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- Written by: University of Central Oklahoma
The university reported that Szofia Ariana Nickell graduated with a Master of Science degree in nutrition and food science as a part of fall 2021 class, which included 989 students from throughout Oklahoma, the country and world.
With strong connections throughout the Oklahoma City metro, the University of Central Oklahoma is dedicated to developing in students the confidence to succeed through transformative learning experiences.
Central prides itself as a smart investment for success, preparing future leaders in an opportunity-rich environment, with access to more than 200 student organizations and the internship, employment, entertainment and cultural offerings of the rapidly growing Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
Founded in 1890, Central connects its more than 13,000 students to unmatched value found in 119 undergraduate areas of study and 80 graduate majors from its main campus in Edmond and facilities throughout the metro area. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
For more information about leadership and other opportunities at the University of Central Oklahoma, visit www.uco.edu.
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- Written by: Editor
The order extends provisions implemented to expand our health care workforce during the pandemic, allowing health care workers from out of state to provide services in California and enabling certain medical personnel and emergency medical technicians to continue supporting the state’s COVID-19 response, including administering vaccines.
The order also continues flexibility for health care facilities to plan and adapt their space to accommodate patients and allows alternate areas, such as parking lots, to be used for vaccination efforts at clinics and other health care facilities.
With certain parts of the state seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the state is continuing momentum for its nation-leading vaccination effort, encouraging Californians to get their COVID booster shots and vaccinate the newly eligible 5-11 age group.
California has put more shots in arms than any other state — administering over 55 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine — and announced first-in-the-nation vaccine measures, including requiring that workers in health care settings be fully vaccinated, adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccinations required to attend school in-person when fully authorized for applicable grade spans, and implementing a standard that all school staff and all state workers either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week.
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As the term of this position is longer than four months, protocol requires that the position be filled by election or provisional appointment.
The board has chosen to make a provisional appointment to fill the vacant position. The term of the provisional appointment will expire on Dec. 9, 2022.
At that time, the appointed candidate may seek election to the position in the scheduled general election.
Board of Educational vacancy timeline
— Oct. 29, 2021: Public notice of vacancy; application period opens.
— Nov. 15, 2021: Application period closes at 4 p.m.
— Nov. 17, 2021: Special Board Meeting. The board shall, in compliance with the Brown Act:
1. Interview candidates during this public meeting.
2. Accept oral or written public input.
3. Select a provisional appointee by a majority vote.
4. Newly appointed board member takes the oath of office and immediately assumes all powers and duties of a board member. Appointee holds office until Dec. 9, 2022.
— Dec. 14, 2021: Sixty day deadline to fill vacancy, appointment goes into effect.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why is there a vacancy?
On Oct. 15, 2021, Board of Education Trustee LaTrease Walker tendered her immediate resignation to the Lake County superintendent of schools.
2. What are the qualifications for serving on the board?
A person must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Middletown Unified School District Trustee Area 3, at least 18 years old, and a California registered voter.
3. What is the time commitment for serving on the board?
Board members are expected to attend regular board meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, as well as special meetings as needed, and board workshops/study sessions as scheduled. Prospective board members should plan to allot time to study board packets thoroughly and be informed of the items they are voting on or discussing. They should plan to attend school events throughout the year and may be asked to participate in committees.
4. What do I need to apply for the position?
Individuals meeting the qualifications noted in question one, must apply to the governing board which includes a complete candidate information sheet. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15. Applicants must be available for interviews with the board at an open meeting on Nov. 17, at 6 p.m.
5. If I am selected by the board, when do I take office and when do I run for election?
The board anticipates making selection on Nov. 17. The appointment will become effective on Nov. 17 after being sworn in. Following the appointment, the board will notify the community of the date of the vacancy and provisional appointment, including the name of the new board member. The appointment will become final in 30 days unless a petition is filed with the Lake County superintendent of schools requesting an election, in which case a special election will be called to fill a vacancy.
After the appointment becomes final, the board member will serve until Dec. 9, 2022, and may run for election to the position in the November 2022 regular election.
6. What other information should I consider?
Serving on the school board can be a valuable and satisfying way to make a significant contribution to the community. The board, staff, parent, and student community enjoy a professional, collaborative relationship.
As public officials, board members do have to comply with certain restrictions not encountered in their private lives. Upon assuming office, a board member must file a statement of economic interest which is a public document that discloses the board member’s financial holdings and other economic interests within the boundaries of the district (excluding a personal residence).
Board members must refrain from board activities which constitute a conflict of interest or which are incompatible with their role as board member.
Election campaigns are separate from district activities and the candidate must fund their campaign with private contributions in accordance with the rules of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
7. Is there compensation for serving as a board trustee?
Yes, Board trustees receive a monthly stipend of $240 and they are eligible to receive $15,000 annually towards participation in the district’s employee health benefits package.
8. Where can I get additional information on the role and responsibility of a board member?
The California School Boards Association offers several publications on School Board Leadership, New Member Orientation and Governance Briefs.
To apply, please procure a candidate information sheet from the District Office located at 20932 Big Canyon Road, Middletown.
Candidates must submit a completed Candidate Information Sheet to the District Office by 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15.
For more information, contact the Superintendent’s Assistant Janel Woodruff at 707-987-4100 or
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It was less than a week after a video went viral of a white high school teacher wearing a fake Indian headdress hopped around her classroom while teaching math concepts.
The Assembly Education Committee and Select Committee on Native American Affairs, which scheduled the hearing months earlier, took note of the teacher’s actions.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), chair of the select committee and the first California Native American elected to the Legislature, said the teacher episode underscored the need for increased understanding of Native American history and culture.
“These incidents reflect at best, ignorance and insensitivity. At their worst, they reflect bias and prejudice, perhaps even racism,” Ramos said.
Lawmakers heard from their Washington state counterparts who implemented landmark legislation, “Since Time Immemorial,” to ensure a broader teaching of Native American history and culture in that state’s schools.
Former state Sen. John McCoy, a Tulalip Tribe member and Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, chair of the Washington House Education Committee, testified about the genesis of the law, its outcomes and challenges.
Indian education specialist and Lakota descendant Cindra Weber, said, “Having California Indian history in our curriculum is needed not only for our native students to feel seen, heard, and valued but for all students to benefit from learning about Native traditions and culture.”
Weber, who works in the San Bernardino City Unified School District, said her program makes an effort to reach out to the local San Manuel Band Tribe over the teaching of Native history and partners with the tribe to organize field trips and workshops.
The district also provides additional resources to teachers for instruction of California’s mission era and opportunities to inform students about sites with names originating from California Native American languages.
She added that in the 2019-20 academic year, her district has a graduation rate of 95 percent, the highest in the state for Native students on or off a reservation.
Shasta County Superintendent of Schools Judy Flores and Redding Rancheria Tribal Chairman Jack Potter said they collaborate along with other local tribes to address absenteeism and to encourage accurate depiction of Native American history, cultural celebrations, and other issues.
The need for easily available resources was also emphasized by Assemblymeber Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), education committee chair, and a former classroom teacher. “Teachers need curriculum, but you certainly need resources,” O’Donnell said. “As we go forward, it’s very important to think about what the classroom teacher is going to need.”
Ramos represents the 40th Assembly district which includes Highland, Loma Linda, Mentone, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands and San Bernardino. He is the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature.