Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913 VOLUME 107 ISSUE 7 SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL APRIL 30, 2021 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030 Students benefit from return to in-person learning STORY SOFIA ALVA PHOTO ELLA JAYASEKERA Are your teachers While being in person has On a scale of 1-5 how well prioritizing... your quality of learning... have your teachers adapted GRAPHICS CHARLOTTE COHEN Distance learning Stayed the same to teaching in-person? tudents in Cohorts A and B have reported a In person Worsened 4 Ssignificant improvement in their learning 80 Improved experience since the start of the new hybrid model Both on Thursday, April 15. According to a survey Tiger 60 administered to 256 students, 63 percent of those in Cohorts A and B believe their learning has benefitted on 40 the days they attend school in person. 3 5 20 For many students, the return to school has meant more 1 2 hands-on learning. 0 “I really like using my hands, and it is better for me when students off Zoom and project distance learning was solidified in March. About 5 percent of students instruction is interactive,” junior Sydney Morrow said. students on a screen in the front of the class. In some surveyed in Cohorts A and B regret returning to campus, “In-person school is a great option because I get to write classes, teachers have even been able to facilitate while less than 2 percent of students in Cohort C regret a lot more on paper and I spend less time on Zoom. I am discussion between both groups of students. remaining in distance learning. Many students who also more encouraged to participate in class when I can chose to remain in distance learning expressed that physically see the teacher.” According to the survey, 75 percent of students believe convenience was a determining factor in their decision. that their teachers are equally prioritizing in-person Junior Levi Srebalus echoed this sentiment, adding and at-home students. “I chose to stay online because of my schedule,” that in-person learning has allowed for less distractions sophomore Tia Guang said. “This year, because during class. “My teachers have made sure to either divide up everything was initially online, my school schedule some of the instruction to both groups, or have just and club schedule sometimes are right against each “When I’m in person, I’m a lot less likely to get distracted addressed both the Zoom class and in-person class other. This means that about two minutes after school with something like my phone or other things that I simultaneously,” Srebalus said. “There have been minor I’ll sometimes join another meeting. With hybrid, that would have at my disposal at home,” Srebalus said. tech hiccups, but for the most part the [teachers] were meant I may be late to some of my after school meetings more prepared than I expected. Their teaching hasn’t [if I attended school in person].” Throughout the transition from distance to hybrid changed much at all, which isn’t a bad thing.” learning, teachers have adopted several different The hybrid schedule is set to continue until the end of methods of instruction for their at-home and in-person Students decided last August which cohort to be in, the school year in June, and the 2021-2022 school year students. Many teachers have opted to keep in-person but were allowed to switch once the hybrid schedule will begin completely in-person. RELATIONSHIPS FEARLESS SKYE HARRIS Because each Taylor Swift’s rerelease Junior track star high school grade of her quintessentially Skye Harris, recently is tantamount high school album elected as the next to a different life is an opportunity to ASB Commissioner of stage, inter-grade introspect, maybe now Athletics, talks with relationships are with less raw (pre) Tiger about her plans extremely unbalanced. teenage angst. to improve sports. Page 6 Page 12 Page 16 TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM TIGER 2 APRIL 30, 2021 Newly reopened L.A. NEWS activities attract visitors STORY GEORGIA PARSONS PHOTOS KATELYN HERNANDEZ fter over a year filled with shutdowns of art museum, Amovie theater, and theme park, L.A. County’s successful vaccine rollout and move into orange tier has prompted many recreational reopenings. Huntington Galleries Although the Huntington Gardens have been open for the past several months, the grounds’ three art galleries have been closed to visitors since the beginning of the pandemic. However, new county guidelines allowed all three galleries to open to the public on Saturday, April 17. SOCIALLY-DISTANCED GALLERY AND MOVIE THEATER PATRONS Throughout the course of the pandemic, the Huntington ENJOYED IN-PERSON VIEWINGS in accordance with health and safety guidlines. has diligently followed coronavirus precautions, and the galleries were no exception. Only certain numbers customers saying ‘this is the first