steinmetz star 2012...by jenny garcia, andrea silva, and denzel brown m any returning students came...

Changes hurt returning studentsNew principal, school name, t-shirts, and special events are great, but...

CTU needed to strike CPS ‘Children First’ site: Time not well spent

Working seniors see lost wages as they’re in school 90 minutes more than last year’s seniors

By Jenny Garcia, Andrea Silva, and Denzel Brown

Many returning students came back to basically a brand new school. Our

school name has been changed, we have a new principal, a new disciplinarian, two new assistant principals, new teachers, and new staff members.

We are dealing with new rules, changes in the uniform policy, new key locks, no more chocolate cook-ies in the lunchroom, and a new schedule without division.

The most painful changes to students are that the school day has been extended and seniors no longer have 8th period lunch.

“I think it is pretty stupid of them to change that,” senior Edwin Ramirez said. “We are seniors and many of us work. They don’t think of our needs; I had to cut back hours at work because of this and it affected my income.”

For three years, students in the Class of 2013 saw how the seniors were treated differently from the other students and they couldn’t wait until their chance would come. But now that it’s their turn, they feel terrible because the seniors get nothing special.

“I can’t believe there’s no more 8th period lunch for the

seniors,” Brittany Garcia said. “We’ve been waiting since fresh-man year to have it and now our hopes are crushed.”

Seniors were also upset when new administrators spoke to them at a “Town Hall” meeting on September 25 and said that students could only wear solid black or white shoes.

“I don’t like the change at all,” senior Lathea Lee said. “We are seniors so we should be treated like seniors. There is no 8th period lunch, you can’t wear colored shoes, you can’t bring McDonalds into the building. This is so unnecessary. It’s too late to be trying to do all of this. We have a year left, nothing more. I don’t like it at all. I feel we should have say a so in all of this.”

“Everything has changed since freshman year,” senior Aurea Cre-spo said.

“The food changed and also the rules got more strict.”

In addition, many students were upset about security guards Toby Urian and Amy Rivera not being here anymore. Dealing with the new security guards isn’t bad, but Toby and Amy will be missed. They were truly awesome.

“It’s kind of lame not having Toby around anymore because he was my homie, I really miss him,” senior Alex Gonzalez said.

Some changes are for the betterStudents like some of the changes

this year — the new name, the new principal, the black college prep t-shirt, the back-to-school event with B96, and the BMX biker tour.

“I feel like the new name sounds and gives the school a higher perspective,” senior Jocelyn Ramos said. “Makes it sound like nothing but college prep level students come here. Mr. Ngo seems very student friendly and involved.”

“I like the new principal,” junior Jessica Luna said. “He’s nice and he motivates us.”

Junior Trivon Stevenson said the BMX bikers were cool: “We should have more events like that.” •

[Arneshia Harris, Jocelyn Laguer, Ivelise Mercadoand Manny Pazmino contributed to this story.]

By Michael Amaya

Steinmetz was one of 144 Chicago public schools open to students to get break-fast and lunch during the strike. These

“Children First Sites” were mainly for younger kids and just so parents could know that their children were somewhere.

About 30 students, including some from other schools, attended on the first day. Doz-ens of non-CTU staff, including some from other schools and CPS central office, were assigned to Steinmetz. Over the course of the 7-day strike, the numbers of students fluctu-ated, dropping some days to less than 10.

Walking in the building on that first day felt like any other day, walking in the metal detectors and showing our IDs. But after that point we were escorted from station to station. (Because as a junior I’m prone to getting lost?) At the first station we filled out emergency forms in the auditorium, then we went to the lunchroom for breakfast.

Security staff told us where to sit. They wanted all of us all together so they could keep an eye on us. Breakfast consisted of fruit, ce-real, and whatever milk wasn’t used for cereal.

The lunchroom staff members were there because they aren’t a part of the CTU, but seemingly counter productive since everything served was cold and prepackaged.

After breakfast we were off to the small auditorium to watch “The Hunger Games.” Word of advice to CPS: Don’t show a movie

By Anthony Shanks, Brandon Robinson, Serlecia Jones, Celimar Lopez, Katie Christ

For the first time in 25 years, the Chi-cago Teachers Union went on strike. Many thought that the teachers were

being selfish, however they were not only doing it for the money, but to fend off an attack on their rights and to try to make things better in the schools.

“No one wanted to go on strike,” teach-er Mike Arroyo said. “We had to.”

During the seven-day strike, nearly all 130 Steinmetz CTU members picketed outside the school everyday.

The scene was alive with teachers every-

where from Wellington to Belmont. There were picket signs, music, and bullhorns. There were also random people shouting and honking their support.

For students, the 7-day interruption added to problems of an already hectic school year. Athletes in fall sports missed coach-led practices and competitions.

“I feel it was a waste of time,” foot-ball player Michael Harris said. “It took away a game and we suffered more than the teachers.”

“The strike made the football team out of sync, but we were still determined to show up to practice and win these games,”

JENNIE CZAHOR, PHOTO EDITOR

PHOTO BY JENNIE CZAHOR

where at the beginning everything happens because people revolted against the govern-ment because they weren’t treated fairly. Sound familiar?

After the movie it was back to the lunch-room for lunch. This prepackaged “meal” consisted of fruit, milk, and the coldest sand-wiches ever. But one thing about teenagers, no matter the food they’ll probably eat it.

There was a big emphasis on staying on schedule that whole day, everyone in and out at certain time.

“The entire ordeal felt like being back in grade school, because we were led in single file

Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 7

Steinmetz StarVolume 78, Number 1, September-October 2012: www.steinmetzac.com edition

DRAWING BY NORJORIA PRATT

Above: Students return to school on September 19 after the seven-day strike. The longer day, loss of senior 8th period lunch, and stricter dress code rules are their top complaints.

Juniors Erik Martinez and Gardenia Ceron attended the CPS program at Steinmetz on the first day of the strike. On the other days they opted instead to join students and the striking staff members on the picket line.

Freshmen adjusting well

Eye-opening internship with Alderman Sposato

PHOTO BY LETICIA MOMBELA

Fun summer service program

By Saul Zamora

Inever really knew what local government can do for all of us until I served

as an intern in Alderman Nicholas Sposato’s office in July and August. It was such an interesting experi-ence. I feel so much closer and personally attached to my community now.

I realize that there are many flaws in government, but that’s my passion — to become involved in govern-ment and hopefully make some steps to fixing what needs to be fixed.

The MIKVA internship was an honor. In addition to working with Alderman Sposato, I met with police superintendent Gary McCarthy in a round table discussion with other interns, and discussed issues that concern our youth. I also met other govern-ment officials and got the sense that we do have a voice. We have to take advantage of the times when we are being heard.

