2018 2019 Issue 1 by The Urban Legend

LEGEND

URBAN The Urban School of San Francisco. Issue 1.

October 2018. urbanlegendnews.org @urbanlegendnews

Movement for safe injection site legalization continues in San Francisco despite Governor Brown’s opposition Lily Daniel

Editor-in-Chief

Photo of injection supplies at Glide’s demo safe injection site. Taken on Aug. 30, 2018 by Lily Daniel.

On Sept. 30, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill that would have allowed San Francisco to pilot a nationwide push to legalize safe injection sites. If implemented, the sites would have attempted to address the ongoing opioid crisis destroying many communities in the United States. Safe injection sites provide spaces for intravenous drug users to use their drug of choice with clean needles and trained staff to respond to medical complications or overdoses. According to a 2017 report led by current

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, these facilities offer a step toward the humanization and rehabilitation of intravenous drug users, result in fewer drug-related overdoses and limit the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. Minimizing drug-related overdoses and deaths, after all, remains the goal. “There’s nothing bad about preventing someone from dying or getting [a] disease,” said Andrew Reynolds, an educator with Project Inform which advocates for those with HIV, during a tour of Glide’s demo site.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

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CLIMATE MARCH Photo of kids painting murals at the San Francisco Climate March. Taken on Sept. 8, 2018 by Ellie Lerner, Staff Writer.

Urban ramps up security for new school year Loki Olin In recent weeks, numerous adjustments to Urban’s security have been made to address previous flaws that exposed the school to both external and internal threats. The doors to the Page Street entrance are now locked throughout the school day and are monitored by a security guard sporting a gleaming badge during the afternoon. These changes have been enacted by members of Urban’s facilities, while many other ongoing and impending developments will enable students to directly influence the school’s approach to safety and security.

Features Editor Bethany Hellerich, the director of Urban XLabs, has tasked two students with creating a barrier mechanism to extend the height of the gate entrance adjacent to the Saint Agnes gym. Hellerich described the project as creating and designing “extended fencing for the top of the Page gate.” Its upcoming implementation is aimed at preventing potential intruders from scaling the gate as a means of accessing Urban’s North campus, addressing

a chronic flaw of Urban’s external security. Hellerich said she received the request for the project from Diane Walters, Urban’s Chief Financial Officer. “It’s based on the feedback from a security consultant hired last spring. They want to provide a deterrent for climbing that gate,” Hellerich said.

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PAGE 8 FALL PRODUCTION Renée Theodore ‘19 practices for the fall production, Chicago. Taken on Oct. 9, 2018 by Phoebe Grandi, Visuals Editor.

Prop E: Coming to smoke shops near you Phoebe Grandi

Illustration by Phoebe Grandi.

With the approval of Proposition E, San Francisco leads the United States in a fight against Big Tobacco by halting flavored tobacco sales throughout the entire city. On June 5, 2018, San Francisco voted in favor of Prop. E, banning the sale of flavored tobacco. It went into effect on July 20, but will not impact stores until the rules and regulations are drafted. The ban includes all tobacco products with a characterizing flavor as well as menthol cigarettes, making it the strictest tobacco regulation in the United States. The ban’s 68.39 percent voter support resulted from concern over the growing popularity of the e-cigarette brand JUUL, which is infamous for its variety of nicotine flavors. On Sept.

Visuals Editor 12, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognized the increase of teenage e-cigarette use as an epidemic, calling JUUL one of the leading causes. Urban health teacher Jenn Epstein shared her concern about the e-cigarettes’ effect on the Urban community. Every year, Urban’s Health Initiative for Peer Education (HIPE), which Epstein advises, administers a schoolwide survey meant to anonymously collect information on students’ drug use as well as their sexual activity and drinking experience. According to last year’s HIPE survey, 56.1 percent of students have tried e-cigarettes as opposed to 22.1 percent in 2017.

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PAGE 11 BOYS SOCCER Ben Shostak ‘19 kicks a ball during an Urban boys’ varsity soccer game. Taken on Sept. 22, 2017 by Doug Ko on September.

News

Urban’s new phone policies spark debate about student anxiety Tallula Riccardi Entering the 2018 school year, Urban students were surprised to find a new rule put in place surrounding their phones. After being introduced last year by Health Education teachers Jenn Epstein and Shafia Zaloom in their classes, students returned this fall to see shoe holders hanging on the walls of every Urban classroom. The repurposed shoe pockets are a place for students to put their phones before class. Mandatory in freshman and sophomore classes and optional in most junior and senior classes, students and faculty have a variety of opinions surrounding the new rule. Geoff Ruth, Urban’s Academic Dean, said that cell phones in class are “distracting even if [students] have it on silent because the constant buzzing interrupts [their] thinking process… then it takes another couple seconds to refocus, and you multiply that by 100.” “I’m not delusional, [I do not think] this is a cure-all… it’s not gonna solve the epidemic of this anxiety and stress,” Ruth said. When asked if he thinks it hinders the trust between students and teachers, Ruth said “[while] Urban students [approach] relationships from the perspective of mutual respect and trust, their responsibilities and expectations, both with technology and beyond, are inherently different; usually not in the students’ favor.”

Arts & Culture Editor Stacie Muñoz, Urban’s Director of Educational Technology, reinforced Ruth’s comments, saying “[It’s less of a] punishment, [and] more of [a] ‘lets all respect each other’s time’ … I think to the 9th and 10th graders, they’re fine. With the older kids [I want them] to recognize that we’re trying to set up good habits for the school, and we’re trying to really encourage people to be present.” Health Education teacher Shafia Zaloom said she first introduced the phone holders “as a part of [her] ongoing research and understanding about teenage human developments,” because MRI scans have proven that when phones are not on our bodies but within a 2 foot radius, “parts of our brains [are] actually focused on the phone and not on what we’re trying to do.” Kelsey Puknys ‘19 is part of the Curriculum Committee sub-committee, which influenced the decision. “As a freshman, I experienced [people on their phones,] and I thought it took away from the learning experience,” Puknys said. She added that she agrees it is less necessary for upperclassmen because in her opinion, “seniors are on their phones less by nature because they have to do well and pay attention.” Emilia Caya-Blonkenfeld ‘21 said

that “on [the] one hand it’s very helpful, [but] we also have computers [so it] doesn’t necessarily fix the problem.” She added that to her, it “just kind of feels tedious to put your phone in and every time end up forgetting [it].” Kahlo Chen-Cerenio ‘22 is in favor of the phone holders, saying it helps him focus because “Sometimes when my phone buzzes in my pocket, I get distracted and think about it [instead of class].” Despite the relatively positive feedback from teachers and underclassmen, Urban has faced backlash from juniors and seniors who aren’t used to the new rule. Caroline Sloan ‘20 hinted at the disrespect some students believe the new rule implies, and said, “I think we’re old enough to use our phones the way we want to, and we’re responsible. I feel like we’re treated like elementary schoolers.” Angus Schmitz ‘19 echoed Sloan’s comments about the phone holders, saying “I think they’re really dumb… I feel like that’s just like a violation of trust.” Ben Galloway ‘20 said that the phone holders don’t help him to focus because all he ends up doing is “[staring] at the back of it [his phone] and [thinking] about what’s on the front of it.”

Galloway’s claims are another reason Urban implemented the new rule. The faculty is trying to combat the stress that comes along with not having your phone, in addition to promoting a focused learning environment. Zaloom said, “I [say] this as a parent [and a teacher]; you’re actually going to be okay without your phone and that your self-esteem and your resilience to navigate the world should come from within— not from a device.”

Ari Gordon ‘20 puts her phone into a phone holder in the Eureka classroom. Taken on Sept. 27, 2018 by Phoebe Grandi, Visuals Editor.

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Loki Olin Walters cited the creativity of Urban students as a reason for enlisting their help with the project, saying that another suggested option would have been adding a “tall array of spikes on the top of the gate.” Walters expressed her confidence that “Urban’s Industrial Design students can develop something more attractive but equally effective for our gate.” The assignment may be an exercise in craftsmanship for XLabs students but will simultaneously address a critical Achilles heel of Urban’s security system. Urban’s Assistant Head for Student Life Charlotte Worsley recalled that “Saint Agnes was the first building to get locked because we kept having people coming off the streets using the bathrooms.” Worsley said that even with the Saint Agnes doors locked, “people climb over the gate.” Many recent changes to Urban’s security protocol can be traced back to an ongoing security audit being performed by an external consultation company, which Worsley said provides the school with valuable advice. “[It is helpful to] get someone to come who’s got some expertise and look at all of these things. And then you sort of assess and see what things you want to do. Locking the doors makes sense in this neighborhood,” Worsley said. Although Worsley said that similar audits have been conducted in past years, the most recent consultation has resulted in multiple changes including a concentration of security in the area between Saint Agnes and the Page

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Features Editor Street campus. Locked doors and the XLab’s modified barrier will soon surround the passageway. On Page Street, the newest addition to Urban’s staff patrols the sidewalks on an extended shift from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hired this year, one of the security guard’s duties is to ensure that the area remains unobstructed by inhabitants of the Haight-Ashbury area. “We really need to move people along and not have them be sleeping in the nooks of the school… We need students and faculty to be able to show up in the morning and not be climbing over people,” Worsley said in reference to the security guard’s responsibilities. Urban’s unique location in the heart of the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood

has prompted the school to take certain safety precautions that might be deemed unnecessary at other schools. Urban’s obligation to redirect the area’s inhabitants away from the school is not borne out of a lack of hospitality, but rather a responsibility to students and staff. “We’re a school, and there are certain standards of cleanliness and safety which are expected of schools,” Worsley said. In addition to the current enhancement of external security protocol, Urban will also alter the school’s internal threat response in the future. The tactic of silently hunkering down in classrooms during Urban’s lockdown drills is somewhat dated, and will soon be replaced by a more active

Illustration by Loki Olin, Features Editor.

approach. “The Department of Education issued a recommendation that sheltering in place quietly is not the right thing to do,” Worsley said. Worsley said that members of faculty and staff have already been trained in a revised approach to active threats within the school and that students will also be given the opportunity to engage in this training. The newly devised tactic prioritizes active avoidance of the threat and instructs students to seek escape routes if at all possible, encouraging quick thinking and instinctive reaction. If escape is not an option, however, Worsley says students will be taught to “focus on putting as much [distance] between you and the threat as possible.” In addition to barricading, this strategy relies on students and staff “making noise - lots of noise. You want to distract the intruder,” Worsley said. Urban’s ongoing slew of alterations to security protocol is indicative of the school’s transition to an increasingly collaborative approach to safety. Walters said that regardless of how it is achieved, Urban’s objective for security is to “ensure safety for students, faculty and staff.” This year, the school’s progression towards this goal has expanded to include input from all three involved parties. Although incorporating student contributions in the security process is unorthodox, the decision displays Urban’s attempts at empowering students to address and confront legitimate issues facing the community.

News

2018 midterms could double the number of African American governors in American history Kian Nassre Former NAACP leader Ben Jealous, former Georgia Assembly Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum are all running for Governor in Southern states in 2018. All of them are liberal Democrats. And most notably, all of them are aiming to set history by being the first African American governors in their states. In 243 years of American history, there have only been 148 African Americans in the House of Representatives, 10 in the Senate, two on the Supreme Court, three in governor mansions and one in the White House. Because of this, the fact that three high profile African American candidates are running for governor is a significant increase. According to Urban Director of Service Learning Amy Argenal, who frequently discusses issues of race in Service Learning classes, there is a systemic factor in why African Americans are so poorly represented. “In states like Florida, [a] fifth of African Americans can’t vote because of disenfranchisement,” Argenal said, pointing out the fact that if African Americans represent a disproportionately low amount of the electorate, then their ability to elect African Americans is limited. “Then you also have voter disenfranchisement in terms of voter ID laws and closures of DMVs, like in Texas. They close the DMV in communities of color to make it harder to get the ID to vote.” Argenal also highlighted another cause of poor African American representation: voter bias. “Part of the system of racism is that implicit bias is ingrained in us since the time we are born,” Argenal said. “Do I think that

Web Editor plays out in voting? Of course. Some of it is implicit bias, but I think some of it was outright racism.” Service Learning teacher Deborah Samake, who, like Argenal, teaches race-related issues, explained a significant factor in the absence of African Americans in higher offices: money. “[An] issue for African American candidates is finances. Who has the resources to run for office, especially the higher ones? Lots of funding comes from donors who prefer white candidates. There is some implicit bias in that African Americans disproportionately don’t have the finances to get their foot in the door,” Samake said. Recent events, however, have galvanized African Americans to seek offices despite their various barriers. “I think the Trump administration has been oppressive, and a positive aspect of this is that it is making African Americans think ‘hey, if I want things to change, then I have to actively do it,’ and some of them are choosing to get involved in politics as a result,” Samake said. The decades-long separation between the Trump administration and the civil rights movement has not only resulted in a new wave of African American candidates, but also a change in what it means to be an African American politician. Current African American politicians, such as John Lewis and James Clyburn, were elected in the decades following the Civil Rights movement, and they are older and less known for progressive stances than newer African American politicians such as Kamala Harris and Cory Booker. “You have the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) which is pretty mod-

erate. So now you have these three young candidates who are not part of that movement. They are coming out of a young activist movement,” Argenal said. The difference between the old guard and new guard of African American politicians is evident in the policies the trio supports and the politicians that support them in turn. Jealous has been endorsed by Senators Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker due to his support for liberal policies such as legalized marijuana, universal health care and a minimum wage of $15. However, race and ideology are where the similarities between the three gubernatorial candidates end. The three Southern states they are running in have very different political histories. As a result, they are highlighting different campaign issues and have different chances of success. Jealous seeks to oust Republican Larry Hogan as governor of Maryland. Although Maryland is a blue state, the race has been rated as “Likely Republican” by most political handicappers (organizations that predict elections) due to Hogan’s 66 percent approval rating in Maryland. Meanwhile, Abrams is in an open race to replace Republican Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. One of the key points of her platform

is expanding the Helping Outstanding Pupils Education Scholarship (HOPE), a massive merit-based college scholarship program based in Georgia. Her opponent is Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. The race is rated as a toss up by some political handicappers. The third and final African American gubernatorial candidate of 2018 is Andrew Gillum. Elected mayor of Tallahassee in 2014, Gillum won his primary against the more moderate Gwen Graham. Gillum is running against Trump ally and former representative of Florida’s sixth congressional district Ron DeSantis. This race is also rated as a toss up by political handicappers. Win or lose, these three candidates have already revolutionized the presence of African Americans in politics. Samake summarized her feelings about the three candidates succinctly: “They are progressive, they are bold, and I see change coming.”

Infographic displaying the disparity between the number African Americans in the United States versus the number in Congress, especially amongst women. Source: census.gov. By Kian Nassre, Web Editor.

