the VOLUME XXXII, ISSUE 5
arrow Westlake High School
100 N. LAKEVIEW CANYON ROAD, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362
January 19, 2010
PHOTO BY JARED ERMAN
Jared Erman News Editor
The top choir and band groups are joining efforts again in their annual concert called Celebration!, featuring A Class Act (ACA) and the WHS Studio Jazz Ensemble. The performance, to be held at Newbury Park High School Performing Arts Center on Jan. 28, 29, and 30, will include famous tunes from various eras. The major theme is disco, but the group is also preparing songs from Disney and Broadway musicals, as well as an A Cappella set featuring the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” “This year’s ACA is vocally the
strongest it has ever been,” said Choir Director Alan Rose. He described them as positive and eager to perform. “They even worked together over winter break,” said Rose. ACA has been practicing for three weeks. By going to Idyllwild, located in the San Jacinto mountains from Jan. 8 to 10, ACA was able to work on their vocals and bond as a group. Additionally, they choreographed dances for each song. Rose looks forward to adding the Studio Jazz Ensemble to the mix. “The band just puts the music together and plays it very well,” said Rose. The band began preparations for the concert last week. “I think the concert will be awesome,”
PHOTO BY GEORGE HUTCHISON
Class Act To Join Studio Jazz Ensemble in Celebration
said trumpet player Sean Eckley ‘11. He and trombonist Eric Langlois ‘12 said that they “cannot wait to play Zip-A-DeeIN CELEBRATION!: Studio Jazz Ensemble, in rehearsal, Doo-Dah during the Disney (LEFT) will join members of A Class Act, Elise Loprieno set.” ‘10 and Eric Feinstein ‘10, who performed in the Decem“I’ve never done a ber holiday program (ABOVE), on January 28-30 at the Newbury Park High School Performing Arts Center. concert like this before, so it is really exciting for me,” completion in summer 2010. said Maddie Embrey ‘11. Commenting on the future Rose also explained that WHS is the only school in the country to combine the performance, Rose said, “There are always top choir group and the top jazz band for a surprises,” The cost is $10 per ticket, and tickets performance of this caliber. With the WHS theater still under can be reserved by calling (805) 497-6711 construction, shows will take place at the ext. 2111. For more information, students Newbury Park theater until the theater’s can visit the choir or band website.
Parking Changes Streamline School Traffic Sofia Talarico Feature Editor
PHOTO BY JARED ERMAN
SAFETY FIRST: Jim Marshall indicates the changes in the traffic.
Students returning from winter break were surprised to find that they were no longer able to park on the Via Merida hill parallel to the football field, because of the newly posted traffic signs. Parking was banned at this location for the safety of the students and the comfort of the residents. Since there is no curb on either side of the hill, the students are forced to walk near the oncoming cars that come quickly down the hill.
Student were also driving down the hill at speeds over the speed limit, according to Dean of Attendance Jim Marshall. This was not only a danger to them, but also to the other cars that were exiting the student parking lot. Since the city no longer paints the curbs red, flags were added to the signs to indicate the no-parking zones. The traffic issue at the pick-up location in the front of the school on Lakeview Canyon Road has been modified to ensure smoother transition during pick-up. Parking will no longer be allowed where the cars make u-turns.
WHS Stays 28 th in Newsweek’s State Ranking Jamie Mark Staff Writer
The Newsweek Rankings compare every school in the nation, including public, private, and specialized schools such as magnet and art high schools. Funfar said, “We’re being compared to schools that are not similar to us.” “There are only about ten to thirteen schools out of the twenty eight that are actually like us.” “We’re being ranked against schools that [have] 150 students, and they are private schools, and you have to apply. At Westlake, we take everyone, we have to educate everbody,” said Funfar.
Basketball Keeps Goals in Sight
Brennan Walker ‘11 (left) practices during half-time warm-ups in the game against Agoura.
PHOTO BY SAM WEXLER
WHS is ranked 28 in the state once again, according to Newsweek magazine. The school also earned the 257th spot in the nation. Rankings are competitive, and though WHS moved slightly down from last year, Nicole Funfar, Assistant Principal of Instruction said, ”I’m ecstatic with the rankings we have received. Obviously we are higher than Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks, which is always fantastic, but there are
always ways to improve.” Rankings are based on the number of AP and honors classes students are taking as well as standardized test scores such as the STAR test. WHS has created new AP classes such as AP Human geography. “When you add more AP classes, and more kids are passing the AP tests, it improves your rankings,” Funfar said. WHS is also creating intervention programs to help students that are struggling in their classes, such as mentor programs, and tutoring at lunch to raise grades.
The cars that parked there before made it difficult for parents to successfully make u-turns causing superfluous threepoint turns, which created more traffic. Parents can take additional measures to reduce the traffic situation at the front of the school. Marshall recommends that parents “delay pick-up or find an alternative pickup location.”He also advises parents not to pick up students in front of the school. Marshall’s recommendations also include avoiding double parking and arriving 15 minutes later to reduce the amount of traffic.
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