SteinmetzVolume 81, Number 3, January-February 2016 Star www.steinmetzstar.com Parent, staff and student majority dislikes the change Later bell schedule helps teens get more sleep, but limits activities

By McKenzie Lacefield [Jacara Adams, Juan Ceballos, Alejandro Hernandez and Maya Robinson obtained interviews; all 1st period Journalism students contributed to the story.]

majority of students, parents and staff members who took the Steinmetz Star Bell Schedule survey Ain November indicated that they prefer last year’s bell schedule to this year’s one, which is an hour later. Of Survey Results parents, 68 percent said they prefer an earlier start time. Nearly 1,400 surveys were returned to the Star, with 320 8 – 3:11 9 – 4:11 people including signed comments. Freshmen 143 66 The surveys were distributed to freshmen, sophomores, Sophomores 190 183 juniors and seniors in their English classes and to staff members in their mailboxes. The Star surveyed parents at report card Juniors 133 56 pick-up on Nov. 19, 2015. Seniors 181 150 Staff 76 16 The schedule for next year has not yet been determined. photo Star Parents 142 64 Steinmetz staff members Karena Childs and Laura Jimenez greet parents, who are holding Schedule pros and cons 865 535 the Star survey, at report card pick up on Nov. 19, 2015. Students, sitting at a table closest Students who prefer this year’s schedule commented that the to the door, distributed the Bell Schedule Survey to the parents. More than 200 parents 62% 38% 9 a.m. start allows more sleep and more time to eat breakfast, took the survey, which was like the student survey at top left, but didn’t ask for grade level. get ready and commute to school. “I love the extra sleeping time,” junior Thalia Ocasio said. Shirley Cisneros said. “I don’t have to wake up early and I don’t feel rushed,” Some students said that the late dismissal has adversely The Star ‘Later Bell Schedule’ report, sophomore Alma Carmona said. affected their employment, athletics and after school activities. continued on Pages 10-13, includes: Students who prefer an earlier schedule commented about “Now that school starts later, I have been working fewer • The option for working seniors to leave school at 3:11 (p. 12) the loss of time in the afternoons because of the 4:11 dismissal. hours and even staying up at work till midnight,” senior Vic- • Reasons for the change in schedule Many said they were concerned with safety because it is dark toria Galvin said. • Comparisons with other CPS high schools when they are walking home or taking public transportation. “Athletes get home later than usual due to practices and • Research on teens and sleep deprivation “Now I don’t really have time to do anything at home,” games after school, and they don’t have enough time for home- • Interviews with Principal Stephen Ngo, CPS Network 3 sophomore Michelle Villanueva said. “Staying after school work,” junior Leinaliz Miranda said . “How are we supposed Chief of Schools Randel Josserand and LSC members isn’t even okay. It’s so dark and dangerous.” to participate in after school clubs and activities and sports • Information about past bell schedules at Steinmetz Parents also commented about safety. and have good grades?” • Dozens of student, staff and parent comments on the positive “It’s too dark for the kids to walk through Riis Park,” parent Continued on Page 10 and negative effects of the new schedule Regional science fair winners advance to city Principal Ngo responds to Star ‘censorship accusation’ ereetings, this is Principal Ngo. I’d like to explain Gmy thoughts and actions pertaining to accusations that I censored the school newspaper. Having read the first draft on the story on the late start, I felt that it was rather one-sided. The story needed more balance. I halted the story from running in the Decem- ber issue after explaining to the Rikeya Hargrove by Photo Principal Stephen Ngo answers journalism students that I was questions from Star reporters on postponing the story so that they Jan. 4. Photo by Steven Nunez Steven by Photo could add more balance to the en students represented Steinmetz at the North Rybarska, Liana Perez, Tiyun Harvey, Adrian Espino, story. I made two specific recom- interviewed regarding the health High Schools Regional Networks Science Fair Vincent Fernandez, Jorge Garcia, Abdulkabir Yahya mendations. First, I recommended benefits surrounding more sleep Ton Friday, Jan. 29. They competed with 90 and Lara Banez earned gold medals. All students who that the students interview our and research that shows most teen- other students from 14 different North Side schools. earned gold medals have been invited to compete Local School Council regarding agers in the United States are sleep (From left to right in above): Aleksandra Czernas- in the City Science Fair, which will be held at the the late start. Secondly, I recom- deprived. tek earned a silver medal. Victor Hernandez, Weronika Museum of Science and Industry on March 17.• mended that the school nurse be Continued on Page 4 In this Issue News: 1-2, 4-7, 9-13 Opinion: 2-3 Valentine’s: 8-9, 14 Arts & Entertainment: 14 Sports: 15-16 Photo by Dr. Mojgan Majdzadeh Dr. by Photo Photo, Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch Eyerusalem Photo, Photo by McKenzie Lacefield by Photo Letter to the editor and column Mendrano courtesyPhoto Mr. On the campaign trail, p. 4 about guys’ clothing choices, p. 3 Shout outs, pages 8-9 Review of RuPaul’s Drag Race, p. 14 Bowling, p. 15 2 Star News Staff and students mourn with Steinmetz senior over loss of mom Star

Steinmetz College Prep High School 3030 N. Mobile, Chicago IL 60641 773-534-3030, Star office (x) 25241 www.steinmetzstar.com Email: [email protected]

The Steinmetz Staris a student publication of Steinmetz Many of Alicia Urquizo’s IB classmates, pictured in an art class photo, and other friends, attended services for Cynthia Urquizo. College Prep High School. Our goal is to inform the Photo courtesy Urquizo Photo Alicia Steinmetz community of news affecting the students of country, cardio club and track teams expressed their our school. The opinions expressed are not necessarily By Diana Lagunas sorrow and admiration for her mom. those shared by the editors or faculty and administration. “I knew Alicia’s mom from her rides to school in the ith an outpouring of love and care, dozens morning and coming over to her house,” senior Kienna The Steinmetz Starwelcomes letters, corrections, com- of students and staff members attended the Bariso said. “She was extremely funny, using sarcasm ments, and articles from all members of the Steinmetz Wwake and funeral for senior Alicia Urquizo’s and always being real. She was like the older version of community. mother Cynthia, who died at age 50 on Jan. 26. Alicia. She had a loving personality, and I really felt she Friends of Alicia from her senior IB class and cross acted as a second mother. She had a very loving heart.” Co-editors-in-chief: • Alejandro Hernandez and Zaneta Marcinik

College Café available for Senior Seminar assists Section editors and copy editors: Agape Alfaro, Lesli Avila, Ashley Komperda, McKenzie underclassmen during lunch in application process Lacefield, Jailene Torres, Daria Velazquez By Brian Geans Journalism class reporters: Jacara Adams, Natalia Aguilar, Juan Ceballos, Valery ince the fall of Champion, David Ciechanowski, Yesenia Deluna, Kara 2013, Senior Dziadosz, Ronald Evans, Brian Geans, Paris Glispie, Luis SSeminar has Gomez, Venice Gonzalez, Rikeya Hargrove, Gerardo Jerez, been a required class Angelo Jones, Daniel Lozeau, Rosemary Mcgurn, Wiljali- for most seniors. Ms. Serritella sha Mollfulleda, Anthony Morgan Kitch, Giselle Mendoza, Students in IB and Photo, Brian Geans Olivia Nunez, Elizabeth Patino, Camila Pina, Lisette OneGoal don’t take Pravinchandra, Flor Renteria, Maya Robinson, Eduardo Sophomores and teacher Beth Perez at the College Café the class. Vazquez, Imari Walker It has been taught by several different teach- Photos by Tony Morgan-Kitch ers, counselors and even Principal Stephen Ngo. Newspaper Club reporters: By Monica Marroquin This year, English teachers Victoria Serritella Karen Bahena, Victoria Boccia, Eyerusalem Coleman- and Stephanie Walker teach the nine sections. Kitch, Frederick Crittendon, Kimberly Degante, Kala hat do you expect The Star interviewed Ms. Serritella about Geralds, Elise Guillen, Ahmad Hamdan, Luz Herrera, from college? Do you the class. Allyza Inson, Everett Jennings, Monica Laddaran, Diana Weven plan on going to What is Senior Seminar about? Lagunas, Gerardo Martinez, Monica Marroquin, Jamara college? If you do, what are you It is a class designed to assist students to the McGarry, Tyffani Quintero, Alina Afzal Qureshy, Jacque- going to major in? college application process, including obtain- lyn Rodriguez, Emony Tate Don’t worry. Many kids have ing scholarships, completing the FAFSA and the same question as you do. understanding college financial and educational The Newspaper Clubmeets on Tuesdays and Thursdays Honestly, many of us have an Matais Kirk (2015) speaks to obligations. in Room 333 during 3rd and 4th period lunch and after ideal life planned out, but what students about his experi- Why do we have it? school. ence at Northern Illinois are our choices to get there? University. In the past college enrollment was really low What is your plan to succeed in due to students’ lack of knowledge of the college Star adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt your dream job? application and admission process. College Café is a place where freshmen and sophomores can How does Senior Seminar help? Membership: Scholastic Press Association of Chicago go on Wednesdays and Fridays during third and fourth lunch It help the students 100 percent starting by periods to set up their future. exposing the job opportunities and the educa- Printing: Mr. Hugh Hefner’s November 2015 dona- Students can feel comfortable to tell others what their dreams tional paths to success.Senior Seminar takes a tion to the Star covers the costs of printing the paper at are and find the guidance to accomplish them. Not only that, step by step approach to guiding students to Topweb in Chicago. • they get a chance to meet graduates who are currently in col- their post secondary plans. • lege.• www.steinmetzstar.com Star Opinion: ‘Yay’ and ‘Nay’ More information on our website Senior Seminar is Senior Seminar is n addition to the informa- a great class that a waste of time for tion provided in the Star’s I“Later Bell Schedule” story helps for college some students on Pages 1, 10-13 in this issue, there is more informa- By Maya Robinson By McKenzie Lacefield tion that readers may find interesting. enior seminar is a really good class to enior Seminar really annoys me. Although On the Steinmetz Star have because it gives the seniors time to the teachers are friendly, and nice, this class website we are sharing all Sapply for colleges and learn more about Sjust doesn’t cut it.. the handouts that Principal financial support. It is not necessary for the people who already Stephen Ngo and Network In my senior seminar class my teacher makes know what they’re doing. Why are we forced to 3 Chief of Schools Randel it a grade to apply for schools so at least you’ll apply to colleges that we’re not even going to go Josserand distributed to be accepted into one school. to? Why are we stuck writing personal statements Journalism students on Jan. A lot of students like myself have extracur- that we don’t really need? I don’t think it’s fair that 4, which include a four- ricular activities that they are involved with so I have to take this class. page “Frequently Asked they tend not to have much time to do what Why am I wasting 50 minutes, every day, Questions” document. Mr. they need to. As for me, I work almost everyday when I could be spending that time on other Josserand said the unsigned, and don’t make it home until almost 12 o’clock classes and projects where I truly need the help? undated FAQ was created in every night. Instead, students could be taking classes they the fall in “a collaborative ef- Senior seminar takes time out of my day so actually want to take. Maybe they want a second fort of our building admin- I can focus more on school. Overall, I believe year of art or music, Shakespeare or yearbook or istrators and members of our that senior seminar is a good class to have. Journalism, but they can’t because we have to take The Network 3 “FAQ” (above) and other document • Network team.” • shared with the Star are available: steinmetzstar.com. Senior Seminar. It should not be a requirement. • 2 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star Opinion 3 Who is your Black History Month hero? The power of the press

nown as “The Prin- cess of the Pen,” Ida KB. Wells was a famous newspaper reporter, editor and anti-lynching crusad- er, born in 1862 in Holy

Interviews: Lisette Pravinchandra Interviews: Pravinchandra Lisette and Vazquez Eduardo Springs, Missouri, died in 1931 in Chicago “Rosa Parks, because she “Martin Luther King, Jr. He’s “Maya Angelou: The truth “Neil Tyson, because he’s re- “The people must know made history for sitting on the reason why everything behind her story.” ally smart and doesn’t take any before they can act, and Ida B. Wells a bus.” changed.” Ariel Garcia, junior thing from anybody.” there is no educator to com- Miyah Jones, junior Miguel Tapia, senior Lamarr Ousley, senior pare with the press,” she said. “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”• Letters from our Readers School uniforms are Pet article was great Holiday greetings from Star unnecessary Jan 23, 2016 supporters Hugh and Crystal Hefner I enjoyed the Nov.-Dec. 2015 paper as usual, but who would have thought that loving dogs as I do, I would need the Star to give me the idea that my Photo of Coco by Valery Champion eternally depressed cousin in Lithuania should get a little dog for herself. A little dog’s easy to take out,

