The Lakeport Alternative Education Center and People Services, Inc. have teamed up to give seniors a new "alternative" to complete their senior projects while giving back to the community and learning valuable employment skills. Seniors involved in the program, are required to complete 15 hours of work at the People Services facility under the supervision of executive director Ilene Dumont.  

Since launching the program last spring, seven students have completed the program and earned their high school diploma. Director of student services Joe Aldridge anticipates the participation of another 8-10 students this year.

The goal of the collaboration between People Services and LAEC is to have seniors earn their diploma, enhance their independence, promote career options, and to gain self-confidence. Each student submits a resume and completes a professional interview prior to working. The student then completes specific tasks such as interacting with clients, cleaning and detailing vans, and working in the vehicle shop. Ilene takes a firm but compassionate approach with the students. They are treated as employees and are required to show up for work or call and reschedule if an emergency arises. There is a celebration when they finish the program which reinforces that the work they've completed is important and valued.

After the requirements are completed, each student meets with the principal to discuss both job performance and how the newly learned skills will apply to a future job search. Successful students are considered for job placement within People Services or partnering organizations.

Photo Courtesy of People Services

• The County of Lake's Alternative to Community Service program donated $3000 to the Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation (LEEF)
• Keenan donated $200 in support of the Back to School Breakfast
• The Sonoma County Air Quality Board donated 65 like new conference chairs to be used by staff at school sites
• The Westshore Youth Basketball League donated $2,550 and the Terrace School PTO donated $2,500 towards new basketball hoops in the Clear Lake High School gym 
• Lakeport Police Department Chief Brad Rassmussen and Lieutenant Jason Ferguson offered safe Halloween tips for Lakeport Elementary School students during a school assembly
• Dr. Lannette Huffman and her staff provided gift backpacks to all K-3rd grade students to promote good oral hygiene during an entertaining Halloween presentation

In recognition of National School Lunch Week, the Food and Nutrition Services team hosted the 4th annual "Take Your Parents to Lunch Day" on October 15th. Over 75 family members from Terrace Middle School and 91 family members from Lakeport Elementary joined the children for lunch on that day.  Direct Jackie Courtney, staff, and dietetic intern Ashley Hayslip enthusiastically prepared and served nutritious foods. Parents were able to experience the success in shifting to a healthier menu with more fresh fruits and vegetables. The menu featured "haystacks" prepared with ground turkey, tomatoes and lettuce, topped with cheese and served over tortilla chips. Pears grown at Seely's farm in Upper Lake were served representing this month's "Harvest Produce of the Month" and the daily salad bar was available. Ms. Hayslip demonstrated the "Rethink Your Drink" approach to selecting beverages showing parents the significant amount of sugar in soft drinks and juice.  She presented the option of serving water naturally infused with fruit or cucumber for a refreshing drink.

Many parents remarked about their children becoming increasingly open to eating more fruits and vegetables thanks to the healthy choices now offered in the school lunch program.