Monthly Archives: May 2018

Human Services Board aims to raise $5K in online fundraising campaign – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

Spring is the season of giving, and the Benicia Human Services Board (HSB) is providing a chance for people to give. For the next 21 days, the HSB is hosting an online fundraiser for its Human Services Fund in the hopes of raising $5,000 before the deadline.

The HSB oversees the Human Services Fund, a charitable reserve that distributes funds to nonprofit agencies that provide support to Benicians in need. Each month, the HSB goes over each grantee’s service goals and objectives and continually provides fundraising to keep each program going.

This year, the HSB has opted for a “Spring into Action” campaign by encouraging people to donate online through CauseVox, a crowdfunding website aimed mainly to provide support to nonprofits.

Source: Human Services Board aims to raise $5K in online fundraising campaign

Benicia High grad appears as guest on Carol Burnett Netflix series – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

On May 4, comedy legend Carol Burnett debuted her new Netflix talk show “A Little Help with Carol Burnett,” in which the comedic icon leads a panel of children ages 5 to 9 provide unscripted advice to regular people and celebrities in front of a live audience. One of those people to receive advice was 2012 Benicia High School graduate Nicholas Bustamante.

Bustamante began acting in Solano Youth Theatre, which he said inspired his current path.

“It was really nice having a lot of people come to those shows,” he said. “It really inspired me and made me think I could go further with what I was doing and at the time, that was musical theater.”

Source: Benicia High grad appears as guest on Carol Burnett Netflix series

Leaven mentor nominated for 95.3 KUIC ‘Teacher of the Month’ – Daily Republic

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By Ashley Ching

May, National Teacher Appreciation Month, is a time to show gratitude for the educators who have done so much for us. Not only have teachers taught us essential skills like literacy and arithmetic, but they have also served as our cherished mentors and role models.

Great educators like this are found at The Leaven, a Fairfield-based tutoring program that has earned national recognition by Dr. Phil. Within the rapidly growing grassroots organization, The Leaven benefits at-risk youth in many ways. It helps students succeed in school, including reading and comprehension; it provides positive role models for its students; and it reduces crime as residents become active in making their communities safer.

Source: Leaven mentor nominated for 95.3 KUIC ‘Teacher of the Month’

Vallejo trustees to review charter school petition – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

The Vallejo school board will hold a public hearing Wednesday night regarding a petition to open a new charter school in the district.

Representatives with the Redwood City-based nonprofit, Rocketship Public Schools, are asking to open a charter which serves transitional kindergarten to fourth grade. A 5th grade class would eventually be added, officials with the nonprofit told the Times-Herald in a previous interview.

Officials hope to open for the 2020-21 school year.

Rocketship currently operates 18 schools in three states and Washington, D.C.

“Vallejo families need and deserve schools like Rocketship that close the achievement gap and put students on the path to college and career success,” Marie Issa Gil, Rocketship Bay Area regional director wrote in a previous email to the Times-Herald.

Source: Vallejo trustees to review charter school petition

Nicola Parr Honored As Solano Co. Behavioral Health School Hero | Benicia, CA Patch

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The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services nominated Solano County Office of Education’s Director of Student and Program Support Nicola Parr for their Behavioral Health School Provider Hero Award. She will be recognized during the 4th Annual Mental Health Month Celebration on Saturday, May 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1234 Empire Street in Fairfield, California. “We are thrilled that our very own Nicola Parr is receiving this well-deserved recognition. Nicola exemplifies our guiding principles of leadership, collaboration, and support. She is a true advocate for putting students’ needs first. The Solano County Office of Education is student centered in our efforts and we take great pride in providing a variety of services based on the needs of our students and their families,” says Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson.

Source: Nicola Parr Honored As Solano Co. Behavioral Health School Hero | Benicia, CA Patch

Family Reading Night in Benicia – Times Herald

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By Times Herald Staff

The Benicia Public Library is having its third annual Family Reading Night on Wednesday, May 16.

The event is for all elementary school students and will include a free pizza and salad dinner, a performance from an elementary school choir, and games and activities. Plus, each child gets two free books.

The event is a partnership with the Library’s Youth Services staff, the Adult Literacy Program, and Benicia Unified School District, which funds it through an adult education block grant.

It’s free, but R.S.V.P. by calling (707) 746-4741, or filling out a form in the library, or by going to the library’s website, www.benicialibrary.org.

Source: Family Reading Night in Benicia

Solano Youth Coalition Members Address State Assembly | Suisun City, CA Patch

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From Solano County Office of Education: Monday, May 7,2018, Solano County Office of Education Youth Development Department took three student representatives to Sacramento to address the State Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee. The youth group spoke about the importance of the Friday Night Live (FNL) program, work they provide to their communities, the state, and why the Subcommittee should increase FNL program funding.

