Monthly Archives: January 2015

Teen finds entrepreneurial path at young age – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Winlow

The entrepreneurial spirit hit Julie Sanchez at a young age.The 17-year-old Armijo High School student, who is in the multimedia academy at the school and takes International Baccalaureate classes – has had her own freelance photography business, Alluring Detail Photography, for almost a year and already can say she has numerous repeat customers who come to her for momentous occasions such as wedding photos, senior portraits, new baby pictures and family portraits.

“It’s an adrenaline rush,” she said. “You have the power to make these people look their best. That’s my goal, to make people smile with my work.”

Everything has happened in a rather lightning-like way – when you consider how long it usually takes to build a business from the ground up, which Sanchez did.

via Teen finds entrepreneurial path at young age Daily Republic.

Vaccine Exemptions Back in Spotlight After Measles Outbreak – Education Week

Posted on by

By Evie Blad

Fifty-one cases of the measles can be traced to the patients’ recent visits to Disneyland, California public health officials said this week.

The quick spread of the preventable illness has once again shined a spotlight on families who opt their children out of vaccines required for school attendance and on the public policies that allow them to claim unspecified personal or philosophical exemptions from those requirements.

From a CNN story about the outbreak:

“Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus and spread through the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, the CDC said.

The disease outbreak apparently surfaced when visitors reported coming down with measles after visiting the park December 15-20.

via Vaccine Exemptions Back in Spotlight After Measles Outbreak – Rules for Engagement – Education Week.

Finding and Sharing Hope in Schools in 2015 | Edutopia

Posted on by

What might happen if we collectively took Seeger’s words to heart and this was our goal for 2015? If we spent an entire year focused on finding and sharing hopeful stories? If we looked in individual classrooms, in cities, plains and deserts, on the borders, and on reservations for stories of hope?

If we sat with little children, and medium-sized kids, and the big ones, too, and asked them: “What would you change if you could change anything about your school, our country, our world?” Would we see glimmers of hope?

What might happen if we created professional development for teachers that had as a goal to let stories of hope be known?

via Finding and Sharing Hope in Schools in 2015 | Edutopia.

7 Super Bowl Lesson Plans and Resources for the Classroom | Edutopia

Posted on by

By Matt Davis

After the New Year, there’s likely a bit of Super Bowl energy and excitement running through your classroom. Luckily, there are plenty of great ways to wrangle those murmurs and turn them into teachable moments. If you’re looking to incorporate the Super Bowl into your lessons in the coming weeks, here are some of my favorite football resources from around the web. There’s a little bit of every subject — from media studies, to math, science, and the arts.

Ideas for Teaching the Super Bowl Across the Curriculum: The Learning Network provides fun and interesting ways to bring the excitement of the Super Bowl into the classroom in this resource. There are ideas for all the different subject areas, including history, language arts, and science. Topics like Super Bowl history and football economics are covered, and links to useful New York Times content are included.

via 7 Super Bowl Lesson Plans and Resources for the Classroom | Edutopia.

Counselors optimistic about resurgence in schools | EdSource

Posted on by

By Michelle Maitre

Tawnya Pringle was named one of the best school counselors in the nation this year, has won accolades from colleagues and students, and will soon be honored at a special White House ceremony.

But ask her to describe a typical day on the job, and she hesitates. “A typical day…” pauses Pringle, a veteran counselor at Hoover High School in San Diego. “My job is so varied.”

She rattles off a range of duties, from checking up on a suicidal student referred for mental health counseling, to meeting with 9th graders struggling with attendance and grades, to corralling juniors and seniors to review financial aid applications. The day might round out with a visit to the home of a struggling student.

via Counselors optimistic about resurgence in schools | EdSource#.VMJ5EGctHGg#.VMJ5EGctHGg.

Children learn about the nightmare of puberty during school presentation – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Hiland

It is not easy growing up, and at some point probably every person has asked the question, “Am I normal?”

The students at Green Valley Middle School were able to explore this question Thursday in a presentation of “The Nightmare Before Puberty Street.” The theatrical presentation is for middle school students in sixth through eighth grades and is put on by four actors from the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre programs.

“We deal with a variety of issues in the play,” said Eric Esquivel, one of the actors. “It’s not really about sexual education, more about resources about puberty.”

The presentation is not part of the school sexual education program, according to Principal Kristen Cherry.

via Children learn about the nightmare of puberty during school presentation Daily Republic.

Governor’s proposed budget called “a gift” to adult education | EdSource

Posted on by

By Susan Frey

The governor’s proposed budget, unveiled last week, allocates $500 million for an Adult Education Block Grant, with a provision that existing K-12 adult ed programs be funded for another year.

