States ed chiefs rethinking accountability during COVID-19 | Education Dive

By Naaz Modan

The skip-year growth approach, Domaleski said, is “a promising model” being explored in a number of states. (Domaleski and other panelists didn’t discuss other models during the webinar.) However, even with new models, states need time to research and evaluate data collected in 2020-21 before the information is used for high-stakes purposes.

In the near term, states can collect and evaluate legacy and new data to understand the pandemic’s impact and identify areas where states and districts can partner to address challenges.

Source: States ed chiefs rethinking accountability during COVID-19 | Education Dive

3 Solano teachers make cut to take part in specialized program – Daily Republic

Three teachers at Solano County schools are among 32 selected in California to take part in Epic’s 2021 Master Teacher Ambassador Program, the digital children’s reading company announced.

Laura Obando from Fairview Elementary School in Fairfield along with Sofia Calderon from Alamo Elementary in Vacaville and Caitlin Abbate from Notre Dame School in Vacaville were selected from among hundreds of applicants from 37 states and 20 countries, according to a press release from Epic.

The digital reading platform reaches more than 20 million schoolchildren who are 12 or younger, according to the press release.

Source: 3 Solano teachers make cut to take part in specialized program

Solano schools can open Tuesday, but most are expected to wait, open gradually – Daily Republic

By Todd R. Hansen

Solano County schools can choose to open their campuses Tuesday to in-person instruction, but the Public Health Division does not expect to see many do that.

“I don’t know if more than a few would open. There may be a few private schools that might reopen,” Dr. Bela Matyas, the county public health officer, said Friday during a phone interview.

Tuesday marks the second week that Solano County has been at the state’s red tier Covid-19 monitoring status, which is the trigger for letting schools welcome back their students.

Source: Solano schools can open Tuesday, but most are expected to wait, open gradually

Dixon Unified School District Town Hall Meetings For Parents | Dixon, CA Patch

The recent transition of Solano County into the red tier in the State’s monitoring system for COVID-19 allows schools within our county to begin in-person instruction for students. Dixon Unified has not made any decisions about in-person instruction and wants to involve our families before doing so.

These Town Hall Meetings are intended to provide families with information, take input, and answer any questions there are about the possibility of students returning to their campuses.Please note that the purpose of these meetings is to get input prior to any decision regarding a physical return to school. The District is committed to having an open process that allows for public input before any decision about in-person instruction is made.

Source: Dixon Unified School District Town Hall Meetings For Parents | Dixon, CA Patch

Vallejo Unified School District not allowing conditioning for prep sports yet – Times-Herald

By Matt O’Donnell

When Solano County moved into Tier 2 (red) on Sept. 23, some athletic directors were able to get their athletes back onto campus for conditioning with limited numbers.

So far, that has not applied to athletes at Jesse Bethel and Vallejo high schools.

Last week, the Vallejo Unified School District told both schools that they could not move forward with conditioning. The schools were able to condition during a portion of the summer before coronavirus numbers in the county became too high.

Source: Vallejo Unified School District not allowing conditioning for prep sports yet – Times-Herald

Vanden’s Dion Williams had most catches in season – by 19 – Daily Republic

By Paul Farmer

Running backs and quarterbacks are usually measured by the yardage they’ve gained, which is also true for receivers.

Yet receivers have another stat that shows their value to the teams they play for: receptions.

The city record for receptions in a season stood for 26 years, though few other stats for that player – Fairfield’s Kirk Broussard – are available from his 1982 campaign.

Source: City top-10 single-season receptions leaders: Vanden’s Dion Williams had most catches in season – by 19

Cooper Elementary student leads virtual pledge in video series – The Reporter

By Nick Sestanovich

Schools in Vacaville may have moved to virtual learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the tradition of placing one’s right hand upon their hearts and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has continued.

At Cooper Elementary School, one student has led the pledge through a series of videos, all filmed in front of flags in different locations.

Fifth-grader Keegan Pierce has been filmed leading the pledge in areas ranging from the Vacaville Police Department to Disneyland. The videos started off each school day for the student body, just as the pledge would during a typical in-person school day.

Source: Cooper Elementary student leads virtual pledge in video series – The Reporter

Benicia Schools Volunteer Food Delivery Services need drivers – Benicia Herald

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, schools were scrambling to keep lunch and breakfast available to students through pick up options at one school site. While some students were still able to utilize this valuable resource, some did not have transportation or means to get there, leaving much of the food to go to waste each day.For now, the program remains free to all students. Robert Semple Elementary parents Tawnya Cassidy and Diederich Burton saw the need for students to receive these important meals and stepped up to serve as delivery drivers to help, forming the Facebook group Benicia Schools Volunteer Food Delivery Services.

Source: Benicia Schools Volunteer Food Delivery Services need drivers

Tools for Teachers – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond today announced the availability of Tools for Teachers External link opens in new window or tab. from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. This easy-to-use website features lessons and strategies to support instruction, save teachers time in developing quality lessons, and help prepare students for college or career success.

“No one is working harder than our teachers right now. They are learning new technologies, engaging in educator trainings, and putting in the work to reach our students,” Thurmond said. “The more tools we can provide our teachers, the better. I am pleased the California Department of Education can fund access to this resource for all local educational agencies with no cost to the teachers themselves.”

The Tools for Teachers website focuses on the formative assessment process External link opens in new window or tab., which helps teachers identify where students are in their learning, where they are heading, and how they will reach their learning goals. All of the website’s resources include recommended teaching strategies that support diverse learners and can be modified by teachers to meet instructional needs during in-person or distance learning.

Source: Tools for Teachers – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Thousands of Devices Available for Schools – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday that the California Department of Education (CDE) has worked closely with technology companies to make available more than 500,000 more computing devices for California students in need.

“We cannot stop until we know we have leveled the playing field for every student in California by connecting them to the technology they need to succeed now, and in the years ahead,” Thurmond said. “At a time when there is a worldwide shortage of devices, I want to thank these companies for prioritizing California students, and I am proud that we have been able to work together to give school districts a unique chance to equip every student in need with a computing device.”

Thousands of devices will be made available within weeks as many schools either continue distance learning or transition to hybrid models that require some remote instruction.

Source: Thousands of Devices Available for Schools – Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Solano Office of Education honors top educators – Daily Republic

The Solano County Office of Education on Wednesday celebrated all the certificated and classified employees nominated as part of the Educators of the Year program.

“The video highlights that honor each nominee in this year’s virtual celebration are truly heartwarming. Solano County’s certificated and classified employees of the year nominees are all passionate and committed people who have put their colleagues and students first. We are so proud to recognize each honoree with a video celebration of their dedication and hard work,” Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson said in a statement.

Source: Solano Office of Education honors top educators

SCOE honors employee of the year nominees – The Reporter

BY Richard Bammer

Solano schools’ common mission to support, educate and graduate students was in high relief Wednesday when the Solano County Office of Education held an online celebration for a select group of school-support employees and teachers.

Every year, school districts countywide nominate one teacher and one classified employee to be recognized as an Educator of the Year.

The prerecorded celebration, which got underway at 3 p.m. and made necessary because of the ongoing pandemic, was a salute to six classified employees and seven teachers and paraeducators.

Source: SCOE honors employee of the year nominees – The Reporter