Monthly Archives: March 2014

Students compete in science fair at Vanden – Daily Republic

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By Adrienne Harris

Vanden High School hosted the second annual Solano County Science Fair, Friday.

Endorsed by Solano County Office of Education and sponsored by Clorox and Valero, the fair featured 75 projects from three participating schools, said organizer Marilyn Lewis, a science teacher at Vanden.

Students competed in three categories, biology, environmental science and physical science. A panel of eight judges picked the winners, who received plaques and cash prizes.

via Students compete in science fair at Vanden Daily Republic.

Benicia Officials’ support builds for school bond measure – ContraCostaTimes.com

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By Tony Burchyns

City officials on Thursday voiced support for the school district’s proposed $49.6 million bond measure to fix aging classrooms.

The topic came up at the City Council/School Board Liaison Committee’s quarterly meeting at the Benicia Community Center.

“I think obviously this is important to the whole community and important to the city (government), too,” City Manager Brad Kilger said.

Kilger told Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Janice Adams he’d like the city to look into partnering with the district — if possible — to help the measure succeed. Councilman Mark Hughes, who supports the bond measure, asked how the district is going to reach out to voters who may be skeptical of approving a tax on themselves.

via Benicia: Officials’ support builds for school bond measure – ContraCostaTimes.com.

Mayors, school board, kids celebrate Seuss at mall – Daily Republic

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By Mike Corpos

What better way to put smiles on the faces of dozens of children, not to mention a host of school board trustees, representatives of the U.S. Air Force and two mayors, than reading to the kids?

It was all part of a Read Across America event organized by the Fairfield-Suisun Teachers Association in front of Sports Authority at the Solano Town Center mall.

The event was part of the celebration of the 16th annual Read Across America Day, which coincides with the March 2 birthday of the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as children’s author Dr. Seuss.

via Mayors, school board, kids celebrate Seuss at mall Daily Republic.

New charter school in Vacaville brings in students – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

A new public charter school scheduled to open this fall will offer its last set of informational meetings Saturday for the upcoming school year.

Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy is a free public school for kindergarten through eighth grade. The two meetings will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Valley Church, 5063 Maple Road in Vacaville, and at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Vacaville Town Square Library, 1 Town Square.

Information given to prospective parents will include an overview of Kairos plus an opportunity to meet the founding team and ask questions. Families interested in enrollment should download an intent-to-enroll form available at www.kairospublicschools.org. More information about the school can also be obtained on the website. The deadline for Phase 1 registration is 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

via New charter school in Vacaville brings in students Daily Republic.

High standards pay off for Teacher of the Year Ainsley Harris – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

It’s a good thing Ainsley Harris’ principal waited until the end of the day to tell her the good news.

“I was a wreck,” said Harris, of the smiles and tears of joy she shed when she learned she was the Vallejo City Unified School District Teacher of the Year.

Harris formally accepted her plaque at Wednesday’s school board meeting.

via High standards pay off for Teacher of the Year Ainsley Harris – Vallejo Times Herald.

Educators, officials visit Vallejos sister city in Tanzania – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Jessica A. York

For two retired Vallejo educators, a recent trip to Tanzania unveiled an entirely new culture, and exciting insight to the countrys education system.

For Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis, who took part in the goodwill mission via an invitation from Tanzanian President H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, it was a whirlwind effort to strengthen global ties. Kikwete, a native of the Bagamoyo region of Tanzania — linked to Vallejo through a “sister city” relationship, visited Vallejo in September while traveling in the United States.

via Educators, officials visit Vallejos sister city in Tanzania – Vallejo Times Herald.

Vacaville school board to hear budget update – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

From a budget report to a state-of-the-school presentation, numbers are on the Vacaville Unified agenda when school district leaders meet tonight in open session in Vacaville.

Kari Sousa, the district’s chief business official, will deliver a second interim 2013-14 budget report, noting a sizable increase from the budget adopted on July 1 and how it has changed since then, after the passage of Proposition 30 in 2012, the start of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula, and increased revenues brought on by a recovering housing market.