Photo by Dr. Mojgan Majdzadeh Dr. by Photo clean up after, etc., and she would have a Feb. 1, 2016 being who’ll need her, love her, and keep her The uniform policy doesn’t really bother me but company and give structure to her day. I would like to be able to wear what I want every Thanks for your article and interviews on once in a while. I think Steinmetz should change the what pets can do for you. uniform policy so that people can express themselves Terry Daniels, retired teacher with their style (as long as it’s appropriate). Sincerely, Felipe Orozco More activities coming Jan. 25, 2016 Hello Steinmetz students! The senior class officers would like to inform you about the upcoming events we have planned for you guys: Canned Food Drive Juniors ACT Social Tye Dye Tuesdays Junior Town Hall Meeting If you guys have any suggestions on how to im- prove the schools spirit and morality go ahead and let one of us know. Sincerely, Demi Bell - [email protected] Didn’t get a chance to share your opinion? Karla Solis - [email protected] Luke Kuczynski - [email protected] Send a letter to the editor Melissa Gonzalez - [email protected] [email protected]• Star Opinion Star investigation uncovers unconvincing arguments for sagging pants By Jamara McGarry

hy do guys sag? It is one of the Wquestions some are scared to ask. Well, don’t worry because it has been done for you. The Star asked 16 Stein- metz guys why they sag. Their answers, just like their sagging pants, were all over McGarry Jamara by Photos the place. Three said, “It’s comfortable.” don’t, said they “don’t know why” guys sag. Another guy said some girls think “it’s to be the cool guy. How is it comfortable not being able to Three said they sag because “it looks good.” cute.” Except his girlfriend, who was next to There you have it. Why do you think boys walk correctly? How is it comfortable having It was quite funny when one guy said this. him, said that it isn’t. sag? Is it one of these reasons? a belt keep your thighs together instead of The female who was with him told him, “It’s One said it’s due to “media,” that what Or do you think that it’s a new year and keeping your pants up? not cute,” and he still didn’t want to change young men are being shown is cool and it af- maybe they should leave sagging in 2015 and Four boys who sag, and another four who his answer. fects how they dress because every boy wants try to make a new look for 2016? • Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 3 4 Star News Campaigning for presidential candidates inspires young voters

Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch Emony Tate

By Emony Tate

hen you think Iowa, what do you think? I think of a very rural place Wwith no people who look like me. What does that mean? I witnessed first hand the frigid air and country vibe of Iowa. I also learned that it is 97 percent white. I was there because I got invited to cam- paign for a presidential candidate. I decided By Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch enough supporters, we separated and went to that I could get past the cold and majority. things that I hold dear to my heart. our own space where we figured out ways to Luckily I was able to campaign for Bernie During the trip I phone banked and went ive students in teacher Jason Mink’s Civ- present our issue. At the end, we voted for the Sanders; I am a Sanders supporter. door knocking. Both of these are forms of ics class were given the opportunity by best presentation, which will be the winner of This trip was the best learning experi- talking to people and trying to get them to FMikva Challenge to go to Iowa to cam- the caucus. ence. I met so many interesting people and support the candidate you are campaigning paign for the presidential candidates. This is why youth involvement in politics is gained many skills as well as gaining more for. The way you do it is target registered vot- Seniors Eyerusalem Coleman-Kitch, Emony so important. We all have issues we care about, knowledge about Sanders’ character. ers and give them quick information about Tate and Sylvia Madej and juniors Piotr Szech issues we see every day, but no one is doing I support his campaign because he is an your candidate. It is interesting the people and Alexander Paszkowski traveled to Des anything about them. It is our job to bring activist at heart. He knows what it is like to you may encounter. Moines, Iowa with other Chicago students attention to these issues. It is our job to fight fight against the high power, to march and Overall, I felt honored to be able to par- as part of the Mikva Challenge campaign day for the issues we care about. petition. He understands the meaning of ticipate in that trip. I think it is amazing the on Jan. 15. “The system is not meant to work for you. community. More importantly, he supports work Mikva does. I now understand how The Iowa caucus on Feb. 1 is the first contest You have to make it work for you,” a Mikva women’s rights and youth voice. These are important my voice is. in the primary season and our jobs were to gain Challenge staff worker told us. • supporters for our given candidates by calling Besides learning more about politics, we people, going door to door and ultimately try- had the experience of socializing with people Star editor opinion: Bernie is the best ing to get them to sign a commitment card for from different part of the country. There were our candidates. people from Washington DC, Chicago and By Alejandro Hernandez banks, and he is appalled by the fact that “Would you sign a commitment card?” was suburbs, Los Angeles and Texas. We were able the top one-tenth of the 1% has almost the the question of the town. to see, that despite being from different areas ernie Sanders is hands down the best same amount of money as 90% of the rest A commitment card is a basic contract that of the United States and different ethnicities, candidate running in this year’s elec- of population. If Sanders is elected he will states that the person who signed it will cau- we are facing similar, if not the same, issues. Btion. do everything he can to put the people first cus for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders or We were able to unite and fight for things If you are not familiar with Democratic and help make life easier for people with- another candidate on the day of the election. we believe in. This is why politics is so im- presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, here’s out money. Among the things he hopes to Although the campaign process is similar portant, even if you don’t care about it, you some basic information. He’s a senator from change are free college education and uni- in all states, the caucuses in Iowa are different can’t help but be a part of it. It brings people Vermont, and in less than a year, he’s gone versal healthcare. than primaries held in other states. For the together, people who may not otherwise have from political no-name, to possibly being I would highly suggest anyone take the democratic candidates, caucusing means the met. the strongest candidate for the presidential time to do some more research about what people use their bodies to cast their vote. Sup- There was a lot of learning involved, but we nomination. A big part of his meteoric rise Bernie’s campaign is about. In a race in porters for each democratic candidates stand also had a lot of fun. For example, I met former comes from his unorthodox grassroots cam- which the media coverage is largely domi- in their own space and try to convince others President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea paign. While most candidates traditionally nated by Trump’s bigotry and senselessness, to switch sides – the ultimate democracy. Not Clinton at a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton. rely on funding from big business and the listening to Bernie speak with an open-mind only did we learn about the process of gaining This Iowa trip was the most culturally bind- 1%, that money is expected to help benefit and a genuine care about social reform is supporters and the process of caucusing, but we ing, intellectually stimulating and humorous the wealthy more than rest of 99%. refreshing and promising. also learned about how we can draw attention experience I ever had. I hope next election This is where Bernie separates himself • to issues we care about. people will be proactive and get the same op- from the Super-Pac. His campaign money is The Illinois primary We went to an event at Drake University portunity that I received. strictly funded by donations from the com- is Tuesday, March 15. where everyone had the experience of caucus- I’m thankful to Mr. Mink and service learn- mon man. His political stance is to bring Register to vote online at ing for an issue. The people who didn’t have ing coordinator Bernie Eshoo for letting us about a revolutionary social reform that will https://ova.elections.il.gov/ enough people on their team will got a chance know about this trip. hopefully close the gap between the upper See www.steinmetzstar.com to plead for others to join them. After we had • and lower classes. He opposes the major for more information. CPS announces more Principal Ngo responds to Star ‘censorship accusation’ budget cuts want to see it removed from our course review. A few years ago there was an Continued from Page 1 selection. Regarding the newspaper, incident where the Star portrayed cer- hile CPS an- My intention was to have the story there are several factors that will deter- tain Steinmetz employees in a negative nounced another run in the next edition after the rec- mine the future of the Star including manner. The LSC looks to me to ensure Wround of budget ommendations were followed through. budgetary concerns. something like this never happens again. cuts in the beginning of Over the next couple of days (this is Regarding censorship I am totally In my four years as principal I have February, it is unknown at now the last week of school before win- within my rights to preview and “censor” never used my influence or stature to Star press time if any staff ter vacation) the Star came back and the school newspaper. I would kindly ask influence stories. I do not use the school members at Steinmetz will implemented the recommendations. I readers to look up the 1988 Supreme newspaper for my own political agenda. have to be laid off. was asked to allow the story to print in Court Case Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier I want to ensure that our readers have On Feb. 9, CBSlocal. the December issue. in which the Supreme Court held that access to stories that are well balanced, com reported that “CPS I decided to stick to my original plan a school principal has the right to censor informative and fair. The readers of the Sophomore Jamara McGarry officials have told princi- speaks about the need for and have the story run in the next edi- school-sponsored expression such as a Steinmetz Star deserve no less. pals to pick up paperwork fully funded schools at a tion. The story is now appearing in this school newspaper (http://www.uscourts. Respectfully submitted, Communities United Town- outlining the reduced hall at Riis Park on Jan. 29. edition with the recommendations previ- gov/educational-resources/educational- Stephen Ngo budgets for each school. ously suggested. activities/facts-and-case-summary-ha- Principal “Some schools face larger cuts than others. For now, it In the heat of it all, I absolutely said zelwood-v-kuhlmeier). does not appear teacher layoffs will be part of this round some things I regret. I would like to see In addition, the Local School Coun- of cuts, but principals will have to let go of some teachers’ the journalism class continue. I do not cil has charged me with invoking prior assistants and school clerks.”• 4 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star News 5 Academic decathlon team advances to city championship

Team members and Coach Davoud Chitsaztehrani celebrate excellent results at the first round of the Academic Decathlon. Coach Bechir Amdouni works with students after school to prepare for the competition. Photo by Daniela Blas by Photo

By Zaneta Marcinik Students worked throughout the year to dents who have a grade point averages (GPA) “The Decathlon Team has worked very prepare for the competition, which is com- of less than 3.0, three Scholastic students with hard and our group rank shows it,” senior inishing 11th in the first round of com- prised of ten events. There are multiple-choice GPAs of 3 - 3.749 and three Honors students Jose Padilla said. petition, with four Brainiacs receiving exams in art, economics, literature, mathemat- with GPAs of 3.75 to 4.0. We compete against schools like Lane Tech, Findividual medals, the Decathlon Team ics, music, science, and social science. Students Each team member is eligible for individual Roosevelt, Prosser and Schurz. Many schools has advanced to the Decathlon City Champi- also take an essay exam and will be judged in medals in all events. This year four Steinmetz have Academic Decathlon classes as part of onships on Feb. 20 at Whitney Young High a speech events as well as an interview event students received the following recognitions: their course offerings; we do not. We work School. when they advance to the next rounds. Bart Labno, varsity - 6th place in science with teachers either before or after school, The competition was held on Jan. 23 at After all individual tests, our school com- Alexander Paszkowski, scholastic - Highest but we mostly have to prepare and study by Chicago Vocational Career Academy. peted in the Superquiz, where we worked as Team Score, 2nd place in Mathematics, 6th ourselves. “Academic Decathlon is a good way to a group. This year’s topic was India. place in Social Science Students can join the club at any grade improve study habits, connect with people A Decathlon team consists of nine students Piotr Szczech, scholastic - 6th place in sci- level. I am glad I joined Decathlon this year that have similar interests and it’s great if you’re from the ninth through twelfth grades of the ence as a senior, but I wish I had done it my sopho- competitive,” captain Alexander Paszkowski same high school. Zaneta Marcinik, honors - 5th place in more year. said. Each team is made up of three Varsity stu- Mathematics • Urban Alliance provides paid Making the adjustment to a Star editor opinion: Bernie is the best downtown job internships new school and a new climate By Agape Alfaro

he Philippines is an archipelago, a group of islands. It has 7,107 islands and is Tgrouped into three major islands – Lu- zon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippines have two seasons: the wet season (tag-ulan) and the dry season (tag-init/tag-araw). So, how do you think it would feel com- ing from a tropical island to a place where Vincent Fernandez

it snows? McGarry Jamara by Photo The Star interviewed sophomore Vincent Fernandez, who moved to Chicago from Min- come across gangs or guns. It’s been pretty danao in the Philippines last summer. safe so far. How did you react to snow? How does the school here differ? When it first snowed in November my I adapted to the language fast and I adapted Urban Alliance interns Dymetro Holyk, Jonathan Hernandez, Jessica Banderas, brother and I stayed outside for like three here pretty fast, in general. There are a lot of Perla Ramirez, Olivia Nunez, Jenny Gonzalez

Photo by Jamara McGarry Jamara by Photo hours playing in the snow. activities here. In the Philippines it’s more of Do you like the snow? the teacher talking, similar to a lecture style. Yeah, but I hate it when it gets in my face. The girls over there are more quiet and be- By Olivia Nunez Commuting is the hardest part of my In the Philippines it’s hot or rainy. Over here haved. Students over there value school more job. With commuting comes the challenge it’s cold and my hands get frozen. I didn’t because parents have to pay a lot of money rban Alliance offers a great oppor- of how to manage your time well. With expect it to be so cold. for it. It feels like school over here has a lot tunity for students to get a feel for having such control also comes a lot of re- How do you like Chicago so far? of freedom and there are positives and nega- Uwhat is to have a serious job. Urban sponsibility. It’s not as dangerous as people say. I haven’t tives to it. Alliance places students in paid internships. In order to get the job the Urban Alli- • Principal Ngo responds to Star ‘censorship accusation’ This year seven seniors from Steinmetz ance mentors have to see that students are are participating in the program. serious. Once they’re placed on the job not Right away students are able to meet only do students have to work well they also New teacher makes big impact many people. They’re assigned to a specific must continue to do well in school. Program Coordinator. This person walks Since this internship is school based stu- By Jacara Adams with them through their working experi- dents have to maintain grades at nothing ence. lower than a C average. Anything lower eacher Mychal Moore joined the Before obtaining the jobs, students also will put them at risk of probation and of Steinmetz staff in November 2015. received six weeks of training. losing their job. THe said he’s grateful to have a job I got placed at a law firm, Katten I just think very highly of this program and he likes the school.

