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- Written by: Editor
Each member has been appointed to a two-year term.
“These three new appointments are well qualified to help lead our system and each has been directly involved in the operation of their local district or college,” Chancellor Jack Scott said. “And Manuel Baca has shown that he has great depth of knowledge and really cares about the issues facing the system. I welcome all four of these outstanding people to the board and look forward to working with each one of them.”
The new members include:
– Joseph Bielanski, of San Francisco, has been an institutional effectiveness coordinator for the Peralta Community College District and articulation officer at Berkeley City College since 2009. He was president of the district academic senate at Peralta Community College District from 2004 to 2009 and president of the academic senate for Berkeley City College from 2005 to 2009, after serving as co-president from 2003 to 2005. He was an articulation officer at Vista Community College from 2000 to 2004. Bielanski received his doctorate of education from St. Mary’s College.
– Jurena Storm, of Oakland, has been appointed as a student representative to the board. Storm is enrolled at both the College of Alameda and the University of California, Berkeley. She has served as the communications officer for the California Community College Association of Student Trustees and as a member on the board of trustees for the Peralta Community Colleges District from 2010 until this year. She also was the secretary for the College of Alameda Associated Students from 2008 to 2009 and vice president of administration from 2009 to 2010. Storm also served as chair elect, secretary and interim senator for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, Region III in 2010.
– Ning Yang, of Sacramento, also has been appointed as a student representative to the board. Yang is pursuing an associate degree in psychology at Mendocino College. Yang has served as general assembly planning committee chair and a senator for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, Region II since 2010. She also served as a housing programs representative for the Community Development Commission of Mendocino County in 2010 and student president for Mendocino College from 2008 to 2009.
– Manuel Baca, of Diamond Bar, has been a professor at Rio Hondo College since 1997. Baca served as vice president of student services for Rio Hondo College from 1991 to 1997 and director of the extended opportunity program and services, financial aid and veteran’s services from 1982 to 1991. In 2005, Baca was a member of the California Community Colleges System Strategic Plan Steering Committee where he and other state leaders developed the Community College System Strategic Plan for California. He holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Southern California. His bachelor and master degrees are from California State University, Fullerton where he was recently named one of 50 successful ("Querer es Poder") alumni.
None of the appointees require Senate confirmation and each receives a $100 per diem in compensation. All four are Democrats.
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors sets policy and provides guidance for the system. The 17-member board formally interacts with state and federal officials and other organizations. The board also selects a chancellor for the system. Baca and Bielanski fill the two faculty positions on the board while Storm and Yang will occupy the two student board positions. Storm is the voting member for the students.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills courses in English and math, and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Konocti Christian Academy (KCA) students kicked off the school year with a rousing Renaissance of Reading competition.
The lower grade students accrued minutes while the upper grade students accrued pages.
The top four students who read the most for the quarter were Audrey Bridges with 1,145 minutes, Peyton Ewing with 3,435 minutes, Erik Nelson with 1,273 pages and Jon VanDerWall with 802 pages.
The Renaissance of Reading competition continues throughout the year in celebration of KCA's annual fundraiser, Shakespeare in the Meadow and Renaissance Faire where students perform Shakespeare in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Guests are treated to a gourmet lunch in a meadow and are entertained with song, games and shopping.
KCA is located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport. For information call 707-262-1522.
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SACRAMENTO – California charter public schools grew significantly this 2011-12 school year, opening at high numbers statewide, and serving more students and families in both urban and rural areas, according to data released by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Tuesday.
This school year, 100 new charter schools opened their doors across the state, while enrollment surged by more than 13 percent, from 364,024 students in 2010-11 to over 412,000 students. This growth brings the total number of charters in California to 982 – the most of any state in the nation.
The enrollment figures are also significant, as charter school students now represent 7 percent of the total number of students attending public schools in California.
“This unparalleled growth shows tremendous momentum for the charter movement, as it took place despite incredible budget challenges and during a year of unprecedented legislative attacks against charter schools,” said Jed Wallace, president and CEO, CCSA. “We want to thank the supporters of the charter movement, including students, parents and teachers, for recognizing the important role of charter schools in public education, and for supporting efforts to expand quality education opportunities to more students. The numbers show that more and more parents are joining charters, and recognizing that they are a symbol of hope.”
Of the 100 new schools, 30 are located in Los Angeles County, 28 of those in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) alone. LAUSD was also the biggest authorizer of new schools in the state.
In addition, San Diego and Santa Clara counties increased their charter schools by eight each, while Riverside and San Joaquin counties followed with six each.
Alameda County grew by five new charter schools, Sonoma County by four and Sacramento County with three.
“This coming year, the California charter movement will commemorate its 20th anniversary, and to continue to see these upward trends is phenomenal and encouraging. We will continue to advocate for charter schools as they confront challenges in funding and facilities, and for quality choices for students and parents throughout the state,” added Wallace.
Charter schools are public schools of choice that are tuition-free, have open enrollment, and serve all students.
For more information on the new charter schools in California, including a list of schools, visit http://www.calcharters.org/blog/2011/11/2011-12-new-schools-press-kit.html.
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- Written by: Tammy Serpa
COBB, Calif. – Calpine Corp. recently hosted approximately 60 students from Middletown and Kelseyville high schools.
Students from both schools were treated to a tour of The Geysers and spoke with a variety of employees about career opportunities in energy.
The event known as Geothermal Education and Career Day was organized as part of Calpine’s 2011 Community outreach and tour program.
Calpine’s goal is to focus on regional occupational program (ROP) classes at each of the high school because they are known for teaching students skills that help prepare students for the workforce.
Local teachers Mike Jones and Robert Griffith from Kelseyville High and Karen Jones from Middletown High, escorted the students from a variety of ROP classes including welding, computers and agricultural.
Students were able to gather information on a variety of jobs including geologists, engineers, administrative work, mechanics, welders, power plant operators and more.
Each school was taken on a bus tour to The Geysers and a tour of a geothermal power plant lead by Calpine tour guides Josh Wade and Jim Horne.
Students heard from a variety of Geysers employees and asked questions about the educational requirements and responsibilities.
Sonoma County’s Department of Education’s Water and Energy program for Sonoma County high school students participated that day and although only Kelseyville and Middletown participated in this year’s event, Calpine will host similar events in 2012 for participation by the other Lake County school districts.
That day, Calpine also sponsored 80 fourth grade students from Lower Lake Elementary school. That tour, led by Calpine’s Josh Wade and Evelyn Hansen, toured the West Ford Flat power plant.
Tammy Serpa works with the Lake County Office of Education.