Solano County has FNL Chapters at Armijo, Fairfield, Jesse Bethel, and Vanden High Schools (in the Fairfield-Suisun, Vallejo City, and Travis Unified School Districts respectively); with student representatives throughout the county serving on the Solano Youth Coalition (SYC). “The Friday Night Live program provides Solano County youth with an opportunity to develop civic leadership skills that are significant for our community. This program is designed to challenge students to address issues that may potentially impact outcomes for citizens of Solano County,” says Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson.

Source: Solano Youth Coalition Members Address State Assembly | Suisun City, CA Patch

Benicia High School production of ‘Legally Blonde’ proves growing experience for all – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” tells the story of a young woman who perseveres despite obstacles and grows over time. Basically, it is an appropriate play for high school drama students to perform, and the result can be seen starting Friday at Benicia High School.

Director Nathan Day said the drama department had a difficult time picking a spring musical this year following the graduation of drama students from the Class of 2017.

“I lost a really big class last year that were really talented,” he said.

This year’s crop of drama students has mostly been girls and freshmen/sophomore boys. Day and vocal director Vivian McLaughlin decided to hold a general audition in September even before a show was selected.

“The whole concept was ‘Let’s have a general audition, and based off of that let’s pick a show that we feel we can be successful with,’” he said.

Source: Benicia High School production of ‘Legally Blonde’ proves growing experience for all

Students honored for Kindness Campaign videos at red carpet event – The Reporter

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The Kindness Campaign wrapped up another contest with a red carpet event at the big screen.

The students honored at Brenden Theatres in Vacaville produced videos, between 30 seconds and two minutes in length, that expresses what the power of kindness can do to make a difference at school, in the home and in local communities. The contest garnered 70 video submissions.

The winning video came from Juliana Mojica and Elizabeth Flores of Armijo High School. Their teacher is Lori Gonzalez.

“Bullying on school campus is a very important issue for students, parents, educators, and members of law enforcement,” wrote the District Attorney’s Office in a press release. “Bullying can detrimentally affect a child’s sense of self-worth and have long lasting consequences.

Source: Students honored for Kindness Campaign videos at red carpet event

Travis holds its first Special Olympics at Vanden’s George A. Gammon Field – The Reporter

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By Joel Rosenbaum

More than 150 students from kindergarten to 12th grade throughout the Travis Unified School District gathered Tuesday for their first Special Olympics Schools Partnership Program.

At George A. Gammon Field at Vanden High School and accompanied by a sound track to popular music and cheering fans, the athletes competed in events including: shot put, javelin, standing long jump and two running events all overseen by members of the Vanden High School student body.

Travis district, teachers’ union wrangle over kindergarten program – Daily Republic

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By Bill Hicks

Starting this fall, the Travis School District will offer full-day kindergarten at all of its elementary sites, broadening a long-existing option the district has had for extended kindergarten.

The plan will affect as many as 400 children within the district and is a move the district made in anticipation of ballooning enrollments expected in the coming years with developments of Fairfield subdivisions within the district’s boarders.

District officials and representatives from the Travis Unified Teacher’s Association are wrangling over some of the final details of the program, with about 50 district teachers, supported by some parents, attending the district’s Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday to voice concerns over the negotiations, according to union bargaining leader Sydney Lundy.

Source: Travis district, teachers’ union wrangle over kindergarten program

As contract negotiations continue, community resumes pleas for equal teacher pay – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

As a result of ongoing labor negotiations between Benicia Unified School District and the Benicia Teachers Association, educators, parents and students once again took to the lectern during the public comment portion of Thursday’s school board meeting to request more fair salaries for teachers.

On Jan. 24, BUSD and the BTA held a negotiations meeting following a budget workshop. BUSD proposed a one-time bonus of 1 percent off the salary schedule for both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years, citing a desire to remain competitive with surrounding school districts. BTA countered with a 5 percent salary increase for the current school year and a 4.25 percent increase for the following school year. BUSD did not accept this offer and teachers were not satisfied with receiving 1 percent off the salary schedule, so a rally was held ahead of the Feb. 1 meeting. At a Feb. 6 negotiations meeting, BUSD made a counter-proposal of 1.5 percent off the salary schedule. After being unable to reach an agreement, BTA requested to file for impasse.

Source: As contract negotiations continue, community resumes pleas for equal teacher pay

School Resources Officer agreement goes to Dixon City Council – Daily Republic

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The Dixon City Council will review Tuesday a memorandum of understanding with the Dixon Unified School District for the services of a School Resources Officer (SRO).

The school district has agreed to fund 60 percent of the total cost of employment of one police officer assigned full-time to the school system. The police department will coordinate with the school district to create a training matrix and provide a core training program to the officer.