I would recommend anyone who is inter-ested in government to apply next year for the MIKVA Summer Fellows internship. In addition to gaining confidence, your percep-tion of government will certainly change.

I want to give a big thank you to librar-ian Bernie Eshoo for opening the door to new experiences that I would never have had on my own.•

CPS siteContinued from Page 1

lines to where we needed to go, and watched over like hawks,” senior Jennie Czahor said. “The students didn’t pose a threat, yet it felt like being in trouble and sitting in de-tention, except we were allowed to talk.”

At 12:30 everyone was dis-missed. That was it — cold food and a movie, something anyone could do at home. The most sur-prising thing was how calm Prin-cipal Stephen Ngo seemed under the pressure, not flustered or angry.

The best part of that day was how energetic the teachers were outside, more than anyone inside. They had the highest spirits and got everyone honking and yelling in support. It’s funny that more kids were outside supporting the teach-ers than were inside.•2 Steinmetz Star Sept. - Oct. 2012

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College FairMonday, October 15

4:30 - 6:30 in the lunchroomOpen to all students!

Steinmetz Star

Steinmetz College Prep High School

3030 N. Mobile, Chicago IL 60641

773-534-3030, Star office (x) 25241

Email: [email protected]

School website: www.steinmetzac.com

(“Steinmetz Newspaper” link)

Principal: Mr. Stephen Ngo Assistant principals: Mr. Jaime Jaramillo Ms. Cheryl Williams Ms. Ruquiyah Rahman-Aquil Budget director: Mr. Paul Chase

Star adviser: Ms. Sharon Schmidt

Editing Team: Michael Amaya, Jennie Czahor, Judy Czahor, Amanda Gidney, Leticia Mombela

Journalism class reporters, Room 3331st period: Michael Amaya, Moriah Belt, Breonn Bland, Makennzee Cur-ran, Jennifer Garcia, Jisel Garcia, Lech-ele Glispie, Serlecia Jones, Anthony La-gunas, Elizabeth Martinez, Alejandra Pacheco, Emanuel Pazmino, Phillip Quezada, Abraham Roa, Heiddy Rodas, Anyssa Rodriguez, Alan Salazar, Andrea Silva, London Vasquez, Aracely Ventura, Kyle Williams 5th period: Steven Abanto, Denzel Brown, Taylah Brown, Lexus Castro, La’Keva Duncan, Jonathan Eustaquio, Brittany Garcia, Iriz Garcia, Amanda Gidney, Victoria Gonzalez, Esther Grimaldo, Anthony Guerrero, Arneshia Harris, Jocelyn Laguer, Lathea Lee, Mat-thew Maggit, Dominic Masciopinto, Nakita Mccaa, Ivelise Mercado, Norjoria Pratt, Ricky Rico, Brandon Robinson, Govani Rosales, Daniela Vargas, Esther Velazquez 8th period: Selene Acosta, Brenda Blanco, Norma Carrillo, Katie Christ, David Cruz, Judith Czahor, Luis Diaz, Jackueline Flores, Estefani Garcia, Julian Hemingway, Katarzyna Jalowiec, Celi-mar Lopez, Luis Lopez, Erik Martinez, Jose Martinez, Lisette Mendez, Cathy Meraz, Leticia Mombela, Lissette Mon-terroso, Jamie Muro, Nathalie Ortiz, Jesus Ramirez, Julian Rice, Sergio Ro-driguez, Rebecca Romanenko, Johann Sanchez, Anthony Shanks, Vanessa Solis, Kandace Warren

Newspaper club reporters: Mariceli Cadena, Joanna Colin, Jennie Czahor, Kala Geralds, Alejandro Her-nandez, Trae Johnson, Ameerae Lunjas, Tridaya McGee, Michael Newson, Maria Sanchez, Koya Scott, Shem Stasik, Ste-fanie Stelmach, Andres Suarez, Justyna Szczech, Emony Tate, Quijna Walton, Jalan Veal, Saul Zamora

The Newspaper Club meets on Thurs-days after school in Room 333.

The Steinmetz Star welcomes letters to the editor, corrections, comments, and bylined articles from all members of the Steinmetz community.

Printing: Mr. Hugh Hefner’s June 2011 donation to the Star covers the costs of printing the paper at NewsWeb Corpo-ration, Chicago. •

Star News

Principal Stephen Ngo and teacher Derrick Spencer, freshmen Anai Gomez, Daisy Aguirree, Gua-dalupe Ovale, Lesly Garcia, and Cristian Polomores on September 24 at the special anti-smoking program sponsored by ASA Entertainment. Top BMX bikers performed exhibitions on a half pipe at the event that took place during 3rd and 5th periods.

By Lechele Glispie and Cathy Meraz

A s the new school year falls into place, the freshmen are adjusting

to high school life. They had to get used to getting to class within four minutes, finding their classes, and, most of all, having what it takes to pass ev-ery single one. Some freshmen have the hang of it already.

“I can walk through this school with my eyes closed now,” freshman Paris Glispie said.

Older students and staff can help freshmen with their good advice.

So, freshmen, listen up and take notes. It might seem like a long way till you graduate, but follow these simple steps and your time will go by fast:

“Think twice or else your actions will be with you for all four years,” said junior Hailey O’Brien.

“Don’t be afraid to try,” said sopho-more Marium Amin.

“Get involved in school activities and sports,” said junior Zurelis Chajon.

“Be honest, be on time, and try, try, try!” teacher Ana Lesniakowska said. •

By Justyna Szczech

Several students participated in the Summer of Service Learning (SOSL) program this summer and

earned 20 service learning hours and a half credit for having fun.

We met Monday through Thursday for four weeks, beginning June 25. Mostly we talked and played games. My favorite part was when we toured the school and saw hidden doors and learned Steinmetz has a bomb shelter. We learned about the haunting of rooms and how Steinmetz has changed over the years.

One of the most interesting things was when the program leaders took us around the Steinmetz neighborhood and we learned how well off it is.

They helped prepare us for college and told us what options we have. We went to the University of Chicago where we learned the secret of college students —

they love free food. We also worked at a conservatory to promote native plants in the Chicago area.

“The SOSL program was a little bit challenging at the beginning, but I got into the flow of it and it became pretty fun,” sophomore Roksana Stefanek said.

“I actually wasn’t expecting for it to be so. Before I got into the program, I

thought it was going to be boring because it said service and who wants to do ser-vice in the summer? The projects we did didn’t feel like work because we had fun with them.”

