Letter to the Editor
A note from the Editor in ChiefThe Jacket would like to apologize for the lack of context provided in the original article, as well as the unnecessary harm caused, in particular to the AMPS community.
Berkeley Copwatch Investigates Possible BPD Arrest Quota
In November of 2022, recently fired Berkeley Police Department officer Corey Shedoudy leaked a series of texts from the BPD Bike Task Force. These texts included officers joking about a hypothetical disease that could wipe out the homeless population in Berkeley and alluded to a possible arrest quota that had been established within the
50 fire alarms a year: What do the Berkeley firefighters think?
Fire alarms are a notorious part of Berkeley High School, bringing fire trucks blaring to the scene each time. According to Interim Deputy Fire Chief Keith May, BHS averages 50 fire alarm calls to the Berkeley Fire Department each year.
Students prioritize fun over feuds in yearly game of assassin
From thrilling stakeouts to well-planned time bombs, this year’s game of assassin at Berkeley High School was filled with many exciting moments, according to the game’s administrator, who chose to remain anonymous.
Volunteer association keeps Berkeley's trails well-maintained
The Berkeley Path Wanderers Association was founded in 1998 by Ruth Armstrong, Patricia DeVito, Jacque Ensign and Eleanor Hall Gibson, according to John Ford, BPWA’s walk coordinator.
Teachers personalize content, adapt to changing AP guidelines
As education science evolves and curricula shift, even Advanced Placement classes and their exams change. Redesigns of AP classes happen on a scale imperceptible to students, but for teachers who have to teach the same thing every year, a development in the College Board’s philosophy can shake up their classroom.
‘Dance is life’: Ms. Shorty moves to new job
Since the age of 23, Ms. Shorty has been working in the African Diaspora dance program. When the previous leader, Naomi Washington, retired in 2019, Ms.
Destination, Berkeley High
May 19, 2023Students commute to school in all different ways. For today’s episode, we spoke with students about how getting to school can sometimes be frustrating or relaxing, eventful or mundane. Whatever the case, the destination is always the same– the crowded, diverse, spirited halls of Berkeley High.
This episode was produced and edited by Miriam Reichenberg. Interviews were conducted by Zazie Duchene.
Opinion
Born a Leader
Me? A leader? My past self could only laugh at the very suggestion of that title being assigned to me. As a quiet kid, taking on leadership roles was so foreign to me– as if that title were reserved only for those who were loud, authoritative, or just incredibly confident.
Internalized colorism: Leaving deep marks in Asian communities
Colorism in Asian communities dates back to 710 A.D. when it was used to separate the elite from the working class. Over the centuries it has allowed for the preferential treatment of light skinned individuals in relation to their darker skinned counterparts.
COVID-19 Data
The Jacket is tracking district-reported pandemic data at Berkeley High and throughout BUSD.
More Data
Investigative
Letters of rec process overloads teachers
“Out of all the 50 letters of recommendation that I wrote, I was happy to write all 50, and I think that each student deserved a great letter of recommendation,” said Erin Smith, a Berkeley High School Biology and Integrated Science teacher, “(but) at the same time it’s a ton of extra work that I
Mental health is an isolating subject”: BHS student survey on mental health diagnoses, struggles, resources
“Mental health is an isolating subject,” Berkeley High School junior Kai Lim-Moreno said. “It’s never an easy subject to talk about. There’s such a sigma about,” she explained.
BHS transfer students on the unique qualities of Berkeley High
Every year, students from private middle schools and neighboring school districts face a decision to either continue their education in their current school district or private school, or transfer to a different district that would better fit their needs.
Lack of financial support for maternity leave burdens teachers
“I would have loved to stay home with my newborn child longer than I did, but it was financially impossible,” said Yoshi Salaverry, an English teacher at Berkeley High School.
Entertainment
Artist Spotlight: Kea Morshed
Kea Morshed feels making films has been very therapeutic for him. He describes how, “Because I write most of my films, whether I like it or not, they always represent what was going on in my life at that time in my head.
Controversial Met Gala theme spurs celebrity and fan outcry
On May 1, 2023, the annual Met Gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty. Celebrities from all over the world came to the Gala dressed “In Honor of Karl,” which varied from dress and attire simply inspired by his style to celebrities actually dressed
Writers Guild fed up with low wages and AI
“We must now exert the maximum leverage possible to get a fair contract,” reads the announcement by the Writers Guild of America, regarding the strike that started May 2, approved by over 98 percent of its members.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Volume. 3’ makes a splash in theaters
It’s no secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s recent productions have grappled with controversy. Their latest release, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
Sports
Independent Study allows athletic freedom
“The path that I’m taking right now is the most sure pathway to go play as a professional soccer player,” said Simon Diagana, a Berkeley High School senior who switched into Independent Study to play for the San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer Academy team.
BHS spring sports: Recaps and reviews
As regular seasons wrap up, Berkeley High School spring sports teams prepare for postseason tournaments. The BHS boys’ baseball team finished 2nd place in their league with a record of 18 wins and seven losses.
Excitement builds as BHS explores the possibility of a girls flag football team
Almost every sport at Berkeley High School has a girls and boys team, with the exception of football. However, this could change soon. On February 3, 2023, the State of California approved girls flag football as a new California Interscholastic Federation sport.
Model minority myth in sports: How does this impact Asian student athletes at BHS?
On April 19, the Oakland A’s announced an agreement to purchase land in Las Vegas to build a new ballpark after over 50 years in Oakland. This move comes after decades of tense negotiations between the A’s and the city, with the two sides failing to make progress on a stadium at Oakland’s Howard Terminal.