Mountain View Takes Action to Support RV Park

Jaclyn Saik, Staff Writer
November 21, 2016
Filed under Issue-3, News, Showcase

Al, a Mountain View resident who wanted to keep his last name anonymous, left his home in Dallas, Texas, six or seven months ago to take care of his mother after his brother died. Unable to renew his security guard license in California to secure a job in the new area, Al couldn’t make enough money...

Homework-Free Weekend Spurs Student Concern

Madison Woo and Priya Dixit
November 21, 2016
Filed under Issue-3, News

For most students, Homecoming weekend provided a reprieve from school work. AR 6154, the homework policy implemented this year, designated the weekend to be homework-free, and for the most part, teachers complied with the stipulations. However, multiple students and other teachers approached Principal...

Student Walkout Protests Trump’s Election

Booker Martin, Staff Writer
November 15, 2016
Filed under News, Showcase, Web Exclusive

A walk-out in protest of president-elect Donald J. Trump came together yesterday, November 14, at 1:30 p.m. as a result of a social media post that had circulated sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Over 100 students gathered on the Los Altos football field, where lead protesters voiced their th...

Protest Walkouts: Know your Rights

Booker Martin, Senior Writer
November 14, 2016
Filed under News, Web Exclusive

In light of the election result, many students have begun discussing the possibility of school walkouts. Here is a guide to student protest rights and what potential consequences they could face. What is protected: Right to assemble: The right to assemble should not be limited unless the assem...

English Teachers Incorporate Mindfulness in the Classroom

Emma Kwan, Staff Writer
November 12, 2016
Filed under Issue-3, News

As the bell rings and students file into the classroom, English teacher Alicia Triana instructs her students to close their eyes and put their heads down. Soon, quiet music and a steady rhythm of students’ deep breaths are the only sounds in the classroom. After a few minutes, students open their ey...

School Introduces Positive Psychology Elective

Anisha Desai and Adrienne Mitchel
November 12, 2016
Filed under Issue-3, News

Over the past few months, the momentum of mindfulness practices has taken over Los Altos, manifesting in English class “mindful minutes” and in P.E. classes. Soon there won’t just be brief mindful moments in English and P.E., but an entire class dedicated to exploring the science of what makes peopl...

Los Altos Residents Urge Change in Flight Path

Javin Pombra and Danny Vesurai
November 12, 2016
Filed under Issue-3, News

The room shakes as everyone stands up for the Pledge of Allegiance. Papers rustle as the pledge finishes, and murmurings break out among the room about one of the most anticipated items to ever come before Los Altos’ City Council: airplane noise. So many residents are anxious to express their grieva...

SCL Promotes Crisis Text Line

Alex Luna, Staff Writer
November 7, 2016
Filed under News, Web Exclusive

In the past few weeks, students at Los Altos may have noticed a poster placed in school restrooms promoting a crisis text line. The Student Community Leaders (SCL) class posted this text line to aid teenagers dealing with any type of crisis. The idea originated from Principal Wynne Satterwhite when she at...

City Council Enacts Minimum Wage Increase

Cameron Avery and Ross Avery
October 20, 2016
Filed under Issue-2, News, Showcase

Starting next year, minimum wage workers in Los Altos will have a little more to bring home each day. On September 27, the Los Altos City Council voted 4-1 to pass an ordinance that will result in a substantial, city-wide increase on the minimum wage from the current $11.00 per hour. Starting on...

Revamped Multivariable Calculus Offers College Experience

Javin Pombra, Staff Wrter
October 20, 2016
Filed under Issue-2, News, Showcase

Since its inception three years ago, Los Altos has offered Multivariable Calculus in fluctuating circumstances. When last year’s teacher Daniel Borklund left Los Altos, it seemed to many prospective students that Multivariable would not be offered this year. “As far as I was concerned, I didn’t ...

Trigonometry Honors Curriculum Accelerates

Rachel Lu and Madison Woo
October 20, 2016
Filed under Issue-2, News

As a stepping stone between Algebra II and Calculus classes, Trigonometry/Math Analysis Honors has been revamped to better prepare students for calculus. Math teachers Eunice Lee and Stephen Stefanini worked over the summer to craft a new curriculum that aims to emphasize students’ problem-solving and precalcul...

Mastering Mindfulness: Teachers Learn to Destress

Danny Vesurai, Staff Writer
October 20, 2016
Filed under Issue-2, News, Showcase

The smell of popcorn fills the air in room 406 as the lights dim and “Casablanca” loads on the projector. Before starting the classic, Film Analysis teacher Susana Herrera instructs her class to close their eyes. The students go quiet, already accustomed to this routine after two months of school. As...