Aries

March 21-April 19

Aries, “ram” in Latin, is the first of the zodiac signs. People with Aries signs are typically courageous, competitive and energetic. Aries share a sign with actor Jim Parsons.

Taurus

April 20-May 20

Taurus, the bull, is  a more noticeable constellation. Tauruses are often patient, diligent and resourceful. They share a sign with the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Gemini

May 21-June 21

The twin constellation, Gemini, is defined by two key stars: Castor
and Pollux. Geminis are usually sweet, outgoing and affectionate. They share a sign with actors Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen.

Cancer

June 22-July 22

Those born between June 22 and July 22 have the crab horoscope. Cancers are typically nurturing, loyal people with a great sense of humor. They share a sign with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Leo

July 23-Aug. 22

Leo, the lion, can be seen from all parts of the world except for Antarctica. Leos are often generous and confident. They share a sign with golfer Nelly Korda.

Virgo

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Virgo is the second largest zodiac constellation in the sky. Virgos are usually intelligent and hardworking. They share a sign with actor Jack Black.

Libra

Sept. 23-Oct. 23

The weighing scales, Libra, is the only constellation in the night sky to be named after an object. As the name suggests, Libras are usually honest and fair. They share a sign with dancer Isabella Boylston.

Scorpio

Oct. 24-Nov. 21

According to Greek mythology, Zeus put Scorpius, the scorpion, in the sky to pursue Orion, the hunter. Scorpios are often intuitive and brave. They share a sign with actor Ryan Gosling.

Sagittarius

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

Sagittarius, the archer, is said to have turned himself into a constellation to escape a Titan. Sagittariuses are humorous, adventurous and optimistic. They share a sign with scientist Bill Nye.

Capricorn

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Capricornus, the sea-goat, is one of the fainter constellation in the night sky. Capricorns tend to be hardworking and responsible. They share a sign with former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Aquarius

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

One of the oldest constellations, Aquarius is Latin for “water-carrier.” Aquariuses tend to be open-minded and independent. They share a sign with soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pisces

Feb. 19-March 20

Pisces, the fish, is the last of the signs. The constellation is faint, but its distinct V-shape makes it easier to spot. Pisces are typically artistic, forgiving and compassionate. They share a sign with writer Lois Lowry.

Kwan started dancing at the age of 3 and has been doing ballet, ballroom and contemporary dance competitively for the past decade. Over the years, she has sometimes found it hard to avoid noticing her physical appearance as she dances.

“It’s sometimes hard to look at the mirror because there are mirrors that make you look way different than you (actually) do,” she said. “Instead, I think that it’s important to use those mirrors as a tool to help you correct yourself, rather than to stare at your body and try to think about how you could fix the way your body looks. It’s hard to keep that mindset, but it’s really important.”

Ballet dancers are encouraged to be mindful of their diet to uphold the traditions of the art and maintain peak condition. Kwan has met challenges maintaining this balance.

“As a kid, I would eat whatever I wanted and I would look the same everyday,” she said. “But as I got older, I noticed that it wasn’t like that anymore.”

Kwan recognizes that this trend has historical roots. In fact, her Russian-trained instructors’ experiences have impacted their approach to nutrition.

“When (my teachers) were in Russia, they were taught that you need to be skinnier,” she said. “But I think that (since they’ve) been in America for so long, they learned that it’s not respectable to say that.”

Despite the common misconception that a ballerina needs to be thin, Kwan notes that the industry, like her instructors, may be adapting its strict aesthetic standards to increase body inclusivity.

“It’s nice for ballerinas to have perfect hyperextending legs and beautiful arches,” she said. “But now, in this generation, I think it’s very clear that you can still have that gorgeous ballerina doing the same exact things without it.”

Effective nutrition has improved Kwan’s overall wellness and performance, including her stamina. Still, Kwan struggles with self-image occasionally, especially in an industry where the aesthetic details of physique are prioritized.

“I’m still in that journey of trying to make myself understand that (unconventional physiques are) okay, as long as I’m staying healthy,” she said. “I try to tell myself that even though I look in the mirror and I see this (or) that could be fixed, I try to look at the good things (such as) having a good soft port de bras (arm movements), and that’s really helped me get through it.”

District Communications Coordinator George Pinckney told NBC Bay Area that the spaghetti had contained moldy, burnt bell peppers. According to Pinckney, a new oven in the central kitchen — where all elementary school meals are prepared — alongside temperature increases from malfunctioning refrigerator fans caused the problem.