The new funding allows more time for recently formed local consortia of adult schools, community colleges and other organizations that serve adults to determine what programs their communities need, how they will be funded and who is going to provide them.

K-12 adult schools have been fighting for survival since the recession, when school districts were allowed to use funding formerly dedicated for adult schools for any educational purpose. Many districts, trying to minimize cuts to their K-12 programs, took advantage of this new flexibility and eliminated or severely cut funding to their adult schools.

via Governor’s proposed budget called “a gift” to adult education | EdSource#.VMF6jWctHGg#.VMF6jWctHGg.

Gaming in Education: Gamification? – The Edublogger

Posted on by

By Elliott Brtistow

My most popular posts for TheEdublogger (arguably THE most popular posts ;P ) have been centered on the use of games and gaming within the education system. Since I’ve covered a few of the big players in the video game industry, and how they have adapted to support educational methods, I thought I would have a look at ways you can integrate gaming into your classroom WITHOUT the aid of a video game. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce today’s special guest, Gamification.

What is Gamification

Gamification is, granted, a controversial topic. It focuses on using game thinking and game mechanics to turn an otherwise mundane task into something engaging and perhaps even competitive. It involves implementing methods used in the development of games, but applying them to a real world scenario, such as a classroom.

via Gaming in Education: Gamification? – The Edublogger.

Trustees appoint Cayangyang to Vallejo school board – Times Herald

Posted on by

By John Glidden

The Vallejo school board is whole, once more.

In a 3-1 vote, the Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education Wednesday night appointed local resident Ruscal Cayangyang to fill a vacancy on the board.

The vacancy occurred when Richard Porter opted not to accept the position after being elected during the fall.

Porter — who filed candidacy papers in August — suspended his campaign in early September to teach. Despite halting his campaign, more than 7,000 Vallejo voters decided to elect him, placing him second out of three available seats.

 

Porter teaches mathematics and science at the Mare Island Health & Fitness Academy.

via Trustees appoint Cayangyang to Vallejo school board.

Two Bay Area community colleges to launch four-year degree programs – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Katy Murphy

Fifteen California community colleges, including two in the Bay Area, are poised to be the first in the state to offer low-cost bachelor’s degrees after a historic shift in California law.

 

 On Tuesday, Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and Skyline College in San Bruno received initial approval from the college system’s board of governors, along with 13 others recommended by the state chancellor’s office.

 

 “This is clearly about people having access to an education that will lead to jobs,” said Regina Stanback Stroud, president of Skyline College.

via Two Bay Area community colleges to launch four-year degree programs.

Drive to restore Cambridge’s kindergarten Spanish Immersion underway – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

The drive to restore Cambridge Elementary’s Spanish Immersion kindergarten class appears to be well underway, coming one year after a decline in enrollments forced the cancellation of the class for the first time since the K-6 program began a decade ago at the southeast Vacaville campus.

Several parents on Wednesday gathered in teacher Corrie Schmidt’s room for the first of several scheduled information meetings until mid-March and with the first of three classroom tours set to start Jan. 28 at the Cambridge Drive school.

 

 Bridget Sousa, Christine Riesche and Brad Philpot sat in child-size chairs to hear Schmidt, who this year became a first-grade Spanish Immersion teacher after the kindergarten class’ cancellation last summer, when enrollments fell short of a 20-student minimum required by Travis Unified School District officials.

via Drive to restore Cambridge’s kindergarten Spanish Immersion underway.

Vacaville school trustees to further air policies about searches – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified policies and regulations about searches and seizures and the use of contraband-sniffing dogs will get a further airing in the coming weeks, trustees decided during their meeting Thursday.

“We need to discuss it,” said trustee Michael Kitzes, who made his remark after a K-9 demonstration by two Vacaville police officers and their K-9 partner, Kamos, a 4-year-old German shepherd.

Kitzes called for the district administrators to schedule a future agenda item — for the benefit of “stakeholders,” he said — about board policy 5145.12 and the same-numbered administrative regulation. They govern student searches, searches of lockers and desks, the use of metal detectors, the use of police dogs on campuses, and protocols that guide school officials if they have reasonable suspicion a law may have been broken. As Kitzes spoke, several other trustees appeared to nod their heads in agreement.

via Vacaville school trustees to further air policies about searches and used of contraband-sniffing dogs.

Doug Ford: Hero Project highlight of education conference – The Reporter

Posted on by

By Doug Ford

Wally Holbrook retired as Superintendent of the Dixon Unified School District several years ago. A few years later he was persuaded to run for and was elected Superintendent of the Lake County Office of Education (LCOE). When I checked the schedule for the first day of the California School Boards Association Annual Conference in December, he was listed as a presenter for The Hero Project, a workshop offered by LCOE.

