Category: Local

Teachers’ union and District come to a tentative agreement on contract

Teachers’ union and District come to a tentative agreement on contract

By Arely V. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has come to an agreement with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), the teachers union, granting a 21% salary increase along with reduced class sizes and other important gains in their contract. The two entities had been negotiating over the contract for about a year. The tentative agreement, which will have to be voted on by all teachers, is seen as a victory for different reasons. The first reason is pay. Maintaining a stable life in Los Angeles with a teacher’s pay is difficult, especially with the economy.

Why are we having ‘tardy sweeps’?

Why are we having ‘tardy sweeps’?

By Maria M. In January 2023, CATS began implementing a new system called “tardy sweeps” to ensure that students make it to class on time. A major reason why the school proposed having the tardy sweeps is because “More than 100 students were coming late to school,” according to attendance counselor Ms. Del Castillo. “Every period is 80 minutes, and we noticed that students were missing learning time.” The tardy sweeps were something that the support staff and the counselors proposed as a way of trying to get students to go to class. The problem now

Profile: Meet CATS’ very own self-taught clothes designer

Profile: Meet CATS’ very own self-taught clothes designer

By Adin F. Most people don’t know that Andrew R., a senior at CATS, has a knack for designing clothes. When walking through a mall one day, looking for clothes, Andrew felt rather unsatisfied with the selection every brand offered. None of them seemed to fit his unique style or the price tag was unreasonable. Then it occurred to him: “I can just make it myself, and I can make it better myself.”  Andrew was then determined to do so. When asked how he learned to design his own clothes, he said “I was self taught.

Profile: Why Ms. Sanchez became a teacher

Profile: Why Ms. Sanchez became a teacher

By Heyli G.   Ms. Xiomara Sanchez Mara, a science teacher and department chair for science, became a teacher “because I truly believe my purpose in life is to help change lives.” She feels like teaching is the best way to influence someone or help to guide them through their life.  Ms. Sanchez said that she has been a teacher for 3 years, but she has been at this for 5 almost 6 years. She shared she was a teacher assistant (or TA) for 2 years, a semester as a substitute teacher, and another semester working

The classroom comes alive: students explore history at Autry Museum

The classroom comes alive: students explore history at Autry Museum

By Ernesto H. and Angel C. As the school bus pulled up to the towering Autry Museum of the American West, the students could feel their excitement building. Little did they know, this field trip would take them on a journey through time, art, and science, revealing a world they never knew existed. Students from Ms. Lopez’s Native American Studies express their thoughts about the museum and what they liked about it. “What I really appreciated about the museum is that it really told an equitable perspective of the American West,” said Ms. Lopez a U.S.

The impact of cold, rainy weather on students, teachers

The impact of cold, rainy weather on students, teachers

By Carlos P. with additional reporting by Xiomara A. Due to the high cold temperatures and heavy rainy days, some students and teachers have shared their experiences dealing with this atypical Los Angeles weather. “The weather lately, has been horrible, specially with the rain,” said senior Jeremy L.Z. “It cut my electricity for the entire weekend.” He explained that he had to submit an assignment and couldn’t turn it in on time. “Luckily, my teacher gave me an extension to submit it,” he said. Junior Monse G. said that she takes the bus to school and

Should CATS change its bell schedule?

Should CATS change its bell schedule?

By Xiomara A. and Nayeli O. Teachers are considering changing the bell schedule for the next school year. But a change to the bell schedule has many ramifications. What do teachers and students think about the potential changes? According to Mr. Mandujano, Testing Coordinator, most of the staff decided they wanted a different bell schedule for next year because teachers get to see students very few times a week with the current block schedule. He said, “They kind of want a schedule where they can see them more often, for example, 3 or 4 times a

It’s not the holidays without seeing your entire family

It’s not the holidays without seeing your entire family

By Jeremy L.Z., Jimena R., and Magaly G. The holidays are the perfect time to be surrounded by family. Eric B., a senior, visited all 23 of his family members throughout the break. He added that “they were the only people I saw over the break.” Some students even flew to a different country to see them, like senior Samuel V., who spent half of his winter break in Mexico. “I saw like 15 of my family members In Mexico,” he said. English teacher Mr. Benny Martinez said “My cousins are the reason why I go

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