TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Will the Vanden High stadium be named for a well-known student-athlete who was shot on Easter 2021 and died two weeks later?

A committee convened to consider naming the stadium in memory of Daniel Hughes, 17, will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Travis Education Center, 2775 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield.

The Naming of the Facility Committee, as it is being called, will hear Dejon Hughes, Daniel’s father, and supporters of the idea argue that the idea should be presented to the Travis Unified governing board for consideration and possibly a vote.

Source: TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

CA must act to address mental health and suicide crises | The Sacramento Bee

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These are difficult days for my students of the past, the present and the future. They need more from us.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The need for better help and better health and my deepening concern for the well-being of our kids had led me to share my own story of struggling with mental health.

April 16, 2018, was one of those days I thought I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed. My body was fine, but my mental health was not. The depression that has been an unwelcome companion of mine throughout my life had me under its control again. I had my plan, including a bottle of pills, and was ready to follow it.

Source: CA must act to address mental health and suicide crises | The Sacramento Bee

TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Will the Vanden High stadium be named for a well-known student-athlete who was shot on Easter 2021 and died two weeks later?

A committee convened to consider naming the stadium in memory of Daniel Hughes, 17, will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Travis Education Center, 2775 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield.

The Naming of the Facility Committee, as it is being called, will hear Dejon Hughes, Daniel’s father, and supporters of the idea argue that the idea should be presented to the Travis Unified governing board for consideration and possibly a vote.

Source: TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

Griffin Technology Academies has new MOU with VCUSD – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

Griffin Technology Academies and the Vallejo City Unified School District announced a memorandum of understanding in response to the school district’s notice of violation issued to the academy last spring.

According to GTA news release, this provides “benchmark remedies to guarantee transparency, accountability and a strong academic program.”

Last spring the district sent out draft Notices of Violations and Opportunity to Cure to GTA last month. A Notice of Violations is the first step in initiating charter revocation proceedings against the four charter schools.

Source: Griffin Technology Academies has new memorandum of understanding with Vallejo City Unified School District – Times-Herald

Fairfield-Suisun appoints communications, public information manager – Daily Republic

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Lindsey Michels has been appointed as communications manager and public informations officer for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.

Michels brings notable experience ito the roles, including past duties of managing social media content and building communication channels with students, faculty members and the community.

Michels earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from California State University, Chico. She has a master’s in International Public Relations and Global Communications Management from Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun appoints communications, public information manager

CA kindergarten saw big enrollment drop during pandemic. What’s happening now? – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Howard Blume

No grade level suffered a steeper enrollment drop during the COVID-19 pandemic than kindergarten, driven by what many parents saw as the futility of placing a 5-year-old in front of a computer all day.

When campuses reopened, enrollment somewhat rebounded, but an overall downward trend deeply worried educators, knowing the harm that missing kindergarten can mean for a child’s development.

For that reason, many expressed disappointment that Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday took a step back from a historic expansion of early education by vetoing one bill that would have made kindergarten mandatory and a second bill that would have required school systems to offer a full-day kindergarten.

Source: California kindergarten saw big enrollment drop during pandemic. What’s happening now? – The Vacaville Reporter

Communications specialist and former reporter runs for VUSD board – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Zachary Cimaglio

With new companies and career opportunities popping up in Vacaville, the city has become a melting pot of youth seeking jobs and long-term success.

To nurture this success, many students may need guidance from someone who understands their personal needs, a role which Jacqui Nguyen, a communications specialist and former television reporter, hopes to fill if elected to the Vacaville Unified School District school board.

Nguyen immigrated to the United States from Saigon, Vietnam in 1975 seeking educational and career opportunities for her and her siblings in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. She was part of the first wave of people migrating on boats from the war-torn nation in search of sanctuary and success.

Source: Communications specialist and former reporter runs for Vacaville Unified school board – The Vacaville Reporter

Fairfield-Suisun school board OKs unaudited financial report – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees on Thursday approved the unaudited financial report for the previous academic year.