Participants loved being with one of our best teachers, David Gonzalez, who sponsored the program. He always made our day, even when we were sleepy.•

Alderman Nicholas Sposato (36th Ward), senior Saul Zamora, and other students joined striking teachers on the picket lines in September. Saul worked with Alderman Sposato during his July and August MIKVA foundation paid internship.

What is your favorite quotation?

“Haters don’t really hate you, they hate themselves because you’re a reflection of what they wish to be.”

Jonathan Vargas, freshman

“Nobody can go back and start a new begin-ning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

Diana Urbieta, junior

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“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Thalia Vasquez, sophomore

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“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

Sabrina Dominguez, junior

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“It is better to aim your goal high and miss by a little, than to aim low and reach it.”

Alfredo Hernandez, junior

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“A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.”

Kevin Davis, senior

“A day without laughter is a day wasted, but a night full of tears makes you stronger.”

Sarah Landor, senior

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June 26, 2012Thank you for the latest issue of the Star.

It’s really looking good. Hugh M. Hefner, Editor-In-Chief

Playboy

Kudos from Hef

[Editors’ note: New readers may want to see back issues of the Star for stories about Playboy’s Hugh Hefner, who graduated from Steinmetz in 1944. See Nov.-Dec. 2010 for our story about his 2010 visit to Steinmetz, ‘This is where the dreams began,’ and Oct.-Nov. 2011, Hugh Hefner donates $50,000 to Star and yearbook. Go to www.steinmetzac.com/ Newspaper Link for back issues.]

Good rulesSeptember 25, 2012I am in my third year here and I am happy

about the new school rules this year. I think that the administration is trying hard to make our school a better place to learn. I hope that this year kids will take their classes and grades more seriously by showing up to class and do-ing the homework teachers give them.

Brenda Sedano, junior

We might lose jobsSeptember 21, 2012Taking away 8th period lunch was a big

mistake. For seniors, having 8th period lunch was a privilege — something that we earned and something that we had looked forward to. Without 8th period lunch, seniors risk losing their jobs after school. Many go directly to work after school.

Not having 8th period doesn’t just affect the seniors, it affects other classes as well. Students are having to sit on the floor dur-ing lunch due to overcrowded lunch periods. Taking away 8th period lunch caused more problems rather than solving them. Some things just shouldn’t be changed.

Elizabeth Queen, senior

By La’Keva Duncan

Ever since school started, I have been late to work. I have to be at work at 4:00 at Bright Start Day-

care, and on top of that, I have to pick up five 3-year-olds and a 4-year-old. It’s a hassle trying to make the bus and get around traffic. It really upsets me because I hate to be late for anything, especially work.

My job is nowhere near Steinmetz. Because I like to be on time for ev-erything, there have been times I have been wanting to leave school and go to work. I know it’s not the right thing to do, but I need my money.

I have been told that school cannot offer 8th period lunch anymore. If that’s the case, let us — the ones with jobs and with enough elective credits — out on work release.•

We need to get to our jobs

Fix overcrowdingBy Becca Romanenko

This year, you probably noticed the unbelievably crowded lunchroom. Many students, mainly freshmen, are stuck standing along the walls.

This crowded mess is because eighth period lunch has been removed, affecting too many students negatively.

Senior Gerardo Rodriguez regularly runs and bikes for exercise outside of school. He adamantly wants eighth period lunch back.

“It’s a precedent from the seniors before us, and it is unfair for us not to have it,” Gerardo said. “I want it back so that I don’t have to worry about time man-agement with running. I’d be able to get a job after school and finish homework without being in a rush.”

The administration told students last year that 8th period lunch for seniors was ending because CPS lengthened the school day and the lunchroom work-ers can’t stay past a set number of hours. But has our school’s administration tried to work with the lunchroom staff regarding hours? Could the workers stagger their start and end times?

If the lunchroom staff can’t serve this year’s later eighth period lunch, what if seniors sign up for an off-campus eighth period lunch? Many of us don’t eat the lunchroom food anyway. Seniors could be scanned out with our ID’s.

This year Principal Ngo is asking a lot of us to get our school back up to a Level Two school. As the rules become more strict, I believe a nice reward would be to bring back 8th period lunch. Seniors deserve the same privilege that all seniors before us were given. •

By Jackueline Flores

Seniors should have the privi-lege of open campus. Having the same lunch food everyday

gets boring. Being inside the build-ing for seven hours and 15 minutes is tough. So going out and buying your own food or just eating food from home outside would be phe-nomenal.

Seniors are mature and serious about their education and atten-dance. They will come back if given open campus.

I personally had the experience at my old school in Waukegan. Many students there would have lunch out and come back. I wish Steinmetz students could enjoy that same ex-perience.•

We need open campus

By Judy Czahor

Students were outraged at the Sep-tember 25 “Town Hall Meeting” when disciplinarian Lorraine Fri-

erson told them that the uniform policy specifies solid black or white shoes.

Personally, I own a pair of gray and pink Adidas shoes that cost over $90. I don’t feel that I should have to go out and spend more money on another pair of shoes after I spent all that money on the new shoes (that I’ve wanted ever since I saw them in the Journeys Cata-logue and I knew would last me the whole school year).

I honestly don’t know what the se-curity expects us to do if they tell us “You can’t wear those shoes.” I’m sorry, but would you like me to walk around barefoot? Are you going to confiscate my shoes until a parent shows up to give me an appropriate pair of shoes? I don’t think my dad would appreciate driving all the way over to Steinmetz just to give me some shoes when I already left the house that morning in shoes that covers my whole foot and won’t give me blisters from running around the halls all day. (And they’re cute too, if I may add). It will be interesting to see if the school will enforce this.•

Outrageous shoe policy

Missing DEARBy Amanda Gidney

Last year we had Drop Everything and Read on Wednesdays in alternating classes. Many stu-dents enjoyed DEAR and were looking forward

to it this year. I personally loved the program, and it happened to be the best part of my week last year.

What do you think? Do you wish we had it? Write to the Star editors and tell us what you think. •

“A book commits suicide every time you watch Jersey Shore.”

Jennifer Lee, senior

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More photo opinions on Pages 9-10

Sept. - Oct. 2012 Steinmetz Star 3

Star Opinion 3

Star Editorials Letters

Raw Talentstwirlers and drumline

Band plays at pep rally

By Justyna SzczechBy Claudio Mendrano

By La’Keva Duncan

By Nakita McCaa

4 Steinmetz Star Sept. - Oct. 2012

Spirit Week and Homecoming4

By Judy Czahor

R aw Talents recently began majorettes (baton twirlers) and a drum line to accompany them. Raw Talents offers a large array of activities.

Each year, Raw Talents sponsor Debra Kern adds new activities like show choir, stomp team, trivia, poetry, and service at the health fair to appeal to the growing tastes of students.

