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Stories |
2019-2020
In Defense of Ethnic Studies in High Schools By Paris Blanco Co-Editor-in-Chief Although ethnic studies has been a part of college curriculum for years, recent Assembly Bill 331 would require ethnic studies as a high school course. According to Northern Arizona University, “Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity, as understood through the perspectives of major underrepresented racial groups in the United States.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀There are a vast number of reasons as to why ethnic studies should be introduced and required in a high school. ⠀⠀⠀⠀First off, students would be given the opportunity to learn not only about themselves, but about their peers and friends. Ethnic studies would allow for students to gain a greater understanding of their own cultures, as well as other unfamiliar cultures. ⠀⠀⠀⠀According to ELA Special Education teacher, Mr. Newman, “The Euro-centric curriculum that is pushed by the district and state frequently fails to address the accomplishments and beauty of cultures outside of the Western European scope, often times focusing specifically on white washed versions of the hardship and oppression faced by Black and African, Indigenous, Latinx, and plethora of Asian cultures in our society.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀Additionally, in light of past and especially more recent issues concerning race, ethnic studies are becoming ever more important. On top of ethnicity, ethnic studies examines the socially constructed categories of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. By receiving an ethnic studies education, students would be given the tools to navigate the present’s social issues through understanding how we got here. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Specifically, this assembly bill would require at a minimum a one-semester course that would be based on an ethnic studies model curriculum that districts could use to fashion their own version. Implementation of the bill would occur during the 2025-26 school year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Last year, the Assembly passed AB 331 with a 63-8 majority. On August 20, the Senate Appropriations Committee, which writes legislation that allocates federal funds to numerous government agencies, approved this bill. Despite the length this bill has gone, on September 30, California Governor, Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill claiming that the latest draft needs revision. The author of the bill, Assemblyman Jose Medina, plans to reintroduce the bill next year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀All in all, ethnic studies is an integral part of early education in order to diversify knowledge and better represent the origins and reality of our nation. PHOTO COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS Taken on March 13, 2019, Assemblyman and AB 331 author Jose Medina presents the bill in the Assembly Education Committee. Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students? By Emma Sharman Co-Editor-in-Chief ⠀⠀⠀⠀In hopes of providing teachers with some online learning assistance in the form of training, the LBUSD has implemented an altered schedule which includes a new concept--asynchronous days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Teachers have had to learn Canvas quickly and lack sufficient time to transfer their lessons online. Furthermore, Ccanvas is brand new to many - if not all - LBUSD teachers, even those who are incredibly well-versed in technology. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Suffice to say, asynchronous days are pretty essential for teachers. I would argue that they are incredibly important, but are currently too inconsistent for students and teachers to really utilize. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Many students and teachers stated that they believe asynchronous days should be implemented on a weekly or monthly basis in order to be truly useful. The consensus seems to be that students and teachers are in need of this time to catch up on work, though the purpose of asynchronous days is fairly subjective. Plenty of students have found the time helpful. ⠀⠀⠀⠀For instance, SEGA Freshman Charles Broughton states, “Yes, I think we should have asynchronous days every week or every other week on a Monday or Friday just to catch up on work...I have really found them useful.” MBA Pathway lead and English Teacher, Ms. Midori Sanchez explained, “I surveyed my classes and overwhelmingly, my students were happy with [asynchronous days].They felt like they had choice, flexibility, and also could get off Zoom for a bit. I think these types of days should be planned more often, but include days for parent conferences or for teachers to have planning time in addition to training.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀This brings me to the important question, if we’re using the day to complete assignments that were created specifically for our asynchronous time is anyone able to use this much-needed opportunity to catch up on work? Are teachers and students really able to complete all necessary tasks? This goes for teachers as well - if they are being made to sacrifice valuable catch-up/planning time to sit through these lengthy training sessions, they aren’t being permitted to take full advantage of the asynchronous days either. It should not be viewed as an inherently bad thing for students and teachers to take a break, especially in the midst of an age where everyone is suffering from the consequences of excessive screen time. \ PHOTO COURTESY OF THEBESTSCHOOLS.ORG
42 Comments
Kate Smith
11/6/2020 09:00:11 am
Dear Editor,
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Samuel Sussman
11/6/2020 12:02:46 pm
Letter to the Editor
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Alexandra funes
11/10/2020 10:42:11 am
This is so right, Our asynchronous days should be time to catch up on any late or missing work.
