The Official Student Newspaper of Oakland Technical High Issue 4: January 2016 www.oaklandtechscribe.com OAL to Charge Threat of Closed Campus for Soccer Games By Clara McGilly and Ayla Frost Provokes Uproar This year, Oakland Tech sion of OUSD. The money has started charging for at- made is intended to im- tendance at soccer and vol- prove athletic facilities and leyball games for the first equipment for public mid- time. After a drawn out dle and high schools across debate over pricing, it now Oakland. For instance, costs $2 for students with drawing from earlier ticket IDs and $4 for those with- funds, the Skyline field was out. Tech already charges redone last year, and the for other sports such as Tech field might be redone football and basketball. this summer. However, not every sport Previously, the football will draw enough of an fees were the only source audience to generate mon- of money supplying OAL’s ey, so it’s unclear where to maintenance of fields and draw the line. This issue equipment. Since other has sparked great contro- teams, such as soccer, use versy among both players the field just as often, some and spectators. say it makes sense that they The change in ticket too should contribute. Antonia Starc/Scribe pricing was implemented On the other hand, not The Tech Administration is talking about preventing students from patronizing buisnesses across the street by OAL (Oakland Athletic all the money made ends By Kendall Prime community. Although Ms. Morrison League), the sports divi- up benefitting the team The closed campus news orig- brought the idea up, some staff It all started at one of the inated from a campaign by the members heard the news of a (Charging Games continues on Page 8) monthly student government Leadership class to prevent in- potential closed campus from meetings. The Leadership class appropriate off-campus behavior the student body. According to was reviewing details for the during lunch hours. Ms. Morri- Mr. Price, no other administra- Winter Ball and listening to son, encouraging a student-run tors have talked to the staff about complaints about the restrooms. movement, selected Leadership a potential closed campus. He As things began to wrap up, one to spread news of a threat of “heard about closed campus... student announced the possi- closed campus lunch. Through only from the students.” He add- bility of a closed campus lunch, Leadership’s efforts, word has ed that he sees “the notices and and concerned murmurs quickly spread about the possibility of see what [we] post online. [He] began to spread through the the Tech campus being closed thinks it’s good that [the stu- room and throughout the Tech during lunch, indefinitely. dents are] discussing it and...it Antigone Michaels/Scribe (Closed Campus continues on Page 8) By Nick Pingitore Tech No Longer Technical Nadia Wohlfarth/Scribe Peek INSIDE Say the name Oakland to Clarence Harris, a Tech and people immedi- Tech math teacher who Tech Companies Could offer Oportunities and ately jump to conclusions. is also a graduate of Club Spotlight: SPOCN “Do you build cars? Are you Tech, we are. “Not ev- Pg.2 a technical school? How ery kid wanted to go to many machine shops do a college, they wanted Crime in Parks and Google you have?’ For the majority to work, develop skills, Impact of Oakland Tech’s history, and get a decent job... Pg. 3 that was indeed our school. people still need to fix College Mail and Student Founded over 100 years cars, do plumbing and Rights ago, Oakland Tech, for electricity.” Pg. 4 the majority of its history, As America transi- Best Music of 2015 and Star churned out students well tioned from an in- Wars Review versed in technical skills. Yet dustrial nation to the pg. 5 as American industry has beginnings of a postin- “It gives the impression the girls gym is now stand- evolved, and in recent years dustrial society during the ‘Hateful 8’ Review and Finals that when you don’t have ing, we had machine shops Pg.6 diminished, our technical late 70s, trades started to that four year degree those below, auto shops, metal programs have faded into lose their glamour. Today, other jobs are unworthy, shops, computer shops, cab- Spotlight Review, New Year’s our yearbooks. according to school curric- that it doesn’t have enough inet making. But when those Resolutions and Recipe But are students today ulum across the nation, a social status,” added Mr teachers retired, they started Pg. 7 actually missing anything four year college seems to be Harris. “That’s just crazy.” to close up shop. They need with our lack of technical the only way a student can The Technical program was to bring that stuff back. job training? According achieve a “successful” future. no laughing matter: “Where Those jobs need to be filled.” (Not Technical continues on Page 8) PAGE 