Exhibitors wanted for FSUSD 8th-grade career fair | dailyrepublic.com

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The Fairfield-Suisun school district is looking for exhibitors for its “Inspire Dreams: Start Now” career exploration event for eighth-grade students.

“This unique initiative is designed to motivate students to discover their passions and envision future careers within their own community. Through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations with local professionals, students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of career paths and make valuable connections that can lead to mentoring, internships, and future employment,” the district said in a statement.

Source: Exhibitors wanted for FSUSD 8th-grade career fair | News | dailyrepublic.com

How ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ affects students, schools and colleges : NPR

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In just six months, the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress have brought lasting change – and enormous unpredictability – to federal education policy.

The U.S. Department of Education, under Secretary Linda McMahon, has cut roughly half its staff. It is also withholding nearly $7 billion in grant funding to school districts – for before- and after-school programs, teacher training, services for English language learners and more – while that funding undergoes further review.

Source: How ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ affects students, schools and colleges : NPR

Jesse Bethel High School Law Academy honored at statewide symposium – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

The Jesse Bethel High School Law Academy just keeps proving it’s a successful program.

The academy was recently honored with the Premier Law Academy Award at a statewide symposium hosted by the California Legal Pathways Collaborative, a program of the California Lawyers Foundation

Source: Jesse Bethel High School Law Academy honored at statewide symposium – Times Herald Online

Local superintendents react to education cuts – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Two Vacaville-area education leaders generally assailed the Trump administration’s recent withholding of nearly $7 billion in education funding just weeks before the start of the 2025-26 academic year but steered clear of questioning the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to gut the federal Department of Education, agreeing it was too early to foresee its outcome.

The high court on Monday ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with dismantling the DOE by firing about one-half the workforce, or some 1,300 employees who help to manage federal college loans, track student achievement and enforce civil right laws in schools, among other things.

Source: Local superintendents react to education cuts – The Vacaville Reporter

SROs make the grade – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

The Solano County Grand Jury recently released a report on School Resource Officers in Solano County schools, particularly from the Vacaville Police Department and Fairfield Police Department. The report, issued July 1, is largely complimentary of the 30+ year program, for which officers receive special training.

“It was clear to this Jury that the presence of SROs in those two Solano County cities’ school districts is very beneficial and should be operated in a manner to maximize efficiency within the program,” the report reads.

Source: SROs make the grade – The Vacaville Reporter

2025 National Youth Science Camp Delegates – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has named two outstanding students as California’s delegates to the 62nd annual National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp).

Uzochi Orji of Murrieta (Riverside County), a senior at Murrieta Mesa High in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, and Irene L. Pan of Fullerton (Orange County), a junior at Valencia High School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, were selected for their high achievement and proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).

“These two exemplary students are spearheading the future of our state in technology and industry by pursuing their interests in STEAM and are representing California as young researchers and as community leaders. I am confident they will continue to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community, to our state, and to our future,” said Thurmond. “I am immensely proud of them for their academic achievements and selection as California’s delegates to the National Youth Science Camp.”

Source: 2025 National Youth Science Camp Delegates – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

Vacaville Unified celebrates historic exam success – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Robin Miller

Vacaville Unified School District is celebrating a historic academic milestone as students achieved unprecedented success on Advanced Placement (AP) exams during the 2024-25 school year.

In a press release issued Wednesday, district officials announced that 1,040 AP exams were passed by students this year — more than ever before in the district’s history. The overall pass rate rose to 79 percent, a significant jump from last year’s 68 percent.

Source: Vacaville Unified celebrates historic exam success – The Vacaville Reporter

VCUSD’s 7-11 committee considers seven more schools that could see potential closure – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Sarah Rodriguez

A citizen-led advisory committee, otherwise known as the 7-11 committee, used a second meeting on school consolidation within the Vallejo City Unified School District to name seven targeted schools that could see a possible closing due to declining student enrollment.