The baton twirlers have been meeting since late June when they practiced in the hot and humid weather throughout the summer. They pull off tricks like “whips” and “butterflies.” They even performed in a “back-to-school” parade.

The tricks that they did throughout the parade and will be performing throughout the year weren’t easy to learn. Just ask sophomore Justyna Scheck about all of the bruises she got on her arms from practice while she tries to perfect her technique.

Every week the twirlers seemed to accumulate new members, including Vicky Jackson and Norjoria Pratt, so Ms. Kern started to recruit for a drum line.

“We need more of an ‘oomph’ in our sound,” she said, back in July when the only music the twirlers had played off of small laptop speakers.

On September 21, the drum line started to as-semble when Raw Talents held auditions. Ms. Kern named Stanley Hill as the drum line leader on the day of auditions because she was so amazed at his, dare we say, “raw talent.”

On Monday of the next week, the drum line and the twirlers performed together for the first time. It seemed to simply flow together as the song went on.

“Since that first performance was such a suc-cess, I knew that homecoming would be absolutely fantastic!” said twirler Jennifer Czahor.

Ms. Kern encourages everyone to watch the twirl-ers and drum line perform as well as audition or join one of the many other activities Raw Talents has to offer. Raw Talents meets in room 357 on Fridays.•

By Jisel Garcia

T he band performed at the pep rally, playing the Steinmetz Fight Song and helping to raise everyone’s spirits.

Our music department offers beginning band, intermediate and advanced band, beginning mixed chorus, intermediate and advanced chorus, orchestra and general music.

Intermediate and advanced band students are the lucky ones who get the most performances and get to wear the entire band uniform. The band uniform catches the audience’s attention with its green jacket, green cape, black pants, and a silver hat with feathers. There is also a second uniform which is a vest and black hat.

The band performs in parades, the spirit week pep rally, Homecoming, and other football games and sports events. The band performed during a pep rally last spring for the juniors before they took the ACT.

One problem for students is that not there aren’t enough students in band. At one time in Steinmetz history, the band held at least 100 students. For band they would line up in the gym to practice. Maybe band students could wear the vest or band jacket once a week to represent band just like ROTC does every Wednesday, and club and sports teams do on Fridays.

“I wouldn’t change anything, especially not the teachers,” junior Gardenia Ceron said. “The only thing is the amount of people that are put in band. Everybody is a musician.”•

By Brittany GarciaBy Quinja Walton

Star photo

Star photo

Streaks win!

New cheerleaders


Spirit Week and Homecoming 5

By Ameerae Lunjas

T he football team beat Prosser 58-0 on October 5 in the the Homecoming Game.

A lot of people came to Hanson Stadium to support the team and celebrate spirit week. It was really cold, about 50 degrees, but many Silver Streaks showed up with much school spirit.

Seniors Brandi Warren and Thadious Scott were crowned Homecoming Queen and King.

The cheerleaders were awesome, cheering for the team. Without them, I don’t think we would all have been motivated to cheer and show pride in our football team.

We’re so proud of our football team:Congratulations. We’re the best in the west, and we’ll beat

out the rest. •1 Brandon Smith2 Breonn Bland3 Jaime Suarez6 Matt Maggit8 Earvie Howard9 Michael Harris (C)10 Danny Valdovinos20 JaQuory Smith21 Christian Pilamunga22 Jarvez Williams23 Kamil Stasik24 Kaylon Smith25 Alec Bowen29 Devantae Stevenson33 Dominic Masciopinto

50 Jakwon Smith51 Trivon Stevenson52 Jaxon Alvarez54 Tyler McKnight58 Jesse Chavez62 Aramis Pates63 Javier Delgado69 Jonathan Eustaquio70 Adrian Bautista (C)73 Freddy Barrera75 Charles Ivy78 Santies Howard80 Colin Quaglia84 Anthony Kowalczyk

By Selene Acosta

O ver 50 girls tried out for cheerleading. They were cho-sen according to how loud and good they performed.

Once the top girls were chosen the coach started eliminating according to their grade point average and atten-dance. The girls were also required not to have any discipline problems in the past.

There were only a few returning cheerleaders out of 25 girls in the team.

“I want to see more team spirit,” former cheerleader Leticia Mombela said. “I’m a senior! I’ll take it out of myself to scream cheers if I have to!”•

By Serlecia Jones

By London Vasquez

By Taylah Brown

By Serlicia Jones

By Nakita McCaa

By Ameerae Lunjas

By Ameerae Lunjas

By Nakita McCaa

More Spirit Week photos on Page 10

Final Batman film is best of trilogy

Long wait for Halo 4 almost over

What students say

By Anthony Guerrero

Halo 4, one of the most anticipated games of the year for the Xbox 360, will be released on November 6.

Halo 4 is a first-person-shooter game and the eighth installment in the Halo franchise being developed for the Xbox 360 by 343 Industries. Halo 4 is intended to be the first of a new trilogy of Halo series games, named the “Reclaimer Trilogy.” It’s been estimated that the game has already over a million pre-orders. People have been waiting for the game for five years, since Halo 3 came out.

Halo 4 starts after the cliffhanger that they left you in Halo 3. Master Chief and the rest of the gang are all back to save the day once again. The story takes place four years after the end of the covenant war. Cortana has awoken the legendary Master Chief within the U.N.S.C. Forward. In front of them looms Requiem, a forerunner world unlike any other, home to a far greater power than any of them ever faced. The chief must now fight through enemies old and new so he can uncover secrets 100,000 years old.

There are a few new multiplayer game modes such as the flood which will support up to 10 players. Two will start out infected and their goal is to infect the others. The remain-ing players must seek out the two infected and kill them before they become infected.

Another new game mode is “Dominion.” Dominion is basically every map houses three

unoccupied bases, which players must then capture to win points. If a team holds a base long enough, it may be resupplied, earning additional points over time.

There are a lot of magazines that are overly excited for this game. “Halo 4 gets a 10+ rat-ing,” — IGN magazine. “Halo 4 deserves 9.8 rating,” — Official Xbox Magazine.

The game will cost $60. It seems well worth it since you’re getting new features, game modes, story mode, and a nice long campaign that takes about 11 hours to fin-ish. The game seems cool. Halo 4 drops in a month, so check it out! •

By Esther Grimaldo

And...“What’s the worst I can do on

the final and still pass?”“Does anyone have a pen?”“Can we use a calculator?”

“When am I ever actually going to be using this?”