California implements Real ID after 13 years Lena Bianchi As of October 1st, 2020, all adults over the age of 18 must have a state-issued Real ID if they wish to board an airplane, enter a federal facility, or access a military base. Like current driver’s licenses, Real IDs display name, driver’s license number, date of birth, expiration date, signature and international standards for traveling. The only new addition to the identification card is proof of citizenship. In early January of 2018, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allowed California citizens to start applying for new ID cards. In order to apply, each applicant must provide their Social Security number along with proof of their identity, citizenship and residency. While current IDs are marked with the words ‘Federal Limits Apply,’ a California Real ID will have a golden bear with a star in the top right corner to prove US citizenship. Current California driver’s licenses can still be used for driving, entering hospitals, receiving federal benefits, and entering federal facilities that don’t require Real IDs, such as a post office. Citizens can also use their passports to fly domestically and show

Design Editor proof of citizenship instead of Real ID. Congress passed the Real ID Act of 2005 during the Bush administration as a response to 9/11 and to prevent future terrorist attacks. The act required that all states issue licenses that are compliant with certain security and identification information. It has taken over a decade to enforce and apply these rules in each state. This implementation of the Real ID card initially took a long time due to the lack of funding for the program and the expenses that it placed on individuals. While Real IDs only cost $35, compiling the necessary documents is difficult for a majority of people who already have a California state issued driver’s license or ID. Miki Alexander ‘19 said, “I feel like it is important that it exists, but I wish [the DMV] would send me a new ID. I don’t want to go to the DMV and get a new ID. It’s a hassle because I already have a driver’s license.” Some Urban students are unaware of the new requirements of Real ID and question why it is being enforced

now. Una Lynch ‘19 asked, “Did Trump do something to reboot it? Did he think that this was a good idea that never happened?” John Kelly, Trump’s previous Homeland Security Secretary, criticized the Obama administration for not enforcing this law and ignoring the anti-terrorism efforts of the 9/11 Commission. “I feel like the Trump administration is trying to do a bunch of bureaucratic bulls**t as opposed to actually doing something that is beneficial, and instead of spending money and manpower on things that are really going to make a difference, it’s [spending money on] something that is a hassle to American citizens,” Lynch said. The implication of dividing documented and undocumented citizens is a significant concern of implementing the Real ID Act. Amy Argenal, Urban’s Director of Service Learning, said “[the] assumption in some immigrant rights circles is that it is anti-immigrant.” Since 2013, immigrants and undocumented residents of California have been able to receive state-issued driv-

Illustration by Lena Bianchi, Design Editor.

er’s licenses. By removing the ability to travel with your driver’s license as proof of ID, Real IDs are decreasing the amount of undocumented citizens who can travel within the US. The original goal, as stated by the 9/11 Commission, was to prevent terrorist attacks and make US citizens safer, but the new Real ID policy increases the division between immigrants and citizens. In the LA Times, opinion writer David L. Ulin said, “Real ID won’t make us safer, it will only divide us. ‘Federal limits apply’? Can there be a redder flag in these dark and distrustful times?”

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04 In memoriam and appreciation of Ezekiel Singer Lola McAllister

Editor-in-Chief

From Matthew Casey

EZ loved unconventional thinking. In physics, he dismissed rote calculations as “garbage” or “utter junk.” And then, often with a smirk, he devised his own creative, elegant solutions. EZ had a sort of irreverent brilliance. EZ captivated us in Space Club with his passion for the cosmos. A fervent advocate for colonization of the solar system, EZ loved talking about ways we could establish a permanent presence on the moon, or terraform Mars into a second Earth. During one meeting, he presented scenarios for extreme “life as we don’t know it.” The depth of his research stunned me—he lit up everyone’s imagination with his presentations on exotic forms of alien life. Having EZ in my Astronomy class this year would have been like having a second teacher in the room. EZ reveled in profound, difficult truths: the weirdness of physics, the cosmic insignificance of our planet, and the brevity of our existence on it. No matter how deep or dark the topic, I’ll remember the way EZ took it in with a wise, all-knowing grin.

From Frances Evens

Thinking back on my work with EZ in the Gumption Theatre I feel both deep sadness and absolute joy. Just being around EZ was inspiring. When he was on stage, there was electricity in the air. He was our anchor generously providing a calm focus and an open heart for us all. EZ could breathe life into every moment onstage for the actors and the audience. What a pleasure it was to have had the opportunity to make theatre with such a brilliant performer. I will never forget EZ.

From Jonah Belsky

I want to describe how the past 3 years I spent with EZ were defined, in part, by the following: The way he would see me in the morning and say ‘Jonah Belsky’ with an announcer-like emphasis that would leave me feeling like I’d just been called up to receive an award that I wasn’t aware of. How every time we would be partners in Shakespeare he would outshine me, making the tables and chairs of Sequoia into his own personal Verona while I’d just be another kid in Ben Slater’s class reading lines from a book. The way he would casually talk in advising about not getting enough sleep and learning to fly planes as if the two held the same weight. The quiet admiration I held for him for being an out queer kid at Urban. The way he was somehow Dan Murphy’s favorite student in our Medieval History class without ever doing any of the readings. His performance in our Sophomore-year One Acts. His performance in our Junior-year One Acts. And so much more. I only knew EZ in the context of Urban but somehow, within those walls, he was boundless. I knew him as kind and passionate and creative with an immensely clear sense of self and I never even got lunch with him one on one. I hate that I never will and it’s unfair that he’s gone. But I don’t want to remember EZ for all the things we didn’t do together, I want to remember him for the joy and individuality he brought to Urban and how lucky I was to experience that small part of him.

All photos provided by Elana Yonah Rosen, EZ’s mother.

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From Aisha Catena Foster

In my mind, that third seat on the couch in the old library—the one positioned by the railing looking onto the courtyard—will forever be EZ’s. He would sit there, headphones half on, one leg slumped over the armrest, typing away, waiting for us to sit around him. As soon as Jonathan would fill the final seat in the circle he would pull his headphones off but continue typing. Superficially, one would think he was disconnected or disinterested, but the passionate way in which he talked—whether it was about his philosophical thoughts or the weekends he spent reading with friends—communicated to us all that his mind was alert and interested. These contradictions in EZ’s character made him so enlightening to me. To me, EZ represented liberation from social norms and expectations and pushed me to be genuinely interested in others, in myself and in the intricacies of the universe. He was so extraordinary, and I think that many of us wanted to be worthy of his attention. What I did not realize for a while was that he did not expect anything from us. He made no assumptions, and he was always present. Every time I walk by the old library, EZ’s seat reminds me of this, and I hope that it does for you too.

Features

Remembering John McCain: a longtime senator and war hero Staff Writer

On Aug. 25, 2018, John McCain passed away after a long and distinguished political and military career. McCain’s 45 year career as a congressman will continue to influence our country, even after his passing. John McCain’s political presence within the Republican party gave him

a platform to protest against policies that contradicted his ideological viewpoint. He used his position and status — especially in the last year of his life — to speak out against a controversial figure from his own party: Donald Trump. His death followed a lengthy war

Portrait of John McCain by Loki Olin, Features Editor.

with President Trump over clashing ideals. 11th and 12th Grade Dean and Urban History Teacher Charisse Wu said, “when John McCain said something in relation or opposition of Trump, even in the runup to his election, people were really paying attention.” John McCain was known for speaking his mind more than other members of Congress. More often than not, he would stick with his opinion rather than follow his party or the mainstream. For example, McCain removed his endorsement of Donald Trump several months before his passing. Jason Clark, the chairman of the San Francisco Republican Party, said in an interview for the Urban Legend that, “[John McCain] had a bus called the ‘Straight Talk Express’ where he just liked to say it as it was.” The Straight Talk Express was an actual bus that he initially used during his 2000 presidential campaign and again used during his 2008 campaign, preaching for politicians to be honest and to speak their opinions. Even before McCain’s bids for president, he was a nationally recognized war hero. He was shot down during the Vietnam War and was a Prisoner of War (POW) for 5 ½ years, undergoing torture and years of solitary confinement. “His wartime valor, and his trauma make him very much a respected figure,” Wu said. John McCain’s extensive knowledge of military operations influenced his unique opinions in Congress, as

well as contributed to his position as the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. Pat Williams, a former US congressman from Montana, said in an interview for the Urban Legend that “John McCain is the only true military hero to serve in Congress for the past century.” Among many issues, John McCain

Wes Peters

When John McCain said something ... people were really paying attention. - Charisse Wu

was most opposed to torture. Due to his 5 ½ years as POW in Northern Vietnam, where he was abused repeatedly, his stance against torture has always been strong. Pat Williams said, “[John McCain’s] contribution to politics was important in regard of torturing prisoners. He was adamantly opposed to torture.” John McCain’s influence came from his ability to speak his mind and not hover behind teleprompters. In the final months and years of his life, John McCain was a central figure in the battle against President Trump. Wu described it as “kind of like he was a weather vane: people were looking at how was he going to confront this as a person of principle.”

