is trained to handle situations involving someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and by telling them in person, they can understand more about this individual and the severity of the situation.
Suicidal thoughts can accompany a feeling of desperation, hopelessness and darkness. But from this documentary, our staff learned that just checking in on your friends and classmates, having real conversations and advocating for inclusivity can save a life. We urge students to practice these behaviors, even if it is uncomfortable, awkward or scary. Simultaneously, we urge TUHSD to create opportunities to ensure all students have access to the following:
- The important, real, local stories showcased in “Not Alone”
- The signs to identify depression and suicide
- Action steps for themselves or a friend
We’ve done what we can with our voice, what will the district do with theirs?
To learn more about the stories of suicide survivors in Marin County, watch the “Not Alone” documentary yourself by searching the URL below in your browser and entering the password.
URL: https://shorturl.at/dSFgY
Password: notaloneshort
POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of The Bark staff.
Have an opinion regarding anything that appears in The Bark or in general? We encourage our readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters to The Bark should be 500 words or fewer, typed if possible and signed. They must emailed to bark@redwoodbark. org. BARKS and BITES are the collective opinions of the BARK staff concerning relevant issues. BARKS are in praise of accomplishments, while BITES criticize decisions or events.
Editors-In-Chief
Matthew Knauer
Charlotte Lacy
Beckett Tudor
Head Copy Editors
Tallulah Knill Allen
Nadia Massoumi
Emma Rosenberg
Copy Editors
Jamie Glennon
Wyatt Levine
Taylor Allan
Linnea Koblik
Vivi Endler
Ellie Braggs
Kate Harison
Ellie Smith
Tessa Tuatini
Chloe Jennings
Leina Khan
Elsa Sherman
Opinion Editors
Brooklyn Saputo
Tessa DeLay
Petra Novonty
Feature Editors
Alana Leifer
Emily Garcia
Nick Hartung
Lifestyles Editors
Anna Youngs
Paige Cantanese
Madison Bishop
Sports Editors
Hayden Donehower
Henrik Vraanes
Cora Champommier
News Editors
Ben Mueller
Nina Howard
Morgan Sicklick
Review Editors
Molly Gallagher
Evelyn Harper
Paige Edelen
Spanish Editor
Ofelia Hunneus
Literary Editor
Grace Gehrman
Video Editors
Ashlin Quach
Anya Ghazi
Sean Cunneen
Games Editors
Evan Wang
Jay Knopping
Podcast Editor
Owen McDaniels
Leighton Olsen
Business Managers
Audrey Bennett
Lucy Jeffers
Maggie Walsh
Social Media Managers
Isabelle Davis
Reporters
Jake Post
Adela Tabak
Richard Byrne
Tessa Marshall
Gabrielle Franklin
Hilah Brekhus-Lavinsky
Mason Garbo
Matthew Milan
Kate Morgan
Finn Nelson
Jack Block
Elsa Houtkooper
Mo Colaco
Henry Barker
Lily Bell
Evelyn Spiegel
Liam Healy
Kate Barker
Angelina Purvey
Mariel Goodhart
Nina Baker
Aurora Sreba
Data Analysts
Elle Wilson
Scarlett Musgrove
Web Designers
Lucy Miller
Emily Hitchcock
Art Consultants
Zach Dinowitz
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Multimedia Designer
Skyla Thomas
Hailey Carlton
Lily Skinner
Photography Editors
Graham Weir
Penelope Trott
Julia Delsol
A BARK to the cats and dogs of Springfield, Ohio. Hope nobody is biting into you!
Illustration by Zach Dinowitz
español español
Encontrando comunidad en las clases ‘ELD’
Por Ofelia Huneeus
La escuela secundaria es un desafío para todos. Para aquellos quienes asisten a una escuela anglófona pero no hablan inglés como primer idioma, puede ser aún más desafiante. Hablar sobre temas avanzados como biología y química ya es bastante difícil, y mucho más con la carga adicional de una barrera de idioma. En Redwood, hay alrededor de cuarenta estudiantes quienes están aprendiendo inglés (el término para aquellos que no hablan inglés como primera lengua). Si bien esto es sólo el 2,3% del alumnado, muchos estudiantes han observado que esta lucha está afectando a sus compañeros. En un estudio de 428 personas, el 26% dijeron que habían notado que éstos estudiantes tenían dificultades en clase. Sin embargo, los estudiantes quienes están aprendiendo inglés pueden encontrar en Redwood apoyo en las clases de desarrollo del idioma inglés (ELD), donde los estudiantes de inglés pueden mejorar su fluidez en la escritura, el habla y la lectura.
Pero las clases de ELD son más simplemente un espacio académico. Las clases ofrecen un espacio de afinidad único donde todos en la clase pueden identificarse con la experiencia de ser un estudiante no-ingles-hablante en una escuela de habla inglesa. Joangel Cordero, un hispanohablante nativo y estudiante de
tercer año de Redwood que se graduó del programa ELD el año pasado, recuerda su tiempo en ELD con gratitud. Cordero se mudó de Nueva York a California.
En Nueva York, fue a una escuela hispanohablante y nunca tuvo que hablar inglés. Cuando Cordero llegó a Redwood High School, no conocía a nadie, y la única manera de hacer amigos y encontrar un sentido de comunidad era hablar inglés, que no conocía bien. ELD le dio la oportunidad de estar con compañeros que estaban pasando por lo mismo.
Hay muchas variedades personas quienes su primera lengua es chino, arabe, indio y todos se ponen en una pequeña comunidad donde su objetivo es aprender inglés.
Infografía de Ofelia Huneeus
“En el principio era difícil porque no podía hablar inglés. Era difícil hacer amigos y no podía aprender inglés bien”, dijo Cordero sobre sus primeros días en Redwood.
Pero a través de ELD, Cordero pudo dominar el inglés. No era fácil.
McCrea.
Joangel Cordero junior
“Es un programa en que no solo hay personas de tu lengua nativa, hay muchas variedades personas quienes su primera lengua es chino, arabe, indio y todos se ponen en una pequeña comunidad donde su objetivo es aprender inglés,” dijo Cordero.
La clase ELD también le presentó a futuros amigos con quienes podría hablar español, conservando su cultura natal mientras se adapta a una nueva.
“Tomó mucho trabajo, mucho esfuerzo”, dijo Cordero. Deborah Mccrea, quien ha dedicado veintidós años de su vida a enseñar español en Redwood High School, entiende que ELD puede ser un salvavidas para los estudiantes aprendiendo inglés. Este año, la Sra. McCrea está enseñando ELD 3-4, por lo que es su decimoctavo año enseñando a estudiantes de ELD. McCrea es líder del programa y le apasiona ayudar a los estudiantes a superar las barreras del idioma. McCrea simpatiza con los estudiantes ELD y sus luchas con el lenguaje.
"Mi esposo es un inmigrante, lo que me ha ayudado a comprender la experiencia de los inmigrantes y sus desafíos", dijo
Cocinando con Bark: Flan de queso
Por Kate Harrison
En Puerto Rico, el flan de queso es un postre muy popular. El primer flan se hizo durante el imperio romano. Los romanos utilizaban huevos para crear natillas saladas. Para hacerlo salado lo hacían con pescado o carne. Cuando el flan llegó a España, añadieron el azúcar caramelizada al fondo y crearon el flan dulce con miel. Además, los árabes en España le añadieron sabores cítricos y almendrados que aún perduran. Cuando los conquistadores llegaron a Latinoamérica en 1518, trajeron flan. En México, el flan es el postre internacional de “La Raza”. En Puerto Rico, el flan de queso es muy popular por las navidades. Allí añaden queso crema para hacerlo más cremoso y suave. En muchos países latinoamericanos, añaden sus propios sabores como café, chocolate, mango y vainilla. El flan es un buen ejemplo de cómo las culturas influyen en la comida y las tradiciones, y también muestra cómo una misma comida puede ser diferente según el país.
Foto por Kate Harrison
QUITANDO EL AZÚCAR y el agua hasta que se caramelicen y adquieran un color marrón.
Ingredientes:
1 lata de leche evaporada
1 lata de leche condensada
3 huevos
2 cucharadas de vainilla
1 ½ taza de azúcar
1 libra de queso crema
Foto por Kate Harrison
FLAN DE QUESO es un postre muy popular para las navidades en Puerto Rico.
Proceso:
Caliente el horno a 350 grados y hierva agua en una salten.
En una licuadora agregue los huevos, la leche condensada, la leche evaporada, vainilla y la libra de queso crema.
En un sartén a fuego lento agregue una taza y media de azúcar y la mojas
McCrea es “sensible a su experiencia” y sabe personalmente lo difícil que puede ser la vida cuando no se habla el idioma predominante del lugar donde se vive. La pasión de McCrea por el lenguaje es inmensa; ha pasado gran parte de su tiempo estudiando educación bilingüe. McCrea considera que muchas clases de desarrollo del idioma inglés se centran únicamente en ayudar a los estudiantes de ELD a asimilarse a las normas estadounidenses. McCrea, sin embargo, cree que centrarse únicamente en la asimilación no permite a los estudiantes honrar sus lenguas y culturas nativas. McCrea cree que enseñar a los estudiantes tanto español como inglés es importante porque ser bilingüe es una habilidad increíble que quiere preservar en los estudiantes jóvenes que provienen de diversas lenguas y culturas étnicas. Este año escolar, Redwood High School ofrece cinco clases de desarrollo de ELD. Entre estos, tres son talleres académicos que brindan a los estudiantes de ELD tiempo dedicado para recibir apoyo en los trabajos de curso que les resultan desafiantes. También hay ELD 1-2 y ELD 3-4, clases diseñadas para mejorar las habilidades del idioma inglés de los estudiantes.
de español en Redwood que reconforta a los estudiantes de ELD.
ohuneeus@redwoodbark.org
un poco con agua para cubrir la azúcar. Ya que la azúcar se haya deretido y se vuelva caramelo y de color maron, agregelo en tu padeja ocho por ocho.