Muchin Rosenman, located in the West because with this comes many opportuni- He team-teaches five different subjects – Mr. Moore poses with some of the freshmen Loop. The department where I work is ties that in any other place would be very biology, financial algebra, chemistry, read- basketball players. docket. My duties there are filing, making hard to get into or you simply wouldn’t be ing, and Spanish. He coached freshmen copies of any lawsuits, scanning papers and able to find. boys basketball and now is coaching boys track “With the students, he is fair and kind. I sending them to who needs them. After graduating I will continue work- in the spring. don’t think there is a single student who does To many people, one of the hardest chal- ing. My position will turn into a 9 to 5 job He moved to Chicago about eight years not get along with him. As freshman boys lenges with Urban Alliance is the commute. that will continue through late July. ago from Kansas. He’s 31 and doesn’t have basketball coach, he has gotten to know several Some of my classmates question how I can I am personally very proud to say that I any children. Teachers appreciate his talents. of our students outside of the classroom and keep doing this job. They say, “I would’ve am part of the Urban Alliance community. “Mr. Moore has been an awesome team it has made for great strides in the classroom. quit by now if I were you,” and “I wouldn’t Juniors and seniors can talk to counselor teacher; he is fresh and positive-minded, which I look forward to our class every day and I be able to stay committed; it’s too much.” Tania Moumji if they’re interested in ap- has been really refreshing for my own mind- would definitely request teaching with him plying.• set,” teacher Tara Scolire said. again.”• Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 5 6 Star Feature: Scholastic Journalism Week Journalism professionals inspire student reporters

Mark Farina Sabrina Marrero, Ashley de la Cruz, teacher Beth Zaluba, Mark Braboy Linze Rice Photo by Rosemary by Photo McGurn Brian Geans by Photo Photo by Brian Geans by Photo Steinmetz graduate and former Star reporter Mark Mark Braboy, who reported for Vibe and was the Linze Rice, a reporter for DNAinfo who covered the Marcus Leshok, a WGN TV reporter (pictured on Farina, who has worked for several Chicago papers, news editor of Jackson State University newspaper, “censorship flap” at Steinmetz in a story published Page 7), who, like Ms. Rice, worked on the Northern in public relations and in broadcast (especially gave students a lot of great advice. He told them in December 2015, talked to the Star staff about Star when he was a student at Northern Illinois announcing CPS games), said the most successful to read and write a lot, use smartphones to record the wide range of experiences she has received University, told students that while people have journalists stay flexible because they often work in video footage and record interviews, be versatile while covering Chicago stories. She said curiosity is more access to information than ever “the world environments other than the ones they anticipate. by learning how to write about more than one a great attribute to have in reporting the news. She needs accuracy and context.” He said he loved his He stressed approaching all jobs professionally and subject and to not fear mistakes. Music teacher stressed the need for reporters to be responsible in job because he is always learning something new doing extra research. He talked about the passion Beth Zaluba invited Mr. Braboy to speak. He was their writing and treat all sources with respect. and he gets to tell stories for a living. of reporting. “It’s a wild ride; enjoy it,” he said. her student when he was in elementary school.

Why I like journalism

By Ronald Evans

like to write. When I write, I like to let the pen or pencil control my thoughts and emotions. I found Ithe best experience in school was me writing my first article in journalism class. I really admire people who are into the journalism business because I was once told that journalism is a dying out industry. I want to make a change and try to influence other people to continue and start a career in journalism. I love doing interviews around my school because I am a curious person and like to go out and seek answers. So success in college is a big motivation but journalism is my passion. When I write a draft to my article, I make sure it sounds perfect because it can always get better and I want it to be the best thing I have ever written. Journalism isn’t all about news, broadcasting, and interviewing people. It’s all about taking the knowledge Junior Ronald Evans, who wrote ‘Why I like journalism,’ is pictured sixth from the right with some of the 1st period Journalsim students. you obtained and sharing it with the rest of the world. I have no shame in what I write about because there Lesniakowska Anna Ms. by Photo are some people who can relate to me. I like doing journalism. It keeps me going as a student and a human being with high high morals. I am taking an interest in journalism. I absolutely love journalism. Interviewing people and creating stories is hard work, but it’s very fun and interesting and it’s worth my time doing. I consider myself an inquirer because it connects to my passion of doing journalism and establishing a career in it also. I like to ask a lot of questions. In journalism, you have to ask a lot of direct and indirect questions to get the answers you need to get a story started. I try to dig beneath the standard level questions in an interview and strive for a better understanding of my subject I’m reporting about. Connecting inquirer with free spirit, I am a person who questions everything McKenzie Lacefield speaks with Journalism classmates Daria Velazquez and Brian Geans because there is so much knowledge to seek within a and Star co-editors Alejandro Hernandez and Zaneta Marcinik on Dec. 16, 2015, after question. photo Star Principal Ngo told McKenzie’s class that he was delaying the story on the later bell times. When I first started journalism, I was shy and timid when it came to interviewing people because I wasn’t as social than the other kids. But my teacher, Ms. Schmidt, Accurate information should be shared, not delayed gave me the skills to get my first interview complete for our school newspaper, the Steinmetz Star, and improve By McKenzie Lacefield researched the Board of Edu- I sure knew that I wasn’t let- was news that should have my speaking and social skills. Now, I’m able to start cation statements and looked ting my words be censored. been handed out to the stu- a conversation with anyone and feel comfortable to hen I first heard at other schools. We asked My words weren’t bad. dents and families when the socialize with anybody about anything. our story on the questions of the CPS Office The story wasn’t threatening changes were taking place. I I like to think that I’m really such a good thinker Wlater bell schedule of Communication and the or controversial. All it was thought it was a good story to because I take a lot of my time to sit alone and have a – the one that our class had Network 3 Chief of Schools. was information, news that put into the newspaper. It gave inner conversation with myself about everything that been working on for a month Then Principal Stephen should’ve been distributed and people a chance to speak their has and will happen to me. For the first two years in straight – was being censored, Ngo told us we couldn’t pub- explained when the changes mind about how they really high school, I was in the Middle Years Program of the my first thought was,“This is lish our story at that time. [See happened. feel about the change. International Baccalaureate Program I was taught how effing bull.” “Star story censored” in the Being an outraged risk- I wasn’t going to be cen- to be a serious thinker and use my brain as an advantage In November, we surveyed Nov.-Dec. 2015 Star.] taker, I decided to take mat- sored, especially over basic in life. The brain is an incredible gift. You are able to students, staff and parents. We I was outraged, upset, mad, ters into my own hands and information. To me and my generate and compose various intellectual statements tabulated the results, tran- discouraged, angry and disap- publish the piece on my per- class, the article wasn’t any- and questions that can improve your comprehension. • scribed survey comments, pointed in my own school. I sonal blog: https://childoffire. thing bad. We had the infor- interviewed Principal Ngo, didn’t know how to react, but wordpress.com. I thought this mation, so why not share it?• 6 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star Feature: Scholastic Journalism Week 7 When you wake up, ‘put two feet on ground for truth’ After showing us his work, he let people By Elise Guillen in the audience take pictures with his camera. Photography brought everyone in the room tar reporters attended a field trip at together. Strangers posed for someone they Northwestern University’s Medill had never met before and everyone came to- SSchool of Journalism on Nov. 6, 2015. gether to take a few group photos. “Great journalists bring out the truth,” Professional journalist Karen Springen gave was one of the first things we heard Medill us tips on how to interview people. She has representatives say, a great thing to tell teens so much experience, interviewing people like who want to be heard. Suzanne Collins, the author of “The Hunger “When you wake-up in the morning, as Games,” Michelle Obama and many others. a journalist you put two feet on the ground Reporter Marcus Leshock, who works the for the truth,” said Beth Bennett, Assistant morning shift at WGN, showed us how dif- Director of Undergraduate Journalism at ficult it is to wake up at 2 a.m. every day, but Northwestern University. how it’s worth it because he’s doing what he Medill helped high schools students from loves. He reports many positive stories that all over Chicago see what true journalism is otherwise would be missed. all about. There were many seminars ranging Jamara McGarry, Alina Qureshy, Lesli Avila, Steven Nunez, Lissette Hernandez, Ronald Evans, Towards the end of our field trip, North- from podcasts to photography. Agape Alfaro, Elise Guillen and Daria Velazquez pose with WGN reporter Marcus Leshock western students who are majoring in journal- Several of the Star reporters received pho- photo Star ism spoke to the audience in a panel. Not only tography tips from professional Robert Hart, did students get a sneak-peek to what college who showed us his amazing photos and who “Photography is a representation of what looks like tagging along with some red necks life is like but we could also see what young was very laid back. It shows that he loves what the world looks like,” he said. He had some and going Red Neck Fishing. (Look it up; people in journalism look like. The day was he does. great pictures of his children. His world also it’s crazy.) packed with advice and great journalists.• Scholastic Journalism Week showcases importance of newspapers and yearbooks

As a key supporter of Chicago teachers and students, who benefit from the goal of scholastic journalism, which is to “learn and practice the ability to express and exchange ideas – essential to a democracy – by writing, editing and producing student publication,” the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates unanimously passed the above resolution at its meeting in January.

Accurate information should be shared, not delayed

Zaneta Marcinik Alejandro Hernandez Karen Bahena, Ashley Komperda Photo by Monica Marroquin by Photo Photo by Karen Bahena by Photo Photo by Karen Bahena by Photo Students do not have to take Journalism class to write for the Star. This year’s co-editors-in-chief, Zaneta Marcink and Alejandro Hernandez, as well as section editors Karen Bahena and Ashley Kom- Yearbook teacher Mike Edwards poses with his staff. perda, are IB seniors who aren’t able to take Journalism as an elective. All students of all grade levels

Star photo Star and academic abilities are welcome to report stories for the Star. Yearbook and newspaper experience fuels academic growth and fosters understanding tudents who research relevant issues, Students learn organization, writing, teamwork, and they have been thinking. They scores on the ACT and perform better than write journalistic copy and produce photography and design skills. Journalism develop as leaders. Students who work on non-journalist peers as college freshmen, ac- Snews for an audience of their peers are students have learned to share their work in high school newspapers and yearbooks earn cording to a 2008 study by the Newspaper learning incredible, lasting skills. public, they’re familiar with deadlines and better grades in high school, achieve higher Association of America. • Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 7 8 Star Valentine’s Day

To my wonderful cheerleaders, I love To Ms. Ferrarini, Mrs. Holley, Mrs. Doyle, you all with all my heart. Every day is like Mrs. Mark, Ms. Chaparro, Mrs.Ochwat and a new journey with each and every one of Ms.Russo: you and I could not be more thankful to I want to thank each one of you for having have you girls in my life. Thank you for all an impact on my life. You have each acted as your hard work and dedication this year. I a mother figure to me throughout these four only expect great things from you guys. I years of high school and have helped guide me am so honored to have been your captain to be the lady I am today. I’m glad that each for these past two years. one of you has pushed me to be the best. I want Letting go of you girls will probably to thank you all for being there for me when I be the hardest thing I will ever have to do needed to vent or when I needed guidance. I once I leave high school. Continue to shine am utterly grateful to have met you all. bright and become stronger. You guys have I look up to all of you and hope one day always been and always will be a part of to be as successful as you all. I don’t know my family. Each of you has a special place what I would have done these past four years in my heart. I love you all! XOXOXO, without you all. Ashley Komperda Love, Ashley Komperda

