Monthly Archives: June 2014

State superintendent candidates brace for another round of big spending | EdSource Today

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By John Fensterwald

Tom Torlakson nearly won another term as superintendent of public instruction outright Tuesday but will instead face second-place finisher Marshall Tuck in November. That’s not particularly good news for Torlakson or the California Teachers Association, Torklakson’s chief financial backer. The union faces the prospect of spending millions of dollars more of teachers’ dues to counter independent expenditures by self-styled education reformers who favor charter schools and an end to teacher tenure.

“CTA was hoping Torlakson could have ended it last night,” said John Pitney, political observer and government professor at Claremont McKenna College.

Torlakson got 46.9 percent of the vote, just shy of the majority vote that would have avoided a top-two candidate runoff in the non-partisan superintendent’s race. Tuck, a former CEO of a Los Angeles charter school organization and head of former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s nonprofit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a group of 17 low-performing schools, took second with 28.6 percent. The third candidate, Lydia Gutierrez, a Long Beach Unified veteran teacher who campaigned against the Common Core standards, got%

via State superintendent candidates brace for another round of big spending | EdSource Today.

Adult School sends off graduates – Daily Republic

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By Adrienne Harris

Kalia Wells could barely hold in the tears as she walked in procession Wednesday with her diploma in hand.

The 18-year-old had just switched her tassel with more than 100 other high school and GED graduates during the commencement ceremony for the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School at the Fairfield Civic Center.

“I worked hard,” Wells said during a photo shoot, surrounded by family members. She had been quick to shed the navy blue graduation gown for an orange-and-white-striped cocktail dress and was ready for the celebratory barbecue.

“Party at my house,” she said.

via Adult School sends off graduates Daily Republic.

Rodriguez seniors reach the end, look to future – Daily Republic

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By Adrienne Harris

While hundreds of seniors waited to walk the turf Wednesday at Rodriguez High School, a familiar westerly wind blew over Coach Ed Hopkins Stadium.

The graduates – adorned in white and green gowns – were about to receive their diplomas but – more significantly – embark on their new lives as adults.

“Today is the day we decide who we are to become . . .,” valedictorian Kelly Ann Bruner said during the 2014 commencement ceremony. “If you mold your character into something you are truly proud of, then it will seem like no door is closed,” she said.

via Rodriguez seniors reach the end, look to future Daily Republic.

6 counties land $15M career pathways grants – Daily Republic

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By Glen Faison

Solano County is among six counties to share in a $15 million grant to link education and careers, the county Office of Education announced Wednesday.

The three-year grant comes through the California Career Pathways Trust and will be used to create career pathway programs that connect K-12 schools, community colleges and businesses in Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Marin and Mendocino counties.

via 6 counties land $15M career pathways grants Daily Republic.

For top grads, 1 speech, then new horizons – Benicia Herald

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By Keri Luiz

Just a few more days, Benicia High School Class of 2014, and you will walk across the stage, gather your diploma and symbolically step into adulthood.

For most Benicia High grads, the ceremony will be as simple as that. But for the school’s valedictorian, Jared Hanson, and salutatorian, Sierra Rybarczyck, there also will be a chance to connect with their classmates one final time before each goes his or her own way.

Benicia High’s valedictorian is chosen from among the students with the highest grade-point average over seven semesters of high school. Early on, Hanson knew he had a shot at achieving that honor.

via For top grads, 1 speech, then new horizons.

Fairfield-Suisun Public Safety Academy salutes Vietnam vets with memorial – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The last American combat troops left South Vietnam on March 29, 1973. Nearly 30 years later, some of oldest Fairfield-Suisun Unified Public Safety Academy students were born.

But on Thursday at the Atlantic Avenue campus in Fairfield, they brought themselves closer in time to that milestone day and the Vietnam War in two ways: creating an ongoing online project that honors U.S. military veterans, especially Vietnam veterans; and holding a special “sunset salute,” featuring a somber roll call of some American veterans killed in action during the Vietnam era.

via Fairfield-Suisun Public Safety Academy salutes Vietnam vets with memorial – The Reporter.

VUSD Adult School graduates 16 – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The 2014 high school graduation season continued on Tuesday with 10 of 16 Vacaville Unified Adult School students walking across a stage to pick up their coveted and hard-earned diplomas.

“We’re just so very proud” of the graduates, said Shelly Capps, coordinator of the Vacaville Educational Extension Program, the formal name of the district’s adult school program.

Choking up with emotion, trying to hold back tears during her opening remarks in the Catwalk Theater at Will C. Wood High, where the ceremony was held, she quickly thanked the parents and teachers for their support and devotion for seeing the students complete the district requirements for graduation.

via VUSD Adult School graduates 16 – The Reporter.

