VVolumeolume 7733 , IIssuessue 1 SSeptembereptember 30,30, 20092009 Budget cuts switch up Village Nation API Cleveland administration scores soar BY JOLENA COLLAS ment at their success. The Village Nation achieved “The point jump proved how a 92 percent pass rate in both sub- much hard work and dedication jects on the CAHSEE, and an 81 we all contributed to show the point raise in API scores for the world how smart and talented 2008-2009 school year. we really are,” Sophomore Naja Teacher Fluke Fluker and his Naomi Crawford said. fellow Village Nation co-founders Both Fluker and Village Na- have been key to raising CAH- tion member Marc Anthony John- SEE passing rates and API scores son called each student one by one among the African American stu- for a personal meeting. Students dent body. were reminded of how smart and Last year’s API scores capable each of them are. Teach- dropped 30 points, which was ers asked, “Am I my brother’s both a shock and a disappoint- keeper?” and to that students re- ment to the co-founders and plied, “Yes, I am.” This chant sig- students. This disappointment nifi ed how people are responsible became a strong motivating and not only for themselves, but also New Administrators: Shanna Sarris and Kevin Frost. photo by Haig Nalbandian driving factor, as students vowed for their brothers and sisters. to reverse the decreasing scores. “His business is your busi- BY WENDY MAO AND positions. A title reduction was sistant Principal Carlos Valdovi- Although there was not a par- ness, his success is your success, AMANDA SILVER implemented in force, lowering nos, who had to be let go at the ticular goal established, a seven and his failure is your failure,” Features Editor and the overall number of adminis- end of last year, was able to return Production Manager trators and new teachers. Half of almost immediately to Cleveland “ LAUSD’s senior staff members to fi ll Castro’s position. In my eleven years of teaching, I District budget cuts made were assigned to different jobs. As a staff member who felt over the summer have led to a When Cleveland Principal the direct effects of the budget had never seen a raise [in scores] so number of changes in the Cleve- Robert Marks announced his cuts, Valdovinos said, “It is im- land community, including a resignation in June, and with the possible for a school, any school, incredible and amazing. shakeup in Cleveland administra- title reduction program in place, not to suffer with such depletion --Teacher Jennifer Macon tion, teachers, and staff. LAUSD appointed Herman Clay of school budget [but that these Prior to the May 19, 2009 as Cleveland’s principal. Princi- changes] provide exciting and re- ” special election in which voters pal Clay offi cially assumed his freshing opportunities as profes- point raise was required. Rather Fluker said. With this approach, faced a decision on propositions role on September 4, 2009, just sionals to work as a team.” than limiting themselves to a Fluker and Village Nation fac- that could have offset a percent- fi ve days before the start of the Valdovinos also praised number, Fluker said, “Our goal ulty have instilled a system of ac- age of budget needs, California 2009-2010 school year. For the Cleveland for its achievements was simply to try our best and countability and encouragement Governor Arnold Schwarzeneg- last four years, Clay had been on in spite of the budget crisis. “It to recommit ourselves to the test between the African American ger warned California citizens LAUSD’s senior staff where he is not common [for a school] to scores.” students and teachers. of the dangers state cuts would was the director of history and have low economic status, yet The Village Nation did many The Village Nation as a whole pose to educational resources. He social sciences, though he was a still do so well,” he said. things as a group to keep everyone has grown the African American predicted there would be an addi- principal for six years prior to be- Budget cuts have also bought motivated. One signifi cant slogan student body into a family. Fluker tional $2.3 billion in budget cuts coming a senior staff member. changes to the Cleveland teaching mention by Fluker was, “one and alluded to the legendary Massai imposed on California’s public When asked if it was diffi cult staff. Teachers with less senior- done.” This slogan described how warriors and their greeting. The education system. adjusting to a principal’s duties, ity, or who were on probationary students were kept motivated by warriors learn how they are do- Under California law, by June Clay casually replied, “No. It’s status, were cut or placed at other the promise that they only have to ing by asking, “How are the chil- 