School Information



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  • School Information
  • A Message from the Executive Director, Jayna Gaskell
    • Hello, and welcome to Pivot Charter School, North Bay! At Pivot Charter School you'll find a welcoming environment, where our teachers are passionate about learning, and all of our resources are positioned with one goal in mind - your success. Pivot's unique online curriculum coupled with site based and online one-on-one support provides a customized educational experience for all students. Visit us and find out the advantages and flexibility that await you at Pivot Charter School North Bay!
      - Jayna Gaskell


      Jayna Gaskell, Executive Director


      Jayna Gaskell has worked in education for the last 23 years. Gaskell holds a Masters degree in secondary education from Emory University. After teaching grades 4-12 in Florida and Georgia, Gaskell moved to California in 1993 to serve as Director of Admissions and Academics of a small boarding and day school for four years. In 1998 Gaskell co-founded and directed a California charter school for five years. Gaskell has presented multiple statewide workshops on Independent Study, Governance, Renewal, Special Education and Strategic Planning with the Charter Schools Development Center, CANEC and other educational agencies throughout California. Ms. Gaskell assists school by drafting and reviewing charter petitions, writing grants, creating charter renewals, staffing plans, WASC Self Study documents, educational plans and schoolwide improvement plans, and conducting governance trainings, compliance reviews and strategic planning projects. She served a two year term on the State Superintendent's Advisory Commission on Charter Schools, and has participated in the US Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights Summit on Charter Schools and Special Education for four years. In addition to serving many CA charter schools, Gaskell has worked with charter schools in Fl, TN, OR and AZ. She has worked with over 200 schools in the last 10 years. She is currently the interim Chairman of the Board of the California Montessori Project, one of the largest public Montessori schools in operation. She has served on the CMP Board for 8 years. Ms. Gaskell has been Executive Director for Pivot since November 2010.
  • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Mission
      The Mission of Pivot Charter School, North Bay is to instruct students in grades 6-12 through a rigorous high tech online educational platform supported by site based class offerings and individualized attention. The unique educational program coupled with flexible scheduling and a caring environment provides students the skills, confidence and motivation to lead a successful and productive life in the 21st century.

      Purpose
      The Purpose of Pivot Charter School is to prepare students for their lives in the 21st century. Pivot Charter School (PCS) provides students with a career-focused educational program in a flexible and motivating environment imbued with technology and one-on-one support and guidance. In addition, Pivot Charter School will provide access to on-line college classes for students who want to excel, remediate, or motivate themselves to prepare for their lives in the 21st century.

      Vision
      The vision of Pivot Charter Schools is to afford students who graduate more opportunities in their careers and education than they would have had if they had not attended Pivot; to open doors and develop lives.

      Core Beliefs
      Pivot Charter Schools are founded on the following Core Beliefs:
      Successful schools are student centered, not adult centered
      Focus on changing lives and you can't go wrong
      A teachers' role is to have frequent, supportive yet motivating communication with students
      Student academic performance is greater when they have the influence of a positive adult in their lives
      Schools must show how much they care about students
      Educators should have warrior spirit, a servant's heart and a fun loving attitude in serving students
      Education needs to provide more options, not less
      The goal is that students learn; how we get there should be as unique as every student
      Technology is our friend and should play a crucial role in educating students

      Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRS)
      Pivot Charter School strives to ensure that our students are:

      Academic Achievers who...
      Graduate high school.
      Strive to meet or exceed California State Standards.
      Demonstrate academic growth.
      Complete core subject coursework.
      Feel confident about their abilities.
      Have acquired an interest in learning.

      Communicators who...
      Express ideas clearly in verbal and written form.
      Are comfortable communicating to diverse audiences and to in diverse medium.
      Read for information and insight.

      Critical Thinkers who...
      Identify problems and solutions.
      Apply acquired knowledge to changing conditions.
      Access and manage information effectively.
      Use high order thinking skills.

      Technologically literate students who...
      Understand the application of technology in the home and work place.
      Critically evaluate technology resources

      Culturally aware citizens who...
      Demonstrate empathy and caring for others.
      Have a general understanding and appreciation for our diverse society.
      Demonstrate individual responsibility, personal integrity, and tenacity.

      Motivated, Self-Directed students who...
      Work smarter, not always harder.
      Organize and manage time efficiently.
      Assume responsibility for their life-long learning.