Vacaville school trustee elected to California Teachers Association board – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified trustee and Vanden High teacher Jerry Eaton has been elected to the California Teachers Association board of directors, a three-year post that he begins in late June.

After campaigning at the association’s State Council meeting last weekend in downtown Los Angeles, he faced three other challengers, then survived a runoff election Sunday afternoon, when he was declared the winner.

A Spanish and French language instructor, the 61-year-old Vacaville resident is expected to be released from his teaching duties in Travis Unified by the end of the fiscal year, June 30. The state teachers association will compensate the district for Eaton’s salary, a standard practice in such cases, when a certificated employee takes a leave of absence from the classroom to fulfill union activities.

via Vacaville school trustee elected to California Teachers Association board – The Reporter.

Benicia athlete, valedictorian heads to MIT – Vallejo Times Herald

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

Jared Hanson, a standout in sports and academics, has faced many challenges.

But this Saturday, the 18-year-old valedictorian of Benicia High School will have to face one more when he delivers his speech in front of friends, family and staff at graduation.

“I’m pretty nervous actually,” Hanson said.

Regardless, Hanson will have a lot to look forward to as he not only snagged the top academic honors at Benicia High, but will head to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT students cannot declare a major their first year, but Hanson hopes to study mechanical engineering at the prestigious university.

via Benicia athlete, valedictorian heads to MIT – Vallejo Times Herald.

Matt Garcia graduates realize longtime dream – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Jocelyn Huff and Kyle McNeal expressed the same feeling in two ways.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime,” Huff said.

“I feel like I lost 20 pounds,” Neal said. “I’ve been working for this my whole life. I’m going to finally accomplish it.”

The two are members of the 2014 graduating class from the Matt Garcia Learning Center, also known as “The Matt Graduates.”

They were joined by 23 others, representing the school’s fourth graduating class.

via Matt Garcia graduates realize longtime dream Daily Republic.

Sem Yeto sends Class of 2014 into the world – Daily Republic

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By Ian Thompson

Isaac Ezquivel could not believe he was graduating Tuesday night.

“It is kind of exciting, actually really exciting,” Ezquivel said while standing in line with a host of other graduating seniors of the Sem Yeto High School Class of 2014.

Almost 180 graduates gathered at the Solano Community College gym early Tuesday night to be handed their diplomas and enjoy the support of friends and family members who cheered, took pictures and draped leis over the shoulders of the graduates.

“I feel amazing,” said Arteus Johnson Fuller, who wrapped up his classes early in the year but came back to wear the cap and gown for his parents and his aunt. “I feel like all the hard work has paid off.”

via Sem Yeto sends Class of 2014 into the world Daily Republic.

For Liberty High grads-to-be, a time for looking back, and forward – Benicia Herald

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By Keri Luiz

The beginning of June is a busy time at Benicia’s two high schools, especially for the seniors who are preparing to march across the graduation stage and accept their diplomas.

At Liberty High, two graduating seniors have had to add an extra element to their graduation preparations. Valedictorian Marissa Garcia and Salutatorian Belle Romine are preparing the speeches they will give during Thursday’s ceremony.

Both spoke to The Herald in recent days about their experiences at Liberty, their plans for the future and what they expect to say to their fellow graduates on the big day.

Garcia, 17, moved to Benicia almost two years ago with her family. She went to Liberty because she was behind on credits — a development she said she was not very excited about at first. “But once I (got there), I was pleasantly surprised,” she said.

via For Liberty High grads-to-be, a time for looking back, and forward.

Adams makes case for BUSD Measure S – Benicia Herald

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By Donna Beth Weilenman

Benicia Unified School District Superintendent Janice Adams made her case before the City Council Tuesday for support of Measure S, the local $50 million general obligation bond issue that voters will decide during the statewide primary election June 3.

The school district has at least one building that dates to the 1930s, and its newest school, Matthew Turner Elementary, is 21 years old, she told the Council.

While Benicia schools are ranked first in Solano County according to 2012 Academic Performance Index results, and teach about 5,000 pupils enrolled in kindergarten through high school, the aging buildings are taking their toll, Adams said.

via Adams makes case for BUSD Measure S.

TUSD to appoint interim trustee – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

When they meet in special session tonight, Travis Unified leaders will decide upon a process to fill the governing board’s Travis Air Force Base seat, which has been vacated by Dawn Kirby, who resigned May 27.

Trustees are expected to approve a timeline for a provisional appointment that will last through the regularly scheduled general election on Nov. 8, 2016. At that time, there will be an election to fill the seat for the remainder of Kirby’s original four-year term, which expires in December 2018.