I looked forward to seeing Wally again, but was sorry to find he wasn’t there. He had retired again a few weeks earlier. However, it was a superb workshop on the project that Wally, with other community leaders, had initiated in Lake County.

“The Hero Project is an innovative, strengths and research-based approach to community transformation that engages parents in the health and well-being of their child. The project focuses on the parent as the first and most important teacher, scaffolding parent activities and engagement through various levels of participation. It provides a format for broad partnerships throughout a community — including healthcare, education, business and government agencies — developing a unified message and strategy.”

via Doug Ford: Hero Project highlight of education conference.

Kindergarten readiness event on tap Saturday – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Winlow

The third annual Kindergarten Readiness Round-Up conducted by the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School parent and child education program will occur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Solano Parents and Child Education Program, or SPACE program, began the event in 2013 in order to help parents prepare their children for kindergarten.

There will be different activities to help assess a child’s kindergarten readiness. The day also includes an evaluation given to the parent or guardian. Participating children will be given a backpack with school supplies. Informational resources will be available for areas such as medical, immunizations, nutritional education, special education, libraries, child care and low-cost insurance.

via Kindergarten readiness event on tap Saturday Daily Republic.

College trustees look at slight boost in nonresident tuition – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Winlow

Solano Community College is looking for trustee approval Wednesday to raise the nonresident tuition by $1 per unit for the 2015-16 year.

Nonresident tuition is currently $199 per unit.

The board can adopt one of several rates, according to staff reports. It can use:

  • The current district expense of education per unit of full-time equivalent student.
  • A statewide average cost.
  • District average cost with 10 percent or more noncredit full-time equivalent student.
  • Rates of contiguous districts.

via College trustees look at slight boost in nonresident tuition Daily Republic.

Solano College loses bid to offer 4-year degree – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Winlow

After a bit of a wait, 34 California community college districts learned Tuesday the fate of their quest to begin a pilot bachelor’s program at their prospective schools.

Fifteen made the initial cut. Nineteen, including Solano Community College, will have to hope for another chance.

The announcement came Tuesday afternoon during the California Community College board of governors meeting. The college programs selected to offer less-expensive four-year degrees – lower division, $46 a unit, upper division, $84 a unit – will undergo further review and final approval will be at the March board of governors meeting.

via Solano College loses bid to offer 4-year degree Daily Republic.

Travis trustees seek to fill Area 1 vacancy – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Bill Hicks

The Travis School District governing board is seeking to fill a long-vacant seat serving Area 1, which encompasses Travis Air Force Base.

No one filed for a potential special election, which would have taken place in March. As a result, and in accordance with state law, current trustees may now appoint someone to the position.

Qualified applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be a Travis Air Force Base resident and be registered to vote in California. The board plans to interview and appoint the most-qualified candidate during a special board meeting Feb. 17.

via Travis trustees seek to fill Area 1 vacancy Daily Republic.

Sem Yeto students to say goodbye to current campus – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Winlow

Sem Yeto High School, as it is known now, will close its doors as of next year.

The bulk of the remaining students, about 200 from Fairfield High School, will be moved to a Sem Yeto satellite program to be housed in the D-wing at Fairfield High School. The handful of credit-deficient Rodriguez High Schools students will be enrolled in an expanded credit recovery program at that high school.

Armijo High School already houses a Sem Yeto satellite program for Armijo students in the annex area. The district touts it as a success so is carrying out a similar model at Fairfield High School.

via Sem Yeto students to say goodbye to current campus Daily Republic.

Rodriguez graduate backing Courtney Love in New York – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Rodriguez High School graduate Sylver Wallace is where she’s always wanted to be.

She will wrap up her role in “Kansas City Choir Boy” on Saturday. Wallace is one of the six sirens, “something in the vein of a Greek chorus,” singing backup to Courtney Love of the band Hole.

The show, billed as a concept album, was penned by Todd Almond, who plays the unnamed “Kansas City choir boy.” Love portrays his love, Athena.

via Rodriguez graduate backing Courtney Love in New York Daily Republic.

Community gathers to help Crescent students – Daily Republic

Posted on by

By Susan Winlow

Corwin Harper worked so hard Monday morning the sole of his work boot began to fall off.

Slap, slap, slap – the loose sole hit the ground as he made his way with yet another wheelbarrow full of tanbark from the back of Crescent Elementary School to the front. His effort was part of a workday to beautify the school by building six raised planting beds and benches for the students, pulling weeds, picking up trash and laying tanbark in existing landscaped areas.

The Kaiser Permanente senior vice president area manager for Napa-Solano gained an audience as a dozen-plus fellow volunteers stopped to watch him, and chuckle, as he made his way towards them. Slap, slap, slap.

via Community gathers to help Crescent students Daily Republic.