Luego agregue los ingredientes que mesturastes en su licuadora.
Vierte un poco de agua en una sartén diez por diez para crear un baño de maria.
Hornee por una hora o hasta que los bordes estén firmes y después déjelo enfriar y ponlo en la nevera durante dos horas o toda la noche.
¡Disfrute!
Resultados
¡Este flan estaba delicioso! Estaba cremoso, dulce y suave. La receta es de mi tía Lucy y es muy fácil y no necesita muchos ingredientes. Sin embargo, el flan requiere mucho tiempo para hacerlo y paciencia porque no se puede comer de inmediato. ¡Esta receta es deliciosa y es un gran postre para una ocasión especial!
UNA FOTO DEL hermoso trabajo de clase de ELD.
Foto por Ofelia Huneeus
UN LETRERO EN un salón de clases
Foto por Ofelia Huneeus
feature feature
The brat-ification of the 2024 election: How the internet redefined political engagement
working? For senior Riley Wein, the answer is yes.
“Kamala IS Brat,” British singer-songwriter Charli XCX declared on July 21, 2024. With this proclamation, Kamala Harris’s campaign page KamalaHQ underwent a lime green, “Brat” rebrand and TikTok was flooded with edited audios of Harris’s famed “coconut tree” speech. With that came a fundamental shift in the attitudes of Generation Z toward the 2024 election. But what does “Kamala is Brat” even mean? And why has a sickly neon green color ignited a wave of support from a once uninspired generation?
The social media craze began following the release of the hyper-pop album “Brat,” released by Charli XCX. The album consists of upbeat, confident anthems and advocates for the life of the “party girl.”
Social media embraced the album with open arms, creating TikTok dances to nearly every song and labeling everything under the newfound moniker of “Brat.”
At first glance, it appears that “Brat” and the campaign of a 59-year-old woman for president would have no overlap. However, the bright green rebrand reflects Generation Z’s recent surge in support for the Harris campaign. Immediately following the announcement that the former Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden, would drop out of the race, progressive youths rushed to various public forums to showcase their support for Harris. Senior and co-president of the Democrat Club Elle Hock was one of many who participated in this initial wave of support.
“[When Joe Biden dropped out], I was on this huge bus. We were sitting in traffic, and I got a text from my friend saying, ‘Oh my god, Joe Biden just dropped out.’ I told all my friends about it and it was a moment of
“I love how she has leaned into trends in general. I think it’s really appealing to younger audiences. My favorite one [the KamalaHQ account] did was the TikTok of [Trump’s and Harris’s] planes arriving at the same time on the tarmac with the audio of Abby Lee Miller in the back,” Wein said.
Similarly, Hock described how Harris’s use of trends has served as a humanizing force for her campaign in this difficult political landscape.
“[Harris] is using memes and culture. She is a younger candidate. She is involving herself in social media in an engaging way to young people. To me, that’s engaging. It makes people smile and laugh and see her as more of a positive person,” Hock said. Across the political spectrum, the Trump campaign has also capitalized on the power of social media to amplify its messaging and engage voters. On July 13, Trump was shot at his rally in Pennsylvania. With blood from the bullet wound dripping down the side of his face, Trump heroically raised his fist into the air. The iconic photo took the internet by storm. Trump supporters, both old and young, turned to their social media to share the iconic image. The famed photo began appearing in memes of a different nature — memes that associated Trump with local heroes and public servants. However, both Harris’s and Trump’s use of the memes aim to connect with voters across new forms of media, as history teacher Ted Brown explained.
“The candidate who can connect with ordinary people more effectively than the other candidate will, for the most part, win the election,” Brown said.
This trend — of mass media influencing elections — is not unique to 2024. The first televised debate between prospective candidates Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, in 1960, went down in history as a turning point in Nixon’s campaign. While Kennedy embodied the American spirit in a fresh new way, Nixon crumbled under pressure, representing an outdated vision for America, and looked, quite simply, bad.
“Nixon didn’t want to play the TV game. If you listened to the radio at the time, it [would sound] like Nixon won. But if you watched it on TV, Kennedy won the day,” Brown said. “What’s visual has become more important.”
It was Kennedy’s understanding of the power of visual media, indeed, that propelled his success in this debate and later in the election. Today, presidential candidates must optimize new technologies such as social media in order to achieve success in their campaigns. What sets Harris’s campaign apart from those in the past is the sense of freshness and hope that her campaigns bring to many members of Generation Z. While there were plenty of internet memes online, the response to the potential rematch between 81-year-old Joe Biden and the 78-year-old Donald Trump was far from optimistic. Many in Generation Z grew cynical when faced with these options and resorted to withdrawing from the political process entirely. However, Kamala offered hope by harnessing social media.
“Social media rallied behind Kamala Harris and took her quirkiness — her laughing on stage and being a person — positively,” Hock said.
It’s important, however, not to discount the sense of hope that Trump also inspired in his supporters following his assassination attempt. While Harris chose comedy to bring joy to her campaign, Trump’s team focused on heroism and his embodiment of traditional American values. Therefore, both sides mustn’t
underestimate the influence each candidate has on their supporters. Brown discussed this idea particularly as it pertains to the stereotypes the left has over Trump rallies.
“You go to Trump rallies. These are places where people are having [fun]. They are joyful. They love their candidate. They are dedicated. They forgive him for his flaws. He’s one of them,” Brown said.
With this in mind, it is crucial to remember that the 2024 election is not yet decided, and the strategies of each candidate will play a significant role in shaping the outcome. This dynamic highlights a broader truth in politics: that voters are drawn to the feeling of connection and positivity that a good campaign can provide. Indeed, both Trump’s and Harris’s tactics were successful in reinspiring youth engagement, solidifying their place in this election and their influence beyond it. Brown aptly noted the implications of appealing to voters’ desire for positive change.
bark@redwoodbark.org
By Tallulah Knill Allen and Nadia Massoumi
Illustrations by Nadia Massoumi
Infographic by Hailey Carlton
The youth green initiative: Can students take charge?
By Scarlett Musgrove
It is no secret that global warming from human-induced practices is putting the life of the planet at risk. According to a 2020 global student survey from NielsenIQ, 92 percent of students believed that all universities and colleges should actively incorporate and promote sustainable development.
This poses the question: what action is being made by the students and schools in order to see improvements?
believe and care for these systems, are restricted from making an impact by those who do not share similar beliefs.
Sustainable Agriculture teacher, Joe Stewart, cares deeply about positive environmental action.
We have to create agreements because we all share the environment.
Joe
“There has been a lot of support for [implementing more recycling] from teachers, clubs,administration and custodial staff, but one of the biggest challenges is just educating students or getting students to all care enough,” Stewart said.
Stewart, Sustainable agriculture teacher
With increased pressures to incorporate sustainable practices and systems, what is Redwood doing to approach this challenge?
In the late 1980s, Marin County was one of the first counties to start a curbside recycling system in the United States. Despite efforts in the past to encourage more recycling systems, students who demonstrate insufficient concern to correctly follow recycling and composting protocols result in schools struggling to meet the needs of the many who do care. With that being said, there is a lack of recycling bins that are easily accessible to students apart from the ones indoors. Senior Odin Palen is an active member of the Eco Connections Club, which aims to connect students to nature and shares a student perspective on the lack of access to recycling.
“If [the schools] had recycling and compost outside, it would make it a lot easier to reduce waste,” Palen said.
There are many students like Palen who care deeply about the subject of sustainability and eco-friendly practices. According to a study by NielsenIQ, 78 percent of U.S. consumers stated that a sustainable lifestyle was important to them. Students who participate in following recycling and composting protocols correctly, and deeply
Making Redwood and other schools more sustainable isn’t just up to school districts, it is also up to the students to make these systems accessible to all and function properly. Currently, Redwood provides a three bin system for students to be able to properly sort trash, papers and recyclables within their classrooms. Regardless of the efforts made by school districts to also create more accessible outdoor recycling systems along with indoor systems, they are unable to make these systems function due to lack of participation. Sustainability is not limited to just one thing or action like recycling, there are plenty of ways to be sustainable or insert daily sustainable practices.
According to the California Energy Commision, California’s transportation sector is responsible for approximately 50 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, nearly 80 percent of nitrogen oxide pollution and 90 percent of diesel particulate matter pollution. Sustainable forms of transportation are another great way for students to become more ecofriendly. Redwood promotes sustainability on Oct. 2 through the Walk or Roll to School Day, where walking or biking to school is encouraged in order for students to become more involved with living a more sustainable life. They also award students the chance to enter and win a prize to encourage more participation.
“The truth is, when we’re looking at something like the environment, we really have to create agreements because we all share the environment. We all impact it and the choices we make impacts everybody,” Stewart said.
Redwood aims to improve their sustainable practices if the $289 million bond measure in November gets passed. Mike Woolard, Senior Director of Facilities Planning, provides details about the future plans they have in mind to create more sustainable facilities.
