November 2014
Message from Brock

During this political season, there has been much talk about the many important assets we need to protect and enhance within Lake County. However, I believe that the most important asset we have in Lake County is our children, and we must always remember to protect them and enhance their learning environment. I am honored to be able to lead in that effort and to serve the students, teachers, parents, schools, and communities of Lake County as the incoming County Superintendent of Schools.

I believe, as fellow educators, you too view children as the most important asset in Lake County and that each and every one of you will continue to strive to assist and support them. I also believe that each of us, as professionals, understand that all children can learn. These beliefs are core values that we hold dear. As educators, we must remain true to these values. We need to express a sense of integrity about these core values.

Integrity means doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances, whether or not anyone is watching. It takes having the courage to do the right thing no matter what the consequences may be. If the right thing is to assist and support our children, then we should put the needs of our children above all other needs.

We live in a world where integrity isn't discussed nearly enough. We live in a world where "the end justifies the means" has become an acceptable pattern of thought for far too many. Schools are one of the primary mechanisms we use to assist and support the needs of our children. In order to assure that no one loses trust in our schools we must always live by that sense of integrity. Building a reputation of integrity takes years, but it only takes a second to lose, so never allow yourself to do anything that will damage your integrity or the integrity of the outstanding schools we work in.

Join me in the effort to support and assist the children of Lake County.

Griswold Makes Imagination Library Gift
Berta Kaemmerling, director of Surgical and Emergency Services and the Women's Care Unit at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, recently received a surprise when benefactor Charlotte Griswold made a generous gift to Imagination Library, a literacy program at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. 

Ms. Griswold, a former educator, not only feels strongly about keeping her philanthropic dollars local, but she is a firm believer in the impact of books and reading. 

"I am involved in this project because I believe that reading is key to a successful educational experience, and the earlier kids are exposed to books and reading, the more chance they will have to achieve their dreams," Griswold said. "Now that my former students are becoming parents, I hope they are taking a leading role in their own kids' future by reading to them at home."

At St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, each baby born is given the opportunity to be registered for the Imagination Library program, and is sponsored for the first year of their life. 


County Hears Plans for Hub

 

The Lake County Office of Education presented its first report regarding The Hub in Upper Lake Tuesday.

 

Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook, presented the report to the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

The Hub, which opened in August 2013 in Upper Lake, is a "one-stop shop" for multiple services and resources for students and their families.

 

"I think we are on our way to having a very effective method to deliver services throughout the county," Holbrook said.

 

Read Full Article Here

 

Student Volunteers With Heart

The spirit of volunteerism is alive in Lakeport Unified School District as students, teachers, and advisors support programs and organizations throughout Lake County. The Lakeport Unified School District strives to provide students with opportunities to contribute time, energy, and talents to improve the quality of life in their school and community. These efforts epitomize the Lakeport Unified School District's focus to give students new opportunity for growth, academics, community involvement, and volunteerism, all school year long.

 

Read Full Article Here

 

CLHS cheerleaders volunteering at Sponsoring Survivorship

 

The Hero Project Launches to Positive Lake County Response

The Lake County Hero Project is reminding families that there is a superhero inside each and every parent. Parents are a child's first and most important teacher, and the small and large choices parents make every day can determine their child's success in school and life. The Hero Project gives parents free tips and tools, challenges families through monthly themes, and offers cool prizes as reward for challenge completion. The focus of the Hero Project is parenting adults with children aged 0-8, but all families with young school-aged children will benefit from the resources available.

 

New Hero Project Billboard
We can't contain our excitement here at Hero Project Headquarters! It's official. Our second billboard has arrived! See if you can spot this one going North on CA-29 in Lakeport. This billboard features the Sonato family from Kelseyville (far left), the Fuller family from Lakeport, and the Hathaway-Cummins family from Clearlake.

