Vacaville district leaders to consider after-school learning contracts – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified School District leaders, will use Thursday’s meeting to consider after-school learning contracts totaling nearly $3 million — money from the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program budget — for several district elementary schools.

Administrators will ask trustees to approve two contracts for the 2024-25 academic year.

One is “Right at School,” budgeted for an amount not to exceed $2 million. It will provide enrichment programming and staffing not only for the expanded learning program, but also for After School Education Safety programs at Cooper, Markham, Padan, Fairmont, Hemlock, Orchard and Sierra Vista K-8. The service provider is Right at School, a company based in Evanston, Ill.

Source: Vacaville district leaders to consider after-school learning contracts – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano County Supervisors approve bills, unveil early learning center – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

The Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a slew of bills and was presented a presentation on a Vallejo Early Learning Center at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Board approved several pieces of legislation including Senate Bill 2265, which prohibits an impounded stray dog or cat from being euthanized six business days after being impounded, and requires any public animal control agency, shelter, or private entity to release those animals to a nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization before the scheduled euthanasia.

The bill will impose a state-mandated local program.

Source: Solano County Supervisors approve bills, unveil early learning center – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville People’s Forum Presents Be You! 2024: A Celebration for Special Needs Awareness – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Michael Montalvo

The Vacaville People’s Forum announced its fourth annual Be You! event, set to take place from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Play4All Park in Vacaville.

This free gathering is made possible through collaboration with City Councilmember Michael Silva and the Measure M District Dollars Program.

The event embraces the theme of diversity and inclusivity, while also aiming to spotlight the unique qualities and contributions of differently-abled individuals within the community. Serving as a platform for celebration, the event underscores the importance of acknowledging and valuing every member of society.

Source: Vacaville People’s Forum Presents Be You! 2024: A Celebration for Special Needs Awareness – The Vacaville Reporter

Support Special Olympics get dinner served by law enforcement | dailyrepublic.com

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Enjoy a free dinner at Texas Roadhouse served by local law enforcement, 4 to 8;30 p.m. May 2 to help raise funds for Special Olympics.

The Fairfield Police, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Solano County Probation will wait tables serving a pulled pork sandwich, steak fries, fresh baked honey cinnamon and butter bread and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Diners are asked to leave a monetary tip which will be donated directly to the Special Olympics.

Source: Support Special Olympics get dinner served by law enforcement | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vacaville student receives $5K scholarship | dailyrepublic.com

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Joseph Bernard of Vacaville was awarded the $5,000 Stitt Family Aeronautics, Aerospace & Aviation Scholarship on April 8.

Bernard is a student from Elise P. Buckingham Charter School.

This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing the field of aeronautical engineering, aerospace or aviation and need financial assistance.

Source: Good News: Vacaville student receives $5K scholarship | Vacaville-Dixon-Winters | dailyrepublic.com

Rodriguez student prepares for senior recital on May 5 | dailyrepublic.com

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By Amy Maggins-Honey

Rowan Dalisay, 17, will perform her senior recital of German Art Song and other selections on May 5.

The alto singer, who was born and raised in Fairfield, has been involved with the Young Artists Conservatory of Music for eight years.

She had been singing since she was a toddler. “My parents decided that it might be beneficial to explore vocal lessons as it might be something I could develop into a true talent,” she shared in an email.

Source: Rodriguez student prepares for senior recital on May 5 | Musical Instruments | dailyrepublic.com

SPI Hosts California Apprenticeship Summit – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today hosted a California Apprenticeship Summit to raise awareness of apprenticeship opportunities and career technical education pathways that connect California’s youth to high-wage, high-growth career opportunities. The summit took place at the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California in Sacramento and featured a panel of industry experts, educators, and students.