“[The bond] generates 289 million dollars of revenue for us to invest back into our facilities. As part of that, we’re looking to build some new buildings which will add additional energy saving components to the project,” Woolard said. This specific bond could potentially
help afford installation of solar powered buildings, more efficient heating systems, ventilation and air conditioning systems and more efficient operating plans implemented throughout the school. Redwood has made good efforts in promoting sustainability through studentled initiatives and school efforts to be able to make true change for a more sustainable school environment. However, this will depend on how deeply the community engages with sustainable systems through the showing of understanding and willingness to make a difference. There is a stark contrast between promoting change and acting on change. Practice being more sustainable. It’s the new conversation in this generation.
smusgrove@redwoodbark.org
IN ORDER TO make sustainable efforts work, students need to follow the recycling guidelines and clean up after themselves.
Photo by Scarlett Musgrove
Infographic by Scarlett Musgrove
Illustration by Zach Dinowitz
Project 2025: Conservative vision or liberal propaganda?
By Nina Howard races
In the upcoming presidential election, one topic has garnered immense media attention: Project 2025. Created and authored by The Heritage Foundation, the project aims to “assemble an army of aligned, vetted, trained and prepared conservatives to go to work on Day One to deconstruct the Administrative State,” according to their website. The document is a nearly 900-page outline of The Heritage Foundation’s plans for the next Republican presidency and the newest edition in the book series, “A Mandate for Leadership.” Due to growing concerns about the project’s potential implications for democracy, this “Conservative Promise” has dominated liberal media coverage.
The far-right has named this project a presidential transition project, with proposed policies such as mass deportations; an end to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion protections; deregulation of the oil industry; mass abortion bans; and major cuts to government spending. Specific policy proposals include shutting down the Department of Education, banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports, increasing executive oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Department of Justice and imposing a protectionist economic policy.
The controversy of Project 2025 lies not only in the proposed policies, but also in former president Donald Trump’s affiliation with The Heritage Foundation. On Truth Social, an app created by Trump, the former president posted a statement disavowing any assumptions made about his connection to Project 2025’s proposed policies.
“I know nothing about Project 2025… I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal,” Trump said.
and with different policy proposals.
“In 2022, [Trump’s] campaign said that Project 2025 closely aligns with their values and has great policy vision. Perhaps the most damning thing is nearly two-thirds of the authors, contributors and editors of Project 2025 are on Trump’s staff, or have been on Trump’s staff,” Filler said.
While some Republicans support Project 2025, many conservatives believe that the media’s coverage of Project 2025 is merely fear-mongering propaganda, designed to make Trump and the entire Republican Party appear extremist.
Marin GOP Secretary Sarah Nagle expresses serious frustration towards the media and towards Democrats, for not accepting Trump’s denial of involvement.
“From my perspective, as a Republican in Marin, Project 2025 is an obsession of a few people in an obscure political action committee on the far right, and a lot of Democrats who have nothing better to do with their time,” Nagle said.
Nagle shares this view with many other conservatives, viewing Project 2025 as a “non-story” not worthy of any attention. Trump’s campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita refered to Project 2025 as “mere suggestions.”
“Reports about personnel and policies that are specific to a second Trump Administration are purely speculative and theoretical,” Wiles and LaCivita said in a statement to the media.
Nagle has not met a Republican that outwardly supports Project 2025, and believes the media is exaggerating the support it has received. She also views The Heritage Foundation as an outdated organization, one she hadn’t heard from since the 1980s.
In 2022, Trump’s campaign said that Project 2025 aligns with their values and has a great policy.
Daniel Filler Senior
However, many Democrats remain skeptical due to his previous history with the Foundation and the large crossover between the projects’ authors and Trump’s staff. According to CNN, at least 140 authors of the project worked or currently work for Donald Trump, and the words “Trump Administration” and “Trump” appear over 300 times in the document itself. In 2022, Trump rode on the Heritage Foundation’s president’s private jet, and spoke at one of their events, promoting their organization. Back in 2018, The Heritage Foundation boasted about close ties between their ideals and Trump’s policies.
“President Donald Trump and his administration have embraced nearly twothirds of the policy recommendations from The Heritage Foundation’s ‘Mandate for Leadership,’” The Heritage Foundation said.
Senior Daniel Filler is the co-president of the Democrat Club and a stark critic of both Trump and Project 2025. Last summer, Filler interned for California District 2 Congressman Jared Huffman. He now acts as an associate for the Democratic Party, attending closed-door meetings for political endorsements, working in local
“Only the media seems to be interested in Project 2025. I’ve never heard an actual registered Republican talk about it in any positive fashion,” Nagle said. “Donald Trump doesn’t need Project 2025. He has his own platform…The media is obsessing over Project 2025 instead of actually looking at the candidate’s own proposed and public platform.”
The main points of Project 2025 that concern Democrats include the expansion of the power to the executive branch, major tax cuts, the closure of government departments like the Department of Education (DOE), an end to abortion being considered healthcare and the erasure of environmental protection agencies.
Filler is most concerned with “Agenda F,” a section of the document that calls for the reinstatement of Trump’s former bill surrounding the appointment of civil service jobs.
“Agenda F means reclassifying an enormous portion of these civil service jobs as political appointees. That would allow President Trump to hire every single member of the Environmental Protection Agency and replace them with people who have no climate degree, no science background and who prioritize loyalty to him and his agenda,” Filler said. “[If] Agenda
F [were to] go through, the competency of the government would collapse because not only would [Trump] hire for loyalty, he would hire only for loyalty.”
Senior and Democrat club member Zac Viola agrees with Filler. He also believes that Trump’s power may go unchecked if he were to implement aspects of Project 2025 in his second term. Viola will be voting for the first time in the upcoming election and holds serious concern about what that could mean for the country’s future.
“I think they just want him to be a sort of dictator. [It may] destroy democracy,” Viola said.
As the debate over Project 2025 continues to intensify, voters on either side of the political spectrum are left to draw their own conclusions. The line between policy and political speculation are blurred as the media on both sides becomes more and more partisan every day. However, Project 2025’s influence cannot be overlooked, as conservatives and liberals alike brace for the election’s impacts..
nhoward@redwoodbark.org
Infographic by Hailey Carlton
Illustration by Zach Dinowitz
Sensitivity Warning: This article discusses heavy topics, including suicide and self-harm.
September was Suicide Awareness Month: a time dedicated to honoring the stories of those we have lost while educating ourselves on how to manage the grief, blame and stigma related to
become even more important to recognize the impact of these tragedies and take steps to support those who may be at risk.
One powerful example of this impact comes from the story of English author Jan Anderson, who faced the unimaginable loss of her son, Christian, to suicide in 2002. Following his death, Anderson turned to writing as a way to process her grief, ultimately creating “Chasing Death,” a journal aimed at confronting the unspoken despair of child loss. “The overriding feeling in the beginning is enormous terrible guilt. You
there are so many whys and whatifs. ‘Why didn’t he call me that night?’ You can end up crucifying yourself with all this crushing guilt. That’s what I felt,” Anderson said. “It’s so difficult to actually put how you really feel into words. It’s the worst thing in the world that any parent can ever endure.”
The truth is suicide doesn’t solve your problems; it only passes that pain onto those who care about you.
It is impossible to know who is silently suffering around you. Anderson never expected Christian to die by suicide.
According to Anderson, Christian had never sought help or even exhibited symptoms of depression.
“When I spoke to all his friends, they all described him as such a happy guy. The last time I saw him was five weeks before he passed away. I found out that one of his so-called friends had beaten him up a few weeks before. When I saw him, he looked absolutely fine. I said to him, ‘Christian, why didn’t you tell me?’ And he said, ‘Because I didn’t want you to worry Mom.’ I said to him, ‘Christian, how do you think I’ll feel if a police officer turns up on my doorstep one day and tells me something’s happened to you, and I didn’t know and I could have done something?’” Anderson said. “I think about that all the time, because that’s exactly what happened, and he didn’t tell me.”
Although stories like Christian’s aren’t frequently discussed, according to a 2024 September Bark survey, 21 percent of students reported experiencing suicidal thoughts. To put this statistic into perspective, more than one in five students have considered ending their own life. It may be someone in your grade, classroom
half ago, Reynolds tried to take her life. She was brave enough to come forward and tell her story on her social media.
Illustration by Natalie Vinogradsky
Lea Reynolds, senior
Illustration by Nick
react,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds explained that she initially felt as though her negative emotions were normal, until she lost control.
“[I didn’t realize my mental health was an issue] until after I tried to kill myself for the first time,” Reynolds said. “I just hoped [people] would take me seriously. It was an attempt for them to see that it wasn’t just something they could look past or something that they could discard.”
Dr. Robert Root, medical director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Sutter Health, says that there are some common warning signs to look out for in those who may be considering suicide.
“People considering suicide as an alternative may seem less social. If someone who plays on a sports team or likes to go to parties suddenly seems to stop doing those things, that is a reason for concern.
Loss triggers suicidal thinking, so if someone experiences a breakup, that’s often a trigger. If someone is very intense about their academics and feels like they’re under too much pressure, the sense of overwhelm may be a trigger.” Root said. “It’s really important that family members, teachers, school counselors and friends are able to listen to someone in despair and say, ‘I’m here for you.’”
a permanent solution.
“One of the things I often will ask teens if they’ve made a suicide attempt is if they are happy that they lived. Many teens are relieved that the crisis has passed, and they’re really grateful that it didn’t work,” Root said.
