SPI Hosts Historic Progress Pride Flag Raising – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today hosted a Progress Pride Flag Raising Ceremony and reception at the California Department of Education (CDE) to mark the first day of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. For the first time ever, in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the flag will fly at the CDE headquarters in Sacramento from June 1 through June 30.

“This flag is a representation and celebration of our diverse community and student body in the state of California,” said State Superintendent Thurmond. “We raise the Progress Pride Flag at the California Department of Education to stand in solidarity with our Black, indigenous, people of color, transgender, and intersectional queer students, educators, administrators, and families. At a time when there are leaders—nationally and right here in California—set on rolling back personal rights and banning texts that address issues of racism or sexual identity, the California Department of Education and I want to make it clear that we stand with our LGBTQ+ students and educators, and we applaud the many board members who have continued to uphold inclusivity.”

Source: SPI Hosts Historic Progress Pride Flag Raising – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

Will C. Wood announces eight student-athletes earn scholarships – Daily Republic

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Will C. Wood High School recently announced that eight student-athletes have received athletic scholarships to four-year colleges.

Darrius Hickinbottom and Raymond Lane from the football team are moving on to the next level. Hickinbottom will play at Western Oregon. Lane is headed for Adams State in Colorado.

Baseball players Mason Sayre and Jarren Ford are both headed to Hawaii Pacific. Softball standout Kaitlyn Martinez will go to North Dakota State.

Source: Will C. Wood announces eight student-athletes earn scholarships

Dixon’s Maine Prairie High celebrates 16 graduates – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Rebecca Wasik

Graduation season in Solano County kicked off on Wednesday night with 16 students from Maine Prairie High School in Dixon crossing their tassels to the left, thus crossing into a new stage of life.

The ceremony was held at the Dixon High Performing Arts Center. The graduates of the Dixon Unified School District’s continuation high school walked down the theater’s steps to “Pomp and Circumstance,” played by the Dixon High Band, and each took a seat in the front row.

MPHS Principal Yvette Ramos teared up as she addressed the Class of 2023.

Source: Dixon’s Maine Prairie High celebrates 16 graduates – The Vacaville Reporter

SPI Pledges to Help Counter the Fentanyl Crisis – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond provided testimony at a joint hearing of the California Assembly Select Committees on Fentanyl, Opioid Addiction, and Overdose Prevention; Public Safety; and Health to share updates on efforts he and the California Department of Education (CDE) have undertaken to address the ongoing opioid crisis that claimed the lives of over 6,800 Californians in 2021 alone

“There are plenty of resources to help. We all have the ability to help save a life,” Thurmond said. “So we encourage students who need help to call 9-8-8 and obviously any one of our thousand school districts can contact the CDE directly for help on how to access Narcan, drug prevention, education, and substance abuse treatment programs. I want to assure these committees and the people of California that my team at the CDE and I are doing what we can to fight the fentanyl epidemic. We are focused not only on prevention and education but effective treatments, especially naloxone (Narcan)—a lifesaving drug when administered after an opioid overdose.”

Source: SPI Pledges to Help Counter the Fentanyl Crisis – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

11 Vanden student-athletes celebrated for college scholarships – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Eleven student-athletes headed to four-year colleges on scholarships were honored Tuesday night at Vanden High School in what athletic director Sean Murphy called “the most decorated class in school history.”

Murphy said that this group of Vikings has been a part of eight Sac-Joaquin Section championships during their careers and “numerous league championships.”

“It says a lot about what they put into their four years,” Murphy told the assembled athletes, coaches, family, friends and teammates. “I truly feel our staff has gotten them prepared for college. We’re very proud of all of them.”

Source: 11 Vanden student-athletes celebrated for college scholarships

Graduation season is upon us – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

Warming temperatures signal the onslaught of summer and, just before that, the milestone of high school graduations.

Congratulations to outgoing seniors. We at The Reporter wish you the very brightest of futures.

Following is a partial list of northern Solano graduations. They include:

  • Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Maine Prairie, at Dixon High Theater
  • Thursday, 7 p.m.: Vacaville Christian Schools, at Falcon Field
  • Friday, 3 p.m.: Travis Education Center, at Gammon Stadium
  • Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dixon High, at Rams Stadium
  • Saturday, 10 a.m.: Vanden High, at Gammon Stadium
  • June 7, 6:30 p.m.: Muzetta Thrower AEC, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 8, 6:30 p.m.: Ernest Kimme, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 9 at 10 a.m.: Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, at Zunino Stadium
  • June 9 at 6:30 p.m.: Will C. Wood High, at Wildcat Stadium
  • June 10, 9 a.m.: Vaca High, at Zunino Stadium

Vacaville Unified School District will be livestreaming the graduations of Will C. Wood High, Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy, Vaca High, Muzetta Thrower Adult Education Center and Ernest Kimme Charter Academy on both YouTube and Facebook.

