Most of the students of Carlé were taking the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests all of last week. As you may know, every school in the state of California is administering these STAR tests to their students so they can make sure that they meet California’s content standards. All students who started the year as either a sophomore or a junior were required to take a standardized test in algebra, English, US history and science.

Though this test has no effect on their grade, Carlé students did their best on the test so that they could show how well they had been taught this material. Some students disagree with the idea of standardized testing, because a high score on the STAR test does not necessarily mean the student was taught any better.

Some students think that the state should reconsider how they measure a student’s knowledge. Other students disagree and think that these tests can be good for getting a general idea of how students are educated at a school.

Open House was on May 8, and was a wonderful as well as interesting event. It was a potluck, so everyone who could bring a small dish to share, and it was a delicious feast.

May 8 was the date that teacher Alan Siegel announced something that was of great surprise to everyone at Carlé. Our principal, Bill MacDougall has been promoted to superintendent of Konocti Unified School District!

This is exciting news in that he is now able to change the way the education system is run in the entire district, but sad news that he will no longer be principal of Carlé High School. This school will miss him dearly, but we can’t wait to see how he recreates everything good about Carlé throughout the school district.

All of the students had a lot to say about Bill’s promotion. Many wanted to thank him for bringing them out of an unhealthy life in a bad community and into such a great place as Carlé.

Everyone admires his patience in helping kids get through and rise above their problems.

“He’s been there for me and my brother as family,” said Bonny Passley.

Courtney Lawson said this: “He made Carlé into something no other school can compare to.”

Marquice Lamar had this to say: “I’m sad that he’s leaving, but I’m glad that he is taking a step forward … and never forget about Carlé!”

Lavonne Pattee said, “With Carlé, Bill has been able to impact all of its student and now he has the opportunity to do the same thing in a much larger scale.”

So, everyone would like to congratulate Bill on this exciting new achievement!

That is all for this week’s Chronicle. Thank you for reading!

Atlee Erickson is a junior at Carlé High School in Lower Lake.

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