by S.V., 7th grade
You might know that we are building a school right next door. Well, we were fooled. It turns out that it is another place to put all the other extra people that get detention and AP. It is heard that all teachers and staff members are giving out too many detentions and their students are failing their classes. The whole school is getting detentions, except for six students and everyone is in AP, except for eight students. So if you are applying to the “new school,” well, think about it because you will be in prison the rest of your life.
We should have known when we found out the new school will be named CPPA - Centennial Prison Preparatory Academy.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Mr. Heartbreaker
by L.O., 7th grade
Students! Are you curious to the reason WHY the following teachers are gone: Ms. Nenedal, Ms. Sosa, Ms. McMichael, Ms. Seelig, Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Galan?
Well you gotta swear not to tell him! It’s because Mr. Zapata broke their hearts so bad, they couldn’t stand being on the same campus. Maybe that’s why he’s always smiling. My inside source was anonymous. They told me, “Mr. Zapata has always been the insatiable type. If he’s been with someone for over a week, he needs someone new.” (In case you’re wondering, last year Mr. Zapata was in and out of the school for interviews – this is how Ms. Galan, his first victim, developed a crush).
I wanted to hit Mr. Zapata up for a quick interview but I got “no comment.” (Yeah right) I tried to track some of the teachers down to hear their side of the story. I went to each teacher’s home; just at the mention of his name they slammed the door in my face! I later found out that it was Mr. Zapata asking out one teacher to get another teacher jealous! And it just went on and on and on! Is this maybe why Ms. Chai left? Naah! But we just gotta keep an eye on him!
Students! Are you curious to the reason WHY the following teachers are gone: Ms. Nenedal, Ms. Sosa, Ms. McMichael, Ms. Seelig, Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Galan?
Well you gotta swear not to tell him! It’s because Mr. Zapata broke their hearts so bad, they couldn’t stand being on the same campus. Maybe that’s why he’s always smiling. My inside source was anonymous. They told me, “Mr. Zapata has always been the insatiable type. If he’s been with someone for over a week, he needs someone new.” (In case you’re wondering, last year Mr. Zapata was in and out of the school for interviews – this is how Ms. Galan, his first victim, developed a crush).
I wanted to hit Mr. Zapata up for a quick interview but I got “no comment.” (Yeah right) I tried to track some of the teachers down to hear their side of the story. I went to each teacher’s home; just at the mention of his name they slammed the door in my face! I later found out that it was Mr. Zapata asking out one teacher to get another teacher jealous! And it just went on and on and on! Is this maybe why Ms. Chai left? Naah! But we just gotta keep an eye on him!
Ms. Chai is back!
by S.V., 7th grade
Where has Ms. Chai has been all these horrible weeks?
We heard the rumors wrong all along. Some students said that the parents had gotten Ms. Chai fired and she was no longer coming back. Others said that she had gotten tired of our school because no one was behaving bad anymore around her and she needed new students to punish. Another rumor was that she is a very nice, family-oriented woman.
The facts, according to Mr. Seigel, are that Ms. Chai has been at Rita, an Aspire elementary school here in HP, as acting principal. The real principal at Rita was having her first baby so Ms. Chai decided to go help out.
Mr. Seigel was telling lies! Ms. Garcia, our principal, has told me the real true story.
It turns out that the school ran out of money and could not pay Ms. Chai any longer. Mr. Seigel and Mr. Zapata, because they were jealous that Ms. Chai was being paid more than they were, decided to steal her money and use it on the security system.
So in the end Ms. Chai came back to CCPA because she decided that this is her home. Somehow the school found $16,000 to cover Ms. Chai’s return. All students are overjoyed that Ms. Chai is finally back!
Where has Ms. Chai has been all these horrible weeks?
We heard the rumors wrong all along. Some students said that the parents had gotten Ms. Chai fired and she was no longer coming back. Others said that she had gotten tired of our school because no one was behaving bad anymore around her and she needed new students to punish. Another rumor was that she is a very nice, family-oriented woman.
The facts, according to Mr. Seigel, are that Ms. Chai has been at Rita, an Aspire elementary school here in HP, as acting principal. The real principal at Rita was having her first baby so Ms. Chai decided to go help out.
Mr. Seigel was telling lies! Ms. Garcia, our principal, has told me the real true story.
It turns out that the school ran out of money and could not pay Ms. Chai any longer. Mr. Seigel and Mr. Zapata, because they were jealous that Ms. Chai was being paid more than they were, decided to steal her money and use it on the security system.
