SPHS Cardinal: January 13, 1978

The January 13, 1978 issue of the Santa Paula High School Cardinal Newspaper is now online. This issue was one of the shorter issues, containing only four pages. The top story concerns problems in developing and implementing a graduation test that evaluates 26 different skills.

Superintendent Sciutto announced his retirement earlier this year. The application period had just closed with about 100 applications being received. The article discusses the process that would be used to determine the final candidates. An editorial also discusses the traits required in a good superintendent.

Overall, the issue seems a bit rough around the edges. There are more typos than usual and only one photograph (although there are two editorials and one Blue Oyster Cult concert drawing). I have the feeling that the Cardinal staff may have been up against a deadline and rushed this issue a bit. Still, it’s an interesting glimpse into Santa Paula High School over 30 years ago!

State of the School

Santa Paula High School State of the School
March 21, 2011
 
Applause begets applause in the theatre, as laughter begets laughter and tears beget tears.
-Clayton Hamilton

This weekend our Santa Paula High School Theater Team opened its production of Beauty and the Beast. The musical is directed by Jerry Cruz, music coordinated by Doug Kadansky, with technical support from Basil Augustine.

While watching the production I began to realize that sometimes we are so involved with what our students can or cannot do in the classroom that we fail to recognize their other abilities and accomplishments. This production shines a light on the amazing talents that exist in our school and among our students and staff.

Staging a play can be a daunting task for any theater team but taking on a musical production is monumental. Mr. Doug Kadansky and his musicians should be celebrated for providing the live music and arrangements for over 20 musical numbers. Live music in High School Theater is rare regardless of what you see on Glee.

The ensemble entertains as servants under an enchantress's spell gradually becoming teapots, armoires, clocks, and knick-knacks. The main characters include the over the top Gaston (Josh Valencia), intent on marrying Belle whether she wants it or not. The Beast (Talon Smith) who reveals his love, rage, and other feelings bit by bit. Felicia Echiribel sings beautifully as Mrs. Potts and Ozzy Parrilla as Lumiere and Samantha Amey as Babette steal the show in their over-the-top roles.

The Show is enormously effective and enchanting. The music, jokes and dance numbers hit the mark. If you have the opportunity I encourage you to come out and see our students and staff in a different light.

Paul Marietti
Principal, Santa Paula High School

State of the School

 Santa Paula High School State of the School
March 7, 2011

“The Present is the living sum-total of the whole Past.”
~Thomas Carlyle

As a teacher of history for many years I have come to appreciate the significance of knowing one’s past, because you cannot truly understand a situation, a people or a community without an appreciation for the individuals and institutions that have come before.

The exhibit that opened this weekend at the Santa Paula Oil Museum is a testament to our school and to all the students and staff that have contributed to our success. For 123 years the Cardinal legacy of tradition has inspired the students, staff, and community of Santa Paula. Our school continues to be a touchstone for excellence in education and a unique and important part of all our lives.

I want to congratulate Ed Arguelles who not only presents this exhibit, but who is himself a significant part of our history and our success, and the Human Services and Agricultural Academy students for illuminating and celebrating our “Campus on the Hill.”

The 19th century English Preachers Charles H. Spurgeon said of institutions, “Show me the institution not guided by sentiment and service, by the idea that, he profits most who serves best, and I will show you an outfit that is dead or dying.”

Through an examination of this exhibit we can see clearly that over the past 123 years Santa Paula High School has been guided by sentiment and service to our community and that even in these harsh economic times will continue to thrive this year and for the next 123 years.

Paul Marietti
Principal, Santa Paula High School

SPHS Preparing for the WASC Visitation

Santa Paula High School will welcome the seven member WASC visiting committee to our campus March 13th through the 16th, 2011.

The committee members’ four day visit is to validate the Santa Paula High School Self Study Report that was completed over a 12 month period.

What they will find is a high school that is committed to providing our students with a safe, caring environment focused on student achievement and the California Content Standards. Outside the classroom they will see extracurricular programs that allow our students to explore their interests beyond the classroom in areas of sports, music, and the arts.

Our WASC visitation represents over 12 months of work by our school community and stakeholders. The process was a tremendous benefit to our understanding of our school and the work we do. Through the exploration of our school program we were able to celebrate all the things we do well and to critically examine areas where we need to improve.

All stakeholders at Santa Paula High School including community members, parents, students, teachers, and staff look forward to the visitation and the opportunity to celebrate all the wonderful things our “Campus on the Hill” has to offer.

Paul Marietti
Principal, Santa Paula High School

First Rally of 2010-2011!

The first rally of the school year was held on Friday, August 26th.  The rally started off with the traditional singing of the National Anthem by a student followed by a "Welcome Back" by the principal, Mr. Marietti.  New teachers were then initiated to the Cardinal community by doing the Cardinal Dance to the school song. The Santa Paula High School cheerleaders then gave a demonstration of their skills.

After this, a game involving fishing took place.  It was too noisy to hear who won, but an amusing time was had by all.  The first class yell of the year followed.  Again, it was too loud to her which class won, but all classes gave their noisy best.  Over the summer FFA and SPHS Artists had won a variety of awards, and the students involved were recognized by ASB.  Following this, the Flag team gave a spirited and colorful performance.  This was followed by another high decibel class yell.

A second game took place.  After that the Drum Line gave their first performance of the year and the rally concluded with the Spirit Stick.

SPHS Cardinal: February 10, 1978

The Santa Paula High School Cardinal newspaper for February 10, 1978 is now online!  The lead story covered an administration crackdown on "ditchers and troublemakers" in which detention hall was established and teacher patrols were implemented.  A later story in the same issue discusses that annual February crackdowns had taken place since 1975.  In February 1976 for instance, a new rule was put into place that required students to fill out a form if they were absent or tardy - they even had to give a reason why they were absent or tardy (how draconian)!  The new rules were also the subject of an editorial by David Beach, who felt that the rules weren't especially extreme or unfair.

The cartoon that accompanies the editorial shows a group of students being punished by sitting in the corner with the traditional dunce cap.  The cartoon is fairly standard fare, but where did those creepy paintings come from?  Do we still have them hidden away in some sub-basement of the school?

Other stories include the three nominees for the "King of Hearts", Alex Carrillo, Jim Hoover and Robert Howard.  The nominees were selected by the Pep Squad, and the winner was selected by a vote of all students.  It was also a big week for the Cardinal Basketball team - they broke a 35 game losing streak (ouch!) by winning two games, one against Santa Clara and the other against Rio Mesa.  The newspaper was rounded out with an opinion piece about messy student bathrooms (some things never change).

SPHS Move-Up Rally

On Friday, May 21st, the Move-Up rally was held in the McMahan Gym - the final rally of the year!

Joe Cardinal and his friend greet students as they arrive

The first game!  Not exactly sure what it was, but it involved throwing stuff around

Joe Cardinal & friend lead the soon to be graduating seniors in their final senior cheer!

Joe Cardinal & Friend have a bit of a disagreement

The second game!  It was rather eccentric and had something to do with fruit

The Senior class of 2010-2011 moves to the hallowed Senior section

No more freshmen!

Seniors watch a slide show of their 2009-2010 year