The report represents the financial status of all funds of the district at the end of the school year on June 30. It will serve as the basis for the 2021-22 audit report submitted to the Solano County Superintendent of Schools, according to Amanda Rish, director of Fiscal Services, who presented the report to the board.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board OKs unaudited financial report

Solano schools office receives grant for student salmon monitoring project – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Office of Education has been awarded a $300,000 Bay Watershed Education and Training grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The grant focuses on engaging teachers and students in citizen science to help solve a mystery threatening the salmon population in California’s ecosystems.

Solano County Office of Education’s grant program, dubbed the Spinning Salmon Citizen Science Monitoring Project, launched Friday with a two-day training for a small pilot group of teachers from across Solano County at Office of Education’s main office in Fairfield.

Source: Solano schools office receives grant for student salmon monitoring project

VUSD board candidate hopes to bring years of leadership to the district – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Zachary Cimaglio

One needs to look only as far back as a year or two, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, to see the kinds of unprecedented needs that the Vacaville Unified School District has had to rapidly adapt to.

This kind of versatility and understanding of the community is what school board candidate Nancy Dunn said she hopes to bring to the table in her campaign this year.

Should she win the election, Dunn said she hopes to make schools safer, more welcoming and more attractive for new hires who will be more likely to stay long term and make decisions based on the needs of their specific school.

Source: Vacaville Unified school board candidate hopes to bring years of leadership to the district – The Vacaville Reporter

Vacaville sixth graders invited to alien-themed dance party – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt this news-reading session with a special bulletin from the Vacaville Parks and Recreation Department. On Oct. 28, Ulatis Community Center will be invaded by aliens.

No need to worry, as these friendly Martians come in peace and seek only to dance and potentially win a costume contest.

Parks and Rec is hosting a special alien invasion-themed dance party for local sixth graders who register and wear their best extraterrestrial and UFO-themed costumes for chance to win one of two prizes. There will also be games, snacks and music spun by a live DJ. Come sail through the cosmos for a party that will truly be out of this world.

Source: Vacaville sixth graders invited to alien-themed dance party – The Vacaville Reporter

CA Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Program 2022 – Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

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Does your school offer an exceptional model for whole-school sustainability, including healthy food and nutrition, health and wellness, and school gardens? If so, then consider applying for the California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) recognition program.

The purpose of this program is to honor excellence in whole-school sustainability while spotlighting replicable best practices.

Eligibility

Eligible award recipients include school districts, county offices of education, kindergarten through grade twelve public and private schools, and early education centers. Participation in the CA-GRS recognition program is optional.

Source: CA Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Program 2022 – Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

Fairfield High set to honor new inductees into Athletic Hall of Fame – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

The Fairfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee recently announced the addition of 10 individuals and one team as 2022 inductees.

The group includes Coach Clyde Carpino (track and field), Jared Biggs (football and track and field), Chris Hammer (wrestling), Michael Morris (basketball), Jennifer Martinez Wright (softball), Paris Gravely (basketball and track and field), James Lake (basketball, football and track and field), Frank Lake (football and track and field) and Jordan Wallace Romero (softball, volleyball and baseball).

Source: Fairfield High set to honor new inductees into Athletic Hall of Fame

Vaca High students get wacky for homecoming – The Vacaville Reporter

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Dressed in crazy outfits, Vacaville High School seniors Aniyah Morris, 17 (left), and Ruth Toe, 18 dance across the stage during a wacky fashion show Wednesday at lunchtime. The event is organized by the Vaca High Student Council and is part of the school’s Homecoming week festivities. The Bulldogs battle El Cerrito High School Friday night at Tom Zunino Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with the Homecoming queen crowned at halftime with fireworks filling the evening sky.