Since then, PAUSD has worked to prevent further meal spoilage. According to Pinckney, the district has been measuring the temperatures of all foods and closely monitoring expiration dates to mitigate future incidents.

“We will definitely continue to improve our protocols and make sure that our kitchens are safe and the food we serve is also safe,” Pinckney said.

The district’s spoiled-food situation, alongside its adjustments to post-pandemic regulations and mandated nutritional guidelines, raises questions about whether its current food programs fully serve its students.

Free Meals

To ease families’ burdens after the COVID-19 lockdown, on July 9, 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom included the Universal Meals Program as part of Assembly Bill 130. The program requires all public schools to provide students with two free meals each school day, without consideration of their financial background or eligibility for federally funded free or reduced-price meals. According to PAUSD Student Nutrition Director Alva Spence, the district currently offers free breakfast and lunch to students.

The bill also authorizes the California Department of Education to reimburse schools for the cost of the meals. PAUSD logs expenses for monthly reimbursements from the federal government, and the state government covers remaining costs.

Currently, the contract between PAUSD and Sodexo USA, a consulting and food-services company, has PAUSD paying $1.37 and $1.89 for breakfast and lunch supplies per meal, respectively. PAUSD has contracted with Sodexo for over a decade to help maintain adherence to local and federal food laws and ensure that students receive the correct portion sizes and nutritional components, per the California Department of Education’s guidelines.

Sodexo provides training for PAUSD’s 39 Student Nutrition Services employees, who learn knife-handling skills, from-scratch cooking and procedures for providing new vegetarian options. All meals are reheated or cooked in PAUSD facilities, according to Gunn Kitchen Lead Melanie Gomez.

Dietary Concerns

The PAUSD food program has followed the Biden Administration’s guidelines on added sodium and sugar levels in meals. Still, many parents and students remain displeased with the current quality, quantity and portion sizes of school-provided meals.

Sophomore Jules Nagayama noticed a decline in quality since the switch from paid brunch and lunch at the middle schools to free meals at Gunn.

“I liked lunch a lot better when it was before COVID, and we still had to pay,” Nagayama said. “The quality and portions were way better — you could even get two lunches if you wanted to. Now, I don’t feel like the food is enough for me.”

However, according to Assistant Principal of Wellness Courtney Carlomagno, PAUSD is restricted by the state program’s guidelines for caloric values per meal: School breakfast must remain within 450 to 600 calories and lunches between 750 and 800 calories.

The number of meal choices has also dropped post-COVID. According to Carlomagno, there are currently only three lunch options per day, down from four or five before the pandemic.

“We were able to charge for lunches (pre-pandemic), which meant we had a surplus of money, and that meant we were able to put that back into the food we were serving,” she said. “We were able to offer more options.”

Despite the decrease in overall entree options, Spence stated that the number of vegetarian options has remained constant since pre-pandemic times. Under the current program, students with dietary restrictions can struggle to find suitable lunch options. Sophomore Hannah Baum, an athlete and vegan, has always chosen to not eat school lunch, both pre- and post-pandemic times, and instead chooses to bring her own lunch every day.

“I don’t think they give enough food, and the food they do give isn’t necessarily healthy and also vegan,” Baum said. “(I’ve seen) vegetarian options, but they’re all like cheese and crackers, so I don’t think that’ll give me enough food.”

Creating Solutions

In response to these concerns, PAUSD has enabled students with dietary needs to submit requests on the Gunn website for special meals, according to Carlomagno.

“Not all of them are approved, but it’s definitely a way to put it in and have the district review it,” she said.

PAUSD is also working with Sodexo to add more food options in the 2024 spring semester, including chana masala over rice, vegetarian chili with cornbread, smoothies, parfaits with granola, General Tso’s chicken and tofu, teriyaki burgers, and quinoa salads.

In addition to expanded options, Spence anticipates fresher meals in the coming months: The district has bought three more trucks to minimize delivery times, and construction on the new kitchen facilities in the A- and B-buildings is expected to be completed in fall 2024, resulting in warmer, fresher meals.

To provide more locally grown food, PAUSD is partnering with Ag Link, an organization that helps PAUSD access organic produce from farms in Merced, Fresno, Salinas, Stanislaus, Butte, Yuma and Kern.

Students have also taken initiative to address the inconveniences of the government-implemented program. According to Principal Wendy Stratton, a student helped facilitate the addition of vending machines to campus. Located near the K-building, Main Office and Bow Gym, these vending machines provide additional options to students seeking food on campus, such as chips and beverages. Their items have undergone a review process — certain items, such as soda and candy, cannot be served.