According to a September 17 percent of students report having lost a loved one to suicide. Root acknowledges how difficult it can be to tell a trusted adult about a friend’s troubles, but vulnerability is worth saving a life.
“A teenager can be in a bind. ‘Do I violate my friends’ confidence when they’re asking me not to tell, or do I get help?’ No teen has the training or knowledge of what to do in that situation. What I tell teens is that getting an adult involved and helping to protect a friend is the most important thing,” Root said. “People are concerned about the fact that suicides are in the top five leading causes of death among teenagers. If people
What I tell teens is that getting an adult involved and helping to protect a friend is the
most important thing.
Dr. Robert Root, Sutter Health Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Medical Director
please dial 988 to access the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to prevent another life being lost due to suicide.
Root emphasizes that every crisis will eventually pass, and it is incredibly important to not let a temporary situation end in
“Reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a step towards healing. My life has completely changed since my attempt, and I can hardly put into words the amount of love and joy I have experienced. It truly does get better,” Reynolds said.
bark@redwoodbark.org
Illustration by Natalie Vinogradsky
Nick Hartung
Infographic by Nick Hartung and Alana Leifer
Infographic by Nick Hartung
review review
Fall-ing for flavor: The best spiced treats at Trader Joe’s
By Mo Colaco
It is undeniable that many students enjoy Trader Joe’s (TJs) endlessly unique array of food, from little snacks to freezable dinners. The convenience of TJs only being a four-minute drive from Redwood strengthens the bond between accessible food and students. As fall arrives in full force, TJs has released its fall-themed items, so come along to find out which item is the best out of a select few by comparing taste and price.
Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake
With a mix of various comforting spices, this cake is the perfect representation of the feeling of fall. The blend of cinnamon and pumpkin spice offers a comforting flavor without being overpowering. The moist and airy texture is layered with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting, bringing the perfect sweet-to-salty ratio. The cake costs a total of $5.49, which is completely worth it. This item takes the “cake” in first place.
Pumpkin Spiced Pretzels
Pumpkin
This cream cheese spread has the perfect amount of pumpkin spice along with an excellent whipped consistency, making it a great addition to any bagel or bread. However, there was a subtle tangy element that was too strong for me and took over the taste of the pumpkin spice. I would still buy this again because it tastes so much like fall and costs only $3. This spread comes in at third place.
Pumpkin Blondie Brownies
Although these brownies are delicious, they taste like pumpkin bread with a little white chocolate drizzle on top. Unfortunately, they lack a brownie consistency and the classic pumpkin flavor. These brownies cost $5, which is too expensive for what they are. These place last because of their lack of consistency and the flavor not representing the fall.
Overview
Overall, these fall-spiced items are filled with the comfort and joy that are only available during the autumn season. These treats span from sweet to savory, leaving something for everyone. If I could suggest one item, it would be the Pumpkin Sheet Cake, as it has so much flavor and is the epitome of fall. Everyone should trek to TJs and enjoy these seasonal treats.
icolaco@redwoodbark.org
I was surprised by how much I liked these. The pretzels are the perfect bite size and have just the right amount of crunch. The pumpkin yogurt coating is creamy and is topped with pumpkin spiced themed sweets. The pretzels contain the perfect amount of sweetness, and are also great for an on-the-go snack. This item costs $3.79 and comes in second place.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
To be honest, I had higher expectations for this item. The taste of butternut squash is underwhelming alongside an insufficient amount of cheese, making the dish feel like it lacks an important flavor. That being said, the spices come together to create a delicious fall taste, still providing a convenient dinner made in 24 minutes. The pasta is $3.79 and is still a good option for an autumn inspired dinner. This item comes in fourth place.
Beetlejuice sequel comes out juicier than ever
By Tessa Marshall
Excitement was in the air as I entered the theater for Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel to his 1988 classic, “Beetlejuice.” Released by Warner Bros. in theaters on Sept. 6 and starring Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, this horror-comedy movie was set up for success.
The famous American director and animator, Tim Burton, exceeded all expectations, generating around $111 million in revenue in just the first weekend of the sequel’s release. The movie perfectly illustrates Burton’s quirky, gothic style with a complex fusion of fear and comedic relief. Keaton’s reappearance as Beetlejuice, an afterlife ghost and “bio-exorcist,” illustrates the thrill and humor that fueled audiences’ initial love for the character. Contributing to the popularity, Keaton’s well-known costars Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder play a key role in the impressive success of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” With the addition of Ortega’s appearance as a newgeneration goth, she brings a modern feel to the sequel, accompanying a dark yet playful tone.
Burton’s talent to combine a disturbing and gory plot with belly-laugh humor continues to be a staple of his work and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a great depiction of this fun, spooky entertainment, best served with a side of popcorn.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” does an outstanding job portraying the nostalgic elements from the original film, while also weaving in modern twists throughout the plot. Burton’s limitless imagination helps bring the set to life with strange characters that pull audiences into the quirkily imaginative world constructed in the 1988’s “Beetlejuice.”
RELEASED ON SEPT. 6, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice received 7.7 million theater views and amassed over $110 million on its opening weekend.
However, Burton also made sure that new elements were present in the sequel that added onto the first movie, careful to ensure fans of the original would appreciate the cinematic familiarity. At the same time, newcomers can still understand and get a kick out of the chaotic environment presented in this film.
With every popular movie comes backlash and
critiques say that the sequel too closely replicates its original. Often, many critics also add that some elements of the movie are improperly executed and seem to have little useful impact on the construction of the plot. Nevertheless, the movie’s flaws remain obsolete in the classic charm of Burton’s imagination.
Burton’s talent to combine a disturbing and gory plot with belly-laugh humor continues to be a staple of his work and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a great depiction of this fun, spooky entertainment, best served with a side of popcorn.
Fans who fell in love with Burton’s directing style in his 1988 hit are in for a treat with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” as it maintains the kooky essence of the original, while still giving the opportunity for a new generation to join the fan club.
In all, fans who fell in love with Burton’s directing style in his 1988 hit are in for a treat with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” as it maintains the kooky essence of the original, while still giving the opportunity for a new generation to join the fan club. I would give this movie a four out of five for its extreme entertainment and demonstrates Burton’s complex directing style. However, I feel like it could use more originality with new characters like Ortega that appeal to a younger audience.
This movie is perfect if you’re a fan of bizarre plots or want to steer away from cliché movies; “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is definitely one movie that needs to be watched during this Halloween season.
tmarshall@redwoodbark.org
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
DURING THE FALL, Trader Joe’s fills their aisles with a wide variety of fall treats.
Photo by Julia Delsol
TRADER JOE’S ADVERTISES many different pumpkin flavored items in Halloween theme.
Photo by Julia Delsol
Cream Cheese Spread
Harvest fall spirit with three local pumpkin patches
By Linnea Koblik
It is officially the fall season! The leaves are turning orange, the air is becoming crisp and pumpkins are ready to harvest. A shared experience for many, pumpkin patches have provided a sense of community and fun for generations by immersing partakers in the spirit of fall. Whether you are looking to pick out the perfect pumpkin for decoration and carving or simply want to enjoy a brisk autumn day, these local pumpkin patches bring a sense of nostalgic fun that cannot be missed.
Ian’s Pumpkin Patch:
Located in Strawberry Village, this patch brings a sense of seasonal spirit to the area. While the crop size is not large, the variety of colors, shapes and sizes provides ample selection. It is brimming with freshly harvested pumpkins and includes fun activities such as painted cutout boards of Halloween-themed characters to take amusing photos with, a bounce house and a slide. The site is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week and has no entrance fee. With pumpkin prices between $8 and $25 and a convenient location just off the freeway, visitors young and old alike are sure to enjoy this easy and inexpensive outing.
IAN’S PUMPKIN PATCH offers a variety of activities, for people of all ages, ranging from picking fall pumpkins to sliding down the bouncy houses.
Mickelson Pumpkin Patch:
This pumpkin patch located in Petaluma is a must-go for an all-day event. Their selection includes pre-harvested and freegrowing pumpkins in a large patch on the
SCATTERED WITH CHARMING decorations, Mickelson’s Pumpkin Patch is the ideal spot to pick out a favorite jack-o-lantern.
site. In addition to picking out pumpkins, visitors can interact with farm animals such as calves and pigs that are fed the pumpkins from the patch. Mickelson Pumpkin Patch also provides entertaining activities such as paint balling, a hay maze and bounce houses to create a family-friendly and multifaceted environment. Along with the many attractions at Mickelson Pumpkin Patch, visitors have the opportunity to take a break by ordering lunch from a selection of food trucks on the site or resting their feet on a tractor ride. Mickelson Pumpkin Patch is open Sunday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The patch charges $3 to enter Saturday to Sunday and is free the following days of the week, however, certain attractions can cost up to an additional $30.
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch:
Located off Highway 101, this pumpkin patch brings to life a special sense of fall nostalgia that cannot be missed. Petaluma Pumpkin Patch will surely appeal to those on a budget as there is no entrance fee and visitors can select pre-harvested pumpkins from a decorative booth, priced from a low
Falling for pumpkin spice lattes this season
By Adela Tabak
As the fall season approaches and school gets back in full swing, students roam grocery stores and cafes to find the best caffeinated drink to suit their fall cravings. Here are a few in store this autumn season, featuring a mix of lattes filled with pumpkin spice delight.
