Teachers of the Sweetwater Union High School District still have no contract

SEA vs. SUHSD - Part II
by Elma Gonzalez

Last Monday, August 17, SUHSD teachers surrounded the district office in protest against the district's "last, best, final" offer. Holding up "Respect Our Contract" signs, teachers united in chant to be heard. The rally, which lasted over an hour, included the presence of SEA President, Alex Anguiano who gave an encouraging speech to fellow union members to continue to resist the district's "unacceptable demands." During his speech, Anguiano condemned the district's policy when dealing with various issues in the contract, and its lack of communication when choosing the new schedule. He also expressed the union's disapproval of the imposed 30:1 student:teacher ratio. Before the rally was over, at about 5:15pm, the teachers were allowed to march through the district office.

Among the many factors delaying the process, there is one that seems to be most worrying for educators: the staffing ratio. Teachers assert it is not just two more students per class; increasing the amount of students by any quantity changes the quality of education received by the students. According to John Nascimiento from Hilltop High, teachers in other states are appalled when hearing of our student-teacher ratios . SUHSD is one of the only districts facing this problem. Although it is unfair to burden the teachers with larger classes, the district is facing fiscal challenges that leave it no other choice. Our principal, Dr. Maria Armstrong, believes the economic crisis to be the main cause of all this chaos. "We are

living in unprecedented, tough times, and everyone is under a lot of pressure." She adds,"...the 80's was the last time things were this tight."

Many believe the 'salary' to be the principal issue in the new contract. However, according to Anguiano, "Teachers have tried to compromise by settling with a 0% increase in their salary." He accuses the district of simply being "mean-spirited" and unwilling to compromise.

During his speech, Alex Anguiano discussed the two-tier retirement system proposed by the district, in which new teachers will not be able to enjoy health benefits after they retire. "Instead they will have to wait until they are 65 and Medicare kicks in...", affirms Rod Reagan, a teacher at SOM. But many teachers retire around this age anyway, so how does the district benefit from doing this? "It doesn't!", explains Anguiano, "There is no benefit in doing this."

There are some who put all the blame on the Superintendent, Dr. Jesus M. Gandara. "He has no sense of commitment to this community," argues Mr. Nascimiento of Hilltop High,"he doesn't even own a home here in San Diego." Several insist Gandara's "lack of leadership" has been the district's downfall. All the same, some assert that we can't put all the blame on one person. As stated by Dr. Armstrong, it is at these times of crisis that people try to "point the finger at someone" and that usually ends up being the person at the top.

Although it may not seem so, all this affects the students at our school. "It is like a 'domino effect'," explains Dr. Armstrong. Nonetheless, she," [feels] lucky to have a staff that continues to work professionally" and puts district matters aside when it comes time to teach. Overall, she is sure both parties will eventually come to an agreement with the best intentions for the students.

Anime Club Is So Not Otaku!

Anime Club Is So Not Just Otaku!
by Robert Garcia

Anime Club, is one of the very venerable clubs at Southwest High School. Not only are they the first club to be asked to join in on something school related, but the staff at Southwest High School all respect the members. The Club is run by Ms.Gutierrez in room 409, and the presidents are Lara Colson, and Robert Garcia. Now other students around the school think of Anime Club as where all the weird "Otakus" hang out. Otakus are people who admire the shows and characters a lot. We are Otakus, but we are also very friendly: we welcome anyone through our door and we have always been kind to the new members. Anime Club does a lot more than just watch videos every day during lunch: you can expect us at the football games and doing school community service and hanging out together enjoying each other's company. Anime club is filled with individuals who have talent in drawing and voice acting as well as video animation. The members in the Anime Club may be seen as "weird" but the staff, and the other members are well-rounded individuals. So stop by the Anime Club room to enjoy some anime and some good laughs! I can tell you this: if you stay you will find yourself wanting more!

The Station on Youtube

The Station brings comedy to Youtube

By Robert Garcia


Recently major video bloggers of Youtube have banded together to create a comedy channel and to do something different. Shane Dawson states "We are tired of the same stuff on Youtube and so The Station brings that new thing to Youtube where we can entertain our fans". The Station is not for kids under than age for 13, The Station has mature language and some innapropriate videos. But it is for comedy. The major video bloggers that are in this new Youtube channel are Sxephil, Shaycarl, Lisanova, Shanedawson, KassemG, Whataday Derek, Hi Im Rawn, Dave Days, and The Bdonski. Special guests include the current number one-ranked 'Youtuber', Nigahiga, as well as iJustine , TotallySketch, and What The Buck! If you like comedy and have a few minutes of your time it's recommended that you go watch this and laugh to your heart's content. Remember the video blog has mature language and sometimes has innapropriate scenes and is not reccomended for the viewers under 13.

Learning center: a school within a school

Learning Center splits from SOH
by Elma Gonzalez


This year there have been many changes to our school, from the new schedule to the soon to be brand new 'Senior Building'. However, there has been one change that many are not aware of: the conversion of the learning center to an 'Independent Studies High School'. Yes, the learning center will cease to be part of SOH, to become its own school; a campus within a campus.

