On November 21, 2009, Arroyo will be holding a “Senior Fair” ran by the Senior Class of 2010 right here on the school’s blacktop that will be open from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
            Seniors have been planning several different activities for all to enjoy.  Students and even Alumni will be showing their talent as a main attraction through singing and dancing on the main stage.  Others will be standing by as booth workers assisting guests play various carnival games such as Ring Toss or Balloon Pop, things you would regularly see at carnivals.
            This will be open to the whole San Leandro Community and the class invites kids, adults, and senior citizens.  Be ready to expect face-painting, games and prizes, a jumper for kids to enjoy, and much more.  Senior class officers are still brainstorming more ideas to make this a memorable moment in Arroyo history.   
            Seniors are anticipating the vast community and beyond San Leandro to come and support their need to fundraise in order to help make their senior year fun, yet affordable for all.  This will be the first time for the class of 2010 to come together and work as a team to make this effective as possible.  All the proceeds from this occasion will go straight towards paying off senior festivities such as the Senior Picnic or Senior Prom.  As of now, the class budget is in serious need of any help possible.

- Staff Reporter Ashley Bulayo

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The Arroyo Interact club has committed themselves this year to help end polio. Along with other Interact Clubs around the Bay Area, there goal is to raise $100,000 to provide Polio vaccines to people in countries such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan.  For every dollar donated, people will receive a heart where they can write their name and decorate as they please.  These hearts will be placed around campus, where everyone can see the all around support of the students. Co-President of Interact Jeanie Arciaga says, " Although we don't see it here it still exists in a number of countries, and if we work together we can eradicate the world's second disease, first is small pox. Just think, in high school, you helped end polio and it's an amazing thing." All this week there will be Interact officers walking around with collection boxes, and there will be a booth outside of B-hall. 

This year's homecoming as a whole can be viewed as a success or a failure, depending on whether you're a football player or leadership member.

Unfortunately, Arroyo's three year possession of the helmet came to an end when our varsity game was lost 20-14. But all is not lost. As Senior Niat Aferworki said, "We're just letting them borrow it."

On Friday night before the game, however, the energy was high. Hosting our first pre-homecoming Pep Rally, the Arroyo classes came together to cheer on the football team and show their support, as well as perform skits and dances.

The homecoming dance was not canceled, as it was last year and in 2006, and turned out to be quite a success. Asia Pitcher and EJ Cordero won homecoming Queen and King, and students danced the night away, staying positive after the football team's defeat.  

- Assistant Editor Vincent Martellacci

Some teachers were outraged because they believed it to be unfair that some particular Hispanic students get a free drink. ASB President Jonathan Sanchez commented, “ I think they were mad because they believe all students should be recognized at the same time for their achievements.” Arroyo Principal Mr. Smith said, “ People didn’t give it the recognition it deserved. People didn’t understand, which hindered ASB efforts of reaching out to students.” Leadership always planned on celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and since Hispanics had the greatest improvement on the Star Exams by 33 points, Mr. Smith and Leadership wanted to reward the Hispanic Students that improved on one subject or more.

Heritage Month rally coordinator, Bianca Verbera said, “ We will absolutely celebrate every racial group throughout the year and reward them for their achievements. At the end of the year we will celebrate all racial groups in the United States together. Next time, I will make sure to communicate better with teachers.” Throughout the year Leadership plans to celebrate many heritages.

Bianca Verbera said, “ I feel that it’s very immature of some teachers, and rather than ask what the rally was about they jumped into conclusion and assumed that we purposely celebrated the rally and excluded other racial groups with racists efforts. I was very disappointed that many teachers felt this way.” Senior Leda Lugo says, “ It was very unprofessional of some teachers. They over reacted. They spoke without thinking, but most of them were misinformed. The rally was not meant to be racist. For teachers who overreacted they influenced their students and some students became cynical of the event.”

The next Heritage Month Rally will be on November 20^th to celebrate Native American heritage. Native Americans will come and perform for the students on the quad.

-Managing Editor Angelica Pena

Preparations for homecoming have been taking place for the last two months and classes are now running out of time. All of the class officers admit they are not ready for the rally on Friday night, but they are making it happen.

Senior president Ashley Bulayo says, “We usually leave at 11 P.M.”. Class of 2010 thinks they have worked very hard on the float, but they have not prepared well enough for the skit due to lack of participation. Class spirit has risen “a little bit, but not that much so far” says Ashley Bulayo.  

This is the juniors’ third year planning for homecoming and President Lam Nguyen thinks they are doing a lot better than last year. She said they learned “not to slack off so much like the way we did [last year]”. They spend their time dancing, acting out their skits, and putting their float together in Mr. Apel’s room.

Freshmen are struggling right now. Michelle Thompson says “our disadvantages are not having any money and not having people help with anything”. They think it is hard to get everyone to focus and stay on task.

Last year, class of 2011 won second place so we will see who wins homecoming this year! Although classes have procrastinated this year, they are pulling everything together at the last minute to be the winners of Homecoming 2009.

- Staff Reporter Kelly Tavres

Mr. Smith has confirmed that the rumors about the end of CPT days are false and stated, “there is a lot of misleading information.” Mr. Smith cleared up the confusion and said CPT days are not going to be eliminated for good, but instead only eleven CPT days will be changed to regular dismissal. Mr. Smith said the change was due to the missing minutes that the school needs to complete to receive funding from the state. The school must complete 65,030 minutes to receive the state funding. Without state funding there would equal cuts to sports and other after school activities. So eliminating some CPT days is crucial so that Arroyo can make the 65,030 minute count.
    Mr. Smith also stated, “there will be no CPT days during finals week, STAR Testing, and CAHSEE Exams”. The final decision about Arroyo’s bell schedule will be made during Curriculum Council on November 5, 2009.

- Staff Reporter Simon Mercado