Nugget Cafe
A simple trip to get some lunch essentials led me to the cafe in Nugget Market. I was surprised by their assortment of fall drinks and couldn’t wait to try what this local grocery market had in store. Although it was refreshing and the sweetness was not overpowering, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of effort put into this pumpkin spice latte. First off, it did not smell like pumpkin or spice whatsoever; more like any regular latte. Similarly, the taste lacked anything special and was more like milk with some cinnamon added to the bottom, defeating the purpose of what a pumpkin spice latte should be. In addition to these negatives, there was no effort put into
the presentation, making the price seem unreasonable, a whopping $5.95 for a small. Therefore, I think I would be better off ordering any other latte.
Peet’s
Once I could smell the cinnamon topping and pumpkin flavoring, I knew this drink had captured the feeling of fall. The spice did not overpower it and complimented the latte nicely. Cinnamon was added to the top to enhance the
presentation, giving customers a feel for what they will soon indulge in. However, it was hard to ignore the heavy amount of syrup and sugar this latte contained once I took my first sip. I noticed that the sense of pumpkin I could taste was purely because of the amount of syrup. I ordered a small, which ended up being $5.45 and felt a bit too expensive considering the small size of the cup. Peet’s coffee was not a top contender due to its excessive amount of sugar, but it successfully captured the essence of a pumpkin spice latte.
Starbucks
Being one of America's most popular coffee shops, Starbucks promptly released its annual addition of fall delicacies on Aug. 22. Starbucks is known for having drinks that include an extra pump of flavor and their pumpkin
of $2 to a high of $15. Furthermore, those wanting to pick their pumpkin off a vine have the option to make a selection from the pumpkin patch next to the decorative booth. Petaluma Pumpkin Patch also offers a petting area where people of all ages can interact with farm animals such as sheep, goats, turkeys, horses and cows. For an extra $8, visitors can partake in a corn maze built of straw bales nearly five feet tall. This patch is perfect for those looking for a quick trip to pick out a pumpkin or to spend the day enjoying a variety of fallthemed activities.
While some may believe they are too old to go to a pumpkin patch, taking the time to experience this long-standing tradition will remind them of the fun and joy this activity provides. Going to a pumpkin patch is not just about picking out a fall pumpkin but bringing a community together where all ages can be reminded of the special traditions and character of the season. Spend this fall enjoying the community and the autumn spirit with these three local spots.
lkoblik@redwoodbark.org
spice latte is a perfect example of this theme. The drink came with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, adding spice and a fun surprise to this fall drink. However, I would have preferred a stronger pumpkin flavor given the drink’s name, considering the main aspect that draws the customers’ attention to the product is the “pumpkin” spice. The drink costs $6.75 for a grande, which is fairly reasonable since that is equivalent to a medium. Overall, Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte was worth buying for the presentation and cozy pumpkin spice flavor, perfect for the fall season right around the corner.
atabak@redwoodbark.org
Photo by Linnea Koblik
Photo by Linnea Koblik
Illustration by Nadia Massoumi
Photo by Adela Tabak
Marin poke that will get you hooked
By Penelope Trott
Poke, a traditional Hawaiian dish, consists of diced-up raw fish mixed with other mouth-watering ingredients. Poke combines a seafood flavor with the fresh taste of savory vegetables. In Marin County, restaurants dedicated to poke are hard to find, but there are a few hidden gems that offer a unique taste of this Hawaiian favorite. Keep reading to discover which poke stands out in terms of taste and presentation and which of these delicious bowls will claim the number one spot.
Pacific Catch:
Located in the Town Center shopping center, Pacific Catch offers many different types of poke, from salads to dips. The dips consist of a bowl of poke and some chips on the side, while the poke bowls are more similar to the other restaurants. Pacific Catch is a family-friendly sit-down restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating. I
ordered the Japanese Wasabi Ahi Poke and the presentation was polished and appealing. The Ahi poke was flavorful and the combination of greens and toppings was refreshing. Pacific Catch also provides opportunities for customization, including doubling the proteins and changing up the base. These bowls cost $18.95 for the small and $21.95 for the regular, the dish is on the pricier side, yet it’s still a quality meal.
ALOH-O:
A charming poke restaurant situated in Strawberry Village in Mill Valley, ALOH-O offers an engaging experience where customers get to pick and choose their ingredients on paper. The inside of the restaurant is quaint, with a variety of tables and a selection of snacks perfect for every mood. I ordered the standard poke bowl, which consists of a base, choice of meat and garnishings, which came out to $16. The serving size was more than enough for a lunch or dinner and the presentation was well done. There were numerous options, in which I chose the sesame
poke as my main meat, rice as my base and carrot and avocado as a topping. The dish was flavorful, unique and the store itself was welcoming.
Gilligan’s Poke Shop:
Located at the back of the Sausalito Market store, Gilligan’s Poke Shop has the best bang for your buck. Whether you are looking for just plain fish, or the option of poke with rice and additional toppings, Gilligan’s offers both at low prices. Gilligan’s stood out because of its uniqueness and customization that they offered. I recommend visiting if you are looking for a smaller portion, or if you are hesitant to try poke. I ordered the spicy ahi poke, which was only $12, the least expensive out of the four places I tried.
World Wrapps:
Another delicious poke restaurant in the Town Center shopping center is World Wrapps. Popular amongst students, World Wrapps offers a variety of cuisines and has a diverse menu. I was pleasantly surprised by the poke I ordered, and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an option close to Redwood. I ordered the Hawaiian Poke which was $16. I found the flavoring more subtle than the other restaurants, but it still had hints of sesame. The
vegetables added a nice flavoring that brought the dish together. Compared to the other places, this poke is best if you are looking for a stronger vegetable flavor. Of the restaurants I tried, World Wrapps had the least customization options, which is something to keep in mind if you are considering it.
Whether you are a Poke fan or are looking to expand your palate, try one or all of these restaurants and get their unique spin on the traditional Hawaiian dish. All four restaurants left me with a good impression and I would suggest grabbing a refreshing snack of poke.
ptrott@redwoodbark.org
A guide to the scariest Halloween movies
By Henrik Vraanes
With new horror movies airing every year, it’s hard to determine the greats from the more average ones. Instead, try going back a few decades and check out the best classic horror films of the 20th century. With Halloween just around the corner, there is no better time to watch a classic horror movie.
“The Shining”
This movie follows Jack Torrence, his wife and their five-year-old son as they watch over an isolated hotel in the snowy Colorado mountains. As the months
progress, Torrence slowly loses his mind and poses a threat to his wife and son. This 1980’s film is one of the best horror movies of all time because of its production and the incorporation of realistic elements in the plot. While there aren’t many traditional jumpscares in the film, each scene invokes a chilling feeling, making it an eerie Halloween watch.
“The Exorcist”
Another classic horror film released in 1973, “The Exorcist” features a battle between good and evil. When a young girl named Regan starts acting strange, her mother brings her to two priests in
fear that she was possessed by the devil. Throughout the movie, there is a constant tension between the devil and the priests, making for an intriguing plot. Many scenes in this movie are frightening, so make sure you’re prepared to take on the challenge!
“Misery”
The 1990 film “Misery” combines all of the perfect horror movie aspects into one masterpiece. It starts during a blizzard when writer, Paul Sheldon, drives off the road and is knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he is in the home of his “biggest fan,” who cares for him while he is healing from his injuries. Yet throughout the movie,
he discovers that she isn’t really who he thinks she is. “Misery” is a must-watch during fall this year. This horror film has it all: jump scares, mystery and suspense.
Classic horror movies all have great aspects, whether it’s the plot or the creativity in every film. Considering these options, hopefully this guide has inspired you to watch a classic scary movie this Halloween.
hvraanes@redwoodbark.org
sports sports
Sports Spotlight: Jordan Marotto serves up quiet confidence and roaring victories
By Henry Barker
Throughout her Redwood career, Jordan Marotto has quietly emerged as one of the school’s top athletes. Her accolades speak for themselves — from winning 2023 Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) Player of the Year, to being voted Marin Independent Journal (IJ) County-wide Girls’ Tennis Player of the Year, she has solidified herself among the top players in the region. As a freshman,
around eight or nine,” Marotto said. “I also feel like there's a big tennis culture in Marin, and I grew up going to Mount Tam Racquet Club.”
It was her mom’s love for tennis that sparked Marotto’s passion.
"When I saw how my mom enjoyed the sport, [it] really showed me that tennis can be a lifelong joy,” Marotto said.
Marotto believes joining the Redwood tennis team was an instrumental part of her tennis journey. It brought a team aspect to
forehand, an amazing backhand, great drop shot [and] great serve. Her volleys are solid and so is her footwork,” said Porter.
Beyond her technical skills, Porter also recognizes her natural leadership qualities.
“Jordan is confident, kind and a good communicator. She’s encouraging of others and builds her teammates up. She always brings a positive attitude to the court. She’s a natural leader. The girls look up to her and it seems so
Marotto has been a star player throughout her entire high school career, making first team All-League singles in each year. While she has worked hard to improve each year, her most significant growth has come as a leader. As she into a leadership her mindset evolved as she grew into a leadership role.
“[As a freshman], I felt pressure to not let the team down if I lost. As a leader during my sophomore and junior years, I tried to turn that pressure into a privilege, using it to motivate me to play and act my best,” Marotto
Reflecting on her time as a freshman, Marotto remembers how much she admired the captains. Now, she embraces that
“As captain, I try to be someone the freshmen can look up to, not just for my tennis skills but for my mentality as well. I want to be approachable, someone they can come to with any questions,”
Marotto’s close friend and fellow
Redwood tennis player, Livia Klompus, appreciates how she creates team chemistry by motivating and supporting her teammates.
