Monthly Archives: May 2012

Daily Republic: FSUSD Public Safety Academy hosts ‘show and tell’ for potential students

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by Heather Ah San

FAIRFIELD — The children of Fairfield want to make their city a safer place.

A group of 400 future and potential students of the Public Safety Academy learned how to help at a special demonstration at the Fairfield Police Department’s training facility near Enterprise Drive.

Children from fifth through eighth grade had a chance to explore the jobs of firefighters and police officers.

The children, and some curious parents, had a chance to tour nine different stations displaying the myriad aspects of being a community service member. At each station a police officer or firefighter was available to answer questions.

via Public Safety Academy hosts ‘show and tell’ for potential students.

Daily Republic: Special needs students rock out at annual dance

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by Heather Ah San

FAIRFIELD — Prom is a sacred yearly ritual for many students. The music, dancing, glamor and time with friends and loved ones are all a part of that ritual.

But prom and other annual dance rituals often aren’t in the cards for many special needs students who either can’t or opt not to go

Knowing that, some special education teachers and adapted physical education teachers put together an annual dance for all middle school and high school special needs students in the county.

via Special needs students rock out at annual dance.

Daily Republic: Assist-A-Grad rewards graduating seniors

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by Heather Ah San

FAIRFIELD — Many of the best and brightest high school seniors were honored Sunday as the Assist-A-Grad Scholarship Foundation awarded 196 scholarships to 136 students at their 43rd annual awards ceremony.

Students from all over Solano County were awarded up to three scholarships.

A total of 90 organizations or scholarship foundations presented recipients with individual scholarships at the 90-minute ceremony.

via Assist-A-Grad rewards graduating seniors.

Daily Republic: Solano black high school graduates honored

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by Heather Ah San

FAIRFIELD — Darnel David Dailey, a senior at Rodriguez High School, spoke to some of his fellow classmates and soon-to-be graduates about their future on Sunday.

All of these seniors were black students being honored at the 21st annual Baccalaureate at the St. Stephen CME Church.

Dailey spoke to his classmates about the uniqueness of their position, the opportunity they have and the importance their role plays as college-bound young African-Americans.

via Black high school graduates honored.

Benicia Herald: Before BUSD board, a final appeal on principal, journalism instructor speak about class cancellation threat

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By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

In a last-ditch effort to sway Benicia Unified School District officials, a pair of Benicia High School teachers spoke to the Board of Trustees Thursday and urged that Principal Gary Jensen not be let go.

“I think you are making a big mistake by getting rid of Gary Jensen,” said Lisa Honeycutt, chair of the school’s English department. “I am very sad to see him go.”

Jensen was hired in 2009. The district has been actively seeking his replacement since April 10. Questions about the cause of his dismissal have gone unanswered because of district policy regarding discussion of “personnel matters.”

via Before board, a final appeal on principal.

Benicia Herald: A Different Drummer: BHS Journalism Class Warm bodies

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By Steve Gibbs

IF YOU’VE BEEN READING THE FRONT PAGE LATELY you know that high school journalism is on the proverbial chopping block for next school year because of low enrollment. After our Annual Elective Fair a few months ago, where classes campaigned for sign-ups for next year, our applicant list totaled seven students. Boing!

What’s with that? Seven signups? We usually have a dozen or more. We redoubled our efforts and got our numbers up to 15. It was still not enough to be pulled off the chopping block.

No one wants to cancel high school journalism. Also, it’s hard — but not impossible — to justify running a class with low enrollment. Schools, like any business, prefer to bring in more revenue than they expend. It’s simple business sense. We would all like to see journalism teeming with enthusiastic students.

via A Different Drummer: Warm bodies.

The Educated Guess: Charters, Ed Coalition at odds over buildings

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By John Fensterwald – Educated Guess

The Education Coalition, the organization that represents mainstream education groups, announced its opposition Thursday to Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to require a school district to offer charter schools any building that it decides it no longer needs.

