Monthly Archives: August 2013

Fairfield-Suisun school board sets budget priorities – Daily Republic

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By Mike Corpos

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield-Suisun school board agreed on four main budget priorities Thursday for the 2013-14 school year, with a boost in employee compensation topping the list.

The decisions came after an extensive discussion during a budget workshop.

As each board member listed his or her priorities. Four topics rose to the top of the list. The board handed them off to the district administration to research and come back with dollar figures attached.

via Fairfield-Suisun school board sets budget priorities Daily Republic.

Education fair to highlight California academic options – Sacramento Bee

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By Loretta Kalb

Thousands of parents and students are expected to attend a free education fair Saturday at California State University, Sacramento, to get information about California school programs and services as well as options for college attendance.

The event, “Feria de Educación: Es El Momento” (“Education Fair: It is the Time”), will begin at 9:30 a.m. with remarks by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, in the University Union ballroom.

via Education fair to highlight California academic options – Education – The Sacramento Bee.

Obama’s Big Higher Education Push: Does it Have a Shot? – Education Week

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By Alyson Klein

The big news today is President Barack Obama’s push to create a new rating system for colleges. The proposed system would take into account affordability, outcomes such as graduation rates, and how well schools provide access to populations such as Pell Grant recipients. The rating system could be tied to the $150 billion in student financial aid the federal government gives out each year.

The administration is also encouraging colleges to become more innovative, by promoting dual enrollment, for example. Much more from my colleague Caralee Adams, of College Bound fame.

via Obama’s Big Higher Education Push: Does it Have a Shot? – Politics K-12 – Education Week.

Charles L. Sullivan School: Gone, but not forgotten – Daily Republic

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By Tony Wade

A contrast of two days in June for Sullivan students:

Thursday, June 5, 1969: Charles L. Sullivan Intermediate had its first graduation ceremony, honoring 305 students in Veterans Memorial Park. The graduation also served as an official dedication of the school, located on Union Avenue. The Sullivan band played and Charles L. Sullivan himself gave an address, then presented diplomas.

via Charles L. Sullivan School: Gone, but not forgotten Daily Republic.

Key education bills await action as session deadline looms | EdSource Today

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By EdSource staff

Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing ServicesWhatever education bills the Legislature passes in the next four weeks will pale in importance compared to its monumental achievement of 2013, the Local Control Funding Formula, Gov. Jerry Brown’s sweeping school finance and accountability plan that legislators enacted as part of the state budget in June.

But key bills do await action, as legislators head toward the end of session on Sept. 13. Chief among them is a decision on what state standardized tests to discontinue this year, which to suspend and resume later, and which to continue. The proposed changes are in Assembly Bill 484, which Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, is sponsoring on behalf of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

via Key education bills await action as session deadline looms | EdSource Today.

CC Sabathia’s foundation donates backpacks to Vallejo students – ContraCostaTimes

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

VALLEJO — To kids in Vallejo elementary schools, CC Sabathia isn’t just some hotshot pitcher for the New York Yankees.

He’s also the reason why, every year, thousands of students at the Vallejo City Unified School District get to come home with new backpacks and fresh school supplies.

“He gave us these backpacks because he wants us to have a good school year,” said Truedell Minnieweather, a 7-year-old second-grader at Wardlaw Elementary School.

via CC Sabathia’s foundation donates backpacks to Vallejo students – ContraCostaTimes.com.

More Social-Emotional Learning in Schools, Please, Poll Says – Education Week

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By Ross Brenneman

There’s a new poll out today that shows Americans, by and large, have not heard of or don’t understand Common Core State Standards.

In the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup annual national survey, 62 percent of respondents hadn’t heard of the common core. (They must not be EdWeek readers.) But the survey also includes some snippets of information on school climate.

via More Social-Emotional Learning in Schools, Please, Poll Says – Rules for Engagement – Education Week.

Schools rising from budget depths | EdSource Today

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By John Fensterwald

With the passage of Proposition 30 and implementation of a new funding system channeling more money to most districts this fall, the 2012-13 school year will be the base for measuring how well schools recover from the Great Recession. Yet as EdSource documents in a report issued Thursday, there will be a steep climb out of the trough.

In “Recovering from the Recession: Pressures Ease on California’s Largest Districts, but Stresses Remain,” EdSource found signs that budgets were stabilizing and districts were regaining some ground after five years of damaging budget cuts. But there were also areas of further concern, such as a decline in the number of counselors in schools and a rise in rates of childhood poverty – evidence that districts continued to struggle, as measured by some key indices.

via Schools rising from budget depths, EdSource report finds | EdSource Today.

Attendance Contest Allows Middle, High School Students to “Check In” « Attendance Works

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Recognizing the importance of good attendance from Day 1, Get Schooled and Viacom will support students and families by encouraging them to get to school “all day every day” during Attendance Awareness Month.

From Sept. 3 – 20, Get Schooled will hold a competition open to all middle and high school students. Students will be required to check-in at their school on https://getschooled.com/about/challenges/check-in-with-your-crew via desktop or phone.

via Attendance Contest Allows Middle, High School Students to “Check In” « Attendance Works.

Good school year pays big dividends – Daily Republic

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By Mayrene Bates

Where did the summer go, you may ask? Some students tell me they’re excited and ready for the new school year. Others that attended band or other kinds of camps wouldn’t mind a couple more weeks of summer vacation.

I admit that I was one of those who could hardly wait for the new school year to begin, as I lived on a farm and the work never ended from morning to night. I found school to be a much better environment for me.

via Good school year pays big dividends Daily Republic.