“Can we go on a field trip?”“What homework?” •

Book club meets Oct. 16By Mariceli Cadena

The next book club meeting will be Tuesday, Oc-tober 16 after school. All students are welcome to come to the library to read and share your

opinions. We’re beginning the year with Perfect Chemistry by

Simone Elkeles, a novel that deals with peer pressure, teen problems, rebellion, and love between the two main characters.

Librarian Nassrin Jalili and teacher Tara Scorlie bring candy for the Streaks readers to enjoy. The club meets every other Tuesday. Book club members can choose different genres of books and pick out the book they want to read.

Are you interested in reading? Talking about the book itself? The book club is your choice. Be a reader at the book club. •

By Alejandro Hernandez

Four years ago audiences were wit-ness to the masterpiece known as the “The Dark Knight.” Now the

most recent, and final installment, of the Batman trilogy “The Dark Knight Rises” has captivated audiences since opening day on July 20.

“The Dark Knight Rises” takes place eight years after the “The Dark Knight” and Gotham has a new reckoning, a mysterious and muscle-bound villain known as Bane (Tom Hardy). Bane forces Batman (Christian Bale) out of retirement.

Bane is unlike any villain Batman has faced since he is a physical brute army of one, but he is also cerebral. Batman has to enlist the help of Lu-cious Fox (Morgan Freeman), Officer Gordon (Gary Oldman) and an unlike-ly ally in Catwoman (Anne Hathaway).

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a fantastic film from start to finish. It has an all-star cast that would put the 2012 Dream Team to shame, and it has enough plot twists to leave M. Night Shyamalan not knowing what will happen next. The acting, dialogue, and storyline are great. You need to smack yourself if you haven’t seen it. •

College Prep crosswordBy Tridaya McGee

“You never taught us this!” “Do we have to write this down?”

“Can I get some water?” “I’m not on my phone.”

“I don’t get this.” “Can this be a group quiz?”


6 Star Arts & Entertainment

Ask MandeeGot a problem and need advice? Too shy to ask anyone? Send your

problem here! Mandee, resident know-it-all, will give you answers. You do not need to give your name. Ask Mandee will respond to anony-

mous requests. Slip your questions under the Steinmetz Star office door (Room 333) or email Ask Mandee: [email protected]. •

Across 1. October 5, 20124. Says, “Get to class!”5. Celebrate with candy7. New addition10. Art teacher

12. SilverDown 2. Pizza place3. Sargeants teach6. Current month

8. Youngest class 9. Steinmetz Star11. Spanish teacher13. Dance for seniors14. Winning team

Swimmers win Committed team

Boys basketball conditioning is ‘Bagsane’

X Z K C S Y P P B M G A P R P W A D Y TE P M Z F N H E G E R W O C K A B C L JS A J M Y K O R H I E T J Y U R J I D QR B U D C N Z P J D E O R L W T R T N IE P U O A V U E G M N U F Z B I M S E YV S N E S X L G N Y K V R V I S E A I EI Z T E P Y K E I C T X E U D T N I R AD G A W Z L V L M I S G V I S I N S F GI Z L G D Y Q L O K H J L A P C O U D LH U E B S I K O C M U D I E W P Q H Y OB Q N P K G D C E S A I S V D Y I T T UA Y T G N K Z Z M G P K P Q B B F N U SI K E N X A J T O C O I L Q N K O E A RI U D J J N S E H Z D O R R F O L X T PC J A C A D E M I C U J F I S P O R T SB M X P B I J N S L Y W R K T R H E A BO Y I B C E Y I H B C T H L A W B A C UP D D J A P O E W K W V T Y A B E M V MN J K T F C I T A D M H J Z E A T E K GZ H K K H U X S O K Q N K D V E H C K W

CTU had to strike for rights

Silver Streaks word searchBy Moriah Belt

B e the first person to bring your solved word search (and/or crossword) to the Steinmetz Star, Room 333, and win a small prize. •

Continued from Page 1Many parents supported the CTU’s fight

for a fair contract, but worried about the missed days.

“I think the teachers did the right thing going on a strike,” parent Zofia Crist said. “But it is unfair for the students because

they will have to make it up even though it’s not their fault.”

Two of the days missed due to the strike will be made up at the end of winter break, one day will be made up on Presidents Day in February, and four days will be made up at the end of the school year in June. •

Students join Steinmetz CTU members, office clerks Rupa Darsipudi and Tanya Harvey, and teacher assistant Petra Davila, on the picket line on Narragansett.

Still time to join bowling


Star Sports 7

academicartisticdiverseenthusiastic

friendlygreensilverHomecoming

spirit weeksportsSteinmetz College Preptalented

By Michael Newson

The amazing part of the Streaks win against Solaro was how both swim teams cheered each other on. The

Streaks’ second win at home took place on September 29.

Senior Vicky Jackson won first place in the 500 yard. Nicole took first in the individual medley. The Star interviewed captain Diana Herrera.

Q: How did you feel after the meet?

A: Proud, happy, tired and sleepy.Q: What did you think about the meet?A: It was nice hanging with my girls

smiling and screaming. It was the best feeling ever.

Q: How do you think the season will go?

A: I think we still have a lot of work, but I know this season will be one of the best we’ve had. I think everyone on the team has worked really hard this year and I want to thank them for making my senior year so special! •

By Kyle Williams

For returning basketball players and upcoming freshmen, that last week of September means conditioning.

It is the focal point of the basketball pre-season because it’s preparation for the actual season.

“Conditioning is the key to having a breakout year and winning conference,” Coach Brad Dowling said on the first day of school.

When you’re conditioning you’re pre-paring for the fourth quarter, so take it seriously unless you want to ride the bench and fill up water bottles, General Managers.

In order to participate in open gym on Saturdays, players need to show up twice a week — in the weight room with Coach Paul Bagdonas for conditioning and in the big gym with Coach Dowling.

Anyone who wants to play basketball should see the coaches.•

By Erik Martinez

Bowling season is about to begin. If you are interested in joining the team, see Sgt. Billy Hill for boys, Sgt. Garry

Frank for girls. The Streaks practice regularly at Mont Clare Lanes, 2957 N. Harlem, and bowl against other northside high school teams during the season. .

“The bowling team has a lot of great players this year,” senior Andrew Pinsack said. “I’m

hoping that they stay until the season’s over. Bowling is a fun way to meet friends and have a good time also a great way to learn some great techniques to bowl.”

Last year’s boys bowling team had only five regular bowlers, even though a class full of students showed up to sign up. This year fourteen students signed up. We are in hope that all of our players are fully committed to stay and have fun.•

By Dominic Masciopinto

E veryone on the football team gets along with each other unlike some past sea-sons. Everyone has the desire to go to

state like we have been trying to do for so many years. The team has a very diverse group of students. There are some rappers, some IB students, but we are all friends. We found a way to stay on each other to be our best on and off the field. There may be some heated moments, but at the end of the day we all walk off the field as a team.

