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- Written by: Crystal Quezadas and Maya Dittmore
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Welcome back students and staff of Carlé! We are looking forward to a great 2018-19 school year.
Carlé would like to give a warm welcome to all of our new students. There’s a lot of negative stigma that surrounds Carlé High School, and the school itself and students are often targeted with negative stereotypes, but it is to many's surprise that we are the opposite.
A returning paraprofessional at Carlé, Guein said, “I love it, Carlé is a fantastic school, really beneficial for a lot of students, not just for the ones who struggle, but everyone.”
Guein hopes to create a comfortable environment for all students.
Many students were also pleasantly surprised.
Sami Strowbridge stated, “It’s better than other schools. It’s smaller, so teachers are more involved with students and their work, and actually care about them graduating.”
New students Damon Fieldon, Alyssa Rinoldi, Jett Royval and Lethie Chadwick agreed with the statement and added that Carlé’s environment is better for learning and is more welcoming than your traditional high school.
Teacher Lexi Fredrickson furthered Carlé’s praise by saying, “Carlé is a school that cares, and is a strong loving community. We have a strong staff and students who are determined to graduate. Students can do whatever they put their mind to.”
With a new school year comes a new student council. Our 2018-19 student government includes Nico Castillos, Gage Thayer, Tanari Dukes, David Bejar, Ian Hueton, Howard Womack, Wilhem Edwards and Madison Winter.
They will be the voice of Carlé students, addressing issues and planning events.
Student council’s first meeting kicks off with discussing a new club available for students. Mrs. Koehler is looking for any students interested in joining a yearbook club.
It is important that the yearbook represents students, Carlé, and how the school year went. Students in the yearbook club will be responsible for designing and editing. So if you're into art, design and writing this may be for you. If interested speak to Mrs. Koehler.
So with this being said we also discussed activities available on Thursday minimum days. We will have basketball, karaoke, flag football and study hall available for our last 25-minute period.
More to talk about in the weeks to come. Have a great new school year, everyone!
Crystal Quezadas and Maya Dittmore are student at Carlé Continuation High School in Lower Lake.
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- Written by: California Connections Academy
Nearly 200 of them from Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and Yolo counties will attend California Connections Academy @ North Bay, a high-quality, tuition-free, online public school serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
In addition to the rigorous curriculum, the school offers innovative and diverse courses including foreign languages, digital technology and web design, as well as a variety of honors and Advanced Placement courses for students interested in college-level curriculum.
The school also provides a wide array of Advancement Via Individual Determination courses for grades 6-12 to help students prepare for college, and University of California a-g approved courses, including several courses meeting the UC visual and performing arts requirements such as art history, digital arts, living music and more.
Students head back to school on the heels of the school’s 2018 Parent Satisfaction Survey.
According to the survey results:
– 95 percent of parents agree that the curriculum is high quality;
– 99 percent of parents are satisfied with teachers’ helpfulness;
– 96 percent of parents say their child or children are satisfied with the program;
– 91 percent of parents agree that the school’s technology tools improve their child’s learning experience.
“Our talented teachers specialize in leveraging technology to meet the needs of students spanning the Northern California region,” said Leslie Dombek, site administrator at California Connections Academy @ North Bay. “Through technology, students receive the same support and resources they’d have access to in a traditional brick-and-mortar setting.”
Additionally, recent research of the Connections Academy online schools provides evidence that Connections Academy students can attain the same level of achievement as traditional brick-and-mortar schools serving similar students, and that students may be better positioned in Connections Academy schools than other virtual schools. See efficacy report for details.
California Connections Academy @ North Bay offers a non-traditional learning environment for students who want a flexible schedule, are ahead or behind in the classroom, learn at a different pace from their peers, or want a more individualized approach to learning.
State-credentialed teachers work with students to develop customized learning programs that address each student’s personal education needs while maintaining a curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. A learning coach, generally a parent or other caretaker, also helps to monitor progress in the home.
Throughout the school year, students have many opportunities to interact with their classmates in-person.
California Connections Academy @ North Bay coordinates school-sponsored events, including field trips across Northern California and university visits for high school students.
California Connections Academy @ North Bay also offers a variety clubs and activities for students, including National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society, science and technology clubs, literary clubs, and robotics club, among others.
Enrollment for the 2018-19 school year is currently open, with virtual information sessions being held weekly for families interested in learning about the school’s online program and individualized approach to education.
For more information on California Connections Academy @ North Bay, please visit the school’s Web site at www.CaliforniaConnectionsAcademy.com.
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- Written by: California Treasurer's Office
“The cost of higher education may be going up, but that shouldn’t get parents down,” said Treasurer Chiang. “Saving for college is one of the best things parents can do for their children and it doesn’t have to be a financial burden. Kids with a savings account in their name have a much better chance of avoiding crippling student loan debt when they graduate, so – during National College Savings Month – there’s no better time to start saving!”
While many students and parents are worried about their ability to pay for college, according to Sallie Mae, only six in 10 parents have actually started saving for their children’s higher education.
And for those parents who are saving, data shows they are only saving $18,000, on average, for their children’s education. However, according to the College Board, a typical private, nonprofit college charged $46,950 this past year for tuition, fees, and room and board; and those costs are only predicted to increase further in the coming years.