      Personally responsible individuals who...
      Treat their bodies with respect.
      Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for healthy choices.
      Make decisions that promote ongoing success and happiness in their lives.
  • Staff
    • Mario Ellis – Site Coordinator
      Mario Ellis I am a native of California, educated at the California Maritime Academy in Business Administration and law at Empire and Taft school curriculum to meet the requirements to concentrate in a law career. My parents are educators in the public and private sector; Most recently, my father remains on the staff for Chapman University and has been an adviser with the credential educations graduate department at the University of California Berkley.

      My interest and passion are working with students; especially those that are at risk, hopefully to assist in making them contributors in our society.

      Byron Easton – Lead Educational Coordinator
      Byron Easton

      Sherry Trainor - Special Education Coordinator
      Sherry Trainor My name is Sherry Trainor. I am a Special Education Coordinator for Pivot North Bay and for Pivot North Valley. I have been an English Teacher, Reading Specialist, and Special Education Teacher for about thirty years. I have also been an English Second Language Coordinator, and a Title 1 Coordinator.

      I love dogs, cats, horses and all animals with an extreme amount of passion. My closest companion is my precious dog, Lucy. I work to protect animals and rescue as many as possible. I also love children and teens very much, as well as all trees, plants and everything that nature creates.

      I volunteer some of my time supporting various humanitarian causes which support peace keeping and feeding the poor as well as assisting third world countries in constructing hospitals and schools and helping those afflicted by natural disasters through the M.A.Center.

      I am a regular participant/dancer in "Soul Motion" Dancing, and the Dances of Universal Peace. I also hike regularly and feel great joy in nature. I am currently working on weekends as a volunteer for the Burbank Housing Project primarily to help my son build his house along with the community also working on this project. I love the camaraderie involved in this undertaking. It also brings me great joy.

      One of the core values I have is the strong conviction that education is the key to personal freedom and that on-line education, combined with tender loving care, is one of the most effective methods available for educating children as well as adults in today's world.

      Karen Calleja – Educational Coordinator
      Karen Calleja

      Marsha Chevalier - Educational Coordinator
      Marsha Chevalier I am delighted to be working for Pivot Charter School North Bay as Education Coordinator (EC). My qualifications for this position include a Master's degree in English, a Doctorate in Language and Literacy, and 20 years of experience teaching reading, writing, and oral language at both the K-12 and college levels.

      This is my 16th year with the Oak Grove Union School District and my 2nd year with Pivot Charter School. I have taught primarily 5th and 6th grade, English as a Second Language, and 8th grade Language Arts. Since 2005, I have served the Oak Grove District as a roving replacement teacher and as the coordinator and teacher of the Home School program. When the District partnered with Pivot Charter School to offer on-line independent study to high school students, I jumped at the chance to work as an on-line teacher. For Pivot, I am registrar, credit counselor, teacher, surrogate mom, and auditor--all rolled into one. Pivot has been a great opportunity for me to grow and learn. I love my job and really enjoy helping my students succeed!

      When I'm not teaching, I am hiking, playing music (classical and folk), and dancing with my friends.

      My Philosophy:
      Reading, writing, mathematical reasoning, and critical thinking are the foundations of all learning. I am committed to helping every student fulfill his or her full potential. Students on my caseload are actively involved in becoming independent learners ready for college and for life beyond school.

      Lisa Nussdorfer - Educational Coordinator
      Lisa Nussdorfer Ms. Nussdorfer has been working with charter schools for the past 8 years as a math specialist. She enjoys helping students one on one because she can help the student with their individual questions. She has just moved from Chico, Ca and is new to Sonoma County. She is excited that she has found the online school, North Bay. When Lisa isn't helping students, she likes to play tennis, do yoga and read. She also likes to go to local farms for fresh produce and meat.
  • Roads Education Organization Board
    • PCS is governed by the board of the Roads Education Organization, which is incorporated in the State of California as a non-profit, public benefit corporation, and has been designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Roads Education Organization recruits qualified and appropriate candidates for the board from education, nonprofit, community, business, and legal organizations so that the current board is diverse in skill sets, perspectives, and backgrounds and can fully and responsibly govern the organization and schools while maintaining a unifying and passionate commitment to the vision and mission of the Roads schools.

