Regional Occupational Program
(ROP)
Contact Info Mark Hodges Jim Howes Michelle Cuartilon Laurie
Stewart-Rider Visit the Regional Occupational Programs web site: http://www.rop.santacruz.k12.ca.us Division Pages
Student & Personnel Services: Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
Middle School Career Exploration Classes are a huge success!
Garden and Nutrition Class with Mark Hodges, Director of ROP and Lisa Glick ROP Instructor Seventy-five Santa Cruz County middle school students were treated to the opportunity to test out high school Career Technical Education (CTE) classes on high school campuses this last June. Offered as a pilot program, Regional Occupational Program (ROP) teachers on three different campuses opened their classrooms and taught a weeklong course to enthusiastic students.
Intro to Digital Media, taught by Seth Wilson at Santa Cruz High, held young artists' interest while he walked them step-by-step through the intricacies of creativity on the computer as he unveiled the secrets of design in Photoshop and Illustrator. The students were able to share their artwork on Mr. Wilson's student blogsite. "It is our desire that middle school students be introduced to their prospective high school campuses, thus making their transition to the high school sites seamless," stated Karen Lemon, Middle School Career Outreach Coordinator. "The more information they have about possible courses and opportunities that they can have in high school, the more connected they will be to their educational pathway." ROP is planning on continuing to offer Step-Up classes on more high school campuses throughout the next school year. 
If you would like more information contact Karen Lemon at: (831) 466-5706 or email her at klemon@santacruz.k12.ca.us.  |
Lisa Glick's Garden and Nutrition Class had the student's asking if they could take the class for 3 weeks or more. Lisa co-taught with Shanti Wertz, both Sustainable Agriculture Teachers for ROP. This class was a bountiful tapestry of opportunities to be both in the garden and the kitchen. The students especially loved cooking and were so proud to serve each other their nutritious treats, which they had prepared after picking food from the garden. A highlight of the week was when guest ROP instructor Chef Andrea Mollenauer delivered a lesson about the food industry and the students made chocolate dipped strawberries to take home to their families.