"All SUHSD high schools are doing this," claims Maria Santana, the 'Independent Studies' coordinator. Every Learning Center in the district and even some in other districts have made this change. Yet, the overall structure of the program will not be undergoing any changes. It will remain as an accelerated credit recovery program, in which students with difficult, personal situations will be able to finish their high school education without attending a common high school. "They come two hours a day and receive 30 hours of homework per week," explains Ms. Santana.

Many believe that the 'learning center' -or independent studies high- is only for students who struggle with maintaining good grades. However, this isn't the case; it was actually created as an option for students who aren't able to keep up with the normal, high school schedule due to personal problems or situations at home. In fact, it was designed to motivate those students to continue their education and go to college afterward. While being part of this program, students have their own counselor and enjoy a 1:1 student-teacher ratio.

Overall, Independent Studies High has many things to offer to its students. Although it is an option offered to all students, it is up to the principal and school counselor to decide whether or not the student should enter this program. So, don't think you can just go, sign up, and start going to school two hours a day; it takes extraordinary circumstances to be able to do so. For those in such circumstances, an agreement has to be reached between all parties -including the student's parents. Despite the fact this is a great program, our principal, Dr. Armstrong says she would rather "keep the students at SOH" so that they can graduate with their class.

Band Insider

Former CPH band member helps out SOH
by Jasmine Straw

One of our band's coaches, Michael Estes, tells Raiders Digest what makes him tick. Okay, not really... But he does tell us what he thought at first and how he feels about this year's band.

RD: Why'd you decide to help Mrs. Clark with coaching our school instead of helping out with a band that's much closer to your heart?

MRE: I decided to help Mrs. Clark Because I had told her that I would help her with whatever band she worked with, and there is no longer another band close to my heart, because the band I marched with is no longer the same band.

RD: I understand that you at first didn't want to help us out, what made you change your mind?

MRE: You have to understand the reason I did not want to originally work with the band was because I had been determined to bring Mrs. Clark back to my old school, but once I met all the students, and saw all the determination that they had, I noticed that there is no chance I would want to work for another school.

RD:How has it been helping this school's band so far?

MRE: I love working with the band here! It' amazing how much everyone has learned, and the band is almost 6 times as big as when we started this year.

RD: What are your expectations for this band and their color guard?

MRE: If the band and color guard stay on the path they are on now, there is nothing that will stop them from winning whatever they decide to compete for. The one thing that decides if a band wins or loses in its members dedication and how much they want to win.

RD: Do you think this year would be difficult, knowing our past reputation?

MRE: This year will go by a lot easier then most people think as long as their idea of the band "sucking" disappears. The members all have faith in themselves, as well as the group they are in to push themselves to a higher level.

RD:What do you think of the field show choice and theme?

MRE: The field show theme this year fits the changing attitude that we feel will happen within the band, as well as the school. Titling our show as "A New Hope", is embodies the very faith that we have in the band and how we feel we are giving a chance for them to reach their potential.

RD: What things in your past give you the experience needed to coach a band?

MRE: My musical experience includes playing clarinet for 6 years now, and being in marching band for 5. I've also done many honor bands, including taking one of the 40 spots in the national honor band, beating out hundreds of other applicants. I've also had experience teaching from tutoring other students in music while I was in high school.

Water alert

Put a lid on it (Part 2)
by Martin Zazueta

Hello again my fellow Raiders! As I stated in my previous article on water conservation, we are facing a water shortage, and as of June 1, 2009 San Diego has been on a Level 2 drought warning.

The way Level 1 differs from Level 2 in that Level 1 suggest optional water saving tips, whereas Level 2 sets in place mandatory rules on water conservation. One of these rules states that you can only water your lawn or yard on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays if your address ends on an even number and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays if your address ends with an odd number (for those of you old enough, does this remind you of energy crisis in the 1970's with the long gas lines?).

Although such rules may seem unfair and controlling we must first think outside of just our own homes. So as to think with a sense of community so we can make the best out of this growing predicament. We must all do our part to cap the problem before it gets to Level 3 or Level 4.

So always remember:

"If you like it then you should put a lid on it"

Size Matters

You know what they say about big classes: no desks
by Omar Arce


As school budget decreases class size increases. This inverse relationship seems to be another dogma in school administration. And the 9 billion budget cut in California is not helping either. As many other schools throughout California, SOH has closed down classes: as many as 7. The students from this classes have been transferred to other classes making classes more crowded.

Teachers do not agree in the expansion class sizes. "It's very difficult to pay attention to everyone," states Ms. Vargas, a social science teacher at SOH. She has encountered many problems from "...not having enough seats..." to "...students not being able to pay attention." After all, teachers are the ones in charge of the education of students. That is why they should be heard. But the only problem is the budget. The only problem is the budget.

There can be many other ways to solve this problem. Instead of building new classrooms, keeping teachers to teach those students that have been moved incessantly. If admistrators want test scores to rise, then the only possible way to do it is to make class sizes smaller.