Features

From crowds of hundreds to dozens: The reality of activist burnout at BHS

This last month alone, many Berkeley High School students attended one or both of two protests: the No to Coal, Yes to Life climate strike in Oakland and a reproductive rights walkout organized by the Reproductive Justice Club.

BUSD School Board

School board candidates call for change in Berkeley schools

Norma Harrison is arguing for non-traditional school structures. Specifically, she is against separating kids by age or subject matter. She feels the current Berkeley Unified School District system is too focused on helping corporations.

Walter Mitchell: The M gate’s friendly face

Berkeley High School Safety Officer Walter Mitchell, has served BHS for over two decades, and has been involved in the Berkeley Unified School District community his entire life.

Micaela Bedolla Garcia and her older sister, Paola, find that they approach BHS Spanish classes differently.

A cultural connection: Learning Spanish

Though raised in the same Spanish speaking household, Micaela and Paola Bedolla Garcia have different relationships with the language. Paola Bedolla Garcia, a senior in Berkeley International High School, grew up speaking Spanish and took part in the Two Way Immersion program at Longfellow Middle School.

People Protesting

Shift in Ethnic Studies teaching better represents Latinx culture

“People of all colors together united to fight for this department in San Francisco State and UC Berkeley, and later in high school,” said Menaka Gentle, Ethnic Studies teacher for Hive 6 of the Universial Ninth Grade.

Francisco sells fruit on the corner of Milvia Street and Channing Way from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday

"I'm always here:" Q&A at the fruit stand

Francisco has been selling fruit on Milvia and Channing to the Berkeley High School community for the past year. In an interview with the Jacket, he answered questions on his experience running the fruit stand.

Traditional school drawbacks highlighted in transfers to BIS

“Of all the bad things that COVID shed the light on in our education system, the one good thing there are kids out there that can thrive in an alternative learning environment,” said Tamara Mays, mother of students in Berkeley Independent Studies.

Title 9 coordinator

Title IX office boasts new plans to better address ongoing BHS student concerns

Berkeley High School’s Title IX office has been host to a myriad of controversies spanning the past few years. Largely due to near constant staff turnover, a complex reporting process, and general lack of support for students that need its assistance, Berkeley Unified School District has faced student concerns, and is making a conscious effort

Members of the Girls Who Lift Club meet

New BHS clubs: Cultivating contemporary student discussions

Period Education Club Empty vending machines and outdated period products are just some of the obstacles people with periods face at Berkeley High School.

The Logo of the Redwood Literary Magazine

BHS literary magazines reignite creativity through writing

The Redwood Literary and The Foundress, both student-made magazines at Berkeley High School, are starting up again this new school year. The Foundress is a BHS class, and publishes regularly on their website, and distributes hard copy editions at the end of the school year.

Erika Pistoni has replaced Mary Jacobs in the CCC

‘Eager and ready’: CCC brings on new staff and student support

Erika Pistoni  Pistoni is the admin assistant in the College and Career Center this year, a job filled by Mary Jacobs for many years prior.  “I book the appointments with the college representatives, manage their meetings with students, in person or online,” Pistoni said.

After 40 Years, The Solano Stroll Continues Its Legacy of Supporting Local Businesses

After three years of pandemic-based hiatus, the Solano Stroll returned to the Bay Area on Sunday, September 11, bringing with it a day of entertainment and business.  “The Stroll started off as a sidewalk sale,” said Robert Abrams, a potter and one of the volunteer board members for the Solano Avenue Association.

A student rushing to the tardy office

Is the new tardy policy beneficial or detrimental  to attendance?

On August 15, the first day of school at Berkeley High School, students arriving late to school were greeted with a surprise — all but one of the entry gates were locked at 10:01 a.m.

BHS

Chiefs of publicity trio work to maintain video bulletin legacy

“Look at him, look at Bowie the cat,” said BHS senior Valerie Le, as she pointed to a picture of a cat splayed out on a couch during the August 24 video bulletin.

An illustration of a person with 4 arms, holding various objects inlcuding a notebook and dirty dishes

Balancing jobs and school strains students

In the fourth grade, Tyler Blue, now a senior at Berkeley High School, got his first job, and he’s been working ever since.  “With my family circumstances, I’ve been doing any and everything to make a quick dollar,” Blue said.  “My job was stuff on the street … I did

Shattuck Cinemas in Downtown Berkeley

Efforts to increase housing pushes out downtown businesses

Twenty years ago, six movie theaters were within easy reach of downtown Berkeley-goers. With the closing of Shattuck Cinemas in late May, Regal UA, on the same street, is the last one remaining, and the 90-year-old Art Deco building is soon to leave as well.

Margaux Vuillequez

Word On The Street: What are your predictions for this school year?

For junior Margaux Vuillequez, summer break brought a lot of positivity. “Personally, I feel very ready [for the school year]. Last year it really went downhill for me and I was behind on a lot of my classes … This summer really refreshed me … ” When asked about the students as a whole, Vuillequez

Students are forced to continually check Infinite Campus for schedule updates as school is starting.

Receiving schedules late has detrimental effect on BHS students

At a school as big as Berkeley High School, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. With thousands of students, hundreds of class choices, and a wide array of classrooms, the task of preparing for a new year on campus can be highly stressful.