Paw Prints
Summer edition | Sierra newsletter | BeConnected English
Communication By Design | Room 55
The million-dollar makeover: New look for a new year at Sierra High
Sierra High School, the Manteca Unified School District and local taxpayers have made sure that the sprawling campus on Thomas Street remains a safe haven for its students.
A multi-million dollar makeover is underway at Sierra High with many more additions and renovations planned for the summer months. Principal Steve Clark sat down with Paw Prints to discuss the renovations to the parking lot, stadium surface, classroom remodeling, and the installation of a new bell and alarm system.
The renovations will cost an estimated $7-8 million dollars, Clark noted, and the work will be paid for by Measure G funds.
“When was the last time Sierra High had added renovations to campus?” he said. “Just last year we had new carpet and flooring put in, which was 24 years old. Also, in the cafeteria the old tile was tore up and we put a polished finish on the concrete.”
The parking lot is at the top of the to-do list, and demolition has already begun. The parking lot had remained relatively unchanged since 1994. Eight years ago the school added a slurry coat to the parking lot, which put a thin coating that looked like new asphalt.
According to the new design, the solar panels will stay. Clark said the plan will try to save as many trees as possible. All facility upgrades are ADA complaint (Americans with Disability Act). As an example, the slope of the parking can’t be greater than 1.2 percent and there has to be a less than two-degrees incline.
"The upgrades will make the school safer and more appealing,” said Clark, who hinted that the parking lot may become one way in, one way out for safety.
Another renovation for Sierra High is the new schedule for students. Unlike other years, students are required to show up at school at 9 a.m. and will be dismissed at 4 p.m. This means that there will be four 90-minute classes, each one marked by the installation of a new bell system.
The change in bell schedule comes with a tasty caveat. Clark said every student will have free breakfast and lunch next year.
The timetable for the installation of a new bell system will take approximately eight months. This is because there are 246 speakers on campus, and construction crews have to replace each one. According to Clark, the bell system represents a $5 million dollar job.
The parking lot and football field will be finished by August. Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium will receive a new natural playing surface.
About the Author: Nishan Brar
Need extra money? Here are links to the 10 hottest summer jobs in town
As we grow up, we think about getting a job. What better time to do that than in the summer? Well, Paw Prints has got you covered. We’ve gathered a list of 10 jobs currently hiring for the summer months and their applications, and we’ve also included an example resume.
Sierra High counselor Karen Chaidez also offered some advice for those that land an interview.
“Preparing in advance, which means doing your research just so that you’re knowledgeable about the position you’re applying to,” Chaidez said. “Thinking about your strengths & weaknesses. This can be a trick question. Thinking about ways to address your weakness in a positive light… Prepare just one or two questions to ask the employer, so that way they know you did your homework or your research.”
An example of the jobs we have listed is Jamba Juice. Jamba Juice pays the minimum wage of $14 an hour. With that money, you can shop, pay for insurance, and maybe buy a car.
In order to work, you'll need the following documents: a work permit from school; resume; state-issued ID card or a driver's license; and social security card.
We asked Mr. Greene of “Get Focused, Stay Focused” a list of questions regarding his advice and experiences with working a job during high school.
Q: What list of skills do you need in order to work?
A: There are no specific skills every person needs to have in order to work. It's best for people to develop transferable skills that apply to a variety of jobs, positions, or careers. Being able to communicate, or developing positive relationships, or critical thinking skills--these are the types of skills that are best to have as a person enters the workforce. No matter what the job, these are valuable skills.
Q: Is it better to work in high school than later in your life?
A: My personal belief is that you have the rest of your life to work. Take the time you have in high school to learn, enjoy yourself, and participate in the activities available to you. Once you are out of high school nothing is handed out for free. Time is not built into your day with programs for fun. Obviously, there are individual circumstances that require some to begin working in high school, but there are a variety of ways for students to gather work-skills without having to go to work.
Q: At what age did you start working?
A: I began working at age 14. During high school, I only worked in the summers. I didn't have a job during the school year until I was in college.
Links
1. Baskin-Robbins: https://bit.ly/3wfXUzw
2. Starbucks: https://bit.ly/342urx2
3. Jamba Juice: https://bit.ly/3wlYoEh
4. AMC theatre: https://bit.ly/3hGmcyF
5. BLD stadium: https://bit.ly/3u6vmHa
6. Kohl’s: https://careers.kohls.com/
7. Panda Express: https://www.pandacareers.com/
8. Yogurt land: https://www.yogurt-land.com/careers
9. Lifeguard: https://bit.ly/3fa3Ft7
10. Chipotle: https://jobs.chipotle.com/
About the Author: Matthew Azevedo
Matthew Azevedo is a junior at Sierra High School, studying Communication by Design. Matthew is the treasurer of the school’s Gaming Club and is a part of the school's inaugural E-sports team.
