Newtown Residents Demolish A School, And Violent Memories : NPR

by Patrick Skahill

Demolition has begun at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a gunman killed 20 students and six adults last December. Bricks will be pulverized, steel melted down and a new school built at the same location.

Allison Hornak attended Sandy Hook Elementary School as a kid. After college, she returned home to Newtown, Conn., and opened an art gallery that’s within walking distance of where the mass killing took place.

via Newtown Residents Demolish A School, And Violent Memories : NPR.

New funding system requires education leaders to shift their thinking | EdSource Today

By Ron Bennett

Much attention has been paid to the calculation of revenues and redistribution of funding that occurs as a result of California’s new Local Control Funding Formula. We see the dust settling on that issue and the calculations becoming more routine as they become better understood. But we see a lag in the adoption of new thinking that must accompany implementation of the new formula. Below are just a few of the many areas where we think a refocused approach will be necessary.

via New funding system requires education leaders to shift their thinking | EdSource Today.

Are charter schools a legitimate alternative to public education? – Daily Republic

By Ben Boychuk and Joel Mathis

Are charter schools the conservative movement’s version of Solyndra? Education reformers – mostly but not entirely on the right – have long peddled charter schools as a solution to the nation’s education woes.

Such schools, paid for from public funds but run by private and nonprofit organizations, have more freedom to try different approaches to schooling. But trouble can pop up: In Philadelphia this week, the founder of three charter schools pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a federal fraud case that has ensnared other leaders in the city’s charter movement.

via Are charter schools a legitimate alternative to public education? Daily Republic.

Spending plan for Common Core funds OK’d in Fairfield – Daily Republic

By Ryan McCarthy

No citizen spoke Thursday and the board of trustees didn’t discuss a $4.2 million spending plan for Common Core before unanimously approving the measure.

Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees at their Sept. 10 meeting had reviewed plans for the state funds when the school district staff said $2.1 million would go toward technology such as computer labs, $1.3 million for instructional materials and $750,000 for professional development of teachers.

via Spending plan for Common Core funds OK’d in Fairfield Daily Republic.

Board reviews grand jury report, Vallejo High mascot – Vallejo Times Herald

By Lanz Christian Bañes

The Vallejo High School community revisited Tuesday a Solano Grand Jury report that criticized safety issues at the school, as well as touching on two other controversial subjects.

The school board held the special meeting at the Vallejo High School auditorium, largely to address the Grand Jury report, issued in May, and the Vallejo City Unified School District’s response, filed in August.

via Board reviews grand jury report, Vallejo High mascot – Vallejo Times Herald.

SACS2013ALL Software (Updated October 18, 2013) – Financial Reporting (CA Dept of Education)

The SACS2013ALL software contains the components necessary to prepare the 2013–14 budget and interim reports and the 2012–13 unaudited actual reports. This special October 18, 2013 updated version includes the minimum changes needed for the 2013–14 interim reports due to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). See the Details of SACS2013ALL Software Update section below for a description of changes. Note that the User Guide was not updated in this release. CDE is working through the remaining details of the new funding formula and will include additional LCFF-related changes in next year’s SACS2014 and SACS2014ALL software.

via SACS2013ALL Software (Updated October 18, 2013) – Financial Reporting (CA Dept of Education).

Physical Fitness Test Results for 2012-13 – Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

SANTA ANA—California school kids made slight gains this year in two of the most important indicators of health and physical fitness, and held relatively steady overall, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

About 1.34 million fifth, seventh, and ninth graders took the FITNESSGRAM® this year (Table 1), nearly 94 percent of students enrolled in those grades in public schools statewide. Students in grades five and seven improved in aerobic capacity and body composition, two of the six areas that are assessed annually and considered among the most important gauges of health. Students in grade nine showed improvement in aerobic capacity, but dipped a tenth of a percentage point in body composition (Table 2).

via Physical Fitness Test Results for 2012-13 – Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education).

Meet the new DUSD Trustees- The Dixon Tribune | Facebook

Brianna Boyd, Editor

Caitlin O’Halloran has never been one to be short on energy. As a child, teen and adult, this lifelong Dixon resident has always found ways to be involved in the local community. Whether it is through serving a term on the Dixon Family Services board of directors, being a project leader for 4-H, working in the Dixon Little League snack bar or being a proud “team mom” on her son’s soccer teams, O’Halloran loves to give back to the community that has given so much to her and her family.

via Timeline Photos – The Dixon Tribune | Facebook.

9-year-old from Fairfield school finalist for sweet potato recipe – Daily Republic

By Ryan McCarthy

A 9-year-old from B. Gale Wilson Elementary School in Fairfield is a finalist in a Kid Recipe Contest featuring the sweet potato.

Madeline Silva-Sciortino will showcase her recipe Tuesday at the Ten22 Restaurant in Sacramento. A 10-year-old and an 11-year-old are also finalists. Winners will be announced at the event.

via 9-year-old from Fairfield school finalist for sweet potato recipe Daily Republic.

Travis teachers union targets her, school board candidate says – Daily Republic

By Ryan McCarthy

You can’t fight the California Teachers Association and its union chapter at the Travis School District, says the lone incumbent running for the school board.

“They have the manpower,” Donna Bishop said of the Travis Unified Teachers Association.

via Travis teachers union targets her, school board candidate says Daily Republic.