Anthony Morgan-Kitch

It’s been nine amazing To Michal months with you. You are You make me laugh like no other an amazing Leaving me smiling like crazy I want to give a shout out to my little Michelle, you have helped me so much guy. You mean Telling jokes one after another guinea pig child Smore for always making with so many things that it leaves me speech- so much to The scenery becomes hazy. me smile whenever I’m down by biting me for less and it saddens me that you’re going to be me, and I attention and cuddling me, of course! graduating within four months. I hope after appreciate I have a small crush is an understatement I also want to give a shout out to the one you leave here we still hang out like we do having you in You’re always on my mind and I can’t help it person that has stuck by my side through now. I wish you luck! my life. I’m walking on the sidewalk pavement thick and thin ever since we met – Michelle! And for Smore: You are the most cuddliest, I love Thinking about you, I fall into a pit I’m so happy to be going into the new year littlest and cutest stress reliever I could ever y o u , M a r i o . H a p p y Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y ! with these two by my side, They both have wish for. Even though you drive me nuts with Thelma Gomez It’s like I’m on drugs helped me in so many ways that it would take your spoiled self, I still love you! Happy and addicted paragraphs to explain. 2015 has been tough, H a p p y V a l e n t i n e ’ s D a y t o y o u b o t h ! I put on my earphones mentally and physically, for us but I know we Daria Velazquez For Emily Mercado from Arik Rivera Silent yet conflicted can make it to June. Every day I think about her. I want to tell you I like you To Mateusz Gasienica (Class of 2014), My girl makes life easier. But I don’t think You’re a wonderful friend to me and my family I make sure she knows she’s beautiful. You feel the same way, too. and still a very important part of the Steinmetz Star. Love and trust she keeps my heart full. Thank you so much for fixing the Star website. Your Young and bold but we set our goals. tech support is invaluable. From, Sharon Schmidt Making it this far we make a whole. Evenly we know we’re star struck lovers. Reality reminds me there is no other. I want to give a special shout out to my Couldn’t be happier than I am now. beautiful fiance, Yuridia Galaviz. All I want is a future with her, but how? Baby, you’re my everything. I appreciate Doing the best I can with all we carry. you being by my side through thick and On that day I know I’ll cry when we marry. thin. You’re my queen. I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world. We an always and forever type of thing. To my I love you so very much, Bubba. wonderful Yesenia Deluna girlfriend, I know you are the most beautiful girl in the world. Forever I’d move mountains Baby, you to be by your side, complete me. bare the worst of the weather, I want to give a big shout out to my fiancé, When I’m down you’re there to pick me just to look in your eyes. Yesenia Deluna, for being my friend, best friend, up, you’re there to accept me for who I am. but most importantly my beloved fiancé. Babe, you’re the best girl in my world. I see I’d cross the largest oceans, I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. no one better to be with than you. You are the stormiest seas, It’s you and me till the end of time, remember? as best as it gets and I’m happy to call you a smile from you, Till the world goes boom. It’s the little things that my girlfriend because there is no one I’d makes me weak at the knees. you do for me that you think go unnoticed that I I want to give a shout out to my rather be with than you, my queen. love so much; I deeply cherish them. 04Y07Y15 two best friends who stayed with me I love you forever, and no matter what, I’ll stay and believe in you for eternity Baby, I love you when the fake ones left. you’ll be mine till death brings us apart. Because forever I’d love you until the end. Yuricila Galaviz Nakiya Madede Daniel Love, Taylor

8 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star Valentine’s Day 9

Desiree, Best friend, I love you so much, and, honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you. You are very special to me and I’m glad you’re my best friend. Remem- ber, I’ll be here no matter what through thick and Shout out to my best friends on Valentine’s Day. I love you guys! thin. I wish you Shout out to my family and friends – the IB Class of 2016! Lovely Teoporo the best in life, I I can’t imagine my future school without you guys. There are a lot really do. Have of things I would like to say, but I will only say that you are the best. a wonderful Valentine’s Day, Beautiful. Also, shout out to our great teachers who have gone through a lot Love,Venice with us. Love, Zaneta Shout out to my first IB Class of 2016: Next year will be so tough not love, To my fellow IB seniors, I seeing you guys in every single Thank am so lucky to have you guys as class. I know that you all are ca- you for all friends. It has been a blessing to pable of such wonderful things. I your love have you all in my life and I am am honored to have known each and sup- so grateful that we were able to and every one of you. You guys port. You share this crazy journey these past have impacted my life in such a have seen four years together. We have been great way. Thank you for always Happy Valentine’s Day to Aliyah April Torres and Flor! me at my a family since day one of fresh- being there for me. I will always best and man year and our friendship has be here for you! worst and only grown. Love, Ashley Komperda you never stopped lov- ing me. Not only are you my boyfriend, but my best friend. Happy Valentine’s Day. Love you, Julissa Tello

I want to give a huge I want to give a shout out to my best friend, shout out to my partner, my baby, my boyfriend. This girl right here in the picture is like Julius Vazquez! This Valentine’s Day marks a year with my best friend, even though she’s a junior Thank you him. It’s been amazing, the best days. We’ve and I’m a sophomore. She’s so pretty, cool Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of for all that been through ups and downs, but no matter and sweet even though she’s annoying my life. you have done what we’ve gotten through them. I honestly sometimes. LOL! But she’s the baddest girl I love this girl with everything in me. for me. From can say I’m in love with him. in Steinmetz, not only just for her looks She’s my everything, honestly. She’s been pushing me and Thank you for being there for me and put- but her personality and the way she carries here for me since day one and hasn’t let me motivating me ting up with me and making the best memo- herself. And that’s the honest truth. I love down. She’s a real rider. Not only is she my to do the best ries and many more. I love you! you, Imari! Kiante McClennon girlfriend, but she is also my best friend. I can in school Happy Valentine’s, everyone. She means the world to me and I want to to believing in me always. All the positive Abrianna Martinez let others know that as well. vibes you have brought into my life. Never Churris, I love you! I love you, Babe. Happy Valentine’s Day! leaving on hard times, spending quality I mean we have been to- Brooke Santiago time with me and being the best gentleman gether since day one. We out here. will always have that weird Dear Queen of Narwhals, I will forever be thankful for this relation- crazy friendship. You give Never have I met an individual that makes me so excited ship because I got to date my crush and plus me a headache, but it’s to have a conversation with them to the point that I am left on the other hand I found me a best friend. okay, though, because I got aching for more. A good friend I may be; however, in my I’ll always have it for you. I don’t know what your back. Go, best friend. heart, that is not what I long for. I wish for thy hand in mar- God has planned for us, but I will forever be That’s my best friend! riage some day. One day, maybe? Until then, my love, the thankful for this! XOXO truly yours, Love, your bug, flame for you shall never die unless you bid that I douse it. Leslie Arias I love to give a special shout out to the Paloma Cambray Your Lord Of Greek Yogurt, Travis most beautiful person that I have ever met. Not only has she helped me keep my sure you get the world because you deserve I want to give a Valentine’s Day shout grades up but she has also been there for the world. You’re an amazing boyfriend. To out to my most amazing and very supportive me. I really appreciate everything she does be honest you’re my blessing. You changed friends. for me and our child. I love this girl, and this my life for the better; you brought out a side You guys are awesome. I love you so much. shout out is for her. of me that I didn’t even know I had. That’s I couldn’t ask for any better friends. You’ve Je t’aime ana. 09/23/14 Luis Miranda a good thing, though. I know that we get been there for me every moment that I’ve scared to lose one another, but like I always needed any of you. Although some of you tell you, I’m here to stay by your side through might not even be here any more, I miss you Shout out to my best friends Desiree, Emo- thick and thin. I will never ever give up on guys everyday. And to those who are still here ny, Brittany and Venice, for being so beautiful you or us. I love you so much that it hurts – thank you for your never failing support. and amazing. but in a good way. I’m beyond glad that I’m To Carlos Hayes, Tatiana Matias, Isabella Thanks for everything you’ve all done for going to be spending this Valentine’s Day Rios, Li Nguyen, Lisette P., Soraida Caraballo, me. I love you guys. with you. You’re the best and I wouldn’t trade Giovanni Ariza, Brenda Barrera, Freddy Beltre, Jailene Torres you for anything in the world. and Javier Vieyra – thank you. You guys are All these haters we got trying to get in just amazing! I love you all so, so, so much. I just want to say Happy Valentine’s Day between us, but we’re strong. Let them Don’t ever change, guys. to the best friend, my other half. You mean hate they’re just mad cause we got a bond I wish you guys the best Valentine’s Day We haven’t known each other very long the world to me. You don’t know how much that’s unbreakable because we aren’t going ever. I love you little freax like crazy! when it comes to actually talking; however, I love you. What I feel for you its indescrib- anywhere. No one or anything can change Luis-Anthony Lagos from our actual interactions I have come to able. You’re the reason why I wake up and the way I feel about you. You make me love everything about your personality and I smile everyday, you motivate me to do better, beyond happy and I’m glad that I met Hello! enjoy your company. I hope that we can be- you believe in me and I believe in you. Words you Ricardo. I love you with all I got, Shout out to myself for being there since come more someday if your situation changes. aren’t even close to explaining or describing my happiness, my world, my all. Happy day one. I’m the best. Syllogize what you mean to me. If I could put it into Valentine’s Day! Love, Yourself words I would, but I can’t. I’m going to make Alondra Ortiz

Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 9 10 Star News: Later Bell Schedule CPS changed bell times to save money on transportation Steinmetz kept 9:00 - 4:11 schedule for health benefits

Network 3 Chief of Schools Randel Josserand speaks to Star reporters on Jan. 4. Photo by Rikeya Hargrove by Photo

