Opinion

BUSD must prioritize bilingual education

In many countries around the world, having two or three languages under your belt by the time you graduate high school is an expectation. According to a European Union study, more than 56 percent of European adults speak a language other than the one of their country of residence.

UC Berkeley academic workers strike for higher wages, benefits

“Our union stands with our members in California as they fight for fairness and an equitable collective bargaining agreement,” said UAW President Ray Curry in a public statement regarding the UC strikes.

Letitia Wright as Shuri in Marvel Studios

​​Wakanda Forever memorializes Boseman, maintains intrigue

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is an impossible sequel. The task of creating a follow-up to 2018’s “Black Panther” — no short of a cultural phenomenon — was already a daunting one.

Most restaurants in Berkeley close before nine p.m.

Berkeley nightlife needs a serious revamp

A night out in the city; perfume in the air and expectations of a fun time. But can a night out even be possible in Berkeley? Most restaurants and attractions in Berkeley close between eight and nine p.m., with the rare exception of ten p.m.

Berkeley Community College on Center st offers a cheaper, simpler alternative for getting a degree.

Stigmatization of community college causes harm to seniors

The paramount concern of being a high school student is what to do after graduation. Students usually have to decide whether to apply to four-year universities and colleges in their senior year.

Assigned seating is a necessary evil in cohesive class settings

All students would prefer to be seated next to a friend, but unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way. Many Berkeley High School  teachers use assigned seating.

Thanksgiving dinner: a time for family, not politics

Steaming mashed potatoes, rich turkey, delicious assortments of green beans, gravy, bread, and… politics? While politics are a fundamental aspect of society it can be necessary to look past conflicting political beliefs when acknowledging an individual.

Lack of substitute teachers burdens BUSD educators

In recent years, Berkeley High School has grappled with a severe substitute shortage, which began during the pandemic. BHS students are no strangers to being greeted by vacant classrooms with no substitute available.  Becoming a substitute requires a four-year college degree, a California Basic Educational Skills Test pass certificate, and the patience to handle students’

Class discussions must remain impartial

​​It’s no surprise that both the City of Berkeley and Berkeley High School students are very left-leaning when it comes to politics. In the last presidential election, 79.83 percent of Berkeley voted democratically.

Can BHS afford to have sick students coming to school?

Waking up in the morning with a sniffle or a cough used to not be that big of a deal. You would take a couple DayQuil and head to school. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, showing up to school a little sick was pretty normal.

Students show their spirit by dressing in costume.

Why Halloween is truly for the imaginative

Every year on October 31, around Berkeley and throughout the country, excitement and elation fill the air. The day is like no other, magical in every way.

Homecoming tropical theme enables cultural appropriation

For Berkeley High School’s upcoming Tropical Homecoming Dance, it’s clear where the cultural appropriation crosses the line and where it doesn’t.

Young voters play a crucial role in elections.

National voting age at 16 is imperative for this generation

In the 2020 presidential election, only 51.4% of citizens ages 18 to 24 voted. Young people have the lowest voting turnout of any age group and this means that our beliefs aren’t being adequately represented in the government of this country.

UC top nine percent letters cause division 

Sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat, and a terrible dark haze that doesn’t let any rational thoughts through. Everyone’s been there, feeling scared of the future.

BHS must initiate the end to local gun violence now

In the early morning on October 8, Berkeley was shaken by another shooting near the University of California, Berkeley, leaving one person dead and three people wounded.

Teachers receive limited grants for classroom supplies

Teachers at BHS cannot afford to provide classroom supplies

Teachers’ wages have been an ongoing issue across the United States, and in Berkeley, many argue that people playing such a central part in our community deserve to be paid more fairly.

Academic competition provides students with a necessary push

As many of us can attest to, high school students put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed. The future is a daunting idea to entertain, and feeling the need to be perfect in school doesn’t help with this stress.

Auden Svoboda, Caelen Fry, Hazel Fosket-Hydes, and Konani Chinn work on a group project.

Group work, in practice, serves as sexist self-fufilling prophecy

“It’s convenient,” Stella Wellborn, a senior at Berkeley High School, said when describing group projects. Group projects are a tool for teachers to grade less and teach less.