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Brandon Lam
11/12/2020 10:26:39 am
The articles states that a new bill, Bill 331, could be passed by the Assembly, which would create an ethnic studies course for High Schools. With the main goal of creating a deeper understanding of the lackluster knowledge of the various cultural backgrounds within American "white washed" history, I have a few questions. As brought up in the article about the racial tensions currently conflicting in 2020, is there in connection between this and the creation of the bill itself? I'd also like to question on how implementing a new ethnics course would effect the teaching of our current history class modules and their subsequent development? My last questions is will there be any significant difference in the teaching of ethnic studies in High Schools in that of comparison to a college class? Thank you for bringing up this information.
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Tatiana Rios
11/12/2020 11:28:53 pm
Dear Corydon Editor,
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Erin Aguirre
11/6/2020 09:05:25 am
Dear Corydon Editor,In Issue 2, Emma Sharman wrote an article titled " Asynchronous day" on November 3rd. The article mentions how online distance learning is still a struggle for teachers and students. The article states asynchronous days may be a benefit for both teachers and students. Prior to online learning I never knew what asynchronous days were or zoom. Many students feel there should be more asynchronous days for online learning so kids can catch up with their work. I agree with the article on asynchronous days being more common maybe once or twice a week. I just have a few questions. How would you know students are turning in their work or just skipping school? Will there be a way to check in for attendance? Are teachers going to be active on canvas just in case there is confusion on an assignment and need help? Asynchronous can be helpful but at the same time I feel that it can also be a cheat day for students. Unless there are check ins for attendance or still able to get help it is a great idea but some students may use the day as a day off and it is unfair to the other students.Sincerely, Erin Aguirre Grade 12
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Connor Reece
11/6/2020 09:06:55 am
Dear Editor,
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11/6/2020 09:08:58 am
Dear Corydon Editor,
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Bailey Peterson
11/6/2020 12:24:17 pm
November 6, 2020
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Alyssa Reyes
11/6/2020 12:35:24 pm
november 6, 2020
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Madison Smith
11/6/2020 12:38:03 pm
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Zoe Wohlgezogen
11/6/2020 12:44:19 pm
November 6th, 2020
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Gabriel Amores
11/6/2020 12:49:18 pm
November 6, 2020
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Shea Sanchez
11/6/2020 12:50:11 pm
November 6, 2020
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Faith Jones
11/6/2020 01:11:40 pm
November 6, 2020
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Camily Flores
11/6/2020 04:52:43 pm
Dear Editor,
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Cooper Robinson
11/10/2020 10:26:46 am
November 10, 2020
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Bryant Lopez
11/10/2020 10:29:31 am
November 10, 2020Dear Corydon Editor,In OPINIONS, Issue 2 (published November 3, 2020), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled “In Defence of Ethnic Studies in High Schools.” The article mentions that people should be studying Ethnic studies in high school because Northern Arizona University said, "Ethnic studies is the interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity, as understood through the perspectives of major underrepresented racial groups in the United States.” Some of my concerns are if it's a good idea to put that class into a high school course because not many people in high school know this kind of stuff. Some of my suggestions are that Ethnic Studies should only be in the seniors in high school since it's pretty much a college course. Sincerely,Bryant Lopez, Grade 11
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Danielle Paulson
11/10/2020 10:31:56 am
In Issue 2 / 2020, (Published 11/3/2020) Emma Sharman wrote an article titled “Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students?” The article mentions how asynchronous days were implemented for teachers. Prior to reading this article I was under the impression that these days were put into place mainly for students. I think it is very important that both a teacher and student perspective was provided in the article, because it shows that asynchronous days are valuable for everyone. I think that it would be helpful for readers if you included more in depth information on how teachers/ students feel during asynchronous days compared to zoom school days. Are they more or less stressed? Is it easier or more difficult to complete work? I also think it might be useful to include teachers' opinions on whether the training they are receiving on asynchronous days is actually useful, and can be utilized during zoom classes. I really enjoyed how this article brings awareness to how important asynchronous days are for everyone, and how it makes room for some criticism to make these kinds of days even more useful and effective.
