Student Newspaper of John Burroughs High School - 1920 W. Clark Ave., Burbank, CA 91506 SSmokemoke SSignalignal Tuesday, September 11, 2018 - Volume LXVIII, Issue I N P L C K O S Y! B A E in team bonding activities. They S S S then led their crew on a school Link Crew is a new program tour (dressed thematically), and at John Burroughs High School fi nished up the morning with a that helps Freshmen with diff er- pizza lunch. After lunch the crews ent aspects of their fi rst year, such went through registration (pick as orientation, preparing for high up books, see the counselors, etc) school and beyond, getting active with the help of their leaders. Ev- in campus life, and, most impor- ery Freshman left with ten new tantly, maintaining good grades Freshmen friends, and two upper- and making sure they graduate classmen leaders.” on time. Their second activity (which Link Crew can help Freshmen sadly took place as the paper was in many ways, such as getting going to print, so there are few them more comfortable with oth- more involved in clubs, sports, this is sure to make the program a to know I can count on someone specifi cs), happened yesterday, ers. and many other activities. very successful one. to help me out.” Monday February 10th, which ac- “Link Crew helps Freshmen According to Pam Collins, Even the Freshmen agree, as Brianna Quintero Santana, an- cording to Megan Williams, was get more involved in school ac- Cheer Coach, Teacher, and the Freshman Anaiya Harvey says, “I other Freshman, agrees, saying, a fun activity to “check up on my tivities and know basically that Link Crew Program Coordinator, think Link Crew is a great way to “I felt more comfortable about Freshmen.” they have a friend in school no “More and more studies show create bonds with upperclassmen, freshman year with this program, If you’re wondering how to matter what,” said Ashley Baelly. that if students have a positive to get to know the school a little the way they explain to us how join the program, you’re in luck This program helps many experience their fi rst year in high better, and to get throughout high things work in Burroughs is very (especially if you’re a Freshman!) people to not feel left out. Senior school, their chance for success school with a positive mindset. helpful. It feels good to know “All Freshmen are automati- Aliyah Cain states, “The purpose increases dramatically. The pro- I also think that Link Crew is a where to go if we need help or cally enrolled in Link Crew and of this program is to help and gram provides the structure for better way to improve the envi- if we are struggling. I felt very given a set of upperclassmen guide incoming Freshmen their Freshmen to receive support and ronment at Burroughs due to the comfortable talking to them about Link Leaders,” states Coordinator fi rst year of high school. Not guidance from Juniors and Se- things that happened in the past.” anything.” Pam Collins. only do we guide them, we create niors who have been through the As to why the program looks Already this year Link Crew And if you’re a Junior or a Se- bonds with all students and help challenges that high school poses, the way it does, Link Crew Co- has had two big activities, one nior who wants to be a Link Crew to support them. We play games and understand that the transition ordinator Pam Collins explains, huge one during Freshmen Ori- Leader, your job would include and teach them coping skills and to a larger school can sometimes “Our administration and ASB had entation where all the Freshmen being “positive role models, men- skills to help through the ups and be overwhelming.” been exposed to Link Crew while met, played games, and did other tors and student leaders who guide downs that they experience in People are interested in the visiting other schools. When we various activities with the Senior the Freshmen to discover what it high school. I joined this program program and are very excited to went to La Serna High School to Link Crew Leaders, such as word takes to be successful during the because I have a passion for help- meet other students that are in view their intervention program, association games, introduction transition to high school and help ing others and I love being a part other grades. “I love the program they had Link Crew in place. We questions, trust exercises, and facilitate Freshman success,” of something positive.” because we are able to guide stu- were so impressed we wanted to team dress ups (each team had a Collins explains. You can still Also, it’s very good to know dents in their fi rst year of high implement it here at Burroughs.” theme they dressed as, with little join by seeing Mrs. Collins, with that students will be comfortable school,” said Ashley Baelly. (If you’d like to read up more things like leis or Starbucks frap- whom you must apply and be in- with each other around school. While there were numerous on the project Burroughs is em- pucino hats). terviewed to be a Leader. Before this year, students reasons for starting the program ulating, go to boomerangproject. Coordinator Collins explains As Link Crew Coordinator, didn’t have anyone to guide here at JBHS, the most obvious com.) the Freshmen Orientation Process her job involves, according to her, them. Ashley Baelly, who went one is that, as Senior Keely Craig Freshmen already appreciate with Link Crew, “Link Leaders “interviewing and selecting other through her fi rst year of high says it best, “Link Crew is a pro- the program because now they received ten hours of training the teachers willing to train and host school with the program said, gram where upperclassmen help won’t be afraid and nervous their week before Freshman Orienta- Link Leaders, interviewing and “I was nervous because I didn’t Freshman with their fi rst year of fi rst year of high school, as Fresh- tion. Leaders were trained to use selecting Link Leaders, planning know many people and with the high school. I think our school man Daniella Turcios states, “I specifi c activities and ask specifi c and running Freshman Orienta- program, now Freshmen can ex- wanted this program because of think Link Crew is a very helpful questions that lead to ‘aha’ mo- tion, planning Link Crew activi- pand their friendship to others.” what happened with last year’s program for freshman. It helps us ments for Freshmen. The Leaders ties throughout the school year.” Students are more likely to en- Freshmen. I joined because I’ve get more involved in school activ- helped lead a welcoming pep ral- With a program like this 2018 joy being at school and not feel been in really tough situations ities and get along with students ly in the big gym on the morning is sure to be the best year Bur- left out. myself and I thought I might be from other grades. I really like it of orientation. Each team of two roughs has ever had! Teachers are very excited to of some help to the Freshmen.” because I feel more comfortable Leaders took a crew of ten Fresh- know that the students are getting Showing heart and empathy like with other students and I’m glad men to a classroom to participate D C W G I F U I 14 Y B B M policy is. S S S The Burbank school district This year the school dress makes the rules and the schools code for Burbank Unifi ed School have to abide by it. District is fi nally being updated For right now, the Burbank for the fi rst time since 2004, as Unifi ed School District is actively it is still getting updated as of working towards a more fair and right now by the Burbank School equal dress code for all students. Board. The goal is to reduce the Compared to the dress code amount of time students are from last year only a couple of pulled from their classes because things have really changed. of dress code violations. Students are now allowed to The dress code rules became wear halter tops, shirts that have a big issue last year, when many spaghetti straps, and hats. students complained about it not Hats are allowed to be worn on being fair. In consideration of stu- campus except in the classroom dents not agreeing with the dress when teachers don’t allow them. code the school decided to have a When talking to Mrs. Wazir- meeting at the Burbank City Hall kajoyan about why the dress code to bring all the issues about dress was fi nally changed she said, “I code to attention. As of when the next update UU DD do not know why, but it is about SSept.ept. 221st1st TTalentalent ShowShow time that it gets updated.” will be posted is unknown right SSeniorenior SSweatshirtsweatshirts When speaking to her it was now. But it is being worked on found out that our schools have and will hopefully become a real- PPre-Ordersre-Orders EEndnd no say on what the dress code ity for all students. SSept.ept. 226th6th BBloodlood DDriverive SSignign UUpsps EndEnd SEPTEMBER 11 F PAGE 2 F C Burbank Unified School District’s Annual and Career DW%+6 Saturday, September , 201 MARTY COHA KATIE KENNEDY Hello, My name is Mar- Presidents come and go, but 9:00am to 12:00pm ty Coha, and I’d like to run for their accomplishments have last- Freshman Co-President.