Continued from Page 1 “By engaging principals and learning CPS’ reason for the change about the many unintended consequences The new bell schedule was mandated at the changing bell times caused, we decided Steinmetz and 40 other schools by the Chi- to rescind those changes that had a negative cago Public Schools (CPS) in order to save $5 impact on schools. These changes reflect a col- million in transportation costs, according to a laborative approach that both appreciates our CPS Office of Communication press release fiscal challenges but still puts children first.” of Aug. 10, 2015. Steinmetz moved to later schedule for “Every dollar we save by staggering school ‘health benefits’ bell times and streamlining transportation Steinmetz and 21 high schools in CPS, in- services next school year is one more dollar cluding other Network 3 high schools Prosser, we don’t have to cut from our classrooms,” Douglass and the three Austin schools (Aus- said CPS CEO Forrest Claypool, in the press tin Polytech, Austin Business and VOISE), release. moved to the late start, with dismissal times School budgets and classrooms were cut after 4:00 p.m. throughout CPS this year. At Steinmetz, Network 3 Austin/Belmont Cragin Chief $1 million was cut from the school budget, of Schools Randell Josserand told the Star that The Aug. 10, 2015, CPS press release states that the consolidation of school bus routes would save causing eight classroom teaching positions to the decision for these high schools to move the district $5 million. The Board of Education president said that CPS rescinded later bell times at be closed. [See “CPS slashes school budget” to a later start was not due to saving money dozens of high schools after “educators, students and families expressed their concerns.” The press in the Sept.-Oct. 2015 Star, available in the for the district, rather for the health benefits release, available at http://cps.edu/News/Press_releases/Pages/PR1_8_10_2015.aspx, is linked in “Newspaper” section of the Steinmetzcp.org of a later start. the Star article at www.steinmetzstar.com. site.] Mr. Josserand said the decision was made The “$5 million” CPS said is saved by by the principals. Mr. Ngo confirmed that. 2016-17 schedule to be determined “That is something, if we move forward with changing bell schedules is a tiny amount in “It was my decision, made in collabora- In a follow up email to Star adviser Sharon this, that is something we have to consider.” its total operating budget, which is $5.7 bil- tion with the other area principals,” Principal Schmidt, Mr. Josserand said that the schedule Mr. Josserand said that he was surprised the lion, according to the CPS Stats and Facts Stephen Ngo said, when he and Mr. Josserand for next year has not yet been determined. loss of student job hours was a problem because webpage. (cps.edu/About_CPS/At-a-glance spoke to the 1st period journalism class on “From the perspective of our area Princi- Steinmetz was supposed to have provided Pages/Stats_and_facts.aspx) Jan. 4. pals, the 9:00 a.m. start time has always been an alternative schedule for working students. The Steinmetz Star requested information According to Mr. Josserand, Mr. Ngo a pilot program for this year,” Mr. Josserand [See sidebar “Working seniors may be eli- from Traci Daniels of the CPS Office of Com- made his decision so that students would stated in his email. “How start and end times gible for earlier dismissal on Page 12]. munication. The Star asked how changing get more sleep. will be set for schools next year is yet to be Mr. Josserand said that scheduling sports the bus routes for high school students saves “I got together with all the high school determined by the district, but if we follow events with other schools with earlier schedules CPS money. principals within our network and we talked the same path as last year our HS Principals posed some issues. Principal Ngo said he had Ms. Daniels replied in an email message about some of the reasons for going earlier, will review internal data, consult their LSC, to talk to other school principals to move back on Dec. 7, 2015: “I’ve submitted your request some of the reasons for going later and I asked and collaborate on a decision.” game times. to my colleague who handles transportation. them to work together as a group to come Principal Stephen Ngo told the Star in an In an interview with the Star in November He should follow up with you shortly.” together and to come to a decision then come interview in November that he thinks that 2015, Mr. Ngo addressed athletes missing class The Star has not received a follow up. back to me,” Mr. Josserand said. CPS will put all high schools will be on the due to the late dismissal time. “Then Principal Ngo and the other prin- same schedules. “The biggest problem with this is sports, CPS backtracks on some schools where cipals came back to me with the decision that “I think next year CPS will evaluate the especially for away games,” he said. “Our stu- there would be a ‘negative impact’ they believed that the later start time was the situation,” he said. “My own gut feeling is that dents lose instructional time because they have Mr. Claypool first announced in July that right thing to do. The reason that Principal next year they will want all schools on the same to travel far to get to a game. There are certain 80 schools in CPS would have their schedules Ngo made that decision didn’t have anything start time, and so it seems like the majority of sports, like football and bowling, that we don’t changed. The elementary schools were told to do with money. schools are on the early start time I think that control the venue. So if sports administration their schedules were moving earlier; the high “There is really clear research that has been it will go back. What has to happen is that all decides to schedule a football game at 4:00 we schools were told they were going later. done regarding with sleep deprivation with schools have the same start time. I don’t mind have to pull our students out. Any time you Of the 80 schools in CPS’ initial an- students middle school and high school age. the later start, but you can’t have some later lose instructional time there’s a chance for that nouncement, 60 were high schools. The research around sleep deprivation and and some not.” impact. My main issue is different schools at Most of those high schools ended up keep- the negative impact that that is having on different times. Competing against Prosser is ing their 2014-15 schedules; eight others, students your age was so compelling that Safety, work and sports issues addressed fine. Competing against Schurz – we have to including North Grand high school, moved the Center for Disease Control and Preven- Mr. Josserand answered the Star’s request get the students out early.” to 7:30 or 7:45 a.m. start times. tion (that is a major arm of the United States for a comment about student and parent con- Mr. Ngo said in the interview in November The Aug. 10, 2015, CPS press release government) came out with a major study of cerns about safety in the meeting on Jan. 4. He that the later bell schedule has benefits. quotes Board of Education President Frank all school districts that they recommend that said some people had had concerns with the “All the research shows that setting the time Clark explaining why CPS and the Board they have a start time between 8:30 and 9:00 early morning commutes last year. back is healthier for young people,” he said. allowed most high schools to revert back to in high school and middle school students. “I had talked to a few parents with safety “Many high school students are sleep deprived their original bell schedules or choose earlier “A lot of the research has to do with dif- issues because we’re going home in the dark,” as it is. They go to bed at midnight. They alternative schedules: ferences in age differences in our brains and Mr. Josserand said. “I had also talked to some don’t get enough sleep. Extra sleep and they’re “After listening to educators, students and how our brains work and how we stay up parents last year with safety issues because we’re healthier and more attentive. That translates families express their concerns about changing later, it’s really not done by choice. going to school so early and there were issues to greater student achievement.” bell times, the Board of Education felt it was “The research was something we put out at that they were worried. So I’ve heard both sides Mr. Ngo said there were problems. incredibly important to work with principals the beginning of the school year to everyone. of the issue. This is one of the reasons why I “Another challenge [besides sports issues] to determine the best options for their school Some information we put out. Those are the was interested in the [Star] survey.” is students who work getting to their jobs an communities,” Mr. Clark said, according to reasons Mr. Ngo made the decision.” “I agree leaving school after 4:00 is prob- hour later,” he said. the press release. lematic,” he added, later during the interview. Continued on Page 11

10 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star News: Later Bell Schedule 11 LSC parent reps didn’t hear objections to later time Continued from Page 10 He said there were few complaints from parents in August. Bell schedules at Chicago public high schools “We polled the parents,” he said. “We only got 26 phone calls. Four liked it. I don’t have a leg to stand on. • Schools are listed by name, address, type of school, # of students, % low income, CPS school rating: 1+, 1, 2+, 2 or 3 We put out an auto dialer in English and Spanish. We • Type of schools listed: Neighborhood, magnet, career academy, small, special education, selective enrollment, military got 26 phone calls. CPS really isn’t going to listen to Not listed: York, Jefferson and privately run charter and alternative schools. ‘CPS Stats and Facts’ lists a total of 176 high schools. what I say, [students] say, teachers say. But they listen to what parents say. But when only 26 parents called in, 8:00 – 3:15 9:00 – 4:15 that means 1,525 parents were like ‘we’re good with it.’ That was the interpretation. If our parents don’t have an End times vary for 8:00 start from 2:58 to 3:30 End times vary from 4:00 to 4:23 issue with this, it’s hard to change it. I think the majority Start times other than 8:00: *7:15, **7:30, ***7:45, ****8:15 of parents are okay with this. The Star asked Mr. Ngo if there are other problems Air Force****, 3630 S. Wells St., military, (328) 84%, 1 Austin Bus & Entrp., 231 N. Pine, small (97) 96%, 2 that parents call in about. Alcott, 2957 N. Hoyne, small/magnet, (305) 78%, 1+ Austin Poly Tech, 231 N. Pine, small(120) 99%, 2 “Not large scale,” he said. Amundsen, 5110 N. Damen, neighborhood, (1,111) 86%, 1 Chicago Tech, 1301 W. 14th, magnet, (314) 98%, 2 The Star asked Mr. Ngo about tardies. Back of the Yards***, 2111 W. 47th, IB/n., (784) 96%, 1+ Crane Medical, 2245 W. Jackson, magnet, (454) 86% 1+ “There are still a lot of first period tardies,” he said. Bogan, 3939 W. 79th, neighborhood, (818) 92%, 2 Disney II, 3900 N. Lawndale, magnet (625) 44%, 1 “At about the same amount as last year. And we’re getting Bowen, 2710 E. 89th, small/magnet, (350) 97%, 2+ Douglass, 543 N. Waller, neighborhood, (231) 97%, 2 double the early dismissals that we used to have. I did Bronzeville***, 4934 S. Wabash, small/mag, (438) 95%, 2+ Farragut, 2345 S. Christiana, neighborhood, (886) 99%, 2 share that with the network. Double what they were last Brooks, 250 E. 111th, sel. enrollment, (835) 73%, 1+ Fenger, 11220 S. Wallace, neighborhood, (259) 99%, 2 year. Majority doctors’ appointments.” Carver Military**, 3519 S. Giles, military, (483) 88%, 1 Gage Park, 5630 S. Rockwell, neighborhood, (370) 97%, 2 Chicago Acad., 3400 N. Austin, small/mag., (536), 82%, 1 Hirsch, 7740 S. Ingleside, neighborhood, (153) 97%, 3 Some LSC members see problems with change Chicago Agriculture**, 3857 W. 111th, mag (709) 46 %, 1+ Hyde Park, 6220 S. Stony Island, IB/neigh., (788), 99%, 2 Mr. Ngo told the Star, when he spoke to reporters on Chicago Arts, 2714 W. Augusta, magnet, (587) 54%, 1+ Kelvyn Park , 4343 W. Wrightwood, neigh., (685) 96%, 2 Jan. 4, that no teacher, community or parent representa- Chicago Military**, 3519 S. Giles, military, (320) 88%, 1 Kenwood, 5015 S. Blackstone, neighborhd., (1724) 64%, 1+ tives objected to the later bell schedule. Chicago Vocational, 2100 E. 87th, career, (934), 94%, 2 Manley, 2935 W. Polk, neighborhood, (238) 91%, 2 “At the very beginning, right, when we, when this Clark****, 5101 W. Harrison, magnet, (514) 94%, 2+ Prosser, 2148 N. Long, career magnet, (1,450) 94%, 1 rolled out here, when I rolled it out, the LSC, I mean Clemente, 1147 N. Western, neighborhood, (749) 96%, 2 Spry, 2400 S. Marshall, neighborhood, (172) 98%, 2+ I talked to the LSC, not one member, it’s never, this Collins, 1313 S. Sacramento, small, (324) 99%, 2 Southside, 7342 S. Hoyne, special ed., (205) 87%, no rating issue, has never once come up with our Local School Comm. Services, 180 N. Wabash, magnet, (107) 82%, 1+ Steinmetz, 3030 N. Mobile, neighborhood, (1,483) 91%, 2 Council,” he said. Corliss***, 821 E. 103rd, neighborhood, (408) 95%, 2 VOISE, 231 N. Pine, small, (180) 98%, 2 “When I talked to my parent reps, my teacher reps Curie,** 4959 S. Archer, magnet, (2,983) 93%, 2+ Washington, 3535 E. 114th, neighborhood, (1,416) 91%, 2+ and my community reps, right, there had not been one, Devry, 3300 N. Campbell, magnet, (197) 68%, 1+ Wells, 936 N. Ashland, neighborhood, (442) 94%, 2 one, it it just never, it has never come up,” Mr. Ngo said. Dunbar, 3000 S. Dunbar, career, (720) 98%, 2 LSC teacher representative Lorraine Frierson told the Foreman, 3235 N. LeClaire, neighborhood, (1,016) 95%, 2 Star that teachers had no choice this year. Goode**, 7651 S. Homan, magnet, (822) 83%, 2+ “I am following a mandated directive that we start at Hancock****, 4034 W. 56th, sel. enrollment, (897) 93%, 1 9:00,” Dr. Frierson said. “Usually as a staff we vote on a Harper, 6520 S. Wood, neighborhood, (237) 98%, 2 starting time, this year we had no choice. The start time Hope, 5515 S. Lowe, neighborhood, (192) 100%, 2 is a positive thing for some families but a negative for Hubbard, 6200 Hamlin, neighborhood, (1,688) 97%, 1 others. We all have to adapt our lives to certain things Infinity, 3120 S. Kostner, small, (417) 95%, 1+ and this year it is the late school start and next year we Jones, 700 S. State, selective enrollment, (1,670) 42%, 1+ might go back to the old school start time at 8:00.” Juarez****, 2150 S. Laflin, neighbood (1, 623) 95%, 2+ Steinmetz LSC President Jose Quiles said that when Julian, 10330 S. Elizabeth, neighborhood, (703) 94%, 2 Principal Ngo told the council that the schedule was Kelly**, 4136 S. California, neighborhood, (2,178) 95%, 2+ changing “on a personal note, I thought of the safety is- Kennedy**, 6325 W. 56th, neighborhood, (1,610) 78%, 2+ sue,” but that he represents parents who didn’t complain. King, 4445 S. Dexel, sel. enrollment, (687) 78%, 1 “I felt that with the time change it was going to get Lake View****, 4015 N. Ashland, neigh., (1,275) 84%, 1 darker sooner, but if parents don’t bring it to us, there’s Lane, 2501 W. Addison, sel. enrollment, (4,044), 54%, 1+ no issue,” Mr. Quiles said in a telephone interview on Lincoln Park, 2001 N. Orchard, IB/neigh., (2,097) 54%. 1+ Dec. 14, 2015. Lindblom, 6130 S. Walcott, sel. enroll., (1,247) 63% 1+ He said that when the time change was mentioned in Marine****, 1920 N. Hamlin, military , (791) 96%, 1+ the summer no one on the LSC opposed it. Marshall, 3250 W. Adams, magnet, (393) 99%, 2 “I can’t speak for the LSC if it hadn’t been brought to Mather, 5835 N. Lincoln, neighborhood, (1,569) 87%, 2+ the table as an issue,” he said. Morgan Park**, 1744 W. Pryor, IB/neigh., (1,417) 86%, 2+ He said parents didn’t contact the council about the Multicultural, 3120 S. Kostner, small, (265) 99%, 2+ Sources of CPS Information time change. He said there are times when parents at North-Grand***, 4338 W. Wabansia, neigh., (977) 96%, 2+ Bell times: Steinmetz get more involved. NS Learn **, 3730 W. Bryn Mawr, sp e. (245) 82%, no rating • http://cps.edu/Schools/Find_a_school/Pages/findaschool.aspx “When it’s something that concerns them they come Northside Col., 5501 N. Kedzie, sel. enrol., (1052) 41%, 1+ • http://cps.edu/News/Documents/bell_times_sy15-16_update.pdf out.,” he said Ogden, 1250 W. Erie, neighborhood, (702) 46%, 1+ • Star reporters spoke to individual school contacts and checked school Parent representative Maria Lourdes Hernandez said Orr*** , 730 N. Pulaski, neighborhood, (411) 94%, 3 websites for accurate information. Several schools’ schedules in the “Find the later schedule hurts “mainly the kids with jobs.” Payton, 1034 N. Wells, sel. enroll., (865) 30%, 1+ a School” website and CPS “Updated Bell Times (As of 08.17.2015)” “They don’t have much time to transition easily from Phillips, 244 E. Pershing, neighborhood, (587) 96%, 2 PDF document are listed inaccurately. school to work,” she said. “Plus, kids who are trying to Phoenix, 145 S. Cambell, military, (511) 94%, 1+ • Corrections and carifications welcome: If school sources find the Star get hired somewhere might not get hired since the times Raby, 3545 W. Fulton, small, (454) 98%, 2 reporting is in error, please contact us. See page 2 for contact information. are so close to each other. That extra hour also makes a Richards**, 10601 S. Central, neighborhood, (284) 79%, 2 difference because it makes time management harder for Rickover Naval, 5900 N. Glenwood, military, (581) 86%, 1+ School types, Low income students: any kid who has to do something after school, whether Robeson, 6835 S. Normal, neighborhood, (218) 100%, 3 • http://cps.edu/About_CPS/At-a-glance/Pages/Stats_and_facts.aspx it is a job or sports or taking care of a sibling.” Roosevelt, 3436 W. Wilson, neighborhood, (1,152) 93%, 2 • 86% of CPS students are economically disadvantaged Student representative Emony Tate said that when Schurz, 3601 N. Milwaukee, neighborhood, (1,978) 92%, 2 she heard about the time change she was concerned Senn, 5900 N. Glenwood, IB/neighborhood, (1,341) 82%, 1 School Quality Rating Policy: about how the later dismissal time would affect working Simeon, 8147 S. Vincennes, career magnet,(1,364) 89%, 1 • http://cps.edu/Performance/Documents/SQRPHandbook.pdf students. She said that Mr. Ngo and others talked with Simpson, 1321 S. Paulina, citywide option, (68) 99%, 2+ • “Standard High School Indicator” her about allowing seniors to come to school early and Social Justice, 3120 S. Kostner, small, (299) 96%, 1 10%: National school growth percentile on EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT leave early. Solorio, 5400 S. St. Louis, neighborhood, (1,099) 93%, 2+ Up to 5%: Priority group growth percentile on above “They said the option would begin after the first three South Shore, 1955 E. 75th, select. enroll., (574) 82%, 2+ 10%: National school attainment percentile on above weeks of school,” Emony said. [See article on working Sullivan, 6631 N. Bosworth, neighborhood, (573) 83%, 2 6.25%: Average daily attendance seniors on Pages 1 and 11]. Taft, 6530 W. Bryn Mawr, IB/neighborhood, (3,189) 58%, 1 12.5%: Freshman on-track “Right now the schedule works for some students, Team Englewood***, 6201 S. Stewart, small, (229) 87%, 2 6.25%: 1-Year dropout rate but not for others,” Emony said. “It’s especially hard for Tilden, 4747 S. Union, neighborhood, (296) 96%, 3 12.5%: 4-Year cohort graduation rate students in sports.” Uplift, 900 W. Wilson, small, (308) 95%, 2+ 6.25%: Percent of graduates earning a 3+ on AP, 4+ on IB exams, Community representative Adlerman Gilbert Villegas Vaughn (7 a.m.), 355 N. Linder, sp. ed, (193) 76%, no rating approved early college credit (36th) said he thought “principals and administrators had Von Steuben, 5039 N. Kimball, magnet,(1,639) 78%, 1+ 6.25%: College enrollment rate a better handle on the decision” than he would have. He Westinghouse, 3223 W. Franklin, sel. enrol.,(1,175) 83%, 1+ 6.25%: College persistence rate added that “knowing how hard it is to get my 12-year-old Whitney Young, 211 S. Laflin, sel. enrol., (2,150) 45%, 1+ 6.25%: My Voice, My School 5 Essentials Survey out of bed in the morning” that the later start made sense. Williams, 4934 S. Wabash, small, (258) 96%, 1 6.25%: Data quality index score Continued on bottom of Page 12 World Language, 3120 S. Kostner, small/mag., (328) 98%, 1

Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 11 12 Star News: Later Bell Schedule Working seniors may be eligible to leave school early eniors who work or take care of chil- I put it out there. I talked to the counselors dren after school may be eligible to and students. It was out there, because students Sleave school earlier than the 4:11 p.m. came to see me. I didn’t blast it. But I did put dismissal time, according to Principal Ste- it out there that some seniors, only seniors, had phen Ngo. childcare or work issues, to come see me. “If you happen to know some students that are in a bind, I would encourage you to You told the counselors to tell their stu- have them, please, come see me,” Mr. Ngo dents to come see you? told Star reporters on Jan. 4. To be honest, I may not have talked to all the counselors, but I’m pretty sure that I did say The option began in September if there is an issue to bring it to me. It was more Mr. Ngo said that at the beginning of if the student came to see someone that had an the year he helped a few seniors change their issue to come see me. I saw every student who schedules. had an issue I fixed their schedule. “Those students who really had some is- sues, I took care of,” he said. “I took care of How were we supposed to talk to you if every instance, every student who came to see we didn’t know about it? me who had a conflict, and it was either before Some students did know about it. You knew school or through a lunch period.” McKenzie Lacefield by Photo about it. Network 3 Chief of Schools Randel Local School Council Student Representative Emony Tate (above: speaking at the Jan. 20 freshman townhall) told the Star that she had thought a plan for working seniors to Josserand told students he was surprised when come to school and leave school one hour earlier than the new bell schedule would start I told my parents that I read something he received questions in December from the three weeks into the year. But no announcement to seniors was made. on a Facebook post and I was waiting. I Star, asking for a comment about the issue of heard about it from a post on Facebook, the later bell schedule’s negative consequence not from the school. Why didn’t you tell on student employment. Star was a good option. dent who came to see me who had a conflict, our teachers? How were we supposed to “Obviously, there has been confussion,” “I think that publishing that in the paper right, and it was either before school or through know about zero period? Mr. Josserand told Star reporters in the Jan. is an option,” he said. “I think that is a good a lunch period, okay. I was passive on getting that information 4 meeting. idea. That’s one way to get the word out. It’s I didn’t advertise it whole school wide. Like, out because I felt like if I just said, “Hey seniors: “As we go into second semester we’ll want obvious we didn’t do as good a job as we would I didn’t put it out there, blasting it, because I Want to get out early? All you have to do is to make this clear to everyone. The process have liked making sure that everyone was didn’t want every senior to come in, but I figured this,” then I’d have every senior in the school is all they have to do is bring in a letter from aware of that option.” the seniors, those students who really had some coming up. But I feel that those students who their employer. Mr. Ngo can take those things issues, they came and I took care of every student. had seious legit issues, they came. I had personal into consideration as he looks at those indi- January 4 Q and A Everyone of those students has been taken care of. conversations with those students and I fixed vidual situations to make that determination.” Mr. Ngo and Mr. Josserand spoke to Star And I can tell you it was less than seven students. the schedule for each of those students. And if A plan for working students to start school reporters on Jan. 4 during 1st period Journal- So it really wasn’t a big number. you happen to know some students that are in earlier and leave school earlier than other stu- ism class. And, again, if I can just reiterate, too, back a bind to come I would encourage you to have dents had been made at Steinmetz and other Mr. Ngo’s answers to the Star questions are in the summer we did an auto dialer out to all them please come see me. Network 3 high schools before the school year transcribed verbatim. The Star questions are the parents in Spanish and in English explaining I didn’t want to, you know, I guess, you know, began, Mr. Josserand stated in an email to Star in bold; Mr. Ngo’s responses in italics. that Steinmetz was moving to a 9 o’clock start, how some people, sort of, how can I put it? You adviser Sharon Schmidt on Jan. 6. right, and I specifically said, both in Spanish know, some students, at Roosevelt High School, “The Network schools all put a “0” period I had heard that 0 period and early dis- and in English, that if there were any ques- right, they had a student protest about the food. in place before school started,” Mr. Josserand missal was going to start the third week of tions, concerns or issues please call the school at I was talking to the principal. There may have said. “While supporting the later start based school. I didn’t know that it started before 534-3030. I had the main office keep an Excel been 30 students who may have been, like, hard on research, principals didn’t want this change school started. spreadsheet of the people who called. We had 26 core, this is a big issue. The sad thing is that to stop individual students from maintaining So there were two options, right. I had a calls, right, and four of them were for it. We have there were about 200 students that used the employment. Students just need to provide number of students come to me, and I hope you 1,500 students here at Steinmetz and only 26 opportunity to take off. documentation from their parent and em- understand my reasoning. First off, I made this parents who had an issue with that. Students who have legitimate issues, I ab- ployer justifying the need to leave early for only for seniors and I put out that if any one has solutely want to help you, but I also want to work.” an issue with employment or child care, right, How did anyone know if they had an prevent the Jerry Springer. I don’t best know how Mr. Josserand told the Star reporters he to come see me. issue with childcare or work that there was to do that, but maybe after this conversation we’ll thought publishing this information in the And I took care of every instance, every stu- the option to come see you? figure that out how to get that out. • Steinmetz seniors used to leave school before 2:00 Continued from Page 11 the decision,” Mr. Josserand said. campaign promise to increase the Survey opinions the following: “More time to take Other LSC members declined “The decision will be made later school day and the school year, More than 300 people returned younger kids.” Rosaliz Gomez the Star’s request for interviews or in the school year, unless there is which he claimed were the shortest their Steinmetz Star Bell Schedule were unreachable for interviews. some change in policy on the dis- in the nation. survey to the Star with their names Steinmetz staff comments trict level.” After Mayor Emanuel was elect- and comments. The survey takers Nearly all the comments from LSC meetings The next meeting of the LSC is ed and gained control of CPS, be- had responded to the following: teachers and other school workers In his meetings with Star report- scheduled for Feb. 10, which is Ash ginning with the 2012-13 school “Optional: If you are willing to be were from those who prefer an ear- ers on Dec. 16, 2015, and Jan. 4, Wednesday. year, Steinmetz moved to an 8:00 to quoted in the Star, please comment lier day. Mr. Ngo urged students to attend 3:11 schedule. The school stopped on this year’s bell schedule.” “Students should be afforded the next LSC meeting scheduled for Previous schedules ended early scheduling an 8th period lunch, so The following list of statements their time after school to participate Jan. 13, to talk to members. In the recent past, the Steinmetz seniors no longer had the option to includes all the signed parent com- in much needed extra curriculars Star reporters were unable to school day was earlier and much leave earlier. ments and a representative sample in order to get the best out of their meet LSC members at the meet- shorter – beginning at 8 a.m. and In 2015, the bell schedule be- of the student and staff comments. high school experience.” Beth Perez, ing scheduled for Jan. 13 after LSC ending much earlier than 3:11, as came 9:00 to 4:11. teacher and NHS sponsor members cancelled that meeting it did last year. Parent comments “There is something wrong with when they met for a special meet- In the 2009-10 school year, and Other districts to start later, All of the following comments it being the end of 8th period and ing on Jan. 6. for many years before that, the class without ending later were by parents who chose 8:00 - seeing the sunset!” Miguel Ochoa, The Star and principal selection schedule at Steinmetz was 8:00-2:30 Many people who took the Star 3:11 on the surveys as their prefer- teacher and coach were the only two items on the (with teachers beginning work at survey suggested that starting at ence: “It really didn’t make a difference posted agenda for the Jan. 6 special 7:30 a.m.). Most seniors were pro- 9:00, but leaving at 3:00, would be “Students have siblings to with students getting to 1st period meeting. At that meeting, members grammed for 8th period lunch, of the best schedule. watch.” Flor Mujea on time or at this point school at all.” met in an “executive session” that which attendance was optional, so Another district close to Chicago “It’s not safe for students as later Sgt. Robert Davis, teacher was closed to the public. many chose to leave school at 1:50, has decided to move their school time is dark outside.” Santiago Ban- “It’s very tough on student- The LSC met again on Jan. 23, when 8th period began. start time back, but without pushing deras athletes and coaches who need to voting to renew Principal Ngo’s In 2010-11, the schedule the dismissal time back. “I hate the new schedule.” Provi- homework, etc. but are at school to principal contract for another four changed to 8:00 to 2:55 for students In November 2015, the school dencia Alvarez 6:30 or later for practice and games.” years. and teachers, with most seniors board of Stevenson High School in “It’s too dark outside in the Brad Dowling, teacher and coach Mr. Josserand told the Star that programmed for lunch at 2:10. In Lincolnshire, Illinois, voted to push winter for kids to be out.” Lorena “A 9:00-3:00 schedule would be the bell schedule for the 2016-17 2011-12 the schedule went back to the start time for most of its school Banderas perfect. After 3:00 the students’ at- school year would be evaluated with 8:00 - 2:30, with most seniors done days back, from 8:05 a.m. to 8:30 “Mi hija camina al oscurecer.” tention span is lost.” Debra Kern, LSC input. for the day at 1:50. a.m., with days still ending at their Maria Gaitan teacher and club sponsor “The principal will be talking to That year, while running for usual times of 3:25. One parent who chose the 8:00 - the LSC, as he did when he made mayor, Rahm Emanuel made a 4:11 schedule as a preference wrote Continued on Page 13

12 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star News: Later Bell Schedule 13 More than 300 shared signed comments on Star survey Star photos Star

Star reporters Valery Champion, Anthony Morgan-Kitch, Kara Dziadosz, Liz Patino, Lisette Pranvinchandra, Jailene Torres, Brittany Barragan, Daria Velazquez and Brian Geans read and tabulate surveys. The comments quoted in this article are representative of the 320 signed comments written by signed survey takers. Additional comments are available on www.steinmetzstar.com.