No boys allowed: Urban introduces an all-girls engineering class Staff Writer

Kyra Nagle Women occupy only 24 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related jobs in the world. The science teachers at Urban have noticed a significant gender imbalance in science and math classes and have spent time as a department thinking about how to support female STEM students. As a step towards addressing the underrep-

It’s not the girl’s responsibility to be ‘the girl in the group.’ - Bethany Hellerich

The goal of the recommendation process for the course is for the students’ advisors to talk to girls that have been recommended by their past science teachers, which will hopefully “spur them into taking more physical sciences in the future,” Hellerich said. When teachers are recommending students for science classes in their junior and senior years, they identify which students would succeed in, and benefit from, UrbanX classes specifically.

Molly Bradley ‘21 is in the new engineering class. When asked about her opinion on the all-girls aspect of the class, she said, “I would have taken the class even if it was coed. However, I think it’s really great that they did make it all-girls. Just because I haven’t experienced any problems with boys so far, I know that it can be a big issue and it is important to acknowledge.” When asked about what strategies Urban has for improving gender equity in the classrooms, Hellerich said,

resentation of girls in Urban STEM classes, Urban recently implemented an engineering class for woman-identifying students. This class is taught by science teacher Bethany Hellerich, who uses teacher recommendations to recruit sophomores who have a keen interest in science. Hellerich explained the rationale for the class. The girls in this year’s sophomore class have expressed a unique interest in working with their hands in a more project-based environment.

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Bethany Hellerich teaches the all-girls U period engineering class. Taken on Oct. 2, 2018 by Kyra Nagle, Staff Writer.

“We don’t just do the token one girl group thing that occasionally happens in other classes. It’s not the girl’s responsibility to be ‘the girl in the group’. So putting them in a single group is often more effective.” However, there are potential downsides to Urban’s new approach. While some students like being in all-female groups because they feel more comfortable asking questions and sharing their opinions, others don’t want to be restricted to working with members of the same gender. Science teacher Skyler Silverman said that there were only a few women in one of his classes. Most of them assumed they would be put in an all-girls group. However, one student wanted to do a project that the other two were not interested in. He said that he was “not going to let that interfere with legitimate scientific interest.” Putting girls in a group together is supposed to help make girls feel more comfortable; however, Silverman and Hellerich agreed that gender should not be the only deciding factor. With the addition of Urban’s first all-girls engineering class, Urban has taken their first step to acknowledge the gender imbalance in many Urban STEM classes. It is essential that the

Environmental activists gather in front of city hall dressed as trees. Taken on September 8, 2018 by Ellie Lerner, Staff Writer.

New generation leads crusade for Bay Area climate activism Ellie Lerner On Sept. 8, San Francisco became the epicenter of climate change activism, playing host to a new generation of Bay Area climate activists with a climate march and the Global Climate Action Summit, hosted by Governor Jerry Brown. More than 30,000 came to view the climate murals and march outside San Francisco City Hall, many of whom were young people. One of the muralists was Grace McGee, a student at San Francisco School of The Arts (SOTA). McGee said “[I feel] really concerned as a young person, a part of the generation that is going to be inheriting this planet and all the problems caused by climate change, because I don’t feel

climate change and are going to be disproportionately affected.” The week after the climate march, I attended the Youth Sustainability Summit where Bay Area high school student activists networked and spoke about the impact of student groups leading the fight against global warming. Aislinn Clark, an incredibly articulate 12-year-old climate activist, presented at the summit about her lobbying work on Capitol Hill with the organization Heirs To Our Oceans. She believes that “policy is going to help us make the biggest difference we can…..[and our] lobbying efforts in Washington made an impact and were successful. A lot of people were listening to us and a few of the bills we were asking them to support even got passed.” Amongst the youth who participated in San Francisco’s week of climate activities, many expressed their frustration with the current administration’s lack of climate action, though some believe that the only solution to the climate crisis is a complete restructuring of our economic and political system. Interspersed between the green-and-

white booths at the climate march, I noticed red flags where socialist groups shared their platform for a sustainable world. According to James (last name withheld), a 25-year-old member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, “the climate crisis has been perpetuated by capitalism and the pursuit of the profit motive… and only a socialist system can roll back or at least try to halt the damage that has been done.” While there is a disagreement between those who believe in working within the current political system and those who have determined that the political system is too skewed towards protecting the people who are perpetuating global warming, it is clear that young people are going to be the leaders of the climate movement. As Shai Barton, a 14-year-old climate activist with Heirs To Our Oceans, said, “because of the current tone of our federal administration, it’s going to fall upon us as ordinary, young citizens to make change and not depend on our current government for policies we are

Staff Writer like the current political administration is doing enough to protect our right to a safe environmental future.” Walking around the booths at the climate march later that day, I saw many climate organizations with founders and representatives between the ages of 10 and 25. Under a green awning, I met Tia Hatton, a 21-yearold who is one of the 21 plaintiffs in the lawsuit Juliana v. U.S. against the federal government for violating the next generation’s rights to a healthy and habitable climate. She talked about the importance of youth getting involved in politics so that “politicians are aware that young people and the next generation of voters care about

Proposition E: coming to smoke shops near you Visuals Editor

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Phoebe Grandi “It wasn’t until JUUL that it shot up,” Epstein said. Most JUUL pods (the e-cigarettes’ replaceable nicotine cartridges) would be banned under Proposition E due to their flavors, which include mint, mango, and cucumber. Despite the impending ban, an employee at Cole Street Smoke Shop was doubtful that Prop. E would actually deter teenagers from smoking. He said, with a sarcastic tone, “You’re already the cool kid if you have a JUUL, but if you’re the kid with the banned-in-your-county JUUL, you’re even cooler.” He described how smoke shops in Oakland, who were affected by a ban that was slightly less strict than Prop. E in early 2018, were able to continue selling flavored tobacco. “You can sell any of this stuff as long as it doesn’t have any nicotine in it,” he said, “they sell all of these flavors with zero nicotine and then you just pay them and [shop owners will] add your nicotine in it and mix it up for you.” Similarly, Epstein said, “I feel somewhat skeptical about [Prop. E]. This flavored situation is so new, and there’s so many easy workarounds. I hope it makes our numbers [of student e-cigarette smokers] go down, but I’m not sure it will.”

