NewsDances over the decades: Prom used to be as cheap as $4
Dances over the decades: Prom used to be as cheap as $4$4 might not seem like a lot, but when used wisely, it can go a long way. Go back 45 years to 1965. Junior-Senior Prom bids were only $4. The theme? A Knight in May. Besides the huge increase in cost to around $90, today's junior and senior proms are held separately, unlike years ago. English electives idea on hold due to budget deficit
English electives idea on hold due to budget deficitAs a result of the district's budget woes, the English department has decided to temporarily postpone the idea of adding an elective-based curriculum at the junior and senior levels. The reason is that the department is still not sure of how many of its current 13 teachers will have jobs next year or the year after to in order to take on this challenge. Contest seeks to find 'Olympic level' young chemists
Contest seeks to find 'Olympic level' young chemistsWhich technique can be used to determine the number of components in a plant pigment? This question from the 2009 Chemistry Olympiad Local Exam is something students may face in this year's local test, held on March 16. The 60 question, multiple choice exam is sponsored by the American Chemical Society and 20-25 Saratoga High students vie for two spots to compete locally. 'Molar Mass' reigns supreme in chemistry teacher's mole contest
'Molar Mass' reigns supreme in chemistry teacher's mole contestOver February break, a week typically devoted to family outings, junior Will Tang spent time with his mother a little more unconventionally. "In the span of two hours, my mom turned me into a professional seamstress," said Tang. "I learned how to use a sewing machine and now I'm really good at it." No, Tang was not preparing for a stint as a fashion designer or anything of the sort. In fact, he and his mother were sewing together a mole to compete in chemistry teacher Kathy Nakamatsu's annual contest. Thieves hit athletics department
Thieves hit athletics departmentThe athletic department was hit by theft when equipment was stolen from the team room and a locked storage closet over the past few weeks. The stolen equipment included medicine balls from the weight room, lacrosse goalie equipment, lacrosse practice jerseys and a bag of lacrosse balls according to athletic director Peter Jordan. OpinionGap year a great alternative to starting college
Gap year a great alternative to starting collegeAs seniors end their last year of high school, what comes ahead is the next big step: college. Students leave for a new place, somewhere with no one they've known for the past 18 years. It's a serious transition that determines your future, but what if you're not ready? Fortunately, high school graduates do not all have to take that path. For those who aren't ready for college, there is something called the gap year, a 12-month break before making the transition to college. More and more students are choosing to wait a year before college, and it's no surprise why. Laptops in schools: Study aid or spy tool?
Laptops in schools: Study aid or spy tool?They're in many students' bedrooms. They hide under piles of clothes, sit atop desks, lie in between blankets on beds. No one suspects a thing. That's how the students of Harrington High School in Ardmore, Penn., viewed the school-issues laptops they received freshmen year. That is, until they discovered the school can remotely access the webcams installed in the MacBooks and see what the student is doing. Staff editorial: Restrictions on viewing graded tests undermine learning
Staff editorial: Restrictions on viewing graded tests undermine learningn the interest of reusing test questions in the future, some teachers do not allow students to look their graded tests. As much as this decision benefits these teachers, who are often swamped with tests, homework and projects to grade, it undermines a key component of a good education: self-learning and reflection. Recent Prop 8 debate pointless
Recent Prop 8 debate pointlessRecently, Prop 8 has once again been cast in the limelight. With all the controversy surrounding its passing, it is hardly surprising that the proposition is under debate again. However, what is different this time is that lawyers Theodore Olson and David Boies have joined the fight to overturn the decision. But even their legal might isn't enough to make their case right, or for that matter, necessary. Fast track application give colleges the upperhand
Fast track application give colleges the upperhandNo application fee, no essay, no letters of recommendation and a decision within three weeks—fast track applications, also known as "snap applications," seem like a breeze. In fact, with such lax requirements, they are a breeze. A growing number of colleges and universities have begun to send out these fast-track apps, hoping to entice essay-weary seniors to their school; however, students are should fill out these applications with a grain of salt. Photo gallery Students, parents and teachers ate soup and bought student-created bowls during the Souper Bowl on Feb. 10. The event raised money for teacher Leah Aguayo's ceramics program. Personal columns There seems to be a trend among the YouTube community of people starting their own daily video blogs, or "vlogs" for short. These intriguing videos are snapshots of many popular YouTube stars' lives, which create a vortex that I've been trapped in. Falcon in print February 26, 2010: In this issue: Recent cafeteria improvements, possible class size increases for the next school year, activities in the newly added MAP electives, alumnus Andrew Suciu who is working with the King of Bhutan to build a structure of education in the nation, coverage of the annual Mexico trip, the controversy of driving other students without having one's license for a year, interesting facts about Saratoga High's history, students adjusting to not only a new high school but also an entirely new nation and culture, the growth and development of alumnus singer Vienna Teng's career and CCS sports coverage.
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Spotlight: Senior Patrick Lee dips into comic book worldSuperman, Batman and Spiderman. Many people have grown up with these comic book action characters as their heroes. But for senior Patrick Lee, these characters served as more than heroes. They were inspiration. Lee has been drawing comics for nine years and talked to The Falcon about his hobby.