Fitness scores climb for Travis School District – Daily Republic

By Ryan McCarthy

Fitness scores for students in the Travis School District, already above the state average, climbed higher still from last year.

Figures released by the California Department of Education show the Travis district exceeding the state percentage for fifth-, seventh- and ninth-grade students in the healthy fitness zone in categories including aerobic capacity, abdominal strength and body composition.

via Fitness scores climb for Travis School District Daily Republic.

Vallejo school briefly ordered on lockdown after reported shots in area – Vallejo Times Herald

By Times-Herald Staff

A Vallejo elementary school was ordered on brief lockdown Tuesday morning after reports of shots being fired in a nerby open space area.

Police said that at about 11 a.m. a work crew in the open space heard what they thought were shots fired near Wardlaw Dog Park and notified police. Lt. Kenny Park said that police arrived, ordered a lockdown of nearby Wardlaw Elementary School and searched the campus as a precaution.

They found no suspects, but kept the school on lockdown until about noon while searching the nearby area for possible suspects.

via Vallejo school briefly ordered on lockdown after reported shots in area – Vallejo Times Herald.

BUSD trustees okay emergency plans | The Benicia Herald

By Donna Beth Weilenman,Staff Reporter

How should Benicia Unified School District employees react in an emergency? What’s the best plan for dealing with an earthquake, a fire or an active shooter on a campus or at the district office?

The governing Board of Trustees moved closer to answering that question Thursday night by approving emergency plans for school campuses and the district office.

Trustees routinely review its safety plans, but in the wake of recent calamities, recommended responses to crises have changes, Superintendent Janice Adams said.

via BUSD trustees okay emergency plans | The Benicia Herald.

Benicia school board OKs safety plans – Vallejo Times Herald

By Lanz Christian Bañes

The Benicia school board Thursday approved new safety plans for its schools that include some major changes for dealing with crises, including evacuating campuses if necessary.

The Benicia Unified School District and the board review the safety plans annually, but the changes this year come in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in Connecticut that killed 20 children and six staff members.

“Instead of hiding, you are to evacuate if possible. You are to assess the situation and determine whether you are better off leaving,” Superintendent Janice Adams said to the board, explaining the new procedure.

via Benicia school board OKs safety plans – Vallejo Times Herald.

Announcing his departure, Sacramento schools chief recalls highs and lows – Sacramento Bee

By Loretta Kalb

Superintendent Jonathan Raymond said the toughest moment in his tenure at Sacramento City Unified came when he talked to the parents of a critically injured child in a Sacramento emergency room.

Raymond, 53, recalled the tragedy Thursday when he formally announced his decision to leave the district so he and his family could return to their home city of Boston.

via Announcing his departure, Sacramento schools chief recalls highs and lows – Education – The Sacramento Bee.

5 Open Education Resources for K-5 Common Core Math | Edutopia

By Matt Davis

There is an abundance of math open educational resources on the web. So many, in fact, that Education Week asked, “Why is There More Open Content for Math than English?

Common Core is driving a lot of the growth in open education production and curation, with new databases and sources popping up left and right. It can be overwhelming to wade through everything, and find a source that works for your classroom. With that in mind, here are some math open education resources for elementary educators.

via 5 Open Education Resources for K-5 Common Core Math | Edutopia.

Parents Attend Bullying Workshop – The Dixon Tribune | Facebook

Brianna Boyd, Editor

It is estimated that one in seven children and teens in kindergarten to twelfth grade has either been bullied or is a bully.

It’s an alarming statistic, especially when considering the potential lifetime effects on both children who have been bullied and those who are the bullies. From depression and anxiety to alcohol abuse or incarceration, bullying could impact a person for years to come. And it now comes in many more forms than the traditional verbal, social or physical abuse. In today’s electronic world, cyber bullying – using the Internet, social media, or cell phone to bully – has become increasingly popular. About 71 percent of students believe bullying is an ongoing problem at their school.

via Timeline Photos – The Dixon Tribune | Facebook.

School elections lost if shifted to bigger ballot, Travis board president says – Daily Republic

By Ryan McCarthy

Cheaper – with the bonus of a better turnout.

That’s why three candidates, running Nov. 5 to represent Area 2 on the Travis School District board of trustees, say they support consolidating the next election to an even year.

Donna Bishop, John Dickerson and Riitta DeAnda are joined by Trustee Gary Craig, who said trustees will take up the matter when they meet Nov. 12.

via School elections lost if shifted to bigger ballot, Travis board president says Daily Republic.

Vacaville school board gets staffing, facilities updates – Daily Republic

By Mike Corpos

Local school officials are beginning an analysis designed to provide smaller class sizes in early grades within the next seven years.

Vacaville school board members received updates Thursday on personnel levels and facilities, both aimed at steering eventual decisions on implementation of new state funding requirements.

via Vacaville school board gets staffing, facilities updates Daily Republic.

Vallejo school board to hold first program showcase today – Vallejo Times Herald

Times-Herald staff report

The Vallejo school board holds the first of its program showcases today at Elsa Widenmann Elementary School.

The special school board meeting –the first of four planned — is meant to highlight the districts various programs. They are a continuation of last year’s school showcases, which in turn were spun off from “listening sessions” held by Superintendent Ramona Bishop during the first year of her tenure.

via Vallejo school board to hold first program showcase today – Vallejo Times Herald.