Pueblo High School

Standing With Rosa

Last May, in our hard copy of El Guerrero, we reported about the plight of Ms. Rosa Robles-Loreto, who was still in sanctuary at a southside church after nearly a year. Five months have passed since the article was published, and Rosa still remains trapped.

Ms. Rosa Robles Loreto, who found sanctuary at the Southside Presbyterian Church in August, 2014 after being stopped after a minor traffic violation has remained there for over a year now. Since the beginning, she has had full support from the church, and throughout the year, her support has grown within the Tucson area. In fact, driving around town drivers are able to spot the now-familiar “We Stand with Rosa” signs. Several teachers and staff members also have these signs posted in their classrooms.

Nayeli Sanchez Lauren Ahern Stand With Rosa Poster — We Stand With Rosa sign held by Nayeli Sanchez & Lauren Ahern

Even our principal, Dr. Augustine Romero, has this sign in his office window. He believes that this issue is a great opportunity to bring awareness to help students explore Robles-Loreto’s situation.

Pueblo’s social worker, Ms. Ginger Arzani, who checks in on Robles to “see how she is doing,” reported that “sometimes Robles-Loreto is up, and sometimes she’s down.”

Arzani added that Robles-Loreto’s family has a big role on her getting through the day.

“She misses her children and her husband very much,” Arzani said

She added that the church is feeding and clothing Robles-Loreto. Occasionally, an attorney visits Robles-Loreto regarding legal issues regarding deportation.

Lawyers and activists say the We Stand with Rosa case is a touchstone that reflects a gap between the White House’s desire for immigration reform and ICE’s actions in the field, which they say still target non-criminals, despite Obama’s directive that prosecutions should focus on “felons, not families”.

Many teachers and staff are aware of the situation that is going on and have different opinions about it.

As for Jessica Mejia, one of Pueblo’s history teachers, she has a positive opinion on this situation. She believes breaking up families shouldn’t happen and she definitely supports her being here because she is an outstanding citizen and contributes to the community.

However, teachers like Cristobal Santa Cruz do not have a specific opinion on what the church should do and shouldn’t do. “It’s their right because they are expressing the 1^st Amendment right, but because they are doing this the church has to accept the consequences that may follow.”

Cyber Cafe To Host Tutoring Services

By Avae Velasquez

The newly renovated Cyber Café will be the location of tutoring services that began on Oct. 1. The café is located in Room 173.

The Cyber Café will be open for tutoring every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and occasionally Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

-> Click here to download all Tutoring Opportunities offered at Pueblo.

Pueblo Cyber Cafe Tutoring Mr Lopez — Mr. Steve Lopez tutors a student in math

Dr. Maria Bicknell, Pueblo’s marketing teacher and CTE coordinator, said, “Every subject will be tutored because our teachers are so talented.”

Bicknell said that the teachers volunteering for tutoring include, Mr. Steve Lopez, Ms. Rhesa Olsen, Ms. Rhonda Alexander and Ms. Pamela Shapiro. Bicknell said that she, too, will be a tutor, and she and the other teachers will be helping students with a variety of subjects.

Bicknell coordinated the efforts for all of this tutoring to be possible—by applying for the $10,000 Heritage Grant from the Tucson Federal Credit Union. This grant money will be used to pay teachers for their tutoring services.

Pueblo’s Magnet Status: To Be or Not to Be?

By Sandra Iniguez

On Monday, Sept. 28, a Town Hall meeting was held in Pueblo’s library in order to inform our community of the decisions being made regarding our school’s magnet status.

District officials were present, including TUSD Superintendent Dr. H. T. Sanchez, as well as a dozen Pueblo students, mostly from media classes, as well as several Pueblo teachers.

Pueblo Principal Augustine Romero Magnet Meeting — Dr. Augustine Romero explains the Magnet Program situation.

Dr. Augustine Romero, Pueblo’s principal, began this meeting by giving a brief history of Pueblo’s magnet status, which began back in 1992. The focus of this magnet school back then—as it is now—communications. The effort to transition to a magnet school was challenging, despite the effort to attract students from other regions of Tucson to make our student population more racially diverse.

Fast forward to 2015…

“Equality in our schools only shows what everyone deserves, but equity is what we need in this case,” said Dr. Romero. “The diversity of our student enrollment should not be a determining factor when they have [shown a considerable rise in academic success].”

