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Lisa Reyes, Human Resources, Solano County Office of Education

Retired Vacaville teacher gets a buzz out of bees | dailyrepublic.com

By Todd R. Hansen

Students in Rick Moehrke’s third- and fourth-grade classes at Markham or Cooper elementary schools likely remember his in-class, silkworm demonstrations.

It was his way to give the students a peek into the natural world Moehrke has been lured to since he was a youngster.

So it should be no surprise that with a chance meeting with Clay Ford, operator of Clay’s Bees and owner of Pleasants Valley Honey Company, that Moehrke would be stung by another curiosity – bees.

Source: Retired Vacaville teacher gets a buzz out of bees | News | dailyrepublic.com

Sign-ups open for sixth-grade marching band at Vaca Pena – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Registration is now open for the Sixth-Grade Marching Band Academy at Vaca Pena Middle School, beginning in the fall.

This new program was developed and spearheaded by Colleen Moe, principal of Vaca Pena Middle School; Catherine Bozzini, Vacaville Unified School District’s director of elementary education; Ali Eeds, VUSD director of secondary education; and Melinda Ellis, VUSD music coordinator.

It is open to student who will be sixth graders at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year. To register a student for for the program, visit bit.ly/VacaPenaMarchingBandAcademy. The deadline to register is March 22.

Source: Sign-ups open for sixth-grade marching band at Vaca Pena – The Vacaville Reporter

State IDs Kairos as ‘high-performing school’ – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Kairos Public Schools has been identified by state officials as one of only two Solano County charter schools deemed “high-performing.”

Executive Director Jared Austin made the announcement in a news release and also identified Dixon Montessori Charter School as the other similarly designated school.

He said the California Department of Education recently released the Charter School Performance Indicator, a high-stakes assessment determining the effectiveness of charter schools.

Source: State IDs Kairos as ‘high-performing school’ – The Vacaville Reporter

At Vaca Pena, Holocaust survivor story comes to life in vivid detail – Times Herald Online

By Richard Bammer

It is sometimes difficult to understand the Holocaust in the abstract, but when we read, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” or hear a survivor’s story, the World War II era of the systematic killing of 6 million European Jews and others comes into full and vivid focus.

And the smallest details become riveting, because each one, in its own way, can be seen as keystone to survival during a horrifying time in world history.

This was certainly the case for Liz Igra, 89, of Sacramento.

Source: At Vaca Pena, Holocaust survivor story comes to life in vivid detail – Times Herald Online

2024 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that nine California schools were selected for the California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award. This award program identifies and recognizes schools with exemplary dual enrollment programs and allows these schools to share the exemplary programs and practices that have contributed to their success. All Early College High Schools, Middle College High Schools, and alternative education schools with dual enrollment programs were eligible to apply for the 2024–25 award.

“These programs are a beacon of excellence and equitable opportunity in California’s public schools,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “Dual enrollment programs provide a unique option for public high school students who seek to accelerate their achievement, launch their careers, and access a high-quality free college education even before they walk the high school graduation stage.”

Source: 2024 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation – Vallejo Sun

By Zack Haber

Vallejo teachers and school staff have declared an impasse over stalled salary negotiations with the school district and rallied for higher pay at a Board of Education meeting last week as the two sides enter mediation in the hope of resolving the stalemate.

The Vallejo City Unified School District has offered Vallejo Education Association (VEA) members, which include over 400 classroom teachers, nurses, counselors and other certified employees, a 4.5% raise. But union members say they need a higher raise to make their jobs more sustainable and to help stop high staff turnover.

Source: As salary negotiations stall, Vallejo school district and educators enter mediation

Vaca Pena Marching Band Academy opens registration for sixth-graders | dailyrepublic.com

A new sixth-grade Marching Band Academy at Vaca Pena Middle School begins this fall and registrations is open to next year’s sixth-grade students.

The program is limited to a small cohort of 60-64 students and will focus on daily music instruction. Students can still participate in middle school extracurricular activities, have earlier access to advanced coursework, and participate in three marching band competitions during the school year.

