Official Student Newspaper of Henry M. Gunn High School

The Oracle

Official Student Newspaper of Henry M. Gunn High School

The Oracle

Official Student Newspaper of Henry M. Gunn High School

The Oracle

News

Public school enrollment declines as students move out of state, opt for other mediums of learning

Public school enrollment declines as students move out of state, opt for other mediums of learning

Chris Lee, Managing Editor May 23, 2022

Since California’s admittance as the 31st state, it has served as a progressive model for public education. Schools became free for all students in 1867, California was one of the first states to pass a compulsory attendance law in 1874 and the Golden State enacted the Class Size Reduction Program...

Food services, admin building construction set for fall

Food services, admin building construction set for fall

Kaitlyn Chen, Lifestyle Editor April 18, 2022

Renovations to the administration building, food service building and K Building are slated to begin this fall in order to better support Gunn’s campus and program needs. According to Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) Facilities and Construction Director Eric Holm, the construction involves...

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill stifles LGBTQ expression

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill stifles LGBTQ expression

April 18, 2022

On March 7, 2022, Florida’s state senate passed the Parental Rights in Education bill, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy groups. On March 28, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law. The law’s most controversial clause is...

Student groups, community display solidarity with Ukraine amid invasion

Student groups, community display solidarity with Ukraine amid invasion

Mia Knezevic, Forum Editor, Photo Editor and Oracle-SEC Liaison April 18, 2022

“Slava! Ukraine!” These shouts, along with “Free Ukraine” and “Honk for Ukraine” echoed across Arastradero on Friday, March 25, accompanied by the sounds of passing cars honking in agreement. The protest, organized and attended by roughly 15 students of the Social Justice Pathway (SJP) and...

Students, staff react cautiously to removal of mask mandate

Students, staff react cautiously to removal of mask mandate

Michelle Koo, News Editor, Graphics Artist April 13, 2022

As of March 12, masks have become optional in schools following an order from Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Feb. 28. Though masks are still strongly recommended by the state government, students and staff are now free to decide whether they would like to continue wearing masks indoors. Social...

PAUSD proposes new mental health programs to support students

PAUSD proposes new mental health programs to support students

Becca Wu, In-Depth Editor April 13, 2022

The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) is proposing new plans to further address mental wellness on campus post-pandemic. As students regain familiarity with being fully on-campus, the district’s wellness staff is working on strengthening its services to best serve students. In the most...

Math tutor arrest sheds light on power imbalance in relationships

Math tutor arrest sheds light on power imbalance in relationships

Annika Bereny, Lifestyle Editor March 8, 2022

This story contains discussion of topics that may be triggering, such as sexual assault and harassment. On Aug. 25, 2020, former math tutor and Palo Alto resident Mark Hodes was arrested by the Palo Alto Police Department after two girls that he had tutored came forward with accounts that he had molested...

Teachers, students adjust to delay in new technology

Teachers, students adjust to delay in new technology

Chris Lee, Managing Editor March 8, 2022

Math teacher Daniel Hahn tries his best to work around the limitations of his broken SMART Board. “My [SMART] board does not write,” he said. “I can’t use the pens, and the projection image is very blurry. I only use one of the lights in my room, along with larger fonts, so that the board is...

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces plan to lift indoor mask mandate in schools on March 12

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces plan to lift indoor mask mandate in schools on March 12

Raphael Semeria, Managing Editor February 28, 2022

On Feb. 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan to loosen the state’s current mask mandates. Unvaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks in most indoor settings starting on March 1. On March 12, the mask mandate in schools and other child care facilities will be lifted for all...

PAUSD combats staff shortages with new initiatives

PAUSD combats staff shortages with new initiatives

Irene Tsen, Managing Editor February 11, 2022

Following the recent Omicron variant surge, the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) has faced a substitute teacher shortage due to increased staff absences. To continue in-person instruction, the district has implemented new measures to address the shortage, including calling for parent volunteers...

PAUSD community adapts COVID-19 protocols to Omicron presence

PAUSD community adapts COVID-19 protocols to Omicron presence

Carly Liao and Amann Mahajan February 11, 2022

This semester, rising case numbers and the recent Omicron variant have forced the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) to adapt rapidly to new challenges, including a surge in district cases that has contributed to student and staff absences. While the Omicron variant has not been found to cause...

Affordable housing scarcity impacts staff commute times

Affordable housing scarcity impacts staff commute times

Chris Lee, Managing Editor December 10, 2021

On a typical weekday, English teacher Kate Zavack begins her morning at 6:00 a.m. at her home in Gilroy, 48 miles away from Gunn. She scrambles to brush her teeth, get dressed, cook lunch and load the car before her son Jude wakes up. By 7:15 a.m., the two are on their way to Jude’s preschool in San...

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