Monthly Archives: March 2020

California voters turn down $15B bond issue for schools, higher ed facilities | Education Dive

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By Linda Jacobsn

With more than 95% of precincts reporting as of Wednesday morning, California voters on Tuesday rejected a $15 billion statewide bond measure that would have funded facility projects at preschools, schools, community colleges and universities. The funds would have been used to cover removal of toxic mold and asbestos from aging buildings, more school nurse facilities, and fire and earthquake safety upgrades. Wednesday morning, the nos were leading with 56% of the vote.

Also included in Proposition 13 would have been a provision that allows developers to build multi-family housing near subway stations and bus stops without having to pay school impact fees. The incentive ties to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to address the housing and homelessness issue in the state and reduces pollution caused by commutes to transit centers. But some argued the provision would have hurt school district finances.

Source: California voters turn down $15B bond issue for schools, higher ed facilities | Education Dive

Jackson Ady spells ‘victory’ at Solano County Spelling Bee – Times-Herald

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By Thomas Gase

Word: Flout. Definition: Openly disregard (a rule, law or convention). Used in a sentence: Jackson Ady seemed to flout any notion at the Solano County Fairgrounds that he couldn’t spell well.

The 11-year-old fifth-grader from Kairos Public, a Charter School in Vacaville, defied any notion he couldn’t come through in a pressure situation, winning the Solano County Spelling Bee on Tuesday night when he spelled “flout” correctly.

Ady was the only contestant to spell six words correctly, going 6-for-6. No other person spelled more than four words correctly.Ady will move on to the California State Spelling Bee, set for May 9 in Stockton.

Source: Jackson Ady spells ‘victory’ at Solano County Spelling Bee – Times-Herald

Facebook Groups For Educators – The Edublogger

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By Kathleen Morris

Not so long ago, if educators were looking for ideas, support, or just a good old debrief, the options were limited.

If you even had time to catch up with colleagues in the teachers’ lounge, you might have still felt a little uninspired or isolated. Perhaps you were the only art teacher in your school, or librarian, or technology coach. Trying to meet with like-minded individuals in other schools and districts can be a laborious option too.

Maybe your teachers’ lounge is more of a place to fix a photocopier jam while finishing a cold coffee, rather than a thriving hub of professional dialogue.

Source: Facebook Groups For Educators – The Edublogger

Veterans to receive retroactive high school diplomas on Thursday – Times-Herald

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The Solano County Office of Education is participating in “Operation Recognition” honoring veterans and Japanese-American Citizens with retroactive high school diplomas. The diplomas will be given out to those who were unable to finish high school due to wartime circumstances.

There will be a ceremony at 3 p.m. at 5100 Business Center Drive in Fairfield.

During the 1940s through 1970s, thousands of young men and women left high school and the comforts of home to serve in the United States Armed Forces. During World War II many Japanese-American citizens were interned in relocation camps in various locations across the United States. After these wars, many of these individuals were not able to finish high school and receive high school diplomas.

Source: Veterans to receive retroactive high school diplomas on Thursday – Times-Herald

Solano spelling bee comes to Vallejo – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

The 44th Annual Solano County Spelling Bee will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday in McCormack Hall at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo.

The spelling bee is open to all public and private schools serving students in fourth- through sixth-graders. Each eligible school can register one student who has been certified as their school’s champion speller. There are 53 schools participating this year.

Two top spellers from this event will represent Solano County at the California State Spelling Bee Championship, scheduled May 9 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.

Source: Solano spelling bee comes to Vallejo

Vallejo Police Department, Hakeem Brown reveal new youth program – Times-Herald

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By John Glidden

In an attempt to improve communication between the Vallejo’s youth and police, the department and Vallejo Councilman Hakeem Brown unveiled a new youth outreach initiative, modeled after the Denver Police Department’s successful youth program.

Also partnering with the Vallejo City Unified School District, police will host forums between officers and youth “to ensure future encounters result in less trauma, less distrust, and less escalation toward violence,” according to a VPD press release.

“This is a program that Richard Fisher and I created modeled on a Denver program to help our youth understand their constitutional rights when they come in contact with our officers, educate our officers on adolescent development, de-escalation techniques, and how police behaviors and actions impact the response of a youth,” Brown wrote on his Facebook page announcing the new program.

Source: Vallejo Police Department, Hakeem Brown reveal new youth program – Times-Herald

Soroptimist event raises over $14,000 for C-STEM Camps for girls – Daily Republic

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Soroptimist’s 5th annual “Mardi Gras Madness” fundraiser, held at Green Valley Country Club February 22nd, was a resounding success, club president Jessica Grech reports. This year, in addition to raffle, silent, and live auctions, the club launched a Fund-the-Need appeal to help underwrite C-STEM (Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) camps for girls to be conducted during summer 2020 via a partnership between UC Davis and the Solano County Office of Education. Over $14,000 was raised as auctioneer Joe Gates pounded his gavel time and time again, with attendees raising their hands to support the cause.

Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County Superintendent of Schools, remarked, “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and giving spirit of Soroptimist International of Central Solano County. The money raised will help Solano County Office of Education expand from four to eight ‘Girls In Robotics Leadership’ Camps this summer. They have allowed us to connect with more young women who may not ordinarily be able to attend a week-long C-STEM camp, and we are so grateful for their ongoing partnership.”

Source: Good News: Soroptimist event raises over $14,000 for C-STEM Camps for girls