“What makes registered apprenticeship unique as an educational opportunity is that it disrupts the myth that our young people need to choose between investing in their learning and earning right away. By becoming apprentices, students enter pathways that support their learning, provide mentorship, workplace protections, and a clear path to advancement that means a student’s first job out of high school can truly become their career,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “These job skills and technical knowledge—which can be obtained through apprenticeship programs—are the foundation for a strong economy and community in the years to come.”

Source: SPI Hosts California Apprenticeship Summit – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

Jennifer Sachs is new FSUSD superintendent – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Thomas Gase

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District Governing Board announced on Thursday afternoon the hiring of Jennifer Sachs as the new superintendent.

This decision follows the Board’s previous unanimous approval of her appointment at the March 28 Special Governing Board meeting.

Sachs’ employment agreement includes a three-year term with a beginning salary of $270,000. She is set to officially begin work on May 1.

Source: Jennifer Sachs is new Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District superintendent – The Vacaville Reporter

FSUSD hosts middle school Special Olympics – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

Just days after the torch was lit for the 2024 Olympics in Paris this summer, some Solano County students got the chance to participate in an Olympics of their own.

The Fairfield Suisun Unified School District hosted a Special Olympics event for middle schoolers from seven schools across the district on Friday, giving them the chance to compete in a variety of track and field events at Fairfield High School’s football field.

Following an opening ceremony, where the Olympic theme was played and students walked in carrying banners for their respective schools, one student from each school participated in a torch relay. Students then cycled through discus, shot put and javelin events, as well as several footraces.

Source: FSUSD hosts middle school Special Olympics – The Vacaville Reporter

State legislative committee OKs school district fiscal health bill – Lake County News

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By Elizabeth Larson

Legislation advanced on Wednesday from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would help protect the finances of California public schools faced with the challenge of declining enrollment by extending the authority of local school boards to consider the fiscal impact of new charter school applications.

“When it comes to educating our children, locally elected school boards must decide how our precious resources are spent,” Sen. Dodd said. “They must have the tools to recover from financial setbacks due to declining enrollment and focus their funds where they will have the greatest benefit. I appreciate the committee support for my bill, which will help rebuild strong schools and ensure everyone has access to the best education possible.”

Enrollment in California public schools has declined over the past two decades because of several factors including a declining birth rate and migration from California.

Source: Lake County News,California – State legislative committee OKs school district fiscal health bill

Charter schools concerned about Dodd’s advancing legislation | dailyrepublic.com

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By Todd R. Hansen

Charter schools such as Kairos Public Schools in Vacaville are concerned with state legislation that on Wednesday cleared the Senate Education Committee.

Senate Bill 1380 provides an additional five years for school districts coming out of receivership to use the potential of fiscal impacts of a new charter school to deny those applications. Districts in receivership already have that authority, which Vallejo City Unified School District used in 2022 to deny Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy from adding a high school to its K-8 school.

Districts receive funding based on their average daily student attendance, so new schools could pull students away from those already troubled districts.

Source: Charter schools concerned about Dodd’s advancing legislation | News | dailyrepublic.com

New era begins with Sach at FSUSD | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) Governing Board welcomed the new superintendent at Thursday night’s meeting with the final approval of her contract.

Superintendent Jennifer Sachs will be officially take her position on May 1.

The terms of her employment agreement includes a three-year term with a beginning salary of $270,000. It will run through June 30, 2027.

Source: New era begins with Sach at FSUSD | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis looks at 27 candidates for Superintendent position | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Travis Board of Trustees will look at 27 applicants in the search for replacement of Superintendent Pam Conklin.

On April 19 in a special closed session meeting they will go over resumes and chose the best candidates to pull in for a formal interviews.

Then in May they will hold a special meeting with the candidates. The potentials will be doing interviews with a panel of community board participants who will then give there opinions to the school board on the candidates.

Source: Travis looks at 27 candidates for Superintendent position | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Rodriguez gets a new mascot | dailyrepublic.com

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Rodriguez High School will be showing off a new school mascot at the Earth Art Walk in Suisun through the month of April.