 
Lakeport Alternative Education Center and People Services Provide New Options for High School Seniors

 

Natural High School and People Services, Inc. have teamed up to give continuation high school seniors a new option to complete their senior projects while learning valuable employment skills.  High school seniors enrolled in the program are required to complete 15 hours of work under the supervision of People Services Executive Director, Ilene Dumont.  Since launching the program last spring, seven students have completed the program and earned their highschool diploma. Director of Student Services and School Principal, Joe Aldridge, anticipates an enrollment of eight to ten students this school year. According to Aldridge, "this program has provided our students with the opportunity to explore career options in a supportive environment."

 

Natural High School supports students 16 years and older through flexible scheduling, individualized instruction, and a smaller classroom environment.  As part of the Lakeport Alternative Education Center, the district-approved curriculum meets California standards. Benefits of the alternative education program include an opportunity for credit recovery, adapting to health and/or family needs, customized education planning, parent involvement and participation, a focus on student interests, and the ability to pursue college level classes. Students are evaluated in a manner consistent with those students enrolled in the Lakeport Unified School District.

 

Read Full Article Here

BOS approves agreement for school-based mental health services 

 

An agreement between the county, the Lake County Office of Education (LCOE) and the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative was unanimously approved by the Lake County Board of Supervisors Oct. 7.

 

"The office of education, in conjunction with Safe Schools, have pooled their money to provide therapy services and rehab services to students," according to Lake County Interim Behavioral Health Director Linda Morris. "This contract provides federal dollars for the Medi-Cal match for the schools."

 

The agreement, which totals a little more than $428,000, will provide services to approximately 100 students at multiple schools throughout the county.

 

 

Read Full Article Here
Educator of the Year Award Program

 
Lake County Family Resource Guide
Now Available



To order guides for your program, download a PDF or view online, click 
United Christian 
Parish Children
These children from United Christian Parish helped raise funds for shoes at their summer vacation bible school. Coordinated by Pastor Shannon Kimbal.
Firefighters at 
Lucerne Preschool
On October 15 the children at Lucerne Early Connection Preschool received a visit from local firefighter Andrew McCabe. McCabe spoke to the children about what to do in the event of fire. They were taught about the safety gear and uniforms that firefighters wear, and not to fear them. The kids were then able to climb in the front seat of the firetruck.
 Pumpkin Donation
Local gardener 
Rick Ogden generously donated approximately 100 various sized pumpkins to the Child Development afterschool and preschool programs. Children and staff will have a great time carving, painting, and baking with the pumpkins this fall season!
 Girls in Careers Workshop

Academic Decathlon

You're invited to volunteer at the Lake County Academic Decathlon Competition! Approximately 60 volunteers are needed. 50+ students from 3 schools will compete, and each county will send their winning team to the state competition.

Decade of Difference

Farewell Wally Holbrook

Wally Holbrook handing off his duties as County Superintendent to Brock Falkenberg at the Board meeting on 10/22/2014

Calendar Highlights

 

Nurturing Parenting - ABC's of Parenting 

November 06, 2014  5:30PM - 7:30PM  |  Minnie Cannon Elementary School

Click here for more information

 

Girls in Careers Workshop 

November 15, 2014  8:30AM - 3:30PM  |  Lower Lake High School 

Click here for more information and to register

Educator of the Year Awards

November 15, 2014  6:00PM - 9:00PM  |  Soper Reese Theatre

Click here for more information and to register

 

English Learners Professional Development Grades K-12

November 18, 2014  8:30AM - 3:00PM  |  Taylor Observatory 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville CA 95451 

Click here for more information and to register 

 

WorkAbility and The Secondary Toolkit 

November 19, 2014  9:00AM - 3:00PM  |  Lake County Office of Education, Kesey Room

Click here for more information and to register  

 

Nurturing Parenting - ABC's of Parenting 

November 06, 2014  5:30PM - 7:30PM  |  Minnie Cannon Elementary School

Click here for more information

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