The International Student Program (ISP) and the International Affairs Student Club (IASC) hosted a campus tour to UC Berkeley on October 9, 2015. A total of 13 international students participated in the tour. Those students included new and continuing students from different countries; China, Japan, Malaysia, Brazil, Venezuela, Myanmar and Vietnam. They all enjoyed a ride together to UCB and had a customized group tour led by a UCB student. The students had an opportunity to ask questions about the school, transfer, campus life, etc. at the end of the tour.

UCB is one of the most popular transfer destinations for international students. This year, four Skyline College international students successfully completed their studies here and transferred to UCB. We hope that the 13 students who participated in the tour will consider attending UCB in the future!

ISP will continue to provide international and cultural programs and events for Skyline College students, faculty and staff members and the greater Skyline College community. Please check future events on the ISP website.

Article Chikako Walker | Photo by Yvonne Zhao

On October 20, 2015, the Career Advancement Academy (CAA) welcomed a group of Redwood High School seniors and their counselors to Skyline College. Jeremy Evangelista, Interim Program Services Coordinator, and Troy Barros, Office Assistant II, facilitated tours of the campus and its Career Technical Education (CTE) programs including  Automotive Technology, Allied Health, Early Childhood Education, Cosmetology, and Energy Systems Technology Management.  Students enjoyed lunch together and heard from learning community and Guardian Scholars guest speakers.

The CAAs connect students to higher wage careers and opportunities in higher education by increasing foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics while enrolling students in career technical training programs. Currently, the Career Advancement Academy has programs in Allied Health, Automotive Technology, Early Childhood Education, and Legal Careers.

Redwood High school is an alternative high school for students who are considered at-risk of graduating on time. CAA hopes to continue to support Redwood High School students transition to Skyline College and connect them to career technical education programs, and additional pathways in higher education.

Article by Jeremy Evangelista

The first monthly parent night was held September 30, 2015 in the Multicultural Center located in Building 4.  The program theme was “How Can Parents Support Student Success.”  More than 40 individuals were in attendance to show their support and belief in the Middle College including families, students, Skyline College administration, and South San Francisco Unified School District administrators and three board members. This student-led program gave parents insights into the Middle College through

• A multimedia slide show of the activities students have been involved with
• A multimedia presentation giving an overview of the Middle College
• A Question & Answer segment that allowed parents to inquire about the Middle College
• A student-led panel focused on how parents can support their academic success,
• A presentation conducted by Dr. Raymond Jones, Middle College Director, entitled “Three Myths About the Teen-Age Brain.”
• A tour of the Middle College facilities in Building 2.

The parent night is a monthly program that Middle College students plan and host.  The purpose of the parent night is to involve the parents in their student’s education.  Evidence-based research has shown that parent involvement and support is a key element in student academic achievement and success.  The next parent night is November 4, 2015 and the topic will be Financial Literacy, to be led by Melanie Espinueva, Coordinator of Financial Education Services for SparkPoint at Skyline College.

Article by Raymond Jones

For visual learners especially, books with strong photographic documentation are a nice complement to textbooks and scholarly texts. With over 200 images in each book, the Images of America Series by Arcadia Publishing documents the neighborhoods and people that helped define San Francisco as the beloved city it is today. Explore different regions such as San Francisco’s Sunset District or different cultures in Filipinos in San Francisco and Gay and Lesbian San Francisco.

All library materials on display are available for check out using your Peninsula Library System (PLS) library card. Don’t currently have a card? Come to the Check Out desk and register today. http://skylinecollege.edu/library/librarycard.php

Article and Photos by Kristen Lee

The Automotive Technology Department hosted its 5th “Hiring Day” for students and local employers.  Thirty service managers and shop owners, representing over 200 repair facilities in the Bay Area attended and interviewed students for entry level jobs.  A variety of shops were represented including dealerships, independent shops, chain and franchise stores and transportation fleets.

Several managers commented on the high quality of interviewees and all were very impressed with our students and the way they presented themselves. Starting wages range from $12-18 an hour and most students received multiple job offers as a result of this event.  We’re very proud of our students and very grateful to have such a supportive community!

Article by Julia Johnson

This month, the “There’s An App for That!” event was presented by our Assistive Technology Specialist, Judy Lariviere. Some of the latest and greatest iPad, iPhone, Google Chrome and extension apps were available for students to try out; the app that breaks down math problems was especially popular! Students who stopped by were entered into a drawing to win an iTunes gift card.

Some of our other Disability Awareness Month events included:

Dislecksia: The Movie, Celebrating Dyslexia, Guide Dogs for the Blind, DRC student workshops and many more!

We hope that these events were informative, insightful, and empowering! The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is here to assist students in reaching their highest potential while achieving their educational goals on time.

Article by Carol Newkirk

Automotive Department faculty and staff including Tom Broxholm, Dan Ming, Ruben Parra, Filipp Gleyzer and Nancy Lam, flew down bright and early on Friday morning to attend the fall California Automotive Teachers (CAT) Conference held at Mira Costa College, Oceanside, CA, on October 16 -17, 2015.  First day activities included a guided tour to the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum located at Vista, CA.  This museum sits on 55 acres of farm ground, exhibiting  agricultural, construction, early industrial and farm equipment from 1849 through the 1960’s, the majority of which are still in operating conditions.

Next stop was lunch at Deer Park Winery & Car Museum, located at Escondido, CA.  After lunch we were allowed to wander the grounds and explore on our own all the ancient cars on display.  The museum has cars from the 1800s all the way through to the 1970s, models ranged from Studebakers, Packards, Pierce Arrow, Crosley and many others.  Besides car exhibits, the museum also has household appliances from the 1900s like radios, televisions, washing machines, etc.  Most surprising of all the exhibits were the Barbie Doll Collection. The museum is definitely worth a revisit.  The day ended with a meet and greet and dinner at Mira Costa’s cafeteria.

Mira Costa College sits on top of a hill and is beautiful and serene; the automotive department threw open their doors and gates and offered a variety of classes throughout the day for the attending teachers to receive their recertification on the subject(s) of their choice.  Our retiree, Rick Escalambre, taught two classes – Does Funding Make a Program and ASIAN EVAP Systems.

The CAT Conference is where all the automotive teachers gather and reconnect as well as learn and exchange updated industry information.  Spring’s CAT Conference will be in Northern California’s Modesto College.

Article by Nancy Lam