The Oracle

Sources of Strength program helps extend ROCK

The Oracle • November 2, 2011

Gunn is expanding the student initiated peer-counseling program on campus, ROCK (Reach Out, Care, Know), with the implementation of Sources of Strength, a nationwide program created by professors and doctors from the University of Rochester and Stanford University. It not only encourages student peer support, as ROCK does, but goes a step further by promoting student-teacher relationships as well. Working closely alongside ROCK, Sources of Strength’s main goal is to supply the necessary tools to prevent suicide, violence and substance abuse.

Morning practices beneficial but problematic with late start

The Oracle • October 21, 2011

The Oracle debates the pros and cons of morning practices.

Fashion trends to keep, throw out this season

The Oracle • October 21, 2011

To help you avoid fashion-induced headaches, here’s a quick list of trends to keep and throw out.

New teachers: Alec MacLean

The Oracle • October 17, 2011

New chemistry teacher Alec MacLean hasn’t always been a teacher. In fact, for 30 years, he was a semiconductor engineer and safety consultant at companies such as National Semiconductor, Applied Materials and Du-All Safety.

Calling all witches and wizards to Pottermore

The Oracle • October 15, 2011

Potterheads unite! “What’s a Potterhead?” you ask? We’re people who waited for their Hogwarts acceptance letter, would try out for their school Quidditch team, would gladly choose OWLS or NEWT exams over the SAT, or have secretly re-assigned their high school teachers as Hogwarts professors. And we’ve been waiting for access to Pottermore since the day J.K. Rowling announced its release.

October Centerfold: Solving global issues

The Oracle • October 15, 2011

The Oracle staffers and teachers create their own solutions to a global problem of their choice.

Gunn unconcerned about drop in API

The Oracle • October 3, 2011

On Sept. 22, the California Department of Education released the Academic Performance Index (API) report for the 2010-2011 school year. Gunn scored 909 points, nine points less than the previous year. Despite the drop, Gunn still ranks in the top 10th percentile of California high schools.

Pro: Glitzy award shows offer question: are they worth it?

The Oracle • October 3, 2011

You know it’s award season when the red carpets are rolled out, people are glued to their televisions on a Sunday night and your Yahoo! newsfeed is packed with stories about who is wearing what. But what is this attraction to award shows such as the Emmys, the Grammys and the Academy Awards? But why are they so great? Are they worth the exorbitant costs?

Senior helps Ultimate Frisbee team win nationals

The Oracle • October 3, 2011

Before 2009, Ultimate Frisbee was nothing more than a game played in Physical Education classes. That year, Gunn formed its own Ultimate Frisbee team and placed second at the USA Ultimate State High School Championship. It was at this competition where senior Monisha White discovered her club team, the Bay Area Happy Cows, with whom she would go on to win two consecutive national titles.

Counselor makes edible creations for family and friends

The Oracle • October 3, 2011

Guidance counselor Monica Espinosa is well on her way to learning professional cake decorating. Espinosa discovered her love of cake decorating two years ago, after attending a class at Michaels, an arts and crafts retail store, with her two sisters. “My sisters thought it would be fun if all three of us took it together,” Espinosa said. But, while her sisters finished two classes, Espinosa went on to complete all four basic-level classes at Michaels and found that cake decorating was a hobby that she really enjoyed.

PAUSD provides Google accounts for all students

The Oracle • October 3, 2011

Starting this year, Gunn is providing all students and administration with Google accounts, which includes access to popular applications such as Google Docs and Sites. “We’re partnering with Google so that within Google, the students of Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) have their own domain, and every student has an account,” Technology Coordinator Lettie Weinmann said. “I expect it’s going to be fairly revolutionary.”

Staff member writes about experience in Vietnam

The Oracle • August 23, 2011

Upon my first arrival to the Baby Orphanage in Tam Ky, Vietnam, I was presented with the sight of dozens of huge beautiful smiles, the kind of smiles that bare those shining chompers and a peek at a few pinkish gums because you’re just that excited to see something. And I suppose we were quite the sight to see, us 14 foreign kids who all spoke in different kinds of English.