SteinmetzVolume 81, Number 1, September - October 2015 Star www.steinmetzstar.com Students hurt by teacher and program cuts CPS slashes school budgets By Zaneta Marcinik Besides missing the French and drama classes that are no longer available, students said they also miss their ike most non-charter Chicago public schools, teacher. Steinmetz suffered huge budget cuts this year. “Mrs. Meunier got students’ attention and made L “We lost a million dollars,” Principal Stephen everyone participate,” senior Michelle Rebolledo said. Ngo told the Star. He said students have been hurt by “She was inspiring. I really wish she was here so everyone the cuts because there are “fewer electives and security could get the fun experiences that I had with her.” is stretched.” Mr. Ngo had to cut several positions. Although it was Student activists call out CPS’ harmful history with CPS that cut the budget, Mr. Ngo said it was up to him neighborhood schools to decide from which departments to make the cuts. This is the second round of severe cuts made to the Mr. Ngo cut two computer positions, two world Steinmetz budget in recent years. In 2013, CPS cut $1.4 language positions, one math position, one English million when it changed how it funded schools. The cuts position, a security position, and he kept a science then resulted in a loss of 14 staff members. position closed after a teacher resigned from CPS. After CPS announced this summer that it would be making major cuts, two Steinmetz students spoke out Walk outs at the Chicago Board of Education meeting on July 22. Students at Roosevelt high school were so upset with Senior Juan Padilla, who spoke on behalf of Steinmetz Juan Padilla and Jonathan Aguilar protest the budget cuts at the July 22 Chi- teacher layoffs that they organized a protest. Hundreds cago Board of Education meeting. (Photo courtesy www.substancenews.com.) and the organizations Communities United and Voices of students walked out on Oct 5. Some students from of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE), said that the Foreman, Prosser and Schurz also walked out. Some Steinmetz Many students upset by Steinmetz teacher lay offs budget cuts “hurt all neighborhood schools, not just Steinmetz; students walked out on Oct. 6. Students learned about some of the Steinmetz staff cuts in You’re cutting the chance for students to succeed.” During morning announcements on Oct. 7, Mr. Ngo August. Senior Jessica Burzawa was extremely disappointed Junior Jonathan Aguilar also spoke to the Board members. invited anyone who was interested to meet with him. More when she found out that French teacher and drama club spon- “Budget cuts not only affect teachers and schools, [they than a dozen concerned students came after school and met sor Lynda Meunier’s position was cut. affect] mostly students,” Jonathan said, “We’re not getting the with him in his office. “Ms. Meunier made drama club amazing and she was a resources we need and deserve. We need a proper education. Mr. Ngo shared budget information with them. He said great director,” she said. “This year’s play would be special for Cuts are coming every year. What about in following years? students and their families need to get involved because “the me because I’ve been in the plays since freshman year. I wish How are the schools going to look? I’m getting emotional big whammy of cuts is still to come,” Mr. Ngo said, if CPS she was still here because we would have fun in the drama because I’m frustrated about the lack of education we’re get- does not get state money. class that we were supposed to have.” ting in these neighborhood high schools.”• IB seniors inspired by diplomas earned Famous graduate says last year yes to Class of 2016 By Ashley Komperda By Alejandro Hernandez he 2015 Interna- tional Baccalau- omedian Hanni- Treate graduating bal Burress has ex- class scored above and Cpressed interest in beyond during the IB coming back to Steinmetz exams in May. Twelve to be a speaker at the 2016 graduates received the graduation ceremony, an IB Diploma: Yadira idea conceived by this re- Abarca, Yeovanni Al- This year’s IB seniors with English teacher Rachel Rezny. The students hope to do as well porter and senior Ashley varado, Andres Cebal- as, or surpass, last year’s IB senior class, which earned 12 IB diplomas. Komperda. hannibalburess.com los, Ariana Colula, Stephanie Escobar, Cintia Garcia, which is similar to a college level philosophy course. After Ashley emailed Alex Lopez, Paloma Salazar, Guadalupe Saldana, Andriy The students sit for examinations over a three week Mr. Burress on his of- ho is Hannibal Burress? He Suden, Berenice Vara and Maria Vargas. period in May. Some subjects have as many as three ficial email