30 of this year, the Los Angeles actually easier than I thought…” schools. As of this past summer, take one CAHSEE. dren?” Unifi ed School District (LAUSD) He clarifi ed that his responsibili- 17 teachers were supposed to When it became known that “If the faculty, community, had to estimate its budget from ties as a high school principal are leave, but with Title One funds, 92 percent of African American city, and country asked each other the 2009-2010 to the 2011-2012 not at all simple, but that the tran- which were not affected by state sophomores passed both CAH- and answered honestly, we would school years. For the next two sition from a senior staff member budget cuts, Cleveland managed SEE subjects, several teachers know that our youth is not doing school years, the district estimat- to a principal was not as nearly as to buy back ten teachers at near were proud. too great,” Fluker said. ed a defi cit of $1.3 billion. In an strenuous as he imagined. to their previous salaries. Title “In my eleven years of teach- The Village Nation was cre- attempt to stabilize the 2009-2010 With LAUSD relocating so One funds are given to the school ing, I had never seen a raise [in ated to get the African Ameri- budget defi cit of $869.5 million, many of its employees, former in accordance with the economic scores] so incredible and amaz- can student body to make better LAUSD superintendent Ramon Cleveland Assistant Principal status of it students. ing,” said teacher Jennifer Ma- decisions. The concept is based Cortines implemented several ac- Nidia Castro was transferred to see ‘New administration,’ con. on the African proverb that, “It tion steps, including the juggling the position of principal of Vista page 5 Students also showed excite- takes a village to raise a child.” of teacher and administrative Middle School. Meanwhile As- Human Robert Patt inson: International Traffi cking Hot or Not? Students Opinions Entertainment Features INSIDE Page 2 Page 6 Page 8 2 Opinions Le Sabre September 30, 2009 ‘Stripping’ it down to the facts BY JEILA SAIDI A young girl sits solemnly in even family members, can put a would be undoubtedly high. I see the corner of a cold plain room price on dignity. the media concentrating on what and wipes the thick grime off The sickening demand for people are buying, whom celeb- her tear-streaked face in defeat. children as sex slaves has only rities are dating, what miniscule Her body, sore from countless increased over time, especially actions they take in politics, but incidents of abuse, lays limp and in major metropolitan cities such I see nothing about the 1.2 mil- bruised against the cold wall. Her as New York, San Francisco, and lion children and adults that are red dress, provocative and dark, even Los Angeles. As a Los An- being sold. We talk about how is tattered like those of the other geles high school student I see much material goods cost but fail girls in the brothel. Dozens of hundreds of teens every day sit- to see that human beings are be- girls stand around the room; they ting in classrooms studying. As ing traded like these goods. The stand in hopeless groups waiting I look over at my peers, I cannot United Nations has estimated that for their next clients. The heavy sound of footsteps echo from the outside hall as the pimps and cli- ents make their way to the door. A group of gruff men enter and the room drops to a dead silence as photo illustration by Holland Mervis the pimp walks towards the girl in the corner. He grabs her by the arm and overpowers her meager attempts at resistance by pinning Fro-yo, the her to the wall and tugging at her hair. She surrenders as she is dragged out the door by her gaunt arms. Tomorrow she turns nine. Human traffi cking is the sec- only way to go! ond highest illegal income-gener- ating syndicate in the world. Traf- fi cking is the trading of a specifi c commodity or service and can in- BY DAVID KIM clude drugs, sex slavery, fugitives, laborers and immigrants. Over 27 Ahhh ice cream. It has been delicious treats to top and tend to million people are enslaved into around for as long as anyone can his/her tummy. With frozen yo- the world of prostitution on an in- remember, back to the days of gurt, preference comes fi rst. ternational basis. Rome in sixth century BCE with Even today, in 2009, the pop- As an adolescent female, I fi nd Emperor Nero. However, there ularity of frozen yogurt is preva- it absolutely repulsive that mil- is a new challenger that is on the lent and prominent with quaint lions of girls my age and younger rise to steal ice cream’s spot as little shops such as Red Mango, can be sold and traded like prod- the number one dessert: frozen Pinkberry, Tutti Frutti, and Yo- ucts.