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November 29, 2011
Harley Litzelman, Angely Guevara
Teachers at Washington have been opening up their political views on the recent Occupy protests sweeping the nation. These protests have broken the generation and class barrier, as people from all ages and walks of life assemble into Occupy Oakland.
Occupy Oakland’s proximity to Washington is not simply geographic. Art teacher Todd Elkin and history teacher Eric Shawn went to Occupy Oakland on the first day of protest in Oakland. The driving force surrounding the Occupy movement can be applied to the classroom.
“That connection that, you know, we’re not in these individual little slots, and everything is just fitting right here. It’s all connected and we need a dialogue to show that connection, but if we don’t open that up and open our spaces then there’s no dialogue. There is no conversation,” Shawn said.
“I think that this movement against the 1% represents high school students and funding cuts in the classroom.” “Speak Out Now” representative Christopher Klapper said.
This comes after the most recent California budget which eliminated the California Post-secondary Education Commission and threatens to cut between $600 million and $1.9 billion from schools depending on revenue collection.
Protesters find a common enemy in the top 1% of income earners, seeking to represent the other 99% against “a system that has always been run in the interests of the banks and corporations, that always throws people’s lives into chaos,” a handout from publicity organization “Speak Out Now” said. “Speak Out Now” was stationed at Oscar Grant Plaza, the protesters’ name for Frank Ogawa Plaza, in front of Oakland City Hall.
Before the Nov. 14 forced evacuation of Oscar Grant Plaza, the community had no central authority to designate jobs and duties, but rather relied on the democratic adoption of roles necessary to the community’s operation. These roles are decided at general assembly’s held every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and everyone is allowed to participate. Donations and free services funded the settlement’s resources, including kitchen equipment, extra clothes, yoga, and clean up. There was a library in the center of the plaza with a simple policy of borrow and return, no checkout necessary. Numerous guitarists, singers, and hand drummers perform for passersby.
Police have since evacuated Oscar Grant Plaza due to safety and health concerns, and the alleged connection between the protests and a Nov. 10 fatal shooting near the City Hall encampments.
“The risks are too great for having an encampment out there. It’s time for the encampment to end.” Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said.
Despite this, determined protesters are planning to either settle in surrounding areas like Snow Park or to retake their lost land.
Occupy Oakland is a highly dynamic event that has captivated the interest, support, and criticism of both locals and onlookers from around the globe. Teachers are finding their voice on the matter, in both concern for their profession and as a statement of their rights as citizens of the United States.
This article originally appeared in the print edition on November 29, 2011.
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March 30, 2010
Nicole Pham
Those dissatisfied with the school system can leave early by taking the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE), but few Washington students know about it.
Most students drop out, complete independent study or attend an alternative school, such as Robertson. Some students learn about the CHSPE through word of mouth, but the school has not communicated this option to all juniors and seniors.
According to state law, high school principals are required to distribute an announcement explaining the CHSPE to each student in grades 11 and 12. The superintendent is responsible for informing the principals.
Students who pass CHSPE earn the legal equivalent of a high school diploma by obtaining a Certificate of Proficiency, even without the required units for graduation. Those interested must be between 16 and 18 years old. The exam includes math and English language arts sections. Taking and passing CHSPE, however, does not necessarily require a student to leave high school.
“I believe students should be made aware of this option by school staff,” superintendent Milt Werner said, in an e-mail.
Principal Linda Fernandez relies on career technician Michelene Wittmer and school counselors Carol Brahmst, Britny Stewart and Carrie Merfeld to relay information about CHSPE to students.
In her eight years as a counselor, Stewart knows of two students who took the test.
“For most people, it’s not the alternative they want to take,” Stewart said. “They don’t want a full exit.”
English teacher Teri Hu prepared “How Would You Like to Finish High School Early?,” a presentation about CHSPE, at a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) meeting Dec. 7.
“It is not up to counselors, teachers or administrators to determine if a student would possibly want to take CHSPE,” Hu said.
“At most, maybe a dozen or so kids will take it, but that will be a dozen kids who would otherwise be miserable in high school.”
The test is administered three times a year: March, June and November. Though the March 21 test date passed, those interested can apply for the June 19 test by May 21.
The fee is $92 for regular registration, $120 for late registration and $145 for special registration. Results are mailed July 23.
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June 26, 2009
Washington’s 450 graduates of the Class of 2009 received diplomas on June 19.
Photo by Paolo Bonaccorsi