Source: Graduation season is upon us – The Vacaville Reporter

Teachers, police officers honored at Vallejo skating event – Times-Herald

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By Daniel Egitto

Community members of all ages strapped on protective gear and stepped into roller skates Saturday morning at a celebration of Vallejo public servants.

Skate to Appreciate — organized by local youth outreach groups First Chance Vallejo and Angels with Heart — honored four Vallejo Police Department officers and five Vallejo educators for their service. Celina Perez, First Chance Vallejo’s executive director, said children involved in the groups voted on who to recognize.

“They just wanted to appreciate the police officers because they said they don’t get appreciated enough,” said Perez. “And they wanted to appreciate their teachers because they only get one day in the year.”

Source: Teachers, police officers honored at Vallejo skating event – Times-Herald

Top finishers announced for ‘FSUSD Runs This!’ event – Daily Republic

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Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District hosted the “FSUSD Runs This!” community fun run on Saturday, May 13.

The free event allowed individuals of all ages and abilities to participate in a 1 Mile or 5K run or walk, emphasizing the importance of physical activity, community connections, and more fit youth.

The event was held at Crescent Elementary School and 366 participants turn out from the local community and schools. Participants had the option of an untimed mile run or walk on campus ,or a timed 5K (3.1 miles) encompassing the school grounds and city paths. The 5K race incorporated Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chip timing to ensure accurate results.

Source: Top finishers announced for ‘FSUSD Runs This!’ event

Solano College graduates fill Doc Hollister, again, with dreams, hopes, joy – Daily Republic

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Andrea Solis Olguin found her dream at Solano Community College.

“It is the first place I felt where I belonged,” said Olguin, who delivered the Student Commencement speech at the 2023 Solano Community College graduation on Thursday.

It was the first in-person graduation since 2019, and it was greeted with a cool breeze, and a soft blue sky dotted with milky, translucent gray-white clouds.

Source: Solano College graduates fill Doc Hollister, again, with dreams, hopes, joy

Community aid sought to open new Fairfield open space area – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

Do you want trails? Wildflowers? Picnics with views?

The perfect spot is in Fairfield, Solano Land Trust folks advised Wednesday morning, and your help is needed as the organization slides into the home stretch in readying the green space to open later this year.

“We are in our final push,” Nicole Braddock, executive director, advised the group gathered at the base of Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park on Rockville Road, where a faux fundraising thermometer had been installed. “Every amount helps.”

Source: Community aid sought to open new Fairfield open space area – The Vacaville Reporter

Griffin Technology Academy announce progress on campus construction project – Times-Herald

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Griffin Technology Academy announced on Tuesday that its campus construction project — aiming to bring modern facilities to Vallejo and a $48 million state-funded project to the area — is waiting on final approval.

Superintendent Nick Driver of Griffin Technology Academies announced in a news release that final measures to secure Proposition 51 funding are making “tremendous” progress.

“GTA has made a tremendous amount of progress over the last 12 months and I wanted to share the positive news with our school families, staff and board members as well as the Vallejo community at large,” Driver said. “We are eager to break ground and bring immediate jobs to Vallejo that will result in a safe and conducive environment to fulfill our educational mission as GTA recommits and reinvests in Vallejo’s future.”

Source: Griffin Technology Academy announce progress on campus construction project – Times-Herald

Summer reading program kicks off June 1- Daily Republic

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Solano County Library will begin its Summer Reading Challenge program on June 1.

The program is open to all ages: children, teens and adults. Library users can sign up at any Solano County Library location.

“Log your reading or complete activities to earn prizes. Read anything you want: books, eBooks, graphic novels, magazines, audiobooks – (they) all count,” Library Services said in a statement. “New this year, all children will receive a book of their choice when they sign up. Everyone receives prizes for reaching their reading goal. Adults will earn a commemorative enamel pin, and teens and children will earn book prizes.”

Source: Summer reading program kicks off June 1

SPI Announces Implementation of Proposition 28 – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond joined fellow proponents of Proposition 28, passed by voters in 2022, to launch the Promise of Proposition 28 in Los Angeles on May 22, 2023. Proposition 28 provides nearly $1 billion annually in funding for arts and music throughout California schools so students in all grades can participate in arts and music programs. Superintendent Thurmond joined initiative proponents including former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner, artists Aloe Blacc and Will.i.am, the California Teachers Association, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 99 as well as philanthropists, school administrators, current arts and music educators, education union representatives, and aspiring arts educators at the Music Center in L.A. to discuss how the $933 million in funding will be rolled out this fall for the 2023–24 school year.