Community members can provide feedback on the Gunn food program at the monthly menu advisory meetings, usually held on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. via Google Meet.

Parent Kanda Ishihara noted the connection between subpar lunches and the overall culture of food waste on campus.

“They should do a better job of making (lunch) healthier and tastier, because otherwise the kids don’t even eat it — they throw it away and it’s a big waste of money,” Ishihara said. “It’s convenient, it’s a great resource, but it’s just such a waste.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Chinyoung Shao

This November marked the end of the demolition phase of the A- and B-building modernization project and the beginning of the construction of the new buildings’ metal frameworks. The A- and B-building construction is scheduled to be completed by August 2024, and the buildings will be furnished and ready for use by December 2024.

Over the past three months, workers have installed slabs on the floors of both buildings to cover underground utilities and conduits, and have begun constructing the metal deck for the roof. According to the November Facilities and Construction Newsletter, the steel deck for roof installation will be welded next.

The construction team is working on developing the plumbing, electrical-wiring and fire-protection systems. They will continue to work on the frame, including wood framing, light-gauge framing, metal-stud framing, welding and steel frameworking, according to Senior Construction Manager Mohammed Sedqi. The construction crews will also install insulation in the walls and on the roof.

Currently, the construction project is on time, with crews caught up on last winter’s lost progress.

The assembly of the building’s metal framework, which requires welding and the use of a crane, presented noticeable changes. Though welding can emit concentrations of hazardous airborne contaminants, according to the Department of Industrial Relations, around 80% of welding is completed off campus, and any welding on campus is done at a safe distance from students.

“As long as we are welding (higher) up, it should not be a concern and is not in close proximity to the students,” Sedqi said.

Though there has been progress on the framework and flooring, construction has had to adapt to student needs. The pavement in front of the C- and E-buildings, fenced off during the second semester of the 2022-23 school year, was reopened with stairs and a ramp to provide students space to walk to classes.

This change, however, gave construction workers less room to work with. The opened area blocks the path of the crane, meaning that the crane needs to be wheeled between the A- and B-buildings to access the B-building construction.

“It was a tough decision (to open up the area to students) because it had a negative impact on the construction,” Sedqi said.

According to Associated Student Body President Nathan Levy, the Student Executive Council has not communicated with students about the construction. Levy said that the administrative team’s monthly newsletter will be the main source of construction updates.

Both students and administrative staff find the construction inconvenient. Although the administrative team has adapted to the current C- and E-building setup, the noise and dust from the construction present complications, according to Secretary Carole Main.

“It really is a problem when they use certain machines that vibrate or when they have machines that create a lot of dust,” she said.

Senior Alexander Lafler-Austern explained that the noise and location of the construction makes navigating the school day more difficult.

“It’s frustrating because sometimes I have to go out of my way (to avoid) the construction because I have a higher-than-average noise sensitivity,” he said. “The construction noises are literally painful when I am near it.”

However, Main is excited for the new building to be completed: It will have a central location on campus with modern amenities where visitors can come.

“The old offices were built in 1964, and we didn’t have air conditioning and we had rats, so it is nice to have (a building) that really represents Gunn,” Main said.

The two bike accidents, which occurred on Sept. 8 and Sept. 14, caused parents and bike advocates to call for increased transportation safety. In response to the accidents, Chief of Police Andrew Binder and Mayor Lydia Kou said in a Sept. 15 statement that the city is implementing new safety initiatives, which include reassessing traffic controls and assigning 30 new crossing guards near schools.

These incidents, however, aren’t isolated cases: According to the Santa Clara County Public Health website, Palo Alto has the highest rate of bicycle collisions in the county, with 133.5 bicycle collisions per 100,000 people. According to released police reports, a total of 23 vehicle accidents and four accidents involving either cyclists or pedestrians occurred in September and October. Nine of these 27 accidents resulted in injuries.

Although the City of Palo Alto had plans to improve roadway infrastructure before the accidents, according to City of Palo Alto Transportation Planning Manager Sylvia Star-Lack, a planned data-driven system for proactive safety measures will recommend solutions based on collision histories.

The City is also working on three other construction projects to improve bicycle safety in Palo Alto. The projects will create bike lanes on El Camino Real, connect the bike path near Paly to the Stanford trail near Churchill Avenue and El Camino Real, and improve the safety of the Alma Street-Churchill Avenue crossing. The improvements will be completed in this order, according to Star-Lack.

