Schools Would Get $100 Billion for Repairs, Rebuilding in Democrats’ Bill –  Education Week

By Andrew Ujifusa

Democrats are once again pitching a big plan to fix up America’s schools. But it follows several false starts in the last few years to address this issue inside the Beltway from both parties.

Under the Rebuild America’s Schools Act, unveiled by House and Senate Democrats on Wednesday in Washington, the federal government would provide $70 billion in direct funding for school repairs and rebuilding, along with $30 billion in tax-credit bonds. The bill would also create “a comprehensive national database on the condition of public school facilities,” according to a fact sheet put out by the Democrats.

The proposal, which was released by Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J., and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., would also generate 1.9 million jobs, according to the Democrats, who cite an estimate from the left-leaning and labor-friendly Economic Policy Institute.

Source: Schools Would Get $100 Billion for Repairs, Rebuilding in Democrats’ Bill – Politics K-12 – Education Week

K-12 Schools Aren’t Getting Disrupted, but Markets that Provide Resources to Schools Are – Education Next

By Thomas Arnett

If you’ve followed the K–12 education dialogue over the last decade, then you’re probably familiar with the term “disruptive innovation.” Edtech entrepreneurs and school choice advocates sometimes invoke it as an indomitable force that will redeem and transform broken school systems.

Meanwhile, people on the other side of these debates worry that “disruption” is a flawed yet rhetorically powerful narrative used to rationalize K–12 privatization. Somewhere in the middle are skeptics who give consideration to the idea, but wonder if “disruption” is an oversold term that is likely to underdeliver on its proponents’ promises.So how do we make sense of the tumult of opinions? What is disruptive innovation as it relates to K–12 education?

Source: K-12 Schools Aren’t Getting Disrupted, but Markets that Provide Resources to Schools Are – Education Next : Education Next

Vaca High grad Stevens wins USTAF 50K championship – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

Vacaville High graduate and former Westwind Flyers Track Club member Robyn Stevens won the USA Track and Field 50-kilometer (31.1-mile) race walk championship in Santee, Saturday, with a time of 4 hours, 34 minutes, 24 seconds.

The top three finishers (male and female) will compete for the United States team in the 2019 Pan American Race Walking Cup in Lazaro, Mexico, April 20-21, and Stevens will participate in the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, July 26-Aug. 11.

Source: Vaca High grad Stevens wins USTAF 50K championship

Solano County Office of Education announces educators of year – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

A special education psychologist at the Irene Larsen Center and a human resources analyst in the administrative office of the Solano County Office of Education have been name educators of the year for the agency.

Colleen Van Nes-Fahey, the school psychologist at Irene Larsen Center, was named the Certificated Educator of the Year, while Jordan Hunt, senior human resources analyst at the county schools office, was selected as the Classified Educator of the Year, the county education office announced Wednesday.

“SCOE is very fortunate to have many wonderful classified and certificated employees who provide essential support to our students and schools,” Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement released by her office.

Source: Solano County Office of Education announces educators of year

DeVos proposes guidance for district Title 1 spending | Education Dive

By Amelia Harper

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on Friday issued proposed nonregulatory guidance to districts regarding compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) “supplement-not-supplant” provision, which says federal funding can supplement — and not replace — state and local spending, Education Week reports. In a news release, the department said the old requirement proved “burdensome and restrictive,” leading to changes that allow administrators more flexibility and to make good spending choices while also being in compliance.

Under the proposal, districts don’t have to make sure per-pupil spending on Title I schools — which have a larger high-poverty student population — equals that of others. Districts also don’t have to post their methods for complying with “supplement-not-supplant,” but they can’t simply use per-pupil spending data to prove their compliance.

Source: DeVos proposes guidance for district Title 1 spending | Education Dive

VUSD ready to issue next series of bonds for Measure A projects – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Earlier in the month, Vacaville Unified School District issued its Series C of general obligation bonds provided by Measure A, a $194 million bond initiative passed by Vacaville voters in 2014.

The district says this most recent issuance has saved local property owners millions in taxes due to a rating upgrade for the district, a recent downturn in interest rates and bond structure optimization, according to a district news release.

Through this most recent issuance, VUSD has priced $145 million in general obligation bonds. The district’s credit was reviewed during the process, and it received an AAA rating from Fitch Group, according to the district.

Source: VUSD ready to issue next series of bonds for Measure A projects – The Reporter

Vacaville High to host Solano forum on student vaping – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

A free one-hour informational forum on the growing trend of students vaping will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Vacaville High School library.

The forum is being offered by the Solano Youth Coalition and the Youth Development Services unit of the Solano County Office of Education.