“California voters overwhelmingly voted to support this nation-leading investment—the largest investment in arts and music education in the country,” Superintendent Thurmond, an early proponent of Proposition 28, said. “The arts are a necessary part of a well-rounded education. We know the arts help kids connect with school and have a positive impact on student attendance and school climate. With these funds, we are providing every student with a creative outlet.”

Source: SPI Announces Implementation of Proposition 28 – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

County will conduct special election for Vacaville school district – Daily Republic

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The Solano County supervisors on Tuesday authorized the registrar of voters to run a special election for the Trustee Area 4 seat on the Vacaville Unified School District board.

The school board had appointed David McCallum to replace Cecil Conley, who resigned, but a protest petition was filed with the Solano County Office of Education to force the special election.

Among the issues are parental concerns about the district developing what they believe is a critical race theory or equity policy without public input.

Source: County will conduct special election for Vacaville school district

FSUSD board president seeks public’s help locating grandchildren – Daily Republic

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The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District on Monday released a plea for information on the whereabouts of the grandchildren of the school board president, the Rev. David C. Isom.

The two siblings, on March 17, were reportedly taken by their biological mother, Christina Elena Trent, 35, from Franklin Elementary School in Liberty, Missouri.

Source: FSUSD board president seeks public’s help locating grandchildren

Fairfield girl donating Lemonade Day profits to animal shelters – Daily Republic

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A 9-year-old Laurel Creek Elementary School student is donating the $190 she earned from Lemonade Day in Vacaville to a pair of no-kill animal shelters.

Lola Persephone Storey plans to take the money next weekend to the SPCA in Vacaville and the Humane Society in Vallejo.

She also plans to have at least two more lemonade pop-ups this summer, profits from which also will go to a shelter.

Source: Fairfield girl donating Lemonade Day profits to animal shelters

Vanden ROTC earns Distinguished Unit with Merit award – Daily Republic

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The Vanden High Air Force Jr. ROTC CA-20011 was selected as a Distinguished Unit with Merit. This year, only 12 percent of the 850 Air Force JROTC high schools across the United States and at selected schools in Europe, in the Pacific, and in Puerto Rico were recognized with the honor.

Worldwide enrollment includes more than 100,000 cadets who do over 1 million hours of community service each year. This award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have performed well above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force JROTC citizen development mission for America.

Source: Vanden ROTC earns Distinguished Unit with Merit award

Travis hosts local high schools for “Spark Challenge” > Travis Air Force Base > News

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By Senior Airman Alexander Merchak 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

The 60th Air Mobility Wing Phoenix Spark Innovation cell and the Solano County Office of Education co-hosted the Travis Spark Challenge, inviting students from local high schools to compete to solve installation-based problem sets on May 19, 2023.

More than 60 students from 11 different local schools came together to provide innovative solutions to issues such as gate traffic flow, dining facility logistics and perimeter installation security.

“We wanted to have a way for these kids to get involved with their community and Travis is a big part of that community,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sean McKinney, 60th Air Mobility Wing Phoenix Spark superintendent. “I thought involving those in the academia world here in Solano County would pull a lot of value in their eyes, maybe even spark a vison of joining the Air Force.”

Source: Travis hosts local high schools for “Spark Challenge” > Travis Air Force Base > News

Fairfield-Suisun school board’s response to self evaluation full of emotions – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Discouraged and disheartened were two words used to describe the results of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District board’s self-evaluation, which was discussed at Thursday’s evening meeting.

A survey was sent to seven board members to fill out and return asking whether board members felt that the goals set last June were achieved.

The assessment survey covered board-performance items such as vision-setting, curriculum, personnel, finance, policy development, collective bargaining, community relations and advocacy.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board’s response to self evaluation full of emotions

Solano third-graders recycle for class cash – Daily Republic

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A trio of Vallejo elementary classrooms led the way in this year’s WERecycle! Challenge.

Jeannette Starring’s class at Dan Mini Elementary earned $133.07 in California Refund Value refunds, and Jennifer Wheelhouse’s and Melissa Nilson’s classes at Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy earned $135.66.

“My students and their families got really involved with this challenge. During school, some of my students went around our campus during their recess and looked for any recyclable materials, even items that didn’t have the CRV on them. You know that’s huge because kids hate giving up their recess,” Starring said in a statement released by the Solano Resource Conservation District.

Source: Solano third-graders recycle for class cash