February 2013

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NEWS

By MATTHEW LEE

apachepowwow.com

February 2013

Arcadia’s Citizens of the Year Staff Writer

Arcadia is ranked as one of California’s top cities to live in due to its outstanding schools, living conditions, and safe environment. However, Arcadia would not have been ranked as one of the best if it had not been for its loyal citizens. Such citizens include Jim and Shelly Romo, who have been named Citizens of the Year due to their outstanding volunteer service and leadership. The Romos have always gone beyond the call and are huge contributors to Arcadia’s social, religious, judicial, and charity organizations. Although the Romos seem to have their hands full, education is a top priority for them mainly due to the fact that the Romos hold and have held key educational positions in the AUSD. According to Councilman Gary Kovacic, Mr. and Mrs. Romo “are never satisfied with just ‘putting in the time.’ They gladly accept important leadership positions that make a difference in our community. They always place the

Feb. Highlights

needs and concerns of our community ahead of their own.” Throughout the last ten years, Mr. Romo has been President of the AUSD Board of Education twice and President of the Arcadia Educational Foundation. He is currently the Vice President of the new Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation board of directors. Mrs. Romo has been President of Assistance League of Arcadia twice, President of the Sierra Madre Nursery School board of directors, and President of the PTA at Highland Oaks

Graphic courtesy of STRONGCITIESSTRONGSTATE.COM Photos courtesy of ARCADIASBEST.COM, ELLIOTT LEE, and HARRISON QUAN

CA Drops Algebra Requirements

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

War in Mali After a violent coup d’état in Mali, radical Islamic militants and separatist rebels took control of half of the country last March. This January, a military intervention led by France—Mali’s former colonial ruler—began. France has been successful so far, but it remains to be seen as to whether a French victory will mean stability for Mali. Beijing Smog China’s air pollution levels have recently hit an all time high. Smog levels are 20 times over the World Health Organization’s recommended safety levels and visibility has been so heavily reduced that over a hundred flights have been cancelled. North Korean Nuclear Test On Feb. 12, North Korea conducted its third successful nuclear device test, raising tensions worldwide. After a similar, successful long-range missile and rocket testing, North Korea could prove to be a serious international threat. Leaders around the world are planning to impose even stricter sanctions against North Korea. Dorner Manhunt After a two-week long manhunt and four alleged victims, Christopher Dorner has been confirmed dead. A former cop and Navy officer, Dorner considered himself a victim of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD); the motive behind his actions was purportedly driven by his perceived corruption and racism within the LAPD.

In an attempt to allow students to learn math at their own pace, California’s new policy abolishes the 15-year procedure of the placement and proficiency of eighth grade students in the Algebra I course. The new state policy now allows students to enroll in Algebra I or an alternate course that teaches fewer algebraic concepts further in depth. California is one of the last states to make this change, and as of now new standardized testing will focus more on the alternative course called the Common Core curriculum which has been widely adopted across the country. “A lot of kids [are] pushed into algebra when they’re not ready,” explained Quimby Oak Middle School math teacher Mark Stolan. The new Common Core curriculum will focus on fewer concepts during eighth grade, and will instead start with Algebra I concepts during ninth grade when the students are better prepared. The new policy slows down the amount of material learned over a period of time, but it claims that preparing students for a longer period of time will positively factor into their eventual success in Algebra I. The change may allow students to learn math at their own pace without being

vwang@apachepowwow.com

was the unit coach for Unit 4 and volunteered his time to help us prepare for competitions, met with us on a weekly basis, attended our Monday night Chambers, and provided us with valuable resources.” Mrs. Romo taught at Glendale Unified School District and helped establish “Showcasing Arcadia High”, an event that showcases the accomplishments of AHS. Although the Romos received rewards and honors that were much deserved, the couple continues to contribute their efforts in making Arcadia better than ever. The City of Arcadia is grateful to have the Romos, but more importantly, our community is grateful that there are people willing to devote their time and effort in making the world a better place. mlee@apachepowwow.com

By ERIKA ZHENG

By VIVIAN WANG

Elementary, AHS, Foothills Middle School, and the Arcadia Council. Though they are both highly recognized, the Romos like to connect with students in different school districts. Mr. Romo has served as an adviser and coach for the Constitution Team (Gov. Team) for 15 years up to the point where Gov. Team won the State and National championships. According to Gov. Team member senior Regina Liu, “Mr. Romo provides tremendous support to Gov. Team. He

forced into learning anything above their level, but critics fear that the policy will stop schools from offering any additional rigorous courses for more academically advanced students. The change is also a source of controversy with critics and opponents of the decision because the single best predictor of college graduation is success in Algebra I. Starting Algebra I in the ninth grade may help students who need to master math concepts taught in the Common Core curriculum beforehand, but it may also hinder them in the long run as they fall behind their peers. Others disagree with the new change as well, saying that the new standards make it easier for school districts to neglect getting

low-income and minority students ready to go to college. “I think it’s a step back,” said Emmett Carson, Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a source of funding for preparatory algebra courses for those who live in the area and which pushes students to achieve their utmost potential. Some believe that the new Common Core curriculum is not synchronized with regular math courses that prepare college-prep students for taking calculus during senior year, a course that many colleges expect their applicants to have already taken. The slower, non-algebra Common Core math track does not prepare students to enter into college and the predicament is instead left up to school districts to take care of themselves. By following other states and introducing the Common Core curriculum, the State Board of Education is looking to better the education of students who may not be ready to learn Algebra I in eighth grade. Whether or not this will hinder the eventual performance and the entrance of students that are bound for college can only be answered by how well California’s school districts implement this change and take it into stride for each individual student’s success in the future. ezheng@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of ALL-FREE-DOWNLOAD.COM, IMAGESHACK.COM, and OPENCLIPART.ORG


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