In her last board meeting before her midmonth resignation takes effect, she will note the revised budget indicates nearly $84 million in revenues, $88.4 million in expenses, creating nearly $4.5 million in deficit spending, with an ending fund balance of $11.2 million.

via Vacaville school board to hear budget update – The Reporter.

Vacaville school leaders to review midterm budget – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

The Vacaville school board will hear a budget update Thursday from Kari Sousa, the associate superintendent of Business and Administrative Services.

Staff is seeking approval for the second interim report and multiyear budget projects. Interim reports are mandated by the state to improve financial awareness and accountability in public school districts. Changes to the district’s operating budget are noted in the second interim report.

via Vacaville school leaders to review midterm budget Daily Republic.

Solano College board hears Measure Q bond update – Daily Republic

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By Mike Corpos

The Solano Community College governing board received a quick update Wednesday on Measure Q – albeit in a less formal setting than past updates.

The board, meeting in the faculty lounge over dinner with representatives of the Associated Students of Solano College, learned a little about where the bond measure stands and what projects are under consideration.

Measure Q is the 2012 bond to be used for facilities improvements and construction.

via Solano College board hears Measure Q bond update Daily Republic.

Vallejo school board OKs layoff notices for 40 positions – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

The Vallejo school board approved Wednesday issuing preliminary layoff notices to teachers while expressing regret for the procedure.

“Its a draconian process,” trustee Adrienne Waterman said of the legal requirement for districts to notify certificated employees of potential layoffs by March 15.

On the list this year were the equivalent of 25 full-time teaching positions at the elementary school.

Sheila Gradwohl, president of the Vallejo Education Association, said it was difficult for teachers who received layoff notices, especially if they will be rehired by the district again later in the budget process.

via Vallejo school board OKs layoff notices for 40 positions – Vallejo Times Herald.

School districts should begin planning now for new science standards | EdSource Today

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By Trish Williams

The Next Generation Science Standards, adopted last September by the State Board of Education, will better engage and educate all students in science, and better prepare them to enter more in-depth science, computing and engineering courses in high school and beyond.

I am a passionate champion of California’s new science standards.

The board adopted the standards based on recommendations by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and California’s Science Expert Panel, which included 27 industry and university scientists as well as K-12 science teachers.

via School districts should begin planning now for new science standards | EdSource Today.

Solano County Superintendent of Schools commemorates Dr. Suess’ birthday – SCOE/Facebook

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Solano County Superintendent of Schools Jay Speck, along with Associate Superintendent of Student Programs & Educational Services Lisette Estrella-Henderson and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Sandy Jessop, celebrate the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day dressed in their Cat in the Hat attire as a tribute to commemorate Dr. Seuss’ 110th birthday.

via Solano County Superintendent of Schools… – Solano County Office of Education.

Solano College board to consider new server project – Daily Republic

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By Mike Corpos

Solano Community College governing board members will meet in a study session Wednesday for their regular session.

Among the few discussion items on the agenda, the board is being asked to consider approval of a $225,000 network server upgrade to avoid the possibility of the college’s computer systems grinding to a halt.

According to a staff report, a recent analysis of the school’s systems by Dell Inc. showed the servers to be near capacity and on pace to reach maximum capacity within three to six months.

via Solano College board to consider new server project Daily Republic.

Busy BUSD: Board to meet morning and night – Benicia Herald

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by Keri Luiz

Trustees to consider pink slips; Council-school board liaison scheduled.

Thursday will be a busy day for Benicia Unified School District trustees.

The City Council-School Board Liaison Committee meets Thursday morning, then the board itself meets that night.

In the morning session, Superintendent Janice Adams will share with Council members an assessment of the district’s facility needs, for which trustees approved placing a bond measure on the June 3 ballot. There will also be a discussion between the city and the district regarding the impact of water reduction on athletic fields and other areas that are part of school grounds.

via Busy BUSD: Board to meet morning and night.

Vallejo school board to tackle layoffs – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes Times

March in the Vallejo City Unified School District will again be marked with layoff notices — albeit at a considerably reduced level than previous years.

The district will ask the school board Wednesday for authorization to preliminary eliminate the equivalent of more than 25 full-time teaching positions at elementary schools.

