Dixon May Fair welcomes students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

It was a quiet morning on Friday at the Dixon May Fair. Workers prepared their booths for the weekend as members of the Vacaville Rotary Club gathered at the front entrance.

Special needs students from across Solano County were on their way to the fair to spend the morning enjoying the festivities before the fair opened to the public for the day.

The event, in its 30th year, is held by Rotarians and the Solano County Office of Education.

Once students arrived, one or two Rotarians accompanied each group to explore the fair with them.

Source: Dixon May Fair welcomes students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

Faces and Places – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano County Office of Education Hosts Educator of the Year AwardsThe Solano County Office of Education hosted the annual Solano County Educators of the Year celebration at Sunrise Event Center in Vacaville recently. The evening honored the Classified Employees of the Year and the Certificated (teachers and other credentialled staff) Employees of the Year from Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield-Suisun, Travis, Vacaville, and Vallejo City unified school districts as well as SCOE.

Solano County Superintendent of Schools, Lisette Estrella-Henderson told honorees, “As classified and certificated employees, you come together, side by side with administrators as a school site team. You recognize that our young people are unique individuals, and they need you. They are waiting for you to step into their lives and make a positive difference, and you do.”

Source: May 11 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Faces and Places – The Vacaville Reporter

Rain fails to derail 20th annual Loop the Lagoon – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

Running in a race is a challenge in its own. Add muddy, wet terrain and showers pouring down from the sky and this feat becomes even more arduous.

Whether rain or shine, the Loop the Lagoon Fun Run at Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville was on. Its participants conquered the race and the weather, receiving a 20th annual Loop the Lagoon medal upon crossing the finish line.

Four of those participants, friends Alejandro Hernandez, Serena Carbajal, Wilson Lam and Nancy Conde gathered at the finish line after completing the race.

Source: Rain fails to derail 20th annual Loop the Lagoon – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano Educators of the Year chosen at ceremony on Tuesday – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Solano County Educators of the Year Awards honors excellent teachers and classified employees from Solano County schools.

It was a full house of friends and family members Tuesday night at the Sunrise Event Center to help honor those people.

Maria Williams, an eighth-grade math teacher at Grange Middle School, was nominated as Teacher of the Year.

Source: Solano Educators of the Year chosen at ceremony on Tuesday

Tops in their fields for 2023 – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Supervisors described a classified employee’s day-to-day work as setting “the bar for the rest of us at our site” and within the Dixon Unified School District.

Another supervisor described an educator as “one of those rare teachers who consistently meets the needs of every student in her class.”

Those were praises heard for Audrey Madden and Maria Williams, respectively, honored Tuesday evening during the annual Solano County Educators of the Year celebration at Sunrise Event Center in Vacaville.

Source: Tops in their fields for 2023 – The Vacaville Reporter

Spotlight to shine on Solano County’s top educators – Daily Republic

The Solano County Office of Education will recognize the 2023 Educators of the Year on Tuesday.

The ceremony honors “teachers and school employees for excellence in supporting schools and high-quality education.”

The top teachers are Justin Koeppen, Benicia Unified; Stephanie Roupp, Dixon Unified; Maria Williams, Fairfield-Suisun Unified; Jason Hicks, Solano County Office of Education; Mary King, Travis Unified; Buchanan Miles, Vacaville Unified; and Lena Chatterjee, Vallejo City Unified.

Source: Spotlight to shine on Solano County’s top educators

Spotlight to shine on Solano County’s top educators – Daily Republic

The Solano County Office of Education will recognize the 2023 Educators of the Year on Tuesday.

The ceremony honors “teachers and school employees for excellence in supporting schools and high-quality education.”

The top teachers are Justin Koeppen, Benicia Unified; Stephanie Roupp, Dixon Unified; Maria Williams, Fairfield-Suisun Unified; Jason Hicks, Solano County Office of Education; Mary King, Travis Unified; Buchanan Miles, Vacaville Unified; and Lena Chatterjee, Vallejo City Unified.