This is one of the most committed teams I’ve ever been apart of. I am proud of this team and I’m glad that its going to be my last team I play with for my senior year

of high school. I’m glad we’re getting back to the days where the football team watches the football teams back. It’s similar to what it was like the year that I came my freshman year.

We just all have a common goal and we are making sure that we meet that goal. We practice hard, but play harder. We are trying to make Steinmetz a contender in football like in previous years.

Quarterback and senior Michael Harris said, “We’ve worked too hard for us to lose this.”

Everyone is preparing to have a terrific sea-son. We hope that the fans will be there along with the team as we take this ride through the season.•

Why not join a sports team? The winter sports season is coming up.Join basketball, bowling, swimming (boys) or cardio club (girls).

Don’t see your favorite sport or Streaks athlete?Anyone can write a story for the Star. Come to the Newspaper Club

on Thursdays or email us at [email protected]

More strike coverage on Page 11

Streaks become conference contenders

Cross country beats Taft at Riis Park meet

Dominic Masciopinto in the win against Lincoln Park, Sept. 29

Breonn Bland at Winnemac Field against Lincoln ParkAdrian Bautista and other Streaks seniors at the Homecoming halftime with Coach Tim Mcnulty

Cross country team members after their second meet on September 29 at Niles West

By Heiddy Rodas

Throughout the months I’ve been in cross country, from June to Octo-ber, I have loved the team and the

coaches Coach Abel Pereyra and Coach Kim Daughenbaugh.

I was on track for several years, but didn’t join cross country until this year. I regret not joining the team before my se-nior year. Coach Abel Pereyra and the girls

always tried encouraging me to join cross country because it helps build endurance for track season.

Being on the team kept me active over the summer and I got to know the under-classmen. Everything we do is just so much fun and the coaches are always encouraging us to do better.

I interviewed one of the team captains, senior Giselle Jimenez, who is in cross country for her third year and one of the most energetic girls on the team.

Q: Is each year a better experience for you?

A: Yes, I learn more about myself and the girls on the team, I form a better bond with them too, as well as the coaches, and I gain more endurance for track season.

Q: What have you learned from your teammates?

A: I’ve learned more about them as ath-letes, their weaknesses and strengths. I’ve learned even more about each of them as a person. •

By Estefani Garcia & Alejandra Pacheco

The Streaks beat the Taft Eagles in a dual meet at Riis Park on October 10.

In the first meet of the year the team finished 6th out of more than 50 teams, the Whitney Young Invitational on September 22.

The runners were well prepared. Coaches Abel Pereyra and Kim Daughenbough pushed the team through summer and fall workouts to be the best it can be.

At the race the girls who weren’t able to run because of injuries were still there to support their teammates.

“You can do it girls,” they would scream any time a teammate would pass by.

After the two-mile race the runners felt accom-plished. Varsity and sophomore teams ran a three-mile course the following week at Niles West.

“Captains Giselle Jimenez and Fanny Reyes led an all-senior group including Heiddy Rodas, Alejan-dra Pacheco, Yessica Castillo, and Claudia Radek,” Coach Pereyra reports on his webpage. “These last four girls had never raced in a 3-mile race before, but you wouldn’t have known it by watching them go. They ran very tough against some extremely intimidating competition.”

Giselle, Fanny, Heiddy, Cintia Garcia, Brenda Es-calante, Diana Herrera, and Arely Morales made up the Streaks team for the 2.6 mile North-South Challenge on the marathon course before the Chicago Marathon. Runners and teammates boarded a bus for the race at 5:00 a.m. on October 7.

City Championships are October 13. •

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Star Sports8

By Matthew Maggit

The Streaks made winning look easy in the three recent victories: 58-0 against Prosser at Homecoming, 40-12 against

Mather, and 31-0 against Lincoln Park. All the games were full of highlights from the entire team..

The team members understand that we are all brothers, and when we are on that field the only people we can trust are the guys in green and white. No team can compete with us when we play as one. We have worked ex-tremely hard and now we are seeing the proof.

We expect this; we’re not lucky, we feel like this is supposed to be happening. And in some cases we feel like we underachieved, such as in the game against Ottawa and in the close loss to Foreman.

Shout-out to the “Hit-Squad” — our entire defense. Keep doing what you all are doing. Offense wins games; defense gets the offense back on the field. In addition, we also would not be able to get this done without the leadership and discipline from coaches Tim Mcnulty (Coach Mac) and Miguel Ochoa (Coach OC).

Our goal is to get those rings around our fingers when we win conference. •

By Coach Tim Mcnulty (From announcement on October 8)

T hank you to all students, faculty, and staff that attended our 58-0 Homecom-ing win over Prosser on Friday. You were

loud, enthusiastic, and engergetic. Thank you. It was awesome!

The Varsity improved their record to 4-2 (3-1 in conference).

The offensive line opened up running lanes for our backs to rush for 379 yeards, and 8 rushing touchdowns.

Breonn Bland, 2 TDDominic Masciopinto 2 TDMichael Harris 2 TDJarvez Williams 1 TDBrandon Smith 1 TDThe defense was led by Adrian Bautista,

with two interceptions, returning one 20 yeards for a touchdown.

Jacquory Smith also had a touchdown. The defense held Prosser to 10 yards of total offense.

Our next game is against Schurz on Sat-urday, October 13, at 1:00 at Lane Stadium. Go Streaks! •

By Breonn Bland

The Streaks had a tremendous week of practice, hard work and dedication prior to the 31-0 win against Lincoln

Park on September 22. Winnemac Stadium wasn’t the best field

we played on, but it didn’t hold the Stein-metz defence back. Senior Adrian Bautista, and his defence, the Hit Squad, went out and took the victory from the Lincoln Park Lions. The team came out of the locker room fired up, running through all the plays. The coaches seemed quite proud of us.

The first and second quarters were okay, we just gave them a little push, and we put in a little work. But in the third and fourth quarters we said: “Let’s bring home a win and show them why we say Streaks House.”

The best moments of the game were the touchdowns and the big hits. Seniors Mike Harris, Breonn Bland, and Dominic Mas-

ciopinto scored. Seniors Earvie Howard, Jarvez Williams, Dominic Masciopinto, Matthew Maggit, Adrian Bautista, and Bre-onn Bland made many of the hits.

CBS Channel 2 news was very impressed with the team and recorded the whole game and congratulated us on our victory. We kept our momentum up and the crowd was going wild.

