“Before I was in this program, it was like I was in a cave. Now I have the whole world opened up to me. I can do all the things I want to do with my life.” Anonymous Student

College of the Siskiyous will be offering a short-term Reading Principles (EDUC 60) class beginning October 7.  The class will also meet October 14 and 21 from 2:00 to 4:50 pm, and is offered via the COS Distance Learning system using videoconferencing.  Students who register for this course may attend class from either the Yreka (#7463) or Weed (#7463) Campus.   This class is for “Learning Coaches” – teachers, instructional aides, or anyone wanting to provide effective reading assistance to others.  If this is of interest to you, plan now to enroll, either online at www.siskiyous.edu, or in person at the Weed or Yreka Campus.  Mary Jane Bolton is the instructor. (more…)

The 2010 fall semester has just begun, but there is still time to register for many late-starting classes.  A brand-new Introduction to Journalism (ENGL 25 / #7644) class will begin on Tuesday, September 7 at 3:00 pm in the Weed Campus Life Science building, room 3. Jackie McNamara will instruct the class.  Ms. McNamara has worked as both freelance and as a staff writer for a daily paper writing everything from profiles and feature stories to theater and restaurant reviews.

This new course was developed in response to the dedicated efforts of the COS Journalism Club. In this course, students will learn skills critical to reporting and writing for print media. Course content includes interviewing, attending events, reporting, editing, taking photos, designing and working collaboratively – a complete hands-on experience writing and producing the college newspaper. Anyone interested in media will benefit from this class. (more…)

This fall semester, Theater majors and students who want to work on flexibility, strength and body control can register for a late-starting Fundamentals of Dance (TEHA 42 / #7663) class that will begin on Tuesday, September 7.The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 pm to 1:50 pm in the Theater building, room 4.

This three-unit class is designed to teach the fundamentals of Ballet, Tap and Jazz dance. No previous dance experience is required. This class would especially be of interest to theater majors and will help prepare the student for choreographed movements required in a musical.  The course will also develop a basic understanding of the underlying principles behind movement that will give the student greater control over his or her body focusing on and also extending beyond the idioms of Ballet, Tap and Jazz dance, giving the student a greater facility at picking up any form of dance or movement more quickly, including stage and sports-related movement. (more…)

The College of the Siskiyous Yreka Campus announces Larry Glenn, COS Systems Support Specialist and Adjunct Instructor, will be teaching two computer classes this fall: Windows 7 (CSCI 67 / #7290) and Beyond Computer Basics (CSCI 53 / #7532). Both classes will meet in the Yreka Campus Computer Lab (Room 8).

Windows 7 will begin Thursday, August 26 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The class will continue to meet on Thursday evenings until September 30. Students will participate in fun, hands-on computer exercises, learn how to install and configure the Windows 7 operating system, as well as how to upgrade and migrate on Windows 7. In addition, students will learn how to file share and use networking on Windows 7; configure network and user security; and, how to use internet configuration with Windows 7. This course is open to all levels of computer experience. (more…)

Submitted article and photos

At the start of its second year, the College of the Siskiyous Resources Technology Program, which is designed to provide training for green jobs and careers with natural resource agencies and private companies, is reporting success. The program’s new website, at www.siskiyous.edu/cte/er provides information about Associate of Science Degrees, Certificates, and courses for fall registration. Fall classes start August 16; registration is open for all ages. A free “Green Career Options Showcase” will be held on Wednesday, Aug 11 from 4:00 to 5:15 pm at the Weed Campus for community members interested in learning more about the program first hand.

“I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and decided I wanted to go back to school to better myself,” said Amanda Hungate, Yreka resident and 24 year old student in COS’ summer ‘Introduction to Environmental Resources’ course.  “While I’m taking the course, I have internship work with the Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District and I love it.  I have always admired nature and like learning about everything around us. My favorite part is being back in the classroom again with other students who want to learn, and to be with an instructor who is very passionate about what he is teaching.”

