Carlos Gonzalez, a senior from College Preparatory & Architecture Academy, won the State Skills USA Carpentry competition in San Diego over spring break. He competed against 20 other students, each of whom had won a regional competition in order to qualify for the state competition.

The competition took place April 13 and 14. The awards ceremony took place on April 15.

Gonzalez won his entry to the state Skills USA Carpentry competition by winning a gold medal in the Salinas regional competition that took place in February.

“Ever since I was small, I liked messing with tools, and I just liked carpentry when I first tried it,” said Gonzalez.

The task for Gonzalez and the other students in the competition was to construct a complicated dog house within a limit of eight hours.

“I can’t tell you how impressive Carlos was,” said CPAA carpentry teacher Josh Nardie. “He applied complicated math and problem-solving skills in a way that made his construction talent seem like an afterthought. All of the other competitors and advisers noticed that ‘that kid from Oakland’ was really good.”

Nardie, who taught construction for seven years at a school in St. Louis, Mo. before coming to CPAA this fall, said he has been taking students to the Skills USA competition for eight years.

“I’ve never had anybody win better than ninth at the state level,” said Nardie.
Gonzalez took Nardie’s class for the whole year, but only had two weeks to practice for the state competition.

“I was really happy knowing that Nardie had helped me,” Gonzalez said. “I felt really appreciated.”

Before the ceremony, Gonzalez and Nardie predicted that Gonzalez would make it into the top five and were hoping for a bronze medal.

“I didn’t think I was going to win, so I was really surprised when I won,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez not only won the state competition, he also received prizes. He received a $100 set of Dewalt tools and a titanium hammer from Economy Lumber.

When asked who was his inspiration, Gonzalez said, “Nardie, because since the first competition, he knew that I would do a good job.”

Gozalez said he is hoping to work in the field of carpentry in the future.

According to coach Noil Angelo, only five players showed up for practice in late January ready to play ball, but there were not enough students to fill the team. Nine players are needed for a baseball team, and the Tigers were short four players.

Angelo, now a softball coach, was disappointed when the season was cancelled.

“I was very sad,” said Angelo. “I have coached baseball for 25 years [and] have been head coach at Fremont for 13 years. Baseball is my favorite sport. I started playing at eight years old.”

Some players tried to play for Castlemont, but the Oakland Athletic League said players would have to transfer to the school full-time in order to play.

“I was mad when I found out that Fremont wasn’t going to have a baseball team. The only reason why I come to school [is so] I can get scouted to go to college,” said

Adrian Verduzco, who played pitcher and first baseman for the Tigers last year.

“Also, [being on the baseball team] motivated me to get good grades in order for me to go to college.”

The news hit the Angelo family especially hard.

Both of coach Angelo’s sons, Noil Angelo III and Michael Angelo, played on the baseball team when they attended Fremont.

“When my dad told me that Fremont didn’t have a baseball team, I blamed it on him because he is a baseball coach, not a softball coach. I think he could have got some students to play,” said Noil Angelo III.

Fremont has had a lot of people come to play on the baseball team, and even some of their younger cousins, brothers and uncles come to Fremont for the baseball team.

Now that there is no baseball team, many students feel disappointed.

“I was lightweight upset when I went to practice and found out there wasn’t going to be a baseball team because baseball is fun and I needed something else to keep me focused on my grades besides basketball.” said Media Academy junior Darnell Waters. “Without sports I don’t really feel school.”

Fremont has had a varsity and junior varsity team every year that Angelo was the coach. The teams started out every year with a fall league, which lasted from October until December. They also had an summer league, in which Fremont won three championships.

Former Tiger players who heard the news are upset at what has happened.

“The only reason I came to Fremont was to play baseball,” said Juan Mendoza, who played baseball from 1999 to 2003. “My uncles and cousins played at Fremont. It is very sad that the best sport in the world is not being played at Fremont High School.”

Coach Paul Coover informed Green & Gold staff members that track was cancelled this year because not enough students were willing to participate in the track team.

Coover said he only had four runners, which led the OAL to make the decision to not hire an assistant coach, which the school has had in previous years.

The OAL is in charge of paying coaches.

Media Academy junior Juan Aguilar, who made it to the California State Championship in the fall as a cross-country runner was disappointed.

“I think that I was expecting more from other people. I thought that more people were going to join,” said Aguilar. “It’s really disappointing knowing that there’s a lot of people that can actually compete and run track, but they don’t actually show up or go [to meets]. I feel like people need to get more involved.”

Others who wanted to join the team for the first time also were frustrated with the OAL’s decision.

“I love running, and I thought this would be a good experience for me, [but] when I found out there wasn’t a track team anymore, I was kind of disappointed,” said Media junior Alejandra Lopez, who is also a track team member.