So in the end Ms. Chai came back to CCPA because she decided that this is her home. Somehow the school found $16,000 to cover Ms. Chai’s return. All students are overjoyed that Ms. Chai is finally back!
Security Camera Update - now in bathrooms!
by L.H., 8th grade
Even if you haven’t read the first article about them, you MUST have seen or heard about the cameras. They’re in the hallways, outside, and in the quad for Pete’s sake!
And now, they’re available in the bathrooms.
I’m not counting on it, but maybe, just maybe, you remember that Mr. Seigel and Mr. Chavez said there are eight VISIBLE cameras and eight HIDDEN cameras. Well, they’re only hidden if you don’t look too closely. And one place most people here wouldn’t look is the bathrooms.
That’s right.
Somehow Centennial staff suspected that attacks and graffiti in the bathroom would recur so they attached cameras to the walls.
This information does not bother me in the least. I don’t use the school bathrooms at all. But those of you who do—you better think about how much you REALLY want to use them.
Obviously if you’re going to tag up the toilets or the walls, we’ll have your face recorded and they willl WATCH the tape until all suspicion has been dispelled.
Just like the normal cameras, these ALSO can be viewed at the homes of staff members who need to monitor it!
Again, I agree with their reasoning.
Have fun next time nature calls!
Even if you haven’t read the first article about them, you MUST have seen or heard about the cameras. They’re in the hallways, outside, and in the quad for Pete’s sake!
And now, they’re available in the bathrooms.
I’m not counting on it, but maybe, just maybe, you remember that Mr. Seigel and Mr. Chavez said there are eight VISIBLE cameras and eight HIDDEN cameras. Well, they’re only hidden if you don’t look too closely. And one place most people here wouldn’t look is the bathrooms.
That’s right.
Somehow Centennial staff suspected that attacks and graffiti in the bathroom would recur so they attached cameras to the walls.
This information does not bother me in the least. I don’t use the school bathrooms at all. But those of you who do—you better think about how much you REALLY want to use them.
Obviously if you’re going to tag up the toilets or the walls, we’ll have your face recorded and they willl WATCH the tape until all suspicion has been dispelled.
Just like the normal cameras, these ALSO can be viewed at the homes of staff members who need to monitor it!
Again, I agree with their reasoning.
Have fun next time nature calls!
Rudy vs. Laura
Dear Laura,
I cannot keep up this charade any longer. Though the last episode of Rudy vs. Laura was a big hit with the wider student populace (many of whom, as you know, relish our flair for the dramatic), continuing to improvise hostility towards you has become, shall we say, an impossible affair.
They say there is a fine line between hatred and passion, between annoyance and enchantment, and between animosity and affection. But now, after knowing you for nearly three years, I can be honest and admit that if even the finest of lines existed between me and you, it would still be too thick.
I have no need for a thesaurus any longer. For me, the word “Laura” will forever be synonymous with all things positive, but most especially “love.”
My affection for you, until now having been clothed in biting sarcasm and whole-hearted attempts at double entendres, is revealed to the world. Will you accept it?
Yours always,
Rudy
Dearest Rudy,
You’ve been on my mind ever since we looked into each other’s eyes and decided what to do with each other. I am at a loss for words with any actual purpose in them – this sentence is merely a method of stalling while my brain tries to catch up to this unmistaken phenomena.
Really, I’m totally flabbergasted that you could draw up enough courage from your purportedly abyssal heart and confess on such a public medium!
And now, finally, I have fully comprehended your proposal, to which I can only say,
GET OFF MY PLANET!! NOW!!!
Love,
Laura.
I cannot keep up this charade any longer. Though the last episode of Rudy vs. Laura was a big hit with the wider student populace (many of whom, as you know, relish our flair for the dramatic), continuing to improvise hostility towards you has become, shall we say, an impossible affair.
They say there is a fine line between hatred and passion, between annoyance and enchantment, and between animosity and affection. But now, after knowing you for nearly three years, I can be honest and admit that if even the finest of lines existed between me and you, it would still be too thick.
I have no need for a thesaurus any longer. For me, the word “Laura” will forever be synonymous with all things positive, but most especially “love.”
My affection for you, until now having been clothed in biting sarcasm and whole-hearted attempts at double entendres, is revealed to the world. Will you accept it?