“I admire her as a player and how she collaborates [with] and pushes her teammates. Jordan interacts with all grade levels, [making] everyone feel like they belong. She makes them excited about not only playing tennis, but being on the team with everyone together,” Klompus said.
Marotto’s success on the court has also been largely influenced by her personal tennis instructor, Tarrin Dougery. Marotto started working with Dougery in 2019 and acknowledges her for transforming her game.
“I call her my technician, in a sense that she can diagnose what is wrong with my strokes and correct it. [Dougery] helped me change into the player I am now,” Marotto said.
Marotto believes that consistency in mental and physical aspects help her reduce mistakes while maintaining a balance of aggressiveness.
“I try to minimize the unforced errors and also be offensive when I need to be,” Marotto said. “I also try to remain as steady as possible, so it doesn't give my opponent any kind of way to try and get a hold of my emotions.”
Porter has observed the strength of Marotto’s mental game.
“Jordan is very level-headed and stays calm and focused. She knows the game very well and is a fierce competitor. She has a quiet confidence about her without any hint of ego attached to the player she is,” Porter said.
Maratto proves to be a shining star for the girls’ varsity squad this year and hopes to lead the team to its third straight MCAL title. However, her strengths as a leader and teammate will leave a lasting impact on Redwood and its future tennis players.
hbarker@redwoodbark.org
Exploring Redwood jerseys through the decades
By Lily Skinner and Zach Dinowitz
tennis when I was
Photo by Penelope Trott
Guardian Caps: The next step in protecting high school football players
By Mason Garbo and Owen McDaniels
In August 2024, an Alabama high school football player tragically passed away after suffering a brain injury on the field mid-game. Unfortunately, there have been many similar incidents that have had life-altering effects. Tackle football has the highest concussion rates among all sports with an 18.6 percent chance of getting a concussion throughout their career in a game or practice, according to the National High School SportsRelated Injury Surveillance Study. Recently, with advancements in football safety, guardian caps, which are soft-shell foam coverings worn over a player's helmet to minimize the impact of head collisions, have been gaining attention. Senior varsity football player Ronan Ralston, who has suffered several concussions, believes guardian caps should be required for all players.
should be [required]. They should integrate logos or colors into the guardian caps to make it match the helmet or jersey color,” Ralston said.
The caps were introduced in 2010 by the company Guardian Sports and quickly gained traction as they were used in both college and pro practices and scrimmages. In 2022, they were required to be worn for offensive and defensive linemen during National Football League (NFL) training camp, and just this year, the NFL began to allow players to wear these protective caps during regular season games.
not required. However, some high school and youth teams do wear them during practices, and individual programs can choose to use them. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) does not endorse guardian caps, but it does permit their use as long as it doesn't violate NFHS football rules. Redwood, along with many other teams in Marin use guardian caps only for practice, although it is clear that guardian caps should be required to wear during in-season games as well.
“Guardian caps would lead to a reduction in [injuries]. You know, those little hits add up, but also those big hits that you know cause severe concussions.”
Ralston said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president, during an interview with CNN, commented on the effectiveness of guardian caps.
“Guardian caps have contributed to a nearly 50 percent reduction in concussions for their specific position groups.” Miller claimed to CNN’s Coy Wire.
Ralston explained how the only downside really is the “hideous looks,” but the benefits outweigh this and as the caps begin to become more common and integrate into games, players will start to warm up to the visual aspect of the caps.
Integrating guardian caps into regular season games for high school players will cause a reduction in concussion rate and will benefit the longevity of high schoolers’ academic and athletic careers.
bark@redwoodbark.org
“Guardian caps, in theory, should be required for football games as they have led to [significantly] less concussions and head injuries. However, I believe that they are [less fashionable], but to be honest I've had two concussions [so] they probably
Six NFL players have worn the caps this year, including Jabrill Peppers and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, both wellrespected linebackers. Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, suffered a head injury on Sept. 12 resulting in him being placed on the injured reserve until the end of October. With rumors floating that Tagovailoa could be forced into retirement due to brain trauma, it is likely that we will see more players wear guardian caps in game. This raises a big question if they should be required to be worn at the younger level.
For high schoolers, guardian caps are
California passes law to tackle safety in high school sports
By Elle Wilson
While heat waves cycle through California, high school sports teams continue to work tirelessly. With an increasing amount of injuries, heat-related illnesses and fatalities seen in high school sports, it’s clear that something needs to change.
This summer, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) implemented a new law requiring schools to consistently monitor weather conditions while athletes play and compete. Differing from regular temperature software, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) can accurately measure temperature based on how it will affect the human body. It collects data by measuring air temperature, wind speed, sun angle, humidity and cloud coverage. Based on the data WBGT collects, coaches will modify their practices to accommodate their athletes.
Americ Alvarado, Redwood’s athletic director, manages the WBGT results and athlete safety.
“Just because it's 95 degrees outside, there could be a wind that could change the Wet Bulb Index,” said Alvarado.
“In this community, we're very lucky that we're so close to the water, and we get a breeze. Archie [Williams gets extreme heat] because they are in a pocket area in San Anselmo, and there’s not much wind,” Alvarado said.
Because of this, Archie Williams has had to cancel several athletic activities this season. Coaches like Allen Talley, the head varsity football coach, still take into account WBGT results even if cancellation is not required. Even if cancellation is not necessary, Talley always puts the safety and health of their players first which is crucial for the success of a team.
“Two weeks ago we had to reschedule practice [for an hour later]. We just wanted to make sure [to take] precautions, just to be safe,” said Talley.
Over the years we have evolved in sports at all levels around injuries.
Allen Talley, coach
Having new technology such as WBGT makes weather measurement far more accurate and therefore useful when planning physical activities. The new law requires that if WBGT records above 86.2 degrees fahrenheit, all physical activities must be canceled. Redwood is yet to implement this, as conditions have not yet reached such extreme levels.
As heat related issues are now being closely monitored, safety improvements are being made in other areas of sports such as an athlete’s gear. In football, head injuries are common. When it comes to a student-athlete and their brain development, it is important to limit as many head injuries as possible. These head injuries, though frequent, are preventable through new and advanced technology integrated into the athlete’s helmet. This new and advanced safety technology is displayed in gear such as the Guardian Cap. These helmets made of foam, which are padded on the outside of the helmet, supply an extra layer of protection for the player.
Although Guardian Caps immensely improve an athlete’s safety, there are still improvements to be made. Dante Davis, a
junior on Varsity football, explains some downsides that come with these helmets.
“Guardian Caps trap a lot of heat and moisture because they cover the vents of the helmets. With that, plus the already existing heat, it makes you dehydrated and [creates] a dangerous environment while you are playing," Davis said.
Extreme heat can exuberate dehydration and fatigue for athletes and can put them at risk of heat-induced health issues. To support their athletes, coaches have their players take breaks often and drink water to stay hydrated.
“The turf is hot and they are wearing gear. We have to make sure to give them breaks in 15-minute intervals,” said Talley.
Coaches also offer a water hose (a hydration system), where athletes can spray themselves to cool off or refill their water bottles. Hydration is key for an athlete's success as it is essential to stay healthy and prevent injuries.
“[Coaches] are also telling them before practice to drink water. When you get home, drink water. A lot of kids forget because they are so busy during the day
that they don’t drink water,” Alvarado said. When looking at the bigger picture, safety and awareness have come a long way in football.
“In the 90s, we hit, we hit, we hit. The times have changed. If you go further back, head injuries weren’t talked about, regular injuries weren’t talked about. [The mentality was], throw some dirt on it and go back. Over the years we have evolved in sports at all levels around injuries and safety. It has gotten a whole lot better in sports, which is great for the kids," said Talley.
High school sports are continuing to evolve in order to create a healthier environment for all student-athletes. Coaches are prioritizing not only physical health of their players but also their players’ overall wellbeing. By ensuring that all aspects of an athlete's health is valued, an athlete can feel more comfortable in an often stressful environment. When an athlete feels respected and safe, they are set on a trajectory for long term success.
ATTEMPTING TO TACKLE, two football players reduce the impact on their brain using the Guardian Caps.
Photo by Graham Weir
COOLING OFF DURING a hot practice, sophomores Max Ivey and Charlie Anderson utilize the water hose.
Photo by Elle Wilson
Meet the fall 2024 captains: ‘Being a good captain means...’
By Kate Barker and Henry Barker
Water polo Field hockey Football
Morgan Sicklick (left): “Leading with heart, inspiring commitment and creating a sense of unity both in and out of the pool.”
Annabelle Kilgore (right): “Leadership and kindness. Teamwork is essential to being water polo captain, I take it as my responsibility to help build those connections.”
Maya Saibel (right): “Being a positive leader on the team, leading by example and working as hard as I can to cultivate a good team culture.”
Francesca Mitchell (left) : “Being a strong leader, especially since on the field hockey team, the players vote for you, not the coaches.”
Ashlin Quach (left): “Taking on a role of leadership and responsibility both on and off the field. Always trying to set an example through hard work, dedication and a positive attitude.”
Sean Cunneen (right): “Your teammates trust you as the person to lead the team through adversity and towards the goal of being 1-0 every week.”
Tennis Golf Volleyball
Audrey Markovich (right): “A strong leader and communicator, getting your team pumped up before a game and knowing what's best for your team overall.”