However, Lopez says she wants to continue running even if the school does not have a team.

“Right now I’m still running [and] I’m practicing for next year,” Lopez added.

Green & Gold staff members tried multiple times to contact OAL Commissioner Michael Moore to ask about canceling Fremont’s track season, but did not receive a response.

Students at Fremont still have a chance to run. Coover recently informed the Green & Gold staff that the OAL is now letting Fremont runners be a part of Skyline’s track and field program.

“I feel like it’s unfortunate that the OAL decided that Fremont can’t have a team of its own, but the more important thing is that the kids at Fremont have a chance to participate in track and field. I’m happy about that,” said Coover.

Oakland Unified School District’s board of directors approved Hurst as principal on March 28 after he received a recommendation from Superintendent Tony Smith.

Hurst also received a recommendation from the 12-member Principal Selection Committee, which included teachers, parents, community members, staff members and one student.

We, the Green & Gold, applaud this decision. Hurst has been working at Fremont for more than 25 years. Hurst is the right choice because he understands the strengths and weaknesses of the school, and treats the school like it is his family.

Hurst told the Green & Gold his top priority is to have “high expectations and high support” for students.

While we are glad Hurst is remaining as our principal, we have high expectations for him as well. Here is a list of things that we expect him to prioritize:

WHICH CLASSES? WHERE?

On the top of Hurst’s list should be finalizing which subjects will be taught and where the classes will be located. The freshman house is set to be placed in a separate part of the campus, meaning many teachers may have to move classrooms.

“We have not made a final decision about the location of the freshman wing,” Hurst told the Green & Gold.

He needs to make that decision quickly so that we know exactly where the classes will be.

Students are always the last ones to be informed about all of the decisions made on campus, and we feel as if we should at least know where the classes will be.

We also need to find out which classes will be offered next year, including Advanced Placement courses. This is important to the upcoming seniors because it will be their last year in high school, and they need to be informed soon to plan their class schedule.

NO MORE RED PORTABLES

We want Hurst to move teachers out of the B portables because these “temporary” classrooms have been used for nearly 50 years. They were not meant for long-term use. Many have termites, mold, mildew and mice. The floors are uneven and the air is stuffy.

Basically, these portables are unsanitary and unhealthy for students and the staff to be in.

“High support” for students should include giving them clean and safe classrooms.

INCREASE CAFETERIA CHOICES

We also want Hurst to push for better food in the cafeteria. People make it seem as if the food in the cafeteria is healthy for us, but every day it seems as if the same food is being served — pizza and sandwiches. If students were able to have different lunch choices, they would have the chance to make healthier choices.

PROMOTE SPORTS

Since many students did not try out for sports, several teams were cancelled this year.

We had no baseball or track teams. Swimming was cancelled last year and the cheerleading season ended after the squad could not get uniforms or an adviser to lead them.

We believe sports are very important to our school because they are a way for students to stay in shape and gain school spirit. Without sports, the student body has no games to look forward to. When we have sports, people from other schools can come watch the games and see our school. It gives Fremont more publicity.

Many students also keep their grades up because they want to play for a sports team and go to college on an athletic scholarship, but when they are not given the chance to join a team, they tend to give up. Because of the 2.0 GPA requirement, sports can be a way to motivate students to do well in school. We do not want talented athletes to slack off in class and think there isn’t anything else for them to do.

EXPAND INTERNSHIPS

Another thing we want is for Hurst to ensure that students have more internship opportunities. Many students complain about being bored at school and that they never get a chance to study something they are truly interested in.

If students were granted more internship opportunities, maybe they would become more involved in school and the community. These internships should not only be for upperclassmen — freshmen and sophomores should also have the opportunity to have internships.

LISTEN TO STUDENTS

Having Hurst remain as the principal of Fremont is a wonderful idea, but in order to create a better school and a better environment for everyone, Hurst needs to prioritize the things students see as important.

Many decisions are being made about the new school and the students’ voices are not included enough.

We want the administration to do more outreach. We want staff to actually take the time to figure out what students want and what they need in the new school.

“My mentor helps me finish my work and turn in the assignments on time,” said Vera.

Vera is one of many students receiving guidance from Building Healthy Communities, an AmeriCorps program. The federal government funds the program to operate in schools across the U.S.

Students must be recommended by a teacher or counselor to participate in Building Healthy Communities, which gives students extra support in school and after school.

The program, which started in January at Fremont, offers academic help, community service activities, and college and career assistance. Starting at 9:30 a.m., students can received help from Bryant, a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, until 5:30 p.m., and Sloane Flashman, a graduate of University of Washington, until 6 p.m.

About five students at a time meet in the library with one of the mentors for an hour each week to get help on work outside of class, either independently or in a group. They participate in many activities, ranging from playing games and watching movies to doing homework, silent reading or working on job applications. At other times, the program is a place for students to go when they just need some time away from class, the mentors explained.

