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Education
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- Written by: Tammy Serpa
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A creative and passionate local teacher is opening up a world of technology and innovation to his students.
Gary Madison is a Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Teacher at Upper Lake High School.
He teaches digital arts, visual communication, ROP digital media, ROP robotics and ROP computer service that is intended to teach students a variety of computer skills as part of the information and technology pathway.
Although many schools teach classes that are part of the information and technology pathway, very few feature the diversity of the Upper Lake program.
Madison teaches his classroom with real world production in mind.
He has taught at ULHS since 1993 and has grown his program based on trends and interest of his students.
Upon completion of his program students will have been exposed to a vast array of programs and applications that will allow them to pursue technology based careers.
Though not all students are interested in such a career, most students said they take the ROP courses because of the teacher and the hands on learning.
According to student Alex Dukes, who plans to go into software engineering next year, he takes the classes with Madison not only because he is interested in computers but because Madison has many of the same interests as the students.
If you’ve never met Madison or talked to him about his program, you are missing out on knowing one of the most passionate and creative teachers we have in Lake County.
His pride is obvious as he talks about the hands-on projects that his students are able to create as well as the success of his former students, some of whom have gone on to do computer graphics for commercials.
ULHS is fortunate enough to have some pretty high tech devices at the students' disposal, including a CNC machine and laser engraver. Both are utilized to bring computerized 3D designs to life.
Students will soon be drawing the components of an air engine and manufacturing those parts to assemble an actual working product. This is something unusual and exciting for computer students.
In the service and repair class students are responsible for keeping the computers on campus functioning and building new computers from scratch. This service alone has been able to save the district quite a bit of money as well as provide a valuable learning experience.
Madison runs an ROP program that allows students to apply their learning to real world and work applications. Being a small school allows the program to stay flexible and keep variety.
He runs his program with the philosophy that “rather than mastering one program or computer skill, students will be exposed to a variety, allowing them to discover their strengths and interests and thus make good career choices after high school.”
In the newly created robotics class, students recently participated in the Skills USA Competition in Petaluma.
Students built robots from a kit and were responsible for programming them to perform different functions.
Students earned four gold medals in robotics and automation technology and one gold medal in computer maintenance technology. These students will be heading to San Diego to compete in the statewide competition in April.
Madison said that he feels well supported by his administration and board. He is able to keep what most consider to be an expensive program functioning by product and supply donations that he seeks out.
His needs are for continual funding to keep software upgraded and for material donations of sheet acrylic for use on the CNC and laser engraver.
If you would like to find out more about this innovative ROP program, please contact Mr. Gary Madison at
Tammy Serpa is a program specialist for the Lake County Office of Education.
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- Written by: Karalena Cole
At Carlé High School the students are constantly being prepped for the real world after high school. Privileged, by having some of the best teachers, along with a spunky attitude and a school charisma like no other, we are also offered what most teenagers aren't.
Hazmat, an intensive training course, will be offered from Feb. 14 until Feb. 23 for the students at no charge.
We would like to thank teacher Angie Siegel for giving us this valuable opportunity.
“Hazmat is a very valuable certificate because it can be applied to multiple job fields like nursing, automotive, California Highway Patrol, construction, as well as a first step towards a career, if you want to pursue one in Hazmat,” Siegel said. “We are one of the only schools in Lake County that offers a First Responders Operation (FRO) Hazmat certificate.”
Students Vince Adams, Frank Boyce, Justin Boyce, Matthew Brown, Jacob Brumback, Karalena Cole, Stevie Cook, Nick Ford, Jason Hammond, Monica Jackson, Arwen King, Jeff Martin, Christine McQuown, Arturo Negrete, Marco Ochoa, Raylon Ray, Richard Skinner, Tyler Stroup and Jorge Viera will being taking this course.
In other “happening now” news, this year's prom fundraiser is requesting $10 or more in donations in exchange for your choice of one of the four snazzy Carlé High School key chains. Some would argue that these are the best key chains in the universe. What can we say? We're talented beings!
