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A Message from Brock Falkenberg:
Welcome back for another great school year in beautiful Lake County.
We all know that Lake County has been hit hard with the Rocky Fire, Jerusalem Fire and now the Valley Fire. During these times of crises, we're reminded of the strength within our own community. We are strong. We are united. As we work through this crises together we will overcome and rebuild. Together, we are Lake County.
We will continue to keep the future of Lake County's children as our top priority. We can't forget that September is Attendance Awareness Month. Although many residents are currently displaced, schools are reopening and we must work together to ensure that our children attend school. I encourage you to work with friends and family, carpool, and help one another to make sure that all our children have access to quality education each and every day.
This is my first official school year as your County Superintendent of Schools. Thank you for being so welcoming. I look forward to many great years ahead.
Brock
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Welcome new LCOE Employees
Lori Berg, Afterschool
Debra Ratcliff, Afterschool
Sarah Spain, Afterschool
Kayla Wood, Afterschool
Regina Muller, Afterschool
 Eduardo Pineda Zamora, Afterschool
April Leiferman, LCOE Assistant Superintendent
John Fridley, Child Development
Julia Franklin, Clearlake Creativity School
Cynthia Lenners, Educational Services - RSDSS
Jolene Chappel, Healthy Start Director
Jannie Benitez, Preschool Noelle Neils, Preschool Freya Sylvester, Preschool Veronica Paje-Rafael, Preschool
June Masato, Safe Schools Steven Butler, Safe Schools
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New Assistant Superintendent Joins LCOE
LCOE welcomes a new Assistant Superintendent, April Leiferman. April says, "I am eager to meet with all of the districts and survey their needs. I hope to become a familiar face in each district and find ways to support their goals."
After graduating from South Dakota State University, April took her first educational position with the Konocti Unified School District. She held many positions within this District. She started at Lower Lake High School as a Substitute Teacher and Sophomore Career Counselor and a year later became the Counselor.
 Two years later she became the Principal/Counselor at Lower Lake Elementary School for one year. When Pomo Elementary School opened, April became the Assistant Principal for four years before becoming the Principal for 16 years. "Pomo School opened with such positive enthusiasm and it was an honor to spend the majority of my career with this school, the staff, and the community."
She then moved to the District Office at the request of then District Superintendent, Bill MacDougall. April was the Student Services Director for four years.
April feels fortunate to have been offered the Assistant Superintendent position at LCOE. She is excited to still be able to be involved with Konocti Unified School District and make new connections with the other districts as well.
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Early Childhood Educators and Childcare Sites Embark on New Quality Care Path
The Lake County Child Care Planning Council (LPC), working to improve the quality and availability of childcare in Lake County, is promoting three simultaneous programs for the 2015-2016 school year. Steps To Quality, a professional early childhood educator leadership program in partnership with First 5 Lake and First 5 California; Quality Care Counts, a quality rating and improvement system (qris); and the Transitional Kindergarten and Child Care Development Grant in partnership with the California Department of Education.
Steps to Quality offers generous stipends for completion of a year-long program designed to mentor child care providers, provide opportunities for professional growth, improve quality and reward those who are continuing their education. This is an intensive leadership development program for early childhood educators which serves to keep committed educators in the field, improve quality and reward ongoing commitment to education. The 2015-2016 program year is the third and final funding year for the CARES Plus grant from First 5. This year the LPC is investing in 45 early childhood educators from State Preschools, Private Centers, Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant Head Start, and Family Child Care Homes.
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New Healthy Start Director
Healthy Start has a new director. Jolene Chappel has taken over the position, following the retirement of Joan Reynolds.
Jolene is a Lake County local who graduated from Clear Lake High School. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University in 2011. While at SSU, she worked in the Advising Career and EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) Services as a student advisor and peer mentor.
After graduating she found work with the Mendocino County Youth Project as a Youth Worker. While there she provided intervention and prevention services for children 12-18 years old. Because of this job, she was offered a job in Lake County at Redwood Community Services, supervising transition age youth services. While at RCS she worked with The Harbor on Main youth resource center, The NEST maternity group home and the PAD runaway and homeless youth shelter. Through her extensive work at the Mendocino County Youth Services and RCS, she quickly found her passion for working with youth.
Jolene says, "I am passionate about collaborating to meet the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves, specifically children, youth and families. I look forward to this opportunity through LCOE to advocate for and be a part of the many growing services for Lake County families."
She is currently in her final year of the Master's in Social Work program with an emphasis on children, youth and families at California State University, Long Beach.
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LCOE begins new school year with Pancake Breakfast 
LCOE staff enjoyed a pancake breakfast provided by Kandee Stolesen and Brock Falkenberg
on August 13, 2015
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Medical Assistant Graduation
Congratulations to the recent graduates of the Medical Assistant (MA) Program offered through the Lake County Office of Education (LCOE). On Friday, May 15th, students, families and staff gathered in Lower Lake to celebrate the course completion of 15 students.
