Monthly Archives: November 2018

Travis School District Area 2: Short tenure eventful for De Anda – Daily Republic

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By Bill Hicks

Travis School District Trustee Riitta De Anda has been on a pretty wild roller coaster ride in her time with the district’s governing board.

Very early on, she was part of a board that had to help steer the district through some difficult budget cuts and, now that the economy has bounced back, slowly rebuild lost programs and services.

One of her proudest accomplishments in her time with the board, she said, was helping bring different views to the table and listening to different perspectives.

Source: Travis School District Area 2: Short tenure eventful for De Anda

2019 Solano Co. Student Art Faire- Suisun City, CA Patch

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By Susan C. Schena

The 2019 Solano County Student Art Faire, open to the public, is set for Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the McCormick Hall at the Solano County Fairgrounds, 900 Fairgrounds Drive in Vallejo, according to the Solano County Office of Education.

“Some of the best 4th- through 12th-grade artists will showcase their artwork and the new location will allow for more masterpieces to be on display,” the agency said.

Students must submit their artwork through their schools for consideration for display at the Art Faire exhibit, and schools must register to participate, plus indicate the anticipated number of art pieces, by Dec. 14, officials said.

Source: 2019 Solano Co. Student Art Faire: Dates & Deadlines | Suisun City, CA Patch

Torlakson Appoints Technology Services Director – Year 2018 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that he has appointed Rodney Okamoto as Director of the Technology Services Division. His division provides the California Department of Education with Information Technology (IT) leadership, technical services, and a state-of-the-art infrastructure that enables it to deliver effective education services in California.

Okamoto most recently served as IT Manager II, overseeing the Information Systems and Services Office in the Technology Services Division. During his more than 20 years at the California Department of Education, he has chaired the multi-state Smarter Balanced Technology Workgroup and served as California’s IT Readiness Coordinator. His efforts were a major reason California was recognized for the most successful implementation of computer-based assessments in the country.

“Rodney has demonstrated a wealth of knowledge, technical expertise, and leadership skills. His team-oriented personality will help the CDE fulfill its mission of providing California students a world-class education in our multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world,” Torlakson said. “Utilizing technology strengthens education for our students, as well as the educational support happening in our Department and at schools throughout California.”

Source: Torlakson Appoints Technology Services Director – Year 2018 (CA Dept of Education)

Vallejo school ‘climate’ improving, still below most statewide – Times-Herald

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By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen

The atmosphere in Vallejo schools is improving, though it remains well below the state average, according to a recently released School Climate Report Card.

The data, which was derived from surveys completed by Vallejo City Unified School District middle and high school students, appears to show significant gains in some of the positive elements measured, and reductions in some of the negative ones, Superintendent Adam Clark said.

“The Vallejo City Unified School District Climate Report Card indicates that there has been a significant reduction of secondary students feeling unsafe,” he said. “There is also a significant increase in students feeling connected to adults on campus. Students also reported that there are low incidents of substance usage and violence on campuses.”

Source: Vallejo school ‘climate’ improving, still below most statewide – Times-Herald

Fairfield school, post-acute rehab continue 34-year Halloween tradition – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

The halls were alive with the sound of music Wednesday morning as approximately 80 kindergartners walked around Fairfield Post-Acute Rehab while singing a happy Halloween tune.

Lou Anderson, who has called the center home for six years, greeted the youngsters and their parent and teacher chaperones. She sat to the left of the entry door in a Queen of Hearts costume.

Anderson pulled together what she had on hand, a dress with hearts on it, a pink turban and a cat eye mask she made in arts and crafts.

“I sort of cobbled it together,” she said.

The annual visit makes residents happy, she said. The children seem to enjoy it also, she said. It’s also a trek down memory lane.

Source: Fairfield school, post-acute rehab continue 34-year Halloween tradition

Vaca middle school student, others win Constitution Essay Contest – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

For her entry to the 2018 Constitution Essay Contest, Katrina Husby wrote: “All citizens have the right to certain liberties while protected by the rule of law that does not permit one dictator or monarch to change the laws. Civil liberties are protected by the rule of law, because the government must also be in accordance with the law.”

As expressed in those sentences, her incisive thoughts were enough for judges to award Husby, an eighth-grader at Vacaville Christian Middle School, the $300 grand prize in the middle school division of the seventh annual countywide contest. Her essay, one among 44 entered by students at the Vacaville parochial school, also earned the $100 best of school honor for exploring the essay topic: Why must the rule of law be upheld equally to preserve the liberties we enjoy as Americans today?

VCMS English teacher Val Marchione believes the judges selected Husby’s essay because it was “well-crafted.”

Source: Vaca middle school student, others win Constitution Essay Contest – The Reporter

Vallejo school board campaigns rack up $18,938 in cash since Sept. 23 – Times-Herald

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By John Glidden

Six of the eight Vallejo school board candidates racked up a combined $18,938 in cash between Sept. 23 through Oct. 20, according to financial records submitted to the Solano County Registrar of Voters Office.

Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education incumbent Tony Ubalde’s re-election campaign picked up the most monetary contributions with $5,550 during that month period.

The campaign received $1,000 donations each from the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, and Dutra Cerro Graden, a commercial real estate firm.

The firm’s CEO is Landis Graden, former Vallejo planning commissioner and 2016 mayoral candidate.

Source: Vallejo school board campaigns rack up $18,938 in cash since Sept. 23 – Times-Herald