During Covid lockdown the school mascot was stolen and has not been recovered. Students from the Tennies & T’s club, National Arts Honor Society chapter at Rodriguez, decided to replace the stolen school mascot with a recycled materials mascot.

It took students four years to complete him.

Source: Rodriguez gets a new mascot | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Travis hears updates on possible sixth-grade move | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Travis board of Trustees heard an update on the latest information for the possible reconfiguration of the sixth grade in the Travis School District.

As part of the investigation of possible grade-span reconfiguration, the staff have been exploring facilities options related to moving sixth grade to Golden West Middle School.

The report covered the possibility of not moving sixth grades and staying in the same facilities or moving to Golden West.

Source: Travis hears updates on possible sixth-grade move | Education | dailyrepublic.com

On TUSD agenda: Initial contract hearings for teachers, support staff – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Hearings for initial contract proposals from the Travis Unified Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association are on the agenda when the Travis Unified School District board meets tonight in Fairfield.

Open to the public, the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Travis Education Center, 2775 DeRonde Drive.

Teachers and trustees will be negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement to replace and supersede the current contract, which is in effect through June 30.

Source: On TUSD agenda: Initial contract hearings for teachers, support staff – The Vacaville Reporter

STEAM Discover Festival set for Saturday at Solano College | dailyrepublic.com

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The Solano County Office of Education has partnered with the Benicia Makerspace and Solano Community College to host the STEAM Discovery Festival on Saturday.

“Engaging young people in hands-on STEAM experiences fosters creativity, exploration, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. We appreciate the partnership with the Benicia Makerspace and Solano Community College who have helped us bring this opportunity to youth across Solano County,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.

Source: STEAM Discover Festival set for Saturday at Solano College | News | dailyrepublic.com

Solano students get crash course in adult financing | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

Kids learned the basics of creating a budget and spending within their means at the annual Mad City Money program on Saturday.

Since 2009, Travis Credit Union in Vacaville has been providing thousands of students with a one-day financial boot camp.

The lessons learned probably will help their parents as well with some going home and sharing what they learned.

“We have had more than 10,000 students take the course,” said Michelle Sabolich, AVP, Corporate Communications Travis Credit Union. “They learn to budget through in-person learning and using an app on their phones.”

Source: Solano students get crash course in adult financing | News | dailyrepublic.com

Former St. Helena school district head appointed next schools superintendent for Vallejo – Vallejo Sun

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By Scott Morris

Former St. Helena Unified School District Superintendent Rubén Aurelio has been hired as the new superintendent of the Vallejo City Unified School District, the district announced on Wednesday.

Aurelio’s hiring will be effective July 1 and he will succeed Superintendent William Spalding, who is retiring at the end of this school year, the district said in a press release. He was unanimously chosen during a special closed session of the Board of Education on March 16 and his appointment was confirmed this week.

Aurelio previously served in various capacities across nearby districts. For the last two years, he was superintendent of St. Helena Unified, an affluent and high performing but much smaller district in Napa County of 1,199 students, according to his LinkedIn profile. There are about 10,000 students in the Vallejo school district.

Source: Former St. Helena school district head appointed next schools superintendent for Vallejo

Scholarship to honor beloved Vallejo teacher who died last year – Vallejo Sun

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By John Glidden

Nancy Orpilla was meant to be a teacher. Described as being patient, calm, and never having a bad word to say about any of her students, Orpilla’s death of cancer last year left a hole in the Vallejo school district that will likely never fully heal.

A beloved 1st grade teacher at Federal Terrace Elementary School, Orpilla died of lung cancer in April 2023. Her family, former colleagues and students are on a mission to support the next generation of teachers with a scholarship fund in her memory.

“Nancy loved being a teacher in Vallejo. She loved her students, she loved her colleagues,” said Orpilla’s husband, Mel Orpilla, who helped spearhead the memorial scholarship to honor his late wife.

Source: Scholarship to honor beloved Vallejo teacher who died last year