Julia Laury (left): “A friendly face and someone that every team member can go to.”
Taylor Bridges: “Being someone my teammates can turn to and rely on. I value bringing everyone together and making sure each member of the team feels suported.”
Ella Moran (right): “Creating a safe environment for everyone to come into and also creating a competitive atmosphere.”
Neeva Gaine (left): “Supporting my teammates overall [and] making sure they feel comfortable and happy on the [court].”
Water polo Cross country Cheer
Ossie Joplin (left): “Having leadership, being responsible and making sure everybody’s working hard.”
Sawyer Goldberg (right): “Bringing the team together, especially [because] every year seniors graduate so the chemistry is different. Our team this year especially is very young so [helping the younger
Marley Nacco (left): “A good role model for the younger girls and setting a good example of what to do during practice.”
Courtney Kunz (right): “Creating a positive environment where everyone feels welcomed and included, especially on our runs.”
Devyn Johnson (right): “Being dedicated to your team, working hard for your teammates and being reliable. You have a whole group looking to you for leadership.”
Gemma Fox (left): “Showing commitment to your team. Even when you’re struggling yourself, you have to help your team.”
bark@redwoodbark.org
Flagging the future: How a girls’ flag football team could kick start change sports sports
By Lucy Jeffers
Redwood is fortunate enough to offer a multitude of men’s and women’s sports to play throughout the school year, but even so, a lot of student-athletes are left wanting more. For women, Redwood fall sports include tennis, volleyball, golf, field hockey, water polo, cross country and cheerleading. Subsequently, there are no field-based contact sports.
At the same time, women’s flag football high school leagues are starting everywhere. As of the 2023-24 school year, flag football has been recognized as an official high school sport in California, and there is no reason why Redwood High School with its rich history of excellence in athletics, shouldn’t have a team. While all of the sports offered in the fall require
athletes to have significant athleticism and skill level in the sport, the lack of contact-based physicality takes away the opportunity to have beneficial cross training for athletes in other sports. In addition, a fall contact sport would provide a positive and inclusive space to compete for student-athletes.
Olivia Kim is a junior and will be joining the varsity girls lacrosse team for a second season this spring. She shares how having the option for a sport like flag football would not only be something she is interested in, but would also give her the opportunity to develop skills that would benefit her lacrosse career.
“I have never played flag football, but I think the footwork and running would make me quicker and a better dodger [in lacrosse],” Kim said.
Similarly, varsity soccer player Caitlin Titcombe notes how flag football would be a better fall training for that sport than her current one, field hockey.
“I love field hockey and the spacing and ball movement is similar to soccer, but if flag football was an option, that’s what I would be doing in the fall. I feel like it would be more physically rigorous where field hockey isn’t, and the running would help me get in shape for soccer season,” Titcombe said.
In addition to its cross training benefits, everyone would be learning to play flag football for the first time due to the scarcity of opportunity in Marin, creating the opportunity to have a positive and welcoming environment on the team.
“Every other sport has girls who have been playing basically since they could walk, so something where we could all learn and develop at the same time would be really fun. It would be really exciting to be involved in the start of it,” Kim said.
“[Flag football] would be a nice option since it probably wouldn’t be as competitive as other sports that people have been playing for years. I feel like since everyone is learning how to do it together there would be an aspect of inclusivity,” Titcombe said.
Independently from Redwood, Next Level Sports has flag football teams in Marin for girls grades 1st- 6th. Senior Sadie Haan, played on a team in 5th grade. She recalls it being an extremely fun experience with friends, and something she would still enjoy to this day.
“[Flag football] is a fun sport in general and it was great back then because I did it with a bunch of my friends. It was sort of
Literary
just a silly thing we all looked forward to on the weekends. I don’t play a fall sport, but if Redwood had a [flag football] team I would definitely consider playing, ” Haan said.
For juniors and senior girls at Redwood, there is the annual Powderpuff game, where the grades face off in a flag football game coached by varsity boys’ football players. As much as it is a popular event to watch, there is significant demand to participate in the game from juniors and seniors, resulting in the creation of a raffle to get to play.
“I played in the powderpuff game last year and I am definitely going to play again this year if I get in. I think a real flag football team could be possible [at Redwood] based on how much interest there always is around Powderpuff,” Haan said.
ljeffers@redwoodbark.org
The Literary section is comprised of submissions from the student body that express creativity in the form of art, photography, creative writing and more. Contact our editor Grace Gehrman at ggehrman@redwoodbark.org to have your work considered.
IN THE 2023 powederpuff game, junior girls strategize their next play.
Photo courtesy of Alex Argov
THE IDEA for the 2020 Next Level girls’ team was conceived during lunchtime at Hall Middle school where the girls played with the boys’ team for fun.
Photo by Julia Delsol
Photos by Brooke Ellington
Games Games
The Games section now has online interactive activities in the Games tab at redwoodbark.org. We have a variety of different games including a daily Wordle, crosswords, strands, puzzles and more!
By Tessa Marshall
By Maggie Walsh
By Nick Hartung
By Finn Nelson
To view the keys and online versions to all games, scan this QR code or search games on redwoodbark.org
games@redwoodbark.org
lifestyles lifestyles
‘94 alumnus Joshua Spiegelman creates Roam Burger
By Morgan Sicklick
Joshua Spiegelman, co-founder of Roam Burgers, graduated from Redwood in 1994. He has devoted his life to making healthier food options more prevalent in a world full of chemicals and preservatives. Roam Burgers kicked off the grand opening of its Marin location at the Town Center Mall on Aug. 31, 2024, welcoming friends, family and locals to enjoy what Roam has to offer.
Before going to Redwood, Spiegelman grew up in San Rafael, where he attended elementary and middle school before his family moved to Mill Valley and enrolled him at Redwood. Transitioning to a new school district proved socially challenging, especially because he prioritized academics rather than social endeavors. However, he enjoyed extracurricular sports, such as the golf team, where he met most of his friends.
“[Fitting in was] kind of tough, to be honest, but my parents felt like Redwood was the place to be [since my older brother attended Redwood as well],” Spiegelman said.
Spiegelman’s introduction to the restaurant business came during high school when he and his brother took a job at Il Nido, an Italian restaurant in Larkspur.
“While a lot of friends were going out and doing fun stuff, I was working. That was my first entry into the restaurant business,” Spiegelman said.
After high school, Spiegelman pursued his love for languages by majoring in Spanish at the University of (UCLA). Following his studies, he spent three and a half years working in real estate in Japan. However, upon returning to UCLA for a Master of Business Administration (MBA), he shifted gears to a finance and
investment banking career. It wasn’t until after the 2008 financial crisis that he realized finance wasn’t his true calling.
Spiegelman traveled worldwide and learned about the importance and ease of healthy eating in other countries.
“I spent some time in Italy after the financial crisis, and I’ve always loved the food from my travels around the world. I noticed in all those countries that people eat really well,” Spiegelman said. “The food in Italy is inherently healthier due to how it’s grown, the treatment of animals, and the strict regulations compared to the U.S.”
This contrast became even more apparent to Spiegelman when he reflected on his high school days when healthy food options at Town Center Mall were limited.
“I used to come to the Corte Madera Town Center for lunch and there was McDonald’s, and we [ate] at Arby’s,” Spiegelman said.
This observation inspired Spiegelman to create a restaurant offering healthy options without being a fancy sit-down eatery. He envisioned a casual dining experience focused on nutritious ingredients while staying true to a traditional American restaurant.
“Let’s do something very American, like burgers, but really focus on the quality of the ingredients,” Spiegelman said.
Spiegelman is committed to serving well-made products with excellent ingredients that Roam Burger’s patrons will enjoy and feel good about eating.
“Whether it’s people in high school, someone who’s pregnant, or little kids, we feel like we really have a responsibility to serve quality food. My hope is that it is understood and well received [by the community],” Spiegelman said.
“Stay focused on your goals and objectives and follow your heart. If things don’t happen right away, it doesn’t mean they’re never going to happen,” Spiegelman said. “Being persistent yet patient, especially while running a restaurant, is the way to move forward.”
From his start as a lonely freshman to running his restaurant, Spiegelman has learned many lessons he hopes future generations will embrace.
“I think you have to follow your passion and your dreams, no matter what they are, but also keep in mind that
timing is very important,” Spiegelman said. “[Generation Z] is so authentically themselves. Everyone is pretty accepting and open and it allows people to be themselves. I see you for who you are.”
Spiegelman invites community members to visit Roam for any occasion. Senior Molly Goldstein went to Roam to enjoy some food and see what the new addition to Town Center Mall has to offer.
“As soon as I stepped into the restaurant, I felt welcomed and invited. The friendly atmosphere and kind staff made the experience very enjoyable,” Goldstein said. Spiegelman highlights Roam Burgers’ environment, emphasizing its versatility as a gathering place for friends, families and couples. He believes it’s a place where everyone can feel at ease and enjoy a great meal together.
“You can come for a date, for just a casual lunch, with your parents or with friends and just hang out and get a milkshake or a soft serve. You can come for a salad or a burger, any time of the day, and feel welcomed and comfortable,” Spiegelman said.
msicklick@redwoodbark.org
Butkevich brings AP African American Studies to RHS
By Jay Knopping
This year, Redwood joined 700 high schools that offer AP African American Studies. In the program’s second year, more than 600 schools added this class as an elective. Advanced Placement African American Studies (AFAM) teacher Nikolai Butkevich spent many hours throughout the year and the summer getting this class approved for the 2024-25 school year.