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11/10/2020 10:33:51 am
November 10th, 2020
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Briana Sevilla
11/10/2020 10:35:00 am
November 10, 2020
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julia nunez
11/10/2020 10:37:11 am
October 10, 2020
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Elyanna Lopez
11/10/2020 10:37:19 am
November 10, 2020
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Aeres Orcullo
11/12/2020 10:17:15 am
In Issue 2/2020, (published November 3, 2020), Emma Sharman wrote an article titled “Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students?” First off, the article was really interesting, as a student who absolutely loves Asynchronous Days I was really involved in what the text had to say on this situation. From what I've read, I personally feel the same! Asynchronous days give students, such as myself, a chance to catch up and take a break from all of the screen time that gives people headaches and such. It's useful since we're always so packed with work and the time in-between days can seem so short that we just never finish on time or even give up. I love how you got both student's and teachers' opinions on the matter, yet there are some things I've heard that weren't stated before. I've seen that there have been times where I've heard teachers state how the meetings they go to during Asynchronous Days are useless which isn't beneficial at all. Getting both sides of the story is interesting, on one hand, we have people who seem to like these days, yet on the other, we have people who find it useless. Overall, it's a very mixed topic and the article really helps readers understand this situation, not only by introducing the goods but also questioning the bad in the end. Good work!
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Jason Davison
11/12/2020 10:24:19 am
November 12, 2020
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Dyana Garcia
11/12/2020 10:31:53 am
In Issue 2 (published November 30, 2019), Emma Sharman wrote an article titled “Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students?” The article mentions if more Asynchronous days are better for both teacher and students. I personally would like to agree that more Asynchronous Days would be better. The two times Millikan has had asynchronous days I have had time to finish my unfinished work as well as the ones assigned on the day. With that I also had a break from the many zoom meetings that I have to join everyday. I have the flexibility to wake up and make breakfast then go do class assignments. This would also help my mental health and keep me calm, not have the stress as a usual class day would give. This of course can also help the teacher with catching up with work as well as give them. Asynchronous days can be very valuable for both teachers and students. Especially during this time where everyone in the world is going through a lot. I believe that there are other schools that have already included a weekly asynchronous day. If this was implied to Millikan I believe teachers and students would have less stressful weeks of school.
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mahalia dominguez
11/12/2020 10:49:29 am
November 12, 2020
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Karly Vicente-Barrios
11/12/2020 10:55:55 am
In Issue 2/2020, (Published November 3, 2020) Emma Sharman wrote an article named "Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students?" Throughout the whole article, I have seen that the way the students and teachers perspective is represented is really accurate. I appreciate having to read something relatable and something for me to comprehend from my teachers. I really believed that asynchronous days really contributed to the teachers more than the students but after reading this article I have seen that teachers actually struggle more due to them being in a training session rather than actually using the time to catch-up and plan out lessons. For me, asynchronous days help me catch up on work or assignments that needed to be looked into further or studied harder and it truly benefits me and my way of obtaining the material. I agree that asynchronous days should be every week or at least every other week for us to get time to prepare our minds for what we will come or to just settle down from all the thinking and most likely stressing about schoolwork. Asynchronous days will definitely benefit our physical health because it hurts our eyes when we have too much screen-time or when we have to stay in the same position for long periods of time.