By law, the district must inform certificated employees by March 15 of possible layoffs, though those notices can be rescinded during the later stages of the budget process.

The brunt of the 25 positions under consideration are teacher leaders.

via Vallejo school board to tackle layoffs – Vallejo Times Herald.

Texts, Snapchats, Instagram: Translating Teens’ Online Behavior | MindShift

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Tina Barseghian |

 

How much surveillance should parents have over their teenagers’ social media lives? Why are kids’ online roles so different from their realities? How does technology change the way teens relate to each other and to adults?

Author Danah Boyd, who has been spending lots of quality time with teens over the past few years, attempts to demystify teens’ online actions and behaviors and provide some insight into their motivations in this excellent Science Friday interview (press the play button to hear the full interview). Boyd articulates a nuanced understanding of young people’s mindsets that may help translate their actions for befuddled adults.

via Texts, Snapchats, Instagram: Translating Teens’ Online Behavior | MindShift.

Obama to Propose Race to the Top for Educational Equity – Education Week

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By Alyson Klein

The Obama administration wants to focus the next round of the Race to the Top program on bolstering educational equity for disadvantaged students, according to sources.

The administration’s fiscal year 2015 budget proposal—which is slated to be released Tuesday—seeks a $300 million iteration of the administration’s signature Race to the Top program aimed at enticing schools to close the achievement gap. It’s unclear if the money would go to districts, states, or some combination.

The program would include a teacher-equity component, as well as seek to close gaps in other areas, such as student discipline. The administration has already put forth guidance to encourage districts to ensure that minority students aren’t punished more—or more harshly—than others. That move prompted questions in a letter from U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the chairman of the House education committee, and other key Republicans on the panel.

via Obama to Propose Race to the Top for Educational Equity – Politics K-12 – Education Week.

Guidance for Teachers and Schools – Year 2014 CA Dept of Education

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SACRAMENTO—Twelve new standards—ranging from being able to apply technology effectively to working productively with a team—are designed to guide Californias teachers as they help students achieve college and career readiness, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

Speaking Monday at the annual Educating for Career Conference sponsored by the California Career Pathways Consortia and the California Partnership Academies, Torlakson told some 2,800 educators that these “Standards for Career Ready Practice” describe in general terms what students need to succeed when they transfer to postsecondary education, career training, or the workforce—beyond academic skills.

“With Common Core, the new Smarter Balanced assessments, and more, we are recommitting to Californias longstanding goal of college and career readiness for every student,” Torlakson said. “Beyond academic knowledge lies a whole host of other skills students need to succeed outside the classroom, things like: whether theyre financially literate, whether they can communicate their ideas effectively, and whether they can use technology safely and sensibly.”

via Guidance for Teachers and Schools – Year 2014 CA Dept of Education.

Parents, youth invited to Vallejo summit – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Vallejo parents can get a refresher on issues concerning their children next month at the annual Youth Expo and Parent Summit.

This is the fifth year that local grassroots organization Vallejo Together has put on the free conference, which had initially been divided into separate youth and parent events.

The purpose of the Youth Expo and Parent Summit is to give space to PARENTS to explore and discuss issues affecting the city’s young people, organizer Maria Guevara said, using the summit’s acronym for “parents, advocates, relatives, educators, neighbors, teachers and supporters.

“”It’s also a day to offer youth free activities, like horse rides, haircuts and one-on-one training with martial artists, that they would normally not be exposed to,” Guevara said.

via Parents, youth invited to Vallejo summit – Vallejo Times Herald.

A redeeming life: Woman who revived education now thrives – Daily Republic

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By Adrienne Harris

When Reine De Ciel was a teenager, getting an education seemed impossible.

“I got kicked out of every school in Fairfield and almost got kicked out of Sem Yeto (continuation school), too,” she said. “I was a really bad kid.”

Back then her name was Regina Scott, and she had a violent streak. Now 44, she goes by De Ciel and has a doctorate degree.

Disciplinary problems plagued De Ciel when she was a teen and she landed expulsions at Mary Bird, Fairfield and Armijo high schools in the 1980s.

via A redeeming life: Woman who revived education now thrives Daily Republic.