Monthly Archives: October 2016

Dixon Unified agenda: Updates on state test scores, Measure Q – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Dixon Unified leaders, when they meet tonight, will hear a presentation on state standardized test scores, an update on Measure Q on the November ballot, and the Dixon High Farm.

The assistant superintendent of educational services, Mike Walbridge will tell the five-member governing board that, of the 1,700 out of 3,500 students tested last spring in grades three to eight and 11, 32 percent met or exceeded state standards in math and 41 percent did so in English.

Dixon’s scores on the 2016 California Assessment of Student Proficiency and Progress (CAASPP) roughly matched those of Solano County as a whole but fell well below the state averages.

Source: Dixon Unified agenda: Updates on state test scores, Measure Q

Fairfield-Suisun City school trustees consider new instructional materials – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Fairfield-Suisun Unified leaders face a relatively light agenda when they meet tonight in Fairfield.

The seven-member governing board will hold a public hearing on the adoption of new instructional materials.

The assistant superintendent of educational services, Rona Portalupi will note three new books or curriculums proposed for adoption in the spring of 2017: Positive Prevention PLUS, sexual health education curriculum for middle and high school students; “Computer Science Illuminated,” 6th edition, for Advanced Placement computer science students; and the “IB Biology Course Book.”

Immediately afterward, trustees will review and possibly approve the new instructional materials.

 

Source: Fairfield-Suisun City school trustees consider new instructional materials

Creativity and Academics: The Power of an Arts Education | Edutopia

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By Neil Swapp

The arts are as important as academics, and they should be treated that way in school curriculum. This is what we believe and practice at New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA). While the positive impact of the arts on academic achievement is worthwhile in itself, it’s also the tip of the iceberg when looking at the whole child. Learning art goes beyond creating more successful students. We believe that it creates more successful human beings.

NMSA is built upon a dual arts and academic curriculum. Our teachers, students, and families all hold the belief that both arts and academics are equally important. Our goal is to prepare students for professional careers in the arts, while also equipping them with the skills and content knowledge necessary to succeed in college. From our personal experience (and research), here are five benefits of an arts education:

Source: Creativity and Academics: The Power of an Arts Education | Edutopia

School board to consider architect for Benicia Middle School portable replacement – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

The Governing Board of Benicia Unified School District will consider Hibser Yamauchi (HY) Architects for the design of Benicia Middle School’s portable replacement project at Thursday’s meeting.

The project is another item that is part of the Measure S bond’s Facilities Master Plan, which has already provided a new roof for the middle school and is currently working to install a new fire alarm system. Other proposed projects at the school include modernized classrooms, an expanded Multi-Purpose Room, new tennis courts and upgraded restrooms.

The portable replacement project seeks to remove the old portable classrooms on the lower part of campus and replace them with new buildings. The Oakland-based Hy Architects worked with the district to develop the master plan and assisted with many of its projects and is being considered again for this project.

“Our specific scope of work will be to prepare design and construction documents, submit to (the Division of the State Architect), assist with bidding, perform construction administration and close-out,” architect W. Lee Pollard wrote in a letter to Measure S Bond Director Roxanne Egan. “The project schedule is to have the drawings available for construction in 2017, with the ope of starting construction during the summer, though it may be necessary for construction to be phased and extended into the fall.”

Source: School board to consider architect for Benicia Middle School portable replacement

Solano conference focuses on traumatized children – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

The first Courage Conference: Hope and Healing for the Traumatized Child is planned Nov. 3-4.

The keynote speaker is Jane Dickel of the JAYC Foundation, founded by kidnap survivor Jaycee Dugard. She will speak on “Creating Safe Space.”

Other speakers include Dr. Aran Watson of the University of California, San Francisco child trauma research program.

Source: Solano conference focuses on traumatized children

Eighth-graders get hands-on career exploration in Suisun – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Leslie Ruelas, an eighth-grader at the Public Safety Academy, got to sample life as a screen printer Tuesday morning at the second annual Inspire: Dreams Start Now Interactive Career Fair at the Kroc Center.

The event, a partnership between the Kroc Center, Fairfield-Suisun School District, the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce and the cities of Fairfield and Suisun City, is open to eighth-graders. More than 1,600 students were expected to attend.

With assistance from Charles McCullar, owner of Front2Back Designs, Ruelas created her own souvenir, a white T-shirt with a logo for the event designed by McCullar.

Source: Eighth-graders get hands-on career exploration in Suisun

Saved by the bells, handbells, that is – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Saved by the bells. Handbells, to be exact.

“I thought my brain was gone,” said Brooke Bosler, 32, a trained opera singer who grew up in Vacaville, recalling a grand mal seizure last year. “I couldn’t drive for three months. I’m glad I had the bells to focus my brain. With bells, I’m always using my musical skills.”

Bosler, who earned a master’s degree in music performance, noted she could not drive for three months afterward, but, by picking up and playing handbells, as she did at Will C. Wood High School as a teenager, she gradually regained her musical ability and confidence, enough so to at least continue singing arts songs at occasional recitals and concerts, as she will Thursday night in a Napa church.