      The Governing Board is responsible for oversight of the Pivot Charter Schools. The Board is fully responsible for the fiscal affairs of the School including, but not limited to, the following:

      Approve and monitor the implementation of general policies of the School.
      Approve and monitor the School's annual budget and budget revisions.
      Hiring and evaluating the Executive Director.
      Execute all applicable responsibilities provided for in the California Corporations Code.
      Approve the school calendar and schedule of Board meetings.
      Review requests for out of state or overnight field trips.
      Participate in the dispute resolution procedure and complaint procedures when necessary.
      Approve charter amendments as necessary and submit material revisions as necessary for Granting Agency consideration.
      Approve annual fiscal audit and performance report.
      Appoint an administrative panel or act as a hearing body and take action on recommended student expulsions.
      Hiring of auditors.
      Approval of check registry.
      Strategic planning.
  • Governing Board Members
    • The Governing Board members of the Pivot Charter Schools board members are volunteers who are committed to enhancing educational opportunities for young people and believe that the pivot model of online/site base learning with personalized instruction is the future of education. Board members are leaders in their fields and are passionate about providing better opportunities for all young people regardless of location or circumstance. They believe that the Pivot model of education provides a rigorous yet unique and supportive alternative to traditional schools. They know that the individual attention and support provided at Pivot can change students' lives.

      James R. Lewis, ICMA-RC
      Jim Lewis us a public entity expert and has significant administrative experience. Mr. Lewis currently serves as Assistant City Manager for the City of Atascadero, CA. Jim was appointed to this role in September 2004. As the Assistant City Manager, Jim serves as the COO of a municipal corporation and is responsible for economic development, human resources, technology, organizational training and development, the creation of new revenues and operating efficiencies throughout the organization and several special and capital projects. Jim previously served as Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Claremont.

      He served as president of the Municipal Management Association of Southern California (MMASC) in 2001 and serves on the Emerging Leaders Task Force for the International City and County Management Association (ICMA) and the ICMA Press Editorial Advisory Board. Jim is an ICMA credentialed manager (ICMA-RC) and serves on California-ICMA's Committee on the Profession and Ethics. He received a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern California and a Master of Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University.

      Jim is active with USC and serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the USC Alumni Association and on the advisory board of the Master of Public Administration degree program for the School of Policy, Planning and Development. Jim is past president of the Claremont Kiwanis Club and continues his Kiwanis involvement in Atascadero as a member of the club's board of directors. Jim is also active in the Atascadero Elks Club. An Eagle Scout, Jim also serves as Vice President of the Los Padres Council Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the Eagle Scout Association.

      Glenn Southard
      Mr. Southard holds a M.P.A. from California State University, Fullerton and a B.A. from North Bay State University . He also holds a Public Administration Instructor Credential for California Community Colleges.

      Mr. Southard has been working in city management since 1974 as both Assistant City Manager and City Manager for San Juan Capistrano, West Covina, El Cajon and North Bay, and most recently as City Manager of Indio and Claremont.

      As City Manager and Executive Director of both the Redevelopment Agency and the Indio Water Authority, Glenn Southard was responsible for 300 full-time employees in a full service city. Indio is the oldest at 80 years and largest city in the Coachella Valley with a population of 85,000. It is still one of the fastest growing cities with 27,000 homes approved, which will create a population over 100,000 by the end of the decade. Southard was responsible for investing four hundred million dollars in the community over 5 years to address Indio's priorities of growth management, infrastructure, parks, water services, public safety, and retail development. As City Manager and Executive Director of the Claremont Redevelopment Agency for 17 years, Southard was responsible for the total operations of the city. This included a budget exceeding $40 million and management of 177 full-time employees and up to 125 part-time employees. Claremont is a 100 year old full service city, covering 14 square miles, and home to the nationally recognized Claremont Colleges. Glenn lives with his wife Gale who is active in a variety of volunteer, civic, charitable, and school organizations.

      Tom Halvorson
      Dr. Thomas Halvorsen served children for over 39 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent (business), and for 21 years as a superintendent.

      Dr. Halvorsen earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California and master and bachelor degrees from California State University, Long Beach.


      Cory Black
      Cory's expertise in public affairs, grassroots/grasstops development, event planning, coalition building, issue advocacy and campaign management in California provides political, non-profit and association clients with the opportunity to tell their unique stories, advance their policy issues and fight for their ideas in the political, legislative and public opinion arenas. Current Clients include Pacific Gas & Electric, Pharmacy Choice & Action Now, School Innovations & Advocacy, and The Clinton Global Foundation.