The proposal is one of several that the governor included in his May budget revision to benefit charters, which, the budget notes, receive lower state reimbursements than district schools and generally face higher facilities costs. But the Coalition noted that selling surplus property and using the proceeds for general fund purposes is “one of the few ways districts have mitigated cuts.”

via Charters, Ed Coalition at odds over buildings – by John Fensterwald – Educated Guess.

SCOE’s Facebook Wall: Students and staff in SCOE’s Dixon Post-Secondary class enjoyed Breakfast with Jay

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Students and staff in SCOE’s Dixon Post-Secondary class enjoyed Breakfast with Jay on May 17. Teacher Sandy Reynolds was selected in a random drawing to receive the breakfast during Employee Appreciation Week. The event was paid for by County Superintendent Jay Speck. Standing left to right: Carol Hopkins, Paraeducator; Jeanne Meyers, Speech Therapist; Yvette Ramos, Principal of Maine Prairie High School; Jay Speck (seated); Penee Hughes, Principal of the Irene Larsen Center; and Sandy Reynolds.

via Students and staff in SCOE’s Dixon Post-Secondary class enjoyed Breakfast with J….

Vallejo Times-Herald: Touro University students, faculty feed Vallejo youths’ hunger for knowledge

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By Sarah Rohrs

Almost like the green plants around them taking in the sun, several dozen Vallejo school children soaked up knowledge, fresh fruit and exercise under the sky during special field trips this week at Touro University.

Touro’s Mare Island campus served as a backdrop for four groups of elementary-aged children to plant trees, learn about the human body and enjoy healthy food and exercise this week.

via Touro University students, faculty feed youths’ hunger for knowledge.

The Reporter: Vacaville students get lesson in nature at Rockville Hills Regional Park

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By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com

From the outset, at 9:30 a.m., as some 40 Orchard Elementary School students, teachers and chaperones hiked up a steep path, one field trip theme, in part, was already clear: While we embrace technology, there is no smartphone app for Mother Nature.

Eager students in Valerie Blanchard and Lola Kraft’s third-grade classes on Thursday morning assembled at Rockville Hills Regional Park to make connections between their book lessons and what they saw, heard, smelled and touched in the 600-acre park, off Rockville Road in rural Fairfield.

via Vacaville students get lesson in nature at Rockville Hills ….

Vallejo Times-Herald: Survey – Vallejo teachers feel unsupported by district officials

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Vallejo teachers are more likely to leave the district due to a perceived lack of support from district administration than from concerns over safety.

That was one finding on a Vallejo Education Association survey made public Thursday night during a safety and school climate forum at First Presbyterian Church.

“A lot of teachers feel unsupported at our school site, that the administration is not at our backs,” said Rob Raven, a Vallejo High School teacher.

via Survey: Vallejo teachers feel unsupported by district officials.

Vallejo Times-Herald: Students celebrate 40th Vallejo Special Olympics

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Some did the limbo. Others ran — and ran fast.

However they moved, hundreds of Vallejo and Benicia students celebrated the 40th annual Vallejo Special Olympics on Thursday.

“I love it,” said Christopher Gordon, a 12-year-old Hogan Middle School student who came in fourth place during a hurdle event.

Christopher, who has Down Syndrome, added that he enjoyed having his friends and family at the event on Corbus Field at Vallejo High School.

The ability to compete and do activities on the field is what makes the Special Olympics so, well, special, said Beth Majchrzak, director of special education for the Vallejo City Unified School District.

via Students celebrate 40th Vallejo Special Olympics.

Daily Republic: Solano college cuts PE for physically, mentally disabled

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by David DeBolt

ROCKVILLE — For the second year in a row, Solano Community College’s fall class schedule will be thinner. Among the courses missing will be weightlifting and aquatics for physically and mentally disabled students.

The cuts bring tears to Marina Nitsche’s eyes. It took some nudging, but Nitsche enrolled in the adaptive PE classes at the college in 2010 at the urging of her doctor. She had chronic pain in her joints, was overweight and wore a size 28.

via Solano college cuts PE for physically, mentally disabled.

