The show must go on, school says

The Palo Alto High School community is making multiple changes after this morning's power outage, including class relocations and modified or canceled lessons.

While some teachers are continuing with their previous plans, others have changed their plans to accommodate for exams and lesson plans relying on electricity.

"For me, the entire class was ruined," history teacher Grant Blackburn said. "I was doing PowerPoint, video, the whole bit."

AP Economics teacher Debbie Whitson did not have enough copies of tests for her first period class, but was able to make copies off campus to administer part of the test to her fifth period class.

Other teachers simply canceled their tests in light of the blackout.

"I didn't think it was fair to give them such a demanding test without optimal testing conditions," said Spanish teacher Janet Urbina.

But according to AP US history teacher Jack Bungarden, the absence of electricity had "no effect" on his homework plans for tonight.

Math Instructional Supervisor Radu Toma made sure that teachers who had been planning to administer a test or quiz were able to do so.

"We [the math department] made sure that every class that had a quiz or test got a classroom that was light enough," said math teacher Charlotte Harris.

Today's four-period block schedule also factored into teachers' plans.

Marc Havlik

Teachers seek rooms that have natural lighting to continue with their planned curricular activities.

"Because I see only my odd periods today," Blackburn said, "the challenge for me is: What am I going to do tomorrow? The kids in class today will be behind because they've only been playing games and studying, whereas the kids tomorrow will have the class lesson."

Students have also lost access to technology they need to complete assignments.

"I won't be able to talk to my teachers or e-mail them if I can't do an essay," sophomore Al Brooks said. "I won't be able to do the essay because I don't have access to a laptop or the Internet anymore."

Biotech lab groups were supposed to come in today during advisory, prep periods, and after school to prepare DNA digests, according to Biotech teacher Ron Pruzan. The digests were supposed to be incubated overnight, but the incubators are out because of the power outage.

Pruzan is keeping track of the materials that are being stored in the freezer. He can use ice buckets to keep samples cold but prefers to keep materials in the freezer, according to Biotech student senior Patrick Liu.

Marc Havlik

Students avoid their unlit classrooms by studying and reading outside.

The blackout is also impacting student organizations that rely on computers. According to Campanile Editor-in-Chief Jessica Mann, the publication's production week is postponed until next week.

Assistant Principal Todd Feinberg also said that as far as he knows, Paly will be in session tomorrow and will follow the usual Thursday block schedule.

Beginning Journalism students Sam Borsos, Luke Prioleau, Brian Benton and Chayla Cummings contributed to this story.