Yours always,
Rudy
Dearest Rudy,
You’ve been on my mind ever since we looked into each other’s eyes and decided what to do with each other. I am at a loss for words with any actual purpose in them – this sentence is merely a method of stalling while my brain tries to catch up to this unmistaken phenomena.
Really, I’m totally flabbergasted that you could draw up enough courage from your purportedly abyssal heart and confess on such a public medium!
And now, finally, I have fully comprehended your proposal, to which I can only say,
GET OFF MY PLANET!! NOW!!!
Love,
Laura.
T.I. and Lady Gaga to play at end-of-year dance
Great news for you dancers out there! International superstars T.I. and Lady Gaga have agreed to come to CCPA to play live at the end-of-the-year dance. The fee is approximately $15,000. No one at the ASB could be reached to explain where this money came from.
Lady Gaga, whose current hit is “Poker Face,” explained that she got her name as a very young child. “I know I had that name since I was in diapers, but I honestly can’t figure out why,” the expressionless crooner said. “I can’t wait to work with T.I. and find what his initials stand for…Terribly Interesting, Total Imbecile… IDK,” she giggled.
T.I., which stands for Clifford Joseph Harris, his real name, has a big hit called “Dead and Gone.” Mr. I. gushed, “I am looking forward to meeting the students at CCPA and rockin’ their world. I heard they can really dance!”
T. was “MySpaced” by class president Evelyn Perez and, shockingly, he wrote back. At first he asked her out, but once he realized that she was a middle school student he offered to play the dance in exchange for not calling the police.
Miss Perez called to arrange the concert, and tried to say “We’ve already got a gym,” but she was so tongue-tied it came out “Aradey got…got...”
“Sure, I’ll get Lady Gaga,” replied a confused Mr. I.
The dance will be Friday, June 12th, at Leonardo’s Night Club (la Boom). Tickets are available for $2 with school I.D. and $3 without and a $123 handling charge at Ticketmaster.com.
Lady Gaga, whose current hit is “Poker Face,” explained that she got her name as a very young child. “I know I had that name since I was in diapers, but I honestly can’t figure out why,” the expressionless crooner said. “I can’t wait to work with T.I. and find what his initials stand for…Terribly Interesting, Total Imbecile… IDK,” she giggled.
T.I., which stands for Clifford Joseph Harris, his real name, has a big hit called “Dead and Gone.” Mr. I. gushed, “I am looking forward to meeting the students at CCPA and rockin’ their world. I heard they can really dance!”
T. was “MySpaced” by class president Evelyn Perez and, shockingly, he wrote back. At first he asked her out, but once he realized that she was a middle school student he offered to play the dance in exchange for not calling the police.
Miss Perez called to arrange the concert, and tried to say “We’ve already got a gym,” but she was so tongue-tied it came out “Aradey got…got...”
“Sure, I’ll get Lady Gaga,” replied a confused Mr. I.
The dance will be Friday, June 12th, at Leonardo’s Night Club (la Boom). Tickets are available for $2 with school I.D. and $3 without and a $123 handling charge at Ticketmaster.com.
Phoenix basketball returns to Ashes
by A.T., 6th grade
This was a great year of improvement for the CCPA Phoenix basketball teams. Not only did both teams win more games than they did last season, but even the losses were much closer. Unfortunately this will be the last season for basketball at the school. Not enough fans are coming to the games.
“I don’t know what happened,” lamented Head Coach Kirsten Grimm. “Nobody comes to the games anymore.” Grimm is clearly reminiscing about last season when every single game was packed with fans.
Ashes asked the fan who came to the last game what brought him to the game. “I’m just waiting for my mom to come pick me up. I didn’t have anything else to do,” he said.
“We tried offering a better product and even reducing the price, but students don’t seem to care – where is everyone?” sobbed Assistant Coach Keith Drucker.
This was a great year of improvement for the CCPA Phoenix basketball teams. Not only did both teams win more games than they did last season, but even the losses were much closer. Unfortunately this will be the last season for basketball at the school. Not enough fans are coming to the games.
“I don’t know what happened,” lamented Head Coach Kirsten Grimm. “Nobody comes to the games anymore.” Grimm is clearly reminiscing about last season when every single game was packed with fans.
Ashes asked the fan who came to the last game what brought him to the game. “I’m just waiting for my mom to come pick me up. I didn’t have anything else to do,” he said.
“We tried offering a better product and even reducing the price, but students don’t seem to care – where is everyone?” sobbed Assistant Coach Keith Drucker.