This year, however, Pueblo was on the verge of having its magnet status removed, but our Native American student population helped meet the integration goal. Pueblo has become restless because of this standing question: What would happen if we lost our magnet status?

“We are already under-funded as it is,” added Romero.

The removal of Pueblo’s magnet status would result in the loss of about $538,000 of funds. This being the money that pays for teachers, student field trips, additional staff, and programs. These magnet funds are generated through local taxes.

“The reduction in funding would be detrimental to Pueblo,” said TUSD Superintendent H.T. Sanchez.

Sanchez added, “If you pay rent or mortgage you are [helping fund Pueblo], and these are local dollars.”

TUSD Superintendent HT Sanchez Magnet Meeting — TUSD Superintendent Dr. HT Sanchez answered many questions regarding future of Magnet Program.

Although Pueblo is gradually achieving racial integration, students must accomplish higher academic levels in order to improve our chances of keeping our magnet status.

“Higher grades, AP class enrollments, more scholarships, acceptance to institutions of higher learning, and higher scores on semester exams will help to support our efforts of keeping Pueblo’s magnet status,” explained Sanchez.

Romero echoed the same response.

Dr. Willis Hawley appointed by federal court judge Bury, referred to as the ‘Special Master’, who originally placed Pueblo on a list of schools to lose their magnet status has since removed us. However, our magnet status remains endangered and Dr. Hawley will return in about a year to raise the question once again.

“Lots of advisement is taken into account when making a decision regarding a school’s magnet status, including the community’s and ex-administrators’ opinions,” said Sanchez. “But ultimately the ‘Special Master’ gives his own recommendation.”

“People just want to be a part of something positive, it’s going to be harder to achieve racial diversity with a lack of something positive [our magnet status] benefitting our school,” said Romero.

Pueblo’s magnet coordinator Ms. Laura Gallego, said that if Pueblo were to lose its magnet status, it would result in more students in classrooms because there would be fewer teachers because there are several who are paid out of the magnet money budget.

“It worries me [losing Pueblo’s magnet status] because the communications program is what makes Pueblo unique,” said Skyblue Estrella, a senior at Pueblo, who attended this meeting. “If Pueblo loses its magnet status, we will not only lose what makes it special, but also a part of our community that we students hold dear [teachers and students].”

English teacher Ms. Constance Onsae said, “I think the parent meeting went well. A lot of information was shared about the current magnet status [dilemma] and how parents can work to get around the process and obtain the magnet money Pueblo deserves, even in our current financial state.”

She paused and added, “I do believe that Dr. Sanchez seems to be doing all he can to help the Pueblo magnet status.”

Pueblo will remain on the “Endangered” list regarding its magnet status, and in one year, the issue will be discussed once again. In essence, Pueblo’s magnet status is “safe” for now, but the evaluation process will resume next year to discuss the fate of the school’s magnet status for the 2017-18 school year.

“I am hopeful that we will retain our magnet status after next year and years thereafter,” said Dr. Romero. “The criteria has been established for us and we must continue down a path towards greater integration and elevation of our levels of academic achievement.”

Homecoming 2015: You Should Have Been There (If You Weren’t)

By América Cárdenas and Sandra Iniguez

Anticipation, excitement and school pride filled the halls of Pueblo during Spirit Week, which began on Monday, September 21—and progressed to Pueblo’s homecoming night on Friday, September 25.

Our mighty Warriors showed their Pueblo Pride in the wide-spread participation of spirit week festivities. These included Slumber Party Day, Dynamic Duo Day, Disney Day, Tropical Day, and Straight Outta Pueblo Day. Throughout this week, there were many games during lunch in which each class was given the opportunity to gain spirit points.

Our school’s pride continued in the Lever Gym for the first spirit assembly of the year.

“The assembly was great, all four of the classes really brought their school spirit,” said senior Kevin Valdez.

After extensive recognition of clubs and academic success around campus, the winners of the spirit assembly were determined. The seniors seized the victory.

“The assembly was different from the others because everyone actually participated,” said senior Candelaria Guerrero. “Even the freshmen were trying to win.”

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Cheer — Warrior Cheer getting the crowd going.

The day came to a beautiful end as the homecoming game approached. Clubs lined up with different items to sell in order to raise money at our annual Homecoming Tailgate Party. The bleachers filled up with anxious spectators who waited for the football game to begin.