The committee, entering Phase 2 of its series of meetings, said it is evaluating and rank-ordering the following seven school sites for potential closure. It is not known at this time how many, if any, of the schools will be closed.

Source: VCUSD’s 7-11 committee considers seven more schools that could see potential closure – The Vacaville Reporter

Griffin Academy teacher draws inspiration from the stars – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Sarah Rodriguez

As an astronomer, he has always looked to the stars. But as a musician — and occasional composer — Dr. Dan Peluso has always looked inward, where the rhythm lives in his chest.

His project and submission for the 2025–2026 U.S. Fulbright Scholars Program served as a crossover between the two.

Putting his admiration for both music and astronomy at the forefront of his work, the Griffin Academy astrophysics and mathematics teacher was able to secure semifinalist status, granting him the ultimate opportunity: Showcase his work on a larger stage.

Source: Griffin Academy teacher draws inspiration from the stars – The Vacaville Reporter

What do NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon and Mac Dre have in common? – SF Chronicle

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NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon and rap legend Mac Dre were in a Bay Area breakdance crew together as teenagers, according to local rapper Baby Bash.

The “Suga Suga” rapper, whose real name is Ronald Ray Bryant, claims that he attended Springstown Junior High School with Gordon and Mac Dre, in Vallejo, where the three men grew up.

Source: What do NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon and Mac Dre have in common?

Travis Credit Union Awards $40K in Scholarships – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Sarah Rodriguez

Every summer Travis Credit Union selects 20 local college-bound high school graduates to award the Community Impact Scholarship. This year, of those 20, eight were selected from Solano County schools.

“We are honored to support these outstanding students as they embark on their next chapter,” said Kevin Miller, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “Their hard work, resilience, and passion for giving back to their communities truly embody the spirit of Travis Credit Union’s Community Impact Scholarship.”

Source: Travis Credit Union Awards $40K in Scholarships to recent high school – The Vacaville Reporter

Vallejo council pushes parks, security towers, block parties, school safety – Times Herald Online

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By Janis Mara

The Vallejo City Council on Tuesday directed city staff to research measures to deter violent crime in the summer including purchasing security towers, developing a block party program, re-establishing a safety-oriented school program and subsidizing park programs for youth.

Staffers were asked to present proposed budget amendments funding the measures at the council’s regular meeting July 8. Also, the council directed staff to re-establish the Safe Start to School Programs at Lincoln Elementary, Hogan Middle School, St. Vincent Preschool through Eighth Grade and Pennycook Elementary School after school starts.

Source: Vallejo council pushes parks, security towers, block parties, school safety – Times Herald Online

Impoundment of Federal Funds – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

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Today, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and other education leaders called out egregious federal overreach and demanded the release of vital school funds that students and educators urgently need to start the 2025-26 school year.

The day before funding was set to be awarded, the California Department of Education (CDE) received notice that the Trump Administration will not be releasing billions of education dollars allocated by Congress for the upcoming school year, including but not limited to Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B. These funds are awarded annually on July 1 as part of critical funding that sustains America’s public schools. Based on prior year awards, CDE estimates that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is keeping $1 billion from California students and billions of dollars nationwide.

Source: Impoundment of Federal Funds – Year 2025 (CA Dept of Education)

VUSD summer school grads arrive at ‘the finish line’ – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

They did not receive their diplomas at their schools’ respective graduations in early June, but, by all accounts, including personal testimonies about hard work and stick-to-itiveness, they reached their goal Monday afternoon at Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy in Vacaville.

For Marcus Walker, the excitement of Vacaville Unified School District’s 2025 Senior Studies, or summer school, graduation appeared to match that of one of 15 graduates ready to walk across the stage in the McClellan Street high school’s multipurpose room.

Smiling from ear to ear, his face and eyes aglow, Walker said of his friend Leireana Kiliona Atanoa (who was among the graduates) “any time she walks into a room, she just lights it up.”