“I loved the game and my wife loved it too,” Principal Stephen Ngo said. “It was her first football game ever. My wife also says that she is happy she isn’t the parent of the child Breonn Bland hit.” (This reporter hit one of the Lincoln Park players so hard his game ended early.)

Some people believe we are on our way to a championship. The players are saying, “This year’s team is smackin. We all have came together as a family, and we all are in the same book, on the same page, same line. This year’s team will bring you a ban-ner and a ring.”•

More football coverage on Page 7 and Page 5

Senior players worked hard to help restore Silver Streak football to contending for conference championships. Coach Mcnulty named Adrian Bautista Player of the Game against Prosser on October 5, for leading a fierce defensive effort, with four tackles and two interceptions, one that he returned 25 yards for a touchdown.

What is your favorite quotation?

“The truth is in the pudding.” Kijuan Clemons, junior

Continued on Page 10


Star Web Extra

By Lexus Castro

“Make money, don’t let it make you.” John Shelby, sophomore

“Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stron-ger.”

Delilah Perez, sophomore

By Lexus Castro

By Lexus Castro

“Live, love, strong.” Tacori Halliburton, freshman

By Lexus Castro

“Y.O.L.O.” Unique Macklin, senior

By Lethea Lee

“‘The fools think they are wise, the wise know themselves to be fools.’The people that act like they know everything usually know the least, while the wise tend to offer guidance but don’t come across as arrogant or know-it all’s.”

Brad Dowling, teacherInterview by Daniela Vargas

“‘Find a job that you love and you will never work another day in your life.’ It makes me appreciate my job and how lucky I am to come to work every day and work with stu-dents to make an impact in their lives. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else, suit and tie is not for me.”

Stefanos Apostolopoulos, teacherInterview by Iriz Garcia

Interview by Iriz Garcia

Interview by Daniela Vargas

“Follow your heart.” Jocelyn Uruchima, senior

Interviewed by Anyssa Rodriguez

“Never regret anything that made you smile.”Christian Cija, senior

Interviewed by Alan Salazar

“Always be nice to people because you never know if one day you’ll need their help.”

Kevin Mendoza, seniorInterviewed by Abraham Roa

“‘When we face the worst that can happen in any situation, we grow.’ This quote is ba-sically telling us, that in order for us to be strong persons we need to face problems and overcome them.”

Thalia Rodas, seniorInterviewed by Daniela Vargas

“I’m trying to be better than good enough.”Jocelyn Ramos, senior

Interviewed by Johann Sanchez

‘You live and you learn.”Shariah Swanigan, senior

Interviewed by Taylor Brown

“Get money.”Julius Payton, senior


“’My Meatball’, because that my best friend and we always have a good time together. Whenever I see her I scream out Meatball!!”

Krystal Haro, seniorInterviewed by Brittany Garcia

“Chase your dreams don’t let them chase you.”Brandi Warren, senior

Interviewed by Kandace Warren

“You’re not promised tomorrow.”Victor Navarro, senior

Interviewed by Julian Rice

“A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.”

Kevin Davis, seniorInterviewed by Julian Rice

“Take it as a learning experience.”Eric Lora, senior

Interviewed by Kasia Jalowiec

“Ohana means family, family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.”

Angelica Ward, senior Interviewed Vanessa Solis

“A day without laughter is a day wasted, but a night full of tears makes you stronger.”

Sarah Landor, seniorInterviewed by Norma Carrillo

“Only the good die young.” Kristian Bahena, senior

Interviewed by Luis Lopez

“You only live once.”Adrian Bautista, senior


“Smile now, cry later.“Saul Rivas, senior

Interviewed by Brenda Blanco

“You only live once!” — DrakeRakeem West, senior

Interviewed by Julian Hemingway

“Follow your heart.” Jocelyn Uruchima, senior


“Don’t regret anything that made you smile.”Rebekka Quintana, junior


“Whatever is done in the dark comes to light.”Yolanda Chaytor, junior

Interviewed by Norma Carrillo

“It’s not a party without balloons.”Vicky Rivera, junior


“Never let anyone bring you down no matter what, and to always stay strong.”

Henry Hernandez, juniorBy Abraham Roa

“Perception is reality.”Michael Grabowski, junior

Interviewed by Leticia Mombela

“No Excuses!”Kaylon Smith, junior

Interviewed by Nakita McCaa

“Your dreams stay big. Your worries stay small. You never need to carry more than you can hold.”— Michael Jagmin

Gabriela Pineda, juniorInterviewed by Sergio Rodriguez

“She was so close yet so far.” Daniel Ramirez, junior

Interviewed by Aracely Ventura

“A broken clock only works twice a day.”Elidia Delgado, junior

Interviewed by Vanessa Solis

“I barely mess with boys cause I’m messin with money. Cause when you mess with a boy you be messin up money.”

Christina Davenport, junior Interviewed by Taylor Brown

“Silence speaks louder than actions but music speaks louder than silence.”

Jeremy Modena, juniorInterviewed by Aracely Ventura

“Never give up.” Elijah Rodriguez, junior


“Peligrosa.”Andy Sanchez, junior

Interviewed by Jackueline Flores

“Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” -Mark Twain

Valeria Huerta, sophomoreInterviewed by Sergio Rodriguez

“ChimiChanga, it means everything and noth-ing at the same time. And it a fun word to use at a awkward moment to break the ice.”

Tony Ruiz, sophomoreInterviewed by Brittany Garcia

“Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” - Mark Twain

Valeria Huerta, sophomoreInterviewed by Sergio Rodriguez

“Live the life you want to live not how others tell you to live it.”

Mariola Gondek, sophomoreInterviewed by Kasia Jalowiec

“What goes around comes around.”

Jennifer Padilla, sophomoreInterviewed by Jackueline Flores

“ChimiChanga, it means everything and noth-ing at the same time. And it a fun word to use at a awkward moment to break the ice.“

Tony Ruiz, sophomore Interviewed by Brittany Garcia

“Trust can be fixed but you can still see the cracks in the mirror.”

Lisandra Vazquez, sophomoreInterviewed by Nathalie Ortiz

“Tell me who you’re with and I will tell you who you are.”

Juana Olvera, sophomoreInterviewed by Jesus Ramirez

“Where they do that at?” Lulu Shpitser, sophomore


“Be careful for what you wish for.”Miguel Alvarez, sophomore


“Live the life you want to live not how oth-ers tell you to live it.”

Mariola Gondek, sophomoreInterviewed by Kasia Jalowiec

9

Homecoming week lifts spirits


Star Web Extra

“Trust can be fixed but you can still see the cracks in the mirror.”

Lisandra Vazquez, sophomoreInterviewed by Nathalie Ortiz

“Tell me who you’re with and I will tell you who you are.”