The VUSD School Board approved the addition of a Sixth Grade Music Academy with a Marching Band focus at Vaca Pena at the February school board meeting. The Academy will allow students to develop a love of performance and will contribute to the long-term participation in school band program.

Source: Vaca Pena Marching Band Academy opens registration for sixth-graders | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Longtime Solano College professor, board member is Woman of the Year | dailyrepublic.com

A longtime math professor at Solano Community College, and member of the college’s governing board, has been selected as the 3rd Senate District’s Woman of the Year.

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, on Tuesday announced A. Marie Young as his choice for this year’s honor.

“I am deeply honored to receive this distinguished recognition from Sen. Dodd,” Young said in a statement released by Dodd’s office. “It is a testament to my longstanding commitment of volunteering through the years to support organizations serving communities at the local, regional, state and national levels. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide leadership, to collaborate and achieve a shared mission to uplift communities in need.”

Source: Longtime Solano College professor, board member is Woman of the Year | News | dailyrepublic.com

Nominations being taken for Early Childhood Educator of the Year. | dailyrepublic.com

The Solano County Office of Education is accepting nominations for the Early Childhood Educator of the Year.

“Solano County Office of Education encourages parents, guardians, educators and community members who live or work in Solano County to nominate early childhood educators who have made a positive difference in their communities,” the agency said in a statement.

“Any Solano County early learning and care provider serving children ages infant to preschool may be nominated. The recognition program includes teachers, assistants, paraeducators, food service staff, transportation staff, school site administrators and family child care owner/directors.”

Source: Nominations being taken for Early Childhood Educator of the Year. | News | dailyrepublic.com

Artists, performers wanted for Student Art Showcase | dailyrepublic.com

Solano County students of all ages are invited to participate in the fourth annual Solano Student Art Showcase.

The showcase, hosted by the Solano County Office of Education, has room for singers, songwriters, poets, jugglers, comedians, magicians, musicians, dancers, dance troops, cheer teams and others.

The event is free for all performers, artists and attendees.

“The annual art showcase recognizes and supports youth resiliency through the arts, providing a space for young artists to express themselves. The event also promotes mental health, wellness and prevention of alcohol, tobacco and drug use,” SCOE said in a statement.

Source: Artists, performers wanted for Student Art Showcase | News | dailyrepublic.com

Volunteers sought for California Academic Decathlon | dailyrepublic.com

Volunteers willing to travel to Santa Clara are sought for the state academic decathlon March 22-23.

The event brings together 50 of the top schools across California. It’s estimated about 450 high school students will compete.

The competitive event modeled after the Olympics to stimulate academic honor and achievement “athletes of the mind.” It consists of 10 events, including tests in music, language and literature, mathematics, economics, science and social science.

Source: Volunteers sought for California Academic Decathlon | News | dailyrepublic.com

Army visits Vacaville High with a ‘teaching vehicle,’ recruiting in mind – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

It wasn’t the iconic “I Want You for the U.S. Army” poster by James Montgomery Flagg, with the top-hatted, gray-haired and stern-looking Uncle Sam pointing his finger at anyone who looked his way.

Instead it was the Army Mobile Medical Exhibit parked Monday morning in a Vacaville High School parking lot off West Monte Vista Avenue.

Black and sleek, a massive, eye-popping polished recruiting tool for the U.S. Army, it was a semi tractor-trailer with medical simulation equipment and experiences, digital and hands-on, inside.

Source: Army visits Vacaville High with a ‘teaching vehicle,’ recruiting in mind – The Vacaville Reporter

Why hackers are targeting young public school students : NPR

By Kavitha Cardoza

When Celeste Gravatt first heard about a data breach in her kids school system in February 2023, it sounded innocuous.

“I didn’t really think anything of it at first,” Gravatt says.

Officials at Minneapolis Public Schools called it a “system incident,” then “technical difficulties,” and finally, “an encryption event.”