That’s why 70 percent of college students who graduate do so with a mountain of debt. The average student loan debt for the class of 2017 was $39,400 per student, up six percent from the previous year, according to Student Loan Hero.
Those families, however, who begin to save for college early, in a tax-advantaged manner, can overcome escalating tuition costs. The ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan makes saving for college easy. With no big, upfront investment, getting started is simple, affordable, and stress-free.
Parents can open a ScholarShare 529 account online in just 15 minutes – and with as little as a $25 contribution. All earnings are tax-free when used for qualified higher education expenses, including tuition, room and board, computers, books, and other required supplies.
Beyond the enticing tax benefits, ScholarShare 529 has a strong track record on investment returns. In fact, the plan was recently ranked number one in the nation for investment performance, among all direct-sold 529 plans, based on a three-year and five-year investment period ending June 30, 2018, according to Savingforcollege.com.
Additionally, ScholarShare 529 allows grandparents, as well as other family and friends, and even employers to make gifts to a student’s account for maximum growth potential.
Chiang added, “Just imagine what these graduates could do with all that saved money. They could put a down payment on a home, buy a new car, or finance their own business startup. ScholarShare 529 encourages students and families to save as much as possible, as early as possible, so we not only help California students, but grow our economy even stronger.”
ScholarShare 529 serves as California’s official college savings plan. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, ScholarShare 529 provides families with a valuable tool that offers a diverse set of investment options, tax-deferred growth, and withdrawals free from state and federal taxes when used for qualified higher education expenses, such as tuition and fees, books, certain room and board costs, computer equipment, and other required supplies.
To open a ScholarShare 529 account or get more information about the plan, visit www.ScholarShare529.com.
For information about the ScholarShare Investment Board, visit www.treasurer.ca.gov/scholarshare, like ScholarShare 529 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/scholarshare529, and follow them on Twitter at @ScholarShare529.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – For those interested in homeschooling and independent study, Kelseyville Unified School District now offers the Kelseyville Learning Academy, or KLA, for grades K-12.
The new school works with families to create a tailored schedule and curriculum for each student that can be completed online or via a home-classroom environment – or a blend of the two.
KLA high school students who want to participate in extracurricular activities or select classes at Kelseyville High School are free to do so, including sports, career technical education, band, and more.
Kelseyville Unified Director of Student Support Services Tim Gill said, “At the Kelseyville Learning Academy, families get the support of a credentialed teacher who can develop coursework and help students stay on track.”
Teacher Rena Roush has 17 years’ experience teaching independent study and says she looks forward to working with students and families to create the educational experience that works best for them.
Gill continued, “Kelseyville Learning Academy is not a watered-down version of school. Students must complete the same number of credits to graduate as they would attending Kelseyville High School. However, it does provide families with the flexibility to design their child’s educational experience.”
He noted that KLA will provide students with the rigorous academic foundation they need to attend University of California or California State University schools, if that is their goal.
Although a traditional classroom education works well for many students, it does not work well for all, according to Roush.
“A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always provide the best fit. Parents know their children better than anyone, so I listen to their needs and concerns and help them build a program that’s right for them,” she said.
Roush meets with students and families at the new KLA building adjacent to the Kelseyville Unified Office on Konocti Road in Kelseyville.
Like everything else about the program, the meeting schedule is based on the needs of students and their families.
During those meetings, Roush supports homeschool parents and independent study students in many ways.
She partners with parents to develop individualized learning plans; assists with teaching strategies, coaching and assessment; and offers guidance on curriculum choices and planning.
With students, she provides academic support as well as assistance in goal-setting and planning for the future.
“With parents, we mostly collaborate on ideas, strategies, and planning. Parents of elementary school students often have fantastic ideas for learning activities, for example, and I can help align those activities with academic standards,” she said. “I worry that some homeschool parents think I’ll judge their efforts. Not at all. The homeschool parents I’ve met are deeply committed to their children and want to be involved in their children’s academic pursuits. I’m just here to help and provide resources.”
For high school students interested in pursuing a career, KLA offers a hybrid academic/work-study program.
Several local businesses in the trades and other industries have expressed a willingness to work with students to provide real-world experience in their areas of interest.
For high school students interested in attending college, KLA recommends a dual-enrollment approach that includes high school and college courses.
This allows KLA students to earn an associate’s degree for transfer so they can take advantage of agreements like the one between Mendocino College and Sonoma State University (SSU), whereby students with an associate’s degree are automatically accepted at SSU.
Roush said, “The associate’s degree doesn’t require students to adhere to the strict A-G requirements set forth by the College Board. It shows they’ve gained the knowledge a different way.”
Students who live in Lake County or any adjacent county can enroll in KLA, including Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Colusa, Yolo and Glenn counties.
Those who reside outside the Kelseyville Unified School District simply need to apply for an inter-district transfer.
Roush said, “There are many ways to achieve a goal. At Kelseyville Unified, we are committed to making sure that all students have a chance to succeed.”
For more information about KLA, contact Tim Gill, Kelseyville Unified director of Student Support Services at 707-279-1511 or via email at