Due to parent demand, Centennial closing
by L.T., 6th grade
Centennial is now just three years old, but parents have had enough. CCPA will be closing next year at the request of parents.
“The parent community has spoken,” said Aspire CEO Dan Shively, “and spoken and spoken.”
The decision to close Centennial did not come suddenly as decision makers have mulled the school’s fate for the last several months. Concerned about the education of their sons and daughters, parents have continued to voice complaints about detentions and school lunches.
Trouble began early. The year started poorly for Centennial when the school only improved a disappointing seventy eight points on last year’s CST. The final nail in the coffin was Centennial winning an EPIC award, given to only twenty one schools in the entire United States whose students show outstanding growth.
“This school is the best school in Huntington Park. Our children are learning more than ever. It is a safe, rigorous learning environment,” exclaimed Claudia Dorovich, a seventh grade parent, at a recent meeting, “so, obviously, it needs to close NOW!”
Parents cited the quality of food and the shoe policy as the major reasons for closing the school.
“As parents, we need to focus on what will really help our kids and prepare them for the future,” stated Melisa Samayoa, parent of 8th grader Dylan Sanchez. “My son can’t wear whatever shoes he wants, so I’m changing him to Gage.”
Centennial is now just three years old, but parents have had enough. CCPA will be closing next year at the request of parents.
“The parent community has spoken,” said Aspire CEO Dan Shively, “and spoken and spoken.”
The decision to close Centennial did not come suddenly as decision makers have mulled the school’s fate for the last several months. Concerned about the education of their sons and daughters, parents have continued to voice complaints about detentions and school lunches.
Trouble began early. The year started poorly for Centennial when the school only improved a disappointing seventy eight points on last year’s CST. The final nail in the coffin was Centennial winning an EPIC award, given to only twenty one schools in the entire United States whose students show outstanding growth.
“This school is the best school in Huntington Park. Our children are learning more than ever. It is a safe, rigorous learning environment,” exclaimed Claudia Dorovich, a seventh grade parent, at a recent meeting, “so, obviously, it needs to close NOW!”
Parents cited the quality of food and the shoe policy as the major reasons for closing the school.
“As parents, we need to focus on what will really help our kids and prepare them for the future,” stated Melisa Samayoa, parent of 8th grader Dylan Sanchez. “My son can’t wear whatever shoes he wants, so I’m changing him to Gage.”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Life on the Outside - by D.M.
Students should really be thankful for what they have in CCPA, because here in Montebello Intermediate School (MOI), there are fights almost every day. Cops come at all school days and hours, sometimes even the teachers and students "get down". Many parents get into fights with the teachers, deans, principles, and counselors!! Can you believe all the drama!?
The teachers don't really care about the students. If you don't turn in an assignment, for them it’s just one less paper to grade. The only sports in school are only the ones in P.E and sometimes we don't even do any sports and we just sit and take notes.
We have three programs in the school. They are ICES, Avid, and Project Safety Net. I don't really know what the First two stand for, but Avid is a program, more of a class really, that "helps" you for high school but you just do your homework there and the tutors just text on their phones!! ICES, is the only after school program that the school has, and I don't really know what they do there because I'm not in that program.
Project Safety Net, is a "rehabilitation" program for the drug addicts. I put rehabilitation in quotes, because most of my friends are druggies and they are in that program but they aren't receiving any help. They still do drugs!!
In this school, there is no money at all for books, computers, field trips, dances or anything else really. We had dances every Friday with a D.J named Charles, and it was awesome. The thing is that now there is no money for the school to continue doing that. There are only 3 computers in each class, and we have to pay for the field trips out our own pockets.
I really miss that school, because everyone gets a laptop, there are many. many more activities, and things we can participate in. There are many worse things that will just get me tired of writing here.
The teachers don't really care about the students. If you don't turn in an assignment, for them it’s just one less paper to grade. The only sports in school are only the ones in P.E and sometimes we don't even do any sports and we just sit and take notes.
We have three programs in the school. They are ICES, Avid, and Project Safety Net. I don't really know what the First two stand for, but Avid is a program, more of a class really, that "helps" you for high school but you just do your homework there and the tutors just text on their phones!! ICES, is the only after school program that the school has, and I don't really know what they do there because I'm not in that program.
Project Safety Net, is a "rehabilitation" program for the drug addicts. I put rehabilitation in quotes, because most of my friends are druggies and they are in that program but they aren't receiving any help. They still do drugs!!
