Author: Emma Calvert

ISIS Update

By Emma Calvert, Staff writer

ISIS, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is a terrorist organization that has taken over parts of Syria and Iraq. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, now called by his followers, Al-Khalifah Ibrahim, is the leader of ISIS. ISIS’s goal is to establish an Islamic state across Sunni areas in both Iraq and Syria, which is ruled with Shariah law. Shariah law as a legal system is very strict and conservative, especially on women. Compared to al Qaeda, ISIS has a lot more money and funding going into the terrorist program.

President Obama decided to launch war in Iraq to fight the extremist group. He did this without going through congressional approval, which is allowed because of President Bush’s Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. President Obama’s decision has caused controversy across the U.S. But, the majority of U.S. citizens want the U.S. to take action and defeat the extremist group.

Recently, the U.S. has made an alliance with France, Australia, and 13 Arab countries including Syria and Iraq to end the terrorist group. The U.S. is launching an air strike on the terrorist group in Baghdad. Iraq and its allies, are fighting for control of Baghdad. ISIS is being very aggressive despite international airstrikes. As a result, Iraqi militants are taking a more defensive approach, but are still confident in their abilities to defeat ISIS and regain control of Baghdad.

ISIS continues to make advances on Syrian territory and is nearing Turkey’s border, but Turkey is hesitant on entering the ground war. Turkey does not want to get involved, even when they see bordering cities like Kobani, becoming captured by ISIS soldiers. Huge protests are now happening across Turkey–either for or against involvement in the war.

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Crowded Classrooms

By Emma Calvert, Staff Writer

Picture an overwhelming number of students jammed into a tiny classroom with not even enough desks to ensure everyone gets a seat. It’s like sardines being shoved into a minuscule can until there is no more room to move. This is what it’s like at McClatchy.

Year after year, students hope they aren’t forced out of their classes due to the ridiculous number of overbooked students. This is unacceptable. Kids are being stuffed into a crowded room, where they are expected to concentrate. How is this possible when they can feel and hear their peers breathe behind them? It isn’t. It’s a detrimental learning environment that has no positive factors. Classes booked with 40-plus high school students is unacceptable.

Not only are the classrooms jam-packed, students receive less attention from their teacher. Some students need and depend on that one-on-one engagement with their teacher to truly grasp the concept they learnedin class. When there are 40 plus kids in their class, it results in an impossible task.

“My first day of high school, I walked in to my math class and discovered that there were no more seats available. I ended up taking notes while sitting in my teacher’s desk,” said Ethan Borg (‘18). Many other students experienced similar situations–some even having to sit on the floor. This is shocking and should not be tolerated. If a student shows up to class prepared and ready to learn, they should be able to at least have a chair to sit on, and enough room to stretch their legs. Another student, Della Mahoney, (‘17), expressed her frustration as well, “I felt offended. They need to make room for everyone.”

When putting together schedules, they have to overbook certain classes because some students drop out during the first week of school. This is a smart strategy to an extent. And at McClatchy they have long succeeded in this strategy. McClatchy has gone overboard by overbooking too many kids to the point that there isn’t even enough space for students to sit.

Overbooking of classrooms also causes kids to be transferred, unwillingly, to other periods, or even other classes. This causes a rift in their schedule and unwanted class changes. It’s another side effect of the overbooking of classes. “It angers me that they overbook the class and then kick you out of the class you requested,” said Sofia Ringstrom (‘16), another student fed up with the unproductive system. So many students select their schedules and then are assigned their first choice, but later during the beginning of the school year are kicked out. When students receive their “final” schedule at orientation, it should actually be final.

Not only is this a bad situation for students, but also for teachers. Trying to control even a small number of rambunctious teenagers is a challenge, but an overwhelming number of 40 or 45 is on a much higher scale. motivating them to do work and participate just adds to the struggle. Once again, this is an unfair request.

Teachers and students both need to be cut a break. We can’t expect students to push their learning capacity when there isn’t a simple desk provided for them, let alone one-on-one attention from a teacher. Even though schedules can’t be perfect for every single student, McClatchy needs to take a step in the right direction by not overbooking classes in the first place.