If the assigned SRO is expected to be absent from campus for more than five school days in a row, the police department will be responsible for assigning another SRO-trained police officer to this post.The SRO would earn a base salary of $81,091 in the first, with total salary and benefits up to $126,053.The council will also consider authorizing a temporary services agreement with waterTALENT for a temporary water operations supervisor for a duration not to exceed 12 months.

Source: School Resources Officer agreement goes to Dixon City Council

FSUSD’s Child Nutrition Department Works with Kid Tested Kid Approved – Daily Republic

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By Tim Goree

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District’s Child Nutrition Department worked with the Kid Tested Kid Approved program April 24th, 25th and 26th.

Kid Tested Kid Approved is a 3rd party company that works with manufacturer brands to test products with at least 500 school aged children in three geographically dispersed locations throughout the United States. To have a product placed on the Kid Tested Kid Approved list, a product must be taste approved by at least 80% of those tested. If approval is not 80% or higher, the product must go back to Research and Development for additional tweaks and is not placed on the approved list.

Source: FSUSD’s Child Nutrition Department Works with Kid Tested Kid Approved

SCOE set to hand out employee service awards – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Ninety-three Solano County Office of Education employees will be recognized during a service awards event Wednesday.

Employees with five to 30 years of service time will be acknowledged during the ceremony, which is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at 5100 Business Center Drive.

Tokens with the employee’s name and years of service will be handed out. Those with five years will get a bell, while a crystal apple will be awarded to those with 10 years, a rosewood pen and pencil set for those with 15 years, a rosewood book clock for those with 20 years, a crystal award with silver star for those with 25 years and a crafted mahogany box for employees with 30 years of service.

Source: Solano schools office set to hand out employee service awards

New charter school hopes to land in Vallejo – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

A South Bay charter school operator has submitted a petition to establish a school in the Vallejo City Unified School District.

Rocketship Public Schools officials confirmed they are hoping to open the new facility for the 2020-2021 school year.

For the first year the school would be open for transitional kindergarten to fourth grade, with a fifth-grade class added in the second year, they said.

Marie Issa Gil, Rocketship Bay Area regional director and lead petitioner for Rocketship Vallejo said the proposed move comes after “over 500 students in Vallejo expressed their support for Rocketship to bring a school to their community.”

Source: New charter school hopes to land in Vallejo

Will C. Wood hosts grand opening for Wildcat Stadium – The Reporter

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By Michael Morris

Spirited students and faithful fans simultaneously turned a page in the school’s history as Will C. Wood held its long-awaited grand opening of Wildcat Stadium.

Students, school faculty and generations of Wood grads flocked to the stands and around the 50-yard line of the newly christened stadium to celebrate the completion of the highly anticipated venture. As the sea of supporters assembled in the stands and on the field, while soaking in the pristine scene shortly after 3:30 p.m., Wood Associated Student Body President Austin McLellan and 2017 WCW graduate Issac Stevens welcomed those in attendance and voiced their unrivaled elation for the special occasion.

Source: Will C. Wood hosts grand opening for Wildcat Stadium

Will C. Wood students celebrate new stadium – Daily Republic

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By Bill Hicks

At the end of the school day Thursday, students at Will C. Wood were welcomed home – but not in the way they are on every other day.

Rather than spill out through the streets of Vacaville en route to their residences, the students piled into the school’s newly constructed athletics stadium, a feature that has been missing since it became a high school in 1989.

Thanks to funding made possible by the voter-passed Measure A, Will C. Wood students, for the first time, walked into a stadium built for their teams, decked out in their colors and sporting their school name and logo.“Look at this. It’s just awesome,” said Wood graduate Issac Stevens.

Source: Will C. Wood students celebrate new stadium

Fairfield-Suisun taking ‘longer’ look at electric buses – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Higher upfront costs of electric buses may deter some school districts from converting their diesel fleets, but it is not the only concern.

In fact, the Fairfield-Suisun schools have considered converting, but is not sure the electric buses could meet all the district’s needs.

“They have been considering it, but they have not converted or purchased electric buses,” Tim Goree, executive director of administrative services and community engagement at the Fairfield-Suisun School District, said in a phone interview.

The “they” to whom Goree references are the district’s transportation officials.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun taking ‘longer’ look at electric buses

Converting school, transit buses to electric cheaper, healthier – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

A national report released Thursday states that replacing all diesel-powered transit and school buses with electric coaches would eliminate 7.3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year – and significantly reduce the exposure of children and others to the unhealthy fumes.

“Approximately 95 percent of America’s school buses, carrying some of the most vulnerable passengers, run on diesel,” the executive summary of the report released by the Environment America Research and Policy Center states.

The report, “Electric Busses: Clean Transportation for Healthier Neighborhoods and Cleaner Air,” was compiled by the research center as well as the U.S. Education Fund and the Frontier Group.

Source: Report: Converting school, transit buses to electric cheaper, healthier