TONE 3.21.22: CAASP Testing, UC Berkeley Admissions

Benjamin Grimes and Jeffrey Tu | March 21, 2022

Find all the episodes of TONE here.

Transcript:

Tu: Welcome back Paly, it’s Jeffrey Tu

Grimes: and Benji Grimes.

Tu: And we’ll be recapping this week’s events in this week’s episode of the TONE. The California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill this week that would protect the original enrollment plan at UC Berkeley, increasing admissions by 5,100 for the class of 2026.

Grimes: The Campanile reported last Sunday that the Paly administration has canceled the senior graduation ceremony Baccalaureate because of insufficient funds and a lack of space. The ceremony traditionally has included guest speakers like Steve Jobs and student performances.

Tu: This week marks the first week where the mass mandates have been lifted for schools. I’ve personally seen a lot of students in my classes not wearing their masks.

Grimes: The Campanile reported that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has expanded their mobile crisis response team to Palo Alto, which allows residents experiencing a mental health emergency to connect to medical or social services.

Tu: CAASP testing is also happening next week. There’s going to be a weird schedule with 11th grade students taking the English and math test on March 22nd and 23rd. See the more comprehensive schedule at paly.net

Grimes: And now for an update on the Ukrainian situation. CNN reports this morning that US President Joe Biden has pledged an extra 800 million in security aid for Ukraine and according to Bloomberg, Russia asked China for financial aid and military systems, and China may be starting to tilt towards Russia side.

Tu: Last Friday night, the Vikings’ varsity boys volleyball team absolutely obliterated the Gunn Titans 3-0 away from home.

Grimes: On Tuesday, the varsity girls basketball team lost against Cardinal Newman in the first round of the CIF state championships, ending the season for the year.

Tu: Santa Clara County COVID cases have reached 307.4 thousand. 7-day-case averages are at 171. For Palo Alto High School, cases are at 169, an increase of just two from last week.

Grimes: Fun fact: Did you know that the first folding chess board was invented by a priest who was forbidden to play chess and when folded up the board was disguised as two books.

Tu: This has been the Voice TONE.

Grimes: Thanks for listening.