Monthly Archives: May 2017

Matthew Turner first-grader wins essay contest – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

Aubrey Ilasco, a first-grader at Matthew Turner Elementary School, won first place for a letter she had written to Sen. Kamala Harris in the 2017 Growing Up Asian in America contest.The contest, put on by the San Francisco-based community foundation Asian Pacific Fund, is put on annually during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and has distributed more than half a million dollars in cash and prizes to its nearly 1,000 winners and honorable mention participants since it was established in 1995.

This year’s theme was “Letter to the Senator,” in which students at all grade levels wrote letters to Harris— the first Indian American and second African American woman elected to the U.S. Senate— about issues they believe the senator should address. Such topics included access to education, racial issues and the well-being of refugees.

“Now, more than ever, it’s important to engage students to examine and bring to light the issues that affect them and their communities,” Audrey Yamamoto, the president and executive director of the Asian Pacific Fund, said in a statement. “We are honored to provide an avenue for our youth— the leaders of tomorrow—to share their points of view and celebrate their heritage.”

Source: Matthew Turner first-grader wins essay contest

Vallejo school board approves new charter – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

A petition to open a new charter school in the city won approval by the Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education during a May 3 meeting.

The petition — submitted by Mare Island Technology Academy officials — earned unanimous support from the VCUSD board. The Griffin Academy Middle School will be the third MIT charter in the city of Vallejo, joining a middle and high school.

Much of the board discussion centered around whether the charter should receive an initial three-year or five-year term.

Cheri Summers, the district’s chief academic officer, said staff recommended three years after noting the petition lacked depth and detail in certain areas but was still “technically compliant” with state law.

Lynne Vaughan, who serves on the MIT Academy Board of Directors, asked the board to consider giving the new charter a five-year term. She addressed the concerns of staff which focused mainly around the school’s learning program.

 

Source: Vallejo school board approves new charter

Dixon May Fair caters to special needs students with early opening – The Reporter

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By Jessica Rogness

Friday marked Kid’s Day at the Dixon May Fair, but the fun started even earlier for students in special education classes from across Solano County.

The Jest in Time Circus on the Family Fun Stage was a favorite for students visiting from Tremont Elementary School in Dixon.

Laughter pealed from under the big top as “Topper Todd” and “Li Li Zucchini” exhibited their antics for the kids, parents and teachers with juggling pins, toilet paper and Lucky the little white dog.

Then it was on to the Butler Amusements Carnival for some thrills.

Source: Dixon May Fair caters to special needs students with early opening

Student journalism shines again in Campus Star – The Reporter

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By Matt Miller

In 1990, The Reporter launched a community engagement program designed to showcase the talent budding of young journalists and ad designers in our local elementary, middle and high schools.

Today, the newspaper publishes its 27th edition. The Reporter and hundreds of local students, their families, teachers and sponsors will celebrate the outstanding work of these young writers, artists and photographers from schools across the region at a reception tonight. For the first time in the program’s history, the ceremony will take place in the Travis Unified School District at Foxboro Elementary.

Each year The Reporter encourages students at all area schools to participate. This year, there were close to 400 entries.

The work is on display in our special section. Campus Star is a newspaper published inside The Reporter each year and is of, by and for local students. Once again, readers will find themselves engaged, inspired and entertained by this collection of outstanding work by the participating students.

 

Source: Student journalism shines again in Campus Star

New Travis Unified supe Conklin inks three-year, $200K contract – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Travis Unified trustees Tuesday voted to approve a three-year, $200,000 contract for newly named Superintendent Pamela Conklin, who oversees a 5,500-student district, one-third of them military dependents on nearby Travis Air Force Base.

Governing board president Angela Weinzinger signed the contract after a closed-session meeting and before the regularly scheduled trustee meeting in the Travis Education Center in Fairfield.

A longtime educator, Conklin, who as interim superintendent replaced the retiring Kate Wren Gavlak on Feb. 1, was named superintendent last month.

Her contract calls for her to work 221 days annually and submit to a yearly review by the five-member governing board.

Source: New Travis Unified supe Conklin inks three-year, $200K contract

Rebuffed once, Sacramento-area charter school leader petitions VUSD again – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Already rebuffed once, the leader of a Sacramento-area charter school group has once again petitioned Vacaville Unified leaders to have its downtown Vacaville school be aligned with the 12,500-student district.

When it meets Thursday, the governing board plans to hear a presentation by Paul Keefer, executive director of Pacific Charter Institute, then seek comments and questions from the public and trustees.

The governing board — which, in July 2013, rejected the charter submitted on behalf of Heritage Peak, the PCI charter school at 354 Parker St. — will take action on the petition, an up-or-down vote, as required by law, at its June 29 meeting.