Source: Spotlight to shine on Solano County’s top educators

Solano Land Trust holds 33rd annual Rush Ranch Open House – The Vacaville Reporter

By Rebecca Wasik

As the long grasses surrounding Rush Ranch in Suisun blew in the wind, a covered wagon led by two horses became lost in the distance.

Passengers were able to enjoy this wagon ride experience as attendees of Solano Land Trust’s 33rd annual Rush Ranch Open House.

Live music echoed throughout the ranch as visitors pet horses and viewed the two foals who live on the property. The foals were born in March.

Source: Solano Land Trust holds 33rd annual Rush Ranch Open House – The Vacaville Reporter

Nestor Aliga appointed to advisory committee on women veterans – Times-Herald

By Thomas Gase

Women veterans across the nation gained a strong voice of support with the naming of longtime veterans’ advocate Nestor Aliga to serve on the VA’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Veterans.

The longtime Vallejoan is one of five new members named to the committee, which advises the Secretary on women veterans’ issues and makes recommendations regarding VA policy, benefits and services created to meet their current and projected needs.

Established by Congress in 1983, the committee shapes the department’s efforts to modernize and provide equitable and timely services to our nation’s women veterans.

Source: Nestor Aliga appointed to advisory committee on women veterans – Times-Herald

Gadgets, gizmos shine at STEAM festival – Times-Herald

By Jordan Baker

For students with a huge love for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math — STEAM, for newcomers — Solano College was the place to be on Saturday.

The college, Benicia Makerspace and the Solano County Office of Education collaborated for the Solano Community College’s annual STEAM Discovery Festival — an event dedicated to inspire students interested in those fields.

Solano County Office of Education Director Lilibeth Pinpin says the festival is “promoting innovation and collaboration.”

Source: Gadgets, gizmos shine at STEAM festival – Times-Herald

Youth Coalition holding forum on student-related issues – Daily Republic

The Solano Youth Coalition on Wednesday will host a student-led forum regarding the well-being of youths in Solano County.“

A student panel will ask Solano County district superintendents and district school board presidents questions about district supports, policies and procedures regarding student issues,” organizers said in a statement.

The coalition’s mission is to “promote and encourage the participation of young people in the development of policies, programs and services in their community.”

Source: Youth Coalition holding forum on student-related issues

Register now for 20th annual Loop the Lagoon races – Daily Republic

Registration is open for the 20th annual Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk, scheduled for May 6 at Lagoon Valley Park.

Funds raised support the Vacaville Public Education Foundation.

“The Loop the Lagoon Run/Walk is a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone,” organizers said in a statement. “The 5K, 10K and 10K Tower Challenge courses will take runners and walkers through rolling hills, scenic paths, and beautiful views of the surrounding hills and lagoon.

“The 2-mile walk offers a leisurely stroll, and the half-mile and 1-mile kids’ races kick off with a mascot parade and end with cheering crowds waiting to give medals to every young participant. Families can enjoy the kids’ expo featuring crafts, activities, snacks, raffle prizes and a petting zoo.”

Source: Register now for 20th annual Loop the Lagoon races

Transition Fair for students with disabilities, special education – Daily Republic

The Solano County Office of Education will host a Transition Information Fair on Wednesday for middle and high school students and adults in transition programs who have disabilities or who are in special education programs.

“This Fair offers a one-stop approach to valuable information on resources for individuals with disabilities that can lead to a positive and productive life as a contributing member of their community,” Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools, said in a statement.

The fair offers “information about various programs and agencies in our community that can assist with higher education, training, employment, adult day programs, and independent living.”

Source: Transition Fair for students with disabilities, special education

Fair explores possibilities for students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

It’s never too early to think about higher education and life beyond that.

Which is why the Solano County Office of Education’s Workforce Development Department is hosting a Transition Information Fair for students with special needs in middle school, high school or an adult/transition program.

From 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, stop by the Solano County Office of Education, at 5100 Business Center Drive in Fairfield, and take a look at all available resources directed toward your student.

Source: Fair explores possibilities for students with special needs – The Vacaville Reporter

And the winning word was ‘b-i-r-e-t-t-a’ – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

The words started out fairly simple: “warmth,” “center,” “feather.” Easy as p-i-e.

But by the time word pronouncer Dave McCallum uttered “dissemble,” “ductile,” then “raccoon,” the first of 12 elementary students left the stage and 11 remained to vie for top honors Tuesday night at the 2023 Solano County Spelling Bee at Journey Downtown in Vacaville.

Following those words were several more difficult ones, among them “nectar;” “miscellaneous,” which tripped up three students; “interim,” which eliminated four, leaving three seated at tables that stretched across the stage; “cynical,” which humbled one more; “zephyr,” which left two contestants.

Source: And the winning word was ‘b-i-r-e-t-t-a’ – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano County students tour Travis Air Force Base – DVIDS

The 349th Air Mobility Wing Development and Training Flight hosted students in the local school district for a tour of Travis, March 24, 2023.

The D&TF program is designed to guide newly enlisted airmen and assist them in the development of skills in preparation for basic military training. Concepts such as drill, reporting statements, rank structure, and readiness requirements are among the items the program focuses on.

“Besides their recruiter, we’re that first military face they see prior to going to BMT,” said Master Sgt. Jessica Cramer, 349 AMW D&TF coordinator. “They all come back and tell us how much the program has helped them, and that it was a jumpstart to their Air Force career attending the development and training flight.”

Source: DVIDS – News – Solano County students tour Travis Air Force Base

Youth Coalition to bring awareness to child abuse prevention – Daily Republic

Members of the Solano Youth Coalition’s Family Justice Committee will be placing blue pinwheels in the lawn area in front of the Vacaville City Hall and police station on Thursday.

The event is being held to raise awareness about the importance of preventing child abuse. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The students will begin the work at 7:30 a.m.

Source: Youth Coalition to bring awareness to child abuse prevention

A high school diploma, at long last, after military service – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

The two men sat quietly in the front row of chairs arranged in a second-floor meeting room at the Solano County Office of Education offices in Fairfield. One was 70 years old and dressed in a beige short-sleeved silk shirt, while the other, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and camouflage hat, with the words “Vietnam Veteran” spelled out, was 76 and walked with a cane. Family members, SCOE employees, and a small contingent of media crowded into the room, too.

All were there midafternoon Friday, as Lisette Estrella-Henderson, superintendent of county schools, said in her opening remarks, “for a really important” occasion for the two men, Wayne Hill and Conrad Montuya Sr.: SCOE’s annual Operation Recognition, honoring military service members who were unable to complete their high school education due to their military service.

Source: A high school diploma, at long last, after military service – The Vacaville Reporter

Officials invite public to Office of Education science, engineering fair – Daily Republic

The 2023 Solano County Science and Engineering Fair will be open to community members Thursday in McCormack Hall on the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo.

The event celebrates students’ achievements in science and engineering projects, work that can prove to be pathways into careers.

Solano County students in third through 12th grades were encouraged to enter this competition. Top middle and high school winners will be eligible to enter the California State Science and Engineering Fair in April.

Source: Officials invite public to Office of Education science, engineering fair

Soroptimist awards come complete with a few tears, lots of smiles – Daily Republic

By Susan Hiland

Members of Soroptimist International of Solano County shared smiles, laughter and a few tears Tuesday at the 2023 Women Making a Difference Awards luncheon.

“There were so many qualified candidates it was extremely difficult to choose,” said Cathy Hall, Awards Committee chairwoman.

Hall has been a Soroptimist for years and spoke of getting to know these young woman who applied for the awards.

Source: Soroptimist awards come complete with a few tears, lots of smiles