Author: Victoria Juan

  • Intents of the Superintendent

    At the end of the last school year, Dr. Jeffrey Baarstad retired from his position as superintendent of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. This academic year, the district introduced the new superintendent, Dr. Ann Bonitatibus, in July. “She’s already been to our campus three different times,” said Josh Eby, principal, of Bonitatibus. “Also,…

  • “Coffee Prince” lives up to its royal title

    If the producers of typical Korean dramas competed on a cooking show, I’m pretty sure that the judges would become addicted to the numerous meals prepared from the same key ingredients — wealthy men, poor but angelic girls, love triangles (or quadrilaterals), and whirling plot twists. While some of these meals are a bit…

  • Academic Programs Pursue Modernization in Curriculum and Exams

    In a continuous effort to update courses, both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) are modifying classes this year. Along with the launches of the Common Core standards and new SAT, the changes serve to avert the educational focus away from memorization and towards critical thinking. Art history and European history are two…

  • UC Berkeley to begin taking letters of recommendation

    The University of California, Berkeley’s new freshman application policy, announced in April, will start going into effect this fall and allows invited students to optionally submit up to two letters of recommendation. UC Berkeley is the first and only school in the UC system to adopt this policy. “(Previously UC Berkeley) had decided they…

  • A Philharmonic Success: Student performs concert over summer

    “It really felt good when people said you did a good job,” Akash Velu, junior, said, “because you felt like all your work actually paid off.” Velu performed Mozart’s piano concerto in D minor with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic on July 17 and 19. A union of orchestra and soloist, the concerts were comprised…

  • Are you doing anything cool this summer?

    For many students, summer break is the time to tan at the beach, explore Santa Monica with friends, visit campgrounds with family, and spend lazy days lying on the couch eating or watching Netflix. However, this summer a few students will also be utilizing worry-free summer days to explore opportunities outside of school. Whether…

  • 5 things to do after AP/IB testing

    Last week marked the end of AP/IB testing. The (supposed) hard work of the past eight months finally culminated in the form of answer sheets and booklets on their way to AP grading conferences in the Midwest, while we in Newbury Park are left to ponder how our test graders will perceive the cat…

  • Earning not Learning

    “What’s your passion?” This is the ultimate question of high school. Students face it when they contemplate which college to apply to or what career to pursue. It’s also passion that guides students to choose art history over physics, or tech theater over mock trial. However, with increasingly selective admission rates at elite colleges…

  • Student rights and student innocence: magazine sparks controversy in community

    At their meeting on March 17, members of the CVUSD school board considered an action item proposed by member Mike Dunn. The action item would “request” that the Panther Prowler print a front-page “uncensored rebuttal” written by parent Garry Pace, along with a picture of his choice in response to the Feb. 27 magazine…

  • Enrollment projected to decline to 2,000 in the next decade

    Over the course of the next few years, students may witness significant, but not drastic changes to the school population. The school enrollment rate is projected to drop by about 50 students to a total of 2475 students. In the near future, the administration expects this number to continue decreasing rapidly to 2000. “I…