By Ariel Lee Nov. 12, 2025 Eleanor Wang Art In an effort to bring students closer together, the school planned day-long workshops designed to strengthen the community from Sept. 3 through 5, called Breaking Down the Walls. However, despite its positive goals, low participation levels and scheduling challenges ultimately led to the program’s cancellation.  Breaking Down the Walls is a school-based initiative run by Ignite2Unite that focuses on building empathy, un

By Amie Ahn Nov. 12, 2025 Eleanor Wang Art Beneath illuminated jellyfish decor glowing in dreamy hues of blue and green, students stream into the cafeteria, greeted by pounding music and excited cheers. Outside, cameras flash as friends crowd together and pose at photobooths, while others sip on Mermaid Fizz drinks and bite into Krabby Patty sliders. This scene brings to life a Homecoming under the sea—but of course, with a price.  Homecoming, a classic high scho

The Phone-Free School Act, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sept. 23, 2024 required all school districts, charters and county offices of education to implement some policy that limits or prohibits smartphone usage during the school day by July 1, 2026. SJUSD decided to enact a complete prohibition in and out of the classroom for the 2025-2026 school year; phones must be kept off and...

The number of adults who drink alcohol in the U.S. has dropped to a new low, continuing a decades-long decline in consumption. According to Gallup, as of July 2025, 54% of adults report drinking alcohol, down from a previous low of 55% in 1958. While adults had an average of...

At student council meetings, attendees are given the opportunity to voice their thoughts on school issues and propose initiatives for change. Before this year, attendance was limited to selected representatives, chosen by teachers or from extracurricular organizations such as Speech and Debate. Now...

The era of lengthy, trial-and-error laboratory work in gene editing is ending. Researchers are forging a transformative partnership between artificial intelligence (AI) and CRISPR-Cas9, accelerating the speed and precision with which scientists can modify DNA. This alliance promises to...

On Oct. 4, Japan’s dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chose hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as its new leader. Backed by the ruling coalition, she was set to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in a parliamentary vote on Oct. 15. Takaichi was elected as Japan’s first female prime minister on Oct. 21 in a historic yet divisive victory. Takaichi’s political journey began...