The Educated Guess: Full-scale assault on tenure, dismissal laws

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By John Fensterwald – Educated Guess

A nonprofit founded by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur has filed a sweeping, high-stakes lawsuit challenging state teacher protection laws. A victory would overturn a tenure, dismissal, and layoff system that critics blame for the hiring and retention of ineffective teachers. A loss in court could produce bad case law, impeding more targeted efforts to achieve some of the same goals.

via Full-scale assault on tenure, dismissal laws – by John Fensterwald – Educated Guess.

Vallejo Times-Herald: Vallejo schools, district preps for Friday furlough, shutdown

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Vallejo schools will shutter their doors Friday as a district-wide furlough day goes into effect.

“Everything is closed — the district office, all schools. No one will be at work,” said Alana Shackelford, spokeswoman for the Vallejo City Unified School District.

The furlough day comes a few months after the district’s negotiations with the Vallejo Education Association succeeded, with the union conceding one day this school year and up to five next year to help the district grapple with its deficit.

via Vallejo schools, district preps for Friday furlough, shutdown.

Daily Republic: Fairfield-Suisun school board approves redistricting plan

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by Susan Winlow

FAIRFIELD — With much discussion but little fanfare, the Fairfield-Suisun school board voted Wednesday on which way to send students to school next year after Sullivan Middle School closes.

The board approved redistricting “Option 2,” which, in addition to other changes, feeds all of Fairview Elementary students into Grange Middle School, giving those at the farthest reaches of the new boundaries a nearly four-mile walk — given the district has cut busing services because of financial constraints. Sheldon Elementary students, after a long tenure of feeding into Green Valley Middle School, will now have the option to go to Crystal Middle School, shortening their commute from an average of 6.2 miles to 1.6 miles.

via Fairfield-Suisun school board approves redistricting plan.

Daily Republic: Vote to cut Solano college theater funding will see second act

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by David DeBolt

ROCKVILLE — The fate of the Solano College Theatre Association ended at intermission Wednesday night.

After hearing impassioned cries from theater supporters, the Solano Community College governing board voted to delay its decision on cutting $750,000 from the theater group.

When it became clear the board was heading in that direction, people in the crowd stood up and clapped, leading to a standing ovation that begged for an encore. The encore will be at the board’s second meeting in June, when it will vote on the cut.

via Vote to cut Solano college theater funding will see second act.

Benicia Herald: Benicia High School newspaper faces ax

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By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

Benicia High School’s newspaper, the Paw, hasn’t missed an issue in more than 60 years, said Steve Gibbs, who teaches the journalism students who serve as the publication’s staff.

That may change next year, Gibbs said after receiving what he called “a sad, sad, sad, sad bit of news.”

He said Tuesday that a department chairperson told him Benicia Unified School District will cancel the journalism class and the school’s newspaper because only 15 students have enrolled.

via High school newspaper faces ax.

Benicia Herald: BUSD special ed policy change up for approval

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By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

An early start to Thursday night’s meeting of the Benicia Unified School District’s Board of Trustees presages a light agenda and short meeting.

Trustees will meet at 5 p.m. for closed session, with the open session following at 6 p.m. The reason? Trustees plan to attend open house events at the district’s four elementary schools.

One item up for approval is the district’s special education policy. The portion up for approval is a revised section that addresses Independent Educational Evaluations, or outside evaluations.

via Light slate for board trustees.

Benicia Herald: Staffers past and present promote Benicia High Paw

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By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

The Paw’s future, however, came into question this week when the school’s journalism teacher, Steve Gibbs, said he was told Monday by Lisa Honeycutt, the English department chairperson, that the first period journalism class faces cancellation.

Too few students had enrolled in journalism, Gibbs said, and without the class he has no staff to write, edit and design the paper, or to sell the advertisements that make the Paw pay its own way.

via Staffers past and present promote Paw.