The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/244282
e'd to " ski The Bluffer Volume CXV Issue 8 January 17, 2014 Serving Red Bluff High School since 1901 'The Secret Life of Walter 'Pretty Little Liars' JV Boys Basketball- Page 4 Mitty'- Page 4 -Page 5 sale of the buildings. Rumors of toxic fumes from asbestos in the glues and paints in the buildings were being spread. Worries of poisonous molds hidden inside the ceiling were also growing throughout the campus. Contrary to these rumors, however, there have been no official reportings of these dangers. Other students and faculty take a completely different stance on the change. Some have been disappointed that the familiar buildings are leaving us, and joked about the change that the pain has caused them. Garrett Ward commented "I'll miss the cats," referring to the few that would come by at later hours. "We call it the ruins," said Nicholas Villareal, referring to how he and Mayson Trujillo talk about the empty lots where the modulars use to stand. Despite these students comic approach to the village, most typically seem to have at least some negative response to their removal. Teachers have had a stronger and more negative reaction to the change, likely because they have grown more familiar with the portables. Mrs. Palubeski commented that "I do wish we had the money to maintain them." She went on to add that she had many ideas how the area could be utilized, saying they could have possibly been used as a small food court area, or perhaps a student entertainment room with a few games that could offer students a place to hang out around lunch time. She concluded at the end of this, however, that she realized that our school couldn't realistically afford to keep the costly buildings. Weekend Forecast Friday: High 73° Low 36° Saturday: High 73° Low 32° Sunday: High 72° Low 34° Winter Formal Winter Formal is Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at the Community Center. The theme for this year's Winter Formal is Winter Wonderland and is being put on by Student Government. All charges must be cleared up in the Student Store. The dance contract must also be completed and turned into the Student Store. Tickets will be on sale from Jan. 27-31 and Feb. 3-5. Singles are 12 dollars while couples tickets are 20 dollars. ASB members get two dollars off. Get your tickets as of today! Valentine's Roses Be sure to order some roses from Floral Design for that special someone on Valentine's Day. A single rose is five dollars, half a dozen is 20 and a full dozen is 40. Order forms are in the Student Store, the Main Office, and the library. Order forms are due by Jan. 31. The razing of the Village Grey Grotke A&E Editor As most readers are probably aware, the modulars in the area at the high school commonly known as "The Village" are being hauled off and sold. Many students have been confused about why exactly the buildings were being sold to begin with, and rumors have been circulating around about the specifics. The village was brought to our campus between 1985 and 1986. The foundation they were installed on was only temporary, and expected to only be in service for seven to ten years. The modulars, however, have been used for over 25 years. Over the past decade of those years, the modulars have been costing an increasingly substantial upkeep. The cooling and heating systems required costly maintenance to keep up, and the structural system itself even needed care to even stay operable. In addition to the cost of the buildings going up, the utility and need of them had been going down. The buildings were originally put in as a place for a frosh program. Over the years, however, the frosh program has diminished, and the buildings weren't even necessarily used for the freshmen anymore. The As of Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, the Board made a unanimous decision to terminate Superintendent Lisa Escobar. In regards to her contract, she will be receiving full pay for a total of 12 months without any benefits. " I do wish we had the money to maintain them." -Betsy Palubeski " " I'll miss the cats." -Garrett Ward We call it the ruins." -Nicholas Villereal RBHS redefines Intervention Marissa Chase Editor-in-Chief Administrative Changes past tweleve years have also seen a decline in admission, and thus less need for rooms. Eventually a gas leak brought the issue to the Board of Directors. It was apparent that the modulars were costing more than they were worth to us now, and so they were approved for disposal as surplus property. The portables were put on sale, and have been purchased by two separate buyers, Ben Sale and a Community Church program. The buyers themselves are paying for the removal and transportation of the buildings, so there has been no cost to the District. Many students have been confused about the reason for the As Red Bluff High builds its own Intervention Program, one that encompasses a multitude of preventative measures, strategies, and educative programs, the meaning of Intervention is slowly being redefined as a way to give support to all students in a manner that fits their needs individually. Since the start of this school year, Wendy Drury, currently the Intervention Specialist, has been working alongside teachers and other faculty members conducting research, gathering information, and laying out plans for an Intervention Program that works well for Red Bluff High. "Intervention can be done, but it has to be right for your students and faculty. There are a variety of ideas and there's no exact recipe," commented Drury. Although proposals and ideas are still being discussed, programs like Jump Start and AVID have already been implemented this school year. Jump Start was used as a way to help incoming freshmen become familiarized with the campus, teachers, and other students before the school year started. All of this was designed to assist in the transitioning phase freshmen typically experience. AVID courses are intended to help students who want to do well in advanced classes, but might need extra help. There are a total of two sections available for freshmen right now. " Intervention can be done, but it has to be right for your students and faculty. There are a variety of ideas and there's no exact recipe." -Wendy Drury According to Drury, they are hoping two add two more sections of AVID for sophomores next year; however, nothing can be decided until the master schedule is finalized. She is hoping that the decision of the extra two sections will be settled before the end of this year so more preparation can be made and less stress will be created. Last year Drury found out that she had the two sections of AVID for this school year in July and with very little notice. A total of two presentations have been made concerning an Intervention Program for the high school. One was made at the last board meeting on Dec. 11 and another presentation was made to the entire staff on Jan. 08. According to Drury, the teachers have been very supportive and collaborative, always embracing new ideas that work to fit Red bluff High's specific needs. "We are really trying to look at it in a united approach," said Drury. Although these are just the beginning stages, a lot of plans and changes are being examined. These include how to find the best approach to give support to all students, a better freshmen support system, different bell schedules that would contain Intervention imbedded into them, and many other options to help diversify the Intervention Program and make it useful and applicable for everyone. "We are still in the research stage, and it is exciting because we are finding things that will make our students more successful," stated Drury.