Continued from Page 12 and I go to sleep late.” Adren Torres, junior ASM programs let us out at 6:30 and some it’s already nighttime. People could get hurt.” “The later school day is hard on everyone. “I like the new bell time because I get more of us live almost two hours away.” Delanie Everett Jennings, junior It makes it very hard for our students to be sleep at night.” Max Solorio, senior Preston, junior “I’m scared to walk home later in the day.” involved with after school programs, athlet- “I’m a student that plays basketball and Adriana Cortes, junior ics, their community and their families. We Doing more in the mornings I love the sport, but I always end up going “Having school start at 9:00 is convenient encourage and value involvement in extra- “It gives me more time to get to school on home late and I don’t have time to do what I because I live far, so I have time to get here curriculars and want our students to be well- time and drop my little brother off at school.” want.” Rahman Ukoja, sophomore by 9:00. But getting out at 4:11 in the winter rounded, but we are not giving them time to Jazmilette Machado, junior “It’s really complicated now that soccer time is difficult because it’s dark out and I do so. Students have missed late-afternoon “You have extra time to do homework in season is starting because I live really far away.” have one hour to get to work before it gets classes for athletics, college and scholarship the morning.” Alicia Urquizo, senior Stephanie Alonso, senior completely dark.” Sheila Morales, senior interviews and to get to important personal “It gives me more time to get ready.” Luis “Although it’s an hour difference, it makes “I believe we should start school at 8:00 commitments, including watching younger Estrada, senior appointments harder to be scheduled and because at 9:00 we get out too late. And since siblings and getting their own jobs.” Tara “I can do double swim practice so it helps sports last longer, which makes less time for it’s getting dark quick and that’s dangerous Scolire, teacher me and my teammates get better at swim- homework and a bit more stressful.” Maria for children to home at that time.” Corteesha “This is a very bad schedule because of after ming.” Javier Delgado, senior Medina, senior Davis, freshman school activities. But whatever the principal “The new bell schedule is amazing. It gives “I absolutely hate the practices before “It’s really dark and kids have after school wants we will do.” Joan McCollum, lunch- students more time to prepare before school school. Now that winter is coming I can’t activities. Anything can happen at that time.” room manager and do homework (lol) because we are pretty imagine taking a cold shower before class and Briana Patton, junior “The 9:00 - 4:11 schedule reduces class lazy and procrastinate a lot.” Vincent Fernan- having to wake up at ungodly hours and take a “It’s too dark outside when we get out at time for student athletes. It is also very difficult dez, sophomore bus to practice. It’s just inconvenient.” Jaylene 4:11.” Diovion Harris, junior for students who work after school.” Maribeth Rodriguez, junior “The bell schedule is crazy. I have to take Ward, teacher Work conflicts “The new schedule isn’t as good as we the bus home and it’s already dark by 4:30.” “Some students still come in late. Students “Even if we do get longer time to sleep, thought it would be. For us athletes, it’s worse Katera Goldman, sophomore that need to work to help family are punished we spend basically the entire day in school. because we have practice until like 8:00 since by not being able to work or have to work later I don’t get home until 5-5:30 and with that we get out later. It’s not worth it.” Raymond Less time for activities hours. Sports programs are affected when only schedule we get limited job options.” Esmer- Perez, junior “At first it sounded pretty cool, I mean, one or two schools in our conference have late alda Dominguez, senior “Kids like me that do extracurriculars have another hour of sleep? Sweet! However, now dismissal and all others have earlier dismissals.” “Now that school starts later, I have been no time to do homework. Away games take so with After School Matters, I don’t get out till Sgt. Garry Frank, student services and coach working fewer hours and even staying up at long that by the time we get home, it’s already 6:30.” Anyela ‘Angie’ Jaramillo, junior (retired Nov. 19, 2015) work till midnight.” Victoria Galvan, senior 9:00 p.m.” Luis Fernandez, junior “I liked the bell schedule last year because it “I would like to go back to the early “This schedule really interferes with work. “Many people have jobs, a lot of homework gave you more time with friends after school.” start. Students continue to come late.” Laura My five days a week turned to three days a and some people are involved in sports. People Taeya McGee, junior Jimenez, ASM coordinator week and that is very little income. I am a full who have sports have to leave 8th period for “The new bell schedule is senseless because time student, full time mother of a 8 month games. It gets dark out early.” Victoria Lara, most of the students thought they could get Student comments: Getting more sleep old and I work on the weekends.” Brenda senior more sleep, but they stay up even later now.” “I enjoy sleeping. I’ve never been a morn- Barrera, senior “It takes away from my time to workout. I Chiya Loyd, sophomore ing person.” Tyler Graves, senior “My five days a week turned to three since used to come home everyday and go straight “Steinmetz should go back to the 8 a.m. “It gives me time to sleep more in the we have been getting out at 4:11; we don’t have to the gym, but now things are a lot more start time because it allows teachers and stu- morning. #sleep#is#life.” Steven Morales, much time to work after school because the complicated for me.” Freddy Beltre, senior dents an extra hour of money making, watch- senior day is pretty much gone by the time school’s “The earlier time is better overall for the ing TV, hanging out or whatever we choose “I prefer the 9:00-4:11 bell schedule for over.” Tridaya McGee, senior school and the athletes.” Abner Munguia, to do with the time.” Tahsheka Alexander, it give Steinmetz more sleep and it decreases “I strongly dislike the starting time. It’s junior “The day feels like it drags with the new the amount of tardies in the school.” Yesenia hard on students who work and have respon- schedule.” Adriana Cortes, junior Martinez, junior sibilities.” Alisson Castellanos, senior Concerns about safety “This year we have a lot more activities to “I prefer waking up at 9:00 and getting “Some kids have responsibilities, whether it “With students getting out of school at do and now we don’t have time for them.” out at 4:11 because I get more sleep now.” is to take care of a sibling or get to a job after 4:11 it is really dark and it is very dangerous, Krisafer Beria, senior Trevon Davis, junior school. We have important things we need to especially due to the spike in the crime rate.” “I’d rather start school early and get out “Just no 8:00, please, and thank you.” take care of, but the board of education does Lushell Matthews, junior early because I have a life.” Ashley Caraballo Charles Sherman, junior not recognize that.” Tiara Coria, sophomore “No me gusta porque es muy tarde y cu- “We come out too late and then we don’t “We get more sleep.” Aryanna Dixon “The 9:00 to 4:11 schedule messes up my ando salgo del colegio esta oscura.” Fernando have a lot of time to do other important “This gives us the morning practice, time work schedule. Change it back!” Randy Ar- Gonzalez, sophomore things.” Jailyn Diaz, sophomore just to wake up, easier to do homework in the delean, senior “I walk out the school building and it’s like “Getting out of school earlier would be morning, I just hate how we get out later.” “A lot of us have jobs. Now we go to work 12 a.m. How am I supposed to walk home in good for me. That way I could work an hour Peter Szczech, junior really late. If they change the bell schedule I the city of Chicago like this? We may never more and get out early to do homework.” “More sleep, the better.” Jasmine Milan think it would be better because we will get know.” Kienna Bariso, senior Giselle Gonzalez, junior “Starting late is great!” Sebastian Nunez to our jobs on time.” Veronica Murillo, senior “By the time we get home it’s already dark “I feel that this school time that we have “I think it’s better to start at 9 a.m. and get “With it ending so late it affects my work and all we have time for is eating, homework, now is crazy. I am in IB and do sports. I really out at 4 p.m. It’s better for those who live far schedule. By the time we get out of school it showering then off to bed.” Michelle Arreda don’t have time for anything anymore. I get and for those who live close to get a bit more is already dark out.” Catrina Kelley, junior “It would be nice to go early to school home late then I have a lot of homework. I feel sleep. Manuel Reynoso, sophomore and come out early because it gets really dark that with this schedule they really aren’t think- “I love the time. I don’t have to get up very Problems with sports outside after 4:00.” Hector Perez, freshman ing about students.” Areion Smith, junior early.” Jade Briggs, sophomore “When volleyball was in season it was hard “I really hate how we get out so late. It’s “Some of us are up very early in the morn- “I like having morning practice and wak- to get out so late. I also have tons of home- dark and I walk home.” Kinga Tarasiewicz, ing trying to get our homework done.” Tean- ing up early for sports.” Patrick Oasin, senior work. I’d rather have the old bell schedule junior dra Johnson, junior “The new bell schedule is actually easier for back.” Monica Laddaran, sophomore “I think 8:00 was a good time because now “People don’t get enough free time because me to work with.” Alec Reyes, senior “Practices in the morning make us ex- we get out of school it is almost dark and some we get out so late. It would be better if we had “I say start at 9:00 because I wake up late hausted and less focused throughout the day. people live very far and they get home when our old schedule.” Marcelo Roa, sophomore • Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 13 14 Star Arts & Entertainment About Face Theater ‘Interaction’ Improve the local music scene performs and teaches workshop By Valery Champion

By Daria Velazquez mprove the local music scene by doing any of the following: he About Face I Go to concerts/shows. Even if you’re Theater’s educa- the only person there, or the 300th person, Ttional program, you can bet the musician(s) really appreciate “Interaction,” worked your support. See artists you love, or you with students for a Genesis Lopez, Daria Velazquez, Brian Geans and Evan Carreno may never even heard of. You should try to week in December. go over a script for their performance on Dec. 4, 2015. expand your music taste buds. The About Face Help promote the artist. A good way Theatre states that it to do that is to use social media. Share their “creates exceptional, and Angelica Roque. Ms. Roque said that Facebook page, or even a YouTube video to innovative, and adventurous plays to ad- they taught for Interaction because they show how they play. You’d be surprised how vance the national dialogue on gender wanted to help. many people would be interested in clicking and sexual identity, and to challenge and She said they constantly asked them- those links! entertain audiences in Chicago, across the selves, “How can I give back?”and “How Buy their merchandise. This can be any- Valery Champion with Alex Koehler country, and around the world. can this benefit others?” where from t-shirts, to albums; even posters. from Chelsea Grin “Our vision is to be Chicago’s celebrated Mr. Kredell came into About Face as an You name it. center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, actor and had little knowledge of education, Attend local music festivals. Going to queer and ally (LGBTQA) arts and amplify but after a few shows he realized he wanted festivals give you a chance to see new kinds you’re not good enough, do it for the fun the nation’s leading voices to spark social to teach others about acting. of musicians play. You might even start to of it. Try even playing a new instrument, or change.” The About Face Theater teaches about really like how they perform. something you would of never had thought Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) sponsor relative issues like homosexuality, trans, Start making music yourself. The best of doing. Every person joining music can Beth Zaluba invited the group to perform stories about coming out and even more. way you can support your local music scene make it big. for students. Interaction returned to teach They usually perform at 30-40 places on is by going it yourself. Even if you think • students what the process is like to create a yearly basis. and perform their stories live.“I liked the “I think the workshop was good,” junior way we got to personalize it, it really was Jonathan Aguilar said. “It’s nice that our Pride and fun in ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ our own stories being told and expressed club is expanding and we are bringing a lot in ways we couldn’t express them before,” of different things to offer. I think the op- By Brian Geans junior J.T. Grove said. portunity that we had was awesome because Eight students attended that workshop we did learn a lot of good stuff and we did uPaul’s Drag Race is a show that that week. have a safe space.” makes people proud to be who they “It was actually a really fun thing to be Rare. Being a LGBT person in the in, I learned a lot more about some of my Advice for future actors world is not easy. Some people don’t accept friends and met some really great people, “It takes time to get to where you want others because of their sexual orientation too,” senior Kala Geralds said. She also said to be.” “Just be patient.” – Angelica Roque or identification. that it could have been a better experience “Love your voice and embrace your voice So, don’t be mean to people who are dif- if “more people from school were being and you will get into shows.” ferent because karma can get you at any- involved and actually coming.” “As long as you love what you’re doing time... The after school workshop was hosted and refuse to give up what you love, it will RuPaul’s Drag Race allows people to show it on www.logotv.com. by two actors and educators Kieran Kredell happen.” – Kieran Kredell that they are powerful, that they can come The show is about group of gay males • out without having fear, that they can be dressed in drag. Someone will win $100,000 proud for being who they are, gay male or and be named America’s Next Top Drag Su- Museums are free on Feb. 15 lesbian female. perstar. So it is a game show in a way. People in the world are not the same. They The show is really funny. They will make don’t have to like what you like. It doesn’t you guys laugh. Check it out... work like that in the world. For my LGBTQ people out there, sissy RuPaul’s Drag Race comes on Logo TV. that walk and maybe you might be on the It’s a great show. If you like, you can watch show Remember, be proud who you are. •

Photos by Lesli Avila um or the Planetarium. All By Lesli Avila will have free admission. A lot of museums of- n the next day off fer free days. I went to the of school – Mon- Shedd and the Field on the Oday, Feb. 15 – why Martin Luther King, Jr. holi- not go to one of Chicago’s day in January. top cultural spot, the Shedd It’s a great way to spend Aquarium, the Field Muse- the day on a holiday. •

What do you like about Valentine’s Day?