Source: Saved by the bells, handbells, that is

Helping Troubled Students, One Relationship at a Time | Edutopia

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By David Bulley

When Jimmy, a 6th grader with significant social and emotional disabilities, was sent out of English class every day one week, he devised a plan. On Friday, he smuggled a pair of handcuffs into school, and upon arriving at English class, instead of grabbing his “do now” and sitting down, he ran straight to the teacher’s desk and handcuffed himself to it.

The teacher, a kind and in many ways excellent instructor, was shocked. The teacher and I unlocked Jimmy soon enough, but later, when we had a quiet moment to reflect, I said, “You teach English. Can you see the symbolism here?” Jimmy desperately wanted to stay in class but did not know how. And to compound this tiny tragedy, it seemed obvious he had no one to ask.

Source: Helping Troubled Students, One Relationship at a Time | Edutopia

State could lose federal funds if rules for child care eligibility don’t change – EdSource

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By Jeremy Hay

California risks losing more than $500 million in federal funds if it doesn’t establish new rules within a year governing eligibility for state-subsidized childcare and after-school programs. At least three attempts to accomplish that have died in the Legislature since 2014.

The state has until Sept. 30, 2017 to comply with a 2-year-old federal requirement to ensure that families qualifying for public childcare, preschool and after-school programs remain eligible for 12 months without having to re-establish eligibility during that time. The legislative window to pass a bill making that change has narrowed to one session, starting in January. Failing that, the change would have to occur through the state budget process.

Advocates and parents say the current rules often cause people to lose benefits over bureaucratic hurdles, when their job status changes or they receive even a minor wage increase.

Source: State could lose federal funds if rules for child care eligibility don’t change

Torlakson Announces $49.9 Million to Fund Charters – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded California $49.9 million in start-up funds to assist in the launch and development of high-quality charter schools over the next three years.

The grant money is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP), which funds the creation and expansion of public charter schools across the nation. California was one of just eight states selected to share $177 million in federal funds.

“California’s public school system offers a variety of school options to meet the interests and needs of our diverse state,” Torlakson said. “Charter schools have proven to be a popular and important option for many families, and I’m thrilled the U.S. Department of Education has recognized California as a worthy investment of these important charter schools funds.”

The California Department of Education (CDE) worked collaboratively with the State Board of Education, the California Charter Schools Association, and the Charter Schools Development Center in applying for the federal grant. The money will fund California’s own Public Charter Schools Grant Program, a charter schools grant competition administered by CDE’s Charter Schools Division to provide start-up and initial operating capital to assist in the development of high-quality, high-performing charter schools for California students and their families.

Source: Torlakson Announces $49.9 Million to Fund Charters – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Memory bricks available to purchase for new Benicia High School stadium walkway – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

As Benicia High School’s stadium of yesteryear fades into the soil to make room for a new stadium— scheduled to be completed in Spring 2017— many changes to the Drolette Stadium will be instated. These include a new all-weather track, upgraded lighting, new bleachers and so on. One of these new features is a redesigned red brick entryway emblazoned with the names of Benicia High students and community figures past and present.

Benicia High recently announced its Memory Brick Project, in which alumni, current students, future students, family, community members and businesses to purchase bricks to have their names or the names of loved ones engraved on them which would then be placed along the entryway to the renovated stadium. Memorial brick walkways are commonly used by institutions. Local examples can be seen outside the Benicia Public Library and the Benicia Community Center, located at the former site of Mills Elementary School.

Carrie Smith, a Benicia Parent teacher Student Association member and project chair, said the idea came from Benicia High Principal Brianna Kleinschmidt, who brought it up at one of the PTSA meetings as way to raise funds for the school.

Source: Memory bricks available to purchase for new Benicia High School stadium walkway

2 Fairfield-Suisun School District officials attend White House summit at cost of $2,666 – Daily Republic

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A trip to Washington, D.C. by Kris Corey, superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun School District, and Kristen Witt, director of secondary education for the school district, to attend a White House summit cost $2,666.

The two took the Sept. 11-13 trip to attend the White House Next Generation High School Summit at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Airfare was $1,210, the hotel $1,200, meals were $186, and travel and incidentals totaled $120.

Source: 2 Fairfield-Suisun School District officials attend White House summit at cost of $2,666

New Law Opens Juvenile Hall To 18- To 21-Year-Olds In Pilot Program – Benicia Patch

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By Norcal Patch

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law Friday authorizing a three-year pilot program that will give young adult offenders the chance to access educational and support services in the juvenile justice system, a spokeswoman said.

SB 1004 allows five counties, including Alameda, Napa and Santa Clara, to provide this assistance to low-level, nonviolent felons aged 18 to 21, instead of serving time in county jails with adults.

Those offenders who meet these requirements and don’t have a history of crime would serve no more than a year in a juvenile justice facility and have their offense expunged from their record if they complete the program, according to Leslie Guevarra, a spokeswoman from the office of the bill’s author, State Sen. Jerry Hill.

Source: New Law Opens Juvenile Hall To 18- To 21-Year-Olds In Pilot Program