Monthly Archives: August 2019

California’s charter schools, unions call a truce in an epic battle – Times-Herald

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By Ricardo Cano/Cal Matters

Gov. Gavin Newsom brokered an agreement Wednesday on a high-profile charter-school regulation proposal at the center of this year’s contentious battle between teachers unions and charter advocates, removing a key hurdle for its passage this session.

The compromise on Assembly Bill 1505 comes after months of lobbying by the state’s two most influential education interest groups and several impassioned hearings over sweeping proposed changes to how the publicly funded, independently managed schools operate in California.

Initiated in the early 1990s as a way to bring innovation into California’s K-12 school system, charter schools have sharply grown over the years, primarily in the state’s urban school systems, and have become a flashpoint for unions, who contend they draw enrollment away from traditional public schools, depriving them of critical funding and resources.

Source: California’s charter schools, unions call a truce in an epic battle – Times-Herald

Teen filmmaker sets out to change female roles in horror movies – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Some 16-year-old girls dream of romance, a knight in shining armor, a white picket fence and children.

Indica DeRose views the world from a different vantage point. The teen, who finished high school early, will make her second appearance at next weekend’s Benicia Film Festival.

Her film, “Just Girly Things,” was inspired by a 195os-era publication “Who’s Looking at You?” that offered advice on how to look one’s best and attract a husband. She found it in a Benicia antique store and began to peruse it, coming up with an idea for a film.

Source: Teen filmmaker sets out to change female roles in horror movies

Dan O. Root II: Navy commander, educator, superintendent, Mr. Suisun City – Daily Republic

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By Tony Wade

Daniel Ornon Root II was a Navy veteran, teacher, school superintendent, public servant, community advocate and a husband and father. He loved the little hamlet he adopted after moving to Solano County from Yreka and was affectionately known as “Mr. Suisun City.”

Dan O. Root II’s father was Ross Root, not Dan O. Root I – that would be his grandfather. Dan O. Root II’s son, Dan O. Root III, was, like his father, a teacher at Armijo High School. And there is also a Dan O. Root IV and a Dan O. Root V.

Born April 23, 1899, in Wood River, Nebraska, Dan O. Root II earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for several years before becoming an educator. Root taught in Wyoming, the San Joaquin Valley and Yreka before coming to Armijo High School in 1937 to teach math and coach athletics.

Source: Back in the Day: Dan O. Root II: Navy commander, educator, superintendent, Mr. Suisun City

College Board modifies controversial SAT ‘adversity score’ after criticism – Times-Herald

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By John Woolfolk

The organization that administers the SAT exam said Tuesday it has modified its controversial “adversity score” aimed at giving disadvantaged students a boost after criticism that it will only add to the uncertainty and anxiety plaguing college admissions.

The College Board said it has replaced its “Environmental Context Dashboard,” known as the “adversity score,” with a more transparent product called “Landscape.”

“We listened to thoughtful criticism and made Landscape better and more transparent,” said David Coleman, CEO of College Board, in a news statement Tuesday. “Landscape provides admissions officers more consistent background information so they can fairly consider every student, no matter where they live and learn.”

Source: College Board modifies controversial SAT ‘adversity score’ after criticism – Times-Herald

Saddle up your support for teen programming – 2019 PAL-beque at Jelly Belly! – Daily Republic

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By Heather-Rae Sanderson

Get ready to chow down on Saturday, September 14, 2019 6:00p.m. as we round up resources and support for local teens and their families with a community PAL-beque at Jelly Belly, One Jelly Belly Lane, in Fairfield.

“Wow, I wish they had all that when I was a teen!”

We hear that all the time when we share what happens at the PAL Center. Here is your chance to help Fairfield PAL continue and grow! Join us Saturday, September 14 for a PAL-beque at Jelly Belly, in Fairfield! One hundred percent of the funds raised will go to providing local teens with meaningful experiences and programs!

Source: Good News: Saddle up your support for teen programming in Fairfield and join us for 2019 PAL-beque at Jelly Belly!

Buckingham Roboknights Return With High Spirits – Daily Republic

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By Community Contributor

Buckingham Roboknights Return With High SpiritsVacaville, CA – August 27, 2017.

The Buckingham Charter Magnet High School Robotics team is gearing up for yet another successful year.

“I’m really looking forward to this year” says Public Relations lead Matt Famularcano. “There is a lot of potential, we have a great team, and a lot of exciting work to do before the competitions.”

Source: Buckingham Roboknights Return With High Spirits

They’re back: Fairfield-Suisun students begin 2019-20 school year – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Students in the Fairfield-Suisun School District poured into classrooms Monday at the elementary, middle and high schools.