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Alexis Pitts
11/12/2020 11:39:45 am
November 12 2020
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Kennedie Nguyen
11/12/2020 12:25:34 pm
November 12, 2020
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Kate Dillon
11/12/2020 12:27:09 pm
November 12, 2020
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Tara Burks
11/12/2020 12:52:39 pm
November 12, 2020
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Jazmin Martinez
11/12/2020 12:52:55 pm
November 12, 2020
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Sydney Seng
11/12/2020 12:54:08 pm
November 12, 2020
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Emily Winters
11/12/2020 12:58:55 pm
11/12/20Dear Corydon Editor,In issue 2/2020 (Published November 3rd, 2020), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled "In defense of Ethnic Studies in High Schools" that I found very intriguing. Not everyone is well educated when it comes to race and ethnicity which can cause frustration to those who aren't understood. However, I feel like instead of making it a full class, we should make it part of one subject such as history for a month one year like health education for science. It would make it much more beneficial for students with a tight schedule such as me giving them more leeway to have more electives. In the process of making this bill, the schools should update history books to ones that show both sides of history instead of like you said "the white washed version" as it will better educate the students on the situations that occurred throughout history. This bill should be passed not only to California, but hopefully to all the states in the upcoming years as we become a more diversified country. I am completely for this bill and think it will be beneficial not only to the students of Millikan but the future of America. Sincerely,Emily Winters, grade 11
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Oseinou Diagne
11/12/2020 01:02:41 pm
November 12, 2020
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Arian Villanueva
11/12/2020 03:02:54 pm
November 12, 2020
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Natalie Dew
11/16/2020 02:23:43 pm
In Issue 2/2020 (published November 3, 2020), Emma Sharman wrote an article titled “Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students?” Throughout this article she talked about the past asynchronous days that we have had and the effects that they have had on students and teachers. She received input from both a student and from a teacher to gain input on both sides, which was very useful for her argument. They were both in favor of asynchronous days, and I personally agree with their opinions. The two that we have had were extremely useful to me and other students, as I was able to complete projects and regular assignments that I was struggling with finding the time to do. Although I do agree with everything that was stated, I think mentioning the mental health aspect of asynchronous days would've helped prove her point even more. Like she stated, online school is new to all students and teachers, and it has affected the mental health of many students. With this, asynchronous days are very useful because they allow a break. Not only this, but I think it would've been useful to add the effects of being online throughout the entire school day in relation to how it effects our eyes and physical health. Overall, I agree with her article and it's good that she is bringing light to this subject since it hasn't really been talked about, and I agree that asynchronous days should be implemented more.
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Wendy Ochoa
11/16/2020 03:48:51 pm
In Issue 2/20 (published November 3, 2020), Paris Blanco wrote an article titled “In Defense of Ethnic Studies in High Schools”. The article mentions a new bill, Bill 331, that could be passed by the Assembly, creating a mandatory ethnic studies course for High Schools. Creating a deeper understanding of the knowledge of the various cultural backgrounds within American "white washed" and eurocentric history. As a high school student who has taken this course, I agree with each reason stated. Regular history and curriculum taught in high school are focused solely on European and US perspectives and narratives. There is a rich history in the memoir of people of color which is often minimized and not wholly discussed during class. Due to the lack of acknowledgment, people of color are robbed of inventions like the cotton gin or the light bulb. Ethnic studies offers representation for all students. Because of this class, I know more about my Mexican-American roots and is the cause of my interest in majoring in Latinx Studies. It would be a good idea to enrich a diverse education. The truth is white supremacy is getting worse and students of color are getting discriminated against because there was no education on other ethnicities living in the United States. I am in favor of this class being taught to high school students.
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Moses Gutierrez
11/16/2020 04:19:28 pm
November 16 , 2020
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Sheccid Soto
11/17/2020 08:25:32 am
Dear Corydon Editor,In issue 2/2020 (published November,3,20) Emma Sharman wrote an article called ''Asynchronous Days Are They a Healthy Option For Students?'' This article is about how teachers and students are in need of time to catch up on work and how asynchronous days have been very helpful to them. Asynchronous days has given students the choice to hop on zoom or to work independently. I personally like asynchronous days better, simply the fact that you can work at your own pace with no cameras on and no pressure. I like that you brought up how asynchronous days shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing and that we all deserve a break. Also when you said ''especially in the midst of an age where everyone is suffering from the consequences of excessive screen time'', you made a pretty good point! When you mentioned the SAGA freshmen student's opinion and the teacher's class comments it really backed up the article even more and it was very useful to know that others have the same opinion as me when it comes down to keeping asynchronous days. Prior to this article I have a few questions, if asynchronous days do stay will there be any time for us to actually catch up on our work? Since we are assigned to do work for that day. What will happen if asynchronous days don't stay? How will the district provide some kind of break for teachers and students who spend hours staring at a screen? How will the students maintain a motivated mindset if they keep getting piled up work with no breaks? Thank you for bringing this topic up.
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