      Prior to founding Public Policy Solutions, Cory was a founding partner of Kenyon Black, Inc., a bi-partisan communications firm specializing in corporate and association public relations, governmental affairs, issue advocacy, grassroots/grasstops development, campaign management and paid & earned media campaigns. Marquee clients included the California Broadcasters Association, the National Resources Defense Council, California Realtors Association, Verizon, PG&E, California Charter Schools Association, Grant Community Charter Schools, the Coalition for Financial Security, and Cover the Uninsured Week.

      Before establishing Kenyon Black, Cory Black was an independent political and media consultant specializing in community education programs, corporate communications, issue advocacy and campaign management, including; Gore 2000, the AFL-CIO, Sacramento Central Labor Council, California Teachers Association, AT&T, First Monday, as well as statewide and local campaigns throughout California. He has worked for every major Democratic Presidential Campaign since 1992 including Bill Clinton for President, Clinton Gore 92, Gore 2000, Gore Lieberman, Howard Dean for President, John Edwards for President, Kerry Edwards 2004, Hillary Clinton for President, Barak Obama for President and Obama Biden 2008.

      Cory is a member of the California Democratic Party Executive Board, member of the American Association of Political Consultants, the American Political Scientist Association, Friends of Prado Day Center Board, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Issues Committee, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee, the Sacramento Press Club, Atascadero Rotary and a Past Exalted Ruler of the Atascadero Elks Lodge.

      Ann Lambert
      Born in the Bay Area and raised in Los Gatos, CA, Ann Lambert holds a BA in Education and Speech Therapy from Holy Names College in Oakland. She received her Administrative Credential and Masters at CSU, Sacramento. Her academic learning also included Private School Administrative coursework at University of San Francisco.

      Ann started her educational career in private schools in Oakland, San Bruno and San Jose. At the age of 27, she was appointed Principal at St. Joseph's Elementary School in San Jose. Her vision of offering a before and after school programs helped stimulate the falling enrollment.

      Marriage brought Ann to the north state, settling in Willows, CA. Ann took a position teaching in a two-room schoolhouse in Stonyford, CA, a community 47 miles from Willows , nestled in the Mendocino National Forest. Her assignment was teaching grades 3-6. This gave Ann the opportunity to work on writing curriculum and being familiar with the public school system. During this time, she also was asked to work with other teachers in Glenn County, focusing on the teaching of English.

      In 1992, Ann was appointed Curriculum Coordinator for Glenn County Office of Education. She also became Director of the County Schools Library. As in all small counties, responsibilities grew as the focus in education focused on improving curriculum (standards and assessments), and the introduction of technology (computers) in our lives. These two brought a multiple of new knowledge and skills needed for all teachers and classrooms. Ann was part of the North Eastern Region Curriculum Coordinators, a regional county schools program that developed learning opportunities for all teachers, K-12.

      In early 2001, Ann wrote a Charter for a Home Independent Study school in Glenn County. Approved in 2002, the school flourished and served K-12 students. Still in existence, Wm. Finch Charter School won the Academic Decathlon for the 8th time in 2013, beating all other high schools in Glenn County.

      Ann was instrumental in beginning After School programs in all K-8 schools in Glenn County in 2004. This program helped students after school in homework skills and art and PE classes. Ann's husband is a former teacher and now owns Lambert Insurance Agency, a family business since 1918. She has two daughters, Toni, a Superintendent of Brisbane and Bayshore Elementary School Districts, and Lisa, working in the political field as a fund raiser for the DCCC, as well as for Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader. Ann has 3 adorable grandchildren, Julia, Brady, and Dominic.

      In her retirement, Ann has become more active in her community. She created a searchable database of all donated items for the Willows Historical Museum. She continues this work as well as acting as a Docent to welcome visitors. Ann also is the Willows Kiwanis President and is a "Grandparent" in a Grade 2 classroom at Murdock Elementary. Pivot Charter Schools fulfills a need for many of our students, giving them the opportunity to access their classes via online courses as well as on-site class time and tutorials. So many students today need the flexibility in their learning environment to blend with their jobs and family responsibilities. Pivot Charter Schools give this opportunity and I am proud to be part of this organization.

  • Governing Board Meeting Calendar





I would highly recommend this school to any parent and student! — Loren, Parent