Also in the Spotlight:  Choir joins Lynbrook to perform Schubert's Mass in GMore than 250 singers from the Lynbrook and Saratoga High choirs joined together in harmony on Feb. 24 in the McAfee Center. The two choirs performed a few songs separately, then finished together with Franz Schubert's "Mass in G", accompanied by Lynbrook's Chamber Orchestra.  CCS run for girls' soccer ends in quarterfinalsThe girls' soccer team had one goal for this season: to improve from last year. Not only has the team accomplished this goal, but they have exceeded it by making it all the way to the CCS quarterfinals. Saratoga, ranked lowest in CCS, lost a close quarterfinal game to No. 1 ranked Scotts Valley on Feb. 27. The teams tied 0-0 in regulation play, and the score remained tied throughout overtime. The game went to penalty kicks, and since Scotts Valley scored all five of its penalty kicks, one more than Saratoga, they moved on the semi-finals.  Community, school discusses budget issues at meetingsAs the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) continues to find ways to alleviate the worst budget crisis in its history, many teachers are beginning to worry about an increase in class sizes or the possibility of getting pink slipped. Features"Words with friends" takes Scrabble on the go
"Words with friends" takes Scrabble on the goQi. A Chinese word meaning the vital force inherent in all things, and for many, not a word used in everyday vocabulary. But for junior Kathryn Nobles, this word has been proven vital in her numerous games of "Words with Friends." "Words with Friends" is a popular game on the iPhone that follows the same rule set as "Scrabble," but repackaged for the iPhone's app system. The game allows iPhone owners to challenge friends to a "Scrabble" match, while also having a chat box to talk to friends while playing. To recycle or throw away? Students don't always know what to do
To recycle or throw away? Students don't always know what to doFreshman Francheska Palmer hesitated, holding the remains of her lunch above the two bins. Recycle or trash? For a second, her hand wavered back and forth between the two before tossing her plastic pasta container into the recycling bin. This short moment of uncertainty happened subconsciously, but it is an example of how most students are puzzled when it comes to what items are recyclable. Looking at the trash bins in the quad, about half of the garbage belongs in the recycle bin next to it and half of the recycling should be in the trash. True Life: I am an author
True Life: I am an author“Time is like the waves on the shore, slipping away quickly, only leaving the memory of sound and shadow in our hearts. They used to make our life colorful, but now they’re only forever remembered.” And so ends the English translation of the first story in the Chinese anthology, The Story of Walking. Filled with wise messages and meaningful life stories, The Story of Walking seems to be a book from ancient China, written by a notable philosopher. Actually, it was written by a teenager. ESL teacher connects with students
ESL teacher connects with studentsTonio Galoic raises his hand, confused about the English words he has never learned that stare back at him. Teacher Sara Tseng walks over and spends time with Galoic, helping him to comprehend what he is reading. Galoic is a foreign exchange student from Croatia who is learning English and one of 15 students taking Tseng's English Language Development class, or ELD. The class focuses on developing students' English reading, speaking and writing skills. Too many 'Lost Symbols' for one reporter
Too many 'Lost Symbols' for one reporterStarting with "Angels and Demons" and going on to pen the best-selling "Da Vinci Code", author Dan Brown has made a name for himself writing smart thrillers involving fictional college professor Robert Langdon. Brown a lot of hopes riding on his latest installment in the Langdon series, "The Lost Symbol", which came out last September. SportsGirls' soccer: Season ends in CCS quarterfinals
Girls' soccer: Season ends in CCS quarterfinalsThe girls' soccer team had one goal for this season: to improve from last year. Not only has the team accomplished this goal, but they have exceeded it by making it all the way to the CCS quarterfinals. Saratoga, ranked lowest in CCS, lost a close quarterfinal game to No. 1 ranked Scotts Valley on Feb. 27. The teams tied 0-0 in regulation play, and the score remained tied throughout overtime. The game went to penalty kicks, and since Scotts Valley scored all five of its penalty kicks, one more than Saratoga, they moved on the semi-finals. Boys' soccer: Falcons shutout in CCS in quarterfinals
Boys' soccer: Falcons shutout in CCS in quarterfinalsAfter winning the El Camino league and advancing to the quarterfinals in CCS playoffs after a bye in the first round, the Falcons' season came to an end on Feb. 27 in a 5-0 loss to Sacred Heart. The Falcons (13-7-1) kept up with Sacred Heart (13-7-3) early in the game, trailing their opponents 1-0 through the first half, but fell during the second half when Sacred Heart scored four goals to increase their lead to 5-0. Wrestling: Mediocre season ends with disappointing CCS
Wrestling: Mediocre season ends with disappointing CCSThe wrestling season seemed to be taking a turn for the better as the team headed into its CCS meet on Feb. 19 and 20 at Independence High. Team captain Allan Yen hoped to compete after recovering from a severe foot injury that kept him out of the majority of this season's meets. In addition, sophomores Alfred Murabito and Nick Marshall and freshman Zach Hansen, all ranked in the top ten for their respective weight classes, were predicted to place top ten at CCS. Boys' basketball: Inconsistency overshadows road victory
Boys' basketball: Inconsistency overshadows road victoryWith just under 30 seconds remaining in a crucial league matchup, raucous chants of "T-I-N-O! T-I-N-O!" echoed about the Cupertino High gymnasium on Jan. 29. But moments later, the only noise was the sound of Pioneer fans filing out the door in disappointment, as the visiting Falcons boys' basketball team managed a last-second victory against host Cupertino. Boys' basketball: CCS hopes rim out
Boys' basketball: CCS hopes rim outYou win some, you lose some. No one understands this more than the boys' basketball team, which saw its hopes of a CCS berth fade away in the waning seconds of a Feb. 12 game against rival Lynbrook Vikings. Entering the crucial game with a 4-6 record, the Falcons had hopes of defeating a Lynbrook team they had obliterated 61-38 on Dec. 18 and edged 76-61 more recently on Jan. 22. Saratoga High TVFinals Schedule Saratoga High TV
Posted on 2/11/2010 4:20 PM by by Talia Sisco and Nicole Shadman |
