SPI Presents SB 48 Immigration Bill – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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Amid growing fear and tension among immigrant families and advocates nationwide, California Department of Education (CDE) State Superintendent Tony Thurmond presented a bill, Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez), that will limit the presence of ICE agents on school campuses. Also today, Superintendent Thurmond hosted a webinar to promote the expansion of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs across California, affirming the importance of preparing students to succeed, compete, and lead in a multilingual, global economy.

SB 48, authored by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-33), is sponsored by Thurmond to address safety concerns of immigrant families and protect school funding that is projected to decline in some parts of the state as attendance is suppressed as undocumented individuals fear deportation consequences at school. The bill is in direct protest to President Trump’s threats to lead mass deportation efforts at schools and houses of worship.

“We know that the fearmongering happening across our nation has disruptive impacts on children in our immigrant families, and it could cost California schools millions of dollars,” Thurmond said. California is one of a handful of states that still uses an average daily attendance system for attributing funding or the loss of funding to schools.

Source: SPI Presents SB 48 Immigration Bill – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Supervisors recognize Child Month; decry violence against children | dailyrepublic.com

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Child Month, and all its parts, was in the spotlight at Tuesday’s Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“Each year … as part of April Children’s Month, community partners across Solano County join together to support activities and events that raise awareness about critical children’s issues, as well as celebrate and commemorate children,” the staff report to the board states.

The board, on a 4-1 vote with chairman Mitch Mashburn absent, also adopted a resolution recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Solano County.

Source: Supervisors recognize Child Month; decry violence against children | News | dailyrepublic.com

Solano County’s top education executive announces retirement | dailyrepublic.com

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Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson has announced her retirement effective Sept. 1.

It ends a 40-year career in education, nearly 21 of which at the Solano County Office of Education.

“There is not a single factor, but rather a number of factors, which led me to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of myself and my family to retire at this time,” Estrella-Henderson said in a statement. She did not specify those reasons.

Source: Solano County’s top education executive announces retirement | News | dailyrepublic.com

Kids Day at Pena Adobe set for Saturday – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Robin Miller

The Peña Adobe Historical Society will kick off the 2025 season with Kid’s Day at the Adobe at the Peña Adobe Park in Vacaville, on Saturday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Families are invited to come see the historic Peña Adobe, one of the oldest structures in Solano County. Dating back to 1842, the Adobe was once the home of the Juan Felipe Peña family who, with the Vacas, settled in Vacaville more than 175 years ago. They will also meet Darlene Peña Coombs, a fifth- generation Peña descendant and be able to visit the Mowers-Goheen Museum and see local artifacts that include a woolly mammoth bone.

Fun activities including face painting, corn husk doll making and more.

Source: Kids Day at Pena Adobe set for Saturday – The Vacaville Reporter

SCOE Superintendent Estrella-Henderson to retire Sept. 1 – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Lisette Estrella-Henderson, the twice-elected superintendent of the Solano County Office of Education and a 40-year educator, will retire Sept. 1, it has been announced.

Her planned exit from her role that oversees an $88 million budget, support for charter schools and six unified school districts serving some 60,000 students will come 16 months before her term of office ends, information indicated in a press statement issued late Monday afternoon.

The Solano County Board of Education eventually will select a successor to complete the remainder of Estrella-Henderson’s term, and her decision comes “after thoughtful consideration and discussions with her family,” Jennifer Leonard, the SCOE public information officer, wrote in the statement.

Source: SCOE Superintendent Estrella-Henderson to retire Sept. 1 – The Vacaville Reporter

‘Isolated’ fire in VHS gym closet sets off alarms but is quickly contained – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A small “isolated” fire in Vacaville High School’s main gymnasium set off fire alarms Friday morning, prompting school staff members to make sure students were safe as firefighters made their way to the West Monte Vista Avenue campus.

In a press statement, Ana Maria Farina, director of communications for Vacaville Unified, said the alarms occurred during “passing,” as students were going to classrooms at about 10:30 a.m.

Vacaville firefighters responded quickly, determining the smoke stemmed from an “isolated fire in a closet near the locker room” in the Harold Youngblood Gymnasium, she added.