account, he might possibly be the hottest A common misconception is that all of the IB stu- different exams that are required. responded on Sept. 10. Wrising star in comedy, and one dents earn the IB Diploma, when in fact only a frac- On a practical sense, the IB Diploma acknowledges “Hey, that’s awe- of Steinmetz’ most famous alumni. tion of the class earns it. Students must score well on that a student has perseverance to complete a rigorous some,” he said. “Thanks He started his career as a writer on multiple tests and complete CAS (Creativity, Action, program that requires him or her to take advanced classes for thinking of me. I’m in- “Saturday Night Live” in the late 2000’s. Service) files. even in those subjects that are difficult, and that the terested in doing it. Keep He is currently the host of his own show The Star interviewed Nancyanne Ferrarini, the IB student has good reading, writing, time management in touch.” on Comedy Central called “Why? With coordinator, regarding the recipients and the diplomas: and study skills too. If all goes well, the Hannibal Buress,” an observational com- What is the significance of the IB Diploma? In addition, the Diploma recognizes that the student commencement speech edy show mixed up with sketches in the Earning the IB Diploma is a great accomplishment. in an independent learner and is naturally curious and for the 2016 class of Stein- same vein as “The Chappelle Show.” It acknowledges that the student has excelled in seven inquisitive, as demonstrated by the required extended metz should be very, very Continued on Page 6 college-level courses including Theory of Knowledge, essay. funny. Continued on Page 7 • In this Issue News 1-5 Opinion, 3 Special Features, 5 Arts & Entertainment, 6 Sports, 7-8 Chess upset: Freshman wins first tournament of the year, p. 4 Choose to be happy, p. 3 Alumni staff, p. 5 Poetry Club, p. 6 Cheerleading, p. 8 2 Star News Lunch periods consolidated for Steinmetz grade levels and College Cafe 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] Principal: Mr. Stephen Ngo Assistant principals: Principal Stephen Ngo Fourth period lunch students on Sept. 15. Mr. Jaime Jaramillo By Rikeya Hargrove By Venice ByGonzalez Venice Ms. Cheryl Williams Ms. Ruquiyah Rahman-Aquil By Lisette Pravinchandra and “I needed to fit one grade per first five weeks of school included Budget director: Mr. Paul Chase Rikeya Hargrove lunch period, even if that meant crowded lunchrooms during 5th and Yearbook adviser: Mr. Michael Edwards squeezing kids into the lunch peri- 6th periods. Star adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt rincipal Stephen Ngo made ods,” Principal Ngo said. “The lines are long,” sophomore a change this year by sched- He said College Cafe will help Jacquelyn Rodriguez said. “I think Co-editors-in-chief: Puling four lunch periods for students consider what they will do we should bring back 2nd and 7th Alejandro Hernandez and Zaneta Marcinik all students, one period per grade after high school regarding college lunch.” level. Last year, there were six lunch and career. Students will realize what There are many complaints about Section editors and copy editors: periods, with students assigned to counts now, rather than waiting un- the flow of the line and about cut- Agape Alfaro, Lesli Avila, Ashley Komperda, McKenzie lunch periods regardless of their til junior or senior year, when it may ters. Mr. Ngo said he will talk to Lacefield, Jailene Torres, Daria Velazquez grade level. be too late, he said. security to make it fair for the stu- “I like it now because I’m with all The College Cafe will be open dents who get to the lunch line early. Journalism class reporters and photographers: my friends,” junior Ismael Adorno in Room 228 for freshmen during “The lines are too long and we Jacara Adams, Natalia Aguilar, Ariana Benitez, Juan Ce- said. third period on Wednesdays for can’t even go to our lockers first be- ballos, Valery Champion, David Ciechanowski, Yesenia Mr. Ngo said that he changed “hot chocolate and cool chats,” and cause we need to hurry to lunch just Deluna, Kara Dziadosz, Ronald Evans, Brian Geans, Paris things so that students who need Fridays for “laze and listen.” There to get a seat,” sophomore Crystal Glispie, Luis Gomez, Venice Gonzalez, Rikeya Hargrove, help can get help from their teachers, will be guest speakers and technol- Roman said. Gerardo Jerez, Angelo Jones, Daniel Lozeau, Rosemary who are also assigned lunch periods ogy help. Mr. Ngo said he’ll monitor the Mcgurn, Wiljalisha Mollfulleda, Anthony Morgan Kitch, based on the majority of classes they The College Cafe opened on situation: “If there is not enough Giselle Mendoza, Olivia Nunez, Elizabeth Patino, Camila teach.