Juana Olvera, sophomoreInterviewed by Jesus Ramirez

“Live, Laugh, Love.”Taniesha Grimes, sophomore

Interviewed by Lathea Lee

“Just do it!” — NikeCrashun Jones, freshman

Interviewed by Julian Hemingway

“Be true to thy self.”Tyler Blahe, freshman


“It takes a lot of courage to forgive someone.”Sadaf Ahmed, freshman


“No better friend, No worse enemy.”Richard Hernandez, security

Interviewed by Lathea Lee

“Never eat yellow snow!”Anselmo Chaparro, security

Interview by Julian Hemingway

What is your favorite quotation?“You are the only one that can dictate how you one day will be. The rest is perception.”

Noah Washington, securityInterviewed by Jaime Muro

“Vince Lombardi said, ‘I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle victori-ous.’ The reason I like this is that anybody can do anything as long as you believe in yourself and fight for what you want in life and stand up for what you believe in. Who cares about what anybody says to you. Just do it and be-lieve in yourself.”

Richard Hernandez, securityInterviewed by Brittany Garcia

“Go to class, freshmen!”Samuel Pearson, security

By Nathalie Ortiz

“’Success equals ability times effort.’ In order to be successful you need to have the ability to do it and also have effort.”

Mr. Stephen Ngo, principal Interviewed by Leticia Mombela

“Success equals ability times effort!”Stephen Ngo, principal

By Nathalie Ortiz

“Never believe anyone who says that you cannot do something, because you can.”

Rosanna Mark, teacher Interviewed by Abraham Roa

“The life you know now is not the one you will always have.”

Jenny Zeszutko, teacherInterviewed by Jaime Muro

“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

Jennifer Egan, teacher Interviewed by Jesus Ramirez

“Live, Laugh, Love.”Patricia McCaa, parent

Interviewed By Nakita McCaa

“Life is short.”Neha Patel, teacher

Interviewed By Nakita McCaa

“Never give up.”Carmen Paulette, teacher


“Never believe anyone that says that you can-not do something, because you can.”

Rosanna Mark, teacher By Abraham Roa

“Live your life to the fullest.”Tara Scolire, teacher

Interviewed by Lisette Mendez

“There is no such thing as free lunch.”Tara Brownlee, teacher


“You must do the thing which you think you cannot.”

Yuridia Espinosa, teacherInterviewed By Julian Rice

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”

Erick Stummer, teacherInterviewed by Kasia Jalowiec

“We will not allow finite disappointment destroy our infinite hope.”

Iris Dominguez, teacher Interview by Vanessa Solis

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Nassrin Jalili, teacherInterviewed by Norma Carrillo

“I am for an art that helps old ladies across the street.”

Melissa Gerleve, teacherInterviewed by Luis Lopez

“But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”

Maribeth Ward, teacherInterviewed by Anyssa Rodriguez

10

CTU 7-day strike, first walk out in 25 years

DRAWING BY RICKY RICO

DRAWING BY PHILLIP QUEZADA

Powerful song by CPS graduates praises teachers

Chicago Teacher by Rebel Diaz, produced by DJ ILLA-NOIZ, written and performed by G1 and RodStarz, was released on September 12, the second day of the

strike, on the Rebel Diaz website:http://rebeldiaz.bandcamp.com/track/chicago-teacherThe rap offers a commentary of the privatizing agenda of

corporate school reformers and politicians and an understand-ing that Chicago teachers were fighting for students’ interests as well as their own.

The CTU called off the strike on September 18. •Chicago Teacher[CHORUS]Homey I was taught by a Chicago teacher!Chicago teacher, Chicago teacher!I learned to read and write from a Chicago teacher,So I’m inspired by the fight from our Chicago teachers!

[RODSTARZ VERSE]The teachers are tired, the students dumbfounded,the budgets get cut so classes are overcrowded.Streets full of violence, the blue code of silenceso imma keep rhyming til salaries start rising!The unions uprising! takin to the streets!The workers are United so the Mayor’s got beef!Rahm’s a fake pretender with a corporate agendaNeo Liberal Offender, of course you offend us!This aint about money! That’s far from the truth,they want better work conditions to teach the youth.Politicians, I don’t trust em, its all in the namethe president, the mayor all want political gain.

Theyd rather put the kids in jail, shackle em wit chains,then provide an education that challenges the brain.Top down education..Chicago- the birthplaceAnd now its spreading nationwide all over the placeThey don’t teach us how to think they teach us how to test!they teach us how to work to put money in they check!sThe CEOS need to get up out the classroombefore these streets get hotter than the sand in cancun!so join the picket line like mr pickett in his prime,put on ya red shirt like the bulls in 95.hit the streets with a sign that says im fightin for mineIT’S A FORK IN THE ROAD AND U GOTTA CHOOSE

A SIDEAnd yes im proud to say I was a public school studentIT WAS PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER THAT FIRST

TAUGHT ME MUSIC (2x)

[CHORUS]Homey I was taught by a Chicago teacher!Chicago teacher, Chicago teacher!I learned to read and write from a Chicago teacher,So I’m inspired by the fight from our Chicago teachers!

[G1 VERSE]Went to lil Lincoln School in a lil school busDEsegragation. Paid 20 cents for lunchReduced price ticketFor the lower income childrenArt and music classesIn between Math and EnglishNow its different

They just teachin to the testForced by the fedsOr they losin that checkToo many children left behindby this corporate assembly linehow they privatize?education is a humam right!and they kids gon be finethey send em to private schoolswhile ours get sent to prisonor given a job servin fast food cash rules so it gets treated like a businessbought and sold by businessmen turned politiciansso if Rahm was the chief of staffand Arne Duncan got his start in Chicagosellin off the education systemWhen Obama gotta respond the teachers or the corporations?Which side is he on?The streets is getting hot They blame the heat on Chief KeefBut it’s a million others like himbeing created every weekIf we don’t teach we don’t learnAnd the streets is gon burnBefore it gets worse I put on my red shirt

[CHORUS] Homey I was taught by a Chicago teacher!Chicago teacher, Chicago teacher!I learned to read and write from a Chicago teacher,So I’m inspired by the fight from our Chicago teachers!


Star Web Extra 11

Almost all 130 Steinmetz CTU members (including teachers John Oh, Davoud Chitsaz-tehrani, Mike Edwards, and Latanya McSwine) picketed every day during the strike, which took place September 10 - 18, one week after the school year began.

Teachers Ivelisse Cotto and Mary Gleason are joined by students, friends, and family members. Most of the Chicago community supported CTU members in their fight for a fair contract.

steinmetz star 2012...by jenny garcia, andrea silva, and denzel brown m any returning students came...

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