There were some tears and a lots of cheers. Those traveling the surface streets in Fairfield and Suisun City noticed an increase in traffic from about 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Patience was the key to those seeking parking spaces and help at the school office as lines stretched out the door.

More than 950 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders entered under an arch of black and yellow balloons at Grange Middle School. Waiting for them were teachers with pompoms, handmade signs and lots of cheering.

Source: They’re back: Fairfield-Suisun students begin 2019-20 school year

Vallejo Immersive Learning Center holds party for Hydro S.T.E.A.M. camp – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

This summer at the Vallejo Immersive Learning Center on Georgia Street, kids taking part of a Hydro S.T.E.A.M. camp have learned about the “Four C’s” — communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

On Saturday afternoon they were able to learn about a fifth “C” — celebrate.

S.T.E.A.M. which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math, is a focused community education center that offers academic enrichment and academic support. In a technology-based economy, the center teaches citizens young and old to develop skills necessary for the future.

Source: Vallejo Immersive Learning Center holds party for Hydro S.T.E.A.M. camp – Times-Herald

Punitive discipline’s effectiveness hazy as schools fight teen vaping | Education Dive

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By Naaz Modan

Students are vaping — in school bathrooms, between classes and after school — and at the crux of the crisis is the spread of misinformation.

Last week, an Illinois district filed a lawsuit against Juul Labs, a leading e-cigarette company that holds more than 75% of the market, for allegedly glamorizing the product on social media to market to teens and young adults. What was meant to be a harm-reduction alternative for adults addicted to nicotine is becoming increasingly popular among teens, and school administrators now face the dilemma of how to discipline students and address misinformation.

Source: Punitive discipline’s effectiveness hazy as schools fight teen vaping | Education Dive

Students, parents, district staff tour Public Safety Academy’s new buildings – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

“It’s amazing. I can’t believe this is the school I go to,” incoming Public Safety Academy seventh-grader Ashley Sluder said Thursday.

She then demonstrated in the gym how much easier it will be for her and her fellow students to exercise in the new gym, which can hold more than 1,100 people.

Jumping jacks often meant one person would jump to the side, almost colliding with another student. Stretching out her arms, Sluder showed the amount of room she will enjoy when the school year begins Monday.

Source: Students, parents, district staff tour Public Safety Academy’s new buildings

Solano 4-H scheduled info night at Vacaville school – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

The Solano County 4-H Youth Development Program will host a 4-H information night next week in the multipurpose Room at Alamo Elementary School, located at 500 S. Orchard Ave.

This informative gathering begins at 7 p.m. Thursday and is an opportunity for families who are interested in learning more about the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Organizers will introduce the Solano County 4-H Program with an overview of programs, resources and activities offered. Participants will meet Solano County 4-H staff, 4-H adult volunteer leaders and 4-H members. The 4-H Youth Development Program is open to all children and teens ages 5 through 19.

Source: Solano 4-H scheduled info night at Vacaville school

New grant program will focus on executive function, math – Education Dive

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By Linda Jacobsen

A paper appearing earlier this year in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly showed gaps in kindergartners’ executive function skills — such as being able to shift one’s attention and control inhibitions — can contribute to later difficulties in academics, including math, throughout the elementary years.

“For example, working memory deficits may contribute to difficulties in comprehending text, following multi-step instructions, or effectively using strategies to solve mathematics or science problems,” the authors wrote. They concluded that interventions focusing on “cognitive processing deficits” and that jointly address executive function as well as academic skills could benefit students.

Source: New grant program will focus on executive function, math – Education Dive

Thank you, CC and Amber Sabathia – Times Herald

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letter to the Editor/Nestor Aliga

On Aug. 19, CC and Amber Sabathia again shared their valuable time, talents, and treasures with our beloved community. This year, it was with very appreciative students at Joseph Wardlaw Elementary School. Similar to previous years, they will distribute about 3,000 backpacks throughout the school district.

On Aug. 7, the Vallejo City Unified School District unanimously adopted the “CC and Amber Sabathia Day on Aug. 19” resolution, which reads:

• Whereas, Carsten Charles Sabathia, Jr. was born in July 1980 in Vallejo, California, and graduated from Vallejo High School in 1998 where he excelled in baseball, basketball, and football; and as one of highest-paid Major League Baseball pitchers, CC has been a Cy Young Award winner, a six-time All Star, and a World Series Champion, as well as a generous philanthropist in Vallejo; and

Source: Thank you, CC and Amber Sabathia – Times Herald

Parents of Kids With Special Needs Find Advice Navigating The System Online – Mindshift

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By Laura McKenna

When Stasi Webber decided it was time to uproot her family from their Michigan home to find a better school for her 11-year-old son with autism, she turned to the internet for answers.