Tim Gill, then Senior Director of the Career & College Readiness and Educational Services departments welcomed the crowd of more than 100 and speaker William Edmunds, Associate Pastor for the Cobb Mountain Community Fellowship Church, Coordinator of the International Association of Healing Rooms, and Director of Healing Rooms in Lake County, shared words of wisdom with the students. Dr. Vernetta Johnson, Medical Director and physician of Creekside Interventional Pain Center in Lakeport, addr essed the graduates to stress the importance of compassion and integrity in healthcare. Instructor Diedra Lagle praised the students' dedication and compassion in their quest to become MAs. Each student was presented with a personalized certificate and lamp pendant in honor of Florence Nightingale and her tireless crusade to improve the quality of healthcare during her career as a nurse.
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Good Teacher
Article published in Record Bee by Gene Paleno
I love all sports and I did a few things when my bones were more pliable and I wore a younger man's clothes. I don't talk much about sports anymore. But some time back I took my usual 2-mile trip from my farm in Witter Springs to the Tallman Hotel Conference Room in Upper Lake to sit in on the monthly Monday Civil War Round Table. That's hosted by Phil Smoley and Zane Jensen and when they hold their round table meeting, lots of smart people attend. I don't count myself as smart...but it makes me feel good to be in such high-flying company.
Zane gave part of the presentation on Reconstruction after Civil War and spoke about President Andrew Johnson. Zane is a Terrace Middle School history teacher and he is also Clear Lake High School's varsity baseball coach for the Cardinals. He is one of the many good teachers who do a lot more than deal out the dry facts of history to his students. On one of his history field trips he took them to Gettysburg to make that battle of the Civil War come alive.
Before he had a chance to get going on his talk, I asked Zane about the amazing string of victories of the Clear Lake High School baseball team, the Cardinals.
"What's your secret? Twenty-four wins and no losses. And now the team is fighting for the North Central League standing."
He smiles, thought a moment and then he said, "Gettysburg. I used the story of Gettysburg on the team. I had to keep the kids from getting a big head over their string of victories, so I used what happened at Gettysburg in 1863 to drive home my point."
"You see," he finished, "Robert E. Lee never lost a battle until Gettysburg. He was about to attack a Union army and a general that had never won a battle. He was supremely confident his men would do anything he asked. In his over-confidence, Lee made a mistake. He sent General Pickett's thousands up the hill against the massed Union cannon and the entire Union army."
"When Lee told Pickett to withdraw his men, Pickett could only say tearfully, 'What men? I have no army.'"
On May 21, the Record-Bee spoke of teacher-coach Jensen and the Clear Lake Cardinals: "Zane Jensen, a teacher of history at Terrace Middle School, is... a maker of history. Jensen... has been in the driver's seat during the Cardinals' undefeated regular season - 24-0."
One quote in the article brought home what is important for the students and said, "I know these guys. I know what their grades are. We do a weekly grade check so I can check on them all the time. I hear from their teachers so I know what is going on... Baseball's a game of life. You have to learn to deal with failure and you fail a lot in baseball."
Our country needs more teachers in our schools like Zane Jensen...that is, if America has any hope of keeping our place in the world. Hats off to all good teachers, one of the finest and most important of professions.
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2015-16 Teacher of the Year Announced
Elisa Prather, a seventh grade teacher at Terrace Middle School in Lakeport Unified
School District, has been selected as the 2015-16 Lake County Teacher of the Year, announced Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Superintendent of Schools. Ms. Prather will
represent Lake County in the upcoming California Teacher of the Year competition.
Ms. Prather holds a Bachelor of Science from CSU Chico in Life Science with a Chemistry
Minor. She has been teaching for 24 years, the past 10 at Terrace Middle School where her current project is the creation of a large community garden on campus. She has worked with students, staff and community to raise thousands of dollars in hope of creating a garden and outdoor classroom that will one day provide food to the cafeteria and a great place for hands on learning for students in all grades.
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Lake County Office of Education Engages Youth
Through Summer Leadership Program
The 2015 Summer Leadership Program was held at Kelseyville High School this year. The program ran for four weeks beginning on July 6th and ended July 30th. This is the fourth year Lake County Office of Education has sponsored this program for Lake County youth.
Students experienced a full day of fun with engaging activities, ranging from morning fitness workouts, leadership skills, to hands-on educational activities. Studies have shown that teens who participate in extra-curricular activities increases resiliency in youth by promoting protective factors and reducing risk factors (Science Daily).
The program also proactively engaged with local community by inviting organizations to be educational guest speakers. Organizations such as The Harbor (RCS), Lake County Public Health, Children's Museum of Art & Science, Lake County Arts Council, Lakeport Library, Taylor Observatory, Planned Parenthood, and West America Bank all participated.
Aside from daily routines, students also participated in an array of visits to local establishments for recreational and educational activities such as: Lakeport Cinema 5, Quail Run Fitness Center, Small Town Ceramics, Pine Acres, Mendocino and Yuba College.
