The Oracle

New lunch an improvement in health and taste

The Oracle • September 23, 2013

Something new is brewing at Gunn High School. Renewed, revamped and fresher than ever, the school lunch menu has improved this year with tastier and healthier options.

Line-cutting must stop

The Oracle • September 23, 2013

When people say the world isn’t perfect, they’re usually referencing the bigger picture: the conflict in Syria, the shrinking ozone layer or the problems with healthcare. As a result, the majority of us live our lives passively accepting one dangerous excuse: the world’s problems are simply too big for us to fix as individuals. However, if we take a closer look, we might just realize that the world’s problems can be broken down into smaller components that can be reasonably addressed. The truth is that people can change the world for the better, and it all starts by dealing with the little things like cutting in line.

Limited government transparency is necessary to ensure national safety

The Oracle • September 23, 2013

Written by: Rachel Lew The Guardian received secret information on government surveillance programs from former Central Intelligence Agency analyst Edward Snowden. Since then, national debates have raged as citizens question the government’s choice to not relay information on spying tactics, including...

EDITORIAL: California bill prohibiting mandatory school fees is step in the right direction

The Oracle • September 23, 2013

This year, Palo Alto Unified summer school students unexpectedly received full refunds for course fees and were able to attend classes free of charge. The clarification of California’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1575, which took place in the assembly on May 30, 2012, caused this sudden change. In the past, the Palo Alto Unified School District required a $400 to $500 fee for a summer school course. However, AB 1575 removed the fees completely because it prohibits public schools from accepting students’ money in payment for educational resources such as summer school, extracurricular activities and class materials. Although this change may diminish district funds, the change is a step in the right direction because it grants greater access to educational opportunities for students in lower income brackets.

Gun control advocates fail to consider key factors

The Oracle • May 22, 2013

Given recent events, the gun control argument has become a warzone in itself. Members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) continue to vehemently defend their self-proclaimed duty as “diligent protectors of the Second Amendment.” Legislators, journalists and protesters, in the meanwhile, are crying out for a ban on “assault weapons.” They reprimand the NRA for promoting their own pro-gun agenda at the risk of innocent lives being more vulnerable at the hands of deranged gunmen. However, their proposal to issue an assault weapons ban is irrationally unfounded.

North Korean threats must be taken more seriously

The Oracle • May 22, 2013

The recent increase in the severity and number of threats put forth by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) has given media site-users ample material for jokes. For example, in a political cartoon from the Los Angeles Times, a comically fat baby-version of Kim Jong Un dressed in a diaper bangs a nuclear missile against the ground. “Give me attention or I’ll blow up Los Angeles!” reads the speech bubble above Kim’s head. However, the military and political tension between North Korea and the countries it has threatened, including the United States, must be considered a legitimate issue.

Back off, Piers Morgan

The Oracle • May 22, 2013

Dear Mr. Morgan, Any viewer of Piers Morgan Live on CNN knows that you love to talk gun control–background checks, limitation of fully and semi-automatic weapons, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Columbine, the elusive rhetoric of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Your statistics comparing gun-related deaths inside and outside of the U.S. are endless. Boy, firearm opposition sure is your bread and butter....

the Gunn library was right to participate in the Follett challenge

The Oracle • May 22, 2013

The challenge is an opportunity for educators to help promote their programs that teach the 21st century skills students need in order to be prepared for life after high school – no matter whether they go to college or enter the job market. Educators who are designing programs that develop critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration between students and among educators are invited to apply.

Camp Everytown is conducive to a more inclusive community

The Oracle • May 22, 2013

“Silicon Valley FACES’ Camp Everytown is a four-day residential, intensive leadership training program for high school students that reduces stereotyping and prejudice, and increases understanding and respect for others.”

Prom tickets are overly expensive

The Oracle • April 10, 2013

Written by: Steve Yang The traditions of prom are treasured across all of America’s history and geography as stepping stones of life, setting the stage for the proverbial caterpillar’s metamorphosis. An important component of the big night has always been unusually lavish spending: most couples...

Tech reliance harmful to student well-being

The Oracle • April 10, 2013

Written by: Shawna Chen The hashtag #firstworldproblems categorizes problems of technological dependence. One has #firstworldproblems when he or she is frustrated because there is no Internet connection, the phone screen is frozen or there just isn’t any service for texting. On a small scale, technology...

Wall of Rejection provides a reality check

The Oracle • April 10, 2013

It’s decision time at Gunn High School. Emotional breakdowns are occurring regularly as we all wait for a simple e-mail, college sweatshirts are rarely worn in fear of jinxing chances or offending a rejected peer and classes are spent wondering if it’s all even worth it. But in the midst of this plight and despair is an edifice that example is what Gunn is really about: The Rejection Wall

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