2 January 2016 News Dates to Rise of Tech Companies Could Offer Remember Opportunities For Tech Students Jan 25 - Auditions for OT Spring Drama Production nesses; as is typical of the Bay to learn about computers,” computer science. By Molly Hetherwick Classroom A3 3:30-5:30pm With the arrival of over Area, most of these are in or Tech senior Alvin Gao asserts. “Girls Who Code has heavily utilize the tech and “Oakland Tech is preparing launched a #hireme initia- thirty new tech companies in Jan 28 - Mini/Maxi Grants Due the East Bay in the past five computer science fields. students for these opportu- tive helping their alums find The East Bay, now home nities, but to be completely jobs and internships,” Tech years, the future of the com- Jan 29 - Professional Develop- to big name companies like honest, it is not enough. The senior and club founder Aura puter science and technology ment Day Uber, Pandora, Gensler, Computer Academy definitely Barrera explains. “Through field could be revolutionized and Pixar, is presented with has the resources to con- that effort and my person- by the sheer diversity of the Feb 10 - Minimum Day the unique opportunity of a nect to internships, but the al experience, I think Girls area - which means big things Time Management and relatively blank slate and the coursework learned in class Who Code’s impact on youth for Oakland Tech. Organization In the past several years, tools to change possibly an is not advanced enough to be around the country directly translates to the tech industry. the East Bay has seen a mas- Feb 17 - Minimum Day “The cool, smart people are already here.” Even the attention Girls Who sive commercial boom and Just add tech jobs, and you’ve got yourself a Code pulled to the issue of the population shift. Most of Feb 24 - Minimum Day the employees of the Silicon revolution. lack of women in tech has an impact.” Valley corporations -like For more events and dates, visit entire industry. The computer u s e f u l .” Mayor Libby Schaaf has Google, Facebook, Apple- are oaklandtech.com/staff/calendar not from the South Bay: they industry, despite being quite There is a bevy of organi- spoken to every single tech make the the mind-numbing new, is already practically zations that have sprang up to company that has moved Sports commute twice daily from homogenous and greatly male get a head start on this issue. to Oakland in the past year, the Peninsula and North Bay, dominated. Alameda County, Some that Tech students may demonstrating the nature of Calendar caught in heavy traffic both as one of the top five most have encountered include: the city and imploring them ways. Thus, eager San Francis- diverse counties in the entire Hack the Hood, Brothers to take advantage of Oakland’s cans are scrambling in droves United States, is the polar op- Who Code, and Oakland diversity during hiring season. Jan 25 - Boys JV Soccer @ to Oakland’s open floor office posite - hence, with the arrival Tech’s very own Girls Who As she said during her inau- Castlemont 5 pm-7pm spaces, concrete jungle with of tech companies poised and Code club. These organiza- gural speech this month, “The its deciduous rainforest back- ready to expand, the East Bay tions work very closely with cool, smart people are already Jan 27 - Boys Varsity yard, and shorter commute may be able to pioneer a more underrepresented demo- here.” Just add tech jobs, and Baskeball @ time. With these enterprising diverse future. graphics in the tech industry you’ve got yourself a revolu- Castlemont 5 pm- 7 pm young folks come their busi- “It’s a good thing because and encourage interest in the tion. it means more opportunities growing and affluent field of Jan 28 - Boys Varsity Soccer @ Oakland Tech 5 pm-7pm Jan 30 - Girls Varsity Basket- Club Spotlight: Supporting People ball @ Napa 5:30 pm of Color Now Feb 2 - Boys Varsity Soccer By Margarita Ku experience the same special- student population, most of in Tech’s advanced classes and @ Fremont 5 pm-7pm Every year, Tech’s academ- ized academic rigor for their the academies and programs programs. ics attract new students from own benefit. continue to be predominantly “We want to create a safe *more events listed on online all corners of Oakland. From The issue does not persist white. There is no easy solu- space for students of color calendar* the Engineering Academy to for lack of trying. Tech itself tion, but Tech’s latest student to voice their opinions and the Paideia program to a full has made an effort to reach club, SPOCN (Supporting address issues of equity at our For more information variety of AP and HP course out to all of its freshman People of Color Now, pro- school,” says junior Lucile visit oaklandtech.com/staff/ offerings, Tech students from classes about its advanced nounced ‘spoken’), hopes to Henderson.