Source: Why hackers are targeting young public school students : NPR

2024 Middle Schools to Watch – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 52 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized as California Schools to Watch for 2024. To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application and host a site visit by middle grades experts. To retain the designation, each school is reevaluated every three years.

There are 16 new California Schools to Watch this year. An additional 36 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been redesignated as 2024 California Schools to Watch. Altogether, there are 200 California Schools to Watch.

Source: 2024 Middle Schools to Watch – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Celebrating reading, learning and having fun – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Isabella Bautista, 9, loves to read “Dork Diaries,” a children’s book series.

“It’s about a girl who’s going through life,” said Isabella, referring to the 14-year-old protagonist, Nikki Maxwell, in stories by Rachel Renee Russell, written and illustrated in a diary format and also uses drawings, doodles and comic strips to tell the tale.

Speaking in Megan Coxe’s third-grade classroom on Friday at Callison Elementary, Isabella relished the day, because it was Literacy Character Day, part of National Read Across America Day. Created by the National Education Association, it is a day to encourage children to read and to inspire lifelong learning.

Source: Celebrating reading, learning and having fun – The Vacaville Reporter

Community members come together for a day of reading | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

Students at Jean Callison Elementary School were immersed in literacy this week as part of Read Across America.

The big finale on Friday was Literacy Character Day, which was a special event promoting the love of reading and lifelong learning, according to Principal Kacey Ramos.

Each year, National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The annual event is part of Read Across America, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association.

Source: Community members come together for a day of reading | Education | dailyrepublic.com

BUSD Superintendent thanks voters as Measure C nears official passage – The Vacaville Reporter

By Lynzie Lowe

While Measure C has not yet officially been passed by voters, Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Damon Wright said the 62.34 percent of tallied votes in favor of the Measure thus far “means everything to our district.”

“I want to thank the residents of Benicia for supporting our schools and investing in our children,” said Wright. “Passing Measure C provides $122.5 million for facility improvements, which will enable the district to address necessary safety repairs and complete much-needed modernization projects.”

As of Friday evening, a total of nine precincts had reported 6,004 in favor of the measure and 2,678 votes against, which has it narrowly cruising to victory with the necessary 55 percent or more of the total votes needed to pass.

Source: Benicia USD Superintendent thanks voters as Measure C nears official passage – The Vacaville Reporter

Budget Center Announces Official Program for Policy Insights Conference – California Budget and Policy Center

By Kyra Moeller

Today, the California Budget & Policy Center announced the official program for its annual conference, Policy Insights, which was announced late last year, and will take place Tuesday, April 16, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

“With the release of the program, featuring 11 dynamic workshops and plenary sessions, Policy Insights 2024 promises to be an enriching event for California’s public policy community,” said Chris Hoene, executive director at the California Budget & Policy Center. “We encourage all statewide advocates, legislative and government staff, nonprofit organizations, and foundations dedicated to improving public policy to join us as we delve into pressing issues and chart a course towards a more equitable California for all.”

Source: Budget Center Announces Official Program for Policy Insights Conference – California Budget and Policy Center

Plans underway for hiring new Conklin replacement | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

It’s full-steam-ahead in the search to replace Travis Unified School District Superintendent Pam Conklin.

Conklin announced her retirement last month.

At the last meeting, the board hired McPherson & Jacobson, a third-party firm, to facilitate the search to fill the position.

On Tuesday, the board held a special meeting to discuss parameters for the position and a timeline to hire a new person to fill the role of superintendent by the end of April.

Source: Plans underway for hiring new Conklin replacement | Education | dailyrepublic.com

TUSD Ramps Up Search for New Superintendent – BNN

By Nasiru Eneji Abdulrasheed

Fairfield’s Travis Unified School District is in the midst of a significant transition, following Superintendent Pam Conklin’s retirement announcement last month. In response, the board has engaged McPherson & Jacobson, an external firm, to lead the search for a new superintendent, aiming for a candidate to be in place by the end of April.

Source: Travis Unified School District Ramps Up Search for New Superintend…