Source: ‘Isolated’ fire in VHS gym closet sets off alarms but is quickly contained – The Vacaville Reporter

Campus safety topic of special Travis Unified closed session | dailyrepublic.com

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The Travis Unified School District trustees have scheduled a special closed session meeting on Monday.

“Jason Johnson, campus safety consultations, will provide recommendations regarding safety training and protocols at TUSD,” the meeting agenda states.

It is not clear why this is being held in closed session. District policy is not typically an exemption to the state open meeting laws. The district could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Source: Campus safety topic of special Travis Unified closed session | News | dailyrepublic.com

VUSD board to vote on ‘addendum’ for federal funds – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified leaders on Thursday will consider approving what’s called a “federal addendum” to the school district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan, outlining how federal dollars will be used to support specific groups of students, among them low-income, English learners and foster youth.

The addendum is required to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA. It details how the district uses federal funds to support Title I, II, III, and IV programs, so that strategies and actions boost student achievement, promote educator equity, and address the needs of disadvantaged students, according to agenda documents.

Ali Eeds, director of secondary education, will make the presentation, then the governing board will be asked to consider approving the addendum.

Source: VUSD board to vote on ‘addendum’ for federal funds – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Announces 2025 CA Distinguished Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 336 elementary schools have been selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Program, California’s school recognition program that recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance.

Since its inception in 1985, the California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students.

“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize these 336 elementary schools for their efforts to provide exemplary public education to all students. Excellent elementary schools play a critical role in the life outcomes of our young people,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “This year’s California Distinguished Schools celebration provides us with an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our elementary educators and school staff who help our students discover passions and experiences that will propel them.”

Source: SPI Announces 2025 CA Distinguished Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Vanden earns Division 4 championship at state Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The Vanden High School Academic Decathlon squad won Division 4 honors last weekend during the Academic Decathlon State Championship in Santa Clara.

The California Academic Decathlon Association made the announcement in a press statement issued Sunday.

Besides Vanden, a Fairfield high school, other division champs included El Rancho High in Pico Rivera (Division 2), and Beverly Hills High in Beverly Hills (Division 3).

Source: Vanden earns Division 4 championship at state Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter

VCUSD names new Executive Director of Special Education – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

The Vallejo City Unified School District recently announced the appointment of longtime educator Kristen Hardy as the Executive Director of Special Education, making Hardy responsible for overseeing all special education services across the district.

This newly created position is set to replace the former director of special education, who recently resigned. Superintendent Ruben Aurelio says one factor contributing to the development of the new role is the district’s desire to stay competitive through steady improvement and the accrual of high-quality personnel.

Due to the rise of costs within special education post-COVID, “we know that we need someone to come in and support us,” said Aurelio, pointing to Hardy’s “systems thinking” and “ability to support educators.”

Source: VCUSD names new Executive Director of Special Education – Times Herald Online

SPI Announces 2025 California Purple Star Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that 83 schools have been designated as a Purple Star School in 2025, bringing the total number of California schools recognized with this honor to 179 since the program’s inception in 2023. The California Purple Star School Designation Program (Purple Star Program) seeks to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by articulating the most critical transition supports available. The Purple Star Program is a way to publicly recognize and designate schools that meet certain requirements, and signals which schools are the most committed and best equipped to meet the unique needs of these students and their families.

The Purple Star Program was designed to help mitigate the challenges of high mobility by setting standards for and publicly designating military-friendly schools.

Source: SPI Announces 2025 California Purple Star Schools – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

VCUSD approves qualified second interim budget – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The Vallejo City Unified School District approved its second interim budget report, which was certified as “qualified” at its Wednesday Board of Education meeting.

The “qualified” status indicates that the district may require assistance to fulfill its financial responsibilities during the current or the next two fiscal years.

The board also approved a resolution calling for additional budget cuts in the 2026–27 school year. VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio previously cautioned the community that the recent school closures and consolidations were only the first phase of cost-saving measures.

Source: VCUSD approves qualified second interim budget – Times Herald Online

Crystal eighth-graders speak with Holocaust survivor | dailyrepublic.com

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Crystal Middle School eighth-graders recently used Zoom to communicate with a Holocaust survivor, connecting two generations.