The meeting’s agenda notes indicated that trustees will name two board members to serve as a subcommittee to review applicants’ eligibility.

 

via TUSD to appoint interim trustee – The Reporter.

Schools Skip Standardized Tests, But Keep Learning Standards High | MindShift

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By Anya Kamenetz

ate Middle School is a mundane ’70s-era, red-brick building. But what’s happening inside is anything but mundane. I’ve driven the 37 miles from Lexington to see one of the most closely watched efforts in the country to change the way schools assess student learning. Principal Amy Swann and the district’s Superintendent, Carmen Coleman, have completely overhauled their school’s educational philosophy, moving away from standardized tests toward an approach called performance-based assessment.

Kentucky was the first state in the nation to adopt the Common Core and the tests that align with it. But this spring, the 1,700-student Danville district will skip those tests.

On a Wednesday afternoon in late March, I am waiting in the whitewashed hallway outside Diania Henderson’s seventh-grade science class to see performance assessment in action. The seventh graders are sporting dresses, jackets, and ties. When the end-of-day bell rings, they file into the basement cafeteria, quiet and tense with only a few poking each other in the sides, for a snack of cheese crackers and Capri Suns. It is the day of the Science and Math Performance-Based Assessments, or as everyone calls them, the PBATs.

via Schools Skip Standardized Tests, But Keep Learning Standards High | MindShift.

Students want more say in district accountability plan process | EdSource Today

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By Karla Scoon Reid

While California school districts held an unprecedented number of meetings and conducted scores of surveys seeking parent, community and staff input to develop financial blueprints to improve learning for their neediest children, some students are concerned that their voices have been left out of the process.

The state’s new school funding law requires that stakeholder groups, including students, be consulted as districts develop their Local Control and Accountability Plans. Those state-mandated plans must outline districts’ financial and educational priorities while specifically identifying strategies that improve services for high-needs students — low-income pupils, English learners and foster youth.

via Students want more say in district accountability plan process | EdSource Today.

Who Can Help Improve School Attendance? « Attendance Works Attendance Works

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Who is helping send the message that going to school every day matters? Beyond educators and administrators, are pediatricians involved? Your Mayor? National Service members? Local community schools initiatives?

Our We Need You! webinar on Wednesday featured a lively discussion about how allies from all sectors of the community can come together to make sure more students attend school every day. You can review the tape or see the Powerpoint deck here.

Dr. Mandy Allison of the American Academy of Pediatrics told participants how family doctors can ask about attendance during regular check ups, help parents decide when their child is too sick for school and coordinate with school personnel to help chronically ill students. Doctors know that healthy children are more engaged in school and perform better academically. And they know that school success lays the foundation for being successful adults who have better health in the long term.

via Who Can Help Improve School Attendance? « Attendance Works Attendance Works.

Travis School District staff: Appoint new trustee to fill vacancy – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Travis School District trustees should appoint a person to fill the vacant board seat left by the resignation of Dawn Kirby, who stepped down May 20 because of a military move that sent her husband John Kirby to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

The appointment is recommended by the school district staff in a timeline that includes a July 25 deadline for applicants and an Aug. 5 interview of candidates at a public meeting, where Kirby’s successor would be named.

It’s estimated that holding an election, rather than appointing Kirby’s successor, would cost $40,000.

via Travis School District staff: Appoint new trustee to fill vacancy Daily Republic.

Sheldon kindergartners open art gallery – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

The kindergarten classroom at the Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning became an art gallery Thursday, as the children, serving as docents, showed their guests self-portraits done in the vein of artist Frida Kahlo.

Next to their drawings was a brief written statement on who their favorite artist was, complete with two reasons saying why the student chose that artist.

The art gallery debut was the culmination of about three weeks of work that began with kindergarten teachers Mary and Peter Rosenfield introducing their nearly 60 schoolchildren to the cave paintings of Lascaux. A book, as well as viewing and touring the caves on YouTube and Google images, were employed in the lesson.

via Sheldon kindergartners open art gallery Daily Republic.

Vallejo school board to discuss budget, academies – Vallejo Times Herald

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Times-Herald staff report Posted:

The Vallejo school board will get its first look Wednesday at a proposed budget for the district.

For months, the Vallejo City Unified School District, like others across the state, has been developing a local control and accountability plan (LCAP) as part of a new model for school funding in California that demands input from stakeholders.

Out of that plan, the district has developed a budget under the local control funding formula. In its first year, the formula provides more money to districts with high concentrations of low-income students, foster youth and English language learners.

via Vallejo school board to discuss budget, academies – Vallejo Times Herald.