Education
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- Written by: Nicholas Phipps

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – When this article is released school will officially be out!
We would like to congratulate all the graduates this year. Graduation was held at 6 p.m. May 31 at Lower Lake High School.
As promised in the last article a list of graduates: Destiny Blevins, Lloyd Bridges, Monica Clifford, Alvaro Duran, Kayla Fua, Veronica Hernandez, Alexis Kennedy, Nicholas Kieffer, Jade Klein, Brianna Legg, Micaela Martinez, Sara McDonald, Samantha Miller, Riley Nielson, Destiny Parlet, Haley Ramirez, Diana Reyes, Candice Safreno, Michelle Steele and Cheyanne West.
Each of these students received a unique award from a different teacher.
Dan Maes, Carlé's English teacher, presented Jade Klein with the “Caretaker Award,” Cheyanne West with the “Most Improved Award,” Nick Kieffer with the “Service Award” and Alexis Kennedy with the “Future Chef Award.”
Angie Siegel, Carlé's science teacher, presented Veronica Hernandez with the “Rosie the Riveter Award,” Riley Nielson with the “Fire Spirit Award” and Micaela Martinez with the “Student Extraordinaire Award.”
Lance Christensen, Carlé's math teacher, presented Alvaro Duran with the “Gentleman Scholar Award,” Destiny Blevins with the “Dances to Her Own Drummer Award” and Michelle Steele with the “Kind Soul Award.”
Alan Siegel, Carlé's history teacher, presented Brianna Legg with the “Leadership Award,” Karren Martinez with the “Eyes on the Prize Award,” Samantha Miller with the “Head Designer Award” and Destiny Parlet with the “Earnest Award.”
Sherry, Carlé's secretary, presented Haley Ramirez with the “Office Butterfly Award” and Candice Safreno with the “Artist Award.”
Lilli, Carlé's head counselor, presented Lloyd Bridges with the “El Presidente Award” and Aries McDonald with the “Aces Award.”
Heather Koehler, Carlé's principal, presented Monica Clifford with the “Focus Award,” Diana Reyes with the “I Did It My Way Award” and Kayla Fua with Carlé's “Valedictorian Award.”
Graduation went really well, said Mrs. Koehler.
We would like to give a thank you to Alfred Lewis and Anthony Bigness for running the sound and music section of the get together. We would also like to thank Stacie Clemons, Taylor Churchill and Teagan Tompioner for ushering.
With that said we would also like to thank and give a mention to Dan Maes who is retiring after this school year.
Maes has been an essential asset to Carlé for 10 years and has finally decided its time for him to retire, as mentioned in the last article.
He plans on traveling to Italy and New Zealand in the company of his wife.
We wish you the best, Dan; we sure will miss you a lot. You are very much a compelling, giving and knowledgeable force of Carlé.
Gary Oakes, Carlé's main custodian for many years, is also retiring this year; we appreciate all you have done for us, always keeping our school tidy and clean. A clean environment is extremely Important especially in learning spaces. We love you, Gary, and have a really fun and relaxing retirement.
“I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to be the principal of Carlé High School,” said Principal Koehler. “I really appreciate what this school provides the community and that each student is able to pursue their own unique path to graduation. I really look forward to spending another year at this amazing place. Have a wonderful summer and I wish all of you that are signed up for Woodland classes the best of luck.”
Nicholas Phipps is a student at Carlé Continuation High School.
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- Written by: Editor
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Upper Lake High School has released the list of students whose hard work has earned them a place on the school’s second semester honor roll.
The school offered its congratulations to the students, who are listed below.
12th Grade Trustee Scholars (grade point average of 4.0 and above):
Haley Sheets, Kejhana Taylor, Emily Dunn, Liliana Roman-Ibey, Megan Franco and Natalie Karlsson
12th Grade Principal’s Honor Roll (3.0-3.9 GPA):
Valeria Robles, Chelsie Valdez, Kayla Nevarez, Emilyann Heiartz-Martin, Rhianna Eby, Dakota Fugate, Oh’shinnah Bluewolf, Alejandro Sanchez, Crystal Carroll, Cristal Nieves Renteria, Luke Sorenson, Ashley Tinney, Jasmine Sparks, Rebecca Garner, Isaiah Garcia, Isabel Rorabaugh, Angel Stith, Miranda Huntley, Francisco Gregorio-Flores, Salvador Sanchez, Jazlyn Bonilla, Chase Clark, Mya Woodford and Alverto Solano
12th Grade Dean’s List (2.0-2.9 GPA):
Anthony Serrano, Kevin Bermudez-Jacuinde, Christopher Bills, Timothy Beffa, Carson Whitfield and Miguel Gonzalez
11th Grade Trustee Scholars (4.0+ GPA):
Anisha Kalan, Casey Herman, Delaney Love, Daniela Estrada Flores, Nicholas Warner and Nastasia Cullen
11th Grade Principal’s Honor Roll (3.0-3.9 GPA):
Julia Mooney, Bailee Byrd, Lyndsay Wade, Angelica Ayala, Elizabth Rosas-Moreno, Colton Goetjen, Sierra Galloway, Ravon Wilczewski, Jacob Kalawaia, Stacy Johnson, Brianna Brackett, Brenna Sanchez, Andrew Brackett, Jasmin Velasco, Alan Balderas, Jessica Jordan, Alexis Martinez Mendoza, Anthony Lopez, Camden Goetjen, Adrianna Saldana
11th Grade Dean’s List (2.0-2.9 GPA):
Joshua Williams, Darin Harmon, Joshua Claunch, Kahlil George, Ashley Aceves, Andrew Garcia, Alexander Maupin, Christina Wilson, Austin Hill, Blake Noble, Rylan Robinson, Travis Smith, Flarissa Rahmer, Laisha Altamirano, Rue Owen, Nathan Sneed, Darren Swaney, Terrence Mitchell, Jazmine Serafin, Robert Neils, Dante Bassignani and Justin Seely
10th Grade Principal’s Honor Roll (3.0-3.9 GPA):
Anna Jordan, Rosemary Su, Chad Ferguson, Elisa Zelaya, Rebecca Harper, Katlyn Minnis, Adriana Martinez Lopez, Alexander Serrano, Kenneth Hodges, Amanda Maxwell, Bryor Minton, Jesus Valencia, Jose Fernandez, Jeff Fannon and Caitlin Lucientes
10th Grade Dean’s List (2.0-2.9 GPA):
Garret Martini, Blaine Feola, Courtney Phelps, Alicia Pena, Raymond Moran, Cyndal Ader, Jason Campfield, Sarah Williams, Steven Smith, Karoline Craig, Kehlani McKelvey, Megan Talbert, Daymion Martinez, Wiley Kirk, Armando Santos, Emily McKelvey, Nathan O’Bryant, Dylan Armstrong, Abigail Wilson, Lauren Phelps, Robert Porterfield, Michael Valdez, Gihon Russell, Samantha Green, Christopher Fecht, Jasmine Myers, Brittney Anderson, Aidan Johnson and Tyler Mendenhall
Ninth Grade Principal’s Honor Roll (3.0 to 3.9 GPA):
Ryan Escue, Maria Tinoco, Benat Love, Madison Hicks, Jay Arroyo, Wesley Villarreal, Lillieanna Cabrera, Colene Pulido-Doyle, Graciela Becerra, Maria Wade, Alana Sanchez, Mark Dutcher and Justice Snow
Ninth Grade Dean’s List (2.0-2.9 GPA):
Alyssa Navarro, Genaro Bucio, James Juarez, Hank Nevarez, Kaila Willard, Alyssa Nevarez, Seneca Snow, Bryanna Bean-Mehlsen, Jasmine Haro, Talen Feola, Makayla Sprague, Xavier Navarro-Poe, Emily Christine Stith, Esmeralda Giron, Dayanara Beecher, Lantana Kimbler, Kellen Smith, Louise Avalos and Dalton Slater
Dodd’s classroom earthquake safety bill receives unanimous support from Assembly Education Committee
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- Written by: Editor

SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) to protect students and teachers during earthquakes took an important step forward this week, receiving unanimous bipartisan support from the Assembly Education Committee.
Dodd’s bill would require school districts in California to ensure that the contents of their classroom, like heavy bookshelves or hanging light fixtures, comply with state earthquake safety guidelines.
“Earthquakes are a part of life in California and we cannot wait for tragedy to strike to take common sense precautions to ensure our children and teachers are as safe as possible,” said Assemblymember Bill Dodd. “I’m thankful to have the unanimous support of the Assembly Education Committee and look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to advance classroom earthquake safety.”
The state of California has already invested time and resources into creating guidelines for securing the contents of classrooms in the event of an earthquake.
However, there is currently nothing in state law that requires school districts to adhere to the established guidelines produced by the Division of the State Architects.
Inspections of Napa schools following the South Napa Earthquake revealed significant damage inside classrooms, totaling millions of dollars.
These concerning results have been identified following other serious earthquakes throughout the state.
The shifting contents and blocked exists could have been life-threatening had the earthquake occurred during school hours.
“What we found after the Napa Earthquake was alarming … we found classrooms that we couldn’t even get inside because things had fallen in the doorway,” said Don Evans, member of the Napa Valley Unified School District, who testified before the education committee. “We believe the preventative approach is the way to go and we believe future damage is controllable.
Following the South Napa Earthquake, the Napa Valley Unified School District completed an inspection of its facilities and addressed the issues that were identified.
Dodd’s legislation would require that all seismically active school districts in California proactively inspect school contents and equipment to ensure they are within state guidelines.
Assemblymember Bill Dodd represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Colusa counties.
You can learn more about Assemblymember Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .
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- Written by: Annie Mills

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The leadership class at Clear Lake High School has got it going on.
There are currently 12 students enrolled, all of whom have specific roles in the broad range of events they put on and participate in.
One of the many tasks that the class has taken responsibility for is the school newsletter, the Cardinal Chronicle.
There are leaders assigned to every section, including sports, humor, Student of the Month profiles, monthly class and staff interviews, horoscopes and much more.
When each section is finished, they are compiled and formatted, making sure that the finished product looks professional.
After the newsletter is completed, the class prints out hard copies to be posted around the school and at the district office. They also email digital copies to students, parents and staff.
The leadership class also assists the student council in planning and implementing events such as the the Day on the Green celebration, Spirit Days, Homecoming, Club Rush Day, dances, and other student centered activities.
The class also helps coordinate Christmas for Kids, an ongoing program to provide gifts to less fortunate LUSD students.
They also helped facilitate CLHS’s first annual Career Day and volunteered their time to make sure it ran smoothly.
Lastly, they have a different student each month attend Rotary meetings to report on current and upcoming events at CLHS.
Student Terra Morin said, “Leadership is the best class because we all get to work together to make the school a better place.”
The leadership class, despite being only in its first year, has already proven to be essential in maintaining the high standard of student achievement at Clear Lake High School.
“No matter the task, the leadership class is always willing to give and exceed the amount of needed help. It is in our best interest to improve the school in any and all ways we can, no matter how big or small the difference,” said student Ethan Jones.
For more information about the leadership class at Clear Lake High School, please contact Kristi Tripp at
Annie Mills works for the Lake County Office of Education.
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