Barthelmess leaving Will C. Wood choir program after 23 years – The Reporter

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By Karen Nolan

Will C. Wood High School’s Sylvan Singers knew this year would be different, but until school started last week, they did not realize how different.

On Thursday, the first day of choir class, they were greeted by a parent from the Sylvan Choir Boosters and Principal Cliff De Graw, who brought a letter to read to them. It was from their director, David Barthelmess, who founded the Sylvan choir program soon after he began teaching at Wood 23 years ago.

via Barthelmess leaving Will C. Wood choir program after 23 years – The Reporter.

Ed. Dept. Addresses Bullying of Students With Disabilities – Education Week

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By Christina Samuels

Severe bullying of a student with disabilities could deny that student’s right to a free, appropriate public education would need to be addressed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, according to a guidance letter for districts, states and building administrators released today from the U.S. Department of Education.

A student who is not receiving “meaningful educational benefit” because of bullying triggers that provision, but even bullying that is less severe can undermine a student’s ability to meet his or her full potential, said the letter, written by Melody Musgrove, director of the office of special education programs, and Michael Yudin, the acting assistant secretary of the office of special education and rehabilitative services. If a student with a disability is bullying others, school officials should review that student’s individualized education program to see if additional support or changes to the student’s environment are necessary.

 

via Ed. Dept. Addresses Bullying of Students With Disabilities – On Special Education – Education Week.

Financial Implications for NCLB Waiver States on ‘High-Risk’ Status – Education Week

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By Michele McNeil

For the three high-risk states placed on “high-risk status” last week, losing their No Child Left Behind Act waiver is probably the ultimate penalty.

But it’s not the only penalty that U.S. Department of Education has at its disposal.

In the press call last week announcing that Kansas, Oregon, and Washington are on “high-risk status” for teacher-evaluation woes linked to their waivers, federal officials said there could be some financial penalties, which could lead up to the ultimate loss of the waiver. (That’s if the states fail to get back on track.)

 

via Financial Implications for NCLB Waiver States on ‘High-Risk’ Status – Politics K-12 – Education Week.

Golden Hills Community School earns accreditation – Solano County Office of Education

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Golden Hills Community School has earned initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)!

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Jay Speck and I are thrilled to share with you the news that our Golden Hills Community School has earned initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This is excellent news for our campus as it marks a significant milestone in our ongoing development. Schools receiving initial accreditation meet the WASC criteria for full accreditation and exhibit a history and support system of providing a high-quality instructional program focused on student achievement. The dedicated staff at Golden Hills Community School provides a rigorous standards-based educational program tailored to the individual academic needs of every student while also paying close attention to and supporting their healthy social-emotional development as well as providing positive behavior intervention. Golden Hills offers a choice of site-based and online blended learning opportunities based on students’ unique needs.

via Solano County Office of Education.

Timeline Photos | Dixon Tribune – Facebook

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Photo courtesy of the Dixon Public Library Archives

It may surprise some in town to know that the old Dixon High School campus on A Street was not the school’s original building. The Dixon Union High School building at right, located at Fourth and A Streets, was built in 1915. It was torn down less than 25 years later, in 1939, because it was “not earthquake proof,” according to documentation from the Dixon Public Library. At that time, the current building on A Street was built. Want to see more historic images? The library regularly posts pictures from its archives on its Facebook page. Search for the “Dixon Public Library” on www.Facebook.com.

via Timeline Photos | Facebook.

Academic year set to begin for Travis, Rio Vista schools – Daily Republic

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By Glen Faison

All public schools in the Travis district in Fairfield and the River Delta district in Rio Vista will open their doors to students this week.

Students return Monday to schools in Rio Vista. Travis schools open the school year Thursday. More than 5,400 students are expected in the Travis district this year, while approximately 1,100 students in Rio Vista will be enrolled this year.

via Academic year set to begin for Travis, Rio Vista schools Daily Republic.

Solano College looks to bring international center to campus – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

Members of the Solano Community College governing board will consider a partnership Wednesday with a nonprofit organization that could help provide an English-language program at the college for non-native speakers.

Board members will review a memorandum of understanding between the district and the International Education Center, which “disseminates education, encourages exchanges in educational cultures and contributes to international collaboration in education,” according to staff reports.

via Solano College looks to bring international center to campus Daily Republic.

Vacaville honors top crossing guards – Daily Republic

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By Brad Stanhope

A five-year crossing guard veteran took top honors as the Vacaville Police Department recognized the outstanding job done by guards during the 2012-13 school year.

Mildred Johnson was named the Crossing Guard of the Year for 2013. She has been at Alamo Elementary School for the past five years and “has the ability to be in control of the busy crosswalk while maintaining great public relations,” according to a press release from the Police Department.

via Vacaville honors top crossing guards Daily Republic.

Suisun Valley school adds space to handle attendance shifts – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

FAIRFIELD — The renaissance of rural Suisun Valley Elementary School takes center stage Thursday as the school board reviews the summer’s renovations and looks at increased enrollment.

The Fairfield-Suisun School District governing board during the regular meeting will hear a final update on construction at the school, which added seven new classrooms, two new bathrooms and relocated four modular buildings.

via Suisun Valley school adds space to handle attendance shifts Daily Republic.

FSUSD School board to discuss finances during study session – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

From page A8 | August 21, 2013 |

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FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield-Suisun School District governing board will focus on the current year’s budget during a study session that’s scheduled Thursday.

During the budget study session, district staff will present budget priorities and goals for the 2013-14 school year, which began July 1.

via School board to discuss finances during study session Daily Republic.