Information on the current tobacco trends, what the products look like, current laws, health effects and how students gain access to the products will be included in the discussion. Information on how parents can talk to their children on the subject will also be available.

Source: Vacaville High to host Solano forum on student vaping

Vanden Junior ROTC receives highest evaluation score – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

The Vanden High School Junior ROTC program has received the highest overall assessment score possible after its recent evaluation.

The “exceeds standards” assessment was given in 24 of the 25 areas on which the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets were evaluated Jan. 18.

Michael L. Wetzel, with the Air Force Junior ROTC, said Vanden can stand on its own against “any other program in the nation.”

Source: Vanden Junior ROTC receives highest evaluation score

1960s is subject of Academic Decathlon Super Quiz at Solano College – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

Nearly 300 students from 15 high schools across Solano, Napa, Sonoma and Yolo counties will continue to battle it out Saturday in the final day of the North Bay Region’s Academic Decathlon.

The event includes the popular Super Quiz, which is the only part of the competition that’s open to the public. It starts at 3:30 p.m. The morning competition includes speeches and interviews.

The theme of this year’s Academic Decathlon contest is “The 1960s: A Transformational Decade.” The event takes place at the Solano Community College gymnasium, 4000 Suisun Valley Road in Rockville.

Source: 1960s is subject of Academic Decathlon Super Quiz at Solano College

North Bay Academic Decathlon To Conclude With ‘Super Quiz’ | Suisun City, CA Patch

By Maggie Avants

Nearly 300 students from 15 high schools across Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties battled it out Saturday, Jan. 26 and will continue battling it out Saturday, Feb. 2 in the North Bay Region’s Academic Decathlon at Solano Community College in Fairfield, according to a news release.

The theme of this year’s academic decathlon — a competitive event modeled after the Olympics to stimulate academic achievement and honor “athletes of the mind” — is “The 1960s: A Transformational Decade.”

Source: North Bay Academic Decathlon To Conclude With ‘Super Quiz’ | Suisun City, CA Patch

Deadline for Applications for the Summer Exchange Group to Japan Is Approaching Fast! – Daily Republic

By Arletta Kelley Cortright

The application deadline to be a part of the Fairfield-Nirasaki Sister City Program summer exchange group is fast approaching. Applications for the Summer 2019 exchange group are due on Thursday, January 24, 2019. The Sister City Program is looking for local high school students with an interest in Japan to be part of next summer’s three-week student exchange visit to Fairfield’s sister city. Interested students are invited to apply to be members of the exchange group. Any high school student in the Fairfield-Suisun School District or Travis School District is eligible to apply to be part of the summer exchange delegation, as well as any high school student residents of Fairfield who attend schools outside of the two districts. Fairfield’s sister city, Nirasaki, Japan, is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is famous for grapes, peaches, wine, textiles, jewelry and for being the home of Mount Fuji. The city is about 90 miles from Tokyo. The summer visit includes trips to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Applications for the summer visit are available at the City of Fairfield’s website, www.fairfield.ca.gov. For more information, contact Arletta Cortright, chairwoman of the Sister City Program, at 426-5603 (home) or 428-7400 (City Hall), or by email at fairfieldsistercity@gmail.com. Applications can also be obtained by contacting Cortright by email.

Source: Press Release: Deadline for Applications for the Summer Exchange Group to Japan Is Approaching Fast!

RHSEU Impresses at Folsom Jazz Fest – Daily Republic

By RHSEU Boosters

RHSEU Jazz Ensembles impressed the judges at this weekend’s 30th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival. RHSEU Jazz Choir scored straight 1s (1 being the highest) while RHSEU Jazz Band scored an overall 2. To end a perfect day, all students and guests were treated to a performance by the famous Gordan Goodwin Big Phat Band. For video recaps of RHSEU performances please visit our Facebook page @rhseu.

RHSEU Jazz Choir and Band’s next scheduled open public appearance will be Wednesday, April 3, at the FSUSD Jazz Festival held in downtown Fairfield. More info to come as the date nears! Visit our website www.rhseu.org or follow us on Facebook to stay up to date.

Source: Good News: RHSEU: Impresses at Folsom Jazz Fest

It’s in the cards — kids thank cops – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “thank you” to make someone’s day. The Acacia branch of the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club recognized this when they began writing cards of appreciation to local police officers Monday.

Ana Sanabria, the club’s supervisor, said the assignment was inspired by the Jan. 10 shooting of Davis police officer Natalie Corona.

