Vacaville officer creates program to help first responders better help special-needs children – Daily Republic

By Ian Thompson

Vacaville first responders may soon be better prepared to respond to situations involving special-needs children.

The city’s Police Department is finishing up a program that has been teaching the city’s police and firefighters about engaging with special-needs children and will soon allow parents of special-needs children to list them in a database which firefighters and police can access if they are called to that address.

They are also working to expand that listing to involve special-needs adults and Alzheimer’s patients.

The program is the brainchild of Vacaville Police Department School Resources Officer Jeremy Johnson, who is also the father of a 6-year-old child who has autism.

Source: Vacaville officer creates program to help first responders better help special-needs children

$1.6M in Measure A, Prop. 39 contracts on VUSD agenda – The Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified leaders, when they meet tonight, are expected to approve several large Measure A and Proposition 39 contracts totaling more than $1.6 million, plus pass a resolution calling for “full and fair funding of California’s public schools.”

The seven-member governing board will OK, in order, three Measure A contracts, including 1) a $272,000 agreement with Johnson Mechanical to replace the heating, ventilation and air condition systems in the Wood High administration building; 2) a $65,000 contract with American Asphalt & Resurfacing Co. for the seal coating projects at Vacaville High and Jepson Middle School; and 3) a $629,000 agreement with Sunterra Solar Inc. for solar panels atop the newly built E and M buildings at the West Monte Vista Avenue campus.

Source: $1.6M in Measure A, Prop. 39 contracts on VUSD agenda

Solano County’s top school district employees named – The Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Vanden High science teacher Marilyn Lewis and Vallejo City Unified bus driver Samantha Bradshaw were named Solano County’s top educators of the year.

The leader of Solano County schools, Lisette Estrella-Henderson, made the announcement in a press release.

Besides Lewis and Bradshaw, named Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year, respectively, 12 other school district employees were honored Tuesday during a ceremony in Suisun City. The event recognized teachers, paraeducators, child nutrition, support services, security and school staff who give their time, talent and skills to support student achievement, educational innovation and community involvement in Solano County schools.

“It is an honor and a privilege to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Solano County educators and support staff,” Estrella-Henderson added in the prepared statement.

Source: Solano County’s top school district employees named

300 art pieces featured in Student Art Faire that begins May 16 – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

Art from local students in fourth through 12th grades will be featured as part of the Solano County Student Art Faire that’s scheduled May 16-18 and May 21-22.

“Art is an essential component in a child’s development of motor skills, language, critical thinking, creativity and cultural awareness. It is also linked to increased academic performance. This countywide art faire showcases the immense talent of our local student artists,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.

Students from 25 schools submitted about 300 art pieces in categories that included computer art, clay pottery, sculpture, drawing, fiber, mixed media, painting, photography and print making.

Source: 300 art pieces featured in Student Art Faire that begins May 16

Dixon USD leaders to consider pay hike for teachers – The Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Two public hearings about a tentative salary agreement with the Dixon Teachers Association and the possible approval of the contract, and updates on the LCAP and possible relocation of Maine Prairie High are on the agenda when Dixon Unified leaders meet tonight in Dixon.

A public hearing will precede the approval or possible modification of the contract, with a follow-up public hearing to revision the contract’s initial proposals.

According to agenda documents, the agreement, ratified April 26, calls for a 2 percent ongoing increase to the salary schedule, retroactive to Jan. 1. That decision will affect all active union members as of April 1.

Additionally, the contract calls for increasing elementary teacher preparation time from 360 minutes to 450 minutes for every 10 working days.

Source: Dixon Unified School District leaders to consider pay hike for teachers

Public Comment Open for Health Education Framework – Year 2018 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that the public comment period is now open for the Health Education Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve. It presents an approach to health education that focuses on students learning skills and practicing behaviors that will lead to a lifetime of good health.

“Students who are healthy do better in school, attend more days of classes and are ready to learn,” said Torlakson. “This new framework is another example of how California is leading the way for comprehensive health education for all students.”

