news Campus notes: County keeps mask mandate As of Feb. 11, Santa Clara County will be the only county in the Bay Area to reject the statewide lifting of the mask mandate on Wednesday, Feb. 16. “It is understandable that Santa Clara county is keeping masks manditory right now,” sophomore Richie Ogawa said. “To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to keep students, teachers and staff as safe as possible, this decision just seems like the best path.” by JONAS PAO ASB finalizes Prom plans Palo Alto High School will require students to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test 24 hours before Prom, located at the Exploratorium this year, in order to buy a ticket following San Francisco’s COVID-19 mandates. “What we’re [ASB] planning on doing is having smaller courses so that people can quickly eat and then put their mask back on, or just minimize the risk of COVID during Prom,” Junior Class President Ashley Hung said. by ALLEGRA WEST New plant-based lunch option A student-created petition for a plant based-lunch option in Palo Alto High School’s cafeteria has gathered over 300 signatures as of early Febuary. “A lot of students don’t agree with the inhumane practices and factory farms and want to have the resources to choose more eco-friendly [school] lunch options,” junior Morgan Greenlaw said. by ANNUM HASHMI ksdfasdfadsf
10 FEBRUARY 2022
MESSAGE FOR THE MAGAZINE — Local politician Ajwang Rading addresses Verde Magazine’s staff about his background, congressional goals and ways students can take educated action. “Every time you draft something, don’t just rush through it,” Rading said. “Savor it, because when that is consumed, and when that hits the mind, it has a magical impact. I think we’re losing, especially in today’s country, … fantastic journalism.” Photo: Emily Yao
Rising politician visits campus
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ONGRESSIONAL candidate Ajwang Rading spoke to Palo Alto High School students — and the Verde Magazine staff — on Feb. 9, as a part of his effort to engage teens in politics and his campaign. “It’s young people who need to be addressing the issues of today,” Rading said. “ I’m just a messenger. I’m trying to run [for Congress] to really represent the voice that you [teens] have … to say ‘Hey, I’ve got an idea.’”
Rading emphasized the need for integrity, both in politics and in other activism pursuits. “There are way too many people in public service and in the private sector going after the position, but purpose is what unlocks the spirit,” Rading said. “And that is what is really going to provide salvation for us as a people if we’re going to have any sort of meaningful impact in trying to address these big inequities.” by AKHIL JOONDEPH
CAASP reports low student scores
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ALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL District’s California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress mathematics scores decreased overall, according to a Feb. 8 school board meeting. Across all students who took the exam (3rd grade - 8th grade and 11th grade), the percentage of students who met or exceeded standard dropped by 3% compared to 2019 scores. Elementary schoolers saw the biggest decline, with fourth graders’ scores
falling by 6%. According to the data released at the meeting, which also brokedown the percent change in scores by student group, Filipino students and English learners observed the largest downturn of -13% and -9% respectively. The only student group whose rates of meeting or exceeding standards improved was Black or African American students; their pass rate increased by 5%. by PAISLEY ANNES