In this school, there is no money at all for books, computers, field trips, dances or anything else really. We had dances every Friday with a D.J named Charles, and it was awesome. The thing is that now there is no money for the school to continue doing that. There are only 3 computers in each class, and we have to pay for the field trips out our own pockets.
I really miss that school, because everyone gets a laptop, there are many. many more activities, and things we can participate in. There are many worse things that will just get me tired of writing here.
ASB's Economic Crisis by E.G.
Many students in our school have been saying, “Our school dances never have enough decorations!” Which leads my brain to thinking, well then, WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE ASB MONEY?!?!
Students last year raised about $15,000 through fundraisers and all the events that ASB made. But now all we have is around $400. And it was all from YOU, the students that went to the dances, sold chocolates, and went to the basketball games. We raised about $8,855.36 through chocolate sales alone. So what happened to all the money?
I have been doing some research of my own on who is responsible for “losing” the money that could be used for our dances. I asked last year’s office manager, Ms. Isabel Fernandez. Last year she was responsible for handling the money. The first question I asked her was, “What was your role with ASB funds last year?” She responded, “I was responsible for contacting the home office and getting instructions from the Aspire policies on how to deposit the money. I was also responsible for receiving, counting, and depositing. Also I was to keep records of the money raised or received from a donor and by the clubs or activities.”
So then I asked Ms. Fernandez, “Do you know anything about the missing ASB funds?” Ms. Fernandez answered, “I don’t know anything. I have given all the copies of the raised or collected money to the administrators. However, the money from the general bank account was moved to another account by the home office.”
That is all I have so far but keep on waiting for the next issue of Ashes because this is only the beginning.
Students last year raised about $15,000 through fundraisers and all the events that ASB made. But now all we have is around $400. And it was all from YOU, the students that went to the dances, sold chocolates, and went to the basketball games. We raised about $8,855.36 through chocolate sales alone. So what happened to all the money?
I have been doing some research of my own on who is responsible for “losing” the money that could be used for our dances. I asked last year’s office manager, Ms. Isabel Fernandez. Last year she was responsible for handling the money. The first question I asked her was, “What was your role with ASB funds last year?” She responded, “I was responsible for contacting the home office and getting instructions from the Aspire policies on how to deposit the money. I was also responsible for receiving, counting, and depositing. Also I was to keep records of the money raised or received from a donor and by the clubs or activities.”
So then I asked Ms. Fernandez, “Do you know anything about the missing ASB funds?” Ms. Fernandez answered, “I don’t know anything. I have given all the copies of the raised or collected money to the administrators. However, the money from the general bank account was moved to another account by the home office.”
That is all I have so far but keep on waiting for the next issue of Ashes because this is only the beginning.
We're Being Spied Upon! by S.V.
As you might know, CCPA now has cameras. We went and interviewed Mr. Chavez and Mr. Seigel.
We asked them, “How much did the cameras cost?” Mr. Chavez and Mr. Seigel responded by this, “It was very expensive and worth it.”
We also asked, “How many cameras are there in total?” They both responded, “Eight cameras can be seen, but there are at least sixteen cameras in total.”
Another question that we asked was, “How are the cameras being used?” They responded, “The cameras are recording at all times. We can check them at our home to keep our students safe and to prevent graffiti.”
Our final question was, “Who came up with the idea?” They answered, “Mr. Sanchez and myself came up with the idea. Mr. Zapata, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Chai, and Ms. Garcia discussed the idea and thought it was an excellent idea and approved it.”
Try to find all sixteen cameras. This really does not feel comfortable.
We asked them, “How much did the cameras cost?” Mr. Chavez and Mr. Seigel responded by this, “It was very expensive and worth it.”
We also asked, “How many cameras are there in total?” They both responded, “Eight cameras can be seen, but there are at least sixteen cameras in total.”
Another question that we asked was, “How are the cameras being used?” They responded, “The cameras are recording at all times. We can check them at our home to keep our students safe and to prevent graffiti.”
Our final question was, “Who came up with the idea?” They answered, “Mr. Sanchez and myself came up with the idea. Mr. Zapata, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Chai, and Ms. Garcia discussed the idea and thought it was an excellent idea and approved it.”
Try to find all sixteen cameras. This really does not feel comfortable.
Friday, February 20, 2009
First Online Issue!
First Issue
This school year's second issue of Ashes came out today. What did you think? Add your comments!
Articles will be posted soon.
This school year's second issue of Ashes came out today. What did you think? Add your comments!
Articles will be posted soon.
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