The framework provides guidance on a wide range of health education topics, including nutrition, physical activity, community health, drug use, depression, obesity, relationships, and the impact of the environment on health. It also gives students the tools to reduce risky behaviors. The new health education framework is the first based on the groundbreaking Health Education Content Standards for California Public School, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (PDF), which addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of health.

Source: Public Comment Open for Health Education Framework – Year 2018 (CA Dept of Education)

Cornel West to speak at Vallejo summit on May 11 – Times Herald

By Times Herald Staff

Intellectual, political activist and author Cornel West will be the keynote speaker for the 6th Annual Solano County Positive Youth Justice Summit on May 11.

This year’s theme is The Profound Desire for Justice.

The submit “seeks to advance the conversation around evidence-informed policies and practices to improve youth justice and social services in Solano County so that systems are responsive to the needs of our most vulnerable, at-promise justice involved youth,” according to a Vallejo City Unified School District news release.

The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. May 11 at the California State University Maritime Academy, Rizza Auditorium, 200 Maritime Academy Drive.

Source: Cornel West to speak at Vallejo summit on May 11

SCOE honors classified employee, teacher of the year – Daily Republic

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

A school bus driver convinced by her cousin to give the job a try and a high school science teacher who taught three of her four children were named Tuesday as Solano County’s Classified School Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

Samantha Bradshaw, lead trainer and bus driver for the Vallejo City School District, was nominated for her can-do attitude and getting grants to retrofit the buses.

“Samantha has gone over and beyond the call of duty to help out the Transportation Department,” her nomination read.

Source: Solano office of education honors classified employee, teacher of the year

Vallejo trustees get first look at proposed $194 million bond – Times Herald

By John Glidden

It’s an election year, so the quest by the Vallejo school district to get a school bond passed is in full swing.

Trustees will get their first look Wednesday at the district’s newest proposal: Placement of a $194 million school bond on the November ballot.

Bond proceeds would be used to repair classrooms, update science, computer, and technology labs, and improve security, fire safety and electrical and plumbing systems, according to the draft ballot language.

In addition, bond monies would be allocated to the independent charter school Mare Island Technology Academy for site improvements.

District staff estimates the Vallejo City Unified School District requires about $750 million for school facility needs and improvements.

Source: Vallejo trustees get first look at proposed $194 million bond

3 Solano women Emerge with eye on elected office – Daily Republic

By Todd R. Hansen

Three Solano County women recently graduated from Emerge California, a group dedicated to educating, training and getting more Democratic women into elected office.

Dr. Bonnie Hamilton, a retired pediatrician, Doriss Panduro, president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and K. Patrice Williams, an attorney who serves as chief executive officer for BrandGOV, graduated during a ceremony April 22.Williams was the Emerge graduation speaker.

Source: 3 Solano women Emerge with eye on elected office

School board to hear update on Measure S bond progress – Benicia Herald

By Nick Sestanovich

The Benicia Unified School District is currently discussing how best to use the remaining funds in the Measure S budget. A quarterly update on the Measure S bond will be delivered at Thursday’s school board meeting.

Measure S is an initiative approved by Benicia voters in 2014 to provide $49.6 million in bond funding for renovation and upgrades of school facilities. As of now, 11 projects funded by Measure S have been completed, including playground upgrades at all the elementary schools, repairing the roofs at Benicia Middle School and Mary Farmar Elementary School, upgrading the phone systems at all schools, replacing the softball field bleachers at Benicia High School, replacing the fire alarms at Benicia Middle and Benicia High, and renovating the Benicia High stadium.

Source: School board to hear update on Measure S bond progress

Red-letter day on the way for Will C. Wood stadium – The Reporter

By Richard Bammer

It’s Day 2 and counting.

In a little more than 48 hours, students, faculty, Vacaville Unified leaders, and the Vacaville community will mark a milestone day in the history of Will C. Wood High.

More than 12 months since groundbreaking — and nearly four years since the passage of Measure A — work on the new $16 million Wildcat Stadium will come down Thursday to some likely ongoing final details and a celebratory grand opening.

Source: Red-letter day on the way for Will C. Wood stadium