Larry Alexander, the Instructor for the Introduction to Environmental Resources course, Intermediate Field Studies course and a Program Advisor, is a third generation Scott Valley resident. He has a degree in Biological Sciences, owns his own Resource Management coaching company, and has extensive experience in hydrology, water resources, fuels, wildland fire practices, and natural resource project planning and implementation. Alexander is also the liaison between COS and S.T.E.P.’s collaborative Green Futures program.

“We teach facts, science, skills, share job opportunities, and encourage students to make up their own minds about their futures and resource issues in the courses. We also teach some soft skills for success in resource fields such as effective communication, how to get and keep a job, how to set goals, and develop plans to achieve them. The student’s technical training includes: how to observe and collect data, field equipment use, computer skills for resource management, and much more. I have seen first-hand, students shift in their appreciation for subjects like botany and soil science. Seeing the response of the majority of students has been so positive. I get to see the light come on in their eyes and that is good because they are our future.” (more…)

The Media Communications program at College of the Siskiyous is designed to prepare students for entry level employment in the Broadcast Television, Cable Television, and Independent Video industries. Television and video are a force uniquely important in today’s multi-media society. Media technology is evolving rapidly which opens up many opportunities for employment. This curriculum also academically prepares students for baccalaureate programs at four-year universities.

Only a few California Community Colleges offer an opportunity for a degree program in this growing field. The Media Communications major opens the door to many career opportunities in film, radio, television, and other broadcast media. Most of these careers require a certificate of achievement or an associate degree, some require a bachelor’s degree, and a few require a graduate-level degree. Possible career options include television producer, studio manager, studio technician, studio engineer, station manager, director, director of photography, director of engineering, casting director, sports director, TV/radio announcer, technical director, camera operator, grip, boom operator, film/video technician, editor, editing machine operator, continuity and script editor, special effects technician, production designer, scriptwriter, news writer, video/film lab technician, video recording engineer, director of advertising, director of research. (more…)

This fall, College of the Siskiyous will offer Computer Software (CSCI 34/ #7280) at the Weed Campus. The class will meet Thursday evenings beginning August 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm in Temp Building 30, room 102, and will continue to meet weekly until December 16, 2010. Mike Midkiff is the instructor.

The course has been designed for students who wish to prepare for taking the CompTIA A+ Core Software Exam for computer service technicians as well as students who wish to learn how to install, maintain, manage, troubleshoot, and/or upgrade their own computer system software. It is also one of five classes required for the Computer Science: PC Network/Hardware option. Fun, hands-on software exercises will help the student learn the many intricacies of computer software. The last week of the semester will feature pizza and Jeopardy game. (more…)

Youth interested in registering for Computer Camp (Introduction to Multi Media Applications – CSCI 90 / #5083) should plan to do so as space is limited. Computer Camp will be held July 26 – 30, 2010 and has been specially designed for students under the age of 18 (and those that are still young of heart). The total cost for students who have not graduated from high school is $13 and will include all materials (regular student tuition fees do apply for all high school graduates and non-California residents). The Camp will run daily during the week from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm During the fun and interactive week, all camp participants will: (more…)

College of the Siskiyous will offer a brand-new camp designed especially for youth ages 10 to 17 who are interested in learning about the Spanish culture. Two, week-long immersion camps have been scheduled where students will participate in fun and interactive activities including games, art, dance, and cooking. The instructor for the Spanish Immersion Camps is Guadalupe “Pita” Jimenez, who has taught language, dance, and art classes to young students in Mexico and California. (more…)

Back by popular demand, the College of the Siskiyous is once again offering a Computer Camp (Introduction to Multi Media Applications – CSCI 90 / #5083) specially designed for students under the age of 18 (and those that are still young of heart) the week of July 26 – 30, 2010, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.  The total cost for students who have not graduated from high school is $13 and will include all materials (regular student tuition fees do apply for all high school graduates and non-California residents).  All participants will:

• design and create T-shirts
• create buttons to put on T-shirts
• create their own computer game
• take videos with a digital video camera
• make their own video DVDs
• use search engines and download music to make their own CDs
• make their own music CDs (more…)