The event was part of the Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles’ Virtual Holocaust Survivor program through which local students connected virtually with a museum volunteer, who detailed his experiences during the Holocaust on the Kindertransport to Sweden that saved his life.

Kindertransport, or children’s transport, was a rescue program which ran between November 1938 and September 1939. Approximately 10,000 children, the majority of whom were Jewish, were sent from their homes and families in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia to Great Britain.

Source: Crystal eighth-graders speak with Holocaust survivor | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vallejo student delegates take on Washington D.C. in the trip of lifetime – Times Herald Online

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By Sarah Rodriguez

A group of seven lucky Vallejo high school students recently embarked on an empowering trip to Washington, D.C., to expand their leadership skills and civic engagement.

The four-day trip, sponsored by the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo City Unified School District, led delegates through an extensive itinerary exploring the city’s rich historical significance and connecting them with like-minded youth leaders.

“This trip was about more than just sightseeing,” said VCUSD representative Cherita Dilley in a press release. “It was about investing in our youth, empowering them to lead, and exposing them to opportunities that will shape their futures.”

Source: Vallejo student delegates take on Washington D.C. in the trip of lifetime – Times Herald Online

Education drives impactful change in Solano County’s fight against fentanyl – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Robin Miller

In the fight against the opioid epidemic, especially with regard to fentanyl, education has emerged as one of the most effective weapons, Solano County officials agree.

District Attorney Krishna Abrams said her office is unwavering in its commitment to prosecuting those who deal fentanyl and cause harm. Still, she emphasized, “The second part of our office’s approach to the opioid crisis is our prevention/education/outreach campaign.”

As part of this initiative, the DA joined in launching the S3 (S cubed) campaign in high schools across the county.

Source: Education drives impactful change in Solano County’s fight against fentanyl – The Vacaville Reporter

Trump orders a plan to dismantle the Education Department | FOX40 News

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By Collin Binkley and Chris MegerianPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to take apart an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives.

Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, completing its dismantling is most likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. Republicans said they will introduce legislation to achieve that, while Democrats have quickly lined up to oppose the idea.

Source: Trump orders a plan to dismantle the Education Department while keeping some core functions | FOX40 News

CDE’s return to office order delayed 6 months, letter says – CBS Sacramento

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California state workers in the Department of Education are claiming a small win Sunday night.

CBS13 obtained a letter state superintendent Tony Thurmond sent them, announcing a delay of their 4-day-a-week return to office order until December.

Cecelia Wilson is a Department of Education worker and District Labor Council president who just received a letter from state Thurmond reading that he’s extending the deadline for his employees to return to office to Dec. 31.

Source: California Department of Education’s return to office order delayed 6 months, letter says – CBS Sacramento

Senate Bill to Increase Educator Workforce Housing – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is sponsoring legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 502, introduced by State Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-07), to help local educational agencies (LEAs) across California address the housing affordability crisis by providing critical funding to support the development of housing for educators and school employees. Superintendent Thurmond was joined by Senator Arreguín, California Federation of Teachers (CFT) Legislative Representative Mitch Steiger, and West Contra Costa Unified School District Board President Leslie Reckler at a press conference today to provide more details about SB 502.

“Ensuring affordable housing for educators and school staff is essential to stabilizing California’s school communities,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “The evidence has shown that educator workforce housing can reduce and even eliminate staffing shortages in our schools. When educators and school staff can live where they work, whole school communities thrive.”

Source: Senate Bill to Increase Educator Workforce Housing – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

VUSD trustees to hear 2025-26 transportaton plan at tonight’s meeting – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified leaders, when they meet Thursday, will hear a presentation on the school district’s 2025-26 transportation plan, including a description of services, how those services will be offered, their impact, funding, and student data.

Ramiro Barron, assistant superintendent of student services and supports, will detail the plan in a computer-aided slide presentation.

He will tell trustees that the plan’s requirements call for its adoption by April 1, but it is currently funded up to only 60 percent of expenditures. Also, services are offered on a priority basis and to all students who are “income-eligible.”

Source: VUSD trustees to hear 2025-26 transportaton plan at tonight’s meeting – The Vacaville Reporter