time I’ve come in a of people were allowed to be in each room at a time, a year,’” vendor Jose Guzman said. safeguard that the docents followed carefully. Movie Theaters Museum guides excitedly welcomed visitors back this weekend, as several prominent art projects and One local movie theater that reopened in the past couple installations had been completed over the past year. of weeks is the Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, which “Project Blue Boy,” an 18-month restoration project to the plays mainly independent, foreign, and art films. iconic “The Blue Boy” painting by Thomas Gainsborough was recently completed and opened for viewing. The The Laemmle Theaters of the Los Angeles area have Huntington also welcomed a new exhibition titled “Made been playing strictly virtual movies throughout the in L.A.” presenting works from 30 L.A.-based artists course of the pandemic. These movies are available for featuring a range of art from sculpture, paintings, films, rent on their website, all of which will still be accessible and even immersive audio performances. throughout the reopening. Farmers Market In accordance with L.A. County mandates and CinemaSafe protocols, the theater is open at 50 percent Despite the weekly presence of produce sellers at capacity. The theater’s buildings have also been equipped the South Pasadena Farmers Market throughout the with enhanced ventilation systems, plexiglass barriers, pandemic, ready-made meals from food vendors have hand sanitizing stations, and extra masks, general been absent for most of the winter up until three weeks manager Geoff Waugaman explains. ago when they were allowed to begin serving again. “It hasn’t been incredibly busy, but I think it’s just because For the past several weeks, the Farmers Market has been we have a limited schedule right now and [minimal] hours crowded with customers, produce sellers, musicians, of operation,” Waugaman said. “I think that [business] and fragrant cuisine from food vendors. Even on a chilly will pick up once the state opens up more and people are Thursday, flocks of South Pasadenans gathered at the vaccinated and comfortable coming back to movies.” FARMERS MARKET VENDORS market to purchase fresh food. OFFER READY-MADE FOOD to The theater will continue to comply with L.A. County “I have definitely seen more people coming into [the guidelines and plans to open up further as cases continue visitors for the first time since the coronavirus market], because they’re less afraid. I often hear to lower. spike in November and December of 2020. Celebrations for the senior class continue in hybrid learning STORY LILIAN ZHU This year’s graduation ceremony will take place on the class and their resilience throughout their year of PHOTO SARAH LEE Roosevelt Field on Wednesday, June 2 with additional distanced and hybrid learning. restrictions such as limited audience capacity. The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) has “We could not be more proud of how our seniors handled begun planning the graduation ceremony and other The coronavirus pandemic has prevented all school this final year learning from home. They were brave, events for the senior class. Unlike previous years, the dances from taking place, including prom, which is tenacious and most importantly, they didn’t feel sorry coronavirus pandemic has brought unusual challenges, hosted by the Associated Student Body (ASB). The PTSA, for themselves,” Morales said. “They got up everyday and resulting in new adaptations of prior traditions. however, is looking to organize a senior graduation party looked to their future. They have proved to be the greatest and has sent out surveys to seniors for input. graduating class in present history.” Traditionally, seniors attend Grad Nite at Disneyland, In an attempt to continue the annual Homecoming but this year, the event has been relocated to Universal tradition, ASB has also begun the voting process for the Studios Hollywood. The event will take place from 3-9 Royal Tigers. Homecoming typically takes place during p.m. on any of the six following days: May 13, 19, 20, 27, first semester but was postponed due to the pandemic. and June 10. Admission is $75 per person and includes all This past week students placed their nominations, rides, shows, and attractions. which were then narrowed down to three contenders for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and 11 for seniors. “As a senior it has been a little weird to have most of my final year of high school online, but I am excited that we “Keeping SPHS traditions alive during this pandemic is are able to have a graduation and homecoming,” senior of utmost importance to ASB and having some sort of Amelia Jarolim said. “At first it was a bit sad to be missing homecoming is crucial,” Commissioner of Spirit, junior out on some senior activities, but worth sacrificing for Ava Page said.