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Ice Cream Donuts

By Emma Calvert, Staff Writer

Biting into a piping hot, freshly glazed donut with sweet, cold, ice cream in the middle, is like taking a bite of heaven. The Parlor, located on Fair Oaks Blvd. is a trendy new dessert shop that has mastered the art of combining donuts and ice cream.

Walking into the crowded store at 9 pm on a Thursday was surprising, with young trendy people swarming the shop. When I entered the tiny store, a wave of urban chic, energetic and helpful young employees happily greeted me. It’s a very small shop, with only three two person tables lined up against the wall, but the environment makes it feel very spacious and welcoming. When I first stepped in, a blackboard of their flavors grabbed my attention. Some of the flavors include: Sea Salt Caramel, Thai Teaser (thai iced tea flavored), Wendell (vanilla with cinnamon swirls), Green Machine (green tea flavored), and Plain Jane (vanilla ice cream). The Parlor also has a huge selection of toppings. For only a 50-cent extra charge, you can have unlimited toppings. They have cereals like Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs, & Lucky Charms, and candy like Butterfingers & gummy worms, and sauces including Nutella, chocolate, & strawberry. They have some pretty funky toppings- like bacon bits and potato chips.

I ordered the Thai Teaser with a glazed donut, and it was fantastic. The donut was fresh, sweet, and just firm enough to add texture. The Thai Teaser ice cream (I highly recommend), which was a subtle flavor, but it went along greatly with the plain glazed donut. Each bite melts in your mouth, and fills it with the softness of the donut and the sweetness of the ice cream. It’s a little taste of heaven. It’s a very unique taste and flavor that you can’t find anywhere else. The first bite was the best. the fresh glaze of the donut contrasted with the coolness of the ice cream, making the sandwich original in texture and sensational in taste. This was my first time going to the Parlor Ice Cream Puffs, but I will be back again and again, excited to try more of their exotic flavors.

Here’s how The Parlor’s system works: first, you choose your ice cream, then donut, next glazed or unglazed (I highly recommend it glazed), then toppings if you choose, and lastly paying for the treat. The process is faster than getting frozen yogurt and is inexpensive for what a delicious treat you receive.

Tips for future customers: 1.split the ice cream sandwich with a friend because it can become very rich and it’s hard to finish the whole donut. 2. Pick up the complemarry hand wipes they offer, you’re going to need them. 3. When eating the donut ice cream sandwich make sure to keep the wrapper on. 4. They’re best fresh! Don’t hesitate to dig in. 5. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, don’t waste your time.

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Low Voter Turnout

By Emma Calvert, Staff Writer

Voter turnouts tend to fluctuate over the years due to many different factors–including the demographic of the voters. Most of those who aren’t turning out to vote are younger voters, ages 18-29, who make up 21% of our country’s population for voting. To improve voter turnout, the government is trying to make it easier to registrate. But in the most recent election, voter turnout decreased significantly. This is due to our generation, who are eligible to vote, not voting. Only 20.9% of people 18-29 voted, less than a quarter, in the Midterm elections of 2014. Factors include for the low voter turnout of young people is the difficulty of registration, ease of access to polls, no candidates or measures which seem to be worth voting for, and the fact that some younger people don’t realize that their vote is actually important. A major factor in low voter turnout is that an ID is required to vote, but many younger people lack the “proper” identification, which results in them not being able to vote.

Younger people tend to be more liberal, voting for Democratic candidates, while older voters normally vote Republican. The Republicans winning majority in the Senate during the midterm elections is very likely due to the low voter turnout–if younger, eligible voters had a higher turnout, Democrats could have potentially kept a majority in the Senate or at least closed the huge gap between Republican and Democrat wins.

A little over a third of California voted– two thirds of California’s eligible voters chose not to vote in the midterm elections. The New York Times reported that this was the worst voter turnout in 72 years. Voting is essential for the government to hear the people’s opinion on issues, so our country can progress in the direction its citizens want.