The Poly Optimist John H. Francis Polytechnic High School Vol. X 12431 Roscoe blvd. sun valley, california, 91352 June 2008 School Receives Six Year Term By Karinina Cruz and Maciel Luna Staff Writer The results from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) are in. Poly is fully accredited. The WASC committee members were pleased to present Poly a six year term of accreditation with a mid term review. “We earned it and we demonstrated what a strong school we are and that we offer many academic, Photo by Ivan Verdin athletic, and extra curricular WALK, DON’T WALK: Poly teachers walked out on Friday June 6, 2008 to protest the proposed budget cuts in education. Teach- activities,” said Poly ers signed in an hour late to show their disapproval of the estimated $4.8 billion in education cuts. Assistant Principal Jay Kirschner. “We know the committee was impressed with us because we truly Teachers Take Action are an impressive school.” The WASC committee By Christian Banuelos and The protest at Poly was Schwarzenegger is asking school counselors and came to Poly for a four-day Julissa Delgado part of a coordinated UTLA for $4.8 billion in education coordinators also marched Staff Writers visit on April 4th to evaluate effort by the union president cuts to reduce the state’s and carried signs, cheered the school’s overall status. A majority of Poly A.J. Duffy to have LAUSD deficit. LAUSD’s share of on by the horns of passing The visiting committee teachers marched in front teachers demonstrate their the cuts is estimated at $353 cars and trucks. was impressed with Poly’s of the school Friday disapproval of the cuts by million. The Los Angeles Times action plan, which included morning instead of teaching signing in an hour late. “We wanted to be heard reported that 36,000 teachers the school’s strong points first period to protest the “At some schools, 100% not only in the school participated in Friday’s “job and the areas that need to education budget cuts of teachers participated,” district, but in the governor’s action,” but UTLA’s Duffy be improved. ordered by Governor said UTLA area chair Linda office,” said Gordon. said 40,000 of LAUSD’s “The Commission Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gordon. Poly’s off-track teachers, [Walk Out on Page 4 ] is confident that your continuing efforts to [ WASC on Page 2 ] Jesus Florian, 1990-2008 Poly Suffers Tragic Lossdent, “Jesus was a polite and By Jocelyn Portales respectful young man. He was Staff Writer the type of student that wanted to turn his life around by turn- ing around his grades. I took Photo by Tatiana Tejada Jesus “Jesse” Florian was it pretty hard. He wanted to shot to death at a house party IN CHARGE: Devon Rich- graduate and do the best he at 12: 20 am on Saturday, May could in class.” ter (above) and AP Ari Bennet 31st, a block from the Poly were responsible for making Sgt. Benjamin Trask and Lt. campus. Joe Bale of the Los Angeles sure Poly was prepared for the Mr. Arhanian, an English Photo provided by Synthia Molina WASC visit. teacher said of his former stu- [ Florian on Page 3 ] PASSED AWAY: 17 year old Poly senior Jesus Florian. 2 Opinions The Poly Optimist Election 2008 Dilemna Gun Rights By Optimist Staff over the country. Although many agree that the set require- Continues ments are not enough, however, no more re- The right for a person to own a gun has been strictions can be made in order to prevent peo- knowledge that the path under barrage of attacks as a result of increas- ple from buying guns. By Julissa Delgado ing school shootings and gang related firearm Staff Writer will be a little easier next The truth is that nobody can stop a person incidents, many involving death. time.” without a criminal record from buying a gun This November many The critical question is: who has the right This election is an and start killing people. seniors will have the to own a gun? The Second Amendment of The only answer is to prevent the general inspiration for young opportunity to change the the United States constitution prohibits the in- public altogether from owning a gun (for ex- women everywhere of future direction of this fringement of “the right of the people to bear cluding only a part of the population would be every race proving that arms,” which means that the government can- country in one of the most unconstitutional), so that no gun violence can anything is possible with not do anything to stop anyone from purchas- significant elections to occur. strength and determination. ing and owning guns. date. Gun rights protection activists may claim Clinton accepted defeat What is the qualification to own a gun? There