Source: Photo: Vaca High students get wacky for homecoming – The Vacaville Reporter

Fund-raising effort begins for Joe Pastrana, Vallejo High coach who was shot – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

A gofundme account has been set up for Joe Pastrana, the Vallejo High School football coach shot Tuesday afternoon outside the school after he helped break up a fight.

Pastrana has been released from a hospital and is in stable condition at home with his family. According to his sister, Jocilee Pastrana, “proceeds donated will go directly to Coach Joe, his wife, son Joey, as well as his daughter on the way to help support and cover all legal/medical expenses being occurred as we’re faced with the aftermath.”

The gofundme page has already received more than $3,000 of its $15,000 goal. As of 4 p.m. on Friday, 55 people had made donations to the page. The site is www.gofundme.com/f/wrongful-shooting-at-vhs-of-coach-joe.

Source: Fund-raising effort begins for Joe Pastrana, Vallejo High coach who was shot – Times-Herald

Fairfield-Suisun trustees set to review school finances – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Trustees of the Fairfield-Suisun School District will receive an update Thursday on the district’s financial health.

Amanda Rish, director of Fiscal Services, will give a presentation on the unaudited financial status of the district.

This financial statement represents the financial status of all funds of the district as of June 30 and will be the basis for the 2021-2022 audit report submitted to the Solano County Superintendent of Schools.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun trustees set to review school finances

FSUSD High School Students Explore Opportunities in Construction Trades – Daily Republic

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TEAMWRKX Construction and BMW of Fairfield hosted a community outreach event on September 14, 2022 at BMW of Fairfield’s new dealership construction site. TEAMWRKX Construction, BMW of Fairfield, and other participating community partners welcomed students from Armijo High School’s Building Trades classes along with students from Vacaville, Will C. Wood, Napa, and American Canyon high schools to the construction site of Fairfield’s BMW new and improved dealership on Auto Mall Parkway.

The event allowed high school students interested in the construction and engineering trades to tour the new building and construction site. Students also had the opportunity to meet with electricians, carpenters, roofers, and other tradespeople from the construction and engineering sectors.

Source: Good News: FSUSD High School Students Explore Opportunities in Construction Trades

Grab a slice, meet with Travis school board candidate – The Vacaville Reporter

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Those wishing to learn more about Travis Unified School District Governing Board candidate Maria Figueroa will have an opportunity to do so Sunday. As an incentive, they will also be served pizza.

Figueroa is running in Area 2, which encompasses the portions of Vacaville and Fairfield that serve TUSD. She will be discussing her platform and why she wishes to serve on the board. Napa-based food truck Taste of Tuscany will serve wood-fired pizzas.

More information on Figueroa’s campaign can be found at Maria4tusd.com.

Source: Grab a slice, meet with Travis school board candidate – The Vacaville Reporter

Fair Board to put final touches on virtual Youth Ag Day – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

The Solano County Fair Association directors on Wednesday will be updated on the status of the 2022 Youth Ag Day virtual videos.

“What we hope we have created is an educational platform . . . available to any teacher to use as (an agriculture) resource,” Mike Ioakimedes, executive director and chief executive officer, said in a phone interview.

The target is elementary grade levels.

Source: Fair Board to put final touches on virtual Youth Ag Day

Markham Elementary heralds completion of Measure A projects – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Edwin Markham Elementary School has changed quite a bit in the last few years. The 60-year-old campus now has new classrooms, a new cafeteria, administration building and library, all due to $35 million from Vacaville Unified School District’s Measure A bond.

The project, one of the largest under the Measure A initiative, was finished amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but with restrictions lifted and people allowed to meet fully in person, a brief ceremony was held Friday morning to commemorate the completion.

Against a backdrop of black and turquoise balloons and with wolf mascot Edwin pumping up the crowd, Principal Jose Bermudez welcomed everyone to “the new and improved Markham.”

Source: Markham Elementary heralds completion of Measure A projects – The Vacaville Reporter