Source: VUSD summer school grads arrive at ‘the finish line’ – The Vacaville Reporter

Loma Vista Farm adding two new habitats – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

For 50 years Loma Vista Farm has become a staple in the Vallejo community by offering a quality experience of life for multiple animals. This past year the farm has worked on completing two new facilities that it hopes will help add at least another half century to providing more memories for the public.

The farm is just about finished with installing two new habitats, one of them a cow barn and the second being a chicken coup. The decision to make the two new habitats comes after realizing that many of the current facilities are old and outdated.

Source: Loma Vista Farm adding two new habitats – Times Herald Online

Cody Barr Awarded $27,000 Multi-Year Scholarship | Independent Voice

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Cody Barr, Dixon High School Class of 2025 graduate, is the Ernie and Mary Weyand Dixon Rotary Foundation Scholarship recipient for $27,000.Barr will attend Utah State University in the fall.

Barr will continue to receive this scholarship throughout all his higher education as long as he maintains a 3.0 GPA and majors in an agricultural-related field.

The Dixon Rotary Club is honored to be selected by Ernie and Mary Weyand to choose a student each year to receive their scholarship. The club wants to help Dixon students who want to pursue a higher education in an agricultural or agriculture-related field, so they set up a scholarship fund. Each year, a qualified student will receive a minimum of $25,000 as long as they meet the following criteria.

Source: Cody Barr Awarded $27,000 Multi-Year Scholarship | Independent Voice

VCUSD exiting state receivership 20 years after financial crisis – CBS San Francisco

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Officials with the Vallejo City Unified School District announced they will fully regain local control two decades after a financial crisis prompted a takeover by the state.

The district announced Monday that they will officially exit state receivership on June 30, following a multi-year process that included financial reforms and school closures.

“This is not just an administrative shift—it’s a full-circle moment for a district that has worked tirelessly to rebuild credibility, restore fiscal solvency, and center student success,” Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said in a statement. “Our entire community—educators, families, partners, and students—has contributed to this recovery, and we are ready to lead with discipline and vision.”

Source: Vallejo City Unified School District exiting state receivership 20 years after financial crisis – CBS San Francisco

School’s out, lunch is in – Times Herald Online

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By Robin Miller

While school may be out for summer, the kitchens at Vacaville Unified School District are still bustling with activity — and the lunch line is just as popular.

Thanks to the district’s Summer Meals Program, children 18 and under can enjoy free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday at four locations throughout Vacaville. From savory main dishes to colorful fresh fruit and boxed items, the program is helping to bridge the nutritional gap that can open up when school lets out and the regular lunch program pauses.

Source: School’s out, lunch is in – Times Herald Online

Local high school students get scholarships from Travis Credit Union | dailyrepublic.com

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Travis Credit Union has shared the recipients of its 2025 Community Impact Scholarship during a virtual award ceremony.

Each graduating high school senior received a $2,000 scholarship to support their college education, in recognition of their academic achievements and dedication to community service.

The TCU Community Impact Scholarship program has awarded more than $637,000 to more than 400 students since it was established 21 years ago.

Source: Local high school students get scholarships from Travis Credit Union | News | dailyrepublic.com

Girls in Robotics Leadership camp sparks curiosity and creativity – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Jojo Rios, her black laptop computer on her one of her knees, placed her hand on a blue Linkbot that was supposed to whir, click and putter along on a 4-by-6-foot mat in front of her as teammate Zoey Harbath looked on.

Inside an annex building Friday morning at Solano Community College’s Vacaville Center, the two middle school students were showcasing the softball-size plastic bot encased around a small electric motor. Although nudged by hand, it did not seem to move on the mat, dominated by an image of a racetrack, with three of its four main areas designated by names such as Pit Stop, Debris Grid and Lookout Area.

Source: Girls in Robotics Leadership camp sparks curiosity and creativity – The Vacaville Reporter