Despite these possible loopholes, supporters still believe that Proposition E is a crucial step in the fight against Big Tobacco. Annie Tegan, a representative for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said, “[The campaign] wanted to support [Prop. E] because, right now, tobacco companies target kids by marketing different flavors of electronic cigarette juices, like gummy bear and cotton candy.” Proposition E was also supported by the American Heart Association, Michael R. Bloomberg, and many local parents, doctors, and community groups. Tegan noted that “the only people who opposed Prop. E were the tobacco companies, and I think that says a lot right there: the tobacco companies are trying to protect their profits and they’re trying to make sure they can still hook the next generation of kids on their product.” Originally, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the ban as an ordinance which was supposed to become active in April 2017, but due to the success of an opposition petition created by the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, Prop. E was referred to the June 5, 2018 ballot. “Of the youth who currently consider themselves active smokers, 81

percent of them started with a flavored product,” Tegan said. “That means that the majority of kids aren’t starting with marlborettes, they’re starting with cherry flavored swisher sweets or menthol cigarettes because those flavors mask the harshness of the tobacco and makes it easier for the smoke to go down and easier for the kids to

inhale.” Despite possible loopholes, successes, and failures, Tegan said, “Proposition E really did spark a movement across the country and across California.”

Infographic of the change in usage of e-cigarettes amongst Urban students from 2017 to 2018 (before the implementation of Prop E). Source: HIPE survey. By Kian Nassre, Web Editor.

Movement for safe injection site legalization continues in San Francisco despite Governor Brown’s opposition continued from cover...

to a doctor’s office. It was complete with a check-in and registration desk, booths for injection and a “chill room” to hang out, eat food, and drink coffee in, according to the volunteers at Safer Inside. The site would offer clients free kits with clean needles, fentanyl testing strips, and other clean supplies for injection. Additionally, medical staff would always be on site to respond to overdoses or medical needs. Due to these many safety precautions, no deaths have ever been reported in these sites. This is significant in comparison to current US statistics that show that more than 72,000 deaths resulted from drug-related overdoses in 2017, according to The National Institute on Drug Abuse. Despite the site’s promising statistics, there is no shortage of pushback since legalizing safe injection sites would violate federal law prohibiting sanctioned spaces for people to

use illegal substances such as heroin. Frank Lee, from the Coalition Against Drugs, stated in an interview for NBC News that “we are ready to fight San Francisco if they insist [on] open[ing] up illegal drug injection centers.” In contrast to pushback against the sites, Amy Argenal, Urban’s Director of Service Learning, voiced a perspective that many Americans are beginning to adopt: “I’m open to anything

Breed, a longtime advocate for the legalization of these sites, said in a statement earlier this year that “safe injection sites save lives. We are in a public health crisis, and this bill will help us by preventing overdoses while connecting people to medical care that can help treat their addiction.” Despite the potentially positive outcomes of this harm reduction strategy, the sites are still illegal in the United States at the federal level. However, there are roughly 120 operating facilities in 12 countries outside of the United States. Glide Memorial United Methodist Church held San Francisco’s first demo safe injection site, called “Safer Inside,” this fall. The demonstration was a full-scale site created to show San Francisco residents what the proposed sites would look like if they were legalized. In my visit to the demo site, it was sterile and fully-staffed with medically trained responders and looked similar

Editor-in-Chief

I’m open to anything that can deal with addiction and isn’t incarceration - Amy Argenal

that can deal with addiction and isn’t incarceration,” said Argenal. Safe injection sites follow principles of the harm reduction philosophy, which aims to limit the negative consequences of drug use using alternative strategies to incarceration and criminalization. Jenn Epstein, one of Urban’s Health Education teachers, also expressed that “going to a safer site is one step closer to getting help and not necessarily to stop using, but to care about their health.” Epstein also said that when she learned about the purpose of safe injection sites, she “didn’t think safe needles meant that people were going to start doing heroin.” Her statement seems to hold weight as there is no evidence that the legalization of these sites in other countries has increased drug use in any populations, regardless of any previous usage. In addition to the promising health benefits and lives saved, safe injection

sites also have the potential to provide “dignity to a marginalized population,” said Science Teacher Mary Murphy. Murphy added that “We are so quick to demonize addiction. We don’t see them [addictions] as illnesses... we see them as failures of character.” Many politicians in addition to Breed have recognized the sites’ potential to limit the spread of infectious disease, save lives and provide dignity. Carrying on its role as a pioneer in public health, the California State Senate passed Assembly Bill 186 on Aug. 21, which would allow the launch of sanctioned safe injection sites. Despite the bill’s unwavering support from California politicians such as London Breed and Gavin Newsom, on Sep. 30, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill. Brown explained his decision to veto saying that “enabling illegal and destructive drug use will never work.”

Lily Daniel

We are so quick to demonize addiction. We don’t see them [addictions] as illnesses... we see them as failures of character. - Mary Murphy

Governor Brown’s decision is a disappointing loss for supporters of the bill, but in a statement on Sep. 30, Mayor London Breed stated that “we will still continue to work with our community partners on trying to come up with a solution to move this effort forward.”

SF businesses draw the short straw with new ban Staff Writer

Clementine Daniel Iced coffee. Boba tea. Smoothies. Every time someone purchases one of these refreshing drinks, they are also purchasing a straw. Set to come into effect in July 2019, San Francisco’s newly passed plastic straw ban will make the usage of plastic straws in all stores and restaurants illegal. The city of San Francisco has gone a step further than the recently passed statewide ban by eliminating the use and sale of plastic straws in both restaurants and shops. Proposed by Democratic Assemblyman Ian Calderon, California’s ban is a first step towards eliminating the plastic waste that litters the streets and oceans. Like the strategy employed to limit water use during California’s drought, the statewide ban makes it illegal for restaurant servers to provide plastic straws unless requested. If employees don’t follow it, they risk a fine of $1000 or jail time. In an interview with USA Today in late January 2018, Calderon commented that “We need to create awareness around the issue of one-time use plastic straws and [their] detrimental effects on our landfills, waterways, and oceans.” While environmental activists and lawmakers support the ban, local busi-

nesses have publicly communicated the difficulties it may present, particularly for boba tea shops. While drinks like iced coffee and soda can be consumed without a straw, the tapioca pearls that make boba tea so appealing can only be consumed through a much wider straw than the standard one. This makes finding alternatives to plastic straws much more difficult for boba tea business owners. Boba Guys, a popular San Francisco boba tea shop with six locations across the city, signed and supported the legislation despite understanding the negative impact it would have on their sales. Other local boba shops also point out the economic difficulties that the ban presents. Clifton Barrett, general manager of newly opened Bing and Boba on Haight street, hopes that the law will reduce people’s carbon footprints, but said in an interview with the Urban Legend that “We also need to get to the deeper questions: are [lawmakers] going after the companies that provide plastic straws? Before you just cut people off and their businesses, what alternatives are you going to give?” Ultimately, the ban affects small, and often minority-owned, businesses such as boba shops instead of big companies that are producing larger amounts

Infographic of statistics regarding plastic and plastic straws. Sources: National Park Service, strawlessocean.org. By Kian Nassre, Web Editor.

of plastic waste. Students in the Urban community are also taking action around plastic waste. Green Team, a group of students who promote sustainability at Urban, have talked about how students and faculty can support the ban by eliminating the use of other plastic products around the school. In an interview for the Urban Legend with Green Team members Melia Fillipow ‘20 and Maggie Carney ‘20, Carney said that “Our big thing that we’re working on right now is the plastic water bottles from Flik, because they’re used a lot, and then they’re

wasted.” Carney said that Green Team is currently in conversation with Flik to address this issue. Fillipow added that, “[While] we don’t want to take money away from Flik, we also want to promote sustainability.” Despite the challenges it presents for small businesses, Boba Guys acknowledged the importance of the ban in a blog post on their website, saying, “no single boba shop can take on the risk [of stopping the use of plastic straws], but one single boba shop and their community can surely start the movement.”