“The Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) board quickly approved this class. There’s a lot of support [for this class] at the board and district levels, too. This class is not a typical AP class—it’s specifically designed to be inclusive as much as possible and to attract students who have never taken AP before but who might be intrigued by [the] idea of this class,” Butkevich said.
With only 60 schools offering the course last year, Butkevich’s teachings are brand new. However, the course must follow the rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) schedule, which presents some challenges.
“I always say we’re building the plane as we fly it. There are moments where I have to update the lessons, but they’re just not as tight as they will be in year two or three. [Students] signed up to learn something new, [knowing] that this is a new course, and they took the challenge on,” Butkevich said.
Butkevich is very excited to bring a new class and learning style to Redwood, which includes four units of content for the year.
“The first unit is ancient and medieval civilizations in Africa, and the second unit is enslavement and resistance, [which] is the rest of the fall semester. Unit Three we start with reconstruction and go to World War II. And Unit Four is after World War II, the civil rights movement, the Black Power movement and modern culture, like sports figures, comic books, ‘Star Trek’ and the first interracial kiss,” Butkevich said.
The curriculum Butkevich follows includes films, sports figures, music, arts and so much more than a typical history class. In AFAM, students get to broaden their understanding of American history in a new way that is not common in many schools.
“If you want to understand what it means to be American, you have to understand African American history.
Black people have always been at or near the center of pretty much every major turning point in our history,” Butkevich said.
Many students have been inspired by Butkevich and the content of course to enroll this year. Senior Ryan Rembrandt is taking AFAM to gain more perspective and further educate himself on American history.
We’ve been talking in class [about] how people have this idea that Africa was uncivilized before its connection to Europe, but that’s not true at all.
Ryan Rembrandt, senior
“[During] Sophomore year I took ethnic studies and contemporary issues, and that was more on the cultural side of African American struggles. So, I wanted to get a little more information to go with that class, [and when] I saw the preview of AFAM, it seemed pretty interesting,” Rembrandt said.
Butkevich is passionate about sharing this history with students and he believes that learning about culture is just as important as history because they go hand in hand.
“For American culture, no matter what your background is, imagining it without African American contributions to literature, to music, to art, is completely unimaginable. I think you really learn a lot about what it means to be an American taking this course in a really way,” Butkevich
Photo by Julia Delsol
Having teachers like Butkevich instructing the class has helped Rembrandt stay engaged and enjoy learning about this history.
“[Butkevich is] really knowledgeable; everything [I’ve] asked about Africa and African history, he just knows everything,” Rembrandt said.
Rembrandt believes that what they are learning goes beyond the classroom.
“We’ve been talking about a lot in class [about] how people have this idea that Africa was uncivilized before its connection to Europe, but that’s not true at all. The fact that so many people think Africa was de-civilized and don’t know they are wrong is why this class is important,” Rembrandt said.
Discussions like these are part of the reason Butkevich teaches this class and he hopes that his passion for African American history will inspire students to take the course and gain valuable insight into our country’s history.
jknopping@redwoodbark.org
SHOWING OFF DELICIOUS soft serve, co-founder Joshua Spiegelman stands at the pick-up window.
Photo courtesy of Decantéur Media
Senior citizens and students rally together for a peaceful future
By Madison Bishop
Mill Valley Senior Citizens for Peace, an organization advocating for justice in social and environmental issues, has rallied members every Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. for nearly 21 years on the corner of Miller Avenue and Camino Alto Street.
Founded on Jan. 31, 2003, by Rolly Mulvey, the group comprises Redwood’s Retirement Community residents and Mill Valley locals, with an average age of 86 years old. Nancy Miller, an original member of the Mill Valley Seniors for Peace, has continued rallying in hopes of bringing peace to the world.
“In 2003, before the war in Iraq, I promised [Mulvey] I would be out here
until there’s peace in the world,” Miller said. “And I’m still here.”
Members, wearing customized Mill Valley Senior Citizens for Peace apparel, gather at their Mill Valley corner to invoke interaction in modern politics.
“As the years went by, we continued to deal with peace issues that expanded our mission to new goals, such as social and racial justice to environmental issues,” Miller said.
other community members with us today and every Friday.”
I promised I would be out here until there’s peace.
Nancy Miller, senior citizen
The group uses various creative methods to spread its messages, including decorated signs, musical instruments and posters. Their striking signs and colorful posters catch the attention of bypassers, while their use of musical instruments and chants adds an energetic element to their protests. Miller highlights how the group’s diverse membership strengthens their initiative.“Most of us live here in The Redwoods, but we also have members from the [Mill Valley] community at large,” Miller said, motioning to the line of protesters down the sidewalk on a Friday afternoon. “The guy down at the end is the mayor. We have the mayor, guitarists and
The support for their environmental initiatives extends beyond the Mill Valley elderly; they also collaborate with seniors at Tamalpais High School. Among the ones leading the initiative are Madeline Mickelson, Lindsey Lefferts and Talia Bamberger. These dedicated students are not only members of their Environmental Club but also key figures in spearheading projects that bridge the gap between generations. Mickelson, Lefferts and Bamberger began collaborating with the seniors during their sophomore year, guided by their adviser, Jessica Watts.
“We started protesting here with [our environmental teacher], Ms. Watts, as part of environmental science [class in our] sophomore year,” Mickelson said.
Students’ involvement with the seniors brings fresh perspectives and renewed energy to the cause. Lefferts notes the importance of working across generations and learning from the seniors.
The Mill Valley Senior Citizens for
Peace's mission statement encapsulates all of the inspiring work they do: “In our closing years, we strive to serve as role models for our children and grandchildren, demonstrating how we must all work together to improve our democracy and to preserve our planet.”
Rain or shine, the members of Mill Valley Citizens for Peace will be out every week advocating for what they believe in and encouraging future generations to follow in their footsteps.
mbishop@redwoodbark.org
Staying rooted: The lasting legacy of Botany Club
By Lily Skinner
On Thursday afternoons, while most students are scattered around Redwood’s campus for lunch, a group of passionate student ecologists gather in Redwood’s Friendship Garden, tending to ecology beds and discussing plants since fall of 2021. The Botany Club, created by Holden Hitchcock and Aiden Tribolet, has been beautifying the Redwood campus and the community as one of the club’s main activities.
junior year, during cross country practice, [Aiden and I] would talk about all these things and then we had this idea to start the Botany Club,” Hitchcock said.
the two gathered students in Mr. Summary’s room where they created lessons to educate students about botany and the natural plant world around us.
growing sunflowers and lupin. Through these projects, Hitchcock’s passion for botany grew. With the success of the club, and as his time at Redwood came to a close, it became apparent that they needed a successor, a new president who would be equally passionate.
In the fall of 2023, Hitchcock’s younger sister, current Redwood senior Emily Hitchcock, took over the Botany Club. Since then she’s carried on her brother’s legacy and grown the club to create a change in our community. Longtime member senior Courtney Kunz is captivated by Emily’s leadership.
“[We would meet] once a week, and we would just go over a different topic in botany, just teaching people because a lot of people are not the most aware of things relating to plants, growing plants and botany. So we just wanted to bring awareness to that,” Hitchcock said.
To teach people about botany, Hitchcock and Tribolet would incorporate projects such as gathering leaves and studying the structure, collecting dirt from around Marin, and planting their own seeds.
For Hitchcock, one of the things he loved was weeding dilapidated beds and
“I love having such dedicated leaders, like our current president Emily. She’s so passionate about the club, which just makes it so much more fun to be a part of the club. So we’re doing all these really incredible things and opportunities. And it’s just so inspirational to be around her and that inspiration has definitely also fueled my love for the Botany Club,” Kunz said.
Watching his little sister take over his club, Hitchcock agrees.
“[Emily] doesn’t have as much knowledge about plants that Aiden and I did, but as a result, I think it helps her connect with the average student. She also definitely has a lot bigger ambitions for the club. She’s utilizing Botany Club to execute some pretty big projects, and that’s only something that Aiden and I weren’t thinking about and it seems like Emily does a really great job at pulling people in that otherwise wouldn’t be interested. I
think that’s where her leadership definitely shines,” Hitchcock said.
Emily has proven herself as a leader by incorporating ways to get involved in the community beyond Botany Club such as working with the non-profit Refugia Marin, an organization dedicated to enhancing the beauty of our local community and educating the community about phytogeography. To further their community engagement, the club has created “Botany Band,” a subset of club members who will perform music to raise money for their club at the Cove School on October 17.
While the siblings share somewhat different leadership styles, both continue to focus on the core values of the club. As Emily reaches her senior year, she is tasked with the mission to find someone equally passionate to take over her presidency. The search concluded with Redwood junior, Claire Mussche, a current member ready to carry on the legacy of the previous presidents.
“[From Botany Club,] I’ve learned not only how to manage gardening and plants. I’ve also learned that botany can help you relax, add a routine to your life and honestly just stay rooted,” Mussche said.
lskinner@redwoodbark.org
Photo courtesy of Botany Club BOTANY CLUB MEMBERS work together to produce community garden.
TAMALPAIS HIGH SCHOOL’S Environmental Club rallies alongside senior citizens.
Photo by Madison Bishop
Illustration by Nadia Massoumi
MILL VALLEY MAYOR Urban Carmel (right) and Mill Valley Citizens for Peace members use musical instruments to enhance their protests on a sunny day.
Photo by Madison Bishop
Suicide Prevention and Statistics
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