Tiger Newspaper September 2015

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SBAC test results boost district’s standing

In the News Local car show to fund SP Rose Parade float held on Sunday September 19 (pg. 2) ASB lauches Snapchat account for leadership it can be found under the username: sphsasb

Class of 2016 testing results prove to be a deviation

Upcoming Moon Festival celebration to be held at public library on October 3

By Brandon Yung Staff Writer

SP public library to host Steve Synder author of Shot Down on September 24 Varsity waterpolo to play away game against Pasadena on Thursday September 24 Football faces off against Alhambra on the road on Friday, September 25 Common Application workshop scheduled for seniors on Tuesday, September 30 Planned Parenthood organizes rally protests anti-abortion at Pasadena City Hall last Saturday (pg. 2) Girls’ varsity volleyball beats La Salle 3-0 to play Temple City on October 1 (pg. 16)

VIEWPOINTS: STAFF EDITORIAL

“When you mix low expectations and inexperienced teachers, it’s a recipe for kids to fall short. We set students up for failure when we tell them that they’re destined to do poorly - not just academically, but socially and emotionally. If the bar is never raised, students will never excel. That’s a pattern that those students will find themselves stuck in, not just in middle school, not just in high school.” Read more on pg. 5

Read more at tigernewspaper.com

Tucker Judkins

CLUB OFFICERS SEEK PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS Sophomore Bailey Wu and senior Maia Thomas look on as seniors Regina Han and Jordan Fucci sign up for the Photo Club at Club Rush.

Annual Club Rush draws hundreds to packed gym By Sandra Moore Staff Writer SPHS’s diverse array of clubs came together in the gym during lunch on September 16 and 17 for Club Rush, with the intention of gathering as many new club members as possible. Some clubs waved flags while others had decorated their booths in creative ways to catch students’ attention. “Club Rush is a very exciting occasion in that people get to find similar interests with other people that they may have not known before,” senior Maia Thomas said. “I wasn’t really active last year, but I love Club Rush

because it helps me realize the variety of clubs that I didn’t even know about.” Students were able to pick and choose from a wide variety of clubs, including the longrunning Key Club, the highly active TASSEL Club, and the brand new UNICEF Club. While browsing through the gym, some students complained that the loud music made it harder to hear each other, but overall most were pleased with how organized the event was compared to last year’s Club Rush. Students also enjoyed the location, which until last year, had been outdoors. “The location was nice,

even if it was a little hot,” junior Janice Park said. “It was already pretty crowded in the gym, so it’s great that it wasn’t in the senior patio. I think Cameron [Waters] ran it really well and he made it super organized and easy to navigate.” Club Rush is one of the two events revolving around clubs, and the other one, Homecoming Picnic, will be hosted in October. “It was a great experience,” Commissioner of Clubs Cameron Waters said. “It went really smoothly and I’m so grateful for everyone that was able to contribute and help. I look forward to an awesome year.”

The test results from last year’s Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (SBAC) were announced during a school board meeting on September 8. Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Ms Christiane Gervais gave a presentation on the results for all of the participating grades within the district, including the Class of 2016. A total of 307 juniors took the English Language Arts test; 297 took Mathematics. From this group, 26% did not meet the English language achievement standards, and 43% of students failed to meet the math achievement standards. Overall, however, around 70% of South Pasadena students met or exceeded standards in both ELA and Math for almost every grade, while the only notable exception was the low performance in 11th grade math. The previous year’s juniors were part of the first year of students to take part in the SBAC, a test designed adjacent to the Common Core curriculum. Some speculation as to the reasons behind South Pasadena’s low math scores scores surrounded the possibilities associated with the unfamiliar format. (See SBAC Testing Results on pg. 3)

New assistant superintendent already making her mark Christiane Gervais brings expertise to Instructional Services By Jenna Giulioni Senior Staff Writer The South Pasadena Unified School District has a new face this year: Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Ms Christiane Gervais. She joined the SPUSD staff in early August after working with Beverly Hills and San Gabriel Unified School Districts, as both an administrator and teacher.

Counseling Conflicts: Tiger staff members share their thoughts on the growing barrier between counselors and students

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As part of her administrative role in San Gabriel, Gervais directed a new teacher mentoring program for those joining districts in the area, including new additions to South Pasadena. Her experience with SPUSD employees impressed her and when a spot was available within the district office, she “just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.” “Assessment is part of it [the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services job], but I think assessment is directly linked to instruction,” Gervais said. “It’s a way to judge how students are progressing in their (See Superintendent, pg.

A fresh take on horror: The Visit, based on the story of Hansel and Gretel, gives a modern twist to a predictable plot

Stephanie Kim

Gervais brings experience from her administrative and teaching roles within the Beverly Hills and San Gabriel Unified School Districts.

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Football on a hot streak:

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Tigers beat Glendale 51-21 to establish a 3-0 record. Football to face Alhambra on Friday, September 25

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