So if you would like to make a donation, please come to our campus and see our very own heart and soul of Carlé, Barbara Dye.
Flags, for the flag contest are due next week. We are excited to proudly fly these colorful examples of Carlé High School, and our students above our quad.
Students Kayellia Lansdowne and Lucas Powell have taken over for the graduated seniors, Gary Martin and Leah Davidson recycling at Carlé High School. They are doing a fabulous job, like the students prior.
Recent events include paintball, which ran successfully again on Feb. 12. Students Jorge Viera, Paul Larue, Robert Potter, Jake Brumback, Holly Brumback, Stevie Cook, Karalena Cole and Alejandra Gutierrez enjoyed another stupendous team building exercise. Thanks again to Michael and Renee Skidmore for keeping this active program successful for the kids.
Lunchtime activities this week consisted of three intense fleet ball games which ended with the championship week on Friday. Team 3 won! Congratulations Jonathan Warren, Marco Ochoa, Jason Hammond, Ashley Wilsey, Raylon Ray, Justin Lindsey and Lucas Powell!
Portfolios given this week were Nate Oberdorf on Feb. 7 and Jake Brumback on Feb. 8. On Feb. 10 we were treated to portfolios by Derek Grace and Heidi “Roo” Kratz. Congratulations to all.
This Friday, Feb. 18, is the annual cioppino feed, run by the Lower Lake Community Action Group helped out by seven incredible Carlé High School students Ellie Hackler, Karalena Cole, Stevie Cook, Tyler Sterling, Arturo Negrete, Nia Edmunds and Aaron Mearns.
Like Spongebob, we too will feel what it's like to be “under the sea” as we are serving some of the best seafood around!
Carlé's designers are making up plaques and mugs to give out to the hard working LLCAG and the wonderful and special Steve Leverone who makes this whole event happen.
Thank you all for your dedication to the students of our town.
Karalena Cole is a student at Carlé Continuation High School in Lower Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Editor
NAPA COUNTY, Calif. – Study Spanish this summer in Salamanca, Spain, and earn college credit.
Napa Valley College’s International Education program is sponsoring a class June 4–25 with different levels of Spanish instruction available, as well as a class “Introduction to Hispanic Literature.”
High school students may participate with approval of a parent.
Instruction will be provided at the Salamanca Universidad Pontificia.
The deadline to submit the $500 deposit is Feb. 25. The $3,195 cost includes airfare, all instruction, two day trips, living with a family and all meals.
Salamanca is a UNESCO “World Heritage City.”
Excursions will be offered to Toledo, where the legend of El Greco began, and Segovia and Avila where students will see the glory of Old Castile.
Mary Studer Shea, Napa Valley College professor of Spanish/English who has taken students abroad many times to Spain (Salamanca and Málaga), Mexico (San Miguel de Allende), and Costa Rica (Alajuela), will accompany the group.
As an undergrad at UC Santa Barbara, Shea spent her senior year in Madrid, Spain, as part of UC’s Education Abroad Program.
This travel made her a firm believer in education abroad and what it can do for students, both personally and professionally in their future careers.
Upon return, she completed her master's degree in Spanish, also at UCSB, and later a master's in English at CSU Sonoma.
She has taught at Napa College for more than 20 years. She and her husband Bill have walked the entire 450 miles of the famous “Camino de Santiago,” the third most popular pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages.
See www.napavalley.edu and click on “Study Abroad” for a program brochure or call Mary Shea at 707-253-3165 for more information.
Early reservations are encouraged.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County International Charter School will hold its annual spaghetti feast, raffle and bake sale.
It will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 15833 Armstrong Road in Middletown.
Tickets are available for purchase in advance at Lake County International Charter School and a limited number are available at the door on the evening of the event.
Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for children or $25 for a family of four or more.
For more information call the Lake County International Charter School at 707-987-3063. Visit the school online at www.lcics.org.