“To me, Valentine’s “My favorite part “My favorite part “It’s a chance to Day is a celebration about Valentine’s day of Valentine’s Day express your feel- of love and affection, is being with my girl, is seeing people ings.” a day to spend with dressing up nicely, happy and being Theodore Dickson, someone you love, to and taking nice pic- loved.” sophomore be loved and see hap- tures.” Natali Fernadez, piness.” D’Ante White, sophomore Xiomora Cabraras, junior

sophomore By Melanie Rolon

14 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016 Star Sports 15 Streaks cheerleaders reach new heights in competition

By Ashley Komperda

ec. 12, 2015 will be a day that the Steinmetz cheer- Dleaders will never forget. This was the day that the cheerleaders were able to go to competition. This year’s team was able to ac- complish something that no other team was able to in over a decade. After a brutal four-day camp with Xperience Chicago, a cheerleading skills camp, the girls were prepared to face a new challenge. This was a Coach Emily Holley with Captain time for the team to learn new skills Ashley Komperda which were put to use at the 2015 Chicago Public School cheerleading competition at Little Village High School. This was a crazy journey for the team. The camp took place in Sep- tember and the girls were ecstatic to start. One thing that we can ad- mire is the amount of hard work and dedication was put into the routine. The team experienced many difficul- ties along the way. Photos by Steven Nunez “It took a lot of hard work, effort and determination, but the experience was The team practiced before school, after and fit it to the amount they had. Crunch “Comp was an amazing experience that well worth it,” senior Mikayla Roman said. school, and on weekends in order to per- time had kicked in. took a lot of hard work but was worth it at A few weeks before competition the team fect every move for the 12th. Everything was Both Coach Emily Holley and Ms. Jaimie, the end,” freshman Ashley De La Cruz said. had lost a few girls to perform which made perfect again until the week of competition. our assistant coach, agreed to Coach Roldan’s After stepping off the mat, the team gath- it difficult after already having a routine for a Another girl had left the team and it was an- offer and worked with the girls. Everyone had ered outside in a group hug and shed a few certain number of girls. Coach Emily Holley nounced that he cheerleaders would not go to committed to the team and it was everyone’s tears together. After everything the team has opened up spots to anyone who was willing to competition. Devastation hit and tears were goal to make this happen. gone through, this was the moment they knew try out for the team in hopes of still bringing shed. It was a heartbreaking moment for the It was finally Dec. 12 and the girls had all that it was all worth it. her girls to competition. Two new recruits senior cheerleaders who would not have the gathered at the school at 6:30 a.m., excited “Comp was like a dream to most of us since were found and had a little less than three chance to come back and try again next year. for the day for which they have been prepar- we’ve never gotten a chance to go,” junior An- weeks to learn the entire routine. There were so many unfortunate events that ing. The Streaks were the last to perform and gelica Morua said. “Even though it was one of “Although we may have lost people dur- the team lost hope. hearts were racing. the hardest obstacles we had to overcome, we ing this comp experience, we still pulled The very next day baseball coach, Renato As soon as the girls stepped on to the cheer still stuck together as a team and got through through, we still remained as a family and Roldan, lifted the spirits of many by offering mat, the nervousness all went away. They per- and finally made it to comp. Honestly, it was became stronger as a whole,” sophomore Em- to stay after school or come before school in formed the best they could have and made the greatest experience ever.” mily Bazan said. order to get the girls to change the routine both Ms. Holley and Ms. Jaimie proud. •

Bowlers roll to 3rd place Tough season for boys basketball

Anahi Reyes, Pamela Villareal, Jazmin Rodriguez, Michelle Razo and Sadaf Ahmed pose with Coach Juliana Mendrano.

Photo by Mr. Claudio Mendrano Mr. by Photo Paris Glispie, with the ball, and Miguel Tapia (#25) are two of the Streaks’ best players.

By Camila Pina mila Pina led the team. Teacher Julie Nunez Steven by Photo Mendrano coached the team for her players of the season – seniors Paris Glispie and inishing in third place in confer- first time. By Kara Dziadosz Miguel Tapia,and sophomore Rahman “Rocky” ence, the girls bowling team ended “At first I was iffy about coaching,” she Ukoja. Ftheir season on Feb. 2. said. “But at the end it was a great experi- lthough the Streaks have had a tough For more information, interviews and a slide Captains Jazmin Rodriguez and Ca ence. I am very proud of all the girls.”• season, Coach Brad Dowling can point show of boys basketball action this season, go to Ato some positives, including his standout www.steinmetzstar.com. • Lessons learned from football coach, Sgt. Garry Frank

By Frederick Crittendon When I joined the football team moted to the Junior Varsity team, to I had butterflies at first, and then last fall, I knew the odds weren’t help the incoming freshmen learn I started to get the flow of things, ’m very grateful to have been in my favor. I wasn’t the biggest, the playbook faster. I was upset at but it was a hit I made on third coached in football by Sgt. Garry strongest or the fastest player on first, although I didn’t show it, but down that Coach Frank eventually IFrank. He not only taught me in a the practice field, but Coach Frank I turned a negative into a positive told me, “I knew once you made very expressive way to become a bet- showed me that none of those things and I worked my butt off with the that hit, I messed up bad,” referring

ter player, he taught me life values. matter if you don’t have heart, and photo Star help of Coach Frank. to the fact that I eventually started It wasn’t about a winning record I had plenty. I wasn’t a starter once Sgt. Garry Frank poses with Patrice He noticed how hard I was work- the rest of the season and wasn’t able with Coach Frank; it was about the 2014-15 season began, barely Mikolajczak on Nov. 19, 2015, his last ing and on Sept. 24, 2015, in the to participate in JV games. teaching us the game and showing seeing any playing time, but it was day before retiring to Florida. During Steinmetz vs. Lincoln Park game, I’m very grateful for the situation his years at Steinmetz, Coach Frank us what we needed to do to become the talks with Coach Frank that kept taught JROTC classes, served as an two of our best players went down that Coach Frank put me in, even the best athletes we could be, even me from just giving up. LSC rep, worked in Student Services and I was thrown into the game at if I didn’t feel like I was ready. if it included taking losses. Later on in the season, I was de- and coached football and bowling. the half. •

Jan. - Feb. 2016 Steinmetz Star 15 16 Star Sports Girls varsity scores best conference record in years Streaks win close game on senior night Varsity (5-5) By Paris Glispie, Luis Gomez and L Streaks 27 vs. Sullivan 42 Jacquelyn Rodriguez L Streaks 27 vs. Rickover 47 L Streaks 14 vs. Disney 24 ushing the team to the best conference W Streaks 30 vs. Kelvyn Park 22 record its had in years, the varsity girls W Streaks 34 vs. Alcott 32 Pbasketball team won their Senior Night W Streaks 43 vs. Sullivan 31 game against Alcott on Jan. 21. L Streaks 34 vs. Rickover 36 Seniors Adriana Espinoza, Tiara Hudson, L Streaks 28 vs. Disney 43 Kaandra Molina and Eryka Woods were hon- W Streaks 44 vs. Kelvyn Park 28 ored at the game. W Streaks 26 vs. Alcott 24 It was an intense, nerve wracking game with the core close throughout the game. Sophomores (4-0) Everyone watching was on their feet. W Streaks 22 vs. Sullivan 9 With one minute to go the teams were W Streaks 17 vs. Disney II 12 tied. Tiara passed to sophomore Abrianna Adriana Espinoza, Kasandra Molina, Tiara Hudson and Erykah Woods are honored on senior night. W Streaks 19 vs. Sullivan 18 Martinez, who made a lay up to put the Coaches Josh Hasken, Pam Oliver and Miguel Ochoa pose with the players. W Streaks 20 vs. Disney II 17 Streaks ahead 26-24.

Lluviccia Gomez Photos by Steven Nunez Steven by Photos

“I was so happy,” Abrianna said. “Then we Owaynot and Lluviccia Gomez and junior Joc- work on a lot of things in practice that shows “I’m actually on the same page as Tiara is played really good defence and held them.” elyn Garcia also played in the game. “Pulling up in the games.” on,” co-captain Erykah Woods said. With the Streaks only up by two, and 10 out this tough win shows how much strength Players also point to the strength of Coach “I think we are having a very good season, seconds on the clock, Alcott received two free and potential our team has,” Lluviccia said. Pam Oliver, a Steinmetz graduate who was a and I am glad that we have developed to make throws. After their time-out, the Alcott player “Each of us being able to contribute was truly standout high school and college basketball it to the playoffs. I just want everybody to work missed the shots, the Streaks got the rebound amazing.” player. as hard as we can so that we can get to where and won the game. Coach Josh Haskens has led the varsity to Co-captain Tiara Hudson said she had we want to be.” Freshmen Katrina Carmichal and Dionne its best season in years. hoped for a championship, but that “overall • Beals, sophomores Marychu Vargas, Tomerra “He’s a great coach,” Abrianna said. “We the season is going well.” Football ends with winning Swimmers take 3rd in conference record and college bound players

Coach Suzy Sullivan and swim team members pose for photos on Feb. 4, Seniors Aldair Murillo and Justyn Williams sign letters of intent to play football at during the Steinmetz Runway event. North Park Universit, with coaches Chris Haywood and Tim McNulty, on Feb. 3. Brian Geans by Photo Photo by Tyfanni Quintero Tyfanni by Photo By David Ciechanowski and Maya Robinson the girls and boys swim team with Ms. Sullivan By Alejandro Hernandez in every game. this year. The best part about last season’s team he boys swim team finished 3rd in confer- Do you like coaching? he Steinmetz Varsity football team is that the majority of the team was able ence, beating out Westinghouse, Prosser Now I do. At first I was very reluctant, but was able to end their last season on to perform well despite consisting mostly Tand Foreman and finishing behind Taft I’ve got a lot of inspiration online. Ms. Sullivan Thigh note with a victory and a 6-3 of younger players. This means that many and North Grand. also encouraged me to coach JV because of past record, a complete 180 from their previ- of the players are still eligible to play next There are a few swimmers that stand out from lock-in events. ous season that ended 2-7. Their journey year, hoping to use that experience as an the rest.Seniors Xavier Delgado – butterfly stroke, How is it different from before? was not without its bumps though, as the advantage. Kacper Sips – breaststroke and Carlos Sanchez The technologies have changed. In my high team played handicapped for almost the “We’ll have 17 seniors next year,” – all around. school days they allowed us to dive from shallow whole year. says McNulty. “A lot of them got that Coach Suzy Sullivan was impressed with the ends. In junior high school I was on the boys “We had a great year,” says head coach experience and if they do what they’re team: “A huge surprise was all of the new swim- swim team. That was before Title 9 provided equal Tim McNulty. “Unfortunately, we had supposed to do in the off season, we’ll mers whose faces I hadn’t seen before,” she said. opportunities for girls and boys. 3 season ending injuries, the first time have a great year.” “The swimmers are having a great time. They Will you coach any other teams this year? that’s happened in my career.” The team has a lot of raw talent, but are very hard workers. Rather than one or two Water polo. I’ve never played it, but I will learn. The team played well despite experi- with some discipline, proper training athletes supporting everyone else the whole team Will you coach swimming next year? encing these injuries to key contributors. and good coaching, next season’s team contributes, which shows me they are very com- If they ask again next year. I’m happy doing Everybody on the team is confident that is bound to compete for a spot in the mitted to improve and be their best.” it. It’s kind of tiring, but the students make you the their record would be even better if playoffs.• The Star interviewed teacher and GSA spon- glad you’re doing it. They are very enthusiastic those players had the opportunity to play sor Beth Zaluba, who for the first time, coached when they are competing in a sport they love. • 16 Steinmetz Star Jan. - Feb. 2016