“So far it has been fun and entertaining working with the young adults,” said Bryant.
Students say they enjoy the program.

“I enjoy getting help with my class work,” said Belen Collazo, a junior at College Preparatory & Architecture Academy.

Media junior Rogelio Romero also likes participating in the program.

“This program has helped me pay more attention in class because when I’m in tutoring, Jalessa explains to me what the assignment is about in detail. That makes me want to stay focused in class,” he said.

Richard Yacco, a broadcast journalism teacher at Media Academy, said students this year have been leaving his classroom for a variety of programs that mentor students.

“The students that leave my class for mentoring are improving. While they are in the class they are not doing anything [so] I would rather for them go to mentors to get help,” he said.

Building Healthy Communities will be available until the end of the school year.

Daniel Hurst, who has served as the leader of all three small schools at Fremont this year, will be the principal of the “new” Fremont High School.

Hurst said that when he heard he had been selected he “felt very honored and very hopeful that we will be able to do something for the students here.”

The Oakland Unified School Board approved Hurst as principal on March 28 under recommendation of Superintendent Tony Smith, who followed the recommendation of a principal selection committee.

When the three schools revert to Fremont High School on July 1, it will be very different from the former Fremont High School that closed eight years ago. It will have two “colleges” and a freshman house. Also teachers will be working 11 months under special contracts with the school district.

To find a principal for the newly designed school, a committee met for more than a month to come up with questions for candidates applying for the job. Many committee members are glad that Hurst is going to be the principal next year.

“I am totally convinced Mr. Hurst is very committed to our children and community,” said parent and 1991 alumni Alejandra Baez, who served on the committee.

Hurst said his top priority will be to have “high expectations and high support for every student.”

But students have a different first priority for Hurst — they want off-campus lunch.

Lunch would be shorter and the school day slightly longer.

That’s according to a draft of the new bell schedule a committee of teachers presented to Fremont Federation staff on April 25.

Major changes to the schedule include shorter block periods (from 115 minutes to 79 minutes), a 30-minute lunch with a 10-minute passing period, and advisory on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. A five-minute breakfast would also be served at the end of the first period each day and that would extend the release time to 3:20 p.m. on all days but Wednesdays.

Committee members were teachers Michelle Gonzalez and Thea Marston of College Prep & Architecture Academy, teachers Paul Strain and Sunny Chan from Media Academy and Leadership Coordinator Nidya Baez.

“We wanted to come up with a new bell schedule and make big changes so Fremont would feel like a completely new school,” said Gonzalez.

The week before spring break, the committee surveyed 137 freshmen and sophomores from the three schools about block periods.

“Students want block periods but they want them shorter, so we’re listening to what students are requesting,” said Strain.

However, Miea Manuel, a freshman at CPAA believes the school should maintain the current block schedule.

Block periods “are helpful because they give teachers more time to give tests and students can catch up on work they haven’t finished,” she said.

Another major change to the schedule would be the inclusion of “second chance breakfast” in five minutes at the end of the first period of the morning.

“The clinic recognized the physiological need for breakfast in the morning,” said Strain. “Having breakfast at the end of first period could be really helpful for students who couldn’t get it the first time around.”

The committee wants to keep the lunch time the same, Strain said. Lunch would be held from 12:35 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. on Mondays and from 12:27 p.m. to 1:57 p.m. on Wednesdays, which is within the school day instead of after.

Strain noted that students are usually hungry on minimum days on Wednesday, when they have to wait until 1:22 p.m. to eat lunch.

“Kids are pretty much not present in fifth and sixth period on Wednesdays because they are hungry,” said Gonzalez. “Wednesdays are too short and teachers don’t get enough done.”

Manuel agrees.

“It would be a good idea. Students get tired and don’t focus so it’s better to get out at 2:25 p.m. with lunch than at 1:22 p.m. without lunch,” said Manuel.

Still, students oppose the idea of shortening lunch from 43 minutes to 30 minutes.

“Lunch should be longer because it takes a long time for students to get what they need and have time to eat,” said Manuel.

The committee holds that a shorter lunch will benefit students and teachers alike.

“The reason it’s a shorter lunch is because with our current longer lunch there have been a lot more fights,” said Gonzalez. “It’s more about chaos control and giving teachers more instruction time.”

Strain said that half an hour is an “adequate amount of time” for students to have lunch.

According to Gonzalez, ideas have been proposed to have stations in classrooms around the campus where students to get lunch aside from the cafeteria. Gonzalez said that would enable students to get lunch faster.

Principal Daniel Hurst told teachers that next year students will not have to put in lunch codes because everyone will be receive free lunch.