Arts & Culture

Dancing, new theater director, commentary on media, and all that jazz Zella Lezak Following the retirements of beloved Urban theater teachers Frances Evens and Wendy Parkman, growing pains were to be expected within the drama department. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm surrounding Urban’s upcoming production of “Chicago” is a testimony to the Urban theatrical tradition of igniting discussion about important social issues. Una Lomax-Emrick ‘19, a member of the cast said, “I am so excited to be doing this production. I love everybody in the cast!” Brooke Steele, Urban’s choral director, said she is “looking forward to the journey of teaching acting with your voice” so that key traits of the characters can shine through during songs. The musical “Chicago” is set in the 1920s and follows six murderesses along their journey to face a trial where they do their best to not get convicted. The two protagonists are Velma Kelly, played by Lomax-Emrick, and Roxie Hart, played by Renée Theodore ‘19. Along their journey, they meet successful lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Nicholas Tachibana ‘20, who masks his greed as a desire to find love. Jason Patrick Sands is currently

[Chicago] says a lot about the culture of consuming suffering and pain as a sort of entertainment. - Renée Theodore

playing Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of “Chicago”. In an interview with the Urban Legend, Patrick Sands commented about Urban’s production by saying, “I was a little surprised. But at the same time, if I was in high school, and I found out that we were doing “Chicago,” I would be so excited!” Patrick Sands was not the only one who was surprised by Urban’s choice

Staff Writer of Chicago for the Fall Production class. Theodore said that “Chicago is the most show-tuney” of all of the shows that she has been in at Urban. In addition, “Chicago” is notably different from previous productions because of the amount of dance and movement it involves. Urban’s new Theater Director John Warren commented, “I understood that there had not been a dance-heavy show at Urban done in a while, so we decided that this would be a great opportunity to give students an experience with dancing.” Urban alumni and show choreographer Zach Isen said that he “[loves] being influenced by a choreographer (in the case of Chicago, Bob Fosse) “trying to take their motifs and the style of their dance and make it my own.” While “Chicago” has its beautiful dance numbers and intricate speakeasy scenes, the show is also packed with commentary about corrupt justice systems and the power of media. Theodore said, “[“Chicago”] says a lot about the culture of consuming suffering and pain as a sort of entertainment. I think that is really prevalent in today’s culture and always has been. There’s this idea that murder is fun and cool and it doesn’t take into account [the] fact that people are dying.” Other cast members shared similar reflections on the lessons of the play. Lomax-Emrick said that “Chicago” shows “how thoroughly greed and corruption can permeate a society.” When asked what he was looking forward to about “Chicago,” Warren said, “I’m just thrilled to be coming forward as the theater director. I’m really grateful to Frances and Wendy for all that they’ve created and I hope to carry on their legacy.” Overall, Urban should look forward to a production riddled not only with catchy songs and entertaining dance numbers but also with intense commentary on how our justice system is influenced by the media.

Renée Theodore ‘19 and Nicholas Tachibana ‘20 practice their lines for the fall production, Chicago. Taken on Oct. 9, 2018 by Phoebe Grandi, Visuals Editor.

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Illustrations of the Crazy Rich Asians movie poster by Lena Bianchi, Design Editor.

Crazy Rich Asians: A small step towards Asian representation in Hollywood Tikloh Bruno-Basaing This August, “Crazy Rich Asians” was released with unprecedented success in theatres around the world. “Crazy Rich Asians” has climbed to the number 10 spot in box offices, making more than $150 million its first month in theatres, according to Box Office Mojo. featured a completely Asian cast for the first time in the past 25 years of Hollywood’s history. The film has received extensive media and news coverage in response to the fully Asian cast, but has also received lots of criticism in regards to its representation of Asian people. The film follows a Chinese-American New Yorker who travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s extremely rich family. Extravagant scenes show the elite lifestyle of the family, displaying luxury cars, houses, jewelry and fashion. “We just want you to enjoy a great movie with great characters who you root for to have love in their life, then you realize ‘oh yeah and they’re Asian, why haven’t we seen this before’?” Director Jon M. Chu said in an interview with NBC News. In today’s Hollywood movies, white actors are favored to fill protagonist roles, so the appearance of Asian actors in leading roles rather than supporting roles is a relatively new concept for moviegoers. The last Hollywood film with a primarily Asian cast was “The Joy Luck Club,” made in 1993. These films share similarities, including a Chinese mother’s disapproval of her child’s American fiancee in both films. “Crazy Rich Asians” shows this same stereotype of Asian culture, yet fails to represent a wider range of experiences of the majority of Asians even 25 years later. “I think the success will make people less reluctant to accept Asians. It’s money, it’s glitzy, everyone’s pretty. It has all of the elements to a successful

Sports Editor movie,” said Charisse Wu, Urban’s 11th/12th Grade Dean. But despite some excitement around the glitz and glamour of the movie, some people resented its focus on only wealthy Asian culture. “I think it well represented Asian culture in terms of that one percent of rich people, but it didn’t represent the less privileged groups of people in Asia. Also, it only showed the east Asian side of Asians,” said Xiaoyu Feng ‘20. News sources such as the New York Times similarly commented on the failure of “Crazy Rich Asians” to represent the greater Asian community. “It is an unabashed celebration of luxury and money, with hints of class conflict that have more to do with aspiration than envy or anger, set in an Asia miraculously free of history or politics,” movie critic A. O. Scott wrote for the New York Times. There have been other newsworthy and successful Hollywood films released this year that feature racially diverse casts and themes. Featuring a primarily black cast, Marvel’s “Black Panther” has held the number one spot in box offices in the eight months since its release. “Black Panther” has been praised for its representation of black actors and for addressing the social issues faced by black people in real life today. “We would love to crack that door even more to help other story tellers so we don’t have to depend on one story [or] one set of characters to say everything about Asians,” Said Chu. Although Crazy Rich Asians all encompassing image of the Asian experience, its success will hopefully inspire the creation of more Asian-oriented films with a wider range of perspectives.

Arts & Culture

Jennifer Starkweather’s artist residency with Recology comes to an end Caboose Editor

Zoe Lusk Throughout the past year, Urban art teacher Jennifer Starkweather and her frequent collaborator Amanda Hughen have not only been working their day jobs, but they have also been engaged in a special environment-focused artist residency at Recology. Recology is the private company that collects your compost, trash, and recycling, and it also sponsors artists to create work using the resources that are in the Recology dump. The typical Recology residency includes a stipend, a studio work space, and access to Recology’s trash, recycling, and compost centers. As well as making use of San Francisco’s garbage, the program is intended to work as a community-builder and a tool to raise awareness about waste. Deborah Monk, manager of the Artists in Residence program at Recology, said in an interview for the Urban Legend that “people come to the art openings again and again, and we build community between the kids that come on tours and people that come to openings.” Monk believes that “there is value in [the artist residency program] to help people really think about the things that we buy and the things that we need.” While the typical Recology residency is around four months long and is fairly strict in its expectation and deadlines for its artists, Starkweather and Hughen were offered special residencies, which gave them more freedom within the residency guidelines to cre-

create forms referencing molecular structures, landscapes, and biochemical processes. Through their exploration of food waste, they learned about “the potential of compost and soil to mitigate climate change,” said Hughen. Hughen explained that soil is most fertile when it is carbon-rich, but when soil is tilled it becomes carbon-poor and less fertile. Tilling, the process of turning over the soil, causes carbon to enter the atmosphere, causing global warming. Many environmental activists advocate for a no-till method of farming to reduce carbon emissions. Compost also has potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “By composting [we’re] rescuing food waste from the landfill where it creates methane gas,” Hughen said. “There’s so much potential for using compost, and especially compost from individuals versus industrial compost.” Composting is a form of environmental conservation that, although bePhotos of Starkweather’s art, taken by Brian Hewitt.