Keefer on April 28 sent notice of his renewed intentions to VUSD offices on Nut Tree Road. By law, the district has 60 days from receipt of the petition to make a decision. The last time Keefer engaged in the process with the district, trustees, on a 4-2 vote in a packed meeting room in the Educational Services center, rejected the petition, citing its “unsound educational plan.”

 

Source: Rebuffed once, Sacramento-area charter school leader petitions VUSD again

Estrella-Henderson announces her candidacy for school superintendent – Daily Republic

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By Todd R. Hansen

Lisette Estrella-Henderson has announced she is running for Solano County superintendent of schools.

“We are at a pivotal time in education. I take the responsibility of this position very seriously. We must move education in Solano County forward, with an emphasis on student preparation for the workforce,” Estrella-Henderson, said in announcing her candidacy on Monday. “Each student is unique and I will continue to work diligently with our community partners to ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.”

Source: Estrella-Henderson announces her candidacy for school superintendent

Armijo’s Jordan Terrell signs letter of intent to George Fox – Daily Republic

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By Marcus Lomtong

It’s not that often a student-athlete can play just three games of his senior season and still get the opportunity to play baseball at the next level.

That ‘s the case for Armijo High baseball player Jordan “JoJo” Terrell, who signed a national letter of intent, Friday, to play baseball at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon.

Source: Armijo’s Jordan Terrell signs letter of intent to George Fox

Brendan Erwin to run for University of St. Mary after career at Armijo – Daily Republic

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By Marcus Lomtong

Running long distances is Brendan Erwin’s specialty for the Armijo High cross country and track teams.

He won’t have to run a long distance to go to college, but he will have to travel a long distance, having signed a national letter of intent inside E. Gary Vaughn Gymnasium, Friday, to the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kan., on a full-ride scholarship.

Erwin didn’t choose the Spires because the campus is more than 1,700 miles away, though. In fact, he chose them because life after athletics is just as important as being a student-athlete.

Source: Brendan Erwin to run for University of St. Mary after career at Armijo

Benicia High School honored for exemplary arts education – Times Herald

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By Katy St. Clair

The California Department of Education is recognizing Benicia High School for its “Exemplary Program in Arts Education.”

Benicia High had previously been selected as a “Gold Ribbon School” by State Superintendent Tom Torlakson for representing “best practices” in education.

The Public Safety Academy in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District also received the “Exemplary” honor for its “Career Technical Education.”

Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said that both schools served their community with “model practices” and support their students with “state-of-the-art programs.”

 

Source: Benicia High School honored for exemplary arts education

Trio of Fairfield-Suisun schools earn Honor Roll designation – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

It is a school administrator’s dream: Touting successful practices that improve outcomes for students.

But three Fairfield-Suisun Unified schools, out of nearly 1,900 statewide, have been recognized for doing just that by two national organizations, the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence.

Armijo High, K.I. Jones Elementary and the Public Safety Academy have been deemed 2016 Honor Roll schools, part of a national effort to identify higher-performing schools and highlight successful practices that improve outcomes for students.

Schools receiving this designation from California educators and business leaders “have demonstrated consistent high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time and reduction in achievement gaps among student populations,” Sheila McCabe, the district’s executive director of administrative services and community engagement, wrote in a press release.

 

Source: Trio of Fairfield-Suisun schools earn Honor Roll designation

Fairfield-Suisun school recognized for its career tech program – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The Public Safety Academy, a Fairfield-Suisun Unified school, was one of 23 of 275 Golden Ribbon middle schools and high schools to receive an additional honor, of having an Exemplary Program in one of several areas: arts education, career technical education or physical activity and nutrition.

PSA, as it’s called for short, was recognized for its CTE program, according to a press release from the state Department of Education. Tom Torlakson, the state schools chief, made the announcement.

Laurie Halcomb is principal at the Atlantic Avenue school of choice, where students in grades five to 12 experience a rigorous academic program and career readiness for those interested in law enforcement, fire fighting, emergency response and other public safety-related fields.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school recognized for its career tech program

Buckingham artist ‘layers it on’ for annual student art show – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Hannah Siu loves the outdoors and art.

She’s employed both passions in “Mystical Meadow,” one of nearly 300 entries submitted to the Vacaville Art League’s annual student show. An honorable mention ribbon sits next to her creation on a pedestal.

The Buckingham High School senior used about 10 layers of paper to create the three-dimensional scene. She carved with a thin tool and used about 30 pieces of paper in the accordion-style piece.

It was created during her painting and sculpting class at school when her instructor encouraged the students to be creative, she said.

