Monthly Archives: December 2016

County 4-H’ers to hold SET training – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The 4-H mission, to engage youth to reach their fullest potential, continues in Solano County with another two-day SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) training session.

High school students are invited to take advantage of a chance to perform community service, learn new skills, experience teaching firsthand, and have fun.

The 10-hour training will be held at the Fairfield 4-H office, 501 Texas St., from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 21 and 1 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22.Teens must participate in both days of training. Deadline to register is Jan. 20.

Source: County 4-H’ers to hold SET training

Attorney tapped for vacant Dixon Unified post – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

An attorney with Farmers Insurance and the father of two district students will be sworn in Dec. 8 as the newest Dixon Unified trustee.

Luke Foster replaces attorney Joe Di Paola, who resigned in November, and will serve a two-year term.

The former president of the Yes on Measure Q Committee, Foster will take the oath of office during a regularly scheduled board meeting.

He was the No. 2 candidate to fill a board seat earlier this year when trustee Andrew Bloom resigned for personal reasons. Melissa Maseda was tapped for the post, but Foster’s name was held in reserve as a possible replacement in the event a board post opened up, Superintendent Brian Dolan said during a telephone interview from the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where he and Foster on Thursday attended a California Schools Boards Association meeting.

Source: Attorney tapped for vacant Dixon Unified post – The Reporter

$11.9 Million Available in Microsoft Settlement – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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More than 8,000 California public schools and districts are eligible to share $11.9 million in the latest round of Education Technology K–12 Voucher Program funding, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today. Funds are available through a 2003 antitrust settlement agreement between Microsoft Corporation and California consumers and businesses.

The list of eligible and potentially eligible schools and districts is available on the California Department of Education K-12 Voucher Program: Funding Web page. Today’s announcement is the fifth distribution of the Microsoft settlement funds. The first four distributions, in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2015, totaled more than $470 million.

“These funds have improved our students’ education by allowing California to wire our classrooms, modernize instruction, successfully give online tests to 3.1 million students, and make progress in closing the digital divide,” Torlakson said. “I encourage all eligible schools and districts to apply for these technology funds.”

Source: $11.9 Million Available in Microsoft Settlement – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Pre-K education rating system enacted in Solano County – Times Herald

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By Times Herald Staff

A rating system designed to monitor and improve the early education of Solano County children is now in effect.

The program, known as the Solano Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), was created by The Solano County Office of Education, First 5 Solano and additional community partners, according to a news release.

The system assists pre-kindergarten care providers with implementing standards of quality and informing parents of the elements and outcomes of quality education.

This is achieved through on-site coaching, technical assistance, professional development and observation.

The Solano QRIS also enables providers to offer program incentives and ongoing support to families.

Source: Pre-K education rating system enacted in Solano County

Senator, supervisor honored for service – The Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

Well wishes took center stage at Tuesday’s meeting of the Solano County Board of Supervisors as outgoing leaders Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Solano, and Supervisor Linda Seifert, were honored for their service.

Wolk terms out in December and Seifert’s last day is Jan. 2.

Both women were recognized by community members and leaders at all levels of government.

“She’s been such an ally of ours and a collaborator. We are forever grateful,” said board chair Erin Hannigan of Wolk.

Source: Senator, supervisor honored for service

Top state educators ask Trump to protect “Dreamers” – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The incoming California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and the heads of the University of California and California State University have formally asked President-elect Donald Trump to continue an Obama policy allowing children of undocumented immigrants to pursue higher education in the United States.

Their Tuesday letter comes as the Republican businessman campaigned on a platform of being a strict enforcer of U.S. immigration laws and eliminating many of President Barack Obama’s executive orders, including the policy (not a formal executive order) of giving “particular care” before deporting students, military veterans and others, many of them Hispanics and Latinos who are deemed low risks.

Of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants now living in America, 2 million of them were brought here as children. About 800,000 of these “Dreamers” qualified for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the 2012 Obama program that would shield the children from deportation and allow them to obtain work permits, driver licenses and a sense of hope and safety.

Source: Top state educators ask Trump to protect “Dreamers” – The Reporter

 

Solano County Office of Education lands grant to deter underage drinking – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

If you want to get a message across to young people, who better to do it than their peers?

So when the issues are distracted driving and driving under the influence, Vanden and Benicia high students have a few things to tell not only their fellow teens but also plenty of adults.

“Texting is extremely distracting, checking your phone while driving rather than holding off until you’re parked or have reached your destination,” Nav Khana, Sameer Syed and Emery Coh, all members of Friday Night Live (FNL), said in a press release issued Tuesday by the Solano County Office of Education. “Use of a hand-held device was the most common distraction we observed.”

Their statement comes on the heels of FNL members who participated in Roadwatch — an annual observational survey administered by the California Friday Night Live Partnership (CFNLP), with funding from the Allstate Foundation.

 

Source: Solano County Office of Education lands grant to deter underage drinking