Oh, the places you can go: A summer guide to adventure, near and far
1. Camping: If you love the outdoors and want to be a small part of for a temporary time, gather up some friends or family and go camping in the great wilderness. There are many places to go camping. You can go camping in Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Big Bear, Sequoia National Park, Pismo Beach, and so many more. Camping could get expensive depending on how many people you have and how many nights you stay.
2. Gym: Summer is the perfect time to start getting your body shredded. Giving yourself the body you have always wanted is one of the best feelings. People will congratulate you on the “Glow-up."
3. Road Trip: If you’re looking for a quick getaway, why not a road trip to various locations? Gather up your friends or family -- and some snacks -- and go exploring. Some places you can road trip to are: Pacific Coast Highway, Park Loop Acadia National Park, Great River Road, and Big Island Loop Road.
4. Distant Travel: Do you enjoy traveling and want to experience new locations? Why not spend this summer traveling and seeing many different places. The cheapest days to travel are Saturdays (domestic travel), Mondays and Thursdays. Mid-week flights are usually cheaper than weekend flights. Locations you can visit, by plane, this summer are:
Hawaii: Roundtrip prices around $250 - $2,000.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Roundtrip prices around $1,025.
Great Barrier Reef: Roundtrip prices around $1,313.
Portugal: Roundtrip prices around $277.
Iceland: Roundtrip prices around $123.
5. Great Wolf Lodge: The cost for families to at least two nights with season pass is $180 a night. The Wolf Pass package starts at $99.99,while the Paw Pass starts at $74.99 and the Pup Pass starts at $69.99. Parking is around $10. Great Wolf Lodge has many attractions from a waterpark to arcade to hotel. Smaller attractions include mining, ice cream, and Build-a-Bear.
6. Disneyland: If you want to go somewhere magical and somewhere incredibly inspirational, Disneyland is the place to go. You can even eat Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream while waiting for Buzz Lightyear. Their attractions span from rides, to fireworks, to musicals, and even a Haunted Mansion. Here are the prices for a two-day ticket: $290, adults; and $275, child.
7. Catacombs in Paris: If you are in the mood for something dark, creepy, and outside the box or just a shiver down your spine, the Catacombs is the place to go.
8. Drive-in Theatre: If you love movies and spending time with family and friends, why not get some cozy blankets and snacks and enjoy your favorite movies at a drive-in theatre.
Some locations of drive-in theatres: Ceres Drive-In, 1651 E. Whitmore Avenue, Ceres; West Wind Solano Drive-In, 1611 Solano Way, Concord; West Wind Sacramento 6 Drive-In, 9616 Oates Drive, Sacramento; and West Wind Capitol Drive-In, 3630 Hill Cap Avenue, San Jose.
9. Great America: Located in Santa Clara County, Great America is perfect for a quick and exhilarating getaway for a day. You can save money by combining parking and a meal for just $45. After you have let your food settle, go for a shaky ride on the Gold Striker, or if you are a daredevil, ride the all-new Rail Blazer.
10. Six Flags: Located in the Southern California city of Valencia, admission for the day is $45 per person and offers rides for all ages and families. The most famous ride in the entire park is Goliath. This ride was built on June 19, 2014. It is the perfect ride for people who want an adrenaline rush.
Leaving the Pack: Seniors reflect on high school goals
Liz Khele
Dain Rodriguez
“Some of the goals I set during freshmen year consisted of making sure I got my work done, (and) achieving and maintaining great grades to guarantee I was on the path to graduate. Going to summer or night school definitely helped me reach that goal.”
Josh Brake
“The one main goal I set for high school was to graduate with a 2.5 GPA or higher. I accomplished it by having teachers that helped me, going the extra mile every time. I also had friends by my side. With this, I was able to accomplish my goal.”
Jenelle Aguilar
“The goal that I set for high school during freshmen year was to maintain a 4.0. Throughout the years, having different levels of classes was an obstacle. I was not able to maintain a 4.0 but I am looking forward to graduating.”
Christian Threadgill
Xochilt Rodriguez Reynoso
Luis Acosta
Mikayla Guarascio
Tiana Cello
“The goal that I set during Freshmen year was to get involved in as many school activities as possible. I accomplished that goal by going to as many sports events, dances, etc.”
Sierra High School
Email: jburns@musd.net
Website: www.mantecausd.net
Location: 1700 Thomas Street, Manteca, CA, USA
Phone: (209) 858-7410