Our LCOE Summer Leadership Program sincerely thanks all community agencies and businesses for their willingness to partner with us. By your example you have shown our youth leadership skills and a commitment to youth development. Accolades to your dedication in helping improve the health and wellness among our youth population; the program was a huge success because of all your contributions.
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Lake County Communities Unite and Rebuild
Lake County has seen its share of challenges this summer due to many fires sweeping through our communities. With the Rocky Fire, Jerusalem Fire and now the Valley Fire, our communities have had their fair share of disaster.
Our community has shown their resiliency and pulled together to help each other out. Many donations have been made and many people are helping and volunteering. It shows our counties strength and character.
Thank you firefighters, law enforcement, animal control, Cal Trans and any other emergency workers or services involved.
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Hero Project Update
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| | Hero Project Communications Specialist Annie Mills (left) with Director Robyn Bera. |
The Hero Project hosted an all new children's area at the Lake County Fair. They partnered with Xtreme Envisions and built a Superhero Scramble obstacle course. The Game Hub hosted a gaming table. Bob Rider Photography provided more than 700 free family photos to every family who registered for the Hero Project. Along with a free family photo, families received a free Hero Project backpack, bracelet and local resource information.
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Guy Fieri pictured with Robyn Bera
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More than 600 people came through the Hero Project area and more than 1000 backpacks were distributed to every child under 10. 273 new families registered for the Hero Project and more than 200 registration updates were collected.The kids ran circles though the obstacle course and many went though it several times.
A few special guests made appearances including Spiderman, Deadpool, Tony Stark, The Hulk, Black Widow and a few more Marvel superheores. Food Network star Guy Fieri also made an appearance with his friends and family. Guy even took a minute to snap a picture with Hero Project Director Robyn Bera!
It was a very successful year at the Lake County Fair for the Hero Project and we look forward to seeing everyone at the next Hero Project event.
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Encourage Evacuees to Enroll Children in School
Due to the devastation in the Middletown and Cobb area, many students have been evacuated and displaced. In order to reestablish a sense of normalcy, we are encouraging students to return to school. If you are a parent of displaced student, you may enroll your son or daughter in the school nearest to where you are currently residing. Please contact the following district to enroll your child.
- Lakeport Unified School District - 2580 Howard Ave. Lakeport, CA 95453 - (707) 262-3000
- Upper Lake Union High School District - 675 Clover Valley Rd. Upper Lake, CA 95485 - (707) 275-2655
- Upper Lake Union Elementary School District - 679 Second St. Upper Lake, CA 95485 - (707) 275-2357
- Lucerne Elementary School District - 3351 Country Club Dr. Lucerne, CA 95458 - (707) 274-5578
- Konocti Unified School District - 9430 Lake St. Lower Lake, CA 95457 - (707) 994-6475
- Middletown Unified School District - 20932 Big Canyon Rd. Middletown, CA 95461 - (707) 987-4100
- Kelseyville Unified School District - 4325 Main St. Kelseyville, CA 95451 - (707) 279-1511
If you have any questions, please contact the County Superintendent of Schools, Brock Falkenberg, at (707) 262-4101.
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Dental Screening
A huge thank you goes out to Carle' High School students and staff for allowing Department of Public Health's Marta Fuller and LCOE Healthy Start's Mari Valdez to join them on campus to conduct dental screenings on 9-9-15. The students were terrific, cooperative and thankful for the service. They are so sweet, they even made plaques to thank us for our services! Thank you Carle and keep up the good work! 
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Disaster Service Worker Oath
Thank you to Rob Young and Michelle Buell for donating time and relief efforts during the recent fires.
Did you know that as an LCOE employee, you are also a disaster service worker? This means that during times of natural, man-made or war-caused emergencies you may be called upon to serve our county. You are subject to disaster services activities as assigned by your supervisor.
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Calendar Highlights
IEP Training for Secondary Teachers September 21, 2015 9:00AM - 3:00PM | Lake County Office of Education, Kesey Room
Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in the Classroom September 23, 2015 9:00AM - 12:00PM | Lake County Office of Education, Kesey Room
SELPA Governance Council Meeting September 28, 2015 8:30AM - 10:00AM | Lake County Office of Education, Board Room, 1152 South Main Street, Lakeport
My Future, My Way Workshop October 10, 2015 8:30AM - 3:30PM | Mendocino College Lakeport Branch
Student Discipline and Medical Marijuana Issues October 13, 2015 2:00PM - 5:00PM | Lake County Office of Education, Kesey Room
FREE Flu Shot Clinic October 15, 2015 10:00AM - 2:00PM | LCOE - Kesey Room
Retirement Savings Workshop October 15, 2015 4:30PM - 6:00PM | LCOE - Kesey Room
Heroes of Health and Safety Fair October 17, 2015 10:00AM - 3:00PM | Lakeport Fairgrounds
SELPA Governance Council October 26, 2015 8:30AM - 10:00AM | LCOE - Board Room
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