Source: Buckingham artist ‘layers it on’ for annual student art show

Three Solano schools make national business, education Honor Roll – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Armijo High School, KI Jones Elementary and the Public Safety Academy were selected as Honor Schools by a national campaign of business and education leaders, the Fairfield-Suisun School District said Tuesday.

The Honor Roll is part of a national effort to identify higher-performing schools and highlight successful practices that improve outcomes for students, the school district said.

Schools receiving this distinction from leaders in the California academic and business communities have demonstrated consistent high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time and reduction in achievement gaps among student populations, the school district said.

Source: Three Solano schools make national business, education Honor Roll

Wood stadium contract, hikes in meal prices up for discussion at Vacaville Unified meeting – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The contract for building the new Wood High athletics stadium, slight increases in school meals for the 2017-18 year, and suicide prevention presentation are on the agenda when Vacaville Unified leaders meet tonight.

As expected, the governing board will likely approve a contract with Alten Construction, a Richmond-based firm, to build the long-awaited athletics stadium at Wood High. The contract is not to exceed $13,950,000, a little more than $1 million more than previously projected by Dan Banowetz, the director of facilities.

There was no explanation in agenda documents about why the contract increased from a previously announced figure of $12.8 million. The contact signing will come exactly one week after school and district officials held a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony at the Marshall Road campus.

Source: Wood stadium contract, hikes in meal prices up for discussion at Vacaville Unified meeting

Teen drummer competes in national competition, releases new song – The Reporter

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By Jessica Rogness

As a young child, Molly Hendricksen would play percussion on pots and pans and the back seat in her parents’ car.

“And then they discovered I could actually keep a beat,” she said, and finally bought her a toy drum set when she was 8 years old.

In the years that followed, Hendricksen would take drumming lessons and play music at school.

Now 17 and a Vacaville High School senior, Hendricksen recently competed in the “Hit Like A Girl” drumming contest under her performance moniker Molly Rose.

Last year, she placed second runner-up in the under 18 category of this international contest.

Each contestant submits a video and biography which are judged by professional judges and drummers.

This year, Hendrickson took a different approach by playing a Latin groove in the first half of her video entry, followed by “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean.

 

Source: Teen drummer competes in national competition, releases new song

Measure Q items, charter school petition on DUSD agenda – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Business related to Measure Q, the $30.4 million bond approved by voters in November, and a public hearing on the Norcal Trade and Tech Center Charter School petition are on the agenda when Dixon Unified leaders meet tonight in Dixon.

The five-member governing board is expected to approve a $864,000 contract with LPA Inc. for design services related to the modernization of Old Dixon High, built in 1940 when Franklin Roosevelt was president. LPA is an architectural firm with offices in California and Texas, from Sacramento and San Diego to Dallas and San Antonio.

Later in the meeting, trustees also are expected to approve some additional applicants to serve on the Citizens Oversight Committee for Measure Q. Typically, bond oversight committees are tasked with being stewards of the money, delivering periodic updates to the governing board on how the money is being spent. Agenda documents did not list the names of the applicants, but two were approved in March, one in April, and Superintendent Brian Dolan, noted the latest applicants bring the committee closer to being fully staffed.

Source: Measure Q items, charter school petition on DUSD agenda

Three honored during kickoff of ‘Break the Stigma’ mental health event – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Providers and a consumer were honored Wednesday at a Solano County Behavioral Health event to kick off mental health awareness month with its theme of “Break the Stigma.”

Annette Williams of the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy in Fairfield was a Community Hero award winner in the event held at the county offices on Courage Drive in Fairfield.

“It’s just a pleasure to be able to help students,” Williams said.

Source: Three honored during kickoff of ‘Break the Stigma’ mental health event

Two Solano schools named exemplary programs by state – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

The Public Safety Academy in Fairfield and Benicia High School have been selected for the Exemplary Program Award.

The academy is being honored for Career Technical Education, and Benicia High for its Arts Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced in a statement released through the county Office of Education.

“The recognition of these two schools highlights the range and depth of curricular options students have in Solano County’s School Districts. We thank the two schools for serving their communities with model practices and for supporting their students with state-of -the-art programs,”Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools, said in a statement announcing the awards.

Source: Two Solano schools named exemplary programs by state

Local charter school students publish book of short stories – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Eight Solano County junior high students have developed a book of their own short stories as part of their language arts course.

The students are Lisette Adundez, Caden Hiteshew, Madeline LeBron, Kawika Makua, Warren Dominguez, Carolyn West, Josiah West and Spencer Young. Their book, “Ready for Liftoff,” is available on Amazon.

“They all belong to different charter schools,” said Mia Douglas, director of the Launch tutoring program, which these students have been enrolled in for two years.

Source: Local charter school students publish book of short stories