While typically one person’s efforts can only create a small impact, composting empowers the consumer to support real change in our battle against global warming.

Jennifer Starkweather (right) talking with John Wick of the Marin Carbon Project. Taken by Amanda Hughen in March 2018.

ate their own timeline. The duo first made a connection with Monk at a food and climate-focused event. After Hughen and Starkweather made a speech about their work, the three shared a conversation that led to Monk offering them the special residency several days later. “What was very appealing to me was the duality of [Starkweather and Hughen] being both artists and researchers,” said Monk. What made Hughen and Starkweather stand out was their “history of doing really important research projects” for their other work, which is typically focused on environmental features and their shifts due to climate change. “There’s so much to understand about composting and recycling that I thought they would be a perfect fit here,” said Monk. The pair lived up to their reputation and delved into research to deeply understand compost and food waste.hey dedicated most of the year they spent working on the project to research. Starkweather said they “came into [the

ing “on an individual level, can make a real difference,” said Hughen. While typically one person’s efforts can only create a small impact, composting empowers the consumer to support real change in our battle against global warming. Starkweather and Hughen’s residency culminated in an exhibition of their series titled Black Gold at Recology San Francisco on Friday, September 21. “Amanda and I always feel both tired and energized at the conclusion of a project—glad it’s over but also excited to revisit and rework some of our ideas further,” said Starkweather.

Hughen and Starkweather touring the Recology compost facility in Vacaville for their project.

residency] not knowing a lot about the inner working of compost, carbon storage, and food waste”. “[We] ended up going beyond just book and article research,” said Starkweather. They focused on using Recology’s connections to meet people that work closely with

compost. As opposed to making their work out of garbage, Hughen and Starkweather responded to what they saw and learned by creating abstract works on paper. The pieces reference the shapes of plastic food packaging to

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Sports

Ben Shostak ‘19 kicks a ball during an Urban boys varsity soccer game. Taken by Doug Ko on Sept. 22, 2017.

Boys soccer moves to the fall season Staff Writer

Ian Ryan In December, the boys soccer teams will kick off their seasons in the winter, rather than the fall, for the first time. Many schools, including Lick-Wilmerding High School, University High School and Marin Academy have already made this move to the winter, leaving Urban to compete in a fall league without them. For this reason, the transition from fall to winter will reintroduce the challenge of playing against these teams. Many Blues have expressed doubts about the team’s potential to compete against these schools, particularly because the team graduated 11 seniors last year. However, this move has been in the works for a while, even before Urban realized the challenges that it

would face with this switch. Danny Cardoza, Urban’s varsity boys soccer coach, said, “It was a collective decision between a lot of people here at school… the main reason for it being that we have always aligned with the schools in BCL West.” Urban Athletic Director Joe Skiffer, Cardoza, and others who had a say in the matter considered many pros and cons before deciding to switch seasons. Skiffer explained that “one of the main reasons to switch to the winter was to allow club players to play for both of their teams because in the fall and spring they would not be able to do both.” However, this significant advantage, which allows club soccer players to continue to play throughout

the year, was not the only pertinent factor in the discussions, as the move to winter also posed several potential downsides. From Skiffer’s perspective, the largest conflict of this move was that basketball and soccer would overlap. “Basketball and soccer are two of our most popular and successful sports, looking at what both teams have done recently, and for that reason, I was worried about the issue of having both in the same season.” While he was positive overall about the switch, Cardoza had a different perspective on the potential downsides of the change, worrying more about his players than scheduling conflicts. “The biggest problem for me is that it makes the season much longer, start-

Fall sports by the numbers

ing late in fall term and extending all the way into spring term, which is a really large commitment for the guys.” While there may be scheduling conflicts between the various sports that are now in the winter season, the move to the winter provides the soccer team with new and stronger competition. Urban will see both boys soccer teams facing off against the likes of University, Lick-Wilmerding, and Marin Academy, along with Stuart Hall High School and San Domenico School. In response to worries he has heard around Urban about his team’s ability to compete in this new league, Cardoza said, “Look: our team has come a long way in the last few years, and I feel that we’ll be able to cope with the challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”

Shout out to our cross country, JV girls tennis, and sailing teams for running, serving and skippering their hearts out!

Infographic by Kian Nassre, Web Editor

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Opinions

Editorial : Let’s do more than thank our crossing guards The Urban Legend Staff tude just for ourselves. Gratitude’s ultimate purpose is not to make us feel like good people for remembering to say thank you, but to foster and build community. In order to get to this deeper level of gratitude, it is crucial to know the people who we are thanking. And, simply enough, knowing someone starts by learning their name. Names hold remarkable power, a power that we can harness to build connections in our community. Think about how you feel when someone, particularly someone who does not know you very well, uses your name when addressing you. It instantly creates a feeling of respect and validation. Chef David Labao, the head Flik Chef, does an incredible job model-

Say thank you, and then go beyond saying thank you.

ing the power of names—every day as students and faculty alike walk past the kitchen in the Salkind Center, David greets people by their names. Explaining the basis for his behavior, he told the Urban Legend that “If I hydrate you, caffeinate you, and nourish you, it’s good to have a personal connection.” The opposite is also true: if people make our lunch, keep us safe as we cross the street, and work tirelessly in countless other ways to keep Urban running, then it is not just good, but imperative, to know their

The Urban Legend The Urban Legend is a vehicle of student freedom of expression and a public forum for The Urban School community. It is a forum for reporting school, community and global news and for the exposition of student-generated news coverage, commentary and wit. The newspaper is published three times a year by our journalism staff of 19 students, as well as our magazine, The Yeti. We also maintain an online presence at urbanlegendnews. org, where new stories are published throughout the year. We welcome feedback about our articles and encourage readers to contact us directly with tips or ideas concerning future coverage. —Lily Daniel and Lola McAllister

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names and build a personal connection. Once we learn names, we can begin to get to know the people who help make our school a community. While Page Street and the Student Center are not ideal venues for long conversations, there are still opportunities for small moments of connection. If you engage in a real conversation, you might discover that Dave, the Facilities Director, likes woodworking and motorcycles, and that Angel Jimenez, who works on facilities, is going on a trip to Vancouver this November. All of this is not to say we are failing at connection now. On the contrary, many students already model gratitude and understanding. Standing in line in the student center a few weeks ago, students asked Kevin Fonseca, who works at Flik, how his weekend had been and complimented him on his new haircut. He told the Urban Legend that “I don’t care about the topic, I just like it when people talk to me.” Angel, however, said that “only a few people know me here. They know me because they ask me questions.” Let us all follow the model of those who ask questions and who strive to make connections. To facilitate this process of understanding, the Urban Legend will be publishing profiles of Flik employees, the facilities team, the people at the front desk, and countless other members of the Urban staff who often go

Editors-in-Chief of Newspaper: Lily Daniel Lola McAllister

unrecognized on our website at urbanlegendnews.org. These profiles are designed to inspire conversations—simply reading them is not enough. In the meantime, say thank you, and then go beyond saying thank you:

After ASM during the first week of school, students poured out of the Salkind Center gym and down the passageway along St. Agnes. Although the crowds crossing Page Street chattered boisterously, many of them forgot to do something crucial to building a respectful school community: they did not thank Javier, one of our crossing guards. Crossing guards, Flik employees, and people who work on facilities all provide invaluable yet often unacknowledged services to our school and make sure that everyday operations run smoothly. Deeper than their job titles, they are also interesting, wise, funny people who can share their knowledge with the community. As a school and as an institution, we must work together to ensure that gratitude and human connection remain integral elements of our culture. According to the Greater Good Science Center, which studies the psychological roots of happiness, altruism, and compassion, gratitude “unshackles us from toxic emotions” and has lasting positive effects on the brain. By thanking people around us, even just for small things, we begin to reshape our perspectives, seeing the world not in terms of little acts of aggression but rather in terms of little acts of joy. Urban, it’s time to express our gratitude for all the little things that are done for us—say thank you as you cross Page Street, as you buy a sandwich, and as you see people cleaning up the chairs after a lunchtime forum. However, it is important to remember that we should not practice grati-

I don’t care about the topic, I just like it when people talk to me. - Kevin Fonseca

learn the names of those whose service to Urban goes unrecognized, and then actually get to know the people making our food, keeping us safe, and ensuring that the school runs smoothly. Our core values call us to build a community of “mutual respect between students and teachers.” At the Urban Legend, we believe that this respect should extend beyond student-teacher relationships and inform the way that we interact with everyone on campus. These steps towards gratitude and recognition, while small, will foster new individual connections and relationships that build the community of mutual respect our core values aim to create.