The City authorized a contract with Kittelson & Associates, a transportation consulting firm, on July 19, 2023, to assist with the developments. According to the City’s website, the updates have a budget of $340,000 and are projected to be completed in fall 2025.

To get Palo Alto residents’ input on future infrastructure projects improving bike safety on Palo Alto roads, the City is surveying Palo Alto residents for the Active Palo Alto: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update.

Students are also taking action: Junior Nara Cammack is working on a bike garden — a “playground” for beginning bikers to practice safe biking skills — for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. She hopes to provide safe spaces for young bikers to make and learn from mistakes. “We should be safe coming to school and going back, and the fact that it isn’t safe to go to school and there’s a (high) risk of collisions is not good,” she said. “It should not be (happening) every year. The responsibility is on everyone, both the students and the drivers.”

Currently, the City of Palo Alto has 11 student bike-safety education programs that fall under Safe Routes to School — a partnership between the city, PAUSD and the Parent-Teacher Association — on their website. The initiatives aim to educate PAUSD students in grades K-5 about traffic safety and provide maps of the safest routes to school.

Students in grades K-2 learn basic pedestrian safety, including how to cross busy streets and read traffic signals, while students in third to fifth grade receive education on bike safety, including lessons on proper helmet fitting and the rules of the road. At the middle and high school level, though, events are limited. Cammack, who was in a minor bike accident in 2021, noted the importance of improving existing educational programs. “Increasing the frequency of our bike- safety education that Palo Alto offers is one of the most important things we can do, (because) frequency of exposure helps people retain information,” she said.

Junior Sera Singal, who was involved in a bike accident last year, also pointed to poor bike-safety practices among students, as well as the challenges of biking to school with construction blocking off certain parts of the road. “Students often aren’t paying attention (and aren’t) wearing helmets — especially the underclassmen — and do stupid things on the road such as crossing when the light is red,” she said. “I know (that) the district doesn’t have much control over (road conditions) besides telling students what they can do to stay safe.”

Star-Lack also emphasized that drivers, cyclists and pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings. “When you have a lot of drivers in one place in a very short amount of time, people are not very patient and bad behavior tends to happen,” she said. “Speed is a major factor in collisions that cause severe injuries and deaths. Drivers (should) follow the rules of the road and be on the lookout for bicyclists and pedestrians.”

In 1982, the first week of October was designated as Banned Books Week. During that year, First Amendment and library activist Judith Krug worked with the Association of American Publishers to bring attention to banned books in America after a surge in the number of challenged works. Since then, every year, libraries, publishers, authors and schools around the country have celebrated the freedom to read. Click to read a multimedia package featuring Gunn staff members’ perspectives on the week.

Principal Wendy Stratton attributes improvements in the quality of captured information, such as sound and video quality, to Gunn’s new Cisco Meraki camera system, installed in 2021. Thirty to 40 cameras are present throughout campus, including at the athletic fields and in the parking lot, though there are none in classrooms or locations that violate student privacy. According to Assistant Principal Kevin Rouse, Gunn administrators and the Palo Alto Police Department can access the information captured by the Cisco Meraki cameras through an online portal, since the system has cloud-based storage and is managed by the district. District funding has allowed for an increased number of cameras near the entrances to the campus to maintain accurate records of people entering and exiting campus. 

The security system not only helps administrators track down threats, but also yields valuable information on campus disturbances, such as bike thefts and student altercations. “It provides the information that validates a ‘he-said-she-said’ (situation),” Stratton said. “Now we have that evidence on top of what one person might have said.” 

In addition to a more robust security-camera system, Stratton explained that the district often works to rewrite safety protocols in response to increasing concerns around student safety at PAUSD school locations. Some situations may also require police involvement: A weapon threat at Gunn in September 2021 resulted in a lockdown and caused the Palo Alto Police Department to become involved in investigation efforts. “Anything that happens at either site (results in working) directly with the district,” she said. “When incidents have occurred, part of the protocol is to partner with PAPD, (who) will often take the lead once they’re engaged.” 

According to Stratton, Gunn’s open campus necessitates greater vigilance from the campus supervisor and administrators overall. “The administrative team and the campus supervisors (are) not only observing different zones on campus, but (are) also being visible as much as possible (to discourage misbehavior),” she said.

Michalis Gordon, assistant principal of crisis response, encourages students to report suspicious activity to administrators and teachers, as the security cameras do not cover all areas of campus. “It’s always better to be safe than to think that (there) is nothing to worry about,” he said.