Culture Change Is the Challenge at Pali High
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Palisadian-Post Serving the Community Since 1928 20 Pages Thursday, August 31, 2017 ◆ Pacific Palisades, California $1.50 The Big Blue and Red Lineup: The Town Salutes Our First Responders Firefighters from LAFD Stations 23 and 69 and local police officers were thanked with barbecue and cheers at the Chabad Jewish Community Center on Sunset Boulevard on Sunday, Aug. 28. Billed as a “salute to selfless dedication to their community,” local leaders such as Councilmember Mike Bonin and Rabbi Zushe Cunin recalled times when the “men and women in the blue” took on perils ranging from brush fires to unhappy transients with bravery and grace. Photo by Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer tions students might carry with Village Predator Apprehended on Felony Charges Culture Change is the them into an interaction. Stewart said doing away with By GABRIELLA BOCK these underlying assumptions can Reporter Challenge at Pali High work wonders for “disrupting in- equity.” olice arrested a serial predator Saturday, Aug. 25, He’s hard at work on a slew after he allegedly sexually assaulted a Palisadian of other initiatives, both for facul- Pwoman leaving an exercise class. ty and students, to be used during Identified as 54-year-old Babak Rahimzadeh, the class-time and on schoolwide man is accused of harassing several women and young “community days.” girls throughout the Village, including a similar inci- He has full support from ad- dent that took place at the Fancy Feet Dance Studio on ministration: Principal Dr. Pam Aug. 1. Magee spoke passionately in favor The man, described as about 5 feet 8 inches tall and of creating the position before the about 185 pounds, had been repeatedly arrested over the school’s governing board approved past eight years. Rahimzadeh Photos courtesy of LAPD it unanimously. Rahimzadeh was apprehended by LAPD Officers Brimming with energy, Stew- Wright and Vasser at 15231 La Cruz Dr. at approxi- Police say that the suspect asked the woman several art told the Post last week that he mately 1:30 p.m. after a 42-year-old woman placed a times if he could take her to breakfast before he reached Peer-to-peer connection will be key. Photo courtesy of Gio Stewart could already sense a greater con- distressed call to 911. out and grabbed her through her clothing. nection among students. Alisa Bash told authorities that Rahimzadeh ap- The attacked woman screamed and pushed Ra- By MATTHEW MEYER racist graffiti across campus. He and Magee both acknowl- proached her after she left a morning Pilates class on himzadeh away, inciting his casual reply of “What? I Reporter Now the school’s newly mint- edge the effort will have its skep- Via De La Paz and began following her down Bowdoin only wanted to take you to breakfast?” ed Campus Unification Director tics—both those who deny a Street. (Continued on Page 3) est scores, student-to-teach- Giovanni “Gio” Stewart is being culture problem on campus, and Ter ratios—they’re the kind of given creative reign to impact a those who say the programs aren’t Palisadian Kennedy concrete arithmetic that define ev- meaningful change in student cul- enough. ery school’s aspirations. ture. But they’re staying focused Arrested for But it’s far more difficult to He’s worked at Pali High for and patient—it’s all about “small measure how comfortable a stu- the past six years as an aide to stu- steps,” Stewart said. Raucous Behavior dent of color feels among their dents with special needs and has In time, he believes they’ll By GABRIELLA BOCK white peers, or how a gay student also served as a youth pastor since lead to major change. Reporter feels treated by faculty in contrast graduating from Biola University. to straight classmates. Stewart has developed a curric- he 22-year-old granddaughter Palisades Charter High School ulum that he’ll roll out throughout of the late Senator Robert F. moved to engage these elusive the year. TKennedy was arrested Saturday, Booking shot standards last week, creating a new, Rather than a regimented, aca- Aug. 19, after a house party at her Photo courtesy of Barnstable PD full-time position: campus unifica- demic approach, he said his efforts father’s Cape Cod rental home tion director. will focus on getting students to ended in a “drunken riot.” of disorderly conduct. It will be the director’s task to connect with their peers directly. Caroline Kennedy, a Palisadi- Police said that Caroline at- develop programs and services that “I want to take the focus off an resident and Brown University tempted to rescue her father from promote tolerance and inclusion, of [our differences] and onto the alumna, and her father, Max Ken- the squad car while partygoers uniting Pali High’s unique student fact that we’re all human beings,” nedy, were hosting a party across “rushed in” at the police. body. Stewart told the Palisadian-Post. the street from the family’s famed Caroline was allegedly heard It’s a racially and economically “If we can help people see that, and Hyannis Port compound where, lo- yelling “I went to Brown and I’m diverse campus with students from give them the chance to have new cal reports said, disorderly guests a teacher, sweetheart,” and telling 100 zip codes, nestled in one of Los and positive experiences with each were playing loud music and light- the arresting officer to “f--- off.” Angeles’ most affluent and least other … then I feel like we can get In This Issue ing off fireworks. Caroline and her father were ethnically diverse neighborhoods. somewhere.” BACK TO Police arrived at the rental both held overnight before posting It has served as an incubator That’s the goal of Stewart’s home around 1 a.m. after neigh- bail. for change but also weathered its “Hello” initiative, which is already SCHOOL 2017 bors filed noise complaints. Max was arraigned on Mon- share of ugly incidents. underway. Read all about our local After police requested that he day, Aug. 21, in Barnstable District Last year, an African-Ameri- Students are given class-time to schools in this year’s back- calm the loud partygoers, Max al- Court. He pleaded not guilty. can student went public after dis- connect with their peers by talking to-school edition of 90272 legedly began screaming incoher- According to Vanity Fair, covering that peers had shared a about a simple prompt one-on-one. Magazine, which you can find ently and smashed a wall cabinet Caroline will be arraigned on photo of her with a noose drawn The conversations are an op- filled with glassware. Nov. 22, the 54th anniversary of around her neck. portunity to learn about one anoth- in this week’s edition of the Police detained the 52-year- her great-uncle President John F. In 2016, two Pali High students er directly from the source, rather Palisadian-Post! old man, arresting him on charges Kennedy’s assassination. were arrested in connection with than relying on a set of presump- Page 2 Palisadian-Post August 31, 2017 Happy 4th of July from veteran-owned WEB TALK 881 Alma Real Dr., Suite T2 Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 This week’s 3hottest10.459.2303 topics on thepalidentists.com Facebook,General, Spe Twittercialty & Cosm &et iInstagramc Dentistry for the Whole Family Palisadian-Post After 15 years of service to his country, he has returned to serve Wishing you a very happy The Palisades. and safe 4th of July! Dr. Max Moncayo is a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and board certified dental anesthesiologist proudly providing unsurpassed care in a state-of-the-art facility. UT OF THE AST Insurance accepted. 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