Web Editor: Kian Nassre

Staff Writers: Sally Cobb Clementine Daniel Ellie Lerner Zella Lezak Kyra Nagle Wes Peters Sydney Riemer Ian Ryan

Design Editor: Lena Bianchi

Adviser and Journalism Teacher: Katie-Rose Breslin

Visuals Editor: Phoebe Grandi

Fundamentals of Journalism Teacher: Sarah Levin

News Editor: Kian Nassre Features Editor: Loki Olin Arts Editor: Tallula Ricciardi Opinions Editor: Eli Gordon Sports Editor: Tikloh Bruno-Basaing Caboose Editor: Zoe Lusk

Have any thoughts about this issue? Please email us at urbanlegendnews@ urbanschool.org

Managing Editor: Eli Gordon

Caboose

12 New students... who dis? Sally Cobb

Staff Writer

Urban has over a hundred new students wandering around its halls, so to help the community get to know a few of these unfamiliar faces, some new students shared interesting facts about themselves and how they are transitioning into Urban.

W illo w

Br ow n

Name: Willow Brown Grade: 9 Previous school: Gateway Middle School Favorite color: Lime green Sport: Volleyball Favorite season: Fall Go to book: “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson Food she’ll never be sick of: American food (hamburgers and mac’n’cheese) Staple shoe: White shoes (Nike Air Max or Air Force 1) or clogs Fun fact: Likes art and drawing

Pablo Lopez

The Urban Bridge Program has helped Willow with her transition into Urban through “meetings about inclusivity, how to study in a private school, and what is expected of you… I learned a lot there that I didn’t know.”

Name: Pablo Lopez Grade: 9 Previous school: Rooftop Middle School Favorite color: Red Favorite season: Summer Food he’ll never be sick of: Burritos Staple shoe: Adidas NMDs or Vans Fun fact: Likes bike riding In comparison to his old school, Pablo said that people at Urban are more “excited to be here, it’s not like they’re dreading to come to school… at my old school, there were kids that would just fall asleep in class and wouldn’t care.”

This year’s new teachers describe their first days at Urban Sydney Riemer

Staff Writer

This year Urban welcomed fourteen new faculty and staff members, ranging from math and English teachers to a new Director of Learning Services. As they continue to become integrated into Urban’s community, many have described their experiences during their first few weeks and though there have been a few bumps along the way, most new staff members expressed that they have felt welcomed into Urban. Rachel Herbert, the new Director of Learning Services, explained that what first struck her about Urban was the “thoughtful[ness]” of the students who interviewed her for her position. “That was my first impression,” she said, referring to the students who “cared about the school enough to interview [her] to make sure [she] was a good fit.” English teacher Lindsey Collins said, “ [I] had heard so many great things about [Urban]” and its “reputation of having such great people and students.” “The rumors are true,” Collins continued. According to many of the new teachers, their time here so far has exceeded their expectations. Mischa Lassow, an Urban Math teacher, explained that working at Urban has been “exactly what [he] expected in terms of being a great place to work with fantastic students, but [he] continues to be impressed every day.” “One thing I like about Urban is [it’s] belief that high school is not just this gateway to college, but that high school is a meaningful experience,” said Chase Fretwell, the English Teaching Fellow. When asked to share her favorite thing about working in the Haight-Ashbury area, new science teacher, Patty Theodosopoulos, said she, “loves walking through the park every morning” on her way to school, and “ loves [the neighborhood] because [she misses] city living.” Finally, Elizabeth Harris, the Associate Director of College Counseling, shared that she loves “going to all school meetings” as well as “getting to learn about the clubs and the school community.” “[Urban] feels bigger than I expected it to feel, and [there are] still a ton of people that I don’t know… but [people] also stop to check in and make sure I know where I am going and feel comfortable at the school,” concluded Katie-Rose Breslin. Let’s continue to welcome Urban’s new staff members and show them what the Urban community is about!

Name: Jaydon Aquino Grade: 10 Favorite color: Purple (specifically a darker, royal purple) Sport: Basketball Favorite season: Summer Go to book: “Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” by Gary Mack Food he’ll never be sick of: Waffles Staple shoe: Nike Air Max 97 Fun Fact: A video of him dancing with his teachers was posted on WorldStar

Jaydon Aquino

Jaydon commented on a difference he noticed between his previous high school in Illinois and Urban, saying, “[At Urban, we] have to talk way more and at my last school there were rows so [we] could just sit back and retain the information like that.”

Pictured: Lindsey Collins, Mischa Lassow, John Warren, Chase Fretwell, and Patty Theodosopoulos

Crossword: Horrorible Authors Kian Nassre 1 3

Name: Sophia Gibson Grade: 9 Previous school: Star of the Sea Sport: Cross Country Favorite season: Winter Go to movie: “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” Food she’ll never be sick of: Cup noodles Staple shoe: White Pumas Favorite lunch spot: Alumni Lounge Fun Fact: Lived on a sailboat by Treasure Island for a year Being on the cross country team has made Sophia’s transition into Urban less jarring because when she walks around campus and recognizes team members it “makes school feel less like a hospital [that] is sterile and has weird faces everywhere.”

Sophia Gibson

Frosh Profiles: Pictured: Sophia Gibson, Jaydon Aquino, Willow Brown, and Pablo Lopez. Taken by Sally Cobb, Staff Writer

Across 02. “Call of Cthulu” author, abbr. (3 words) 09. Battery Rating 10. Aqueous particle 11. “Dracula” writer 16. Argentine City (2 words) 17. Pork 18. Newswoman Van Susteren 20. Chart or dessert 21. Shooting target (2 words) 22. Cobbler product 23. Consume 25. Now and _____ 26. Genesis land 28. “S-so c-cold” 31. Soccer position 34. Machine gun precursor (2 words) 35. Period after Mardi Gras 36. 40 for 10 & 8, abbr 37. Object of legendary quest (2 words) Down 01. Haight St. Restaurant time three 03. Toxic sunscreen ingreedient, abbr. 04. Super nerdy thing to do in parks, abbr. 05. Ticket 06. Kangarroo companion to Winnie 07. Egyption life symbol 08. Final 12. Pond scum, singular 13. “Frankenstein” author (2 words)

Web Editor 5

9 12

14 17

18 21

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30 33

31 34 35

14. “It” author 15. “Raven” author, abbr. (3 words) 19. Rings in a tree 24. “Around the world in eighty days” protaganist 25. “____ do!” (stop it) 27. “____ guy walks into a bar” (2 words) 28. Implore 29. Rocket Launcher, abbr. 30. Second R in J.R.R. Tolkein 32. Access 33. GOP organization, abbr.