“That really hit me,” she said. “Although we see police officers every day, we don’t thank them enough. We never know when it’s going to be their last time serving for the community.”

Moreover, Sanabria is also majoring in criminal justice at Solano Community College, which has given her a greater appreciation for law enforcement.

Source: It’s in the cards — kids thank cops – The Reporter

Sixth-graders to play game of silence for community dance – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Come Feb. 15, Ulatis Community Center will be kind of like the movie “A Quiet Place.”

The difference is there won’t be any monsters, just sixth-grade boys and girls dancing and trying not to talk to other boys and girls as they collect beads.

The Vacaville Community Services Department will be hosting “HUSH” day: A special dance for sixth-graders where they will be given a specific amount of heart beads upon entry.

Source: Sixth-graders to play game of silence for community dance – The Reporter

Getting Their Feet Wet For Science – The Reporter

By Joel Rosenbaum

Jumping into the waters of Ulatis Creek Monday, 18-year-old Vacaville High School senior Spencer Pihl remarked how cold his feet were getting.

But Pihl wasn’t complaining. It was all for science.

Pihl and about 90 of his fellow classmates in Erin Gordon’s Advanced Placement Biology classes at Vaca High were taking part in the 11th annual Solano County Biomonitoring Program, a hands-on science program run by the Solano Resource Conservation District.

Source: Getting Their Feet Wet For Science – The Reporter

Solano district continues projects that include 2,000 child, teen scientists – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

The Solano Resource Conservation District continues efforts this month to engage more than 2,000 Solano County children in its Watershed Explorers, Biomonitoring and School Water Education Programs.

These programs will continue through May and include students from each of Solano County’s seven cities and school districts.

The Watershed Explorers program transforms third-graders into local watershed scientists who learn the value of Solano County water and collecting ecological data on behalf of researchers across the country.

Source: Solano district continues projects that include 2,000 child, teen scientists

Betsy DeVos Releases Proposed Guidance on School Spending – Education Week

By Andrew Ujifusa

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has released proposed guidance to schools about a provision of the Every Student Succeeds Act that prohibits schools from cutting state and local money from education and simply filling the hole with federal funding.

DeVos released the proposed nonregulatory guidance on Friday. Among other things, it clearly states that districts do not need to ensure that there is equal per-pupil spending between Title I schools (those with relatively high shares of low-income students) and non-Title I schools.

After ESSA passed in 2015, the Obama administration proposed regulations that would have required spending at Title I schools to be at least equal to that of the non-Title I schools. But the idea got a torrent of criticism from state and local school officials and others, although civil rights advocates in particular defended the proposal. Those regulations were never finalized before the Trump administration took over.

Source: Betsy DeVos Releases Proposed Guidance on School Spending – Politics K-12 – Education Week

9 BMS students accepted to North Bay Honor Band – Benicia Herald

By Editor

Nine Benicia Middle School students were accepted to the 2019 North Bay Honor Band. Following a two-day rehearsal, the concert took place at Pioneer High School in Woodland, Calif. On Jan. 20.

“It’ll be nice to let the town know what a great music program we have. There are many talented students in Benicia,” said Benicia Middle School Music Boosters President Carol Ham. “Students were focused and well behaved during the two-day rehearsal. The performance was amazing!”

Source: 9 BMS students accepted to North Bay Honor Band

2,000 Solano County students become scientists through local environmental education programs – Benicia Herald

By Editor

This month the Solano Resource Conservation District (Solano RCD) continues engaging more than two-thousand Solano County youth in its Watershed Explorers, Biomonitoring, and School Water Education Programs. These programs will continue through May and include students from each of Solano County’s seven cities and school districts.

The Watershed Explorers program transforms third grade students into local watershed scientists learning the value of Solano County water and collecting critical ecological data on behalf of researchers across the United States. As part of a new program component initiated last fall, the participants become phenologists, or scientists that observe and record information about changes in nature across the different seasons. Around 800 students that participated in the fall are returning this winter or spring to compare their observations and 700 new students will be collecting data for the first time.

Source: 2,000 Solano County students become scientists through local environmental education programs

School to host 16th Annual Rodriguez Winter Review – Daily Republic

By RHSEU Boosters

The 16th Annual Rodriguez Winter Review takes place this weekend at Angelo Rodriguez High School.

It’s the first competition of the winter season for Winter Percussion (mallet line and drum line), Winter Guard, L-Pattern and Field Conducting.

The competition is hosted by the Rodriguez High School Entertainment Unit. It starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Saturday at the school, 5000 Red Top Road. Concession stands will be available.

Source: Community News: School to host 16th Annual Rodriguez Winter Review