that firearms are needed for self-defense and The first African- with grace pledging full is a list of things, but the bottom line is that any security, but guns would not be necessary for American democratic support to her one time U.S. citizen over the age of 18 (for rifles) or 21 self-protection in a society where nobody else nominee Senator Barack (for handguns) are able to own a gun as long as opponent Barack Obama, has guns. Obama, is running against they don’t have a criminal record, is not under went on to speak of bringing The people who should have rights to own Republican John McCain the influence of drugs, and was not dishonor- hope of unity within the guns should be the authorities, and even though the oldest candidate to run ably discharged from the Armed Forces. it is true that there is a possibility of abuse of party and an opportunity for presidential office. Although some believe that the requirements those in power, it is better than giving guns to for the Democrats to take The decision may be are enough, it apparently seems to be lacking in the majority of the population for them to use the White House in January some way, for gang members have practically tough especially to those on their whim as opposed to giving them to the 2008. limitless access to guns as well as minors all strong followers of former few and qualified government officials. Clinton pledged to do candidate Senator Hillary what was best for the party, Clinton. Senator Clinton is “I thought it was fantastic “I’m really proud of all showing strength after her [ WASC from Page 1 ] the first woman to run for that we received our six the effort everyone at school defeat. office of President. year accreditation,” said put forth during the WASC The Democratic Party improve the school will Clinton said, “Although Poly English teacher Cheryl visit,” said Richter. faces a difficult situation be reinforced by prompt we weren’t able to shatter Kehrmeyer. “It showed the According to the in unifying the party after attention to the critical areas that highest, hardest glass faculty and students’ hard Commission members, a tumultuous 16 month for follow up within the ceiling this time, thanks work.” Poly’s mid-term review long primary season as the action plan,” said WASC to you, it’s got about 18 Math teacher Devon must be completed by the support of many voters was Commission Chair Thomas million cracks in it, and the Richter, along with Assistant end of the third year of the divided between Senator Beecher. light is shining through like Principal Ari Bennett, was six-year term. Clinton and Senator Poly’s hard work and never before, filling us all in charge of making Poly Poly’s six-year term of Obama. efforts proved to the WASC with the hope and the sure committee that Poly is prepared for the committee accreditation will expire on th indeed a model school. visit and was pleased with June 30 2014. The Optimist the results. John H. Francis Polytechnic High School 12431 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA, 91352 www.polyhigh.org New Phone Law by Raymond Carillo Senior Editor and Editor-in-Chief Fernando Marquez Editorial Layout Editor Policy Jason Castro The Optimist is Assistant Editor the voice of the Poly Jocelyn Portales community and ac- Sports Editor cepts the respon- Daniel Jimenez sibilities of a free Photographers press. The Optimist Efrain Rodriguez follows the Code of Michael Obando Ethics for the Soci- Tatiana Tejada ety of Professional Ivan Verdin Journalists. Editori- Sports Writer als are the opinions Armando Figueroa of the staff writers. Staff Writers: Letters Christian Banuelos, Ga- Letters to the Edi- briela Burciaga, Karinina tor must be typed or Cruz, Daisy De La Cruz, neatly printed in ink Flor De La Cruz, Ju- and include the writ- lissa Delgado, Su Kang, er’s signature. The Maciel Luna, Bayzig Optimist reserves Manougian,Jackie Pena, the right to edit sub- Michael Park, Jocelyn missions. Send let- Portales, Mario Solano ters to Rm.11 or Ms. Optimist Adviser Matlen’s box. Ethel Matlen The Poly Optimist Entertainment 3 Jones is Back Internet Photo HEAVY METAL: Robert Downey Jr. dons the Iron Man suit. I AM IRON MAN By Mario Solano have the audience laughing Staff Writer while others remain intense and suspenseful. Paramount “They say the best weapon pictures did an exellent job is one you never have to fire. on the Iron Man suit with Internet Photo I prefer the weapon you only computer generated imaging need to fire once. That’s how (CGI). “Iron Man” appeared to STILL IN ACTION: Indiana Jones is brought back after a 19 year wait to star in the all new dad did it, that’s how America be realistic.