Pueblo Magnet High School hosted its jubilant 60^th Anniversary of its homecoming football game on Friday, September 25, 2015. The Warrior football team’s homecoming victory over the Douglas Bulldogs, with a final score of 48-0, was perhaps the team’s most dramatic win on homecoming night in many years.

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Football — Warrior Football dominated the entire game.

The Warriors dominated the football game throughout the evening and refused to let the Bulldogs score even once! Pueblo’s very own senior Justin Pledger received Jack in the Box Player of the Week for KVOA Channel 4.

“We played more as a team against Douglas, and we are coming together as a family,” Pledger said. “I feel like I’m contributing to the team and doing my best to take us to the playoffs.”

There were plenty of homecoming tailgate activities that Pueblo clubs offered. There was a variety of food choices and games throughout the night from which students and alumni could choose.

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Band — Warrior Marching Band entertained throughout the night.

“Homecoming was a major success!” exclaimed senior Bernadette Romero, “It was super fun to raise money for our clubs, and it was great to see our football team experience such a victorious win!”

During halftime of the football game, our fall 2015 homecoming king and queen of Pueblo Magnet High School were crowned: Emmanuel Buelna and Daniella Contreras.

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Royalty — 2015 King & Queen

Homecoming King Emmanuel Buelna said, “I’m humbled by the votes that I received from my fellow peers in my senior class. I was genuinely surprised that I was crowned king!”

Homecoming Queen Daniella Contreras said, “I was shocked that I won! This was the first time that I did something out of character. I’m shy, and I broke out of my shell during campaign week.” She added, “I usually stay away from big crowds, but this experience allowed me to gain a lot of new friends.”

We can’t wait for Homecoming Night 2016!

Mr. Campbell: Being His Best

By Aliah Luna

$Math Heroes By Raytheon Logo$ Pueblo math teacher Mr. Charles William (“Billy”) Campbell was honored for being the recipient of the “MathMovesU Math Hero” award. He received the official news that he was just one of 25 math teachers in thirteen states to be honored for this award.

Nominated by co-teacher Ms. Shanti Foster last semester, Campbell learned early last summer that he would be competing in the finals. Campbell was asked a series of questions on an application and his responses determined him to be a finalist.

On August 31, Campbell was informed that he was one of the 25 recipients of the math award.

Charles Billy Campbell Math Teacher Pueblo Awarded — Mr. Charles William “Billy” Campbell

“I feel a greater sense of accomplishment for being honored for what I do every day,” Campbell said. “It’s a pretty big thing, you know? Being recognized for the hard work you do is always nice—and we [teachers] feel as good as students who are nominated for an award. It’s like somebody saying, ‘Good job’.”

Campbell said that he wholeheartedly loves his job and is always striving to teach math to Pueblo students to the best of his ability. He added that no matter what he does, there is always a way to be better.

“Whatever I do, I want to do it well,” Campbell said. “Whether it’s teaching, playing video games, being and playing with my son, I want to do it the best I possibly can be.”

Campbell said that after receiving this award, he felt a sense of knowing that he is doing something right. He also expressed gratitude to his students for allowing him to teach them and that they continue to motivate him to always be his best.

“I feel there are a lot of people to thank, but most importantly, I’d like to say, ‘Thank you’ to all of my students,” he said. “They allow me to work hard with the best educators. I have worked with a lot of great teachers throughout the years, especially here at Pueblo. I am so fortunate to work with and belong to the most awesome math department!”

Campbell received $2,500 for his award, and that same amount was matched and awarded to Pueblo.

Congratulations Mr. Campbell! We are proud of you!

Warriors Urged To Attend Town Hall Meeting

By América Cárdenas

Students, teachers and parents are urged to attend a Town Hall meeting regarding the future of CTE programs on the evening of Wednesday, October 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Catalina High School auditorium.

Pueblo CTE Auto Program — Auto Program at Pueblo would be affected by budget cuts.

This meeting will discuss the recent funding cuts approved by the Governor’s Office for the 2016-2017 school year and how this will negatively affect Career and Technical Education programs throughout the state.

State senators Steve Farley and David Bradley will be present to discuss how the cuts will affect school districts, including Pueblo Magnet High School.

Please plan to attend this meeting. Your voice and opinions will definitely count.