The schedule would be on a rotation order. The committee has proposed for different periods to be at different times of the day. For example, on Thursdays students would have sixth period in the morning rather than in the afternoon.

“It’s nice,” said Mandela junior Dajanique White of the rotating bell schedule. “I hate seeing the same teachers in the same order every day so the new schedule is a lot better.”

“We didn’t want students to fail based their tardiness,” said Gonzalez. “We want students to be more involved. Their ability to learn changes during the day; students are more focused in fifth period than they are in first.”

Gonzalez said the details have not been finalized and the placement of advisory will probably change on the schedule due to push back from other teachers.

Jones, a senior at College Preparatory & Architecture Academy, never imagined that she would be on the honor roll.

“I had the impression of high school as a just a joke — a friend said freshman year doesn’t count, so I took it as a joke,” said Jones.

Jones started off high school with F’s and D’s. She has improved throughout her years. Now Jones earns A’s and B’s.

“I realized that in order to get somewhere, you have to graduate,” said Jones.

To improve her grades Jones began to go to school every day, complete all her work and stay focused.

She advises ninth graders not to consider freshman year as a joke because it will catch up with them over the years.

Jones, like many students at Fremont, has had to deal with many obstacles.

“Despite family problems, balancing home and school at the same time, I try not to let them get to me,” said Jones.

Jones sad she had good influences to overcome these challenges. One of them is Julia Daniels, an English teacher in CPAA.

Daniels says students have the potential to turn around like Jones did.

“I’m incredibly proud of Layana and impressed by her. I think she’s a very strong woman who’s going to do wonderful things,” said Daniels.

Crane William Riemer was born on Thursday, April 19 at 4:52 p.m. at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. This is Riemer’s first child.

“I love being a mother,” said Riemer. “I’m learning so much every day.  I had a long and beautiful labor at home and a short and fun delivery at the hospital.”

There were a few minor complications, Riemer said, but a midwife and the staff at Alta Bates were able to manage them so that Riemer and Crane remained in good health.

Riemer said Crane may have a brother or sister some day.

“I think I would like to have another child a few years from now,” she said.

Riemer, who has worked to help educate students who are pregnant or new mothers, said she realizes she herself could have done more to prepare for the baby.

“I’m very happy with my experience overall, though I wish I had learned more about breastfeeding before I gave birth so that I could be more prepared to do that well,” said Riemer. “Parenting is a lot of work, but with support and resources it is also a lot of fun.”

Students were pleased to hear the news.

“I’m really happy that Katie’s birth went good,” said Media Academy junior Araceli Ramos, who is a part of the Youth Wellness Advisory Board. ”I’m excited for her, and I can’t wait until she comes back in August.”

“I look into [the students'] eyes, and they weep and say, ‘I’m sorry Mr. Jackson, never again,” said Jackson, who also teaches drama.

Patricia Segura, an algebra teacher at College Preparatory & Architecture Academy, doesn’t allow her students to listen to their music in class either.

“Turn it off,” Segura says. “Put it away.”

Segura and Jackson aren’t alone. Most teachers at Fremont ban music during class, but it shouldn’t be that way. Music can help students concentrate.

Music helps in even more ways.

“Music therapy can be helpful for your health, reducing stress and providing other positive outcomes,” states the website The Practical Nurse. “Music can actually help regulate physical functions in your body, such as heart rate and breathing.”

In a 2007 study, Stanford University researchers found that people who listened to music tend to have a better memory.

Well, I’m not sure if it helps my memory, but music motivates me to do things I could care less to do, such as chores and homework. Why not classwork, too?

Music encourages me to be a better person, especially when I listen to the gospel my mother often plays because it often talks about the world ending and that makes me want to live my “last” day the right way. I also listen to some R&B, rock, metal and Spanish music. My favorite band is Quiet Riot.

If people say that music helps them in school, then they should be allowed to listen to it during class.
Dominique White, a CPAA sophomore, is one of those people. She listens to hip-hop and R&B every opportunity she gets during and after school, even when she does homework.

“[Music] influences me to be in my zone,” said White. “I don’t like the rule [of no music in class] because people need to concentrate.”

White says that without music to listen to, people talk more and the class gets out of hand.

White believes that music is a big help for people who have built-up anger.

Anthony Harris is another student who says music helps him. The CPAA senior sees music almost as a First Amendment right.

“Music is just a form of expression,” said Harris.

At least there are some teachers who allow their students to listen to music.

Beth Suddreth, who teaches resource algebra, English and study hall at Mandela High School, allows her students to listen to music quietly by themselves. but only after they have finished their work. She believes music is very important.

“[Music is] a great thing,” said Suddreth. “If you’re depressed, it cheers you up, [or] if you’re too wired, it calms you down.”

More teachers should be like Suddreth and let students listen to music during class.