The public schools in her state don’t provide the specialized behavioral and life skills training, known as ABA therapy, that her son needs; he skips school every Tuesday and Thursday to receive these essential services. But recently, Webber learned from parents on social media that her son could get both academics and ABA training in schools in New Jersey, where she grew up.

With a tentative plan of returning to her childhood home in Mahwah, she found three or four local social media sites run by special education parents and asked about ABA services at the local district, its willingness to send students to specialized schools and comparisons with nearby towns. She put her house on the market.

Source: Parents of Kids With Special Needs Find Advice Navigating The System Online – Mindshift

PitCCh In, Wells Fargo show interest in Lincoln School in Vallejo – Times Herald

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By Richard Freedman

Let’s face it, about 200 kids at Lincoln Elementary School likely didn’t care about the teamwork it took to get them free backpacks Tuesday morning with all of life’s necessities like pencils, crayons, rulers, scissors, glue sticks and notebooks.

All that mattered was scoring a much-needed tool to the new year at Vallejo’s oldest elementary school. And that they did.

“It’s incredible,” observed Principal Sandra Nahal. “We have so much need in our community and the students are so grateful and the parents are so grateful. It means a lot.”

Source: PitCCh In, Wells Fargo show interest in Lincoln School in Vallejo – Times Herald

Teens spruce up Armijo’s garden for open house – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Volunteers spent the past two days helping Armijo High’s Garden of Hope prepare for its showcase at the school’s open house next month.

The 2,400-square-foot plot is the dream of Sylvia Herrera, a 21-year teaching veteran at the school.

The idea was planted in her mind a few years ago. She credits principal Sheila Smith for her support in the venture.

Brothers Isaiah and Isaac Powell were there early Tuesday to help out. Isaiah, who will be a junior, also helped out in the garden during the spring semester.

Source: Teens spruce up Armijo’s garden for open house – Daily Republic

Students return for first day of school in Vallejo – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

For a brief moment, it looked like the hallways of Solano Middle School would never clear as students, teachers, and parents clogged the narrow spaces early Monday morning for the first day of classes.

It was a new era for the school on Corcoran Avenue, as kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Elsa Widenmann Elementary School officially joined the new campus — forming the hybrid elementary/middle school of about 800 students.

“It was a bit chaotic,” said parent Carmela, who declined to give her last name. Carmela dropped off her little one for the first day of the fourth grade.

Source: Students return for first day of school in Vallejo – Times Herald

FSUSD Project Lit: Growing Readers and Leaders – Daily Republic

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By Tim Goree

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District students will have the opportunity to participate in diverse book clubs tied to community service this upcoming school year thanks to a Solano Community Foundation Education Plus! Grant. Teacher librarians in the district will use grant funds to start Project LIT Book Clubs for teens in the community. Project LIT Community is a national, grassroots Literacy movement, in which a team of dedicated teachers and students work together in forming a school-wide – and sometimes community-wide Literary Community.

FSUSD and Project LIT Community envision a future where all children become proficient, passionate readers who see the joy and value of reading, and who possess the literacy skills to choose their post-secondary path. In order for this to become a reality, every child deserves access to high-interest, culturally relevant books both inside and outside of school. Additionally, every child deserves daily opportunities to read, celebrate and discuss great books with peers and adults in their community.

Source: FSUSD Project Lit: Growing Readers and Leaders – Daily Republic

Shining faces, smiles, some anxiety in a ‘positive learning environment’ – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

From Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” the “seven ages of man” speech refers to the second stage this way: “Then, the whining schoolboy with his satchel/And shining morning face, creeping like snail/Unwillingly to school.”

But while there were few serious whiners, there were plenty of shining faces, in some cases perhaps masking some understandable anxiety, as backpack-toting children with pep in their step and many wearing new clothes marched back into Vacaville Unified classrooms Thursday, the first day of the 2019-20 academic year.

Hundreds of parents and some 965 students of the nearly 13,000 across 19 campuses districtwide showed up at 8:25 a.m. at Markham Elementary to hear welcoming remarks from Principal Jose Bermudez before the first bell.

Source: Shining faces, smiles, some anxiety in a ‘positive learning environment’ – The Reporter

Anderson students ready to learn on first day back – The Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

After a quiet two months, the halls of Linford L. Anderson Elementary School in Dixon were once again filled with new and familiar faces when classes resumed Thursday for the 2019-20 school year.

The day began with students and their parents gathering on the blacktop for a schoolwide welcome, morning announcements and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Principal Rayito Farris. The students then formed single file lines and made their way to their classrooms.

Their backpack designs reflected their interests, ranging from movie franchises like “Frozen” and “Toy Story,” comic book characters like Spider-Man, video games like “Fortnite,” “Minecraft” and “Super Mario Bros”; and timeless hobbies like dinosaurs and cars.

Source: Anderson students ready to learn on first day back – The Reporter